of the 60s, 70s and beyond....

Duane Eddy

Duane Eddy is still around and playing !

I remember his first instrumental which could be heard on the radio in Germany in 1958 : REBEL ROUSER . That intriguing “Twang”-sound has never lost its magic. Anybody who has ever really listened ( I mean listening while standing with full volume ) to the songs “THE TWIST” or “MISS TWIST” on the album “Twistin’  ‘N’ Twangin’”  will admit : That incredible momentum coming from those songs takes your breath away in an unparalleled, unique way. Duane’s music will certainly always find its worshippers in decades to come.

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My personal top 10

1

The Twist

2

Sugar Foot Rag

3

Rebel Rouser

4

The Ballad Of Paladin

5

The Feud

6

Shazam

7

Angel On My Shoulder

8

Peace In The Valley

9

The Lonely One

10

Cripple Creek

1

2

3

4

THE TWIST from the album “Twistin’ ‘n’ Twangin’” had completely shaken me up when I found it on my first Duane Eddy album in 1961 (!). It is superbly simple,has a rhythm that doesn’t let you sit in your chair and when it climaxes to high echoing guitar sounds I still get goose bumps...

Sugar Foot Rag - a powerful, never ending, driving guitar sound in exchange with other instruments - great. How can anybody repeat such a play without goofing - just a masterpiece.

Rebel Rouser - Probably THE number which made Duane famous. It was his the first number I ever heard - on AFN in Germany. As simple as it is - that haunting sound has been part of my life ever since - I wonder if Duane really knows what impact he had made in those days on young folks in Europe...

The Ballad Of Paladin - I can see the landscape of the “Wild West”, see a stage coach - an incredible powerful song. Absolute exact timing, clever arranged - just a treat . There are songs with a similar mood like “Because they are young” or  “Detour” - but this is my absolute favourite.

5

6

The Feud - that’s what I call a REAL instrumental. A Conversation between the drums and the guitar. Still showing a western touch - but full of surprises. A number to listen to - definitely no background music. Reminding me of “Shazam” or even “Whack Whack” by THE VENTURES . Great.

Shazam - another “real” instrumental - full of surprises, changing instruments and an enhancing melody. THE SHADOWS played it later, too - but Duane’s song just could not be improved. In particular the “American” drive in the song could not be repeated by his British counterparts. One of the outstanding songs I still love after listening to it 1000 times... 

 

7

8

9

10

Angel On My Shoulder - Duane and “Silky Strings” ? He made two albums ( “TWANGY GUITAR - SILKY STRINGS” and “LONELY GUITAR”) just for easy listening - something for “older” folks ? I loved those albums when I was 15 ! The unique “Twang Sound” with an extremely sensitive string arrangement - a whole world in itself. Other songs are equally good like his own composition “Memories Of Madrid”. Just the right stuff to soothe your nerves.

Peace In The Valley - I don’t know any other artist who does powerful,fast Rock’n Roll songs and then -this ! A real, almost piet blues with a touch of country - a must in a DE collection !

The Lonely One . One of those early songs with the air of the South West - almost rural with a touch of fresh air - just nice.  

Cripple Creek - on his album “SONGS OF OUR HERITAGE”DE plays completely different - no “Twang” - but real nice traditional guitar work - wish he had done more  of that type of music. Even standards like “Top Of Old Smokey” or “Streets Of Laredo” turn into a unique songs with a real western atmosphere. 

links:

Tony’s DE Tribute site

Jim Grant’s site

Jim Boot’s site

Duane Eddy Circle