Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Twangy Guitars, Silky Strings Vol. 5
 | Volume 5 features 20 tracks from 5 bands. I think this is a much stronger set than volume 1, with a few surf and near surf tracks to satisfy your soul, and more energy too. |
Picks: Skywalk, Straight Ahead, Foot Tapper, Temptation, Dawn, Mist, Tin Whistle, Stingray, Remember Me, The Wind, Man Of Mystery, Autumn Leaves, Lo-Hi Wiped Out, Walk, Don't Run, (Ghost) Riders In The Sky, My Heart Will Go On, Kostianvirta Surf, Poor Man's Twist, Forest Road, Pipeline
Track by Track Review
Rock (Instrumental)
"Skywalk" is a tasteful little number with strong drums and that liquid guitar heated up to deliver higher energy than most rautalanka bands. The melody flows well, and the arrangement is simple but satisfying. Quite a nice track!
MOR (Instrumental)
Slightly loud relaxing music from the Shadow of Hank Marvin. It's quite a smooth piece with long swimming echoed delay.
Rock (Instrumental)
The Shadows' "Foot Tapper" is softly damped and very pretty. Most surf covers bask in the adult pool of high energy, while this swims in the kiddie pool of afternoon leisure. That's just a characterization, not a knock. It's quite pleasant.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a fine version of an occasionally surfed up song, most notably by the Torques. The melody is slightly exotic, and the guitar effects are just a little spacy. Moody and just a little dangerous, "Temptation" is really cool.
MOR (Instrumental)
Lush MOR stylings float "Dawn" across an orange horizon. It's very pretty as a backdrop.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
Long low bass brings forth a haunting song that calls from the mist - hence it's name. "Mist" sports a rich melody and guitar, backed by an interesting rhythm section. Dramatic and moody, with a bit of optimism.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Bouncy MOR a la F.B.I. softened for the ladies. Kinda cute, but note particularly memorable.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
Thick chords and heavy whammy in low registers create an almost mean sound. I can;t quite decide if this verges on surfable or not, but it's well worth a spin or two.
MOR (Instrumental)
An almost Italian sixties film score styled melody fronts a basic rock backtrack. Pretty and bouncy, but not memorable.
MOR (Instrumental)
Liquid guitar blows through a warm afternoon like "The Wind." A bouncy light rhythm keeps it squarely in the MOR camp.
Man Of Mystery Soft Rock (Instrumental)
The Shadows' "Man Of Mystery" is pretty true to the original.
Autumn Leaves Rock (Instrumental)
Joseph Kosma's "Autumn Leaves" is softly laid down in a light rock/MOR style. Pretty, but best suited for ambient purposes.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
A guitar boogie progression carries the song towards some rockabilly twang leads that are Shadows-ized. Like virtually all guitar boogies, it seems too repetitious. Eventually, Kaapo and Zetor get to a semi-sedate version of the Surfaris' "Wipe Out." The guitar is too ringing echoed to work well with the basic licks of "Wipe Out," though the over echoed chop chords are kinda cool.
Rock (Instrumental)
A thick and echoed chord progression backs Johnny Smith's best known instro. Nothing magic or new, but this is certainly a liquid version of an often covered song.
(Ghost) Riders In The Sky Rock (Instrumental)
A damped cowboy rhythm brings forth a very nice version of Stan Jones' "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky." It's not hard rockin' at all, but it's use of intense tape echo adds a kind of mystery to it.
MOR (Instrumental)
"My Heart Will Go On [love theme from Titanic]" is lush MOR fare with none of the coolness or flair that Los Straitjackets brought to it, though the whammy chords are rather intense.
Surf (Instrumental)
A surf beat and a cool surfable melody line played on an echoed guitar (not reverbed) works really well. This is quite a cool song! Lots of energy and panache, and an attractive sound. The melody is great, and the playing top notch.
Rock (Instrumental)
Lots of energy in this track. "Poor Man's Twist" sports a nifty melody line and a fast rhythm track. The damped lines are the coolest.
Rock (Instrumental)
Great drums drive this long note swirl. Pretty and energetic!
Surf (Instrumental)
A rock treatment of "Pipeline" with thick double tracked glissandos. Lots of energy here, with big whammy and crunch. Warm and almost mean.