Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Immigrants - '66
 | From the land of obscure comes this CD from the Immigrants. They existed for a short while at Kansas Wesleyan University during the mid sixties. This seems to be a repro of a vintage local release, with original liners from Paul Weirman, KLSI, Salina, Kansas. The disc purports to be recorded live at Sam's Chapel, a large auditorium on campus. The band was Ray Leavitt - lead guitar, Dick Reilly - rhythm guitar/vocals, Ed Reilly - organ, Dave McKay - bass, and Nick Petron - drums. This is far more obscure than necessary, but then looks into the small label issues of the period is always interesting. Besides the three instros, the set includes some covers of the day, mostly tentative and belonging to a suburban garage, plus a pair of more interesting originals. The band's instrumentation is pure surf, which was becoming pretty rare by 1966 when this was recorded. |
Picks: Reuben Rubin, Sleepwalk, Driving Guitars
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This is an interesting moody surf number, written by lead guitarist Ray Leavitt and organist Ed Reilly. I half expected a variation on the "Louie Louie" riff, but alas it wasn't to be. This is a pleasant tune, slightly melodic and rhythmic. I seem to have settle on this as the best track on the disc.
Surf (Instrumental)
A moderately well played cover of Santo & Johnny's one hit. There's nothing here that is special... just a pedestrian cover.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Driving Guitars" is the Don Wilson-Bob Bogle-Nokie Edwards (Ventures) standard. It's a solid cover, gutsy enough, and showing their affection for the chameleons of the rock instro world.