Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The AquaSonics - Orientaldotdotdot
artworkThe audio is what you'd expect off of a camera, kind of distant with lots of ambient crowd noise. The performances are very good, with ample energy and spirit.
Picks: (Ghost) Riders In The Sky, Down Shiftin', The Infantile Surf, The Jester, Miserlou - Rumble - The Wedge, Out Of Limits, Penetration, Secret Agent Man, Squad Car, Walk, Don't Run

Track by Track Review


(Ghost) Riders In The Sky dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Based on Dick Dale's modern arrangement, this version of Stan Jones' classic cowboy epic is all surfed out and ready to ride. A strong performance, full of infectious energy. Makes you wanna yell yippiekia!

Down Shiftin' dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Down Shiftin'" is a traditionally structured song with vintage melody progression and solid unpretentious energy. Great drums and fiery guitars.

The Infantile Surf dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This lovely original is pepped up a bit live, but it displays all of the flair of the writing. It's a good reminder of how cool a great melody really is. Slightly sad, but optimistic for a new dawn!

The Jester dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Jim Messina's namesake instro is raucously pumped out. The drums are perfectly in tune with the original intent of the track, and the wet guitars make it pure surf. The boomy bass completes the vintage allure.

Miserlou - Rumble - The Wedge dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

As if lifted right off of the Tigers Loose arrangement, "Miserlou" rocks and bops really hard. You can almost see The Golden Bear. "Rumble" sports all of the torture required of any good cover of this superb Link Wray song. The pomp of Link's album version employed for the rhythm track. Then along comes "The Wedge," a song lifted from the Tandems (Al Hazan). The arrangement is of course Dick's. Big fire!

Out Of Limits dotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Keeping true to the hit arrangement of Mike Gordon's "Out Of Limits," the The AquaSonics deliver a very vintage experience.

Penetration dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

the arrangement here is based on the Pyramids' take thankfully. It's very well done, as if Steve Leonard was just off stage. Very cool!

Secret Agent Man dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is one of the more surfy covers of Phil Sloane's TV theme. Very reverby and period perfect. The note bending adds a bit of dementia to this spy classic.

Squad Car dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Shy the sax reed siren, "Squad Car" nonetheless rock with a solid Eddie and the Showmen arrangement. Great reverb and pounding drums!

Walk, Don't Run dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The 1960 Ventures arrangement plus reverb describes this take of Johnny Smith's classic adequately. Very nice.