Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Ventures and The Fabulous Wailers - Two Car Garage
 | This is an mp3 only release from members of two of the most important early sixties Pacific Northwest bands, The Ventures and The Fabulous Wailers. It's loaded with the real deal. Some vocals are here too, most notably two Wailers classics "Out Of Our Tree" and "Dirty Robber." Overall, the arrangements are solid and slightly country, though it's not a stretch to call this album unpretentious because of its pure raw garage rockin' energy and chargin' power done with the extreme skill these players bring to bear. Incidentally, they wrap up the set with a rousing, very Northwest version of "Louie Louie." |
Picks: Surf Rider, Rebel Rouser, Wailin', Let's Go, Tequila, Beat Guitar, Wild Weekend, California Sun, Tall Cool One, Wipe Out, Road Runner
Track by Track Review
Country Surf (Instrumental)
Nokie Edwards' ultra classic surf instro is done with wonderful guitar stylings and raw sax above rock solid bass and drums. "Surf Rider" is rich and slightly country, and surprisingly close to the way that The Lively Ones do it today. Very nice!
Country Surf (Instrumental)
Big twang turned slightly dark grit, hand claps, a rockin' backtrack, and great sax honkin' make "Rebel Rouser" more than just a cover despite not being adventurous. It doesn't really drift too far off track, but it sure has an infectious chemistry. I like this way more than I expected to.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
The Wailers' "Wailin'" is raw and jammin', but then, that is how it was done originally! Garage rockin', high energy genuine rock'n'roll! Shouts and squonkin' sax and a very big sound.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
The Routers' "Let's Go" is reverently brought into a countrified twang, which takes it out of the cheerleader realm and into solid riff rocker land. A solid sax break, great bass tone, and really tight drums complete this track.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
The acoustic guitars provide the infectious rhythm as these superb musicians rock out on Chuck Rio's "Tequila." This is pure rock'n'roll instrumental heaven. No pretensions, just charm, drive, and wonderful musicianship. By the way, the sax wails!
Country Surf (Instrumental)
The Wailers' "Beat Guitar" is cycling blues based jam that's always satisfying. The piano lead was always my favorite part. This is pretty darn vintage!
Country Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very clean and rhythmic version of The Rockin' Rebels' "Wild Weekend." It's done in a much less intense fashion, allowing the muted rhythm lines to be more delicate and still drive the song. The break is more intense. Really cool!
Country Surf (Instrumental)
The drums and guitar lines drive "California Sun" into a country twangin' frenzy. This is great! Tuff drums, solid bass, great guitar, and organ that really sets it up well. A fine instrumental.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
"Tall Cool One" is my second favorite Wailers instro behind "Mashi." I love the piano. Thankfully, these guys kept that, used similarly raw sax, and retained the period rhythm and soul. Interestingly, this is also in mono, which seems to make the period connection even more obvious.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
Really strong and precise drums rock out on The Surfaris' "Wipe Out." This version is all beat, rhythm, and twang.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
The Wailers' honkin' "Road Runner" is a little less intense than the original, but no less cool. There's something really primal and sensual about this song, and The Ventures and the Fabulous Wailers kept those feelings in this recording. Way cool!