Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Collection: Rock Instrumentals Volumes 1-10dotdotdotdot
artworkHoly doo-dah! Ten volumes of instrumental obscuros! There's some wonderful material here. Almost 200 instros and another 20 or so vocals. It's an mp3 compilation series, unquestionably without benefit of license. The tracks are mostly from vinyl, and are unmastered at that, so there's a bunch of stereo artifacts, and some of the mp3 conversions are flawed with digi-noise as well, but as a reference set, it's pretty darn cool. In many cases, when the a-side is a vocal, it's included in the set. Four stars for shear volume.
Picks: The Arrows - Do The Freddie, Lee Allan and his Band - Walkin' With Mr. Lee, Richie Allen - Redskin, Stranger From Durango, Cave Man, Room 304, Haunted Guitar, Moon Dawg '65, Granny Goose, The Arrows featuring Davie Allan - Space Hop, The Avantis - Wax 'Em Down, Gypsy Surfer, The Bidwells - Karate Again, The Chessmen - Meadowlands, Mustang, The Flee-Rekkers - Stage To Cimarron, Lone Rider, The Frantics - Trees, Delilah, The Whip, The Frogmen - Underwater, The Mad Rush, Group X - There Are 8 Million Melodies (And This Is One Of Them), The Guitar Ramblers - Surf Beat, The Hi-Fives - Fujikami The Warrior, The Hollywood Persuaders - Drums A Go-Go, The Hot-Toddys - Rockin' Crickets, Les Jaguars - Mer Morte, Supersonic Twist, The Kan Dells - Cloud Burst, Kenny and the Fiends - House On Haunted Hill Part 2, The Knockouts - Riot In Room 3C, Kokomo - Journey Home, Fred Latremouille and the Classics - Latromotion, Lenny and the Thundertones - Thunder Express, Alabamy Bound, Little Louie - Short Trip, Kathy Lynn and the Playboys - Rock City, Rockin' Red River, The Midnighters - Slow Walk, Siam, The Moongooners - Willie and the Hand Jive, The Mus-Twangs - Frankie and Johnny, Dearest, Sandy Nelson - Drums A Go-Go, Casbah, The Nomads - Desert Tramp, Bounty Hunter, I'm Popeye The Sailor Man, The Novas - Take 7, The Raiders - Stick Shift, The Ramblers - Devil Train, The Ramrods - (Ghost) Riders In The Sky, Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle, Loch Lomond Rock, Bob Reagan - Tarantula, Highland Lassie, The Renegades - Hot Sands, Kahuna, The Rockin' R's - The Beat, The Rogues - Roger's Reef - Part 2, The Rondels - Shades Of Green, Satan's Theme, My Prayer, 110 Lbs Of Drums, Caledonia, Back Beat No. 1, The Rowdies - Kafka, The Camel, The Rumblers - Boss, Night Train, The Saturday Knights - Ticonderoga, Tiger Lily, The Silhouettes - Theme From The Endless Summer, Frank Slay and his Orchestra - Flying Circle, Cincinnati, The Bill Smith Combo - Tough, The Squires - The Sultan, Aurora, Rhet Stoller - Night Theme, Chariot, Billy Strange - For A Few Dollars More, The Strangers - Caterpillar Crawl, Bobby Summers - The Big Guitar, The Sunsets - Cry Of The Wild Goose, Manhunt, The Sunspots - Paella, Vancouver, The Supersonics - Perfidia, Walk, Don't Run, Guitar Boogie, The Tarantulas - Tarantula, Black Widow, The Temptations - Trophy Run, The Titans - A-Rab, The Travel Agency - Emit, The Turbo-Jets - In Reverse, Tony and the Twangers - The Beetles Morning March, The University Four - Off Shore, The Velaires - Frankie and Johnny, The Vigilantes - Man In Space, The Violents - Alpens Ros, Travis Wammack - Louie Louie, Dick Wolfe and the Wolverines - Polaris

Track by Track Review


The Arrows - Do The Freddie dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Do The Freddie" is a light weight melodic tune with a catchy riff and tambourine. This is a happy track that hasn't been reissued before. Also title "Dance The Freddie."

Lee Allan and his Band - Walkin' With Mr. Lee dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Walkin' With Mr. Lee" is a classic fifties instro that was used as bumper music on countless Am stations. Rockin', stompin', saxology.

Lee Allan and his Band - Teen Dream dot
Rock (Instrumental)

Sludgy slow dance late night adolescent sax romance music. Very unremarkable.

Lee Allan and his Band - Promenade dotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This is one strange track. The horn and sax play in sync at times, sounding as if it's an out of tune high school band. Even when not, it's very basic stuff with little character.

Lee Allan and his Band - Big Horn Special dot
Rock (Instrumental)

This sounds a lot like Tobin Mathews, but without his raw charm and gritty bass. It does not live up to the title.

Richie Allen - Redskin dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

An Indian tune, heavy on the tom-toms. A great melody line is played over a whammied series of notes a la the usual "Peter Gunn" intro or "Church Key." It's a very cool track, a different mix of "Ridin' The Woodie," less ominous, and quite cool.

Richie Allen - Stranger From Durango dotdotdot
Body Rub Surf (Instrumental)

"Stranger From Durango" is a slow close body contact dance tune. Richard Podolor's guitar tone is in evidence. Pretty and on the verge of surf. It was issued both as Richie Allen and Richie Allen and the Pacific Surfers.

Richie Allen - Cave Man dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Also known as "Surf Man" later, Richie Podolor does it yet again. Heard within the confines of this song are the base elements for several other Podolor tunes. He often wrote pieces with enough things happening that subsections or runs could be morphed into whole new songs with yet more little foundation lines. Amazing writer.

Richie Allen - Room 304 dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Much like a "Cinnamon Cinder" backtrack, and also released as "Malibu Run."

