Showing posts with label Surf Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Surf Music. Show all posts

Monday, December 16, 2024

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