Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Denvermen - Let's Go Surfsidedotdotdot
artworkAustralia has long been a Mecca for surfers. They also have been more influenced by the Euro sound (Shadows, et. al.) than the American surf sound.
Picks: Surf City Stomp, On The Beach, Mystery Wave, Surfside Romance, Ho-Dad, Surfer Cha-Cha, Back Rip, Let's Go Surfside, Spanish Sands, Quiet Beach, Surf Patrol, Surfer's Blues

Track by Track Review


Surf City Stomp dotdotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

This is an interesting blending of the Shadows sound and the surf sound. Much more oriented to the Euro instro sound, it does have some of the feel of the surf. The guitar employs echo in lieu of reverb, and the rhythm guitar is dry. The drums roll and thunder. This is a great track, but not very close to surf.

On The Beach dotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

Adding shore break sounds to an echoed guitar playing a Euro melody does not make it surf. It is a fine track though, with a solid melody and a pleasing overall sound.

Mystery Wave dotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

Pure Shadows ethic, and a military beat. haunting and enjoyable, it wreaks Hank Marvin influences, both in guitar tone and arrangement. No surf at all in the classic American sense, but a lot more than just a Shadows clone.

Surfside Romance dotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

This is a really slow Euro instro, pretty, but mostly a backdrop. Very gentle.

Ho-Dad dotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

The Shadows' sound abounds here, though slightly more gutty. The melody is almost spaghetti western influenced,... just a hint. Great drums and energy.

Surfer Cha-Cha dotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

Over echoed guitar and a cha cha beat... restrained, like many British instros of the period. Very "old fart" styled.

Back Rip dotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

This is a nice track, slow and almost Indian flavored. It is pretty gentle, but you can imagine a rippin' surf cover. The melody is sad and fluid. I presume "back rip" means "rip tide."

Let's Go Surfside dotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

Throbbing vibrato like Duane Eddy, with the sort of melody you'd expect from Duane. The bridge is distracting, at odds with the melody, with a noodling overdub quality.

Spanish Sands dotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

Acoustic guitar solo, a pretty Spanish style melody, and a very gentile delivery. This is quite a nice track.

Quiet Beach dotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

Swimming whammy, Hank Marvin tone, and a slow pace. Pretty, but unremarkable.

Surf Patrol dotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

This is damn close to the Shadows' "FBI." The melody is a bit different, but the backtrack is right on the money. It's not quite as fluffy as "FBI," but it is very friendly. Derivative, but enjoyable.

Surfer's Blues dotdotdotdot
Oz Surf (Instrumental)

"Surfer's Blues" is a really slow number, with a big Duane Eddy sound. It's also extremely close to John D. Loudermilk's "What Am I Living For."