Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Minnesota Rock-A-Billy-Rock Vol. 1
 | Volume one of this series sports four instros from Minnesota bands, including the great pre-surf epic "The Vulture" from Ronnie Ray and the Playboys. Incidentally, that's Tony Andriessen, Dal Winslow, and Steve Wahrer on the front cover in their pre-Trashmen band Jim Thaxter and the Travelers. |
Picks: The Vulture, Cyclon, Switchblade, Downbeat Rock
Track by Track Review
Pre Surf (Instrumental)
This has long been one of my favorite pre-surf pieces. It's very simple, and leans on a couple of nice changes heavily. It's a tune that deserves a surf treatment. The damped plucking is melodic and delicate, and the melody line very endearing. Even the chord parts are catchy.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a pretty routine fifties styled rock instro from Jim Thaxton and the Travelers, more progression than melody, with a pumping piano, a walking bass line, and a thin lead guitar. It's pretty obscure, but not terribly interesting, except for it's historical significance as one of the precursors to the Trashmen with Tony Andreassen, Dal Winslow, and Steve Wahrer in the lineup.
Rock (Instrumental)
Screaming and moron utterances, and a fifties cowboy riff with plenty of twang. The rhythm is infectious, but the screams detract from the music. The sax is marginal. From Minnesota.
Rock (Instrumental)
Fairly pedestrian riff rock in a fifties format. The piano verse is pretty cool, but there's no more than a chord progression and a couple of drum transitions.