Phil Dirt - Reverb Central
PO Box 7240, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-7240 USA
 Various Artists Del-Fi Pool Party 
Label: Del-Fi DFCD 71264
This is a funny compilation, somehow quite reflective of the true Bob Keene as I perceive him to be. It sports 10 instros of varying quality, and five vocals. The Preston Epps track has so much vocal work, it is really hard to treat it as an instro. It's also not very interesting. The Bruce Johntson vocal track is, as you might expect from it's tile "Soupy Shuffle Stomp", a tribute to Soupy Sales, in Bruce's "Surfers Stomp" mold. The Enchanters' "Come On Let's Go" is like the Kingston Trio trying to be cool. Quite odd. "Mystery Artist" is so called because the tape reel was unlabeled and memories drew a blank. It's an attempt at a Paul Peterson kinda hit single. Jack Herbst's "Jimmy's Party" is actually a pretty fine pop single, the sort of thing that only missed "hit" status because no one bought it... well maybe because no DJ played it. It is that sort well crafted little single that the party teenybopper girls used to buy. A party disc for the next frat bash. Picks: The Bob Keene Orchestra 'La Bamba', 'Mack The Knife', The Moongooners 'Willie and the Hand Jive' |
BILL LEWIS "High Dive" 
This typifies riff rock - a simple progression played over and over. The "Topsy Part Two" drum break is cool, but otherwise this is backtrack waiting for a vocal or melody or something.
Riff Instrumental Mono
THE ROLLERCOASTERS "Wild Twist"
A go-go jam, with no redeeming qualities, unless your looking for that perfect frat party record that no one will listen to while they shout to be heard in their meaningless verbal exchanges in search of the next lay.
Organ Riff Instrumental Mono
THE BOB KEENE ORCHESTRA "La Bamba"
With that Richie Valens bass sound, and rhythmically infectious drive, this is a fun track. It has no relationship to surf, but it is quite playful, in that shallow Hollywood studio session way. This will find a happy home at parties for the anesthetized. 
It seems to me to be one of those little nothing releases that still finds a way into your shoes, thus hiding from site while haunting your thoughts. Pure fun.
Studio Fun Instrumental Mono
DON MARKHAM AND THE MARKSMEN "The Goose - Part 1"
A slightly reverbed damped rhythm guitar under a rolling piano jam does not constitute an interesting song. It's gentle enough and pleasant, just of no consequence.
Piano Plink Instrumental Mono
THE TRIBUTES "Here Comes Ringo"
A basic British R&B progression and harmonica, with screaming girl crowd sounds overdubbed. No melody, but fun in a quaint way.
Piano Plink Instrumental Mono
THE MOONGOONERS "Willie and the Hand Jive"
Johnny Otis used the Bo Diddley beat for his hit. The Moongooners take that song, and do a slightly surfy version with sax replacing the vocals. It's quite a tribal thing, with lots of screams and shouts, and an infectious sound. Fun.
Diddley Bo Instrumental Mono
BRUCE JOHNSTON "Moon Shot"
This is the backtrack to "Soupy Shuffle Stomp." It's main value is the clarity of that great distorted keyboard Bruce Johnston employed so well. It's a jam, a party disc, and quite fun.
Articulated Studio Instrumental Mono
THE BOB KEENE ORCHESTRA "Mack The Knife"
Studio bachelor pad pseudo rock... like Bobby Darin pumped up. This actually rocks pretty solid in a party fun way. I wanted to hate this, but found I liked it. It is infectious and fun.
Pseudo Rock Instrumental Mono
LITTLE JIMMY WASHINGTON "Hard Way Four"
This is an R&B single, a party jive, with noodly guitar work and rhythm plus. The shallow wah wah on the damped rhythm guitar chops dates it. It's a TV "Dance Party" theme kinda track. Pumped energy, but no melody. Sounds like it's from vinyl.
Dance Party Theme Instrumental Mono
BILL LEWIS "Swim Beat"
Well documented drum dominated backtrack sorta thing with lots of energy and crisp drums, and just too much fun to pass up. It's an all too familiar rock riff from James Brown's "Night Train."
Dance Party Theme Instrumental Mono