Richie Allen - In A Persian Market
Rock (Instrumental)

Honkin' and plucking suggests the Middle east, while the guitar says Indian, and the organ says mall. This is not one of Richie Podolor's better tracks.

Richie Allen - Haunted Guitar dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Haunted Guitar" is a dramatic and almost classical acoustic number. It's a slow dance Spanish flavored song on the pop side of the aisle.

Dave Appell - Noivous dotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Polka my heart rhythm and energy, with saucy sax accompaniment with the drums and bass. It's the flute lead that grinds this to a halt.

The Applejacks - Memories Are Made Of This dotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Clarinet plays a squishy version of this classic song. Well done, but completely unremarkable.

The Applejacks - (Theme From) The Untouchables dot
Strip Rock (Instrumental)

Fifties chunka chunka rhythm under a nasty sax playing the theme to the TV show. Saucy and suave, with tasty guitar... at least until the chorus comes in and does the 'da-d-d, da dada..." thing.

The Arrows - Moon Dawg '65 dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Davie's complete reconstruction of the Gamblers' studio gem. "Moondawg '65" is chunky and laden with that classic Davie Allan sound. Great drums and rhythm.

The Arrows - Granny Goose dotdotdotdot
Biker Fuzz (Vocal)

I am so glad this appears on this compilation. Its a single that got no exposure at all, but it is priceless. There was a series of Granny Goose commercials with a Marlboro Man look alike who tore open his bag of chips with his teeth after stating from horseback "My name is Granny - Granny Goose!". It was too funny. Davie recorded this hilarious honorarium to Mr. Goose, with all the macho references, and declaring that "It may sound funny, but all the girls, they call me honey..." So cool!

The Arrows featuring Davie Allan - Space Hop dotdotdotdot
Plucky Space (Instrumental)

Screaming guitar assault, drums rampaging, bass thundering, dirty guitar tones, and big chords. A fine ugly Hog rider's anthem. Very powerful.

The Avantis - Wax 'Em Down dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Avantis most familiar single "Wax 'Em Down" is a dry guitar chamber reverbed adventure in the surf culture. The waxing sound effects (wood sawing) and the basic progression issue forth a simpler more innocent view of surf music. Great drums, raw guitar, subservient organ, and a catchy riff are all here. A fine track.

The Avantis - Gypsy Surfer dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a chilling track. The surf rhythm guitar is harsh, the lead shimmers with vibrato, and the sound is both thin and effective. Great infectious classic obscure surf with a hauntingly magnetic sound. The organ break is different from other discs of the day.

The Bidwells - Karate Again dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Karate Again" is a fast rompin' number with quite a bit of energy. Slightly fuzzed guitar twangs out a jammin' riff over an infectious rhythm track. great piano completes the track. This rocks in a not to intense sort of way.

The Chessmen - Meadowlands dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Chessmen arranged "Meadowlands" in a somewhat European way, yet it has a distinctly American presurf sound. It's an all-guitar way of playing it. There's a slight nod to the Shadows, but mostly the style is upbeat and bright with ringing guitar tone. This is likely the most common rock cover of this classic European melody. The lead is almost surfy, and the beat very cool. Excellent guitar playing and an infectious rhythm. This is one of those little singles that's a pleasure to listen to over and over. Great drums and an excellent performance.

The Chessmen - Mustang dotdotdotdot
Near Surf (Instrumental)

"Mustang" is a cool instro with an unusual galloping rhythm. The melody is sort of western and sort of Shadows-like. It's also on the edge of surf. This is Ararat b-side to a great single!

Van Doren - Huntington Beach dot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Huntington Beach" is a cheesy organ jam with shouts and hand claps. Originally issued on Hickory 1262, this 1964 single is easily forgotten.

Van Doren - Surfin' Liza dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Clapping and shoutin' party style over a pumping organ instro. Better than the a-side, but still dismissible.

The Flee-Rekkers - Bitter Rice dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Tequila" Y Piltdown stew. Derivative, and just so-so. The extreme compression on the reverbed hand claps is cool. It's things like that which made Joe Meek's legend.

Ernie Fields - The Charleston dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Yup, it's that roaring twenties song done by orchestra leader Ernie Fields. Great drums, raspy sax, and pretty fun.

The Five Whispers - Midnight Sun dot
Surf (Instrumental)

Several bands have attempted to make "Midnight Sun" over into an instro rocker, all unsuccessfully. Lap steel softness and an MOR structure.

The Five Whispers - Moon In The Afternoon dotdotdot
Twang (Instrumental)

Echoed guitar and a warm melody line. This was also done by Bruno and the Gladiators I think. Kinda chumpy.

The Five Whispers - Awake Or Asleep dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

The lap steel cries softly into its sunset beer. While pretty in a Pete Drake sort of way, it just doesn't have chemistry.

The Five Whispers - Especially For You dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Especially For You" is another liquid smooth lap steeler with more smooth than charm. If it were not for Santo and Johnny, one of these kinds of records would have been made.

The Flee-Rekkers - Stage To Cimarron dotdotdot
Western (Instrumental)

A nifty number with a decidedly western feel, and sorta Lawrence Welk rhythm and horns. Unusual, and catchy.

The Flee-Rekkers - Twistin' The Chestnuts dotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Fifties horn rock...

The Flee-Rekkers - Lone Rider dotdotdotdot
Shadows-like (Instrumental)

Low-E Shadows inspired track with honking fifties sax in the back, and a decidedly slow Bonanza / Ghost Riders feel. Love the whammy stingers. A pretty cool track!

The Flee-Rekkers - Miller Like Wow dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Yeah, well, the horns just don't get it... There's a beginning of something that could have been developed, but it's just to "instant," as it were.

The Flee-Rekkers - Isle Of Capri dotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Plucky MOR mariachi horns again... more interesting than most, but just not very interesting... contrived almost.

The Flee-Rekkers - Blue Tango dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Huge drums, and quirky melody on guitar and Mariachi horns... and just so so. Pretty MOR for my taste.

