All this week, I've been
writing reviews for CDs that were sent to me at the P.O. Box. This one
was sent last Christmas and I'm just finding time to write it up now.
This is a crime because the good folks at Double
Crown Records were kind enough to send me a copy of "Seasonal
Favorites V1" which I reviewed
in January, 2007.
What hurts even more is that both volumes are of choice (and I mean
CHOICE) surf and garage Christmas tunes. I'm a sucker for surf guitar.
Add Christmas and I could spontaneously combust.
I have no explanation other than a brain tumor that made me pass on this
CD for review. Time to make amends.
TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Pollo
Del Mar - Carol Of The Bells
The first half of this song is light rock then finishes fast with surf
guitar... smooth intro into the CD.
2.) The Pete Curry Orchestra - Drums For Christmas
Curry is the bassist for Los
Straitjackets and his orchestra is just him playing all the
instruments - virtuoso stuff!
3.) The
Neptunes - Sleigh Ride In Fresno
Think "Sleigh Ride" done by The Ventures and Dick Dale
combined. It'll sound like this phenomenal track.
4.) The
Icicles - Snowman
This group from Grand Rapids, MI should know something about snow (can
you say "lake effect?"). Surprisingly good power pop original!
Hear this one at their MySpace page...
5.) The
Incredible Mr. Smith - Leise Rieselt Der Schnee
Using a German christmas carol allows this group for lots of great
improvisation on the guitars... Ja!
6.) Surfin'
Santa w Meshugga Beach Party - Jingle Bell Rock
Straightforward instrumental cover from "The World's Premiere
Jewish Surf Band!" (their own billing!).
7.) The
Dusty Watson Complex - Little Drummer Boy
WOW! Set at surf speed, this rendition will blow you away with its
excellent guitar and drum work!
8.) The
Barbary Coasters - I Want A Monkey For Christmas
Gayla Peevey wanted a hippopotamus... these guys re-work "Roll Over
Beethoven" to ask Santa for a monkey. Roll over Chuck Berry!
9.) The
Surfites - Saint Nick's AA Fueler
Santa intros this song, and we're off on a screamin' cruise down the
main drag. Add sleigh bells, and it's just Christmas-ey enough.
10.) Glasgow
Tiki Shakers - Deck The Halls
Well done version of the Christmas classic - loved the bridge in a minor
key and all that fab reverb!
11.) Big
Boy Pete - Silent Night
If Johnny Cash did this song in up-tempo rockabilly, it might have
sounded close to this... amazing!
12.) Speedball
Jr. - Rudolph's Secret
You're gonna have to listen to this one yourself to find out the answer
to the secret. Interesting.
13.) The
Pyronauts - O Come All Ye Faithful
Pulsating rendition of this one - the surf guitars just bring it to life
in a way no other instrument can.
14.) Full
Load Of King - It's Christmas In The Islands
Lush exotica? Oooooooo... Martin Denny and Les Baxter, eat your heart
out!
15.) Frankie
& The Poolboys - Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)
The standout track of the album. This one starts slow, nice mix of
guitars (acoustic & surf), add some soulful organ where Yoko and the
kids sing, and continue to add on the layers a la Phil Spector (minus
the guns). Great cover from start to finish.
16.) Urban
Surf Kings - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Very good rendition - no frills, no fuss, all surf guitar and they play
it good here.
17.) Joe's
Ocean - Deck The Halls
You're gonna feel like you've been on the ocean with this one - Joe
switches styles between orchestral and soulful rock here... then
there... then here... reminiscent of Substance W in many ways.
18.) Surfin'
Santa With Meshugga Beach Party - Sleigh Ride
A good cover of The Ventures' great Christmas instrumental. Check their
MySpace page to hear some surf music with a Jewish flavor!
19.) The Daytonas - Christmas Time For Fun
Wonderful original surf/garage track... I couldn't find anything about
these lads... Can anyone give me a clue?
20.) Frankie
& The Poolboys - Auld Lang Syne
A slow start can mean only one thing - a fast finish. Which we get to
the delight of the audience on the track that ends this with a
countdown! Perfect way to end the CD.
Released during the
holiday season of 2007, this disc is the sequel to Seasonal
Favorites Volume One. For this disc we gathered 20 songs from bands located all over the
globe, mostly surf/instro bands, but we mixed things up with a few vocal, lounge
and pop tunes. The bands all send their best wishes for the holiday season straight to your hi-fi!
Cover art by Johnny Bartlett. We have
less than 100 copies left for the 2008 holiday season, so grab one now!
Tracks:
Carol Of The Bells - Pollo Del Mar
Drums For Christmas - The Pete Curry Orchestra
Sleigh Ride In Fresno - The Neptunes
Snowman - The Icicles
Leise Rieselt Der Schnee - The Incredible Mr. Smith
Jingle Bell Rock - Surfin' Santa With Meshugga Beach Party
Little Drummer Boy - The Dusty Watson Complex
I Want A Monkey For Christmas - The Barbary Coasters
Saint Nick's AA Fueler - The Surfites
Deck The Halls - Glasgow Tiki Shakers
Silent Night - Big Boy Pete
Rudolph's Secret - Speedball Jr.
O Come All Ye Faithful - The Pyronauts
It's Christmas In The Islands - Full Load Of King
Happy X-Mas (War Is Over) - Frankie & The Poolboys
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Urban Surf Kings
Deck The Halls - Joe's Ocean
Sleigh Ride - Surfin' Santa With Meshugga Beach Party
Christmas Time For Fun - The Daytonas
Auld Lang Syne - Frankie & The Poolboys
V/A - Seasonal Favorites: Volume Two CD - DCCD28 - $12.75 (Buy Now From CCNow)
Double Crown Records - Surf Instro Garage Rockabilly CD's & 7s