Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | This is the first Dot albums for the legendary Chantays. The Chantays were a great instro band. Their lone hit Pipeline defined the surf instro sound, and introduced the glissando to a waiting world. This album is as essential as they come for the serious surf collector, or the novice discovering the reverb for the first time. |
Picks: Pipeline, The Lonesome Road, Tragic Wind, Runaway, Blunderbus, Banzai, Sleep Walk, Night Theme, Wayward Nile, El Conquistador, Riders In The Sky, Last Night
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This is it. This track defined surf. It is the archetype! Paul Johnson once told me that when first heard this tune on his car radio, he said Whoa! Wha-at is THAT?, and pulled over to the side of the road to listen. The Chantays defined the classic surf line up, 2 guitars, piano, bass, and drums. Glorious first use of glissandoes, first rhythm guitar dominance in the mix, and just plain essential.
Surf Blues (Instrumental)
An interesting treatment of an old standard, slow and easy in a combo sorta way.
Epic Surf (Instrumental)
This track is a bit odd, quirkily structured, and holds your attention. It typifies the melody wit of the Chantays.
Teen Tragedy Surf (Instrumental)
The most surfy cover ever of Del Shannon's tune. Where the Belairs did it pretty strait, the Chantays really surfed it up with grand glissandoes and lots of spirit. Great track.
Surf (Instrumental)
Stop start abruptness and an unusual melody line.
Machine Gun Surf (Instrumental)
Machine gun etiquette provides an unusual delivery for this tune.
Sleep Walk 
Fifties Slow Dance (Instrumental)
An average cover of the Santo & Johnny classic.
Night Theme Slow Dance Surf (Instrumental)
Slow dance classic from the late fifties done live by everyone, even San Jose's Preps.
Surf (Instrumental)
Pretty unusual Middle Eastern flavored tune with a definite Chantays edge. It's amazing how durable this track is. Shimmering and slightly exotic, with the classic Chantays sound.
Surf (Instrumental)
Latin influences and a quirky jerky style make this a unique bit of surfdom.
Surf (Instrumental)
The first truly surf version of Stan Jones' cowboy classic that had already been rocked out by the Ramrods. This version is still my favorite of all, save the insane EchoPlexed psychedelic rendition from Mexico's Los Babys. The glissandoes and piano are essential to making it work, and the resulting recording is totally infectious, and enhances any drive down an open road.
Last Night R&B Surf (Instrumental)
Solid version of the classic R&B classic, along the lines of the Biscaynes' "Get It." Cool party tune.