Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Big Guitars From Texas - That's Cool, That's Trash
 | Volume two in the series was issued in 1986 with only drummer Mike Buck (Johnny Carroll, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Juke Jumpers, Five Careless Lovers) still in tow. More rich Austin twang, this time from guitarists Ray Benson (Asleep At The Wheel, 4G's, Secret Agents, Stoney Edwards), Gerry 'Phareaux' Felton (Commandos, Eveready, Omar and the Howlers, Prophets), Rick 'Casper' Rawls (LeRoi Brothers, Dominos, Viewmasters, Eveready, Drapes), and Jesse 'Hercules' Taylor (Tornado Alley, Epics, Krackerjack, Joe Ely Band, Macumba Love), supported by bassist Sarah Brown (Tex Thomas' Danglin' Wranglers, the Antones, Hipshakers, Vipers, Boogie Brothers, Big Walter Horton, J. B. Hutto, Rhythm Rockers, Memphis Rockabilly Band, LeRoi Brothers, Lou Ann Barton). "That's Cool, That's Trash" is a frat party vocal of sing-along anthemic proportions. |
Picks: Groovus, Sunburn, The Rebel - Johnny Yuma / (Ghost) Riders In the Sky / Eyes Of Texas, High Tide In Hub City, Alamo Beach, The Absorber, Woo-Hoo, Holiday For Hoss, Guitarget, Neanderthal, Hardy Street
Track by Track Review
Surf Rock (Instrumental)
A surfy groovy number with lots of edge, and a strong simpler melody. It has enough surf to fit, though it's clearly not intended to be a surf song. A solid track.
Surf Rock (Instrumental)
A surfy backtrack, vibrato guitar, and a very cool rhythm that invokes spies and waves sucks you in. This is a cool song. It has an ominous feel to it, and a simple but effective melody line.
The Rebel - Johnny Yuma / (Ghost) Riders In the Sky / Eyes Of Texas Surf Rock (Instrumental)
This fine medley of the theme from the The Rebel - Johnny Yuma TV show, Stan Jones' classic "(Ghost) Riders In the Sky," and "Eyes Of Texas" romps through the three pieces with complete high energy abandon and rebel yells. A very cool track!
Rock (Instrumental)
From the title, you'd expect... it opens with a "Scratchy" pick slide, then proceeds to a rock instro format. It's very well played, of course, but more a jam than a song, though it does sport an infectious hook.
Rock (Instrumental)
Shimmering guitar tones, cool lounginess, plinky piano, layered sound, infectious. Not terribly melodic, but very fine listening.
Surf Rock (Instrumental)
A strong track, featuring a simple melody, edgy sound, and bongos for good measure. A tad surfy and dangerous.
Surf Rock (Instrumental)
The Rockateens' "Woo-Hoo" is trashed up, without the reverb and with playful frat vocal lines. Lots of yellin' and carryin' on as the Big Guitars From Texas make this over into a party anthem.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
Galloping drums, cowboy sensibilities, edgy guitars, and a Spaghetti feel. Melodic, and very entertaining.
Rock (Instrumental)
Austin sensibilities, and lots of edgy twang, but little to hang a surf hat on.
Stone Age (Instrumental)
Slow, nuckledragging vibrato, lowbrow cave dweller ominous. What you would have expected from the Piltdown Men had you never heard their rerecording. Cool, humorous, and fun.
Galloping Surf (Instrumental)
Tom-tom driven, galloping, almost spaghetti western, near surf infectious as hell instrumental wonderment. A great track, required listening for understanding the Texas surf connection.