Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Norman Petty Trio - The Original... Volume 2
 | Norman Petty was the man behind the great Buddy Holly sound, and closer to surf, the Fireballs reverbed guitar magic.  He was not only the owner-operator of a studio, he was also a musician. Violet Ann, Jack, and Norman Petty were the Norman Petty Trio. Their musical thinking was very different than the artists who's work he made famous in his studio. None the less, this CD provides an interesting glimpse into the small pre-rock combos of America. |
Picks: Ditty Dum, Bring Your Heart, Find Me A Golden Street, Caravan
Track by Track Review
Ditty Dum MOR (Instrumental)
Better titled "Dumb Ditty," this is an almost calliope like organ number, missing only the merry-go-round. Too cute, too syrupy. 1957
Bring Your Heart MOR (Instrumental)
Piano lead, presented in a cross between the calliope of "Ditty Dum" and the "Last Date" ideas of Floyd Cramer. Cute and delicate, and very melodic. 1956
MOR (Instrumental)
In 1958, Norman Petty laid "Find Me A Golden Street" down the way he wrote it. The stark difference between this and the more familiar Fireballs interpretation is stunning, even more so than the Al Casey versus the Astronauts' "Baja." It employs a great piano, a mall organ, and an almost churchy sound. It's almost scary to listen to. Still, it's such a cool track.
MOR (Instrumental)
Duke Ellington's classic "Caravan" is delivered with dry guitar, mall organ, and pumping piano. It doesn't even hint of the rock sensibilities that lay dormant within. It is enjoyable, but a far cry from anything besides MOR lounge. Still, if you wanna scare your friends.... It's from 1955.