Magic Carpet

This is my cover of “Magic Carpet”, originally released in 1963 by the English instrumental group, the Dakotas. These are the same Dakotas who composed and were the first to release the classic surf instrumental, “The Cruel Sea”. They also went on the become Billy J. Kramer’s backup band, much as the Shadows backed up Cliff Richard.

“Magic Carpet” was composed by George Martin, who was their producer — as well as being the producer for the Beatles.

My arrangement is more in the style of the Shadows than the Dakotas.

Bombora

This is my arrangement of “Bombora”, which was a major hit for the Australian surf-rock band, The Atlantics. By September 1963, “Bombora” had climbed the Australian charts to reach No 1. It was also released in Japan, Italy, Holland, England and New Zealand and in South America.

It was named after an Aboriginal term for large waves breaking over submerged rock shelves.

My version is not a cover of the original, but I definitely sought to replicate the driving energy of the original.