Dick Dale: Calling Up Spirits ...CD Review by Duke

Dick Dale - Calling Up Spirits -Album cover ...CD Review by Duke

      In the thrilling days of yesteryear, before the Beatles, MacDonalds and Prozac became mainstream, the airways were filled with a style of music unlike any the world had ever known...guitar driven, instrumental Surf music played by some of the most gifted rock musicians of all time. They defined greatness and set the standard for those who followed.

      Dick Dale, the legendary "King of the Surf Guitar", was the era's premier performer. He invented Surf music and his incredible playing dazzled everyone who heard it. His performances on such classics as Miserlou elevated the guitar to new heights and assured his place in music history. (Miserlou was the theme song for the movie Pulp Fiction.)

      Dick Dale's powerful playing in the 50s and 60s was enormously influential. Not only did it set the trend of that time, it also set the stage for the musical eras that followed. In fact, Dick is recognized as "The Father of Heavy Metal" by Guitar Player Magazine.

      Calling Up Spirits is Dick Dale at his best. The CD is brimming with a wide range of music that showcases his diverse talents. From the staccato machine-gun attack on Nitrus to his spiritual delivery of the title song Calling Up Spirits, he whisks you to another world on a musical ride you won't soon forget. As the saying goes, "It doesn't get any better than this." The thirteen tracks on this CD are an absolute gas to play.

      Dick Dale has developed a masterful blend of power and finesse. Calling Up Spirits, Temple of Gizeh and Third Stone From the Sun demonstrate this unique combination...ethereal and spiritual, yet delivered with intense feeling, emotion and power. You can almost feel the spirits rustling about the strings of his guitar as he plays these haunting melodies. The passion is evident in Window. You can hear his overwhelming concern for the world and what we're doing to it. The message is clear and right on target.

      Then we have that vaunted Dick Dale power. Nitrus, The Wedge Paradiso, The Pit, Bandito and Gypsy Fire will shake you to the core and continue to reverberate in your head like the aftershock of an earthquake. This is raw power in its purest form. It makes you want to turn the music up as loud as it will go, fire up a classic 427 'Vette and cruise the universe. The Wedge Paradiso is especially interesting because Dick demonstrates his versatility and flair for variety by doubling on the trumpet.

      Speaking of variety, Fever and Catamount were a pleasant surprise. They are two jazzy pieces, with a Dick Dale touch. This is the stuff from which spy movies are made...drama and mystique. His rendition of Catamount makes for one of the coolest "who-dunnit" sounds I've ever heard.

      Doom Box is a catchy tune that has some great exchanges between the guitars and drums. Throughout the years I've noticed that Dick is very gracious when it comes to letting his band members have their time in the spotlight. This CD is no exception.

      I was glad to see the inclusion of Peppermint Man on the CD. I suspect he may have included it for those of us who were around when it was gracing the airways. Many of us danced to this song back in the 60s and I enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

      Calling Up Spirits is an outstanding CD. The backing musicians are excellent. If you're into drums, you'll enjoy the percussion work on these songs. Imagination and attention to detail, like the didgeridoo in Window, really enhance the album. The quality of the recordings is first-rate.

      From the first song to the last, you never know what Dick Dale will hit you with next. One thing is for sure, he knows how please...

Dick Dale: Calling Up Spirits
01) Nitrus 02) The Wedge Paradiso 03) The Pit 04) Fever 05) Doom Box 06) Catamount 07) Window 08) Calling Up Spirits 09) Temple Of Gizeh 10) Bandito 11) Third Stone From The Sun 12) Peppermint Man 13) Gypsy Fire	D. Dale D. Dale D. Dale J. Davenport, E. Cooley D. Dale D. Dale D. Dale D. Dale D. Dale D. Dale J. Hendrix A. Willis D. Dale	3:29 2:37 2:38 4:46 3:04 3:05 4:22 3:50 6:16 5:32 6:32 4:11 3:13