Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | This is the CD reissue of the Nightrunners LP from a decade ago, with extra tracks. Their music is mostly in the Shadows vein, but there are a few very surfable instros along with a couple of refined surf covers, particularly three of the bonus tracks. A very nice release. |
Picks: Katjusha, Idylle, Banzai, Black Magic, Peace Pipe, Skogsblomman, The Ripper, Penetration, Igelkottaskinnet, Moonlight Walk, Pipeline, My Resistance Is Low, Dakota, Min Soldat, Barndomshemmet, Moment Of Truth, Theme From The Saunters, Sarie Marijs, Church Key, Ano Hito, Escape, Theme From Joe Dakota, Lady Of Spain, Cape Kennedy, Journey To The Stars
Track by Track Review
Surfable Rock (Instrumental)
"Katjusha" features a damped lead on some verses, and a more surfable lead line than the Hank Marvin guitar sound usually delivers. Bouncy and affirmative.
Rock (Instrumental)
Echoed guitar delivers a very Euro melody riff over a soft rock backtrack. Not particularly interesting, though you could draw similarities between "Idylle" and some String-a-longs tracks.
Rock (Instrumental)
Not a hint of surf here as the Nightrunners do a very Shadowsy instro. Echoed guitar and soft rock backing.
Surfable Rock (Instrumental)
Acoustic guitar backs this damped echoed guitar track. Playful and bouncy, and squarely in the UK mold. The infectious lead is quite fun, and "Black Magic" is a very satisfying track.
Peace Pipe 
Rock (Instrumental)
The Shadows' "Peace Pipe" is softly and reverently done. Nothing special or personalized about this cover.
Surfable MOR Rock (Instrumental)
"Skogsblomman" is a slowish sad gypsy kinda tune with a prom-stroll backtrack. While pretty and scenic, it's also a little on the MOR side. Still, it's quite nice.
Rock (Instrumental)
Big Shadows echo twang and a bumpin' backbeat. Tastefully done, but not very energetic.
Surf (Instrumental)
Delicate and rhythmic, and played with a refined restraint, the Pyramids' classic "Penetration" has seldom been done with less energy. OK, but it's also quite enjoyable in this more subdued arrangement.
Rock (Instrumental)
An acoustic guitar backs the echoed lead on this tune. The melody is a little on the folksy side, bouncy and flippant.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
"Moonlight Walk" is slow and damped, and twangy. Echoed guitar plays a friendly if flyweight melody line over a delicate backtrack. Verges on MOR.
Surf (Instrumental)
Chantays' definitive "Pipeline" is very dryly effected, like a cross between the Shadows and waves. Soft and refined, yet quite nice, like a warm afternoon version of the original. The arrangement is pretty darn close to the source less the piano. Quite nice.
My Resistance Is Low MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Plucky Euro playfulness abounds in this MOR track. Fun, but completely unremarkable.
Rock (Instrumental)
The Shadows' "Dakota" is reverently covered, with charm, but not a lot of originality. Very smooth, just not particularly catchy.
Rock (Instrumental)
Damped echoed pluckola and warm Hank Marvinisms slush out a liquid moonlit evening scene. Quite pretty, and light weight.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a melodic track with a Shadowsy feel and light romanticism. The infectious rhythm track keeps it from becoming just another guitar instro.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Nightrunners rely on their tight rhythm sense to transmute "Moment Of Truth" into a lighter song than the Original Surfaris' genesis. It works surprisingly well in this arrangement, with whammy chords and an almost island sense. Quite cool.
Rock (Instrumental)
A slushy Euro guitar instro with a prom feel and romantic idealism. Pretty, but unremarkable.
Rock (Instrumental)
This has a fluffy fifties "Feel So Good" intro and an even lighter Southern melody line. While it's definitely on the lighter side of the aisle, it's also entertaining and bears multiple listenings. A bit of a country feel, lacking only twang to sound like it's from Memphis.
Surf (Instrumental)
Damped reverb, hinting of a delicate inversion of the way the Trashmen took the Revels' great single into surf territory. Great surf sound and groovy restrained delivery make this a unique experience.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is one soft and lush Euro guitar melody, poured out like an aphrodisiac for the romantics among us. Quite pretty.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Escape" is a groovy rocker with a surf melody riff and glissandos. It's not tuff, but rather is delivered with a powerfully restrained performance. It's always amazing to me how much hook can come from surf instros when not full steam powered. Excellent track.
Surfable Rock (Instrumental)
This is a semi-soft number with a delicate sound and mid-energy lilt. The pretty melody is more than MOR, yet below the rock barrier. While very enjoyable, it didn't quite grab me, though it certainly pleased the ear.
Soft Rock (Instrumental)
While you can imagine a very surfable arrangement of this venerable pop tune, this isn't it. In the general vicinity of the Shadows, it's enjoyable and smooth, but not terribly memorable.
Surfable Rock (Instrumental)
The Spotnicks' "Cape Kennedy" is a solid vehicle for this band. They take a kind of Ventures/Challengers approach that serves the melody well. Very nice track.
Surfable Rock (Instrumental)
The Ventures' space surf cruncher "Journey To The Stars" is nicely restrained for a precise and delicate interpretation of the song. Where most go for the throat, the Nightrunners have held back, allowing the song's inherent power do the work. Very nice.