Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This is the mono version of the album plus bonus tracks, available as an MP3 release only.

Picks: Drums A Go-Go, Last Night, Thunderbird, Tijuana Surf, Persuasion, North Beach, Tijuana, Persuasion, Grunion Run

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. This is hypnotically rhythmic melody free, and targeted squarely at the dancer. This is a cool track, both historically and rhythmically. Exceptional drums, big organ, and real hypno-thud.

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

The Mar-Keys' hit "Last Night" was a riff rocker, which is a natural source for the go-go sound. This is organ driven, horn line amped, and fun.

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

The drums dominate the mix in this unremarkable riff rocker. "Forget it" is moreorless just a slow blues glide.

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

Muted reverb surf guitar rhythm, snazzy percussion, and a riff-rockin' progression. Some of the surfisms are pretty cool, or at hypnotically rhythmic. Animal dancers in suspended cages with an eye on the curl.

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

This is an instrumental treatment of PF Sloane's doomsday epic. Electric piano, harmonica, tremolo guitar, all elements yielding predictable results. Pretty nice, but not really memorable.

TJB Surf (Instrumental)

Reverbed second guitar, and a huge debt owed to Balboa Stomp and Herb Alpert by Paul Buff's studio band on this one. It's so very close to Surfers Stomp with just slight variations created by the organ in the breaks and a twinge of the Tijuana Brass. Frank Zappa probably played guitar. Not surfy at all, but a cool tune. The original title was just "Tijuana."

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

Low energy fuzz and production take the guts out of The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction," replacing it with keyboard gentility with drums and chorus.

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

Based somewhat around "Satisfaction" and Bruce Johnston's "Surfer's Stomp," "Hollywood A-Go-Go" is a very forgettable song.

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

The piano lick here is right out of Barret Strong's "Money," a song that got ripped off many times in studio sessions like this. Quite unremarkable, despite the appearance of cool harmonica and light fuzz guitar.

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

"Persuasion" is an easy flowing piece with cool electric piano, and a mild guitar melody and whistling organ, both of are inspired by Del Shannon's "Runaway." Derivative, but very pleasant.

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

Based heavily on the "Louie Louie" riff, this studio jam is fun and groovy, but in the end, you won't really remember it. All jam, no peanut butter.

Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)

This is a really nice instrumental. Its piano melody is pretty and fluid, and the arrangement is very pleasant. It won't rock your world, but it's one of the more original pieces on Drums A Go-Go album.

Rock (Instrumental)

Reverbed second guitar, and a huge debt owed to Balboa Stomp and Herb Alpert by Paul Buff's studio band on this one. It's so very close to Surfers Stomp with just slight variations created by the organ in the breaks and a twinge of the Tijuana Brass. Frank Zappa probably played guitar. Not surfy at all, but a cool tune. The original title was just "Tijuana."

Rock (Instrumental)

"Persuasion" is an easy flowing piece with cool electric piano, and a mild guitar melody and whistling organ, both of are inspired by Del Shannon's "Runaway." Derivative, but very pleasant.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Juarez" is likely from the same session that produced "Tijuana Surf," because the style, instrumentation, and production are very similar, as is the melody structure. Not more than just OK.

(Instrumental)

This is a bluesy Frank Zappa guitar instro, traditionally arranged and fluid. It's not particularly interesting, except from a historical perspective, though it's very well played and recorded.

Rock (Instrumental)

Based heavily on the "Louie Louie" riff, this studio jam is fun and groovy, but in the end, you won't really remember it. All jam, no peanut butter.