Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Bonney and Buzz - Rock-Ola
 | Bill Bonney, once bassist with the Fentones (Shane Fenton's backing band) and Peter "Buzz" Miller (Jaywalkers, Big By Pete) collaborated for this album in some ways to round out their sizable contributions to UK sixties instrumentals. It's a lush sounding disc with more romance than rock, and some really splendid playing. Overall, the sound is too much washed in reverb for my taste, but it does compliment the UK guitar sound well. |
Picks: The Sunburst Kid, Thunderbird Road, Drawn To The Sea, Summerstar, Bandito, Land Of The Blackhearts, Doodlebug, Bubble and Squeak, Cruiser Six, Red Light Zone, Black Knickers, Electroglide
Track by Track Review
Shadows (Instrumental)
This is a very nicely done instrumental, with complimentary interplay between the two guitars, and a galloping beat. Fluid melody, Hawaiian steel, with moodiness and optimism coexisting. Quite nice.
Shadows (Instrumental)
"Thunderbird Road" has a traveling kind of feeling, with long sustain and fifties chordage. Aside from repetitious drums, this is a kind of haunting track with an intriguing sound.
Shadows (Instrumental)
"Drawn To The Sea" is a lush and pretty instrumental in the Shadows mature tradition. Low on energy because it's a flowing and sad song, it also has an atmospheric chemistry that ties it together.
Shadows (Instrumental)
Hinting of "Summertime Blues," but with an entirely different melody, "Summerstar" is a light weight piece with long delayed guitar lines and a pop feel. Pretty and relaxing.
Shadows (Instrumental)
Dramatic and moody, this Shadows-like song is long on atmosphere and spatial width. It's very nice in the way only the Shadows' sound can produce. The chorus completes the genre's sound.
Shadows (Instrumental)
With the sort of drama and sadness only spaghetti westerns can deliver, "Land Of The Blackhearts" plays out like a post-mortem scene with Morrecone-like depth. Very cool!
Shadows (Instrumental)
A term that was born of the thirties, "Doodlebug" seems an unlikely title for this decidedly UK sixties styled guitar instro. It's light weight and playful, and very nicely done.
Shadows (Instrumental)
With a slow saunter and sunset sound, "Bubble and Squeak" grows on you like country music's Sunday picnic sounds. Quite enjoyable.
Shadows (Instrumental)
A slow and very nicely played instro, "Cruiser Six" has a haunted sound that runs contrary to the lightness of the melody. It's a splendid song that's got a long-delay guitar happiness and soul.
Shadows (Instrumental)
With the waterfront haunt of an Earl Hagen song like "Harlem Nocturne," though a little less epic, "Red Light Zone" slowly oozes the blue soul of the forgotten who wander under the street lights in the fog. Excellent.
Shadows (Instrumental)
A stop-start beat and melody line bumps along with an English instro sound and structure. I'm not sure why the title, but then again, why not!
Shadows (Instrumental)
"Electroglide" is a very haunting and romantic guitar instro that's very much in the Shadows' mold, with long delayed sustain and chamber reverb sound. Quite pretty.