Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

John Blair had been working on this new album for a good long while. I had received a few tracks in advance of release, and I have to say that this album is an absolute desert island must have. The writing is his best to date. John has really gotten the sound down pat too, having learned from the likes of Shel Talmy in the past, and through countless remixes until he got just what he wanted. The Nightriders are John Blair - lead & rhythm guitar, long time Nightrider Dave Wronski (Slacktone) - rhythm & lead guitar, Pete Curry (Halibuts, Hillbilly Soul Surfers, etc.) - bass, and Dusty Watson (Agent Orange, Slacktone) - drums. There are some special surprise luminary guests on the album too, like Paul Johnson, BIlly Swanson (Eliminators), and John Zambetti (Malibooz).

Picks: Depth Charge, Boogie Board, Night Patrol, Amor Del Mar, Joy Ride, Rev Up, Tailspin, Midnight Run, Moon Tide, Earthquake At Surf City, Hot Doggin', Spindrift, Horror Hayride, (The Waves Of) Lunada Bay, Hurricane, Apache

Surf (Instrumental)

This is just plain intense! It's the best recording/remix yet of a song that John has been doing for ever with his band. It has become thee Jon and the Nightriders' signature tune. John Blair's first self penned tune for the surf world, and like Danny Amis's "Calhoun Surf," it has become his signature tune, much requested by fans.

Surf (Instrumental)

A Paul Johnson original, with Paul (Belairs / Challengers / Packards, et. al.) playing guitar. It has that familiar Packards structure and sound, based on Paul's eighties gospel surf writings. A nice track.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Amor Del Mar" is a really cool and quite moody number, with great acoustic guitar and a nifty Spanish feel. The recording is exquisite, and the performance is flawless. The mid-tempo and gentle afternoon cantina feel are a perfect match. John Zambetti (Malibooz) guests on 12 string guitar.

Surf (Instrumental)

Turn the key, ignition... Then a rolling rhythm and a choppy number with an identifiably Nightriders melody. Pumpin' surf, squealin' tires, burnin' rubber, and crashing glissandoes.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Rev Up" (1963) is one of the great surf instros. Manuel and the Renegades' Piper single pounded loud and often on my turntable back in '63. I first heard it on KRLA 1110 AM Pasadena one night while I was "doing my homework," and have worshipped it's pounding tom toms ever since. Jon and the Nightriders give it a whole new arrangement, less raging and more ringing. They bring out the melody in a more fluid and less pummeling fashion. Billy Swanson (Eliminators) guests on sax. Excellent reworking.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a pristine arrangement of the Super Stocks / Pyramids (Gary Usher-Richard Burns-Roger Christian) classic. The playing is rock solid. Jon and the Nightriders due a very respectful job here, with vintage sound. Exceptionally cool.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slow and shimmering, this is well named. The exotic lounge feeling and the romantic sound is remarkably good. Really pretty. John Zambetti guests on 12 string guitar.

Surf (Instrumental)

This great track sounds like it might have been inspired by Dick Dale's "Surfin Rebel," but a few notes in, it takes on an entirely original character. "Earthquake At Surf City" grows on you rather rapidly, due in part to the infectious bass line and rhythm, and the dramatic and shimmering guitar. Totally cool!

Surf (Instrumental)

A really well reverbed and perfectly damped performance of the Astronauts' killer single. The damped reverb is so glorious that the tune takes on a Pyramids feel from the simply-dripping the liquid springs. Amazing!

Surf (Instrumental)

The surf rolls in, and the glissando beckons, then the tasty melody comes along and grabs you. Rompin' fast and pumpin' reverb cool, "(The Waves Of) Lunada Bay" is a magnificent surf epic. A infectious thing indeed.

Surf (Instrumental)

Big waves driven by the big winds, swirling around the rocks, rippin' the beach apart, with surf ridden only by the brave or the stupid. Very infectious and melodic, and as energetic as they come. Intriguing structure and melody from the obscure Conrad and the Hurricanes single.

Surf (Instrumental)

Perhaps the adventure of the album is the totally unique arrangement of Jerry Lordan's "Apache." John used a totally fresh approach to weave a whole new fabric from mere threads of the original. John says his inspiration to try something semi psychedelic was the Mermen, and his super clean prog-like thinking and playing here certainly do the trick. It is absolutely stellar! WOW!!! Billy Swanson guests on sax.