Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Illusions - 60s Surf and Hot Rod Classics
 | Known mostly for their amazing "Jezebel" single, this Bellflower band recorded some very vital instros during 1963. This mp3 release features 5 instros and 5 vocals. The vocals are very pedestrian, but the instros are worth seeking out. |
Picks: Surfer's Lullaby, Lido Stomp, Que Paso, Jezebel, Nitemare
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
What a playful track this is, gentle, almost childlike. It certainly captures the sleepy drifty lullaby feel. It's melodic, and fun, with a rhythm guitar with the high end rolled off playing chords like you might expect from a Hawaiianesque track. Quite a nice track.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very Freddie King like track, bluesy and jazzy, and interesting. It's got that "San-Ho-Zay" feel and structure, relying on repetition and rhythm to carry it off. Infectious and fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a strongly reverbed and dribbled track, chunky and spiritously delivered. Whammy chorded, Surf Trio oriented, wetly picked. More than a progression, less than a melody. Cool track.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Illusions were one mean sounding surf band! "Jezebel" totally pummels the living effluent out of you. Low-E menacing staccato powerhouse! Need I say more? Drummer Tom Brown wound up later in the Wedge. John Blair says that Tom told him this track was recorded with a single mic... yikes!
This amazing version of the Frankie Lane classic is mimicked almost exactly by Mark Brodie and the Beaver Patrol.
Surf (Instrumental)
Damped surf, plucked infectiously in a mid tempo twang tune. The double picked parts scream for the breaks to be applied, but alas there is no relief. This is much like a merger between the Vy-Dels and the Pyramids. Pretty cool.