Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Bells - Antologia 1965-1966
 | There's no surf here, but The Bells releases were mostly instrumental, and some were very interesting. The drummer in this band was really good. Anyone know more about these guys? |
Picks: Wadiya, Apache, The Blob, The Park Hood Twist, Ja-Da, Anda, Barcarole, Big Boy, Gonzales, Hully Gully Bells, Bittersweet Samba, T'En Va Pas, Gandy Dancer, O Menino Da Porteira
Track by Track Review
Rock (Instrumental)
Yevhen Hrebinka's Chorni Ochi is done with spunk despite really not-loud amps of the day. The guitar, while thin, plays some superb double picked chops, and the bass and drums rock.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Wadiya" is a rockin' little number with lots of spunk and great drums. The melody is close to familiar, yet is original. This is a very fun track!
Rock (Instrumental)
Jerry Lordan's classic "Apache" gets a fairly soft treatment. It's a bit stiff, yet there are some charming moments. The guitar lacks the emotion and slither required to really pull this off, however, the delicate muted, almost popcorn-like bridge is pretty cool!
Rock (Instrumental)
A cool and simple rhythm track and great rock drums and bass support a sax lead fifties style rocker. "Beware Of The Blob" was the theme from the 1958 b-movie The Blob starring Steve McQueen. Originally a vocal recorded by The Five Blobs for the film, it's much more tolerable as an instrumental.
Rock (Instrumental)
Victor Young's classic theme is most commonly associated with The Ventures instrumentally, at least in rock circles. This is a modest version, a bit garagy and easy to enjoy. "Blue Star" was the theme music of the television series Medic.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a rockin' cool number with a great melody riff and excellent bass and drum action. "The Park Hood Twist" is very spunky and could easily be converted to a surf instro. Very fun track!
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a tremolo gerbil of a rendering of Bob Carleton's 1918 instrumental today thought of mostly as an Al Hirt hit from the sixties. It's very fun, and the trembling lead gives it a slightly surreal sound.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Anda" is a splendid song with a an infectious rhythm and energy. Its splashy guitars and occasional slide accents make it an exceptional track among The Bells' recordings.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Barcarole" is a Venetian folk melody often heard among gondoliers. The opening has been used in rock instros before, and the melody is very nice. Some verses are double picked, and the infectious rhythm and drums pump it up. Stylistically, it's not to distant from Duluth, Minnesota's Titans.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Big Boy" is a galloping cowboy thing with a great circulating hook and very cool lead guitar work. This is all infectious fun, start to finish! I think this is the main theme from the 1925 musical, in which case it is written by James F. Hanley and Joseph Meyer.
Rock (Instrumental)
The Shadows' "Gonzales" is done with lots of spunk and flair. Tremolo is in charge as The Bells romp through this number! Great track!
Rock (Instrumental)
This track is a pleasant mid tempo number with tasteful guitar and excellent drums. It doesn't really stand out, yet while listening, "Hully Gully Bells" is a solid rocker.
Capri C'est Fini Rock (Instrumental)
"Capri C'est Fini" dates from probably 1965. It's a really cheesy number with chorus. It's a serious step down for The Bells.
Rock (Instrumental)
Modestly interesting, this sax instro has a bit of a western edge, but is mostly relegated to history. There are some nice sax moments, and the guitar break is slightly spaghetti, while the organ is sub-Johnny and the Hurricanes.
Rock (Instrumental)
Tijuana Brass' "Bittersweet Samba" is fine fodder for The Bells. They rock it up some and give it a different kind of attraction. This is full of infectious energy and sax angst, and the drums are great!
Rock (Instrumental)
This classic melody from Henry Clay Work (1876) has lots of suave guitar and an easy gate. The tone is very soothing until the cheesy organ takes into mall country.
Rock (Instrumental)
"T'En Va Pas" (Don't Go away) is a lovely, slow number with pretty guitar and a fine melody. It must be a pop song from before 1966, but I cannot connect it to a source. Anyway, this is a romancer.
Rock (Instrumental)
This classic instrumental is raucous and very cool. An infectious, sort of shuffling rhythm, great drums, and lots of energy. I like The Centurys' version better, but that doesn't detract from the value here.
Rock (Instrumental)
Roosters crow, whammy opens, and then some Mediterranean double picking ensues. "O Menino Da Porteira" is not aggressive, but it is fast and very fun. A very nice track!