Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Wes Dakus and the Rebels - Volume 2dotdotdotdot
artworkThe Wes Dakus and the Rebels saga continues with volume 2 of the Canadian instrumental legend. More essential and rare tracks for your pleasure.
Picks: Las Vegas Scene, Sour Biscuits, Hobo, Rolling Rock, Honeybun, Come On Down, Gotta Travel On, Dance On, Shindig, Rattlesnake, Fried Rice, So Fine, Hobo, Twine Time, Rattlesnake, Rolling Rock, Honeybun, Come On Down, Roulette, 20-75, Night Walk, Fried Rice, Do-Wah-Diddy-Diddy

Track by Track Review


Las Vegas Scene dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This is a splendid version of the Fireballs' "Las Vegas Scene." Much drier than the original, it seems oddly enough to be more like the intent. Excellent musicianship and recording.

Sour Biscuits dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Sour Biscuits" is a soulful instro that might just as well have come out of the Memphis scene as Canada. Very simple, with tasteful tremolo shimmer and moody bass.

Hobo dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Stu Mitchell's "Hobo" is the image of simplicity, bordering on minimal. Slightly soulful, with tremolo in full swing, and great drums!

Rolling Rock dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Tinkling piano and Memphis style guitar riffs guide this riff rocker through its paces. "Rolling Rock" doesn't really hold attention for long, though it's very similar to so many b-side instros of its day.

Honeybun dotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Honeybun" is a modest little number with little more than a cute melody hook. Again rooted in the Memphis sound.

Come On Down dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Come On Down" is a moderately paced jammin' bluesy number that's recorded live, or perhaps the live crowd stuff is added in mastering to give it that "Hole In the Wall" sound.

Gotta Travel On dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This is a groovy country romp with gingham twang and picnic charm. All that's missing are whoops and hollers and a caller drivin' the line. Very nice track!

Dance On dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

The Shadows' "Dance On" is delivered with spunk and style. The guitar is not as round as the Shadows' version, but the tracks works well all the same. I've always liked this melody written by ex-Avons Ray Adams, Valerie Murtagh and Elaine Murtagh.

Shindig dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch's catchy number is nicely done with skill and great drums. I'm not sure what to say except that there's plenty to enjoy about this track.

Rattlesnake dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This band composition uses a playful riff that depends entirely on the bass line for its life. I'll go as far as to say that without the bass line there's no song, just a jam. It's truly the bass and drums that make this worth while.

Fried Rice dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This Memphis style jam romps and jumps with more energy than Booker T. & the MG's, but it's in the same mold. Fun track.

So Fine dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This is almost a vocal, with the chorus sung. Beyond that, there's great harmonica and a Memphis jam backtrack. Johnny Otis wrote "So Fine," and it was a hit for The Fiestas.

Hobo dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Stu Mitchell's "Hobo" is the image of simplicity, bordering on minimal. Slightly soulful, with tremolo in full swing, and great drums!

Twine Time dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Hmmm - this is an interesting treatment of Alvin Cash and the Crawlers' "Twine Time." Much moodier, almost jungle, and the stereo reverb gives if a dangerous haunted edge. Very cool!

Rattlesnake dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This band composition uses a playful riff that depends entirely on the bass line for its life. I'll go as far as to say that without the bass line there's no song, just a jam. It's truly the bass and drums that make this worth while.

Rolling Rock dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Tinkling piano and Memphis style guitar riffs guide this riff rocker through its paces. "Rolling Rock" doesn't really hold attention for long, though it's very similar to so many b-side instros of its day.

Honeybun dotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Honeybun" is a modest little number with little more than a cute melody hook. Again rooted in the Memphis sound.

Come On Down dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Come On Down" is a moderately paced jammin' bluesy number that's recorded live, or perhaps the live crowd stuff is added in mastering to give it that "Hole In the Wall" sound.

Roulette dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Well now, "Roulette" turns out to be quite an intriguing track. It owes a lot to Latin jazz, particularly Ray Barreto. Moody and strangely mixed, the tinkly piano charm and infectious rhythm make this quite attractive.

20-75 dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Willie Mitchell's catchy "20-75" is a natural selection to cover, given Wes Dakus and the Rebels' general sound drift at this point in their career.

Night Walk dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

With a sound that employs the go-go period of the Ventures, "Night Walk" is bouncy and funky. The Ventures' did the original.

Fried Rice dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Fried Rice" is another track in the Memphis stable of Wes Dakus and the Rebels songs. Great drums and infectious rhythm, it's the sort of track that the R&B stations used to use for bumpers going into the legal ID.

Do-Wah-Diddy-Diddy dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This instrumental treatment of Manfred Mann's "Do-Wah-Diddy-Diddy," like "So Fine," employs a vocal chorus. The organ is very cheesy.