Pipeline

Chantays | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 5, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0000014UF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,873 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #32 in Music > Rock > Rock Guitarists > Surf Guitar

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"Pipeline" the song is not only one of just three genuine instrumental surf hits ("Wipeout" and "Penetration" are the others), but an artifact of rare beauty, an otherworldly, liquefied meditative mantra between the swells as opposed to the crashing bluster of Dick Dale's heavies. Often imitated, it was never duplicated, not even by the Chantays themselves (although the later single "Monsoon," included as a bonus cut here, comes pretty close). Otherwise this debut from the Santa Ana, California, quintet consists mainly of run-of-the-mill instrumentals (covers of "Runaway," "Riders in the Sky," and "Sleep Walk" are dispensable, although their version of the Mar-Keys' "Last Night" shows off unexpected funk chops). Besides "Pipeline," "Monsoon," and the latter's flip side, another "Pipeline" self-knockoff called "Scotch High's" (sic), the only peaks in the set are "Banzai," featuring buzzbomb guitar runs and nimble piano, and the moody "Wayward Nile," an instrumental composed by future Pet Sounds lyricist Tony Asher. --Ken Barnes

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Chantays Rode The Pipeline To The Top, Then Wiped Out! August 26, 2003

By Mike King

Format:Audio CD

The Chantays consisted of Bob Spickard on lead guitar, Brian Carman on rhythm guitar, Warren Waters on bass guitar, Rob Marshall on piano and Bob Welch (not the musician from Fleetwood Mac) on drums. "Pipeline" was released in 1962 and became a regional hit in Southern California. It's popularity grew and, by 1963, it peaked at number 4 on the pop charts. It's an incredible single that still sounds as fresh today as the day it was recorded. Unfortunately for the Chantays, their initial success was never duplicated. Their follow-up single, "Monsoon," failed to make the top 100.

PIPELINE - This is the greatest surf instrumental of all time, in my humble opinon. No surf music collection is complete without this song.

THE LONESOME ROAD - This is a rocking version of the old standard.

TRAGIC WIND - It has the same opening riff as "Pipeline." This tune features the piano to great effect.

RUNAWAY - The Chantays do a surf version of the Del Shannon hit with mixed results.

BLUNDERBUS - Written by Spickard and Carman, this rocker really moves!

BANZAI - It's another blazing instrumental with great drum work.

SLEEP WALK - Its' a sleepy cover of the Santo and Johnny hit, which compares favorably with the original version.

NIGHT THEME - It's an adequate cover version of an obscure song by the Phantoms.

WAYWARD NILE - Written by Tony Asher, it has a memorable melody.

EL CONQUISTADOR - It's a surfed up version of "Malaguena," with some great Spanish flourishes.

RIDERS IN THE SKY - On this tune, the Chantays take some liberties with the melody of "Ghost Riders In The Sky."

LAST NIGHT - It's a great version of the Mar-Keys hit.... The Chantays are firing on all cylinders on this song.

MOVE IT - It's a rave-up, complete with whoops and hollers. It was the original A-side of the "Pipeline" single.

MONSOON - This was their second single. It's a great rocker that features an electric piano, which was unusual for 1963. It should have been a big hit.

SCOTCH HIGH'S - The original B-side to "Monsoon," the song is a variation of the melody of "Pipeline." Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Many try few achieve August 4, 2012

By Richard

Format:Audio CD

To become a one Hit Wonder is bordering on the near impossible and the Chantays managed this with a single which very nearly never happenned in the form we know it today.For a start it even had another title then it was relegated to the B side of a song which bore the same title as the Cliff Richard hit.From such uninspired beginnings came one of the all time great surf classics which spawned a heap of covers,named a magazine and has been compiled at least 100 times.
Pipeline was one of those instrumentals which was built around the chords of Del Shannon's Runaway (which itself stemmed from the English melody of Greensleeves)
The CD here is virtually the same as the Varese Saraband one which has a better sleeve as it shows the group rather than the iconic view of a surfer.
There would be no further album or even much info but this hit hangs in the air

3.0 out of 5 stars One Hit Wonder February 15, 2013

By Dan Anderson

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

One listen to the cd reminds you why. Limited repertoire but great technique. And, ah, those flashbacks to the early 60's.

3.0 out of 5 stars A little disapointing November 20, 2012

By Richard O. Ready

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this thinking I was getting the album but I didn't, all I got was the one selection "Pipline", Pay attention Amazon your advertizing is decieving on this one, although I am sure this was not intentional. I bought it twice just to be sure I hadn't missed something or messed up somewhere but still all I got was the one song.