Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Freddy King - Let's Hide Away and Dance Away with Freddy King (Strictly Instrumental)
 | Let's Hide Away and Dance Away with Freddy King (Strictly Instrumental) was issued in 1961 from '58-59 sessions. Freddy King's guitaristry is beyond reproach. It's really hard not to appreciate the liquid string bending and pure emotional content. Even simple riffology and jams connect almost immediately. King influenced a number of the early surf bands, some of whom covered his instros. |
Picks: Hide Away, Butterscotch, Sen-Sa-Shun, Side Tracked, The Stumble, Wash Out, San-Ho-Zay, Just Pickin', Heads Up, Out Front, Swooshy
Track by Track Review
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
This track has been covered by many a surf band, and for obvious reasons. The blues roots of surf, particularly the South Bay scene, leant itself to this sort of tune. The melody is strong, and the funky groove nature of the track gives an air of soul to the set. Boogie based, and infectious.
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
This is a very smooth, slowish blues with a very nice melody and basic backtrack. "Butterscotch" has Freddy King written all over it. His knack for making noodling sound artistic is very present here.
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
Based on "Got My Mojo Working," this is a playful instrumental, with flair and optimism. This song has often been covered, and it displays fine guitar work from the master. While it's pretty jammy, it still engages and holds your attention, especially the superb break.
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
Riding atop a slow, classic bumping rhythm track, "Side Tracked" has some fine guitar rambling from Freddy King. It's not his best work, but it's well within the cool camp. It's a little like Jimmy Reed with edge.
Blues (Instrumental)
Not included in surf sets, but frequently used by British Blues bands later on, this is playful and rhythmic track, with a definite appeal. Simple and tasteful.
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
Slow and basic, "Wash Out" moves along with fine, subtle string bending. Backed with a classic Jimmy Reed Chicago blues rhythm, the song's jamminess and noodling seem just fine. How does he do that? Cool piano plinking in the background.
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
Another track that has found it's way into many surf sets, this is a splendidly surfable track. It's bluesy nature and melodic sense are infectious and demand attention. Likable from the get-go, this is just plain good music.
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
The break riffs are ultra classic Freddy King! "Just Pickin'" is really hard not to like, and the liquid guitar work is superb. Catchy and groovy!
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
The Lively Ones covered this, and it's easy to see why listening to the original. The blues roots are there, but it has a coastal imagery that slithers atop the fine guitar work. Simply cool!
Blues (Instrumental)
Mighty fun picking, bluesy style and infectious rhythms, and definitely the blues, not surf at all. Warm and friendly.
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
It's not hard to see the journey from the blues to surf while listening to "Out Front." It's not reverby or particularly coastal, but songs like this were right next to The Ventures and others when surf was just beginning to coalesce.
Pre-Surf Blues (Instrumental)
"Swooshy" is kinda swooshy, with the backtrack way in the back, and the guitar more riffing than melodic, yet it has charm and engages.