Search - Tim Coffman :: Beach & Guitar - Surf and Hawaiian Style

CD Review-Beach & Guitar / Surf and Hawaiian Style Producer/Musician Tim Coffman / © 2004 Rolltop Records Greg Wallace-Independent Music Reviews Indianapolis, Indiana When I left my 30-year home of San Diego with my Midwestern bride a few years ago, I had little idea how much my life had been given form and shape by the beach ? just as C. S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity how a fish has no concept of "wet." Well, Lord knows I?ve tried, but all these years later and despite my half-hearted best efforts, it?s still pretty obvious that, I?m "not from around these parts," as one kind-hearted observer once helpfully pointed out to me. Small wonder, though. I guess Sherlock?s first clue could have been my bleached blonde hair, Pacific Beach Lifeguard T-shirt, well-worn harachi sandals, or maybe even my language sprinkled liberally with "dude", "boss", "gnarly", and the like. I?m thinking, though, that the biggest giveaway was Tim Coffman?s latest effort, Beach & Guitar, blazing from my car stereo. A little history here: Over the past two decades or so, Tim Coffman has earned a well-deserved reputation as the heart and mind of San Diego-based Rolltop Records, bringing out the very best in the numerous artists who he has produced at Rolltop Studio. However, it wasn?t until the 2002 release of Coffman?s delightfully retro This is Fun, that the producer/musician had the opportunity to give life to some of his own music. That was followed in 2003 with the internationally-flavored and equally compelling Nonstop to Paris. This brings us to Beach & Guitar, a collection of original tunes penned by Coffman that virtually shimmer in the hot sun and sand of Southern California and Hawaii. An outstanding effort that is, in Coffman?s words, "a product of everything I?ve ever heard." The album brings together some outstanding musicians familiar to those who know Coffman?s earlier work, as well as an ace or two uniquely suited to this specific project. Most notably, surf guitar ace and legend Paul Johnson (Belairs, Surfaris, Duotones) and the incomparable Hawaiian steel guitarist Greg Sardinna bring instant credibility to Beach & Guitar. In an unexpected and pleasant surprise, making a guest appearance is veteran drummer Dave Raven (Surfaris, Swirling Eddies, ad infinitum). A track-by-track review follows. Ode to My VW Bus
Having once owned a ?72 VW camper bus, I was immediately drawn to this tune before I even heard it. Upon hearing it for the first of many, many times, I?m convinced this evocative little paean to beach transportation represents everything right about this genre of music. This many years later, I need only to close my eyes when listening to this tune and I?m transported back to "Rails," a favorite haunt close to the San Onofre nuclear power plant in southern California. Warm water and consistently great waves. This is the first of three flat-out Paul Johnson rave-ups here and it sets the tone for much of the first "side" of the album. Surfer Strut
All the way through this engaging little piece featuring Johnson and Anthony Da Luz (Robert Vaughn and the Shadows) on guitars, I had something else playing in the back of my mind. There?s a persistent riff through much of the song that, when complimented by Coffman?s background vocals, makes perfect sense to me. Before the tune was over, it came to me: the vibe reminds me of former Eagle guitarist Don Felder?s riff in "Heavy Metal." JungleWave
Paul Johnson makes his third and final appearance on Beach & Guitar in this vintage rave-up deeply reminiscent of The Ventures classic "Walk Don?t Run." Dave Raven drives the tempo relentlessly and leaves little room for breathing until the song fades in the stereo. I never believed surf music needed to apologize for anything. This little tune is why. Oh, and by the way, Coffman penned these first three tunes about 10 years ago and shelved them, knowing the time would come when they would be heard. The