Surf Instrumental Reviews: The Knights-King Richard's Red Hot New Mexican Chile Stew – Art

One of the progenitors of surf instrumental music, Dick Stewart, and his band The Knights returned in 2006 with a new release titled King Richard's Red Hot New Mexican Chile Stew – Art. The title is a playful nod to Stewart's love for spicy food and Southwestern roots. I knew the band's previous release, In Progression, would be hard to top; it is my favorite, and I do not think The Knights will ever come up with anything better than that album. It stands alone in uniqueness for the instrumental genre. That does not take anything away from this new release; it is destined to be a classic as well. This excellent CD will find its way into the hearts of the true instrumental fans waiting for a new release from the Stewart camp.

You may recognize some of the tracks on this new album from the band's 1998 CD release, Surfin' the Web. This CD is no longer available, so hang on to your copy if you have one. The tracks on Surfin' the Web were never mastered, so Stewart decided to fix that and add a few new twists and turns, such as updated arrangements and improved sound quality.  One of the tunes, "Cool Links," now has a son, Jason, ripping off some slick fretwork on the bridge to make the newly mastered recording sound as crisp and powerful as possible. Listening to the Stewarts play is like guitar 101—old school vs. the new wave; it is a lot of fun, and the contrasts are fascinating and can be very educational if you own your six-string.

 

The first track kicks things off with style with a haunting wind blowing as "Phantom Riders" begins-it is Dick's own "Ghost Riders In The Sky" 2006 if you will, which he happens to cover on this release as well (remastered and reissued). I love the song; it has the melody and rhythm you cannot resist, and I think it will go down as an instrumental classic—you heard it here first. An essential nod for a job well done goes to Dick's son Richard for his fine bass playing on the track.

 

"Riley's Switch" (formerly "Surfin' The Web," now updated and mastered) is a tribute to the legendary town of Clovis, New Mexico, once called Riley's Switch. One thing you can count on with Dick Stewart when he records an album is that you will get a history lesson about the area in which he lives. He is an avid historian and has studied meteorology over the years. His music uniquely blends history and culture, offering listeners a rich and intriguing experience.

 

Stewart's love affair with the Southwest continues with this brilliant release, from "Chas" Pike's colorful and cultural artwork on the CD cover to the surf-rock-country (with Southwest spice, incorporating elements of traditional Southwestern music) influenced music you will hear on this CD. Other outstanding new tracks are the atmospheric (evoking a sense of space and depth) "Cimarron," "Waterfalls," with its rapid-fire metallic picking pushed through a phase shifter, and the self-explanatory "Calm and the Storm."

 

Once again, King Richard and his court have gathered to delight all comers to his castle instrumental. I am glad, but I expect it to be when a new album comes out. Dick Stewart is a fantastic man; he is 66 with the heart and spirit of a man 30 years younger. It’s no wonder he keeps crankin' out the tunes with regularity. There are not many original '60s instrumental dudes around still making music. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to hear one of the best still bending the strings with passion and purpose.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

August 10, 2006

Tracks & Credits:

01. Phantom Riders (Dick Stewart – first lead guitar, Jason Stewart – second lead guitar, Ritch Stewart – bass) (3:58)

02. Cool Links (Dick Stewart – first lead guitar, Jason Stewart – second lead guitar, Gary Snow – bass, Steve Hudgins – drums) (3:47)

03. Riley’s Switch (Dick Stewart - lead and rhythm guitar, Gary Snow – bass, Steve Hudgins – drums) (3:30)

04. La del Moño Colorado (Dick Stewart – lead guitar, Floyd “Flaco” Gonzales – rhythm guitar, Jose “Prospero” Montoya – bass, Anthony Lucero – drums) (2:20)

05. Ghost Riders (Dick Stewart – lead and rhythm guitar, Gary Snow – bass, Steve Hudgins – drums) (3:59)

06. Mother Road (Dick Stewart – lead and rhythm guitar, Gary Snow – bass, Steve Hudgins – drums) (5:14)

07. El Rancho Grande (Dick Stewart – lead guitar, Floyd “Flaco” Gonzales – rhythm guitar, Jose “Prospero” Montoya – bass, Anthony Lucero – drums) (2:32)

08. Cimarron (Dick Stewart – lead and rhythm guitar, Gary Snow – bass, Steve Hudgins – drums) (3:28)

09. El Incendio de Los Alamos (Dick Stewart – lead and rhythm guitar, Gary Snow – bass, Steve Hudgins – drums) (3:16)

10. Waterfalls (Jason Stewart – all instruments) (2:08) 

11. Poco de Todo (Dick Stewart – lead guitar, Little Ralph Pais – backup lead guitarist, Floyd “Flaco” Gonzales – rhythm guitar, Jose “Prospero” Montoya – bass, Anthony Lucero – drums) (2:30)

12. Penetration (Dick Stewart – first lead guitar, Jason Stewart – second lead guitar, bass, and keys) (3:22)

13. Surfin’ the Rio Grande (Dick Stewart - lead and rhythm guitar, Gary Snow – bass, Steve Hudgins – drums) (4:16)

14. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow  (Dick Stewart - lead and rhythm guitar, Gary Snow – bass, Steve Hudgins – drums) (4:13)

15. Calm and the Storm (Jason Stewart – all instruments) (4:12)

16. A Medias de la Noche (Dick Stewart – lead guitar, Little Ralph Pais – backup lead guitarist, Floyd “Flaco” Gonzales – rhythm guitar, Jose “Prospero” Montoya – bass, Anthony Lucero – drums) (3:12)

17. Adios (Dick Stewart – lead and rhythm guitar and vocal, Jason Stewart – keys) (1:52)

Surf Instrumental Review: Satan's Pilgrims-Plymouth Rock- The Best of Satan's Pilgrims

Website: https://satans-pilgrims.com/

 

The time has arrived in Satan's Pilgrims' career to release the best of the set, and it is about time. Plymouth Rock—The Best of Satan's Pilgrims celebrates 10 years of successful recordings in the popular yet underrated genre of instrumental surf music. 

