Tony Sheridan Vagabond

1-CD with 20-page booklet, 13 tracks, playing time 50:47 minutes.

Tony Sheridan was known to me even before I knew of the existence of the "Top Ten" club or the "Star-Club". The leader of the provincial amateur band with whom I played in the early sixties, was a Sheridan fan. His working method ("how would Tony Sheridan do it?") demanded that we busy ourselves with the arrangements until the band leader was satisfied that the result came close to the required "TS" style - then it was alright!

Having become acquainted with the "Top Ten" and the "Star- Club", I was knocked out by both; and seeing Tony Sheridan at last on stage, I immediately knew why countless musicians unconditionally accepted him as the "master": Tony was unique - and miles ahead of his time. Like other young musicians - including the British professionals present - I stood, amazed, in front of the stage. Innumerable guitarists have tried to copy him; but none really managed to do so.

Whenever the "Hamburg Sound" (which, as "beat music", took the world by storm) is mentioned, the name Tony Sheridan automatically crops up. In contrast to many other great musicians who, together with him, braved the same stage in the ruthless routine of typical St. Pauli gigs, Tony continues to perform; and, more importantly, while his music has continued to evolve, he has stayed true to himself.

When Tony performed with his trio during the 40th "Star-Club" anniversary celebration (13th April 2002 at the "Grope Freiheit 36" in Hamburg), many still active colleagues stood - where they had once stood many years before - in wonderment at the foot of the stage.

The songs presented here were all written by Tony, with one exception: "Skinny Minnie". At the initial meeting in the studio, as we were just feeling each other out, I jokingly suggested that we try a loose version of "Skinny Minnie", with absolutely no intention of ever releasing the result. The tape was so convincing that we decided to work more on it with a view to issuing a bonus track. I am certain that this version serves admirably to bridge a gap between the "then" and "now", and thus will delight all Sheridan fans, whether they knew Tony from the "old days", or have only recently become acquainted with his music. Ulf Kruger