Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Arondies - Introducing The Arondies
 | The Arondies were a local act in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. They were together from '62 through the late sixties under a couple of names. This CD features a few nice instros, two of which are quite surfy, plus a rousing garagie "Louie Louie" from an unreleased acetate. Sources here are 45's, unreleased acetate demos, unreleased 8-track copies, and in a couple of cases, original masters. |
Picks: El Rondie, Sad Eyes, 69, One Dead Chicken, Shades
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"El Rondie" is an interesting instro, with the vibrato shimmer of some of Bo Diddley's instros, and a sense of surf-n-chunk. It has a real magnetism about it, with a tribal, exotic, faraway place feel. Rhythmic and intriguing. This 3:45 epic was never released. It comes from an original 1/4 inch master tape.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a very show shimmery romancer, with vibrato guitar setting the mood over a slow walking bass. "Sad Eyes" comes from an original 1/4 inch master tape.
Surf (Instrumental)
A surf progression and reverb, with a chunky chord set, and occasional utterances of "69." No melody, but what do you expect from the other coast. It's barely the sort of thing that a band might warm up with. It even ends like they weren't all sure it was time. Fun and chunky, but miles from essential. The source on this track is a 45.
Rock (Instrumental)
In the same vein as their "Whip To My Lou" (which came from an unreleased session that was dubbed from an 8-track cartridge (really!). "One Dead Chicken" is a jam, funky and fun. It's tribal drums and demented guitar are pretty far out for a non-psychedelic track.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Shades" is a riff based number which came from an unreleased session that was dubbed from an 8-track cartridge. Like "One Dead Chicken," the jam is the main thing, but it sports much less inspiration and dementia than the previous clucker.