The subtitle to “Surfers Journey” is “a musicultural experience”, and
the listener experiences it right away. The first song, “Intro”, is
narrated in a traditional Hawaiian style called “talking story”. “We are
surfer.” the narrator, bassist Nicky Ravine, explains. “We explore the
ever-changing boundary between land and water.” In their monthly live
shows at the Molokai Bar at Ft. Lauderdale’s Mai-Kai restaurant, Cutback
use talking stories to lead their audiences through their music, to
understand where it comes from, and what it’s about. Not song lyrics,
consider them song notes. The talking story of “Intro” explains a
surfer’s world-view while the sounds of crashing surf are heard over
lovely Tiki-inspired percussion and a gently blowing breeze of bass and
guitar. I can almost smell the ocean and see the surf while listening.
So compelling is the illusion, I was convinced the track included the
sounds of shorebirds, but it doesn’t. The album already had me under its
sway.
There are no more talking stories accompanying the other tracks until
the last one, fittingly titled, “Outro”. But all the songs are
accompanied by their own descriptive subtitles, which provide a hint of
explanation. I’ve included them here. Sometime, I’d like to hear the
real talking stories about each song.
Surf Fever
There’s only one cure.
The surf must have big when this song was inspired. This is a
fast-paced wild ride of a song. It’s got a beat that makes me want to
jump up and dance. This is surf music! Make that SURF MUSIC! Call it
modern traditional surf music, if it has to be called anything. Lots of
feel-good energy. There is a vocal of sorts, more of a vocalization, of
the fearful excitement of a surfer falling a long way down off a board
head-first into the heavy foam far below. That sound. Fun stuff, the
song, not wiping out like that. Have you caught Surf Fever?
New Dawn
Across the faint horizon…
One of my musical fantasies is a surf concept album that starts with a
new dawn rising slowly over the ocean’s horizon. This beautiful song
could be that opening song, with its romantic guitars, swaying Latin
rhythm, and a lovely melody that lingers like the scent of the sea on a
gentle breeze. Tranquil. Beautiful. Evocative. Spiritual. Then the sun
suddenly breaks over the horizon of the ocean. And it’s a glorious
sunrise, fiery and luminous, full of life. But as the sunrise continues,
as above a real shore, the startling brilliance fades into the growing
overall light, and the original mood returns. I keep playing this song
over and over. I want to learn this song. I want to play “New Dawn” on
the ocean shore at sunrise. This song is wonderful, full of wonder at
the scene it lovingly portrays.
The Liquidator
Surf vs. Spy.
If you think you’ve heard “The Liquidator” before, you probably have,
but not like this. Written by Lalo Schfrin, it’s the title song for the
1965 spy thriller of the same name, and is sung by Shirley Bassey.
Rather than do a straight instrumental cover, the song is reinvented by
Cutback, and their version is spectacular! Through the opening avalanche
of drums, the catchy Latin rhythm, period-perfect sound and feel of the
guitars, killer bass, and yet more amazing drums, I can see it all now.
The dimly lit clubs, the regulars, the out-of-placers, the booze, the
cigarette smoke, the villains, the girls, the danger. This song catches
the mood so completely I can almost touch the… scenery. Those were the
days, and I want to go!
Tubo Mexicana
The tubes of Playa Zicatela.
Located in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, Playa Zicatela, known for big
surf that resembles the famous Pipeline, is a place where large swells
break into long hollow tubes. It’s the site of Mexican and World Masters
Surfing Championships. The song has a rolling, swooping feel that
conveys what it must be like to surf down the big wave into those tubes,
if you can get there, and stay inside the tunnel of roaring water.
Hypnotic. If you can do it right, you want to do it again.
Waanaleia Bay
The most beautiful bay on Earth.
I was initially surprised by this song. I expected a piece of
tranquil music like “New Dawn”. But this is a fairly fast dance song. I
guess the surf’s up here, and it must be pretty decent surf - not too
big, not too fast, but also not low and slow. The sound and feel of the
song tells of a surf spot that is just right for a decent surfer looking
for a great day with plenty of wonderful rides. It must be a lovely
place, for the melody is. It must be the sort of spot where friends stay
long after the last ride, to eat, play music, and dance long into the
night, to songs like “Waanaleia Bay”.
