Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Jet Blacks - Other Famous Twists
 | This early album from The Jet Blacks contains some very nice tracks. Their sound is not surf, but their instros were sometimes very nicely arranged. |
Picks: (Ghost) Riders In The Sky, Love Boat, Ram Bunk Shush, Lullaby Of The Leaves, Fallin'
Track by Track Review
Ring Of Fire Rock (Instrumental)
This is a very poppy guitar instro treatment of Johnny Cash's great "Ring Of Fire." Very light weight, with strings, and a wailing sax.
(Ghost) Riders In The Sky Rock (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!
Rock (Instrumental)
Ship horn sax and cool muted guitar deliver a cover of The Fireballs' "Bulldog" under the title "Love Boat." It's more amped up than the Fireballs. The Jet Blacks provide energy and fun. Cool track.
Rock (Instrumental)
Henry Glover, Lucky Millinder and Jimmy Mundy "Ram Bunk Shush" is done with a bit of surf in mind via tremolo guitar, but the arrangement is more blues rock. This is a very nice version of this song, and not much like the Bill Dogget hit.
Rock (Instrumental)
Credibly and reverently based on The Ventures' arrangement, The Jet Blacks rock mightily on "Lullaby Of The Leaves." Very cool!
Rock (Instrumental)
The "What'd I Say" is the underpinning of "Guitar Twist." Frank Virtue and the Virtues arrangements softened some.
Rock (Instrumental)
Tasteful drums, moody bass, and a really nice guitar lick are accompanied violins and a cheesy chorus. This would have been really cool if not overdubbed.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a modest sax dominated version of Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn." It's edgy and throbbing as it should be. Quite nice, but unremarkable.
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Rock (Instrumental)
This is a pedestrian cover of Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." It's raucous sax led, but won't really bring you back.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Fallin'" features a fun little guitar riff supporting a solid sax lead over a saucy R&B rhythm and beat. In some ways, it's not too far from surf, and in others more like The Rockin' Ramrods at lower energy. All that said, it has its moments, and the rhythm track is seductive.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Tiro Liro Liro" is adapted from a traditional Portuguese song. This is light and fairly commercial, and sports fairly surf tone. This is a nice version, thought the lead could vary a little more, and the breaks could be a little less jammy.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a rockin' instro with great drums and lots of energy. Pumping bass adds power, and but the guitar is pretty thin and the melody minimal.