I am getting further and further away from referencing the surf influences, but it is necessary because that is where it all started and why bands like this carry on and continue to make such great rock 'n' roll today.

CD 1 offers 20 tracks of the boys' very best, and CD 2 is nothing but new, rare, and unreleased music with a bonus video section. They should have left out the videos; they are of inferior quality, visually and in sound. The music is the most essential thing, so other than the video extras, this is a fine two-disc set.

There are not many new things to say about this kind of music unless there is some experimental mixing of different styles; it is similar for the most part (but you could say that about other genres, too!). However, only the great bands cover all the styles within the genre, and this band offers up that smorgasbord of sound. I greatly enjoy this music; it's a necessary evil for my listening pleasure. I always thought these guys were among the best, right up there with their peers.

Plymouth Rock- The Best of Satan's Pilgrims is pure, unadulterated fun that has always been the attraction for me with this kind of music, and the added benefit of nostalgia and the culture that goes with it makes it more colorful. It is well worth picking up if you love surf-instro music.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

March 26, 2005

Rating-7.5/10

Review: Susan & The Surftones-Wrap-Around

If you want to Wrap-Around some of the best  surf instro music on the planet, I have just the group to set you straight. Susan Yasinski and her group, The Surftones, blaze a trail in the sand and leave a huge wake in a sea of music with their sizzling instrumental surf rock band.

Not only is Yasinski an inspiration to women everywhere in music, but she has also become a pioneer of a genre. With each successive album the band has released, there has been growth, evolution, and maturity. They proved that they could cover all of the classic first-wave surf-instro hits with proficiency, and over the last few years, they have earned their keep and gained respect as original artists. It is a huge accomplishment in a genre with little room for experimenting and expansion. After hearing this new album, it is more than apparent to me that they have come full circle in their development playing this style of music. Therefore, what could be next to overcome and accomplish? We must find out when a studio album comes out next time.

This album has a vibe and feeling that has never been there before and is very cool. Fresh, tight, crisp sounds come straight at you on tracks like the excellent "Clash "and "Should I Stay Or Should I Go," the impressive curtain closer "Blues Theme," and the reflective and powerful "Lonely Crimson Sea."

The names of the tracks alone invoke visions of pounding surf, beautiful sunsets, and Enrico Morricone films while the music sets the stage. "Ghost Riders In The Sky" has enough to get up and go to give you saddle sores from the fast and furious ride…and what a great version of that classic tune. Think Clint Eastwood and spaghetti westerns, and you will get the picture.

There is enough excellent music on Wrap-Around to create plenty of soundtracks inside your head. Good instrumental music can do that.

The Surftones Are:

Susan Yasinski-Guitar

Avory Gray-Organ

Bob Becker-Drums

Jim Fritz-Bass

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

December 11, 2002

Tracks:

    01. West 30

    02. Wrap Around

    03. Blondes In Cars

    04. Peter Gunn

    05. Lonely Crimson Sea

    06. Nina’s Empty Glass

    07. More

    08. Moon Woman

    09. Ghost Riders

    10. Leopard Spots

    11. Sand Dreamer

    12. Should I Stay Or Should I Go

    13. Casper Reef

    14. Blues Theme

Review: The Ventures - Play The Greatest Surfin’ Hits Of All-Time

The timeless quality of this music always resonates. With The Ventures themselves re-recording it, the sound is not just better, but it's a testament to their enduring legacy. The clean, precise guitar licks, enhanced by today’s technology, breathe new life into the old. Except for one of the 18 tracks, recorded in 1981, all were re-recorded from 1996-2000, preserving the essence of the original compositions. 

From the first notes of “Walk Don't Run '64,” the power and clarity of the sound are undeniable. It bursts off the disc, grabbing your attention, and this energy carries through every track that follows, keeping you engaged and excited.

What other group could claim the title of defining surf-instrumental more than The Ventures? Their influence is undeniable, and their music is a proud part of the genre's history. After over 40 years, it's no surprise that they are the proud owners of several of these model surf-instro classics, a legacy we, as fans, can also take pride in. 

This, indeed, is the definitive surf instrumental collection. It does not get any better; each song gets the respect it deserves when the best instrumental band in the world pays tribute to each song.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

December 24, 2002

Tracks:

01. Walk- Don't Run '64 (Smith) - 2:28 

02. Penetration (Leonard) - 2:08 

03. Mr. Moto (Delvy/Johnson) - 2:07 

04. Out of Limits (Gordon) - 1:59 

05. Lonely Surfer (Nitzsche) - 3:30 

06. Baja (Hazlewood) - 2:35 

07. Let's Go (Duncan/Duncan) - 2:17 

08. Diamond Head (Hamilton) - 2:15 

09. Pipeline (Carman/Spickard) - 2:22 

10. Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (Rodgers) - 2:14 

11. Bombara (Biondi/Tran/Vehle/Weed/Weisman) - 2:15 

12. Hawaii Five-O (Stevens) - 1:47 

13. Surf Rider (Bogle/Wilson) - 2:24 

14. Ninth Wave (Bogle/Edwards/Wilson) - 2:23 

15. The Cruel Sea (Maxwell) - 2:27 

16. Surfin' and Spyin' (Caffey) - 2:18 

17. Perfidia (Dominguez/Leeds) - 2:09 

18. Wipe Out (Surfaris) - 3:52