Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Jerry MacNeish - Plays The Fireballs Songbookdotdotdot
artworkThis CD is a labor of love, a tribute to what is probably the most direct link between pre-surf instros and the surf bands. Jerry Mac Neish recreated the whole shebang by going into the same studio and using the same equipment through the help of Vi Petty, widow of the incredible talented studio owner - producer Norman Petty, who produced the original Fireballs sessions, as well as gave us the early Buddy Holly hit sessions. Jerry's playing and arranging is nothing short of amazing from the perspective of his attention to detail in reproducing the tracks, almost verbatim. All of this was released (early eighties) on vinyl before the originals saw reissue, so at the time was priceless. The Fireballs used what became the classic surf lineup of two guitars - bass - drums, used spring reverb on the lead guitar, and developed a high sense of ensemble through an interplay between the two guitars with was to heavily influence players like Paul Johnson and inspired the Ventures as well. They lacked only the energy and edge of the surf bands. The Fireballs began life in the late fifties, played concurrently with the surf bands, and were still producing hits with Jimmy Gilmer after the surf had subsided.
Picks: Fireball, Chief Whoopin-Koff, A Guy Ranchero, Drum Riot, Panic Button, El Ringo, Wang Wang Blues, Tuff-A-Nuff, Almost Paradise, Bluesday, Torquay, Blue Tinted Blues, Yacky Doo, Bandit Boy, Dumbo, Vaquero, Rik-A-Tik, Cielito Lindo, Gunshot, Quite A Party, Almost Paradise

Track by Track Review


Fireball dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

Infectious, accurate right down to the chamber reverb. This namesake tune from the target band here is down right joyous. The gutsy inspired playing is clearly reverent.

Chief Whoopin-Koff dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

This is pretty close to the original, but has less charm, and more edge. Twango deluxe.

A Guy Ranchero dotdot
MOR Lounge (Instrumental)

MOR instro for the lounge set. This song cries out for a good arrangement by some surf band.

Drum Riot dotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

Miss-named, this track is neither riotous, or drum oriented, though it does have a pedestrian drum break in it. I didn't care much for the original either.

Panic Button dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

Accurate, clean, and a labor of love. Plucky, light weight, fifties guitar fluff. It's a song begging for a gutsy delivery. This performance is precise, and very listenable.

El Ringo dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This infectious rhythm based song has long been one of my favorite Fireballs tunes. This cover is very pure, and nearly equals the original. I have always particularly liked the chunky bridge. Good job, Jerry.

Wang Wang Blues dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

This could grace the ceiling speakers in the bistro during lunch. It;'s pretty enough, just too MOR plucky for my tastes.

Tuff-A-Nuff dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

A plucky plodding thing more indicative of an Elmer Fudd pseudo cool than a "tuff" character in the fifties sense of the slang. It has a cool, infectious, juvenile (as in innocent) feel to it. A nice track

Almost Paradise dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Written in the Adventures In Paradise mold by Norman Petty, this is a pretty true to the source nod to the Fireballs. Very pretty, melodic, islandic, and flowing. This is not quite as interesting as Splashback's version, but is a good listen.

Bluesday dotdot
Blues (Instrumental)

A strait guitar blues, nothing special or interesting here.

Torquay dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

This is thee Fireballs tune. This is very respectful and accurate performance, clean, almost to perfect.

Blue Tinted Blues dotdotdot
MOR Blues (Instrumental)

A hokey guitar blues, plodding, and too MOR for me.

Yacky Doo dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

Complete with vocal harmonies and hand claps, this duplicates the feel of the original, which I liked but wished had the vocals removed. It's fun, mid tempo almost "Tequila" like in it's ambiance.

Bandit Boy dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

A splendid Mexican flavored number with a catchy progression, and a solid arrangement.

Dumbo dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

This is and has been my favorite Fireballs tune, infectious, happy, quirky, and very well written. Simplicity perfected. This performance is right in the pocket, as they say. very nice.

Vaquero dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

Another border influenced tune, like a faster "Yacky Doo," with more magnetism. The sound is light, but the track is darn nice.

Rik-A-Tik dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

Like the original, this is much less powerful than the Lively Ones' version, demonstrating the power of precise rhythms. The melody nearly dances off the guitar, and the backtrack is perfect. Solid.

Cielito Lindo dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

This traditional tune is infectious and way fun. It's highly dependent on it's rhythm, and heavily Mexican flavored. A grand slice of border fun.

Gunshot dotdotdot
Fireballs Guitar (Instrumental)

You'd expect a heavier sound from a title such as this. It's more like "Bulldog" than a gun shot. A simple effective progression delivers a fine tune.

Quite A Party dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Another George Tomsco - Fireballs tune, built around a rhythm and a bit of an Indian melody. The tribal toms are great, and it works really well. It has a fifties boogie feel with adequate reverb. Nice track.

Almost Paradise dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Written in the Adventures In Paradise mold by Norman Petty, this is a pretty true to the source nod to the Fireballs. Very pretty, melodic, islandic, and flowing. This is not quite as interesting as Splashback's version, but is a good listen.