Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Boss Twang
 | This is an 12 inch release, with the Duane Eddy sound as it's theme. Not exactly a tribute, and not really a catalogue of great tracks either, but Boss Twang follows a dubious trail from 1956 Al Casey through 1970 Duane Eddy and Harlow Wilcox. More a curiosity than a great find. |
Picks: Twangin' Fool, Duane's Stroll, A Fool's Blues, Juice, Freight Train, 5.17, Put A Little Love In Your Heart, Something, Boss, The Thing, Nut Cracker, Never On Sunday, Guitar Boogie, Raunchy, Groovy Grubworm, Goodnight Sweetheart
Track by Track Review
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a bouncin' country instro with a great beat and infectious lap steel. Dean Hightower's guitar is similar stylistically to Duane Eddy's. "Twangin' Fool" is an ultra simple riff spiffed up by the lap steel accents. Originally issued on ABC Paramount in 1959.
Rock (Instrumental)
This track is a slow walkin' Duane Eddy vibrato charmer, with a pleasant riff and a bit of guts. The sax is distant and nasty as the guitar chumps and vibrates.
Rock Blues (Instrumental)
A walking bass line and rockabilly beat back this often used riff. It's a classic slice of early fifties rock. The guitar work is impeccable!
Blues (Instrumental)
"Juice" is a basic blues jam, with some simple guitar work and piano jive. While it's smooth and emotive, it's not particularly memorable.
Freight Train Soft Rock (Instrumental)
Great drums and Duane Eddy's liquid vibrato abound, but then the big band production and cheesy production values take "Freight Train" out of the running. The strings, synthesizer, and drum machine give away the year - 1969.
5.17 Soft Rock (Instrumental)
A female chorus staccatos along with Duane Eddy's guitar over drum machine percussion. Egads!
Put A Little Love In Your Heart Soft Rock (Instrumental)
The drum machine opens to a gutty low-E lead playing Jackie DeShannon's "Put A Little Love In Your Heart." Really low key, at least until the cheesy horns and strings come in.
Something Soft Rock (Instrumental)
This is a really soft MOR version of the Beatles' "Something." Argh!
Rock (Instrumental)
This is the Rumblers lone national hit, and was the basis for their follow up singles "Boss Strikes Back," "Son of Boss," and "Boss Drums." Heavily R&B based, rhythmic and grumbly, its catchy thump and honkin' grodiness are essential listening for ant fan of the genre.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
"The Thing" is a simple jammin' number that's a long ways from being a song. meaningless sax and a circular bass line is about all there is to it, with the exception of the slight reverb on the guitar and one or two double picked lines.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a knockoff of B. Bumble and the Stingers' "Nut Rocker," but with a lot less coolness in the piano. It rocks and all, but it's just way to similar to the real deal.
Never On Sunday Lite Rock (Instrumental)
This is a tastefully done lite rock piano treatment of the poppy film score. While it's quite pleasant, you won't remember it ten minutes later.
Guitar Boogie Rock (Instrumental)
The title says it... "Guitar Boogie" is a basic guitar boogie. Not a damn thing happening that didn't happen on the other 4,000 guitar boogies.
Raunchy Rock (Instrumental)
While this is a very clean recording, it's also completely devoid of spirit, to the point of being sterile! Boring!
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a bouncy country gimmick hit, with great damped guitar lines and a catchy riff. Entirely cool, like something that Buck Owens or Dave Myers could have made great. A very fun track.
Goodnight Sweetheart Rock (Instrumental)
"Goodnight Sweetheart" is a standard that's done yet again without adding anything new to set it apart. Ho hum.