The Gonzo Daily: MERRELL FANKHAUSER REVIEW

Monday 4 November 2013

MERRELL FANKHAUSER REVIEW

Merrell Fankhauser
Rainbow Bridge Revisited (CD/DVD)

Merrell Fankhauser and the island of Maui have a strong connection. The artist lived there for 14 years and experienced many different things related to UFO sightings. He came to know the people that were eye witnesses to those events.

Rainbow Bridge Revisited is CD/DVD set that Fankhauser has put together for Gonzo Multimedia and was released in June of this year. He has been one of those multifaceted artists covering several genres and with many interests outside of the music business. His ability to translate those experiences through his own music has carved out a unique niche.

Rainbow Bridge the original movie was the Jimi Hendrix movie. What Fankhauser sets out to do is interview some of the remaining cast of that movie. On the DVD you get firsthand accounts of UFO sightings through a series of interviews and some original footage of surfers set to some of Merrell’s great surf rock tracks. There are several gems on both discs including the classic and very appropriate “Calling From A Star.” The rocking surf tunes set the tone. One of my all-time favorites and in my opinion the best Merrell has ever performed is “Monster Swell.” The track is filled with all the drama and unpredictability of the ocean. The song goes through several changes and it is a complete masterpiece of surf rock. “Wild Gyrations” is another classic that will put the sun in your heart, the warm sand of the beach on your toes and images of surfers riding the immense waves of the Hawaii surf.

Although the footage of the surfers is quite old it gets the idea of the theme and location over quite well. If you are looking for an HD quality video this is not it. If you appreciate up close interviews and hearing about experiences of UFO siting’s and can appreciate surf rock music then you will love this set.

Merrell has always done a terrific job providing fascinating stories of his own, interviewing people that had their own tales to tell and then adding some great music to make the experience complete.

Watching and listening to all of this puts your head somewhere else and it offers a different perspective of reality. Some of the people being interviewed were spaced out old hippies but you simply cannot deny some of the events that have taken place on the islands of Hawaii. These accounts are just a part of the long history of extraterrestrial sightings that have been witnessed over the years. What makes it special is the involvement of one of the most respected and admired musical talents we have ever known, Merrell Fankhauser. This is a documentary you will not want to miss!