15 sizzlin’ surf guitar cuts recorded at the crest of the genre! Brothers Richard and Thomas Frost, more known for their work as Powder, shred through these surf-rockin’ standards – all tucked away until now!
Turning in a smoking rendition of studio guitarist Jan Davis’ “The Fugitive,” later covered by the Ventures (and much later, Laika & the Cosmonauts), they also lay down a hot version of “Opus Twist” – also by way of the Ventures, written by Tommy Allsup and J.I. Allison of the Crickets. Three other instrumentals came from the Let’s Hide Away & Dance Away With Freddy King album: “San-Ho-Say,” “Just Pickin’,” and “Sen-Sa-Shun.” He delivers a lovely “Sleep Walk” sans Santo & Johnny’s steel guitar, and converts pianist Floyd Cramer’s “Last Date” to guitar.
Vividly illustrating the band’s meld of R&B and surf are the two versions of “San-Ho-Say” – the relaxed groove in the bedroom versus the furious live rave. Lord knows what’s going on in “The Fight” – a typical set-opening/closing riff breaking up a brawl?
Though they never released even a 45, these live cuts and “Bedroom Tapes” prove without a doubt that they’d have been up to the task had the opportunity presented itself. Moreover, they’re a window into a more innocent time, when teenagers played rock & roll for fellow teens, and major-label contracts and national tours were as inconceivable as landing on the moon.
– Dan Forte
Also available on Compact Disc!
Includes:
Rock The Surf • The Fugitive • Home • Opus Twist • Wipe Out • Sleep Walk • Just Pickin' • Sen-Say-Shun • San-Ho-Say • The Last Date • The Fight (live) • Night Train (live) • Miserlou (live) • Green Fields