The Flee-Rekkers - Hangover dotdotdot
UK Guitar (Instrumental)

Thumpie and plunky and chunky. A paean to Chuck Rio. It is infectious, though a little tame.

The Frantics - San Antonio Rose dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Vibrato guitar and twirly organ bounce out a standard rockin' rendition of "San Antonio Rose," with a piano lead alternated with the vibrato guitar and sax. Fun and flippant.

The Frantics - Trees dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Dramatic and slow, "Trees" features a saucy sax and fifties last dance stroll backtrack. Relatively unremarkable, yet very listenable.

The Frantics - Oh Yeah dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is one of The Frantics lesser tracks. Not that it's not hot energy wise, but it's more opus one saxology and riffaroo than song. Pumping with energy, just too jammy.

The Frantics - Delilah dotdotdot
Exotica (Instrumental)

"Delilah" moves slowly from shimmering dual vibes and an exotic lush backtrack to the gentle guitar break. Quite a nice track.

The Frantics - The Whip dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This ranting track fires with all barrels, double picks the guitar at times, and pounds the drums. It's not surf, but the energy is certainly in the pocket, and the twin saxes reminds me of the Crossfires... just a little less chunky.

The Frogmen - Underwater dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Frogmen romp with "Underwater." It's very much a surf precursor, and important for that reason. Numerous of their tracks have appeared on various budget comps over the past few years.

The Frogmen - The Mad Rush dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Whoa - strings and big production on a Frogmen record! OK, that aside, it actually works pretty well. The great cycling muted second guitar is intriguing. This is just waiting for a surf arrangement.

The Gold Stars - Hot Tamale dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Hot Tamale" is a ho hum jam with very raspy sax. It sounds like it might be off the runway with its exotic leanings.

The Gone All Stars - 7-11 dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

A semi groovy guitar and Memphis style jam with sax is just like a lot of others, but with a Bill Dogget influence.

The Gone All Stars - Down Yonder Rock
Smokey Bar (Instrumental)

Bluesy riff and sax-piano trade offs. Big smoky bar scene music.

The Grass-Hoppers - Twin Beat dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is all about the drums as "Twin Beat" tries really hard to be a Sandy Nelson track. Its similarity is unmistakable, and the weak guitar tone doesn't help.

Arthur Greenslade and the Gee-Men - Rockin' Susannah dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This traditional song ("Oh Susannah") is done with nothing more than any other of the plethora of studio sessions that used such public domain songs to avoid paying royalties. Fun, but so what.

Arthur Greenslade and the Gee-Men - Eclipse dot
Rock (Instrumental)

Fifties fluff rockin' jam for orchestra. This is a long ways from cool.

Group X - There Are 8 Million Melodies (And This Is One Of Them) dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

The melody is actually pretty darn cool, but could be more fleshed out. Great thumping drums and an interesting arrangement, with whistling organ that's suitably low in the mix, and a great infectious beat.

Group X - Tenerife dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This saucy rock sax crooner is better than many, with a chunky rhythm section and a surf beat. Pretty cool.

The Guitar Ramblers - El Torito dot
Mall MOR (Instrumental)

"El Torito" is not about the restaurant chain, though it's just cheesy enough with its whistling warbling organ lead and Pastel Six wanna be flair.

The Guitar Ramblers - Surf Beat dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is one of the more bizarre treatments of Dick Dale's classic "Surf Beat." Not a speck of double picking, except the bridge, which sounds like Billy Strange's playing. It works, even has a strange magnetic quality about it.

The Hi-Fives - Fujikami The Warrior dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is one of those instros with quite a bit of vocalizing, but no singing. fake Japanese chants and a chorus inject themselves into this progression-based number. It's very period, and quite fun.

The Hi-Fives - Mo-Shun dotdot
Frat (Instrumental)

"Mo-Shun" is a trashy organ instro that's very much a frat rock track. While a bit brash, it's not particularly memorable, which is probably why it was not included in the Vancouver history release series.

The Hollywood Persuaders - Drums A Go-Go dotdotdot
Go-Go (Instrumental)

This is one of the best examples of sixties go-go instros, and it clearly illustrates the roots of disco. All you need to do is add a black singer and your there. Studio creations which are hypnotically rhythmic and melody free, targeted squarely at the dancer. This is a cool track, both historically and rhythmically. Exceptional drums, big organ, and real hypno-thud.

The Hollywood Persuaders - Agua Caliente dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This single b-side is nowhere near as interesting as the a-side or the album tracks. "Agua Caliente" ("Hot Water") is just a jam with squonky sax and organ.

The Hot-Toddys - Rockin' Crickets dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Darn cool gimmickry here from 1959. The guitar is playing a damped ultra high note thing, maybe behind the bridge, through an Echoplex to simulate crickets chirping, while the sax plays a sassy lead over a standard fifties rock combo beat. It's a very cool cover of Tom Shannon's tune originally cut by the Rockin' Rebels.

Les Jaguars - Mer Morte dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Watery whammy and an island sounding lead, with damped plucked and echoed rhythm work over a slow backtrack, delivering a very visual evening on the lagoon vision. Very suave.

Les Jaguars - Supersonic Twist dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Monkeying with pickslides up and down the neck to simulate jets, "Supersonic Twist" eventually yields to a riff rocker essentially based on Little Richards' "Lucille." The frantic echoed break sets it apart.

The Kan Dells - Cloud Burst dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a masterful single, using lots of changes in the arrangement to keep its simple and very surf oriented riff on top. Behind the bridge plucking, great reverb, catchy string bending, and active drums give "Cloud Burst" a real stormy feeling. Excellent! Originally issued on Boss 6501

Kenny and the Fiends - House On Haunted Hill Part 1 dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a slowly "fee-fi-fo-fum" introduced track that uses a melody almost exactly like "Istanbul," but with heavy toms underneath. The lead guitar is thin, but the track is very fun.

