Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Frolic Diner Part 4
 | This is volume 4 in the fun Frolic Diner series. It's all instrumental save for one vocal from the Beau-Jives called "Here We Go." My fave of this genre remains Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts "Baby Let Me Bang Your Box," though it's not here. There are a couple of surfable tracks, most notably the Monarchs' 'Friday Night.' This CD is taken from vinyl sources. |
Picks: Movin' Up, IT - V.I.P.'s, Friday Night, Greeazzy, The Spider, Muddy, Pt. 2, Flying Loxbox, Beavershot, Where's Chico, Israeli Twist, Chop-Twist, (Welcome To) Twistville, Beaver, (Theme From) The Untouchables, Beat Party 1, Beat Party 2, Chicken Hop, Freeway USA
Track by Track Review
Movin' Up Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Honky sax and piano strip joint jammin'. Just a riff and a progression, with a tinkling piano.
IT - V.I.P.'s Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Hard driving combo rock, riffin' jive with a hook. The performance is loud and strong, with a whirling organ beneath, like a lesser Wailers instro.
Strip Rock (Instrumental)
This is a great instro, even if it is mostly just a riff. It came out towards the end of the surf scene, and in some ways can be lumped in with the surf singles. The guitar tome is rounder and less reverby, but the idea is not unlike some of the surf tunes that came before it. Excellent guitar sustain, and cool restrained percussion. I've like this single since first hearing in KRLA or KFWB.
Greeazzy Strip Rock (Instrumental)
A guitar boogie riffola, bluesy and groovy. More jam than song, but endearing enough for at least one spin.
The Spider Strip Rock (Instrumental)
This is a playful sax tune supported by a funky backtrack. A club jammin' break time number.
Muddy, Pt. 2 Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Nearly James Brown in structure, this is a basic blues progression number, with a minimal melody riff that could well be surfed up. It reminds me of the Viceroys in some ways.
Flying Loxbox Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Raging sax riff rock, with inserted shouts of "Flying Loxbox." Not very interesting beyond one listen because there's so little melody.
Beavershot Strip Rock (Instrumental)
One of many tunes from the early sixties with "beaver" in the title. You have to remember it was the beginning of the free speech movement, and euphemism was the only way to get product out when the subject was sex. Low down and grodie, but without melody.
Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Low-E surf guitar, a funky strip club backtrack, and a catchy little hook-riff. Not at all melodic, yet endearing.
Strip Rock (Instrumental)
The piano work is right out of Ray Charles' "What'd I Say," but that's where that comparison ends. It's "Hava Nagila," with a way too suave sax lead. Just too cool for words. Play this at a bar mitzvah and watch the lads go nuts. Not a hint of surf, but irresistible none the less.
Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Sorta R&B oriental triteness, with a catchy riff played out on a damped echoed guitar. Boomy bass and shouts of joy. Pretty cool.
(Welcome To) Twistville Strip Rock (Instrumental)
This progression has been used to death in this genre. Nothing new, though the damped guitar under the sax is pretty cool.
Beaver Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Whistling organ does beaver - well the mall organ takes the lead and drives away the cool ladies. Trite, but then most of this genre is.
(Theme From) The Untouchables Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Fifties chunka chunka rhythm under a nasty sax playing the theme to the TV show. Saucy and suave, with tasty guitar... at least until the chorus comes in and does the 'da-d-d, da dada..." thing.
Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Nearly surf guitar under nasty sax, with plinking piano riffin' out with raw edge. The infectious rhythm is very suave, and the lead lines are whistle fodder. Moody and slightly mean, with very cool percussion.
Strip Rock (Instrumental)
"Beat Party 2" is more guitar dominated and the sax is meaner. Otherwise, it rates the same and delivers similar pleasure. Catchy and memorable, with a back alley coolness.
Chicken Hop Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Sax R&B groove, without identifying marks. Just your basic break tune.
Freeway USA Strip Rock (Instrumental)
Near surf guitar, plinky piano, honky sax, and rockabilly drums. It's cool, but mostly just a riff and a beat.