Board Boogie: Surf'n Twang from Down Under

by N/A

Overview

Australia had a very active instrumental surf music scene in the early to mid-'60s, though with the marginal exception of the Atlantics, none of that music has gotten even small international attention. This 30-song compilation of 1962-1965 instrumental surf cuts (with one track sneaking in from 1967) is wholly drawn from the vaults of Australia's biggest independent label of the time, Festival Records. Perhaps because of that limitation, this might not be the ideal overview of the Australian surf genre; the Atlantics, for instance, are not represented. But on the whole it's a good job as the first internationally available Australian surf compilation reissue, though like many instrumental-only comps, those not enamored of the genre itself might find it too much of a good thing for more than an hour at a time. The differences between Australian instrumental surf rock and the California/American variety aren't easy to finger. But generally speaking, Australian groups were far more influenced by the twangy, country-tinged reverb spook of the Shadows, with a somewhat lighter and more precise approach, though it wasn't always lighter and never lacked energy. Thankfully, the compilation emphasizes original material rather than covers of foreign tunes. The results range from good to generic, with occasional harder mid-'60s rock influences from abroad making their way into the picture, as on the Sunsets' "Windansea" (which has a definite Lonnie Mack flavor to some of the riffs) and the Playboys' "The Mean One." It makes a nice change of pace for the surf collector looking for something a little different, though it isn't among the very best vintage surf reissues. The token future big name that can often be found in the small print on such anthologies is future Bee Gees guitarist Vince Melouney, who played with both the Aztecs and the Vibratones. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	04/08/2002
Label:	Big Beat Records
UPC:	0029667421126
Rank:	114866

Tracks

1. Board Boogie  -  Aztecs  - Vince Melouney
2. Midnite Surfer  - Norman Day  -  Joy Boys
3. The Mean One  - William Billings  -  Playboys
4. Sandy the Surfin' Sandfly  - Tony Barber  -  Joy Boys
5. Jay Walker  - Laurie Allen  - Malcolm Clarke  - Bob Johnson  -  Fabulous Blue Jays
6. Swamped  -  Jensen  -  Joy Boys
7. Storm Warning  -  Nocturnes
8. Panel Five  -  Surf Riders
9. Gavotte Espresso  - Norman Day  -  Joy Boys
10. Twistin' Drums  - Bob Bertles  -  Dee Jays  - John Purser
11. Murphy the Surfie  - Norman Day  -  Joy Boys
12. Windansea  - Lindsay Bjerre  -  Sunsets
13. Cloudburst  -  Cavaliers
14. (Theme From) The Ant Hill  - Norman Day  - Keith Jacobsen  -  Joy Boys
15. Sabre Dance  - Aram Khachaturian  -  Playboys
16. Smoke and Stack  -  Aztecs
17. Surf Carnival  - Leo Addeo  -  Resonets
18. Boots, Saddle and Surfboard  - Norman Day  -  Joy Boys
19. Expressway  -  Vibratones
20. Riptide  -  Nocturnes
21. Barbecue  -  Dee Jays  - Bobby Johnson  - Keith Williams
22. The Phantom Guitarist  -  Cavaliers
23. Theme from Dr. No  - Monty Norman  -  Playboys
24. The Frolic  - Keith Jacobsen  -  Joy Boys
25. Prairie  -  Nocturnes
26. Desperado  -  Playboys
27. Shorebreak  -  Resonets
28. Standin' and Stompin'  - Norman Day  -  Joy Boys
29. Sunday Patrol  -  Dee Jays  - Bobby Johnson  - Keith Williams
30. Adventures in Paradise  - Dorcas Cochran  - Lionel Newman  -  Playboys

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Nocturnes   Primary Artist
The Aztecs   Primary Artist
The Fabulous Blue Jays   Primary Artist
The Joy Boys   Primary Artist
Laurie Wade's Cavaliers   Primary Artist
The Playboys   Primary Artist,Primary Artist
The Resonets   Primary Artist
The Sunsets   Primary Artist,Primary Artist
Dee Jays   Primary Artist
The Vibratones   Primary Artist
The Surf Riders   Primary Artist
Joy Boys   Primary Artist
Bobby Johnson   Guitar,Drums
Peter Barron   Bass
Neil McArthur   Bass
Norman Day   Lead
Valerie Jones   Guitar (Rhythm)
John Cartwright   Rhythm
Vince Melouney   Lead
Tony Barber   Rhythm
John Purser   Drums
Jim Cerezo   Lead
Lindsay Bjerre   Guitar
Keith Jacobsen   Bass
Malcolm Clarke   Rhythm
Chris Rees   Drums
Robert Campbell   Bass

Technical Credits

Bobby Johnson   Composer
Keith Williams   Composer
Bob Bertles   Composer
Neil McArthur   Arranger
Stephen J. McParland   Liner Notes
Aram Khachaturian   Composer
John Cartwright   Arranger
Dorcas Cochran   Composer
Lionel Newman   Composer
Duncan Cowell   Mastering
Monty Norman   Composer
Alec Palao   Concept
Vince Melouney   Composer
Tony Barber   Composer
Norman Day   Composer
Dick Jensen & The Swamp Men   Composer
Bob Johnson   Composer
John Purser   Composer
Leo Addeo   Composer
Laurie Allen   Composer
William Billings   Composer
Lindsay Bjerre   Composer
Keith Jacobsen   Composer
Malcolm Clarke   Composer
Warren Barnett   Mastering,Archive Research