Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Aquamarines - Bay Of Reverb Live!
 | This CD-R is culled from shows in April and May 2004. The performances are solid, but the sources are ambient, and of varying quality. All songs are covers, but then they are a very new band. San Francisco's Aquamarines are working on originals now, and hope to do a real studio album soon. |
Picks: Pacifica, Apache, Espionage, Mr. Moto, Oahu Luau, Tsunami, Lynxtail, Perfidia, Last Date, (Ghost) Riders In the Sky, Wrong Planet, A Shot In The Dark, Walk Don't Run, Squad Car
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
The Aqua Marines were caught live playing Los Straitjackets' "Pacifica" with flair and style. True to the original with swimming whammy chords. The sound may be ambient, but the performance is quite good.
Recorded at Mancuso's in Novato, California in April 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a deliberate and fluid performance of Jerry Lordan's groovy "Apache," with a rather nifty second guitar pattern. Very tastefully done, with a rich arrangement. Great semi-military drums, Indian whoops, and solid energy.
Recorded at Hotel Utah's in San Francisco in May 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
Los Straitjackets' "Espionage" is nicely rung out with whammy chords, dry chop rhythms, and a very smooth delivery.
Recorded at Hotel Utah's in San Francisco in May 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
A very trad edition of the Belairs' classic "Mr. Moto." Tight and enjoyable.
Recorded at Hotel Utah's in San Francisco in May 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
This early Laika and the Cosmonauts song is done with great reverence and a more surf attitude. "Oahu Luau" is bouncy and attractive.
Recorded at Hotel Utah's in San Francisco in May 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a rollicking version of "Tsunami," with a happy face on and a lot of reverence.
Recorded at Hotel Utah's in San Francisco in May 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
With a Link Wray sensibility, big vibrato chords, and surf-throb-correctness, the Aquamarines do a tasteful and straightforward cover of Los Straitjackets' "Lynxtail."
Recorded at Hotel Utah's in San Francisco in May 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
Alberto Dominguez' "Perfidia" came to rock audiences in 1961 via the second Ventures single. This is a very direct version, though the guitar is thicker and more modern.
Recorded at Hotel Utah's in San Francisco in May 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
Floyd Cramer's slithery sow dance epic "Last Date" is a very nice choice for a romantic instro. Nicely converted from piano to guitar, with a bit of edge and charm.
Recorded at Hotel Utah's in San Francisco in May 2004.
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky Surf (Instrumental)
This is an adaptation of Dick Dale's nineties arrangement of one of country's most covered instros. Less in your face perhaps, but well done.
Recorded at Mancuso's in Novato, California in April 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
Swimming whammy chords where they should be carry off a nice version of Los Straitjackets' "Wrong Planet." Warm and optimistic.
Recorded at Mancuso's in Novato, California in April 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
One of Henry Mancini's most covered songs these days, "A Shot In The Dark" is moody and silky, with edge and a dangerous lilt.
Recorded at Mancuso's in Novato, California in April 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
The tape is marred at first by movement of the mic, but the performance of Johnny Smith's classic "Walk Don't Run" is true to the Ventures with warmth and a sense of flow.
Recorded at Mancuso's in Novato, California in April 2004.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big time double picked mishmash, heavily effected guitar, phase-hampered tape, and a mighty big load of energy. The performance is very good, but the sound is quite annoying.
Recorded at Mancuso's in Novato, California in April 2004.