Long-Lost Honkers & Twangers Various Artists (Honkers & Twangers)

£17.83

Genre:
Instrumentals
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDLUX 013

As compilation CDs of 1960s instrumentals go, this one is pretty special. Actually, it’s unique, as half of the 26 tracks have never been released before. It’s just like going back to the heady days of the early 60s and buying a brand new LP of exciting instrumentals that are entirely new to you. Is that Christmas or what?

So what goodies have we conjured up for you? How about the fascinating original demo of ‘Walk Don’t Run’ showing the Ventures still busily working out exactly how the arrangement should go, and it’s every bit as thrilling as the band’s later hit recording. Plus there’s another four unreleased titles from the world’s premier instrumental group: the Latin-spiced ‘The Spur’ and ‘Sabrosa’, plus the fine Danny Hamilton compositions ‘Murfreesboro’ and ‘Run Don’t Walk’. If that’s not enough for Ventures fans, we’ve also added two hitherto unknown performances from their later star guitarist Gerry McGee working uncredited on a Billy Joe & the Checkmates 45 from 1963.

The Fireballs are represented by two typically superb tracks – an instrumental version of their memorable vocal outing ‘Ain’t That Rain’ and a bright, sunshine treatment of ‘La Pobracita’ which is so much better that the version they waxed under the name of the String-A-Longs. There are also two from the Rondels who enjoyed a US Top 100 hit with ‘Back Beat No.1’ in 1961: the wild sax-feast ‘Showboat’ and the unworldly beat of ‘Zombie’.

The Reveliers are much respected in surf music circles for their ‘Hangin’ Five’ / ‘Patch’ 45 on G-Clef. ‘Patch’ is included here as well the dynamic ‘White Water’ and ‘Flat Tyre’, both previously unissued. There are two unreleased recordings from the Titans who are feted in instrumental circles for the blistering power of their ‘Reveille Rock’ and ‘Noplace Special’ 45s. Here we feature a super version of the South African favourite ‘Skokiaan’ and an unexpectedly moving treatment of the Everly Brothers’ ‘Crying In The Rain’.

There’s also a whole bunch of exhilarating rarities, including Johnny & the Hurricanes’ final instrumental 45, ‘The Psychedelic Worm’ and ‘Red River Rock ’67’, which we have never seen on CD before; Richie Allen (alias Richie Podolor) exploring the twangy depths of his Danelectro along with an uncredited Sandy Nelson on drums for the little-known ‘Goochy Bamba’; the Ramrods’ barmy bagpipe extravaganza ‘Loch Lomond Rock’; surfing rarities like the Impacts’ ‘Tor-Chula’ and the Avantis’ ‘Wax ‘Em Down’; the catchy ‘Car Hop’ hot-rod fave from the Exports; the Gigolos with the twangy ‘Night Creature’; and finally the cross-genre cult classic ‘Ghost Train’ from the Swanks – as wild and raw as it gets, and taken from the original master tape, natch.

The 20-page booklet features comprehensive notes by myself and fellow Pipeline Magazine co-editor Alan Taylor based on in-depth interviews with original members of the bands, plus many never-before-seen photos. There are just 1,500 being pressed and once they’re gone they’re gone. So, fellow instro fans, do not hang around on this one.

By Dave Burke Pipeline Magazine

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Track listing

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Side 1

  • 01 Preview Walk Don't Run (Original demo) - The Ventures

  • 02 Preview Night Creature - The Gigolo's

  • 03 Preview Wax 'Em Down - The Avantis

  • 04 Preview The Psychedelic Worm - Johnny & The Hurricanes

  • 05 Preview Skokiaan - The Titans

  • 06 Preview Zombie - The Rondels

  • 07 Preview White Water - The Reveliers

  • 08 Preview La Pobracita - The Fireballs

  • 09 Preview Murfreesboro - The Ventures

  • 10 Preview South Of The Border - The Champs

  • 11 Preview Car Hop - The Exports

  • 12 Preview The Spur (La Espuela) - The Ventures

  • 13 Preview Nashville West (One More Time) - Billy Joe & The Checkmates

  • 14 Preview Tor-Chula - The Impacts

  • 15 Preview Ain't That Rain - The Fireballs

  • 16 Preview Patch - The Reveliers

  • 17 Preview Goochy Bamba - Richie Allen

  • 18 Preview Crying In The Rain - The Titans

  • 19 Preview Red River Rock '67 - Johnny & The Hurricanes

  • 20 Preview Sabrosa - The Ventures

  • 21 Preview The Drifter - Billy Joe & The Checkmates

  • 22 Preview Loch Lomond Rock - The Ramrods

  • 23 Preview Flat Tyre - The Reveliers

  • 24 Preview Showboat - The Rondels

  • 25 Preview Ghost Train - The Swanks

  • 26 Preview Run Don't Walk - The Ventures

Delivery & Returns

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

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You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

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The stuff that instro dreams are made of. ★★★★

Record Collector

★★★★

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