Kick Out

“Kick Out” is another original instrumental composition in which I try to combine the feel of 60’s instrumental guitar rock with a somewhat more complex musical and harmonic language than was typical for that genre. With this one I tried to get a feel similar to the early 60’s style of surf rock and the Ventures.

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Manchurian Beat

“Manchurian Beat” is a guitar rock instrumental that is based on a Russian folk tune. While “Manchurian” is normally associated with China, the geographic region actually incorporates what is now both Russian and Chinese territory on the far eastern borders of both — bordering North Korea.

In 1963 an instrumental rock group called “The Sounds” from Finland released what appears to be the first version of this as the “B-side” to another track. Seriously. I don’t make this stuff up.

The Ventures regularly performed a derivative arrangement live and recorded it as well, but never released it as a “regular” single or album track.

My version is based on the original concept.

Après Surf

“Après Surf” is an original composition intended to be in the style of early 1960’s surf rock and the Ventures. It is a “slow dance” that imagines a peaceful beach scene after sunset, perhaps with a campfire.

Nokie Dokie

“Nokie Dokie” is an original instrumental, and a tribute to Ventures lead guitarist Nokie Edwards. The tune has a country swing feel, as I have always felt there were strong country underpinnings to Nokie’s wonderful style.

Maroc 7

Maroc 7 was a 1967 British thriller film starring Gene Barry, Elsa Martinelli, Leslie Phillips, Denholm Elliott and Cyd Charisse. The screenplay concerns an international jewel thief who hatches a plan to go to Morocco and steal a valuable artifact.

The music for the film was  composed by Paul Ferris, produced by Norrie Paramor and performed by the Shadows. The single of the main theme (with Bombay Duck as the “B-side”) reached #24 on the UK singles chart.

My arrangement is based on the original Shadows recording, but without the orchestral backing. I tried to imagine a setting that might have been performed by just the four members live.

Wild Child

“Wild Child” was originally a track in the Ventures 1966 album “Wild Things”. The album is notable in that the “filler” tracks written by the group are particularly good, and arguably superior to the “cover” songs.

“Wild Child” was prominently featured in The Wiseguy’s 1999 song Start the Commotion. The Wiseguy’s recording was used in a Mitsubishi television commercial, and in a promo for the Ally McBeal show.

My version is essentially a cover.

Wild Trip

“Wild Trip” was originally a track in the Ventures 1966 album “Wild Things”. The album is notable in that the “filler” tracks written by the group are particularly good, and arguably superior to the “cover” songs.

My version is a cover.