Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Duo-Tones - In Concert At The Fret House Guitar Shop
 | The Duo-Tones are Paul Johnson and Gil Orr, whose surf credentials are impeccable. They play acoustic and electric as a duo, creating superb arrangements of surf classics and surf roots music. This is a DVD of a performance, produced from a to camera shoot. It's a document of a fine performance, not an MTV sales job. |
Picks: Pipeline, Karaoke, To Know Him Is To Love Him, The Wedge, Mr. Moto, Honky Tonk, Perfidia, Ramrod, Paradise Lost, Crystal T, Hideaway, Baja
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Gil asks what key... he's played "Pipeline" a half-billion times. It's really groovy in this purely acoustic rendition. The gentility of the arrangement only enhances the watery imagery. The glissandos are superb!
Surf (Instrumental)
It's interesting that this very Spanish song has such a title. This traditional song is very sensual and engaging.
To Know Him Is To Love Him Surf (Instrumental)
The Teddy Bears' hit is so much more sensual here than the original. This ancient pop song becomes pure art this way. Very pretty. "To Know Him Is To Love Him" is the song that launched Phil Spector's career.
Surf (Instrumental)
Acoustically, the song gets a whole new perspective, yet retains its pure surf roots. Well, I suppose that's not quite true given its roots really go back to 1952's exotic romancer "Dance Of Love" by the Bell Sisters. Anyway, this is a superb rendering.
Surf (Instrumental)
Well, what needs to be said when Paul Johnson plays his signature song? This is quite infectious, and reminds me of the early bedroom take Paul and Eddie Bertrand did so many years ago (1960 or so). Wonderful.
Surf (Instrumental)
Bill Dogget's tune gets a sensual make over without the sax. It's as close to white blues as surf can get. Very smooth.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very nicely done version of this venerable song. Superb guitar interplay gives it a layered texture and intermingled weave that allows it to be a tapestry of sound.
Surf (Instrumental)
Al Casey's tune that Duane Eddy had a hit with (despite being out on the road when it was recorded). High spirited, The Duo-Tones rock out on this one.
Surf (Instrumental)
Gil's song is a lovely thing to behold. In acoustic/electric format, it's simply gorgeous in its gentility and liquid flow.
Surf (Instrumental)
Another of Gil's originals is laid out on the electric guitars, with the interplay between the guitars giving it real depth.
Surf (Instrumental)
Freddie King's blues romp is played as if it was written for the briny. Paul plays it like it's his. A verse from "The Walk" enhances this already cool track.
Surf (Instrumental)
Lee Hazelwood's classic is arranged in many ways like Paul did with his band the Packards. Always a pure pleasure, "Baja" is very liquid here!