LINK: Merrell Fankhauser Review

http://tickets.chandeliershade.org/2322/dvd-review-merrell-fankhausers-best-of-tiki-lounge-volumes-1-2/

DVD Review “Merrell Fankhauser’s ‘Best Of Tiki Lounge’ Volumes 1 & 2″

Starring: Merrell FankhauserBest of Tiki Lounge Volumes 1 & 2Distributed by: Gonzo MultiMedia1 DVD, 1 CD / Per VolumeDVD Running Time: 180 minutes / Per VolumeCD Running Time: 40 minutes / Per Volume

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Surf music legend Merrell Fankhauser has released two volume DVD’s with his ‘best of Tiki Lounge’. Tiki Lounge is Fankhauser’s TV show and each volume contains three-hours for some of the best episodes of the series. the DVD’s really scream 90′s production, they are really low quality including the menus. Obviously this was self-produced, so I will give it some leeway. the interviews are definitely dated as well especially since these episodes aired along time ago. Fans of Fankhauser though will enjoy the flashback to that period and his music with many cool guest stars.

Merrell Fankhauser is known best for being on the main innovators of surf music and psychedelic folk rock. he was also the leader of the instrumental surf group the Impacts who had the international hit “Wipeout”. Merrell’s credits include over 250 songs published and released. the first volume includes the following episode content “Instrumental Surf Show”, “Merrell Fankhauser and Friends”, “fast Cars and Rock and Roll”, “In Concert with Willie Nelson and Friends”. “Show with the Stars from the 50′s and 60′s” and “Spirit Tribute”. the second volume includes the following episode content “Road to Oregon”, “Nevada Desert Show (UFO Special)”, “a Night of Classic Rock”, “Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs”, “Rhino Event: L.a. Nugget’s Release”, “Fourth of July Show”.

The first volume is definitely my favorite of the two. I am not a big fan of his UFO inspired work. I do enjoy his surf music though quite a bit. the DVD quality of the programs are very home video recordings but again, I am really listening for the music so I can give a little bit back. Also these programs are from the 90′s, so there was obviously no high definition recording. If each three hours volume DVD is not enough for you, the package also includes a 40-minute audio CD that has music from the Tiki Lounge program.

Tiki Lounge Volume 1 CD Tracks: 1. Tiki Lounge , 2. We Love Tikis , 3. Island Life , 4. Excited , 5. Race Night , 6. Stolen Guitar Blues , 7. Since I Don’t have you , 8. Magic Chorus Line , 9. Lucille , 10. Dont Give up the Rock .Tiki Lounge Volume 2 CD Tracks: 1. Show 1 – Road Trip to Oregon , 2. Show 2 – Nevada Desert Show (UFO Special) , 3. Show 3 – Merrell Fankhauser and Friends: a Night of Classic Rock , 4. Show 4 – Mary Ramsey of ’10,000 Maniacs’ , 5. Show 5 – Rhino Event For the Release of ‘where the Action is! L.a. Nuggets 1965-1968′ , 6. Show 6 – 2010 Fourth of July Show .

To purchase Merrell Fankhauser ‘best of Tiki Lounge’ DVDs gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15360

LINK: Merrell Fankhauser, French Review

Another French review. I am not quite sure what to make of this, but I think he likes it. What he sees as defects, I see as strengths.

The original post can be found HERE

Rating: 6.0/10 Merrell Fankhauser is what it is common to call a legend in the field of Surf Music. A member of reference groups such as The Revels, The Impacts, The Exiles or HMS Bounty, the year he scored 60 in the typical style of the Southwest United States. Unfortunately for him, if the genre is entered into history, it is not really a profitable business perspective. Incurable melancholy of this holy period, Merrell has launched the production of a television program entitled "Tiki Lounge", allowing it to continue to promote this music and his golden years. It's a best of these productions that we present through two boxes each containing a DVD and CD 6 emissions recapitulating some songs performed by the master of places and friends through the various episodes. From the first images of a generic very cheap , you soon realize that the means are not equal to the passion of man. Even the Hawaiian dancers have clearly not enough repeated their short speech. In style, the video for the song "Excited" performed by Fankhauser with his son and some friends in his living room and filmed by a camera at the center of a circle formed by the musicians, or the 1991 concert immortalized by a single fixed camera with camcorder sound, are only the most striking examples of hyper-amateur side of what is being proposed. Vertices are also achieved on the occasion of the show called "Show with Stars from the 50's and 60's" combining several songs performed by Merrell with a soundtrack and only a drummer and a bassist does not know clearly that they play in playback, and artists performing such a radio talent, their interpretants as their former success in playback without always to remember the words. Yet, sincerity and naturalness of Fankhauser end up making the whole endearing, especially since in addition to being an excellent guitarist, the guy knows how to surround. Indeed, the famous concert in 1991 representing the second proposed issue, it is neither more nor less than Nicky Hopkins on keyboards, who has played with the Stones, the Who, the Kinks, John Lennon or Gary Moore to name them! We also find Merrell along with Willy Nelson and Willy K during a concert at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, an event organized by the group of New Age, Planetary Bandits, and the program which also featured Francine Reed. It is amusing to note the contrast between the voice and charisma of the famous blues singer and all the surfers in Hawaiian shirts, even if they remain sacred musicians!Other shoes crossing swords with Fankhauser, drummer Ed Cassidy, former sidekick Randy California of Spirit within, which group is dedicated the last issue of this first box. Although he blithely exceeded the 80 spring the divine bald yet has demonstrated a sacred groove in interpreting some titles in the company of Merrell. Finally, although much less known, we will draw attention to Tim, the son Fankhauser, who turns out to be a sacred left leg combined with a strong singer when he takes the microphone on the occasion of the resumption of "Lucille "Little Richard. This is a great time mixing freshness and naivete, which is offered with the first best of "Tiki Lounge". The most critical remarks will be divided between hysterical laughter and bitter face of so many blunders and so few resources. The most tolerant to let go before such sincerity and such a pleasant return to the past. Expect Volume 2 to see if the defects have been erased, or at least mitigated.

