Tribal Thunder

Dick Dale | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shout Factory
• ASIN: B0000005QA
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,833 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #14 in Music > Rock > Rock Guitarists > Surf Guitar
  • #85 in Music > Rock > Oldies & Retro > Surf Rock

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have, November 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Tribal Thunder (Audio CD)

OK--You've purchased the definitive Dick Dale compilation ("Better Shred Than Dead: The Dick Dale Anthology" of 1997) and love it. Where to go from there? In truth, EVERY Dale CD is worth having. There are two basic categories of Dale music: his classic 1960s material, and his "comeback" work since the early 1990s. This release is the best of the latter category, but there's more to know....

Two other compilations were issued before "Shred":

"The Best of Dick Dale and his Del-Tones" (Rhino, 1989). Only two cuts here are not included on "Shred," but one of them is the absolutely essential "The Victor." The tracking sequence is also quite different, so true fans will need to own this.

"Dick Dale and his Del-Tones: Greatest Hits, 1961-1976" (GNP Crescendo, 1992). This has 21 cuts, including many not on "Shred" or "Best of," such as "Surf Buggy," "Del-Tone Rock," "Death of a Gremmie," and "Peter Gunn." About half the cuts are Dale's original early 1960s versions, with the other half coming from a 1975 session. These later recordings have a distinctly different sound: they are looser, faster, and more "live" in feeling. They reveal Dale and the Del-Tones as the ultimate surf "garage" band of all time! Even less-than-successful songs like "Sloop John B" don't detract from the quality and energy of this compilation. Highly recommended.

Dale's work since the early 1990s:

"Tribal Thunder" (1993) is a masterpiece--simply perfect. Only two cuts are included on "Shred," but every one on this CD is a winner. To get a sense of both Dale's consistency and stylistic evolution, compare this CD's "The New Victor" with his earlier versions ("The Victor") on "The Best of" and "Greatest Hits." A must have.

"Unknown Territory" (1994) is slightly less consistent than "Tribal Thunder" but still great and very highly recommended. Only two cuts are included on "Shred."

"Calling Up Spirits" (1996) is nearly as perfect as "Tribal Thunder." Don't be put off by the weak cover art--this is a great release. Once again, only two cuts from this are included on "Shred."

"Spacial Disorientation" (2001). This post-"Shred" release is Dale's least cohesive yet, but still well worth owning. The first five cuts are in his best rip-roaring, high-energy tradition. Most of the rest, however, are in a very different bluesy, soulful, and acoustic vein. These are heartfelt and personal, but simply different from what most people would expect. Not the Dale release to start with, but certainly worth owning.

Dick Dale is a national musical treasure.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That's a pick dispenser mounted on his guitar, December 9, 1998

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tribal Thunder (Audio CD)

Way back when, TJ and I useta crank up Dick Dale on those long night drives back from the coast. The main problem then as now was keeping the speakers from rattlin. The definitive DD album up to the release of Tribal Thunder was Surfer's Choice. Surfer's Choice was the high-energy mysterioso fun beat. Hooray for the sound track of Pulp Fiction--the opening run of "Miserlou" brought to a more sophisticated `90s consciousness the power that was so foreign to the midwest farmer's daughter. Dick Dale is a true American original, and 30 years after Surfer's Choice, Tribal Thunder is a stunning expansion of his vision. DD finally found some drummers who understand, and the result is a celebration of intrigue, virtuosity and primitivism. Try to keep your amps below red line.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is The One, April 29, 2004

By 

Stanley Runk "Runkdapunk" (Camp North Pines) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Tribal Thunder (Audio CD)

Curious about Dick Dale and confused over what album to buy? Maybe you don't want his entire discography, but you're a well rounded person musically, and would like some good surf rock for your collection? I'll tell you now that Tribal Thunder is the album you want. If you're a Dick Head(a hardcore Dick Dale fan), I'm not saying anything new, but someone interested in discovering this very talented man, who doesn't want to take a gamble with their pocketbook, will be 100% satisfied with this purchase. After getting Tribal Thunder, you will either love it so much you'll buy more Dale albums, or you'll keep it, enjoy it and play it once and awhile when the mood hits you. It's a winning purchase either way, and a very good introduction to Dick Dale. There are some very hard rockin' and speedy tunes here. It makes the simple act of driving in your car an epic experience. You can just feel the coolness and macheezmo ooze off of you. Dick Dale's got to be one of the fastest guitar players alive. Not so much fast in terms of the fretboard, but with picking. And we're talking about an older man who's music isn't even heavy metal! There are no vocals here, just instrumentals, which is a plus to me. I love you, Dick, but I'm not crazy about your singing. That's not totally fair, coz I have heard some songs Dick sings on that really are pretty good. All in all, if you need to get a Dick Dale cd, start here. Trust me, I 've never lied to you all, and I'm not about to start now.