Witches Rock
Deep in the jungle of Costa Rica.
Hear the birds and animals? Their sounds populate this lively song.
Relates Frank Ferraro, “The jungle sound effects (SFX) were actually
recorded live by guitarist Rich LaVoir during his travels to Central
America. Richard is a sound engineer by education and loves to record
ambient sounds of nature during his travels.” This is one rockin’
four-plus minutes of surf music. Most surfers go to Costa Rica for the
surfing, which is very good. But the song recommends taking a day off to
go on a jungle tour. You’ll be glad you did.
151 Rum Swizzle
Under the influence of the Mai-Kai Molokai.
Two minutes and thirty-two seconds of, well, let’s just say that if
you’re the sort of person who drives under the influence of music, don’t
listen and drive. But if you like to get up and jump crazily around –
you know who you are - under the influence of a clever, driving beat and
catchy, wild, fuzzed-out melody, go for it. You won’t care who’s
watching. Just do it! You can always blame it on the song. As for that
tasty concoction the song’s named after… well, you can blame it on that,
too. Just don’t surf and drive.
Atlantico
If you can surf here, you can surf anywhere.
Another song that caught me by surprise. I had some trouble linking
the subtitle to the song, which by the way is cheery and uplifting. So I
asked Frank Ferraro about it. Turns out Cutback wanted to show the
Atlantic Ocean some surf love. The Pacific Ocean gets all the fame and
glory from California and Hawaii to Australia, and all the surf songs.
Yet, Frank tells me, “The East Coast of the United States, and in
particular Florida, has produced more world class surfing champions and
Pipeline Masters than any other region of the world.” That’s impressive!
Must be something in the water. “Atlantico” represents the good old
unappreciated Atlantic Ocean just fine.
Secret Spot
Everybody’s got one.
This song swings! It’s got a real swingin’ beat that makes me want to
grab a girl and cut a rug. If there’s a place where the surf is like
this, it must be something special. There must be secret spots up and
down the coasts, known only a few locals, where the surf is great and no
one else goes. But don’t tell anyone else, or everyone will show up.
Let’s keep this spot just between us, okay? But please tell everyone
about the song. It’s fantastic!
Cutback
A musical journey.
Okay. Where does a wave take a surfer? The thing about surfing is, it
seems like it’s just a short, wet, exciting ride back to where you
started. The shore. But the thing about surfing is that no two rides are
identical, therefore each experience is new, different. No matter how
many times you catch a wave in the same spot, it’s never the same wave.
Though a wave may have travelled thousands of miles, suddenly, in an
instant, it’s gone… Each wave presents a new experience, another
opportunity to learn something new. We change with each experience. What
did we learn? In what way are we new? Surfers will end up at day’s end
back on the shore, often on the same beach that began their day. But
they surfed, therefore they changed, therefore they lived. That’s quite a
trip!
Shark Pit
Somewhere on the Treasure Coast.
“Shark Pit” is such a visually strong title. I see a deep underwater
hole teaming with marine life, and hungry sharks. Somewhere on the
Treasure Coast? Where sunken ships are hidden in the shark pit, laden
with gold and silver. Want to go treasure hunting there? You gotta swim
with the sharks, if you can find it first. Maybe it’s the whizzing,
swishing sound that keeps being repeated and repeated, but the song
seems to imply a spear-gun might come in handy. Just another nice day in
the water! Maybe it’s better to surf inside?
Na-Na-Neki
Follow the coast and find your love.
Like to dance? This’ll get you up on your feet. So much fun in under
three minutes. Just dance yourself happy and you’ll find your love, the
song seems to be saying. Who am I to argue? This song give me grins as
long as it’s playing. I feel happier just listening to it. I think you
will, too.
Spanish House
Somewhere near Shark Pit.
