Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

For the first time, the Shi-tones played live at KFJC on October 6th, 2001. The Shi-tones are Jim Thomas (Mermen) - guitar, Jennifer Burns (Mermen) - bass, and Shigemi Komiyama (Shig and Buzz) - drums. They opened with the entire soundtrack to Endless Summer. This CD-R is a document of that performance, and is not commercially available.

Picks: Scrambler, 6-Pak, Driftin', Theme From The Endless Summer, Good Greeves, Decoy, Out Front, Wild As The Sea, Trailing, Jet Black, Lonely Road, TR-6, The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, Shooting Star, Diamond Head, Cavalier, El Aguila, Harlem Nocturne, Moon Journey, Out Of Limits, Jack The Ripper, Hawaii, Vamp Camp, Bumble Bee

Surf (Instrumental)

The Sandals' "Scrambler" is emboldened by Jim's big guitar sound. His guitar fills the space occupied by two guitars on the original. Shig's drums are magnificent here, with lots of active tom tom work and a solid beat.

Surf (Instrumental)

This classic Sandals tune has been a cover fave of many surf bands for quite a spell. melodic and infectious, it's made big and broad by the Shi-tones. An excellent arrangement. The smooth bass compliments the drums and supports the lead very well.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Sandals amped up this Shadows tune, and at the hands of the Shi-tones, "Driftin'" is hardly a soft tune. Big energy and power.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is the wistful magical theme from the ultra classic Bruce Brown film. Jim's island chords and gentle whammy make is wash over you like a warm tropical wave. Very pretty.

Surf (Instrumental)

Opened with a Mermen kinda chord progression, "Good Greeves" quickly becomes the quirky riff surfer it was written to be. Infectious and fun, it takes you into a more innocent past of the surfing culture.

Surf (Instrumental)

This magnificent piece of writing has not often been covered (the Surfing Lungs is the only other band I can think of), but it sure deserves a new airing. Catchy and way too fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

This tune was originally cut by the Sandals when they were still the Sandells. The Shi-tones give it lots of energy and sparkle. Great drums and playful guitar, with smooth solid bass. Fine track.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a magnificent song. When covered before, "Wild As The Sea" has been treated to a light weight arrangement as intended. The Shi-tones bring higher volume and intensity to it, transitioning it from gentle shore break to angry storm surf. Excellent!

Surf Blues (Instrumental)

"Trailing" is a rather bluesy number, like B. B. King at the beach. Swooshy blues with salt in its veins.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Sandals' bouncy "Jet Black" seems at odds with surf as a structure, like it resides halfway between the reverb generation and the Shadows realm. It's angular and very cool due to its exotic rhythm.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is the Sandals' tune, not the Mermen classic also known as "Krill Slippin'." Moody and soulful, "Lonely Road" has a "Blue Moon" feel to it, with delicate picking and smooth backing.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is the Sandals' biggest ripper! On Jim's ax, it rings and shines. Major fun and drive, with big guitar howl and double picked power. Very nice arrangement.

Surf (Instrumental)

Enio Morricone's delightful film theme "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" gets a big guitar progressive art treatment like never before. This is spectacular, with many changes and lots of textures. Smooth and powerful, it drives for the jugular.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Shooting Star" is brought to the Shi-tones by drummer Shig Komiyama from his spectacular Shig and Buzz CD Good Luck Charm. Jim's big guitar sound gives it new power and depth. Totally excellent.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Ventures' classic "Diamond Head" is powered up and darkened in this cowboy beat amplitudinal challenger. What a monster!

Surf (Instrumental)

This Euro style tune drives a mean car on an open road on a sunny day. Very crisp and rich.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a totally killer version of Lee Hazelwood's fine tune. The melody line is so infectious that there should be a vaccine! The huge guitar sound and precision delivery, plus dirty chords and throbbing vibrato combine to take this venerable surf classic into new territory.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slow throbbing vibrato ominously introduces Earl Hagen's most famous tune. Long and moody, edgy and powerful, it takes on a different kind of danger than the Viscounts' hit version. Very nice arrangement.

Surf (Instrumental)

This hard driving version of the Ventures' "Journey To The Stars" tune is powerful and full bodied. Great drums and thunder, and splendid guitar. It segues right into "Out Of Limits."

Surf (Instrumental)

"Out Of Limits" is delivered in a fairly straight fashion until Jim's guitar "blows up." His whammy bar leaps from the guitar, and Jim aborts with a big howling crash.

Surf (Instrumental)

Link Wray's most covered monster. Coming out of the guitar's disintegration, Jim's assault on this song is ugly and swift. Dark dissonant textures, howling feedback, and intense energy. Yikes!

Surf (Instrumental)

This Mermen tune is nicely stretched out, with big soft tone and solid backing. very friendly, yet forlorned.

Surf (Instrumental)

This cruncher is grindy and edgy, with distortion and guttural tone. Makes you wanna get outta the way.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Ventures' "Bumble Bee" is trashed into oblivion as the performance comes to a crashing end. Equipment issues and frustration may have taken their toll, but the performance is none the less inspired and hard driving. Big howls of feedback, great textural changes, and lots of emotional edge.