Baby Let's Play House - The Astronauts, Gunter, Arthur
Let's Go Trippin' - The Astronauts, Dale, Dick [1]
Batman - The Astronauts, Hazlewood, Lee
Bo Diddley - The Astronauts, Diddley, Bo
If I Had a Hammer - The Astronauts, Hays, Lee
It's So Easy - The Astronauts, Holly, Buddy
Dream Lover - The Astronauts, Darin, Bobby
Wine, Wine, Wine - The Astronauts, Allday
Money (That's What I Want) - The Astronauts, Bradford, Janie
Big Boss Man - The Astronauts, Dixon, Luther
Stormy Monday - The Astronauts, Walker, T-Bone
Shortnin' Bread - The Astronauts, Traditional
I Need You - The Astronauts, Nelson, Rick
What'd I Say - The Astronauts, Charles, Ray [1]
If surf music's all-time heavyweight champions the Trashmen can hail from Minneapolis (where the lake swell wouldn't wipe out a canary), why shouldn't a landlocked cowabunga powerhouse emerge from Boulder, Colorado? That w... more »ould be the Astronauts, whose lead guitarist, Rich Fifield (with the aid of legendary L.A. producer David Hassinger) wrung from his axe the wettest reverb known to humanity. Workmanlike vocals are split between Fifield and bassist Stormy Patterson, but stellar versions of "Misirlou" and "Pipeline" on Surfin' that are what set the group apart from the pack. The second record included on this CD, A-OK, attempts a little genre splicing, surfing up versions of Trini Lopez's hit "If I Had a Hammer" and Buddy Holly's "It's So Easy." Surprisingly, the concept holds water. --Jud Cost« less
If surf music's all-time heavyweight champions the Trashmen can hail from Minneapolis (where the lake swell wouldn't wipe out a canary), why shouldn't a landlocked cowabunga powerhouse emerge from Boulder, Colorado? That would be the Astronauts, whose lead guitarist, Rich Fifield (with the aid of legendary L.A. producer David Hassinger) wrung from his axe the wettest reverb known to humanity. Workmanlike vocals are split between Fifield and bassist Stormy Patterson, but stellar versions of "Misirlou" and "Pipeline" on Surfin' that are what set the group apart from the pack. The second record included on this CD, A-OK, attempts a little genre splicing, surfing up versions of Trini Lopez's hit "If I Had a Hammer" and Buddy Holly's "It's So Easy." Surprisingly, the concept holds water. --Jud Cost
CD Reviews
2 ringing Fender lead guitars for crisp mid-60's surf/rock
07/15/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This group harkens back to simpler times when hot Fender Jaguars and Jazzmasters produced ringing rock and surf tunes. A polished group featuring twin lead guitars! Smooth as silk surf sounds and great cover songs of the mid-60's. A time when rock was pure and simple and ringing guitar instrumentals were "tough". Boulder, Colo based Astronauts toured campuses nationwide with their resume of great dance music. "Polished" best describes their act...heads above other campus based groups of the era, ie. Kingsmen etc. Fans of the early 60's campus touring bands sounds will love these CD's. Fender guitar fans will rejoice."
Rock At Its Best!
Dennis Fria | City By The Sea, TX United States | 06/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a lifelong fan of these guys I had to replace my worn out vinyl of these two LP's, which I purchased in 1963 and '64! Polished really doesn't describe their performances! Electric is more like it! Inspiration to a hundred "garage bands" these guys knew how to turn on a crowd. Incidentally, they were the No. 3 band in Japan for many years, right after the Beatles and the Ventures! This CD has some of the best Surf Genre music ever recorded - timeless! Buy it - you'll love it!"
The Best Surf Group---Ever.
Carl Beckmann | 03/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the 60's every chance I had I would go to the University of Denver Student Union or Eliche's to dance to these guys. Unlike groups like the Beach Boys, The Astronauts were as good in person (actually better given the true sound)as on the LP's. Buy it if you like the surf sound, it won't disappoint."
SURFIN WITH THE ASTRONAUTS/EVERTHING IS A-OK
Robert Follansbee | 05/28/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I JUST BOUGHT THIS CD AND I LOVED IT. I USED TO HAVE THE VINYLS OF BOTH AND WAS THRILLED THAT THESE WERE REISSUED ON CD'S. I PLAY SURF MUSIC AND I JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE 2 FENDER JAGUARS AND IN MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION YOU CANT MAKE GOOD SURF MUSIC WITHOUT ONE. I THINK THE ASTRONAUTS WERE UNDERRATED IN THEIR TIME. I THINK IF YOU LIKE SURF MUSIC YOU REALLY LIKE THE ASTRONAUTS. WHO SAYS YOU HAVE TO BE FROM CALIFORNIA TO MAKE GOOD SURFIN TUNES."
Harken back to those thrilling days of yesteryear...
Robert Follansbee | Dorchester, MA USA | 04/21/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I would have given this 5 stars on the merit of the music, but I grew up in Denver listening to the Astronauts (at least until 1965 or so) and attempting to sound like them in my bands, so I figure I'm probably biased and tried to compensate. I first learned to get the breaking surf sound from the beginning of Wipe Out by watching Rich Fifield kick his reverb. They were (and are) amazing in that they were dead on with the surf sound, while also being able to kick it with the sound of black R&B and early rock 'n' roll. It's ironic that this latter sound would be such a heavy influence on the Brits who were storming the shores at the same time and whose invasion would ultimately spell the end for the Astronauts."