Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Red Guitars - Music For Misguided Angelsdotdotdot
artworkAin't no surf here, but really smooth country flavored twango with excellent melodies and a gentle air. It seldom strays into MOR country, but it also doesn't really rock. Just really well played guitar instrumentals for an easy afternoon. Quite an enjoyable CD. The CD comes with no artwork at all, but with track titles screened onto the CD.
Picks: Taxi To Toronto, The Man Who Wasn't There, Crown Of Thorns, Pasta La Vista, Greenpeace, Red Guitars, A Face In The Sand, Heaven, Crickets, Playing In The Minors, Dumb Blond, Talk Show

Track by Track Review


Taxi To Toronto dotdotdot
Country Rock (Instrumental)

A Liverpool sound to a country twango, melodic and smooth. Guitar lead, harmonica accompaniment, and a coastal feel. This is quite smooth, and very enjoyable, and straddles the line between country and the Ventures.

The Man Who Wasn't There dotdotdot
Country Rock (Instrumental)

Slow fluid and floating, this is a very delicately played piece with a smooth delivery and a pretty, slightly sad, slightly optimistic melody. Very nice track.

Crown Of Thorns dotdotdot
Country Rock (Instrumental)

Acoustic second guitar under a low note lead, with a bit too serious feel. It's a pretty piece, nowhere near the Paul Johnson end of the spectrum, but an easy listen.

Pasta La Vista dotdotdotdot
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)

Whistling spaghetti western fun, with warm guitar and rolling percussion. This is a very nice piece, smooth and entertaining. It's well put together, with a very friendly sound.

Greenpeace dotdotdot
Country Rock (Instrumental)

Polite melodic and fluid, this is restrained and pleasing, without an edge, but with picturesque imagery and warmth. Enjoyable and smooth.

Red Guitars dotdotdotdot
Country Rock (Instrumental)

Namesake songs often don't really convey the band sound, and to some degree, that is also true here. It's more bouncy and country than most others here, but it does retain their smooth twang. Quite catchy and fun, with energy and polish.

A Face In The Sand dotdotdotdot
Country Rock (Instrumental)

Mid tempo melodic fluid and open air feeling. The melody riff is quite appealing, and the delivery quite smooth and friendly. The playing is very good.

Heaven dotdotdot
Country MOR (Instrumental)

The wah-wah guitar and the lightweight delivery reminds me of "More" from the Challengers, a bit frothy and too light to go beyond MOR. Quite pretty, but unremarkable.

Crickets dotdotdot
Country Rock (Instrumental)

Damped picking, hinting at crickets with a happy melody line, and a restrained delivery. Very pretty, fit for an afternoon excursion. It rolls along like a wayfaring stranger looking for a new beginning. Excellent.

Playing In The Minors dotdotdot
Country MOR (Instrumental)

Country twang, slightly sad, a bit film score like, moody, and really nice. MOR undercuts it, yet the "bah-bah-bah" chorus fits that description.

Dumb Blond dotdotdot
Country Funk (Instrumental)

Cowbell cowboy funk, with harmonica and excellent deliberate percussion. The melody riff is smooth and fluid, while the grins are apparent. Very suave.

Talk Show dotdotdotdot
Country Rock (Instrumental)

A bit of a ska rhythm, harmonica sadness, and an optimistic guitar line, over a full bass. This is quite picturesque, well developed, and very enjoyable.