Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Lancers - Baja c/w When Johnny Comes Draggin' Home
 | This fine circa '65 single is a prime example of creative use of in-the-red recording. Solid performances made hotter by an engineer with a hangover. |
Picks: Baja, When Johnny Comes Draggin' Home
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This great raw version of Lee Hazelwood's' "Baja" just plain rocks. Extra crunchy, nearly dry guitars, and high energy are brandished with no remorse in this fine single. It's coarseness and in-the-red audio give it a loud sound. Long overdue for inclusion on one of these bootleg comps, the Lancers's dry and intense version is both raw and restrained. It remains one of my favorite covers of this tune after nearly forty years. Great stuff.
When Johnny Comes Draggin' Home Surf (Instrumental)
The Lancers had a raw sound indeed. This is the B-side to their incredible garage version of "Baja." It rips and pummels. Great primitive raw edged surf.