A place of romance, mystery, intrigue. Is anyone here whom they seem?
Are you? It’s a place to go to forget your past, and maybe meet your
destiny, if not exactly your future. Inside Spanish House, the outside
doesn’t exist at all. Forget your cares, as long as they don’t walk
through the door. Just don’t let down your guard, no matter how relaxed
you may feel. Dance a Tango. You must. The rhythm of the song won’t let
you go. It captures you like piercing dark eyes framed by long jet-black
hair, then captivates, lingers, like a perfect memory, always. You’ll
smile a melancholy smile, later. The memory is something you can’t
forget.
The Aloha Stomp
The new Surfer’s Stomp.
After a day of great surfing with good friends, and the obligatory
cookout, what could possibly make the day even better? Crank up the
stereo! It’s dancing on the beach party time! This foot-tapping romp is
one terrific dance song. It’s got the beat, the speed, the catchy
melody. All you need is your friends and this song. Then just dance the
night away. And, while you’re at the Mai-Kai, enjoy their newest
concoction inspired by this song, The Aloha Stomp.
Conan The Surfarian
For Da Bull.
Greg Noll. Da Bull. So nicknamed long ago because of the way Greg
planted himself on those big guns he invented, and charged down the huge
waves he rode. Almost a Sumo wrestler’s stance. He looked like he was
daring the surf to knock him off his board. If anyone has earned the
right to be called the Conan of Surf, it’s Greg Noll. Conan the
Surfarian, indeed! It’s the perfect song to watch films of Greg surfing
those big waves at Waimea Bay. I know. I looked up a few film clips and
played them while listening to “Conan The Surfarian”. Try it yourself.
Can you surf with Da Bull?
Outro
Inhale… exhale… evolve.
The day is over. The last wave ridden. The sun has set. The fire has
died down to softly glowing embers, and then, finally… out. People are
quiet now, the loud talk and laughter silenced by the peaceful night and
the clear sky so full of stars. Do you remember the very first time you
ever saw the Milky Way on a dark night? I mean, did you see it on a
perfectly clear night without any lights at all, even the moon, to spoil
the darkness? From horizon to horizon, did you see nothing but the
pitch black sky so wondrously full of stars? Did you ever do that after a
day spent surfing? It’s time to reflect, listen to the waves. Maybe
someone is off, quietly playing a guitar. What did you learn today? The
talking story begins. “Explore. Encounter. Envision… “ You’re not
exactly who you were when the day began. No one can ride the waves as
intimately as a surfer without being changed by the experience. You
change because you surf. It’s hard not to.
My musical bonding with “Surfers Journey” started with the beginning
of “Intro” and strengthened with each song. What I wrote about “Surf
Fever” is, I believe, true for the whole album. I think “Surfers
Journey” by Cutback is a modern classic surf record. The sound and feel
is just right there. The music mostly stays on the beach or in the
water. Or else is about experiences familiar to surfers, especially
those who chase the summer to far-off places where the great surf is.
You paddle out to this music, sit waiting for good waves that always
seem to come when you’re ready, and catch a great ride. And you do it
again and again, until the day is done and you’re ready to relax with
friends, reveling in the weather, the water, the rides, the joy of
everything, the companionship. I think that’s important. Companionship.
The music on “Surfers Journey” suits friends who surf together. It has
a, “Hey everybody, surf’s up! Let’s all go surfin’!” sound and feel. I
like “Surfers Journey”. I like it a lot.
Cutback are:
Rich LaVoir – Guitar and Special Effects
Frank Ferraro – Guitar and Thereminator
Nicky Ravine – Bass and Narrative
Elliot Crawford – Drums and Percussion
All songs by Cutback, except The Liquidator, which is written by Lalo Schifrin and Peter Callander.
Art by Nicky Ravine
SFX by Rich LaVoir
Cutback are at
cutbacksurfband.com and on Facebook at
facebook.com/cutbacksurfband
“Surfers Journey” will soon be available from Deep Eddy Records and cdbaby.
