Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: The Moonriders 'Winnetou' c/w The Nightrunners - 'Movin''
 | This is a cool split disc from two Shadows inspired bands with different approaches to the genre. The Nightrunners do some surf amid their other songs. |
Picks: Danger, Harry Lime Theme, Memories Of You, Rattle Snake Canyon, Evening Of Loneliness, Snoertje Van Bloed Rode Kralen, Tea Break, Iron Horse, Picknick, Flying Carpet, Beautiful Dreamer, Winnetau, Merry Go Round, Trambone, Sweetie, Saturday Night At The Duckpond, Nightrunners Theme, Diamond Head, Irene, Rocco, Never On Sunday, In Dreams, Movin', Wiggle Beat, Mandschurian Beat, Wayward Nile, Manha De Carnevale
Track by Track Review
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
This is a rich sounding instro in the shadow of Hank Marvin. The warm almost Russian guitar lines are enticing. Strong melody and cool drums.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
The "Third Man Theme" is less tormented and more fluid in the hands of the Moonriders. On the MOR side of the highway, yet very enjoyable.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
"Memories Of You" flows romantically across the monitors in an evening slow moving mood. Very pretty.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
With a rolling cactus beat, "Rattle Snake Canyon" trots across a desert in search of distant adventure. It's a very nice track, with enough energy and surfable melody line to make it quite interesting.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
"Evening Of Loneliness" pours out across a promising dusk in preparation for the advancing evening's romance. Bjorn Anderson's sense of melody, while in the Shadows arena, is very sensual and fluid. Very pretty!
Snoertje Van Bloed Rode Kralen MOR Rock (Instrumental)
This is a bouncy and fanciful instro beyond mere MOR Rock, but just shy of gutsy. The echoed plucking and playful melody line are enjoyable and fun.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Damped delicate echo laden plucking eerily opens this sad and flowing song. On the romantic side, and quite nice. The melody is almost Richard Podolor-like.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
"Iron Horse" has a riding desert gate. It is an adventurous and warm track with spirit and fine drums. Solid bass lines and excellent balance between lead and rhythm.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Fluffy and picturesque, "Picknick" is a happy track with warmth and restraint.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
With a kind of exoticized "Concrete and Clay" rhythm, "Flying Carpet" flows with a mysterious melody line that's almost aquatic. A very pleasing track.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
This traditional song is punched up a notch pace wise, and has that Euro Shadows influenced sound. Nice track.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
The title track is a plucky semi-dramatic tune that's very cool. Its haunting melody sneaks up on you, and before you know it, you're a grinning fool.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
"Merry Go Round" is a lightweight and bouncy tune decidedly on the MOR side of the aisle.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Chet Atkins's playful "Trambone" is sweetly played with reverence and lots of echo. Quite fun.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
A little sad and fluffy, "Sweetie" lightly travels the musical highway through a wispy terrane. Pretty.
Saturday Night At The Duckpond Rock (Instrumental)
This is a restrained and tasteful version of "Saturday Night At The Duckpond." It breaks no new ground, but is very listenable.
Rock (Instrumental)
The Nightrunners' namesake seems to be a light weight number with a sad melody line and tasteful damped plucking, a bit of vibrato, and a touch of charm.
Surf (Instrumental)
Danny Hamilton's most famous tune is delicately done with a soft surf sound. This almost pristine arrangement adds a refined air to a surf standard. Quite effective in a low key soundscape.
Irene Rock (Instrumental)
"Irene" is a pop melody with a sad sound and MOR feel. While it's very pleasant, it didn't leave a lasting impression.
Cactus Surf (Instrumental)
"Rocco" sports an interesting blend of spaghetti western, surf, and Euro twang. The fluid melody line is supported by a soft rhythmic semi cactus backtrack. Really nice!
Never On Sunday Rock (Instrumental)
This is a soft rock guitar version of the film theme "Never On Sunday." While it's very nice, it's also not particularly notable. Dick Dale did this once, on trumpet.
In Dreams Rock (Instrumental)
Roy Orbison's "In Dreams" is a soft rock natural for evening guitar mood arranging. OK, but not particularly interesting, though it would surely make a fitting backdrop to a romantic liaison.
Surf (Instrumental)
Well now! Lee Hazelwood's often covered "Movin'" (beginning with the Astronauts) is softened and oh-so delicately plucked, with reverb and suave intact. I must say this works very well in this arrangement!
Rock (Instrumental)
Like a Shadows vacation on the open plane, "Wiggle Beat" has a sad open sky feel and a pretty edge. Nice track.
Rock (Instrumental)
Like "Lara's Theme," this track has a Russian sadness about. Quite nice, and somewhat haunting.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Chantays' exotic "Wayward Nile" is all decked out in vibrato and refined charm. This arrangement works well, retaining the original charm while not being a copy. Grins here!
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a sad Euro guitar track with a moody twang and Hank Marvin feel. Smooth and soothing.