Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Jet Blacks - Remember The Shadows And The Ventures
 | The Jet Blacks cover The Shadows and The Ventures. Some cool, some not to cool. |
Picks: Pipeline, (Ghost) Riders In The Sky, The Lonely Bull, Telstar
Track by Track Review
(Dance With The) Guitar Man Country (Instrumental)
"(Dance With The) Guitar Man" is a Lee Hazelwood / Duane Eddy composition that's done in a softened country way here. Pleasant.
Shadows (Instrumental)
The Shadows' arrangement of Jerry Lordan's "Apache" is nicely done. Definitely soft, with tribal drums in the bridge.
Blue Star Shadows (Instrumental)
The "Theme From Medic" is usually done is this kind of soft and slushy way. Very Shadows-like.
Tema Para Jovens Enamorados Shadows (Instrumental)
Another song in the shadow of Hank Marvin, "Tema Para Jovens Enamorados" ("Theme For Young Lovers") is a soft and fluid song with a wispy melody and quietly attractive sound.
Midnight Shadows (Instrumental)
The Shadows' "Midnight" is done like it's end of the prom stroll time. Pretty and well played.
Surf (Instrumental)
In some ways, this misses the point completely. In others, it's an adventure in surf. Most likely modeled on the Ventures cover, the dry sound is smoothed and rounded, and, while not really remarkable, it holds your attention.
(Ghost) Riders In The Sky Cowboy (Instrumental)
Well now, this is unusual! The horse whinnies are delivered by a very Equestrian sax. It makes you want to laugh, yet is somehow quite cool! Deep low guitar shimmers in throaty vibrato out front. "Riders In The Sky (a cowboy legend)" is entirely cool!
Shadows (Instrumental)
Jerry Lordan's "Wonderful Land" is very softly played, with strings and a lighter Hank Marvin sound. Very pretty.
Peace Pipe Shadows (Instrumental)
The Shadows' "Peace Pipe" is covered the way virtually all bands do it - just like the original. Echoed guitar and long flowing soft notes.
Shadows (Instrumental)
Sol Lake' great melody converted to guitar with only slight MOR tendencies. Quite nice, with very cool guitar chords carrying the lead. "The Lonely Bull" grows on you, and leaves you with a warm grin.
Sleep Walk Rock (Instrumental)
Santo and Johnny's "Sleep Walk" done like the Shadows covered it. Pretty, but unremarkable.
Rock (Instrumental)
Guitars replace Joe Meek's heavy handed keys for a fluid rearrangement of the Tornados' claim to fame. Seems a little slow, but this version of "Telstar" is very nice.