Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks - Almost fried (But Not Stirred)
 | As the sleeve says, these are "unreleased musical misconducts during 'Fried On the Alter Of Good Taste' 1998 and '99." Mono demos, outtakes, early versions, and more. |
Picks: Dangerman, Dr. Who, Alipang, Blue's Theme, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Sputnik Raw, Arabesque, Coyote, The Killer, Oh No!! (It's Harry Lime Again), Escape From New York, Frankie Machine, Dangerman, Hipshot, Something For Sophia Loren, True Dean Carter Wannabees, Arabesque, Lurch Says No, Sputnik Monroe, Bobby Fisher's Hideout
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Whammy chords, softish distortion on the lead guitar, tweaky keys, bass and drums, and a whistler's dementia take the theme from "Dangerman" into places he didn't know he was going. Quite interesting!
Surf (Instrumental)
The theme from "Dr. Who" is full of strangitude and tweakery, with keys providing a thick layer of ambiance and whirring above sequenced drums. It's a heavy wash of sci-fi.
Rhythmic Percussive (Instrumental)
This early version of "Ali Pang" is a quirky and bouncy thing with a ska beat and whirling keys. It's entirely fun!
Rhythmic Percussive (Instrumental)
This is a nasty version of Davie Allan's whacked out biker theme. It's in thin raspy mono that seems to somehow add an even darker edge to the flying guitar. Yikes!
On Her Majesty's Secret Service Pulsing Rock (Instrumental)
A highly unusual treatment of the John Barry film score with driving rhythm and pulsing sound. It's not just well played, it's inventively arranged and mixed. very nice!
Rock (Instrumental)
This ultra cool Bo Diddley beat jungle exotica track is inventive and rhythmic, with very cool effects and an infectious sound. It's got the beat, the magic, and the unusual draw. "Sputnik Raw" is also known as "Sputnik Monroe."
Rock (Instrumental)
Henry Mancini's splendid composition is completely converted into an exotic haunted tweaky surf 'n' psycho slider that brings a grin and a sense of warm summer breezes on the lagoon. Great muted reverb and lovely island imagery pierced by disturbed keys. Very cool!
Rock (Instrumental)
This song became "Rope-A-Dope." This raw version sports attacking guitars and thrashy glissandos. Space rock, harsh surf, and fire.
Rock (Instrumental)
Damped reverb and sleazy keys, fuzz, and tribal drums. Eerie and strange too. "The Killer" is an ultra cool cross between garage and horror film in Baghdad.
Oh No!! (It's Harry Lime Again) Rock (Instrumental)
Super trash guitar and organ drive this harsh monster. This is also known as "Rubber Room."
Rock (Instrumental)
John Carpenter's film theme gets the dark treatment with a post modern sound with big drama. Spooky and relentless.
Rock (Instrumental)
Dark and splashy fuzz drive this version of "Frankie Machine" to a much more dangerous place than it was born in. Heavy and deadly.
Rock (Instrumental)
This version of the theme from "Dangerman" is more surfy, with reverb and whammy, and a gentler approach. This is excellent!
Rock (Instrumental)
Big fuzz powered Link Wray style surf, with no letup in intensity. Also known as "Rocket True Temper 20 oz.," this is a harsh rocker with a dark edge and mean spirit.
Something For Sophia Loren Rock (Instrumental)
Surf rhythm and lead guitar make "Something For Sophia Loren" shine. It's powerful, nomadic, and spaced out too, with a cheesy chorus that reminds me of Star Trek, while the bold guitar cries danger!
True Dean Carter Wannabees Rock (Instrumental)
This raw rocker is more thrash and biker mayhem than finesse, with an endless stream of riffs that holler "get out of the way!"
Rock (Instrumental)
Throbbing fuzz tremolo and weird keys move "Arabesque" into territory that it has not known before. Raw and grating are the keywords.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Lurch Says No" is a variation on the Rumblers' "Boss" that's mean and nearly ugly. Very fuzzy guitar and lowbrow thinking.
Rock (Instrumental)
Bo Diddley's rhythm and kick drum thump is all there is, and it's more than enough. A wonderfully rhythmic tribal journey through the heart of rock'n'roll.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Bobby Fisher's Hideout" is a lumbering and dirty number with no hope of happiness. Growling with anger and depression, and all about being large and unforgiving.