Kenny and the Fiends - House On Haunted Hill Part 2 dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Like Part one, but with shimmering vibrato chords added to the intro, and more emphasis on the damped lead guitar, and more frantic tom tom action.

The Knockouts - Riot In Room 3C dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is so very Bo Diddley via the tremolo and slight speaker cone distortion. Infectious hand claps and chords, and a grand melody. Originally issued in 1959 on Shad 5013 as the b-side to the billboard hit "Darling Lorraine."

Kokomo - Like Teen dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Kokomo of "Asia Minor" fame plink out this slightly country piano number with strings. The drums are very cool, but otherwise, it's fun but unmemorable.

Kokomo - Journey Home dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Journey Home" is "Green Sleeves" done with piano plinking and a chorus. The strings add some pomp, and there's something magnetic about the way the chorus combines with the rhythmic piano and bass. I should hate this, but it has the kind of attraction that some Joe Meek creations do.

Fred Latremouille and the Classics - Latromotion dotdotdot
Frat (Instrumental)

Funky and playful and gimmicky, "Latromotion" is a progression amped up by starts and stops separated by great drums and broken up with a Kingsmen kinda progression in the break. Very spirited, if fairly frat oriented.

Arthur Lee and the L.A.G.'s - The Ninth Wave dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Not the Ventures song, but an organ based Memphis soul clone instro a la Booker T. & the M. G.'s. Relatively tame and churchy sounding. Derivative and unimaginative.

Arthur Lee and the L.A.G.'s - Rumble-Still-Skins dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

More shopping mall organ based Memphis soul clone instro music, but with tribal drums and runway sensibilities.

Lenny and the Thundertones - Thunder Express dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Thunder Express" is a low-E grumbler hinting of the surf singles to come in the next two years. This reminds me of Gene Gray and his Stingrays in some ways, just a little less edgy and energy laden. A great and ultimately surfable riff drives "Thunder Express." Rhythm dominated low watt rock instros from the day when instros were structured like backtracks waiting for a vocal melody line. There are some nice guitar licks in the bridge, but mostly it's a riff rocker.

Lenny and the Thundertones - Alabamy Bound dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This standard gets a real rock instro treatment that surely could be a surf track if not for the lack of reverb. Great tone and drums!

Dave Lewis - David's Mood Part 2 dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Seattle organist made his name with an instro called "David's Mood." Continuing with the same song, "David's Mood Part 2" is less crisp than the original, making this almost sound like a demo. Still, it's fun.

Dave Lewis - David's Mood Part 3 dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

More of the same, Perhaps parts two and three are the rest of a long jam that was edited for the single.

Little Louie - Short Trip dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Throbbing tremolo guitar and plinking piano ride above really cool drums and upright bass. This may be a light rock instro, but it's infectious and sports a delightful melody line. A real charmer! Original issue was Reo 8807 (Short Trip c/w Drag Niagra).

Little Louie - Drag Niagra dot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

A basic guitar progression and low brow squonkin' Nowhere near as interesting as the a-side.

Kathy Lynn and the Playboys - Rock City dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

The basic chord progression here has been used a number of times in basic rock instros. This live track is intensely whammied, with an almost stinging tone. Raw and primal, with great tom toms and a catchy break.

Kathy Lynn and the Playboys - Rockin' Red River dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Rockin' Red River" is a decent obscuro with some near double picked lines and a kind of restrained spunk. Obviously inspired by Johnny and the Hurricanes' "Red River Rock," it's much more guitar centric and twangy. The origins of this song go back to a traditional cowboy folk song titled "Red River Valley" first annotated in 1879.

Max Merritt and the Meteors - Valley Of The Sioux dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

The Outlaws' "Valley Of The Sioux" is done with moderate variation and low energy. It's OK, but not memorable.

Max Merritt and the Meteors - Laughing Girl dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Laughing Girl" is a middle of the road popster that has a great bass line and beat, but is lacking real coolness.

The Midnighters - Slow Walk dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Sil Austin's "Slow Walk" is very nicely played out. The rhythm dominated tune somehow rings out with an inviting lilt. The lead lines are simple and tasteful, and the drummer rocks. Damped chords and a presurf mentality.

The Midnighters - Siam dotdotdotdot
Near Surf (Instrumental)

"Siam" is strongly influenced by Dale Hawkins' "Suzie Q," but is taken to the middle east with cymbal crashes and a mystical sound. At first I just thought this was cute, but it quickly endeared itself to me. This is the kinda track that the Halibuts or Los Straitjackets could make real hay with. Great stuff.

The Moongooners - Willie and the Hand Jive dotdotdot
Diddley Bo (Instrumental)

Johnny Otis used the Bo Diddley beat for his hit. The Moongooners take that song, and do a slightly surfy version with sax replacing the vocals. It's quite a tribal thing, with lots of screams and shouts, and an infectious sound. Fun.

The Moongooners - Moongoon Twist dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a mighty dry riff rock track, with only it's disjointed energy to rely on. Not very interesting or memorable. Just old. The Moongooners were Scott Engel, John Maus, and John Stewart, who became the Walker Brothers after a stint as the Dolton Brothers. Scott Engel issued a surf instro single called "Devil Surfer." The tone here is similar, but it's much less "authentic."

The Mus-Twangs - Frankie and Johnny dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

A great band name, and a grode overdriven guitar bump out the classic R&B tune "Frankie and Johnny." Raw and immediate.

The Mus-Twangs - Dearest dotdotdotdot
Pre-Surf (Instrumental)

A very cool chord progression gives the feeling of Bo Diddley's "Dearest Darling," but much smoother and presurf island cool. "Dearest" is a lovely tropical number with splendid whammy and many of the elements that would become the more Polynesian side of surf music. very nice!

