Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Original Surfaris - Luau Reverbdotdotdotdot
artworkThis CD-R collects the rare vinyl issues of the Original Surfaris, except for their Wheels - Shorts - Hot Rods album.
Picks: Steppin' Out, High Hat, Latin Soul, Delano Soul Beat, Wipeout, Moment Of Truth, (Ghost) Riders In The Sky, Kalani Wipeout, Surf's Up, Pipeline, Bombora, Surfari, Tor-Chula (Tor-Chula), Psyche-Out, Gum Dipped Slicks, High Time, Moment Of Truth, Delano Soul Beat

Track by Track Review


Steppin' Out dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is very much in the "Wild Weekend" gone Pachuko Soul vein. It is a soulful funky saxy number, heavily aimed at the East LA sound. The Customs are the Original Surfaris.

High Hat dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A funky R&B instro, with the tuff soul ethic, and party faves sound. More a chord thing than a surf number.

Latin Soul dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

While crudely recorded, particularly the drums, this is the poundiest, hottest, and most infectious version of this fine tune. Ultra powerful guitar tones take it beyond the Sentinals version. It has all the Latin flair, but is monster surf guitar dominated.

Delano Soul Beat dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Central Coast soul sound is stronger than the East LA sound that usually dominates versions of this tune. This is not just soulful, but also surfy and large. A fine version.

Wipeout dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is NOT the Surfaris' tune. It is the Impacts tune. This version is just as good as theirs, fuller more powerful, but less cool 'cuz it takes a lap steel to really make it sing. Good sax break, and infectious delivery.

Moment Of Truth dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Original Surfaris deliver their original version of "Moment Of Truth," which is mixed from the two-track masters with the lead guitar way down, so it's quite rhythmic and not too melodic. You can always tell which version of the track is being covered when the band misses the melodic nature of the whole thing. The Reprise album has the lead up front, but the backtrack too low, and Dave Myers and the Surftones' version is quite different, being restructured. It's a wonderful vintage track by one of the great bands.

(Ghost) Riders In The Sky dotdotdotdotdot
Cowpoke Surf (Instrumental)

The Original Surfaris deliver one of the rockin'est versions of Stan Jones' classic cowboy instro ""Ghost Riders In The Sky."." It's raw-raw-raw, and very energetic. There's more whoopin' and hollerin' here than on just about any other vintage recording. There was a lot fun happening when these guys laid this down on tape.

Kalani Wipeout dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Another Original Surfaris track, this time as they ventured into Dave Myers' limbo luau territory. The idea was to recreate a real Hawaiian luau, surfer style.

Surf's Up dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a chord driven thing, with standard jam riffs from the R&B arena, plus Chuck Berryisms, and touches of "Let's Go Trippin'." A rockin' party anthem.

Pipeline dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is one of the more unusual "Pipeline"s from the original surf era. The lead piano is mightily distorted, and the sax leads are soulful and mean, while the guitar is grodie and powerful. This has an entirely different feel than any other version, and night-n-day different from the Chantays' original.

Bombora dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Original Surfaris' "Bombora" is one of the great surf pounders, with it's heavy tom tom action and low-E lead growling away. A great and essential track.

Surfari dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Original Surfaris' "Surfari" is a really cool high energy number that has been only narrowly circulated and covered even more rarely. It has a bunch of energy, great low-E double picked leads and a solid helping of hooks. Great track

Tor-Chula (Tor-Chula) dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is another of the Luau surf chants from the Laguna/Balboa/Cental Valley/Central Coast scene. This has been done by the Sentinals, the Impacts, and others. This is the dirtiest and surfiest, with the meanest sax and wettest damped guitar lines. Both cool and soulful, and monstrous too.

Psyche-Out dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a piano driven tune with the lead guitar at equal par with the plinking. It's a fine song, melodic, rhythmic, tribal, exotic, and thundering. Like if Vince Guaraldi rocked with a surf band. Totally bitchin'.

Gum Dipped Slicks dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Easy for you to say. This fine track is double picked with a much lighter tone and speedier style than other Original Surfaris tracks. This is very melodic, beautifully written, exquisitely played, and infectious. Pure surf for the surf deprived, this is an essential surf track.

High Time dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Surf effected, R&B based, high energy progression dominated, like a fifties guitar boogie on 10 and all reverbed out. Hot track, though almost totally unmelodic.

Moment Of Truth dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Original Surfaris deliver their original version of "Moment Of Truth," which is mixed from the two-track masters with the lead guitar way down, so it's quite rhythmic and not too melodic. You can always tell which version of the track is being covered when the band misses the melodic nature of the whole thing. The Reprise album has the lead up front, but the backtrack too low, and Dave Myers and the Surftones' version is quite different, being restructured. It's a wonderful vintage track by one of the great bands.

Delano Soul Beat dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The live energy carries this into the upper stratosphere. Chunky, hot, loud, rockin' with ample screaming from the happy audience. A rockin' epic East LA / R&B rant.