Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Joao Erbetta - Guitar Bizarre 2
 | Mostly in a jazz or jazz related mode, Guitar Bizarre 2 is a soothing release with some very bright spots to separate the relaxed mood tracks. Exceptional guitar playing with surf influences and occasional surf tone. |
Picks: Two Old Pals, El Tonelero, Frevo Nights, Broken Heart Road, Rescueme (Little Creature), Wild Chicken Talk, Lost Soundtrack, Tropical Spy, Last Samba
Track by Track Review
Country Surf (Instrumental)
Duel guitars play a countrified bouncer that's all fun in the first section. The liquid guitar is reminiscent of Chet Atkins in some ways. and Buzzy Frets and his Surfabilly Orchestra in others. The mid section, the pace drops into slow Mediterranean holiday mode. Section three reminds me of Amon Duul II's "A Morning Excuse." "Two Old Pals" is a very fun track that's hard not to like.
Sultry Surf Jazz (Instrumental)
Sultry cool in a bolero sort of way, "El Tonelero" undulates with sensual motion and liquid guitar lines. Its lovely tone and beat are captivating.
Surf Jazz (Instrumental)
"Frevo Nights" moves in a tight structure at first, but then it gets amped up and the fun begins. What starts out on a low key ends up bouncy and pure fun.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
Great slow country tremolo romance emanates from every corner of "Broken Heart Road." This is a very straight forward track with genuine charm and clean country air. Wonderful!
Smooth Metric Surf Rock (Instrumental)
Warbly modulated guitar and a sort of Zappa-ish structure, plus horn-like guitars and a bit of edge. It's more unusual than melodic or compelling. Great drums though!
Metric Surf (Instrumental)
Delicately cycling guitar in ringing tone plays a semi classical sounding solo that's well metered and interesting. Not melodic, but very moody and visual.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
Bordering on steel, "Morning Happy Call" gently laughs in the sunrise from the porch. Pretty, glorious guitar tone, and country air. very nice.
Rescueme (Little Creature) Surf Jazz (Instrumental)
Muted reverbed chop cords gently create percussion while the guitars play a gentle melody. Two guitars play off each other in an easy going and lightly flowing arrangement. Gradually, the tone gets edgier and the lead becomes stereo split. Quite nice in a liquid back porch sort of way.
Surf Jazz (Instrumental)
The guitars duel like Les Paul and Chet Atkins used to. "Wild Chicken Talk" isn't chicken rock, and is jazzy and playful.
Surf Jazz (Instrumental)
Haunting shallow vibrato sustain slowly bleed out a late night romancer. It's definitely end of the night music. Shimmering and soft.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Great salsa rhythms and exuberance support a really fine melody line. "Tropical Spy" is romantic, fun, and full of delicate style. If you liked The Swamis' "Ayo" and think they would have been cool softened up, then this will be right up your alley.
Surf Jazz (Instrumental)
Jazzy chords and and an easy flow portray breezy skirts and afternoon meadows. "London Girls" is a lovely rack.
Surf Jazz (Instrumental)
Pure loveliness lives in the guitars. "Last Samba" is gentle and haunting. It evolves very slowly. Soothing!