IronMaiden
Joined: Nov 02, 2006
Posts: 564
Virginia Beach
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 01:04 PM
First off let me say this is a great forum I stumbled upon!
I know DD is a God when it comes to surf music and I understand and appreciate everything he's done for surf(or music in general), and he is the ultimate bad ass and all that; but I just don't dig his music. For one he is really sloppy, his tone is horrible, and his songs all sound the same.
Am I missing something? Is there a live album that captures a better DD than what Ive heard?
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19298
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 01:28 PM
You need to listen to his early stuff, not the 90's stuff, to get a good perspective on his career and accomplishments.
As for his tone, that is the one thing that is still awesome. It's still monsterous and huge...Dual Showmans and reverb baby! Have you ever seen him live? (Bring ear plugs).
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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dwgregory1
Joined: Oct 30, 2006
Posts: 118
Baltimore, MD
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 02:00 PM
I dont know, I love his early stuff and his new stuff. I was actually listening to Calling up Spirits on my way to work today because I hadn't heard it in a while and wanted to give it an objective listen(a lot of people knock it-see reverb central review ) Its got it's strong points as well as its possibly weaker points, but he does what he wants.....and good for him.
He seems to be asserting himself as an artist and individualist, which is great in a genre where so many other musicians play their own brand of surf and do it so well. Dick is Dick, some love him, some don't. For that reason, to me, he is more than 'that guy that played miserlou' or even the 'king of the surf guitar' he is a true individualist and artist working with what he has and doing what he wants.
I'm with Bryan, see him live. Excellent experience for me at a young age, totally kicks ass! Tone is monsterous, you can feel and hear the air being moved by his cabinets! Seriously!
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WaimeaBay
Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 969
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 02:19 PM
I have a profound respect for Dick Dale an all he has done for surf music/ and the evolution of Fender products. That being said I preffer listening to many surf groups over his. Also, everytime I hear Misorlou I want to cringe. I hate the fact that it is the one of the few main stream surf songs.
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surfneptune
Joined: Mar 16, 2006
Posts: 923
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 02:25 PM
Dick started a sound and vibe. He is bad ass. Anybody doing any fast (double, tremolo,whatever you want to call it) picking is doin Dicks thing.
I am not a big fan of his sound, but in the context of miserlou it is great! It is not about nuance. There are a lot of differing opinions here (SG101), and that makes it a lot more interesting to hang around. For me, I think Reverb is over-used and that Brownface amps are harsh, (That alone ought to start a major flame war)
Back to Dick, he is a VERY nice guy, and deserves to be a bit full of himself. And I agree... a creative individual doin' it his way.
Ya gotta see him live at LEAST once. Itâll probably alter your perception, specially if you have him sign something.
Tom
— THe NEpTuNeS
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sidewalksurf
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 243
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 02:30 PM
Dick Dale's 60's instrumentals are great. He set a standard early on and a lot of the burgeoning bands and guitar players of that era emulated his sound and style. He's known for the heavy staccato picked stuff, but some of his other stuff like "Surfin Rebel" or "Tidal Wave" is just as big and powerful, IMO. I don't really dig his modern stuff and haven't seen him live since 93...so can't really comment on that.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 02:46 PM
I'm not a big Dick Dale fan. I've heard his earlier stuff. My gripe isn't with the tone, but the songs themselves. I like some stuff and I think some stuff is so so. I do love California Sun though, probably the only one on this board.
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mom_surfing
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 5305
the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 03:50 PM
JakeDobner
I'm not a big Dick Dale fan. I've heard his earlier stuff. My gripe isn't with the tone, but the songs themselves. I like some stuff and I think some stuff is so so. I do love California Sun though, probably the only one on this board.
your are not alone, i really like california sun also...carol
— www.surfintheeye.com
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HBkahuna
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 1778
Star, Idaho. Formerly lived in Surf City USA.
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 05:57 PM
I like the song & the sun...
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deabud
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 29
Lemont, IL
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 06:48 PM
The Wedge is one of my favorites...
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Anonymous
Joined: Nov 10, 2000
Posts: -180
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 09:05 PM
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 09:20 PM
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Anonymous
Joined: Nov 10, 2000
Posts: -180
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 09:52 PM
no because you ain't dick dale nor am i. technological fakery will not get anyone to DD.s place. he is where and what he is because that is where he put himself. he is the real thing. justmy humble opinion. peace jakedobner!
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HBkahuna
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 1778
Star, Idaho. Formerly lived in Surf City USA.
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 10:27 PM
I respect DD for what he did early in his career & how he has managed to hang in there & even reinvent himself. He is a talented musician who plays other insturments besides the guitar. he doesnt smoke or do drugs. He is a savy business man and a doting father to his son Jimmy who is is obviously very proud of.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Nov 03 2006 10:49 PM
I wish I knew more about Dick's cancer. Being a survivor myself I am curious as to the course of his treatment, did he lose his hair, how many rounds, did the cancer metastasize anywhere else, et cetera. I didn't know about Dick's cancer until after I had my own. I actually probably found out about it around this time last year. I wish Dick would publicize it more like Lance Armstrong. There is nobody on earth I look up to more than Lance.
I haven't updated in a long time...
I officially went into remission on September 12th. That marked my 1 year of diagnosis.
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casey
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 521
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Posted on Nov 04 2006 05:40 AM
Like the man said, there's no accounting for taste - and as far as personal listening preferences go mine tend not to run towards DD. I have the greatest respect for his abilities and innovations, but its not what I usually put in the CD player.
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JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Nov 04 2006 11:25 AM
Another vote here for seeing him live. It's a totally different experience than listening to a CD or LP. I think that's true for most bands, but for DD it's essential.
— Don
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19298
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Nov 04 2006 12:09 PM
Jake you should send an email to Dick about his cancer experience. He seems to answer every email he gets. I also wonder if it is talked about in the McParland biography?
Back on topic: Miserlou, Hava Nagila, Night Rider, The Wedge, The Victor, Banzai Washout, Taco Wagon, Shake and Stomp, Let's Go Trippin', Esperanza, Mexico, Riders in the Sky, Nitro...need I say more?
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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MikeG
Joined: Mar 29, 2006
Posts: 309
Springfield, Oregon
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Posted on Nov 04 2006 12:11 PM
At least on his records he doesn't go into his "toxic waves" diatribe.
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JGibson
Joined: Jun 23, 2006
Posts: 17
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Posted on Nov 04 2006 12:48 PM
surfneptune
Anybody doing any fast (double, tremolo,whatever you want to call it) picking is doin Dicks thing.
Come on now, you can't be serious.....or do you really believe that statement? I'm not trying to start anything, but that claim is simply absurd.
I suppose Jimmy Bryant doesn't count...or Django Reinhart...or Eddie Lang...or Carl Kress and Dick McDonough....DD didn't invent "fast" picking...there were MANY players before him employing rapid alternate picking on the guitar....and doing it much cleaner than he'll ever hope to do....not to mention actually improvising strong melodic ideas over complex changes...IMO the melodic/harmonic content of DD's material is sorely lacking (but he definitely makes up for it with energy).
Just to be clear - I love DD....but it's definitely not "His" thing. Nothing he has ever played has even come close to pushing the limits of existing guitar technique...TONE? For sure! But not technique.
Josh
www.whollycatsband.com
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