Sandy Nelson - Drums A Go-Go dotdotdot
Go-Go (Instrumental)

This is a close variation of the Hollywood Persuaders' hit, with excellent drum work and without the cheesy organ. Highly rhythmic and hypnotic, and all about the drums.

Sandy Nelson - Casbah dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Damn near the best surf single ever, and certainly Sandy Nelson's best track. The brilliant surf guitar work is from my personal favorite studio player Richie Podolor. This single kicks major hind quarter. Fast rippin' tune delivered like a machine gun. Amazingly good! It's been in my top ten for 32 years now.

The Nomads - Desert Tramp dotdotdot
Desert (Instrumental)

"Desert Tramp" is a cool number with whistling lead and tremolo guitar in a sort of cowboy spaghetti style. A very nice track despite the whistling and "ooh ohh" chorus that has desert written all over it.

The Nomads - Bounty Hunter dotdotdot
Piano Sax (Instrumental)

Piano and sax similar to some of The Viscounts lesser tracks. Definitely not surf, but sporting some tasty guitar lines and excellent gritty soul.

The Nomads - I'm Popeye The Sailor Man dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Sax'n'roll interpretation of this cartoon theme. Interesting in a small band garage sort of way. The rolling piano is very cool, however.

The Novas - Take 7 dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is the B-side to the Novas' incredible single "The Crusher." It's a basic progression, but somehow has long held a place in my heart. It is pure landlocked surf, thrashing and raving with reverb and thunder. The drums are almost lost in the mix, but it all seems to work.

Reg Owen Orchestra - Manhattan Spiritual dotdotdot
Orchestral Rock (Instrumental)

Highly spirited and stylized orchestral magic is brought to life in this old MOR hit. based on spirituals, it rocks and sways very coolly.

The Red Price Combo - Danger Man dotdot
Secret Agent Jazz (Instrumental)

Typical TV secret agent jazz, big and brash. This is the original theme to the TV show that was replaced by Johnny Rivers' "Secret Agent Man" when it was brought to the US.

The Red Price Combo - Blackjack dotdot
Secret Agent Jazz (Instrumental)

More secret agent jazz from The Red Price Combo. Much like the a-side of the single and TV theme.

The Raging Storms - Hound Dog dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is a piano blues instro treatment of Willie Mae Thornton's "Hound Dog." Fun and greasy, but not particularly memorable.

The Raiders - Stick Shift dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Stick Shift" was a sizable hit in on the Van label out of Angleton, Texas. The Raiders recorded in '62, and it charted locally in 1963. Terry Simpson - guitar, Jimmy Goodwin - guitar, Jessie Caster - bass, and Bill Pitts - drums.

The Raiders - Skipping Around dotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Jivin' brushed drums and a walking bass line provide a suave underpinning for an otherwise jam-like guitar instro that's kinda stilted.

The Ramblers - Rambling dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

The bass line reminds me of Dave Diamond's "Diamond Mine." Otherwise, this is just a sax jam on rye.

The Ramblers - Devil Train dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Very cool drums and rhythms, plus muted chords dripped out keep this sax jam from being a snoozer. There's more here than is apparent at first glance. Pretty fun.

The Ramrods - (Ghost) Riders In The Sky dotdotdotdot
Cowboy Twang (Instrumental)

Al Casey and Duane Eddy's twang opened new trails in rock 'n' roll. The Ramrods took the Stan Jones cowboy classic and breathed new life into it with the big guitar sound, and amped it to the max with the overdubbed hoots and cattle calls. This is the version all the surf bands heard and were inspired by.

The Ramrods - Zig Zag dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This was the B-side of "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky." "Zig Zag" is a lazy sax lead boogie. It has a raw energy, but is just a lackluster construct.

The Ramrods - Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

A big vibrato low-E guitar and a strong riff starts off fine, but the wood block horse hooves and MOR production keep it from being as cool as "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky." Still, it's a fun track.

The Ramrods - Loch Lomond Rock dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Bagpipes, then vibrato guitar, and a military cadence, and viola! "Loch Lomond" becomes "Loch Lomond Rock." It's pretty cool, but will break down no doors. The cowboy beat keeps it in the Ramrods' realm. Nice track.

Bob Reagan - Tarantula dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Chop chords and a walking bass line support a maniacal lead line. Very unusual to say the least. It was issued on the Challenge label in the US and Apex in Canada. Bob Reagan's career was launched in the Peace River Rangers, a country and western group, before forming Bob and Lucille and the Canadian Sweethearts.

The Rebel Rousers - Thunder dot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Thunder" is a slow moving sax and organ number that really wants to be Booker T. and the MG's, but doesn't even get inside the city limits.

The Rebel Rousers - Night Surfin' dot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

As "Night Surfin'" opens, you allow yourself to hope for much more than arrives. This is little more than cruddy jammin'.

Bob Reagan - Highland Lassie dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Highland Lassie" is a kind of country surf rant based on a classic Scottish melody. Edgy and twangy, and the bagpipe in the break is priceless. Very fun and rockin' cool!

Reg Owen Orchestra - Ritual Blues dotdot
Orchestral (Instrumental)

"Ritual Blues" is a much softer number than the a-side, with exotic percussion and a hint of the Middle East. Sultry and seductive, but not particularly memorable.

The Renegades - Hot Sands dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is a lovely track, maybe like Duluth's Titans in a softer moment. Grand tone, very cool drums, and nicely mixed. The melody is sweeping and classic, with island whammy and chords.

The Renegades - Kahuna dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

While this uses a fairly riffy melody line, and is played on lap steel, is has a surf feel and great drums. This will grow on you pretty rapidly.

The Ripples - Still Waters dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Very cool rolling piano and edgy country guitar play a slow walkin' song. The chorus is pretty cheesy, and if not for the piano's relentless roll, "Still Waters" would be very dismissible.

The Ripples - Take My Heart dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is a highly commercial instro with strings and delicate piano lead. If the strings were axed, this just might be very charming.

