REVIEWS & COMMENTS
(The Surfwood Bar, Calistoga CA)
Read the interview with Rick Escobar from Summer '99 iss ue of England's NEW GANDY DANCER.
The Woodies are the subject of a cool article on the state of modern surf by Che' Albert. Check it out here.
PIPELINE MAGAZINE #44, Summer 99
Reviewed by Alan Taylor
The Woodies began life in the early '90s, quickly gaining a reputation as an outstanding reverb guitar band playing trad covers. As they evolved so did their repertoire of original material, examples of which are scattered over several compilation CDs. Sadly, they imploded in the summer of 1996 without a release to call their own. But fortunately, POP Records have come to the rescue and Swimmin' In The Reverb shows what a great band we are missing with their demise.
It's mostly original stuff, there are just the two covers that close the album: a fabulous take of Eddie Bertrand's Mr. Rebel and a fun romp through Bonanza. Both of there are as brodcast live by Phil Dirt on his KFJC radio show. The other two live tracks are versions of Surfin' with Bernie and The Swami which also appear in their studio form. The 11 studio tracks would have compromised the band's first album had they survived long enough to see the project through.
Mavericks opens up with a blasting reverb lead to show the band's intentions and Midnight Rider continues their trad reverb'n'twang theme with only a little less pace. A jangly treble lead with damped guitar in support heralds Surfin' with Bernies which is followed by the tastily melodic Little Dume.
The Tempo rises again for Spanish Word, with several 60s references in its arrangement, and the equally pacy If It Swells (Ride It). The Swami introduces Eastern influences, mightilly succesfully too as it recalls the heyday of Bob Dalley's Surfraiders and the first wave surf revival of the early 80s. Zorba's Last Ride nods in the direction of that Greek dance, in terms of arrangement at least, while Agent Woodrow is threatingly moody and Chief Bigwood leads the war dance.
To close this sequence K-55 is an erotic slice of Polynesian influenced surf exotica that simply oozes feeling. It's the slowest number but perhaps their best, a great epitaph.
THE WOODIES: Swimmin' In The Reverb (Pop Records)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson
The instrumental surf scene continues to thrive. So many bands have introduced elements of other genres into the mix that we now have at least a dozen branches jutting out in all directions. The Woodies remind us of what was great about instrumental surf music in the first place.
Sticking close to the traditions of the surf pioneers of the 60s, The Woodies built their sound on percussive guitar rhythms (Dave Mangiante), the simple but memorable lead guitar melodies (Rick Escobar) and buckets of splish splashin' reverb. Nothin' fancy, just good old fashioned longboarding dream sequence music with power to spare and plenty of mystique besides.
The Woodies were one of the most popular surf bands in San Francisco in the early 90s, but they didn't manage to get their debut release out before internal issues broke up the band in 1996. After two and a half years on a shelf, Swimmin' In The Reverb has finally seen the light of day. With loving liner notes by longtime Woodies booster Phil Dirt and a nice cover graphic, Swimmin' serves as debut, swan song and epitaph for a mighty fine surf band.
Thanks for sending me a copy of the superb Woodies album I was knocked out by the sharp, original material. Then you got me scribbling in the titles for the last two numbers, you didn't list em just to check if I played it all through, right? Well "Phil's Dirt" is to phenominal number to be hidden away from view.
Outlet magazine has been on hold for awhile since I am publishing the first book on UK instro groups of the 60s in Feb/March. After that a new Outlet will appear and I shall include an ecstatic review of a really superb album. I love the Aqua Velvets, Dick Dale, Rumblers sound etc, and the Woodies manage to forge a variety of styles that works so well.
Trev Faull - OUTLET Magazine (UK)
Hi all,
I just got my mits on a copy of the long awaited Woodies CD, Swimming Inthe Reverb. HOLY SHIT THIS IS AMAZING!!!! Now, several years ago, I'd gotten a tape of some songs from Rick Escobar, and at the time I was both blown away and totally inspired. These guys played with a traditional sound and vibe, and as if that wasn't enough, they composed some of the most beautiful melodies in the genre. Surfin' with Bernie has this wonderful, bittersweet happiness to it that is timeless. If It Swells (Ride It) is a classic style crusher, and The Swami is an middle eastern exotic gem. You get studio cuts, you get live cuts, and you get some bonus surprises too.
So I guess what I'm saying is that if you were even remotely considering buying this disc, DO SO AT ONCE!!! I think we all owe a big thank you to the Woodies and to Pop Records for making sure these recording got the release they so rightly deserve.
Over and out,
Los Mel (Los Meltones)
Many thanks for the diligence with the Woodies project!
This thing is GREAT! An instant classic. I've survived on Woodies tapes and Phil Dirt CDs of the live shows etc for these years, but damn! this was the way it was supposed to sound and meant to be heard. Very good production work. Thanks for the photo credits. I liked your setting in the "vintage B&W" kodak paper borders.
"Big Wave" Dave Becker
I have listened to the review copy several times now and you did an excellent job with this release. I had only heard a few of their comp cuts before, but this one is simply amazing. Great cover art, great sound, great playing, etc. Way to go!
Thanks,
Sean
The Continental Magazine Double Crown Records
ATTENTION JOURNALISTS: Get a full size 8 x 10 of The Woodies (8" x 10", 144 dpi, 172k jpeg)
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