Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Original Early Canadian Rockers Vol. 5
 | 32 tracks of vintage Canadian rock 'n' roll, most with excellent sound. 6 instros to wet your whistle, and one surf vocal from Bill Furie and Rommie Allen and the Canadian Downbeats called "Surf Party." Some very fun stuff here. |
Picks: Slave Girl, Twistin' Inn, Big Blast, Watch Your Step, Snake Bite, Long Tall Sally
Track by Track Review
Near Surf (Instrumental)
Traditional rockabilly instrumental treatment of a classic melody, often accompanied by childhood lyrics ("there's a place in France..."). The combination of the rockabilly licks and the melody line is priceless. The rich low-E twango verses are pretty surf like in sound. "Slave Girl" was cut in 1960 in New York with Mercury session players. It's not the Santo and Johnny track.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
A rompin' boogie style tune with characteristic circular noodling and brushed rhythm. "Twistin' Inn" was issued in 1962, but their near-surf sound was yet to evolve.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
This is a fast instro with a guitar boogie kind of progression, but a much more developed arrangement, including a great drum break. A touch of reverb completes the sound, though there's nothing surf about the song.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
This is virtually the same melody riff as the Snowmen's "Ski Storm," though it predates it by a couple of years. Cut in 1961, "Watch Your Step" is a rompin' stompin' instro with a circular riff and a ton of energy. This song was produced by CKRC DJ Dave Palmer.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
"Snake Bite" is a riff song which lies somewhere between fifties rock 'n' roll and pre-surf. Twangy and fun, but not too surf-like, except for a near surf lead guitar tone.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
"Long Tall Sally" is a barely recognizable rock instro version of Little Richard's hit. Low energy sax, jammin' light weight guitar work, thumpin' upright bass, and manic drums.