by Bruce Eder
This 16-track CD presents Hank Marvin's reconsideration of Cliff Richard's hits in a notably laid-back, largely instrumental style. It isn't really rock by most people's definition of the term, but it is a rather elegant representative of how Marvin, in his 50's, accompanied by his son and working with a second generation of rock performers, saw the music in the 1990s. Marvin and company try for virtuosity rather than excitement on numbers ranging from &Move It& (for which author and original Shadows member Ian Samwell wrote a new verse nearly 40 years after the original) and &Living Doll& to &Devil Woman.& The arrangements, mostly by Warren Bennett, are expansive reworkings of the originals, all heavily featuring Marvin's Signature Series Stratocaster, usually along with Bennett's electronic keyboards; Cliff Richard also shows up on two numbers to provide vocals in a manner as relaxed as the rest of this album -- none of which is terribly bracing but all of which is well played. The reworking of &The Young Ones& is the best track on the album.