VA- Rare West Coast Surf Instrumentals (2001)

Amazon Review by Stuart Jefferson
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!

Tracklist
1. The Surfmen – Ghost Hop (01:55)
2. The Strangers – Rockin' Rebel (02:27)
3. The Storms – Makin' Out (01:53)
4. The Lancasters – Earthshaker (01:51)
5. The Lancasters – Satan's Holiday (01:50)
6. The Surfmen – Paradise Cove (02:59)
7. Davie Allan – War Path (02:06)
8. Davie Allan – Beyond The Blue (02:00)
9. The Strangers – Boogie Man (02:16)
10. The Strangers – Young Maggie (02:13)
11. The Surfmen – The Breakers (02:36)
12. The Surfmen – Casanova (02:02)
13. The Strangers – A Lost Soul (02:03)
14. The Playboys – The Scramble (02:11)
15. The Strangers – Navajo (02:13)
16. The Surfmen – El Toro (02:09)
17. The Surfmen – Malibu Run (02:25)
18. Gary Usher – Driven Insane (02:58)
19. Gary Usher – You're The Girl (02:32)
20. The Playboys – The Cat Walk (02:10)
21. The Strangers – Dance Of The Ants (02:11)
22. The Storms – Shut Down (02:16)
23. The Strangers – Hill Stomp (01:54)
24. The Strangers – Caterpillar Crawl (02:16)