Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

The Belairs were one of the seminal surf bands. They were playing instros before even Dick Dale, and recorded their definitive single "Mr. Moto" five months before Dick cut "Let's Go Trippin' ." Their line up originally did not include a bass player, and when most of the tracks on this CD were cut in March of 1962, they were still without a bass player. All but a couple of these tracks are available for the the first time ever, and are also the only stereo masters the band ever made. This is a golden find, and utterly essential surf listening.

Picks: Volcanic Action, Ramrod, Mr. Moto, Vampire, Peter Pistol, Let's Go Trippin', Wild One, Panic Button, Yep, Bedlam, (Un Classe De) Chiflado, Bulldog, Movin' and Groovin', Runaway, Ventures' Medley, Reveille Rock, Kamikaze, Little Brown Jug, Three Blind Christmas Mice, Volcanic Action, Rampage, Squirt

Surf (Instrumental)

"Volcanic Action" is a chunky reverb surf tune with the band in fine form. Quite surfy in the traditional sense, "Volcanic Action" conveys that driven Belairs rhythm section power. A fine performance, with a thundering bottom end despite the lack of a bass player. Full throated guitar from Eddie Bertrand, and fine support from the entire band. Very cool, especially in stereo.

Surf (Instrumental)

Al Casey's "Ramrod" is rhythmically pumped out. The tune itself is more a chord progression rhythm track than a song, yet it's always been able to capture attention. The Belairs giver it their rhythm section power and the piano is too cool.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is it, their claim to fame, their most familiar song, and the first surf release from May 1961 on Arvee Records. "Mr. Moto" is just about the most influential surf instro ever. "Mr. Moto" came to be a surf classic, and was recorded and released months before Dick Dale's "Let's Go Trippin'," before he opened the Rendezvous Ballroom, and before it was called surf. If you must draw a line in the sand, it must be drawn here. "Mr. Moto" was recorded at Liberty.

Covered by countless others, this song features 15 year olds Paul Johnson and Eddie Bertrand trading guitar parts in their trademark style on a prototypical PJ writing masterpiece. Jim Roberts' piano work is stunningly perfect for this song. A historical absolutely must have!

Surf (Instrumental)

This stroll was issued as a single on Richard Delvy's label after the end of the group. It was "borrowed" from Johnny and The Hurricanes, and is a fine slow dance dumber, with the plinky fifties piano work from Jim Roberts.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a rhythm dominated performance of Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn." The band is playing precisely metered restrained surf, for an almost sophisticated sound.

Surf (Instrumental)

Jim Roberts' piano sets this apart from other versions, except for the Dick Dale original. The performance is a little restrained, yet the arrangement works really well with this classic tune. Fine listening.

Surf (Instrumental)

Chaz Stuart takes the lead with his sax on this rousing instro version of Bobby Rydell's "Wild One." Highly rhythmic, primal and rockin', like a party good time. Eddie Bertrand's lead licks simply sparkle.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Fireballs' "Panic Button" is a natural platform for the Belairs. The added piano really brings this song out. Rhythm and smiles all around.

Surf (Instrumental)

Duane Eddy's "Yep," co-written by Lee Hazelwood, is portrayed in a bouncy and fresh arrangement. The great piano compliments solid lead guitar tone and excellent sax. Very cool. A little less fire than the original, but no less fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

Richard Delvy took this with him to the Challengers, and that was the only place it saw release until Paul Johnson's surf band the Packards cut it in 1980. Paul's writing is all over this tune. This early version is very charming and simply arranged. An excellent track.

Surf (Instrumental)

This home demo version of what was to become a South Bay surf scene classic, performed by many of the other bands in the area. It's a melodic, rhythmic and infectious tune. "Chiflado" is actually "Un Clase de Chiflado" and means "some kinda nut."

Surf (Instrumental)

The Fireballs' "Bulldog" gets the Belairs' treatment, rhythmically magical, delicately picked, and quite twangy. Really good basic arrangement.

Surf (Instrumental)

Duane Eddy's "Moovin' and Groovin'" is a riff rocker with real surfability brought out by the Belairs. Simple, sparkling, and slightly mean.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a Chas Stuart lead number, and is intense, if not particularly interesting. It's rhythmic and moody. It's a cover of Del Shannon's hit.

Surf (Instrumental)

Richard Delvy took this arrangement with him to the Challengers, and it appeared on their Lloyd Thaxton Goes Surfing With The Challengers album. It's a competent merger of "Walk, Don't Run," "Lullaby Of The Leaves," and "Perfidia." Simple and pleasing.

Surf (Instrumental)

Johnny and the Hurricanes' "Reveille Rock" lacks a little in the attack department mostly because the sax is low in the mix. What it lacks there, it picks up with in the spit and vinegar department. Very fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

Originally called "Whiplash," this fine song is typically Paul & Eddie interplaying their two guitars for a rhythmic holistic sound. A fine infectious track, this is a lot like "Mr. Moto." The groovy piano work in the middle is cool.

Surf (Instrumental)

This was the B-side to "Mr. Moto." It shows the rhythmic nature of Paul and Eddie's synergy, and their penchant for familiar childhood tunes reconstructed to fit their need. ItÕs easily the best version of this tune around. Recorded at Liberty, this is the original unedited version, without the removal of the botched line from Paul.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Belairs used to like taking songs from their childhood as material. Innocent honkin' and squirtin' and rolling piano. "Three Blind Christmas Mice" is a medley of "Three Blind Mice" and "Jingle Bells." Quite cool!

Surf (Instrumental)

This was an experiment platform they developed to allow Eddie to go off on. It's highly jungle beat oriented, and very infectious. This was cut in '62, before the peak of surf hit, before "Wipe Out."

Surf (Instrumental)

This is the other track from the "warehouse," and shows the continuing influence of Paul's balancing of instruments to create a sense of ensemble, rather than a band to support a lead player, another difference that emerged between Paul and Eddie. This is an interesting track, full of energy and guts.