Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Guitar Mania Volume 07
 | Another in the series from Rarity exposing many of the bands on the label. Most of the tracks here are very Hank Marvin-ish, and many verge on MOR. There are some gems though. |
Picks: Brozem Rock, China Rock, Strings, The Storm, New Explosion, Granada, Gypsy Rock, Vilja O Vilja, Flying Carpet, Hemel's Blauw, One Way Ticket, The First One, Dardanella, Ram-Bunk-Shush, Runaway, Terang Boelan, Canoe, Char-A-Banc, Happy Weekend, The Hunter, Anna, Apache, San Antonio Rose, Walk Don't Run, Diamond Head
Track by Track Review
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a twangy instro with a decidedly classical feel and a solid rock beat. melodic and punchy, "Brozem Rock" is a classic rock-instro with a catchy riff and rhythm.
The Astronauts (neither the Boulder, Colorado or German bands) started life as Jacky Mathys and the Rocket Boys in Amsterdam during 1959. By 1960, they had changed their name to the Astronauts. They issued several singles during the sixties. These tracks are 1999 re-recordings cut during a reunion.
China Rock Rockabilly (Instrumental)
The classic trite Japanese progression opens this otherwise basic rockabilly intro. Spirited, but not very original.
Strings Rock (Instrumental)
"Strings" is a pretty Shadowsy sounding piece with a warm guitar and pretty melody line.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a solid track with a sad guitar line like a western theme in search of a film. Highly entertaining, with a solid guitar line and punchy rock beat.
New Explosion Rock (Instrumental)
The Blue Moon Rockers live in the fifties on this basic b-side type of riff rock instro.
Near Surf Rock (Instrumental)
"Granada" is a fine traditional European melody with warm whammy and echoed guitar. Very cool track with a near-surf feel.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Gypsy Rock" is a mighty fast version of Brahms' "Hungarian Rhapsody," pumped up and full of life. It's arranged like a rocker, but will fit well in a surf set.
Vilja O Vilja Rock (Instrumental)
Like the Challengers doing an amphetamine cover of Shadows, this romps at breakneck speed with fire and groovy drums.
Flying Carpet Rock (Instrumental)
Twinged string bending with more than a nod to Hank Marvin. "Flying Carpet" is OK, but really not very original sounding. The Boys hail from Belgium.
Hemel's Blauw Rock (Instrumental)
Hank Marvin is clearly at the helm of influences here. Pretty, but unremarkable.
Rock (Instrumental)
Plucked second guitar and echoed MOR/Hank Marvin lead guitar over strong drums and smooth bass. A nice track with a bit of originality.
The First One MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Plucky MOR sound in that Euro-twang way. Nice enough, just light on the guts.
Dardanella MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Pluckabilly for an MOR afternooner. Very pleasant, but unremarkable. The Desperates are Dutch.
Ram-Bunk-Shush MOR Rock (Instrumental)
This classic fifties guitar jam is all smoothed out and suaved up. Very competently played, like maybe Buddy Merrill might do it.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a rousing interpretation of Del Shannon's "Runaway." Much more fire than the Desperates' other tracks here. In the Hank Marvin vein.
Terang Boelan MOR Rock (Instrumental)
The introduction to "Blue Star" launches this MOR track. Pretty guitar instrumental for a backdrop to a lazy rainy day.
Canoe MOR Rock (Instrumental)
The Silhouets are from Belgium. Their sound on this track is smooth electric guitar slush. Out of the shadow of Hank Marvin and into the afternoon tea. Very nice.
Char-A-Banc MOR Country Rock (Instrumental)
"Char-A-Banc" is a bit of a country slow poke, with echoed Hank Marvin guitar sound.
Happy Weekend MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Soft and pretty are the watchwords here. A little moody, but otherwise unremarkable.
The Hunter MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Slow semi cowpoke cactus meandering and a playful melody line make this unusual. Pleasant for an open sky ride on the prairie.
Anna MOR Rock (Instrumental)
The MOR classic "Anna" is presented in a straight format with round guitar tone and restrained energy. The Red Angels are Dutch.
Rock (Instrumental)
Jerry Lordan's "Apache" is lushly and smoothly oozed from the guitar. This is a pretty, if unremarkable version.
San Antonio Rose MOR Rock (Instrumental)
With country roots not far off stage, the Red Angels do a light weight rendition of a light weight classic.
Rock (Instrumental)
It's hard to imagine, but the Red Angels to a softened version of the Ventures' 1960 take on Johnny Smith's "Walk Don't Run." More than just nice, and with the glissando midstream, it almost rises to the surf challenge.
Dry Surf (Instrumental)
The Meadowhawks are a Dutch band. They do a dried and delicate version of Danny Hamilton's fine tune. Somewhat like latter day Ventures in Japan versions, this is spunky and way fun. The end is very strange, with the song seeming to just collapse.