SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS – THE LEGENDS OF SURF GUITAR

VARIOUS ARTISTS
THE LEGENDS OF SURF GUITAR
OGLIO

Releasing a live album of surf music on July 4 is absolutely perfect. This album has captured a moment in time and it is finally seeing the light of day. The Legends Of Surf Guitar brings together classic surf bands and artists, such as The Chantays, The Surfaris, Davie Allan, Jon & The Nightriders and The Surf Raiders, all backed by an all-star “back line” featuring Paul Johnson and members of The Turtles and Los Straitjackets (Nick Lowe). Even former Cars member Elliot Easton makes an appearance. The show is from 1995 at the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach (where else but Southern California). The music has been lovingly produced by “Hot Rod” (as opposed to ‘Surf’) musicians John Blair and Mark Linett (The Beach Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction and many others).

A great deal of the album consists of Paul Johnson & The Packards. Johnson was a member of the influential band The Bel-Airs. He also later joined Cat Mother And The All Night Newsboys. Here he performs songs he performed with The Bel-Airs, including the majestic “Mr. Moto”. The Packards sound great and they replicate the hits almost note for note.

It is also exciting to hear Bob Demmon of The Astronauts, one of the most underrated surf bands. It is wonderful to hear the exciting “Baja”. Hearing that guitar is just brilliant. And Davie Allan’s version of “Peter Gunn” in a medley with “Elephant Walk” is inspiring. Co-Producer John Blair (of Jon and The Nightriders) comes through with the incredible “Rumble At Waikiki”, which sounds fine in this collection. Jim Masoner (of The Lively Ones) delivers “Surf Rider” and one song from Bob Dalley (of The Surf Raiders) completes the show. And no surf rock collection or concert would be complete without “Wipeout”. Here it is performed to perfection by Jim Pash of the band that made it a hit, The Surfaris.

The album and concert were really a celebration of a true American art form, surf guitar, or if you prefer ‘Hot Rod” rock. England had The Shadows, but they never did surf music. Here, these classic artists got together for what must have been a brilliant concert event. The Legends Of Surf Guitar has it all, the twangy guitars, the reverb, the rolling drum rolls, everything is as it should be. This is the perfect summer album, and a chance to take two steps back in time, one to 30 years ago for the concert, and the other to revisit these classic songs. It is a treasure and one of the most enjoyable albums I have heard this year. And I do mean enjoyable. It is a feel-good collection that gets your foot tapping and puts a smile on your face. Grab a surfboard, a transistor radio and hit the waves.

The Chantays Links