Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Los Straitjackets - Mas Alla Del Limite
 | This CD is a different version of Damas Y Caballeros with some added and missing tracks. I think I like this much better! Superb! |
Picks: Outta Gear, State Fair, The Casbah, Calhoun Surf, Itchy Chicken, Can You Dig It, Kawanga, University Blvd., Rockula, Isn't Love Grand, Tempest, Tailspin, Pacifica, Sing Sing Sing, Out Of Limits, Magnificent Seven, Midnight Cowboy, Bat Man, Sleep Walk, Telstar
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
The chickens are swaying to this rooster-on-the-walk monster, infectious and tongue in cheek delightful.
Surf (Instrumental)
Yup, this is just too fun. The dry surf chop rhythm and the warm melody line come together in a perfectly crafted Danny Amis lead number. Way cool imagery and spunk.
Surf (Instrumental)
Danny's fine Spanish yadda yadda welcomes the band to the Foothill and introduces "Casbah." This previously unheard-on-CD track shimmies with that Eddie Angel charm and a squirmy harem riff that's sure to please. It is one of the coolest covers of Gaminiam and his Orientals' "Come With Me To The Casbah." Extra cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
Danny Amis' first ever composition (from his days with his first band the Overtones ) rocks mightily. His fluid melody and happy charm bounce with a grinning gate and excellent surf credentials. Infectious rhythm and great drums.
Surf (Instrumental)
One of the best chicken bop tunes ever takes you right out in the barnyard, where the chickens peck the ground, looking for a few grains to scarf down, and sway to the chunky pickin' of Eddie Angel's great lead work. The guitar plays the part of the chicken voice so well, and the flying double picked parts are fever pitched. Grindy, fast, super fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
Sporting a very cool vibrato melody, this song is enjoyable and earthy, with a clean sound and friendly twang. You can just see the masked marvels as you listen to this! Smooth, and very nice indeed!
Surf (Instrumental)
A sorta Tour de Surf. In their impeccable way, Los Straitjackets use numerous bits of surf history - the "Wipe Out" drum break, touches of "Fun Fun Fun" and more under their usual twang. When others have done this, particularly the "Wipe Out" bit, it's been less than effective, even annoying. but here, it's humorous and intriguing. Maybe it's the energy and grins they employ that makes the difference. Hillbilly surf, speedy with maximum drum action and a quirky little melody line. Great track.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a great live take on "University Blvd.!" Slow and playful ode to the street of desire and no worry life. This is a very melodic and pretty track. It has all the finesse it needs, and plenty of twang. Great for a stroll down the boulevard of life.
Surf (Instrumental)
Grode "Cave Man" sorta thing with Eddie Angel's ultra garage edge. Whammy intensified fifties B-movie rock thriller weirdness with crunch and twang. The intense whammy and the screams are frightening. Very fine track.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Isn't Love Grand" is a very melodic and bouncy number. Its warmth is contagious and friendly. This song is more than satisfying. Great tone and drums!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Tempest" is a fifties riff rock instro... lots of grind, not much melody. Fun, and in a live format, effectively crunchy and entertaining.
Surf (Instrumental)
From the double picked intro slam, the track sucks you right in, as do most of their monsters. It is very fast, fun, high energy, and mostly a riff slammed into your subconscious, emphasized with major low-E double picked rage during the bridge.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a stunningly beautiful coastal song, with shear imagery and almost Polynesian twang. The track gives immediate warmth of the sun and a sense of a slight breeze on the face. Stunningly fluid track.
Surf (Instrumental)
Luis Prima's "Sing Sing Sing" is another obvious choice for the lads to cover. Their grins and sway compliment this big band classic. The drums are so much a part of the feel of this. They don't play the classic huge tom tom rage that Prima used, yet rock mightily. Totally infectious.
Surf (Instrumental)
Strait out of the era... sorta. This is a splendid cover of The Mar-Kets' classic "Out Of Limits." Reverently done with extreme credibility. It's simply clean and direct. Pure instro pleasure.
Surf (Instrumental)
What a great live take of Elmer Bernstein's theme. Los Straitjackets have captured the richness of the film score, while also preserving their signature crunch! Originally from the film of the same name, and also used for a series of Marlboro ads during the sixties, with a logo character called the Marlboro Man, who looked like a serious version of the Granny Goose cowboy.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a slow and sinewy rendering of the film score to "Midnight Cowboy." Simply lovely!
Surf (Instrumental)
Neil Hefti's "Bat Man" is done with signature Los Straitjackets crunch and great drums! This is a hard song to hold attention with because it is so unchanging, but they sure get it right.
Surf (Instrumental)
Santo and Johnny's pretty and silky song. Eddie makes it work, and the crowd was very pleased. A fine performance.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Tornados' "Telstar" ends the show with huge sound and fury! Los Straitjackets very successfully migrate it to guitar from organ. Joe Meek would be proud!