Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Dick Dale and his Del-tones - Summer Surf
 | 1964's LP from the Dickster reveals subtleties not scene in earlier works, including an acoustic flamenco number and gorgeous new tones in the infectious Star of David. |
Picks: Summer Surf, Spanish Kiss, The Star (Of David), Banzai Washout, Surfing Rebel, Never On Sunday, Tidal Wave, Thunder Wave
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
A light and frothy Dick Dale number with a melodic and infectious sound. It's very nice, as opposed to powerful. Good track.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Spanish Kiss" is a splendid flamenco inspired number played on an acoustic guitar, full of pomp and drama, and the chorus is not too distracting. A totally wonderful side trip in the Disk Dale songbook. He has since called this "F-16" and "Speardance."
Surf (Instrumental)
This is one of Dick's master pieces. It has a great infectious rhythm, cool drums, and great guitar. Even the male chorus is tolerable. This is one track he should recut for his next album. It's been a fave of mine since '64, and will remain in my top 100 all time surf classics forever.
Surf (Instrumental)
A really unusual sound for Dick as he mimics with increase bell-like tone the super and obscure Catalinas track written by mister studio sax player Steve Douglas, who played on most of Duane Eddy's tracks, as well as the Challengers and others. It's a great flying raging surf monster played in the mid registers with stellar guitar tones. Most unique. This track comes from Dick's last studio album of the sixties "Summer Surf."
Surf (Instrumental)
While this is a piano plinky happy-go-lucky studio track, it's also one infectious Dick Dale melody. It has similar character to "The Star (Of David)" stylistically. Great dribbling glissandoes!
Never On Sunday Surf (Instrumental)
MOR Schmaltz oozes from Dick Dale's trumpet as he dashingly performs this fifties movie theme.
Tidal Wave Surf (Instrumental)
More studio construction without much real interest.
Thunder Wave Surf (Instrumental)
"Thunder Wave" seems like a studio construction without much real meat. It's more like a fifties R&B groove than a surf instro, with prominent horns and an old-time rhythm.