The Rivieras - H. B. Goose Step dotdot
Organ (Instrumental)

This is a Johnny & the Hurricanes inspired track, with a whistling organ lead, a sorta "Rockin' Goose" melody. It's a cool organ instro, but lacks the variations and spirit of it's mentor band's creations.

The Rivieras - Battle Line dotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The "Battle Hymn Of The Republic," played with a vibrato lead, and a moderate pace, and little energy. It's an interesting variation on this ancient number, but not terribly vibrant.

The Rock-A-Teens - Twangy dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

The tribal drums are cool, but the guitar is too weak for such a great title. A fifties guitar jam.

The Rockin' R's - The Beat dotdotdot
Fifties Instro (Instrumental)

For primitive rural American indie instros of the fifties, it's hard to beat the Rockin' R's. Still, this track is mostly a rhythm, and the fidelity of their work is not good. This does provide a glimpse into the realm of garage bands in the fifties in places like Idaho and North Dakota, and most notably the suburbs of Peoria, Illinois.

The Rogues - Roger's Reef dotdotdot
Organ (Instrumental)

An organ based pumping "Can I Get A Witness" progression with lots of mindless noodling, but no melody, and no guitar, just organ, piano, bass, and drums. The Rogues is NOT the Sacramento surf-garage-punk outfit of the mid sixties.

The Rogues - Roger's Reef - Part 2 dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Completely different tune, an actual melody, a lead guitar with a semi-Hawaiian twango, and a fifties hop backtrack. Slow and moody and romantic. Way better than the other track.

The Roller Coasters - Spanish Twist dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

In one way, this is very interesting, because it sounds a lot like a possible source for Mink Deville's "Spanish Stroll" and a rip-off of The Pretenders (sixties), but then there's that organ pumping out an interesting progression sand any chemistry.

The Roller Coasters - Wild Twist dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Wild Twist" sounds like it could have been inspired by The Graham Bond Organisation, but it's highly unlikely. Just so-so jammin'.

The Rondels - Shades Of Green dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Green Sleeves" is done with silky guitar and saucy sax. This is a somewhat gentle version, but with real band credibility. The chorus even seems to fit without degrading the period experience.

The Rondels - Cover Charge dotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Sax and roll, churning damped chop guitar work, and lots of frat rock fun. Riffs, but no melody. They do shout "Hey" a lot, as well as croon "oooh" for extended periods.

The Rondels - Satan's Theme dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

The Challengers' "Satan's Theme" gets a dryer, more gentle treatment from The Rondels. The double picking is cool, and the arrangement landlocked.

The Rondels - My Prayer dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"My Prayer" is a slow smoocher of a cover of The Platters' 1956 hit. It's really smooth and silky.

The Rondels - 110 Lbs Of Drums dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Raw and honkin' edgy, "110 Lbs Of Drums" sports surf guitar and sax, and hard driving rolling drums, with the anticipated drum solo mid stream. Thrashy and cool.

The Rondels - Caledonia dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Great rolling drums support this sax honker as it romps over the top of a surf guitar line. It's a pretty unusual track, with miles of smiles.

The Rondels - Back Beat No. 1 dotdotdotdot
Pre Surf (Instrumental)

This fine obscuro, covered in several forms by the Cadillac Angels to such infectious effect, holds up well as a pre surf masterpiece. Very simple, yet catchy and vital.

The Rowdies - Kafka dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Great reverbed muted super high note plucking introduces this simple instro played with reverb. It's not surf structured and doesn't have a surf beat, and even hints of Joe Meek, but it would fit easily among sixties midwest surf monsters. Some grand string slides. Very unusual!

The Rowdies - The Camel dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Tribal drums softly support a mysterious melody on surfish guitar. The mood is a bit haunting, and the rhythm kind of military march. This is an unusual track featuring really high notes and spatial sensibilities.

The Royals - Thunder Wagon dotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Thunder Wagon" is a dark little riffer with a touch of drama and a minimalist feel. It's all about the way early b-sides could rock without many notes and not much of a melody. Kinda cool.

The Royals - Teen Beat dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is a primitive and tepid cover of Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat." One has to wonder why they though this was worth recording. The energy is very low, and the performance not very well metered. Very odd.

The Rumblers - Boss dotdotdotdot
Surf (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.

The Rumblers - Wiggle Wobble dotdotdot
R&B (Instrumental)

A pedestrian version of Les Cooper's hit.

The Rumblers - All Night Long dotdotdot
R&B (Instrumental)

This perennial party favorite rant from the fifties sees new life here, if not new ideas. Frat band standard in a frat band arrangement.

The Rumblers - Night Train dotdotdot
R&B (Instrumental)

James Brown's classic, R&B sax ground, hanky squirty, cool.

The Saturday Knights - Ticonderoga dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Ticonderoga" has a superb melody, and the rhythm and drums very cool. The sax in the middle plays with gentle vibrato. Restrained and very cool. Originally issued in 1961 on Swan 4075. This is the original version of the song that The Ramblers covered and that appeared on Surf Legends and Rumors.

The Saturday Knights - Tiger Lily dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Tiger Lily" is a softer, easy rock instro with shimmering tremolo guitar and strings. The melody is simple but really warm. Aside from the strings, it's a genuine garage band romancer. Originally issued in 1961 on Swan 4075.

The Silhouettes - Theme From The Endless Summer dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is a very nice version of The Sandals' "Theme From The Endless Summer." It does its best to replicate the original, from the chorus to the tone. That said, it's different enough to be very engaging. This 1964 Allied International single charted in New Zealand.

Frank Slay and his Orchestra - Flying Circle dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Flying Circle" is "Hava Nagila" in disguise! It's been a long time since I heard anything from Frank Slay. Raspy sax, big guitar, and a great rhythm section. Lots of energy!

Frank Slay and his Orchestra - Cincinnati dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Harmonica and a medieval promenade beat deliver a song that sounds like it written for bagpipe. Very strange!

