Reef Break

This is my cover of “Reef Break”, originally recorded by the Atlantics, an Australian surf-rock group.

The Millionaire

This is my cover of “The Millionaire” which was as originally released as the “B-side” to “The Cruel Sea” in 1963 by the Dakotas, an English group. Yes, these are the same Dakotas that backed up Billy J. Kramer. “The Cruel Sea” peaked at #18 on the UK singles chart, but never charted in the USA.

Speed Queen Shimmy

“Speed Queen Shimmy” is an original instrumental intended to be in the style of early 1960s guitar rock similar to the Ventures.

Tammy

This is my instrumental cover of “Tammy“, which was written by composer Jay Livingston with lyrics by Ray Evans. It was published in 1957 and made its debut in the film Tammy and the Bachelor. It was nominated for the 1957 Oscar for Best Original Song. “Tammy” is heard in the film in two versions. The one that became a number one hit single for Debbie Reynolds in 1957 is heard midway through the film. The version that used for the film’s main titles was a hit for the Ames Brothers.

In 1961, Duane Eddy used the song as the “B-side” for his single “Drivin’ Home”. The Ventures also recorded a version which can be found on the collection, “In the Vaults Vol. 2”.

The Way You Look Tonight

This is my instrumental cover of “The Way You Look Tonight“,  originally from the film Swing Time. It was written by lyricist Dorothy Fields and composer Jerome Kern. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936.

Frank Sinatra’s 1964 version is probably the best known, but the Lettermen had their first hit with it in 1961.

The Ventures have a very nice version that is based on the Lettermen’s approach. It can be found on their album “In the Vaults, vol 1”.

Pepper’s Theme

“Pepper’s Theme” is an original instrumental intended to be in the early 1960s style of the Shadows. The song commemorates our adoption of a beautiful 3-year-old female German Shepherd from our local animal shelter.

One Hand One Heart

This is my instrumental version of “One Hand One Heart”. Music is by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is from the musical West Side Story, which debuted in 1957.

I was a bit surprised to be unable to find any guitar instrumental versions from the early to mid sixties of this lovely tune. For that matter I could also not find anything more recent by the Shadows or the Ventures. The Shadows did record some of the songs from West Side Story, including “Tonight” and “There’s a Place for Us”.