Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This Del-Fi compilation is similar to the Ace release Del-Fi Rarities, but with the more unusual instros replaced with vocals, which include the Bobby Fuller Four's "KRLA King Of The Wheels," the Truants' "Surfing Is The Only Life For Me," Larry Bright's "Surfin' Queen'," the Surfettes' "Sammy The Sidewalk Surfer," the American Four's "Luci Baines," Dick Dale's "Marie," the Bruce Johnston Band's "Do The Surfers Stomp," Opus I's incredible "Backseat '38 Dodge," and Ritchie Valens' "Ooh! My Head." Track 17 is listed as the Centurions' "Surf Battle," but it's really the Lively Ones.

Picks: Hot Pastrami, Hollywood Drag, Tranquilizer, Intoxica, Alky Burner, Wolfman, Church Key, The Lonely Dragster, Surf Battle, Rum Runner, Hayburner

Hot Rod (Instrumental)

From this, you would conclude Hollywood is a drag. A boring progression, no melody, and hot rod engines screaming and tires peeling out. Glen Campbell plays guitar, such as it is.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is one of the most infectious and fiery surf instros anywhere, otherwise known as "High Tide." It flies through a staccato lead line, and a softer break. Very powerful. This is one of my favorite classic surf tracks. (fake stereo)

Surf (Instrumental)

The Centurions were a mighty tough band, somewhere between the San Luis Obispo R&B sound and LA surf. One of the better versions of this tune. They had such a mean sound.

Border Radio Surf (Instrumental)

This is very similar to The Lonely Dragster, with Bobby's Wolfman Jack imitation overdubbed, and wolf baying added. It's pretty surfy, chunky, and moderately paced. It's a cool track, dripping the early sixties border radio days when Wolfman Jack was on XERB beaming into California (and on XERF and others along the border as well). Saturday nights, car radios were tuned to XERB, KRLA, KFWB, KHJ, KAFY, KFXM, or KGFJ, from which oozed out the surf, the rock, and the R&B that drove a generation.

Surf (Instrumental)

Dave produced a unique arrangement of a song that was recorded by a bazillion instro bands, making it his own. I like it better than the original Revels version because of Dave's great double picking throughout matched exactly by his marvelous drummer. One of the better covers of the Revel's classic, and certainly the most surfy under it's original name.

Surf (Instrumental)

Mighty close to Wolfman, with a different guitar treatment, and piano. A sorta pre-spych long sustain on the lead hints of a changing time. A nice track.

Surf (Vocal)

A high power track is an essential part of any vintage surf collection. This is just about the best Lively Ones track ever! Fast, powerful, high energy, ripping good guitar work, ample changes. Stunning! It's been covered, but never matched. The Lively Ones are among the most essential of the vintage bands.

Bumpkin Hot Rod (Instrumental)

"Hay Burner" has a barn dance quality, with a horn honkin' and a weird party feel about it. Lot's of yips and yells. The De-Fenders, the Darts, and the Deuce Coupes were all the same studio band, with Glen Campbell playing lead guitar.