Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This is an odd bootleg collection of vintage guitar instros, ranging from the marvelous to the just plain strange. Highlight include hard to come by tracks from Japan's Takeshi Terauchi and Blue Jeans, Spain's legendary Los Relampagos, and Holland's mighty Jokers. It's an interesting instrumental side trip for the adventurous.

Picks: Tsugaru Jongara Bushi, Limosna De Amores, Damaged Goods, Spatial Slow, Rising Guitar, The Big Scroungy, Hay Quien Dice De Jaen, Changhai, Nit De Llampecs, Moscow Guitar, Johnny On His Strings, Sentimental Guitar, Java Guitar, Galaxy, So Ran-Bushi, El Cumbanchero

Rock (Instrumental)

A bizarre duet between lead guitar and organ projects a demented traditional Japanese theme before launching into a speedy pick fest. very strange and edgy.

Flamenco Based Surfish Soft Rock (Instrumental)

This guitar track is nicely played in lower registers, and crosses between the Shadows sound and something more distinct. It also sports great drums. Solid.

Soft Rock (Instrumental)

This semi surfy soft rock track was a single flip side. It's textured with dry guitars and a herky jerky progression. It's the sort of track you want to dislike, but somehow it creeps into your consciousness and stick.

MOR Rock (Instrumental)

France's Les Guitares deliver a Shadows inspired MOR rock tune, with intensely restrained guitar over a soft plodding backtrack. Interesting in a sub-Laika and the Cosmonauts kinda way. A bit swirly and twirly, and not really intrusive. Some cool whammy here and there.

Rock (Instrumental)

Japan's legendary Terry and Blue Jeans give forth a ventures-like tune with a fine structure and a special warmth. Quite tasty.

Soft Rock (Instrumental)

American band the Tronics grumble and stumble through a basic progression-style melody, backed with plinky piano and a rhythm track somewhere between the Intruders and Lawrence Welk.

Flamenco Based Surfish Soft Rock (Instrumental)

A bit of the Spanish cowboy, shouts and warm guitar tone, and an infectious rhythm. "Hay Quien Dice de Jaen" may be the coolest track here, just begging for a modern surf cover.

Flamenco Based Surfish Soft Rock (Instrumental)

From Belgium came Los Frangins, who put out this MOR number male chorus and strange sound. The chorus' "la la" repetition is so frequent that this is virtually a vocal. It's quite a bizarre African influenced number.

Flamenco Based Surfish Soft Rock (Instrumental)

This is a time-warped piece, with near "Telstar" keyboard sounds and hints of "Washington Square" at the ends of the riffs, and excellent almost surf delayed lead guitar with a shimmering feel. It's a slow and almost military number with a cool melody.

Cossack Rock (Instrumental)

The Jokers were from Belgium. This classic melody shines with Cossack moods and spunk. A fine and playful tune ripe for surfing up. Very nice picking here, especially the damped echoed lines.

Rock (Instrumental)

Holland produced Electric Johnny and his Skyrockets, who's sound is more like an American backwoods B-side boogie than a European rocker. Still, it's quite fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

Great surf second guitar, twangy lead guitar, and a Ventures feel, together in a dramatic and fluid number. A little hokey, yet quite friendly.

MOR Bop (Instrumental)

Holland's Timebreakers deliver a basic guitar boogie with Polka guitar overtones. Plenty fun, especially the damped pluckery, but also bordering on MOR bop.

Eastern European Echo (Instrumental)

Double picked high notes, heavily echoed twang, and a European melody influenced by the Shadows, and maybe some eastern European themes as well. "Galaxy" unexpectedly grew on my after half a listen.

Dissonant Bumble Bee Rock (Instrumental)

Dry and dissonant, this bumble bee like number stings and twangs with a Japanese theme in a Ventures mood. Quite unusual.

Rock (Instrumental)

An infectious energy and a classic melody sparkle with charm and great drums. Totally cool, and very enjoyable. This fine piece has been covered many times, always to great effect.