Del-Fi Hotrodders: The Darts, The De-Fenders, The Deuce Coupes
This anthology assembles the Darts' Hollywood Drag (1963), the De-Fenders Drag Beat (1963) and the Deuce Coupes' Hotrodder's Choice (1963) on to the appropriately-named Del-Fi Hotrodders (2004) double-CD set. Although the respective names of the three combos suggest different bands, producer Bob Keane actually amassed an all-star cast of West Coast studio instrumentalists, mixed in some canned effects of hot rods peeling out or motoring up and ultimately created several platters of original material. Notable session heavies participating in these recordings include Glenn Ross Campbell (guitar), David Gates (guitar), Earl Palmer (drums), Michel Rubini (keyboards), Leon Russell (keyboards) -- credited as Russell Bridges -- Plas Johnson (sax), Tommy Tedesco (guitar), Ray Pohlman (bass), Hal Blaine (drums), Bill Pitman (guitar), Jimmy Bond (bass), Jay Migliori, (sax), Jim Horn (sax), Roy Caton (trumpet), Dale Hallcom (bass) and Larry Bright (guitar). Under the guise of the Darts, these A-list players perform the slight rural and ramblin' "Street Machine," the noir "Hippie's Delight" and the pedal-to-the-metal, rubber burnin' "Alky Burner," "Detroit Iron" and "Slauson & Soto" and the forceful fretwork of the title track "Hollywood Drag." The De-Fenders' release boasts a practically indiscernible reading of the Beach Boys' "Little Deuce Coupe," suffering from the same generic prototypical aural aerobics given to the lightly syncopated overhaul of Dale Hawkins' "Suzy Q" renamed "Deuces Wild." Additional selections worthy of spinning are Tommy Tedesco's (guitar) inspired swagger and twang on "Taco Wagon," the soulful, bluesy "Movin' and Groovin'" and the distinct R&B-influenced; "Wheelin' Home." The Deuce Coupes' collection is arguably the best of the lot with the limber "Nite Prowler," as well as the belligerent "Satan's Chariot." Yet it is "Gear Masher" that takes the prize for the nastiest automobile sounds, giving the listener an impression of what a tortured and possessed car must sound like. Needless to say, for fans of the genre, Del-Fi Hotrodders is a thrill-a-minute highly recommended ride. ~ Lindsay Planer, Rovi