Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Stadium Frank and the Motor Pokers - Surf the North Coast
 | It's not just an obvious name, it's a cool concept. I mean, hotdoggers in the guise if ballpark franks is beyond question, it's into the lunatic realm. You'll find many grand inclusions of unexpected covers, original arrangements, and fluid playing. |
Picks: Penetration, Tequila, Tropical Depression, Summer At Dreampoint, Green Onions, Pipeline
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Disintegration" is the Ready Men's tune. The performances here is spirited. Solid, but nothing special.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Undertow" is a nice track. It has an airy sound, and a wistful progression, broken by big whammy and double picked riffs a la Jim Messina. The main riff is quite pleasing, and happy, like most tracks here.
Weather Report Surf (Instrumental)
Assuming this isn't about feeling blue, it has a suave sax and guitar lead that tells a big band story of weather fronts and torn up beaches, and umbrella drinks in hotel lobbies. I can't get over how much the sax sound is like Francios Brier of the Thrusters. This is the lone original here, and it's both pretty and dramatic. The major label guitar sound seems quite fitting here. Nice track.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Seashore" is credited to Jim Masoner, but it is "Sorento" played with an eye on a wine bottle. This is a fine rendition, better than the Untamed Youth cut.
Surf (Instrumental)
Tom toms and a slow low down bass, then a vibrato drenched guitar, and whammy chords... yup, it's moody and ominous, like a surfified "Harlem Nocturne" with all the haunt and none of the melody, not that it seeks to matter much. This is quite effective and enjoyable. I particularly find the bottleneck slides effective. They add a whole new dimension to surf, and provide an almost Twilight Zone twist to the moodiness. Remarkable arranging.
Surf (Instrumental)
Slow silky lead lines and vibrato throb, and a romantic feel. Like a view of the lagoon via a late-night moon. Really nice.