Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Rare Trax Vol. 5 - Summer In The City
 | A bunch of strange tracks compiled, or perhaps is surf music in the way surfers define it, i.e. if surfers like it, it's surf music. Ska and other styles are adjacent to some surf tracks. |
Picks: The Bambi Molesters - Hawaii Joe, Calexico - Frontera, The Chantays - Pipeline [unplugged], Dick Dale - The Wedge Paradiso
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Hawaii Joe" is one of those tunes that hints of others, but still has very individual character. It lies somewhere between the "Hawaii 5-0" and "Latin'ia," and the Chuck Berry influenced riffs that the Beach Boys ripped off so often. That description does it no justice, but it has that sorta feel to it. Images of riders on storm surf in black wet suits come to mind.
Surf (Instrumental)
A slow reverbed tom tom creates a moody expectation, and it is fulfilled as "Frontera" floats on slide guitar above tribal drums. Shimmering tremolo and eerie keys. The melody is very cool!
Acoustic Surf (Instrumental)
Among the acoustic versions of "Pipeline," this is by far the best! All the right guitar parts are there, and it works really well. I'd hold this up to any electric version any day! Among the sea of covers, who to better play with it than the Chantays.
Not (Instrumental)
The fifth version of "The Wedge" that Dick has recorded. It's pretty powerful, solid actually. Dick didn't like the Capital sessions, but that post "A Run For Life" version is still the best, seconded by his 1981 Golden Bear performance.
Space Rock (Instrumental)
Among the rare tracks from the Tornados with vocals, even if only a chorus. The organ sound is not as interesting as others, but the drums are more drum like and distinct.