VA - Phantom Guitars: A Cool Collection of Twangin' Guitar Instrumentals From The UK 1961-1964 (2008)

These Guitar Instrumentals from the UK '61-'64 were a short period when groups took control. There's a quick visit to Joe Meek's studios, and a track from The Gladiators without Nero and more. Compiled by psych musician/Psychic Circle Records' Nick Saloman (The Bevis Frond). Artists included: The Falcons, The Krew Kats, The Phantoms, Bobby Taylor, The Hunters, Dennis Newey, The Executives, The Nu-Notes, The Cougars, The Champions, The Fentones, The Gimmicks, Dunhill & Weiser, The Packabeats, The Planets, Johnny Howard Group, Rhet Stoller, The Players, The Violents, Group X, The Barons, Bob Miller & The Millermen, The Vengers and The Royal Showband, Waterford. 25 tracks.

In the three year span between Rock & Roll and the full flush of Beat, guitar-led instrumental groups took control of the UK. In the wake of The Shadows and their magical brand of twanging melody, coffee bars, dancehalls and fairgrounds reverberated to the sound of Binson echo units and primitive Bigsby-esque tremolo arms. This CD ventures back in time a little further than previous Psychic Circle releases to round up a string-bending selection of some the finest examples of this genre. You'll hear an unreleased acetate from the guy who wrote the Match Of The Day theme, a live stormer from an Irish showband and a gem from Alvin Stardust's first backing band. There's a quick visit to Joe Meek's studios, and a track from The Gladiators without Nero, plus a whole lot more. Me? I'm having another go on the Dodgems.