Customer Reviews

Rare West Coast Surf Instrumentals

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ace did it again, with this wonderful compilation Cd. The title says it all; packed with surf age instrumentals that are worth to reissue but are songs you probably never have heard before. Needless to say that ACE took care of the sound quality as well as good track information in their usually elaborate booklet. Good news for fans of this music genre who don't want to spend too much on collecting albums from all those separate bands that emerged in the early sixties.

Other surf rock, or surf instrumental compilations I recommend for those who love the surf rock sound are:
ACE RECORDS
The Birth Of Surf, Volume 1 and 2
Big Surf (OOP)
Toes On The Nose

RHINO
Cowabunga 4CD set (OOP)
Rock Instrumental Classics Volume 5, Surf

Sundaze Records
Lost Legends Of Surf Guitar Volumes 1-4
Rare Surf 1-6

If you buy all those, for sure there will be some overlap, but not a lot. It will be worth it!

54 minutes in length approximately. The tracks,from the original analogue tapes,have been remastered. The sound is fairly crisp and open. The booklet contains some good info on the bands,producers,and the era.

This collection does contain some rare West Coast surf music,from the small Titan Records label. This was one of a myriad of small,independent record companies in the late 50's/early 60's that released surf music hoping to cash-in on the surf/instrumental craze (which only lasted a short time),then coming into vogue. Usually the vast numbers of these groups (THE SURFMEN,THE STRANGERS,THE STORMS,THE PLAYBOYS,among others), sold their records only locally,or at best,regionally. Very few of these groups made it to the national level in sales. It's interesting that (the late) Gary Usher (heard here),who was responsible (and famous) for dozens of teen records (both instrumental and vocal),made his first recordings for Titan.

The tracks here range from up-beat instrumentals,to slower,atmospheric tunes,which are very evocative of their time. This gives this collection added depth and appeal. Besides Usher,probably the most well known musician appearing here (courtesy of Kim Fowley) is Ritchie Blackmore (first guitarist in DEEP PURPLE),playing with an English pick-up group called THE LANCASTERS. This was a three-piece band originally called THE SUPERSTITIONS. The two singles (which have some good guitar),from 1964,went basically nowhere,even after being sold to Titan for U.S. release. The only other musician listeners might recognize is Davie Allan,known for his intense fuzz-styled guitar sound with his group THE ARROWS. Allan's two tracks are easily recognized by his guitar playing.

But no matter who the groups were,the music in this collection has a certain sound and feel that raises it above the typical surf music collection. If you're looking for some great guitar music with that twangy sound,with the standard honking sax,this is it. It would make a good addition to almost anyone's musical library of surf music. It's good period music,especially if you live near the ocean and can remember the era. If you can't relive those times,or aren't near the ocean-this music will transport you there. Cowabunga-pray for surf!

This is one timeless piece of music history, i listen to it and i can hear the evolution of musical genious... Sure it came before Zeppelin and the Doors (all hail the doors) But this music can really take you somewhere if you let it... It's very creative and beautiful, a he11 of a cd to own, and not too expensive either, for what all you get, so buy it now or buy me one!

Not one of the better surf compilations. i suggest a different one if you just want a good surf comp. if you're a diehard i couldn't talk you out of it anyways, but i am i don't really care for it.

If you even slightly like surf music, you'll probably like this album. It's cool and hokey at the same time. The liner notes are a good read too!