Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Champs - The Best Of The Champs - Tequila
 | A mini collection of Champs material, including a couple of hits, and at a budget price - around $6. A nice introduction to the Champs. I didn't review all the tracks - just the ones that might be squeezed into a surf show that allows side trips. |
Picks: Tequila, Too Much Tequila, Rebel Rouser, Lonely Bull, Telstar
Track by Track Review
Latin R&B Rock (Instrumental)
This is their BIG HIT!. It is a sax based number that was probably the frat house standard, long before "Louie Louie" was. The spoken "Tequila" at the end of the lines has become a standard of Latin party rock. Very infectious.
Latin R&B Rock (Instrumental)
This is one of several follow ups to their "Tequila." It is a sax based number, slower than it's inspiration, and with more of an "El Rancho Grande" sound to it. The guitar break is acoustic and quite nice.
Surf (Instrumental)
A Champsified version of the Duane Eddy hit tune. It's spirited, but somehow more tame than Duane's.
Surf (Instrumental)
A different take on the standard made so mariachi by Herb Alpert. It is way more mariachi, and the melody line is a bit different. Nice track.
Surf (Instrumental)
Really, with sax lead... a stranger sound you never heard - well, I've heard stranger versions of this actually. It makes it all so Mexican restaurant acceptable.