Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Sandals - The Endless Summer [Soundtrack]dotdotdot
artworkThis is the original 1966 soundtrack to the classic first surf adventure. The Sandals started life as the Twangs, who were "discovered" by World Pacific after becoming the Sandells. They were heavily influenced by the Ventures and Duane Eddy. Gaston Georis once told me they only occasionally used the staccato Surf style live, and they much preferred the dry sound to reverb. They ended up recording the title track for Bruce Brown's seminal surf film The Endless Summer. By the time the film emerged, they had changed their name again to the Sandals. These sessions were originally cut in 1964.
Picks: Scrambler, 6-Pak, Driftin', Theme From 'The Endless Summer', Good Greeves, Decoy, Out Front, Wild As The Sea, Trailing, Jet Black, Lonely Road, TR-6

Track by Track Review


Scrambler dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Scrambler" sports an infectious rhythm and sparse lead guitar. The tone is dry, yet aquatic and appealing. The thinness of the arrangement is part of its charm, as is the shallow whammy.

6-Pak dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a splendid melody, with a warm sunny day feel and adequate twang to live in the surf despite its complete lack of reverb. Quite excellent.

Driftin' dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This Hank Marvin tune is chunked and thumped like the Shadows never did it. Rhythmic and energetic, and stylistically Sandals.

Theme From 'The Endless Summer' dotdotdot
Classic Film Score Surf (Instrumental)

"Theme From The Endless Summer" is a world renowned tune. It incorporates nontraditional instruments and has been an influence to many others. The use of melodica is particularly interesting.

Good Greeves dotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A sorta carnival organ guides this tune through a relentless progression with little to break the sameness, except for a few blues bars of guitar jam.

Decoy dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This tune starts with interesting chords, then drops right into a fine hook and simple melody line. It's playful, but still intense enough. Dramatic without being pompous. The pumping piano is so groovy. A fine classic track.

Out Front dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Fast paced, ringing chords, and an unchanging progression. Energetic, but note very interesting.

Wild As The Sea dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a slow and familiar tune, with a wistfully breezy lilt to it, and an almost siesta imagery. It's not fast, but rather a romantic mid tempo number employing sultry vibrato and melodica. Nice listening.

Trailing dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Trailing" is a high school pomp and stroll with noodly guitar and a bit of shimmer. Pimpled line dances abound.

Jet Black dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Plunky, salsa and chips, watery twang, and tequila worms seem to float through this Jet Harris tune, with it's quirky tango beat, and occasional injections of "jet black." Very fun track.

Lonely Road dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Exotic percussion, a Latin rhythm, and a gentle wispy melody played on a dry and plaintiff guitar. Pretty, but not dominating. A good backdrop to the floatier side of the evening. References to the Endless Summer theme are many, with the melody being shared in spots.

TR-6 dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is thee surf monster here, thumpy, pumped, dynamic, whammy dipped, and intense. Major energy spews from every corner. A picker's dream, it flows with a rolling swell, employing double picked rhythmic guitar chops and ringing chords. Even the drum break is interesting. What a big surf rage this is!