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Well...I have all of the referenced compilations, and I'm not sure there
are that many "real treasures" on those discs; nevertheless, I would
agree in principal with Mr. BigHollowTwang. Although my own preference
is original music, we did play "Telstar" in combination with "Stranger
in Paradise", and call it "Surfer in Paradise" on our "Mrs. Moto"
album. I think that as long as you give the original music a different
perspective (look at what Planet Seven did recently with "The Long
Ride"), either by taking a fresh approach or playing it in a compatible
combination with another song (not a "medley"; rather, a "new" song
using some of the elements of other tunes), it can sound very
contemporary....and yes, and if played well people will generally like
it, whether or not it is easily recognizable.
...let's hope this does not turn into another "Cowabunga" flame
war...!!!
Best regards, Dana VIncent wrote:
> Guys, you might not agree with me but I really think there ought to
> be a LAW against playing Telstar.
> Or Pipeline, Wipe-out, Penetration, Surf Rider, Walk Don't Run, Baja,
> Miserlou and all the other "hits".
>
> If you're not going to write your own material, at least dig up some
> obscure tunes that haven't been covered to death. Sure, it's nice to
> play a song people actually recognize now and again...but why dig up
> the "Greatest Hits of Surf vol.1" for live performance?
>
> There's literally dozens of compilations of little-known surf tunes
> by bands that no one remembers, and usually there's some real
> treasures on these comps (you gotta hear "Diggin' Out" or "Wail on
> the Beach" or "New Wave Surf Party" - despite the lame name and even
> lamer cover artwork) that I don't hear modern bands covering very
> often.
>
> I have the same complaint to make about so-called rockabilly bands or
> blues bands that only play obvious covers that not only are
> immediately recognizable, but have been covered to death by other
> bands. It's "Oldies Syndrome" or something...hey, if you play well
> and put on a good show folks will like you even if they DON'T know
> the songs you're playing.
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