Dick Dale Calling Up Spirits CD

The second album released after Dick Dale's post-PULP FICTION career rehabilitation, 1996's CALLING UP SPIRITS takes up where 1994's UNKNOWN TERRITORY had left off, blending elements of world music and R&B into the surf-guitar style that Dale almost single-handedly invented. As the title and cover art suggest, there's a level of spirituality in this music that you don't normally associate with instrumental surf. Indeed, the title track and "Temple of Gizeh" are almost religious in their intensity.

But this isn't new age mush. Dale's music is distinctly and, as shown by the startling vocal version of Little Willie John's classic "Fever," startlingly earthy. Elsewhere, Dale invests his version of Hendrix's "Third Stone from the Sun"--yes, the "you will never hear surf music again" one--with exactly the sort of screw-you spirit implied in that choice of cover songs.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

Personnel: Dick Dale (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, trumpet); Dick Dale & the Del-Tones (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, trumpet); Bobby Strickland (didjeridu, background vocals); Vince Welnick (piano, organ, background vocals); Ron Eglit (bass guitar, background vocals); Prairie Prince, Scott Mathews (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Dick Dale; Dick Dale & the Del-Tones; Allen Sudduth; Ron Eglit.

Liner Note Author: Dick Dale.

Recording information: Praire Sun Recording, Cotati, CA (01/1996); Prairie Sun Studios, Cotati, CA (01/1996).

Personnel: Dick Dale (vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar, trumpet); Bobby Stricklan (didgeridoo, background vocals); Vincent Welnick (piano, Hammond organ, background vocals); Ron Eglit (bass, background vocals); Prairie Prince, Scott Mathews (drums, percussion, background vocals); Jill Dale (drums, background vocals); Ko Mathews (background vocals).

Entertainment Weekly (6/7/96, p.60) - "The king of surf guitar, playing with speed, precision, and passion, still delivers moments of jaw-dropping, how'd-he-do-that listening..." - Rating: B
Q (7/96, pp.109-110) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Influences include garage, punk, spaghetti Western and mariachi, but above them all towers the cranked-up fire of surf guitar....buzzing energy levels are briefly toned down to dish out splendid low-key covers of `Fever' and...`Third Stone From The Sun'..."
Alternative Press (10/96, pp.80-82) - 3 (out of 5) - "...chock full of...double picked, reverb drenched, squealy guitar..."
Musician (8/96, p.90) - "...Pure physical joy wholly unbesmirched by the passive alienation that has wholly besmirched alternative rock. Buy it and your inner child will jump with gratitude, while your inner college student will go, `Huh?'"
NME (Magazine) (5/18/96, p.52) - 7 (out of 10) - "...The King of Surf Guitar has unleashed 13 new tracks brimming with the kind of electrifying staccato-geetar kitsch-a-rama that's designed to have you doing a funny '50s dance..."