Search - Various Artists :: World of Surf Music

This is the real deal!!!

stonehenge7 | Simi Valley, CA. United States | 12/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm really glad I took a chance on this one! Even though there were no previous reviews and little info as to whether these were the original takes, I bought it and it has easily become my favorite surf-music disc.
With 34 well-selected tunes you get a lot for your money, including many great and obscure surf tunes and several standards as well. There's great variety too. You can listen to this one a lot and it still sounds fresh.
In my mind, speed-surf music is OK, but gets old too fast. I do listen to Dick Dale at times, but to me there are plenty of other types of music more suited to speed-guitar. Classical and Metal to name two. Surf music should be about a lot of twangy reverb, few or no vocals and a rock-steady beat. It should evoke memories of beach-safaris past make you want to hop in the rig (Woodie?) and head to the beach...now!
This disc has these qualities in abundance. Songs such as "Surfin' Tragedy" by Bob Vaught and the Renegades and my favorite of all "Bustin' Surfboards" by the Tornadoes, fit the bill perfectly. "Bustin'" has the perfect mix. It's got a rock-solid beat and super twangy guitar that absolutely drips with thick, surfy reverb. All this and the sound of waves washing up on shore and you get the picture. It's perfect!
This one's got a goodly number of tasty Ventures, Dick Dale, Surfaris and Challengers numbers too. There is a great version of "Telstar" and a not-so-good version of "Tequila", both by the Challengers. My only gripe is it would have been much better to have the original "Tequila" by the Champs here.
Still, this is a very minor glitch. Overall this is an extremely well done collection. You can't go wrong with "World of Surf Music"...I just wish my Dad hadn't sold the Woodie years ago."