Jimmy Sloggett and his Combo - Cowabunga dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Despite the title, "Cowabunga" is just a sax rocker, ad perhaps a studio jam at that, though the manic drums don't fit that mold very well. Honkin' and squirtin' sax'n'roll.

Jimmy Sloggett and his Combo - Runaway Sax dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Del Shannon's "Runaway" is the subject here, with a country rhythm section and Boots Randolph sax style. While this is pretty fun, its real value is its original arrangement.

The Bill Smith Combo - Tough dotdotdot
R&B (Instrumental)

"Tough" is a piano and sax honker influenced by Bill Black's style, but amped with Eddie Wayne Hill's stinging echoed guitar. It's a combination of pedestrian R&B and very cool.

The Bill Smith Combo - Anastasia dotdotdot
R&B (Instrumental)

"Anastasia" is a slow and moody number with a walking bass line. The sax lead is soulful and saucy.

Jerry Smith - Sunrise Serenade dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Sunrise Serenade" is an easy going piano number with a rolling country flavor that hints at Floyd Cramer, but is more middle of the road than that. Fun, but more backdrop than front and center.

Jerry Smith - Sweet 'n Sassy dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

A semi silly bass line bumps in front of the drums and behind the piano in this easy flowing summer afternoon prancer.

The Squires - The Sultan dotdotdotdot
Pre Surf (Instrumental)

This is a great single. The sound is like a cross between the Shadows and surf, with cheesy gong bashing out middle eastern incense for the ears. The main part of the melody line is similar to the Torquay's "Escondido." Some high note picking completes the track. It's a splendid obscuro, with charm and real pre surf sensibilities.

The Squires - Aurora dotdotdot
Pre Surf (Instrumental)

Dark vibrato and some chamber reverb brings this pretty close to the surf envelope. Not as interesting as the A-side, but still a solid find. "Aurora" grows on you after a few listenings, with its merger of Jet Harris and Tony Meehan sounds with pre surf.

Rhet Stoller - Night Theme dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Rhet Stoller really twangs up The Mark II's "Night Theme" for a pretty cool rendering. The strings bring it down a notch, and the unchanging arrangement also holds it back some. There are some every nice guitar licks.

Rhet Stoller - Chariot dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Big guitar hero Rhet Stoller plays a silky twanger with a haunting melody line. Intense whammy, a groovy melody, and an almost Indian-western sound.

Billy Strange - Chug-A-Lug dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Roger Miller's "Chug-A-Lug" is done with sax lead as if it's Boots Randolph. Very pedestrian.

Billy Strange - James Bond Theme dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

With an eye on the big screen theme, there are horns and kettle drums to accompany the echo delayed lead guitar. You won't miss this one.

Billy Strange - For A Few Dollars More dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is a very nice version of Enio Morricone's great film score. "For A Few Dollars More" has a splendid melody, and Billy Strange's tone approaches surf at times. There are horns adding the big screen feeling.

The Strangers - Caterpillar Crawl dotdotdotdot
R&B Big Guitar (Instrumental)

This is the ultra grode original of a tune that the Lively Ones did so well, and that Dick Dale still includes in his set. Totally funky and groovy, and very sensual.

The Strangers - Rockin' Rebel dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This is a riff rocker in a late fifties rockin' format. No real melody, just an in your face attack. Loud and dirty.

Bobby Summers - The Big Guitar dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Intended to suggest Duane Eddy, but not nearly as big, "The Big Guitar" does employ the kind of minimalist riff that Eddy often used on lesser tracks. There's very cool tremolo and almost mandolin plucking. Unusual and pretty interesting.

Bobby Summers - Pi-Ute dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Great Indian drums, cheesy chorus, and some cool guitar lines yield quickly to orchestrated commercial easy listening. Too bad, because this could be arrange differently to become a great surf instro!

The Sunsets - Cry Of The Wild Goose dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Boy is this cool! Tribal drums, unusual guitar tone, and a big sound. Muted lines, open loud lines, and pumping bass. I'd sure like to hear this one from the masters!

The Sunsets - Manhunt dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Great drums and a cool melody line add up to a rompin' good time. Slightly Spanish, a little mysterious, and ripe for a surf conversion.

The Sunspots - Paella dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Shimmering vibrato keys and racing drums present an almost carnival sound with MOR tendencies and rock sensibilities. I wanted to dislike it, but just couldn't. maybe it's the drums, but this is lots of fun and waiting for a surf cover.

The Sunspots - Vancouver dotdotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Hmmm... harmonica in dark syrup, near surf guitar tone, and light organ over pretty good drums. This is so unusual as to be engaging and oddly familiar.

The Supersonics - Perfidia dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

A slightly buzzy tremolo lead guitar twangs out a groovy version of Alberto Dominguez's often covered classic. Based on The Ventures version, but tonally very different.

The Supersonics - Hard Boiled Boogie dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is a basic riff rocker guitar boogie with primitive rock'n'roll backwoods small label charm. Fun, but just one among the pack.

The Supersonics - Walk, Don't Run dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Grittier than The Ventures version, which is clearly the model, The Supersonics use tremolo and twang to create enough difference to stay out of the faceless pack.

The Supersonics - Guitar Boogie dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

The Virtues' "Guitar Boogie" is done with a lower, more gutty sound, and restrained shouts. At first glance, it seems to be pedestrian, but I found I liked it more as it progressed.

The Tarantulas - Tarantula dotdotdot
Pre Surf (Instrumental)

This presurf instro has a classy yet simple guitar line over a tribal beat with subdued organ. It almost crosses into the surf idiom is some ways. catchy and cool, and just waiting for a full tilt surf arrangement. This track was licensed to Atlantic in 1962.

The Tarantulas - Black Widow dotdotdot
Pre Surf (Instrumental)

A rumbly bass line opens "Black Widow," and runs throughout the track. The guitar lines lean on the riffier surf to come, and the organ is on the small combo side. very simple, but kinda cool.

