Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Long awaited, and well worth the years of longing, the new Shig and Buzz CD has finally arrived. It's a private issue directly from Shigemi Komiyama and Peter "Buzz" Miller. It's a gorgeous CD (no surprise there). Sounds range from the surreal beauty of Hawaiianesq slide lab steel to pure Euro twang. As is always the case, the melodies are grand. There's just no shortage of talent here. The CD is awash in lush sounds, wonderful writing and playing, and spectacular production. Buzz owns and operates Peter Miller Recording in San Francisco, where he also runs a recording school. Peter was once a production assistant to English legend Joe Meek. He also was guitarist with British instro legends Peter Jay & the Jaywalkers. Shig was a legend in the Japanese underground of the sixties, and played in John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band as well. This is a perfectly delightful CD, and a must have. It sets expectations for the rest of us to meet. A+ and rising.

Polynesian Euro Surf (Instrumental)

What a pretty track. The Hawaiian steel second guitar sets the ambiance against which this fine melody is displayed. The melody hints of a haole on big island... splendid. Great tone and a catchy melody, and pristine performance and sound.

Euro Surf (Instrumental)

This is a very Shadows-like tune, glimmering with great tremolo, and an understated delivery. The sounds are beautiful. The fluid melody line is more than friendly, with lush romantic flows, and a lilting innocence that drops your guard and makes instant friends. Very satisfying.

King Of Hawaii Surf (Instrumental)

High spirited, almost King of Hawaii like in melody structure and pacing. This is a spectacular track. It is infectious, pristine, melodic, and very fun. It has a kinder-gentler Cruel Sea break, a divine friendliness, and a full round sound. The whammy dips are cool, and any would proud to have created this. Absolutely great!

Euro Surf (Instrumental)

As one would expect from the title, it's in the grand tradition of the early Shadows, both in tone and melody style. It lies between Slaughter On Tenth Avenue sowed down, and Adventures In Paradise. Beautiful, and swimmingly liquid.

Euro Surf (Instrumental)

Fine acoustically second guitar supports a slow country two-step sensibility and a Shadows soul. Like formal country, if there can be such an oxymoronic genre. Very pretty.

Cowboy Surf (Instrumental)

Cowboys ridin' with chaps flapping and scarves flying in the breeze. This is just so wonderful. Is this in the Mermen's set these days? I think so. Rhythmic, infectious, brilliantly structured, playful, and artful. , Instantly creates a bond with your inner cowboy (or cowgirl). Yee-ha!

Tuxedo Surf (Instrumental)

This is a mighty pretty tune, with haunted keys, and a formal air, like a sophisticated upper crust afternooner on the South lawn, a minuet for the great outdoors. Very visual, and very pretty.

Bubbly Euro Surf (Instrumental)

Effervescent, slightly hokey, Shadows tonality, and croissants all around. Like a sophisticated line dance, it giggles under the black-and-white garb. Very cool.

Mystical Surf (Instrumental)

Slow and sinewy, reminding me of Jade Warrior's "Snow Queen," with it's metered artful melody line and oriental flair. It has a quiet drama, and a sense of well being slightly overshadowed by a passing sadness. This is simply stunning.

Euro Country Surf (Instrumental)

Precisely delicate, countrified classical, twangoed western adventures in the saddle. It has fifties samba break that is too fun, and makes you move your body. Very nice track.

Euro Surf (Instrumental)

Wow, this is nice. It's sad, but optimistic, and like a postmortem on Slaughter On Tenth Avenue. Similar structure, hints of the melody, but not at all derivative. The string bending is so smooth, it runs off the guitar like water off of a duck's back. Fine performance.

Euro Surf (Instrumental)

Chunk and chomp, cowboy twang, Shadows tone, and a playful melody combine to create a vision of kids at the museum, more interested in climbing in the Tyrannosaurus' mouth than listening to the lecture on antediluvian transitions. Too good to be rock and roll, too real to be anything else.