Saturday, November 2, 2019

VA - Rare West Coast Surf Instrumentals [2001]




RARE SURF

VA - Rare West Coast Surf Instrumentals [2001]

54 minutes in length approximately. The tracks,from the original analogue tapes,have been remastered. The sound is fairly crisp and open.

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 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 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!


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VA - Rare West Coast Surf Instrumentals [2001]


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Track list

  01. Ghost Hop - Surfmen
  02. Rockin' Rebel - Strangers
  03. Makin' Out - Storms
  04. Earthshaker - Lancasters
  05. Satan's Holiday - Lancasters
  06. Paradise Cove - Surfmen
  07. War Path - Davie Allen
  08. Beyond The Blue - Davie Allen
  09. Boogie Man - Strangers
  10. Young Maggie - Strangers
  11. The Breakers - TSurfmen
  12. Cassanova - Surfmen
  13. A Lost Soul - Strangers
  14. The Scramble - Playboys
  15. Navajo - The Strangers
  16. El Toro - Surfmen
  17. Malibu Run - Surfmen
  18. Driven Insane - Gary Usher
  19. You're The Girl - Gary Usher
  20. The Cat Walk - Playboys
  21. Dance Of The Ants - Strangers
  22. Shot Down - Storms
  23. Hill Stomp - Strangers
  24. Caterpillar Crawl - Strangers

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4 comments:

  1. could you please update the link... I've found several on your site over the last few months but all,to a one, had dead links, and it's quite disheartening:sigh: especially as there's not a lot of places that have what i like (essentially, the OOP Ace instrumental comps) I can't even find it at all the music streaming sites or sale sites such as 7digital etc, either, cause I'm in Canada and everythings blocked here.. Thanks.. Doccus

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Doccus,
      I will update the links shortly.
      If there are other links that are no longer working please let me know and I will try to re-establish them. Just let me know the title used at the blog heading.

      Cheers.

      Delete
    2. Hi Doccus

      Here is the new link for your convenience.

      VA - Rare West Coast Surf Instrumentals [2001]
      https://krakenfiles.com/view/a7cf89d275/file.html


      Cheers.

      Delete