Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Urban Surf Kings - Surfin' Santadotdotdotdot
artworkSurfin' Santa served as a dry run for Snowman Rumble. This is tuff, honest, direct, and all garage surf. Well played, and captured in real time.
Picks: We Three Kings, Rudolph, Jingle Bells, Please Surf Home, Hey Santa Claus, Jingle Bell Surf, Little Drummer Boy, Silent Surf

Track by Track Review


We Three Kings dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A gritty glissando opens this slightly angular version of "We Three Kings." Tremolo edge and a heavy bass with close echo on guitar. Those tortured glissandos are really cool!

Rudolph dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Guitar and bass alone play the opening lines, but soon enough they are joined by the drums, and the pace picks up. The fast double picked verses are way fun.

Jingle Bells dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is very different from the version on Snowman Rumble. This is tuff, gritty, and direct rockin' grind. Twangin' peppermint fun!

Please Surf Home dotdotdot
Blue Surf (Instrumental)

Slow blues rendering of "Please Come Home" that's gently tremolo shimmered. The slow walking bass really holds this together well.

Hey Santa Claus dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Warm swimming whammy tone, tribal drums, rich intensity, and a fast delivery of this classic song. The feeling of the song is completely changed. The flippant nature of the arrangement makes it seem so very celebrative. Extra cool.

Jingle Bell Surf dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a mid tempo surf interpretation of Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock." Spunky and tremolo laden, with a quiet grin and just enough edge.

Little Drummer Boy dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Tribal drums and bass undulate under "Little Drummer Boy" in an interesting contrast. A countrified surf verse, jazzy lines, those great drums that seem to not to "Wipe Out" via the jazzed up guitar chords, and reverb aplenty. I think this one of the more unusual versions of this song.

Silent Surf dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The waves gently lap the sandy shore as the guitar hauntingly lays out a solo melody line. It's part lovely, part spooky, and all cool.