Teddy and the Clock-Watchers - Kinky dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is a trash chording British Invasion period instrumental that should be a back track. What's very notable is the incredibly cool bass and the complete lack of melody and focus. You can, however, imagine that had there been a lead guitar over the top, "Kinky" could rip!

The Temptations - Trophy Run dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Squealing modern rock guitar noodling in the opening doesn't predict the gutty raucous frat rock that follows. It sounds like a garage version of a Memphis jam. Fast with great rockin' drums. The drum and bass solo wants to be Sandy Nelson really badly.

The Temptations - Braggin' dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Harmonica gives away a period maybe just before Canned Heat, with cheesy organ and a really poor mix. Great drums, though.

The Thunderbolts - March Of The Spacemen dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This Joe Meek creation is way too much like his work with The Tornadoes, but it doesn't rise to that level of cool.

The Thunderbolts - Lost Planet dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

The other side of the single is less intense and more fluid, and even more like a Tornadoes rip-off. OK, but kind of so what.

The Titans - A-Rab dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Great tribal drums and a basic guitar riff, along with raspy sax. "A-Rab" is exotic and somewhat haunting. It's a very obscure instro, and worth checking out. The phased hand claps are probably generated by poor mp3 conversion.

The Titans - Marquette dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Marquette" seems influenced by The Mar-Keys' "Last Night." Riffy, jammy, and not really memorable.

The Transit Show Group - Guitar Boogie dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

This is a cover of The Virtues' "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" with a little less charm, but all the infectiousness of the beat and rhythm.

The Travel Agency - Emit dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Emit" is like the back track to the a-side, called "Time." they didn't even bother to add a lead guitar melody. Still, it has a certain charm. The backwards psychedelic guitar is pretty cool.

The Turbo-Jets - Bingo dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Bingo" is very Bill Doggett inspired, but lacks the gritty charm.

The Turbo-Jets - In Reverse dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

The guitar chops and chords are really fun here, with a choppy kind of approach over bongos and bass, and augmented by sax. Spiffy good fun.

Tony and the Twangers - Dew Drops dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Dew Drops" is an easy going instro with a bit of country and a bit of gentle rock. Obviously played very quietly in studio, but sounding like it was meant to be loud. There's reverb in them thar hills, but it's on the percussion.

Tony and the Twangers - The Beetles Morning March dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Wet reverb on the picked bass is an interesting effect that adds a surf edge to this country romp. The melody is classic country cool, and the rhythm makes you wanna move.

Red Tyler and the Gyros - Happy Sax dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

The melody here isn't too far from "Old Smoky." This was probably cool live in a strip club, but it's not really special.

Red Tyler and the Gyros - Junk Village dot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Like a merger between Martin Denny's "Quiet Village" and Perez Prado's "Patricia," this is - well - mall organ goofy.

The University Four - The Anvil Rock dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

A great drum beat similar to "Surf Beat" brings on that "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah" line from "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic." Really quite unremarkable.

The University Four - Off Shore dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

If not for the modulated guitar, "Off Shore" is pedestrian late night fair. There is intensity and guttiness in the sax, and there are lines stolen from and inspired by The Viscounts' "Harlem Nocturne." There's nearly surf guitar towards the end.

The Velaires - Frankie and Johnny dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Demented guitar whammy sometimes disturbs the easy going nature of this song. Sax and guitar play nice together in a way that suggests The Hollywood Persuaders or other mariachi influenced studio sessions. This is a pretty cool single.

The Vigilantes - Eclipse dotdotdot
UK Fifties Guitar (Instrumental)

Bordering on frat, but too melodic and tight, "Eclipse" is infectious, yet not really memorable.

The Vigilantes - Man In Space dotdotdot
Shadows Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)

This is actually the Pete Chester Group, but the reason for the name change is unknown. It's a slightly fuzzed Shadows kinda thing with some very cool damped high on the neck slow glissandos with reverb and echo to create a spacy sound. Heart warming and a neighbor to surf.

The Violents - Ghia dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Big gong openers and closers, with guitar sounding very Joe Meek, and a melody that's a lot like a number of other British instros. Oddly enough, the drums play a surf beat at times.

The Violents - Alpens Ros dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

A polka beat behind a traditional melody, only set apart by great drums. Kinda cool, and it grows on you.

The Virtues - Tel-Star Guitar dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Tel-Star Guitar" is a modest R&B progression number with tape driven slap back guitar. Aside from its obscurity, it's unremarkable.

The Virtues - Jersey Bounce dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

"Jersey Bounce" is a standard from the big band cauldron done in a slightly jazz style with influences of Chet Atkins and Les Paul. name dropping aside, it's not unusual nor particularly interesting.

Travis Wammack - Louie Louie dotdotdotdot
Fuzz Rock (Instrumental)

One of the great instro version of Richard Berry's landmark rock anthem. With an almost churchy organ, and a thin ultra fuzz guitar, Travis Wammack makes this into an event. They're havin' too fun, what with there shoutin' and yelpin' and carryin' on.

Travis Wammack - Upset dotdotdot
Fuzz Rock (Instrumental)

Churning chunky rhythm guitar that almost double for an organ, relentlessly pumping out a "Woolly Bully" kinda thing. Mostly a frat rockin' rhythm song.

Dick Wolfe and the Wolverines - Sigma 7 dotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Spooky cheesy organ and space effects designed to cash in on The Tornadoes hit "Telstar." The guitar shudders with tremolo charm, but the organ makes it sound like a mall refugee.

Dick Wolfe and the Wolverines - Polaris dotdotdot
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)

Long muted dribble double picked guitar against a backtrack ripped off from The Ventures' "Solar Race." Cheesy chorus, but otherwise it's kinda cool. originally issued on Admiral 104 (Sigma 7 c/w Polaris).