Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Mike Adams and the Red Jackets - Surfers Beat
 | This is a different version of this release in mp3 form with ten tracks. The cover art is of the label in lieu of the LP cover. |
Picks: Green Sleeves And Blue Baggies, Woodie
Track by Track Review
Red River Rock Surf (Instrumental)
While Steve Douglas' sax wails, the band behind him is light weight, and the backtrack arrangement is less than interesting. Ho-hum! I'll stick with Johnny and the Hurricanes!
Hot And Glassy Surf (Instrumental)
The fluffy backtrack and arrangement are just not very interesting - in fact, I'd say they border on juvenile. "Hot And Glassy" is a fast number with relentless drums and a speed freak pace. Some really nice piano and occasional sax flair.
Surfer's Beat Surf (Instrumental)
Little Richard's "Lucille" provides the rhythm idea, and the melody is Percy Montrose's "Oh My Darling, Clementine." Dismissible!
Green Sleeves And Blue Baggies Surf (Instrumental)
This is a tasteful version of King Henry VIII song for Anne Boleyn, "Green Sleeves." This may just be a different take from the same sessions as The Wavecrests, as it sounds very similar, just not exact.
When The Kooks Go Surfin' By Surf (Instrumental)
Virgil Stamp's "When The Saints Go Marching In" is rocked up, but is a long way from essential, or even very interesting, though the drums do rock.
Surf (Instrumental)
This version of "Blue Tail Fly" heavily is influenced by Johnny and the Hurricanes' "Beatnik Fly." The drums rock, the piano if cool, and the frantic pace kinda cool.
Queen's Surf Surf (Instrumental)
"Queen's Surf" is a romp through James Whitcomb Riley's "Shortnin' Bread." Pure pap, more or less. Quite dismissible.
Surf (Instrumental)
Perhaps the most interesting song on the Surfer's Beat LP, at least from an originality perspective, "Woodie" employs an original rhythm riff and frantic drums with walking bass. Otherwise jammy, it's just odd enough to stand out.
Rompin' At Rincon Surf (Instrumental)
Richard Penniman's "Lucille" is the basis of "Rompin' At Rincon." Very pedestrian.
Wipe Out At Sunset Beach Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very pedestrian blues jam. Its unremarkable riffs and structure just don't create a lasting impression. Some melody lines are borrowed from Fat's Domino.