Search - Chantays :: Pipeline

The Chantays Rode The Pipeline To The Top, Then Wiped Out!

Mike King | Taunton, MA United States | 08/27/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The Chantays consisted of Bob Spickard on lead guitar, Brian Carman on rhythm guitar, Warren Waters on bass guitar, Rob Marshall on piano and Bob Welch (not the musician from Fleetwood Mac) on drums. "Pipeline" was released in 1962 and became a regional hit in Southern California. It's popularity grew and, by 1963, it peaked at number 4 on the pop charts. It's an incredible single that still sounds as fresh today as the day it was recorded. Unfortunately for the Chantays, their initial success was never duplicated. Their follow-up single, "Monsoon," failed to make the top 100. Clocking in around 38 minutes, the 15 songs contained in this collection showcase the strengths and weaknesses of the Chantays.PIPELINE - The greatest surf instrumental of all time. No surf music collection is complete without this song.
THE LONESOME ROAD - A rocking version of the old standard.
TRAGIC WIND - It has the same opening riff as "Pipeline." This tune features the piano to great effect.
RUNAWAY - The Chantays do a surf version of the Del Shannon hit with mixed results.
BLUNDERBUS - Written by Spickard and Carman, this rocker really moves!
BANZAI - It's another blazing instrumental with great drum work.
SLEEP WALK - Its' a sleepy cover of the Santo and Johnny hit, which won't make you forget the original version.
NIGHT THEME - It's an uninspired cover of an obscure song by the Phantoms.
WAYWARD NILE - Written by Tony Asher, it has a memorable melody.
EL CONQUISTADOR - It's a surfed up version of "Malaguena" with some great Spanish flourishes.
RIDERS IN THE SKY - The Chantays take some liberties with the melody of "Ghost Riders In The Sky."
LAST NIGHT - It's a great version of the Mar-Keys hit. The Chantays are firing on all cylinders on this song.
MOVE IT - It's a rave-up, complete with whoops and hollers. It was the original A side of the "Pipeline" single!
MONSOON - Their failed second single, it's a great rocker that features an electric piano, which was unusual for 1963.
SCOTCH HIGH'S - The B side to "Monsoon," it's merely a variation of the melody of "Pipeline.""