Track Listing

1. Nitro
2. New Victor
3. Esperanza
4. Shredded Heat
5. Trail of Tears
6. Caravan
7. Eliminator
8. Speardance
9. Hot Links: Caterpillar Crawl
10. Hot Links: Rumble
11. Long Ride
12. Tribal Thunder

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #123357 in Music
• Released on: 1993-06-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.com
Dick Dale is not only "King of the Surf Guitar," he is the living embodiment of the style itself, something he has not forgotten. This disc shows that being the king is good enough for Dale. He stays close to the style he invented, his idea of changing with the times being to play loud, fast, and reverb-drenched guitar. While this will not make anyone feel like they can throw away their old Capitol singles, it does show that Dale has not aged much, nor at all his raw surf guitar style--as is the case with all his recent recordings. --Skip Heller

Customer Reviews

A Must Have
OK--You've purchased the definitive Dick Dale compilation ("Better Shred Than Dead: The Dick Dale Anthology" of 1997) and love it. Where to go from there? In truth, EVERY Dale CD is worth having. There are two basic categories of Dale music: his classic 1960s material, and his "comeback" work since the early 1990s. This release is the best of the latter category, but there's more to know....

Two other compilations were issued before "Shred":

"The Best of Dick Dale and his Del-Tones" (Rhino, 1989). Only two cuts here are not included on "Shred," but one of them is the absolutely essential "The Victor." The tracking sequence is also quite different, so true fans will need to own this.

"Dick Dale and his Del-Tones: Greatest Hits, 1961-1976" (GNP Crescendo, 1992). This has 21 cuts, including many not on "Shred" or "Best of," such as "Surf Buggy," "Del-Tone Rock," "Death of a Gremmie," and "Peter Gunn." About half the cuts are Dale's original early 1960s versions, with the other half coming from a 1975 session. These later recordings have a distinctly different sound: they are looser, faster, and more "live" in feeling. They reveal Dale and the Del-Tones as the ultimate surf "garage" band of all time! Even less-than-successful songs like "Sloop John B" don't detract from the quality and energy of this compilation. Highly recommended.

Dale's work since the early 1990s:

"Tribal Thunder" (1993) is a masterpiece--simply perfect. Only two cuts are included on "Shred," but every one on this CD is a winner. To get a sense of both Dale's consistency and stylistic evolution, compare this CD's "The New Victor" with his earlier versions ("The Victor") on "The Best of" and "Greatest Hits." A must have.

"Unknown Territory" (1994) is slightly less consistent than "Tribal Thunder" but still great and very highly recommended. Only two cuts are included on "Shred."

"Calling Up Spirits" (1996) is nearly as perfect as "Tribal Thunder." Don't be put off by the weak cover art--this is a great release. Once again, only two cuts from this are included on "Shred."

"Spacial Disorientation" (2001). This post-"Shred" release is Dale's least cohesive yet, but still well worth owning. The first five cuts are in his best rip-roaring, high-energy tradition. Most of the rest, however, are in a very different bluesy, soulful, and acoustic vein. These are heartfelt and personal, but simply different from what most people would expect. Not the Dale release to start with, but certainly worth owning.

Dick Dale is a national musical treasure.

That's a pick dispenser mounted on his guitar
Way back when, TJ and I useta crank up Dick Dale on those long night drives back from the coast. The main problem then as now was keeping the speakers from rattlin. The definitive DD album up to the release of Tribal Thunder was Surfer's Choice. Surfer's Choice was the high-energy mysterioso fun beat. Hooray for the sound track of Pulp Fiction--the opening run of "Miserlou" brought to a more sophisticated `90s consciousness the power that was so foreign to the midwest farmer's daughter. Dick Dale is a true American original, and 30 years after Surfer's Choice, Tribal Thunder is a stunning expansion of his vision. DD finally found some drummers who understand, and the result is a celebration of intrigue, virtuosity and primitivism. Try to keep your amps below red line.

Unbelievable
This is a phenomenally good CD. There are no weak tracks at all, just great hard driving Dick Dale music. The amazing thing is that for all the energy Dale puts into his playing, he's never out of control. Even if you don't know where he's going, just hang on he'll take you there in a hurry.

This CD is a must if you have to drive a long distance. You will definitely get there sooner, if you're assisted by this music. But if you're stuck in traffic, turn it off; bottling up this kind of energy could be dangerous.

Last, put this CD on at a party. Everyone who doesn't know goes "Who...is that? It's great!!" ...