Stranger On The Shore - Acker Bilk

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Stranger On The Shore - Acker Bilk

Postby Hugh-AR » 13 Nov 2017 19:20

When I first heard this Acker Bilk play Stranger On The Shore in 1962 I rushed straight out and bought the 45pm record. I loved the sound Acker Bilk made with the 'fast vibrato' on his clarinet, the way he 'hesitated' as he played the tune, and the backing that just seemed to 'flow' as he played.

Wikipedia has this to say about him:

Bernard Stanley "Acker" Bilk, MBE (28 January 1929 – 2 November 2014) was an English clarinettist and vocalist known for his appearance – goatee, bowler hat and striped waistcoat – and breathy, vibrato-rich, lower-register clarinet style. He was born in Pensford, Somerset, in 1929. He earned the nickname "Acker" from the Somerset slang for "friend" or "mate". His parents tried to teach him the piano but, as a boy, Bilk found it restricted his love of outdoor activities, including football. He lost two front teeth in a school fight and half a finger in a sledging accident, both of which he claimed affected his eventual clarinet style.

This piece lends itself to being played on a keyboard, so I plan to put up as many good, interesting arrangements as I can find of this piece. But first, the original by Acker Bilk himself.



Hugh
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Re: Stranger On The Shore

Postby Hugh-AR » 13 Nov 2017 21:18

Bronwyn and I have been to both the Theatre Royal in Bath and the Playhouse Theatre here in Weston-super-Mare to see Acker Bilk play 'live'. Of course everyone was expecting him to play Stranger On The Shore, which he did do, but played a 'jazzed up' version of it. Not the same at all, but I can understand why he did that. He must have played that piece so many times he had just had enough of doing it!

Which reminds me of another story. They were opening a new B&Q store in Bridgwater, and had a 'live band' for the opening. We had the band stay with us in our Hotel, and when I got chatting to the bass player he told me he had played in Acker Bilk's band, and was the bass player on the original recording of Stranger On The Shore. Well, at breakfast, clever clogs here thought it would be a good idea to play that 45rpm record of Stranger On The Shore. The reaction I got was not what I had expected. I was told in no uncertain terms to turn the record player off and deposit the record in the bin. He had heard it played so many times he never wanted to hear it again!

Hugh
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Re: Stranger On The Shore

Postby Hugh-AR » 13 Nov 2017 21:20

This is one I had found, played on a Tyros 3 by Poul Kristian, which I have already put up in Music Videos, here:

http://tierce-de-picardie.co.uk/viewtop ... 314&t=5267

No 'backing parts' added. He just plays the piece 'straight', but I like the way he has played it. Here is the LINK again:



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Re: Stranger On The Shore

Postby Hugh-AR » 13 Nov 2017 21:39

Here's a version of it played by George, not so long ago in September this year.

https://app.box.com/s/2yk6pbtyttglaqcdtrs2uhur9vbh76q3

... and one I did in May:

https://app.box.com/s/fdxamqgccv9nrqiac3hvudwreb3vkgg8

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Re: Stranger On The Shore

Postby Hugh-AR » 13 Nov 2017 21:47

Now here's an unusual version of this tune, played on a Steel Guitar:



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Re: Stranger On The Shore

Postby Brian007 » 14 Nov 2017 07:49

Hi Hugh,

Some good versions of that tune there, My favorite has to be the Steel Guitar, I have always been fascinated by them
and as I started off playing the guitar I always wanted one, but so expensive.

Brian007 :D :D
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