Search - Duane Eddy :: Best of / Lonely Guitar

A must for any Duane Eddy fan

04/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a fan of Duane Eddy from the very beginning I was very impressed with the content of this double album. I have always loved the lonely guiter album, it is something that few others of the era attempted and no one did it the way that he could"

Trippiest Album I've Heard In Ages!

K. Brown | Walnut, Ca USA | 01/03/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After becoming a surf guitar fanboy and reading how many surf musicians list Duane Eddy as an influence, I wanted to sample some of his wares. This CD is my first venture into Duane Eddy's musical world; I was very pleased, but also very blown away!This CD is a compilation of two of Eddy's LPs: The Best of Duane Eddy/Lonely Guitar. Combining these two albums in one CD is an interesting choice, because you would be hard pressed to find two albums by the same artist that are on such extreme opposite sides of a bizarre musical spectrum!"The Best of Duane Eddy" selections are the most unorthodox surf guitar music I've ever heard, and I loved each song. What sets it apart from the other surf music I've heard is the collection of lyrics sung by an anonymous group of gals with the cute teeny-bopper voices of that era. They are featured prolifically in most of the songs, yet they go completely uncredited in the liner notes. While listening to the tunes, I couldn't help but envisioning the set of a 60s era dance show like Shindig. When I listened to the fast tempo tunes which included saxophone in the repetoire, a picture lit up in my head of Benny Hill chasing, in fast motion, a scantily-clad young woman through a lawnbelt or a public park.The "Lonely Guitar" tunes took me completely by surprise. How do I put this best? Okay, picture Mr. Eddy on television back in the good ol' days, looking cool and hep as he is, strumming his guitar. Then, without warning, The Lawrence Welk Singers and The King Family invade the set and begin singing the tunes Duane Eddy is belting out! It brings a nightmarish Muzak blend into an otherwise good CD, and the musical selections are not suited for the youth of that era, but a perfect match for the grandparents of that era. "The Lonely Guitar" section of the CD is what convinced me to slice off a star from the rating, yet I will confess I'm oddly drawn to these tunes; not for enjoyment, as much for the surreal edge it lends, leaving me speechless. DEFINITELY play these selections if you have company over, and see how many songs it takes before one of the bolder guests blurts out "WHAT are we LISTENING to?""The Best of Duane Eddy" portion is worth the price alone. The tunes are all solid, consistant, and have a great sound that sets Duane Eddy apart from musicians in similar genres. "The Lonely Guitar" selections are worth a listen, if only for the sake of a cute novelty item. I definitely plan to add more Duane Edy to my collection."

Essence of Loneliness

Kenneth Deats | Gallatin Gateway, MT | 11/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, we all know Duane Eddy invented "twang." But here, he uses it with strings and choral voices to produce an uncanny blend of deep, raw acoustic guitar and silkiness that will bathe you in loneliness. Put another log on the fireplace, pour a glass of good port, and relax. There's never been an album like this one. It will redefine your image of Duane Eddy. For those of us old enough to remember music before rap and hip-hop."