Buy his albums and DVDs here

LINK: Merrell Fankhauser review

DVD Review “Merrell Fankhauser’s ‘Best Of Tiki Lounge’ Volumes 1 & 2″

April 5, 2012 By Mike Gencarelli

Starring: Merrell Fankhauser
Best Of Tiki Lounge Volumes 1 & 2
Distributed by: Gonzo MultiMedia
1 DVD, 1 CD / Per Volume
DVD Running Time: 180 minutes / Per Volume
CD Running Time: 40 minutes / Per Volume

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Surf music legend Merrell Fankhauser has released two volume DVD’s with his ‘Best Of Tiki Lounge’. Tiki Lounge is Fankhauser’s TV show and each volume contains three-hours for some of the best episodes of the series. The DVD’s really scream 90′s production, they are really low quality including the menus. Obviously this was self-produced, so I will give it some leeway. The interviews are definitely dated as well especially since these episodes aired along time ago. Fans of Fankhauser though will enjoy the flashback to that period and his music with many cool guest stars.

Merrell Fankhauser is known best for being on the main innovators of surf music and psychedelic folk rock. He was also the leader of the instrumental surf group The Impacts who had the international hit “Wipeout”. Merrell’s credits include over 250 songs published and released. The first volume includes the following episode content “Instrumental Surf Show”, “Merrell Fankhauser and Friends”, “Fast Cars and Rock and Roll”, “In Concert with Willie Nelson and Friends”. “Show with the Stars from the 50′s and 60′s” and “Spirit Tribute”. The second volume includes the following episode content “Road to Oregon”, “Nevada Desert Show (UFO Special)”, “A Night of Classic Rock”, “Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs”, “Rhino Event: L.A. Nugget’s Release”, “Fourth of July Show”.

The first volume is definitely my favorite of the two. I am not a big fan of his UFO inspired work. I do enjoy his surf music though quite a bit. The DVD quality of the programs are very home video recordings but again, I am really listening for the music so I can give a little bit back. Also these programs are from the 90′s, so there was obviously no high definition recording. If each three hours volume DVD is not enough for you, the package also includes a 40-minute audio CD that has music from the Tiki Lounge program.

Tiki Lounge Volume 1 CD Tracks: 1. Tiki Lounge , 2. We Love Tikis , 3. Island Life , 4. Excited , 5. Race Night , 6. Stolen Guitar Blues , 7. Since I Don’t Have You , 8. Magic Chorus Line , 9. Lucille , 10. Dont Give Up The Rock .
Tiki Lounge Volume 2 CD Tracks: 1. Show 1 – Road Trip to Oregon , 2. Show 2 – Nevada Desert Show (UFO Special) , 3. Show 3 – Merrell Fankhauser and Friends: A Night of Classic Rock , 4. Show 4 – Mary Ramsey of ’10,000 Maniacs’ , 5. Show 5 – Rhino Event For The Release of ‘Where The Action Is! L.A. Nuggets 1965-1968′ , 6. Show 6 – 2010 Fourth of July Show .

To purchase Merrell Fankhauser ‘Best Of Tiki Lounge’ DVDs www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15360

MERRELL FANKHAUSER: Psychedelic Dreams

THE BEST OF MERRELL FANKHAUSER

London, UK – Music collectors worldwide rejoice! Legendary singer/songwriter/guitarist Merrell Fankhauser, who has led one of the most diverse careers in music, has released for the first time a new compilation 'The Best Of' two-CD set on UK's Gonzo MultiMedia. Featuring vintage tracks, hard to find gems and unreleased material, Merrell Fankhauser's 'The Best Of' is sure to please the most avid fan. Merrell Fankhauser is considered one of the main innovators of surf music and psychedelic folk rock, and is widely known as the leader of the instrumental group The Impacts who had the international hit “Wipeout”. His travels from Hollywood to his 15 year jungle experience on the island of Maui have been documented in numerous music books and magazines in the US and Europe. Merrell has gained legendary international status throughout the field of rock music; his credits include over 300 songs published and released.

“Merrell Fankhuaser 'The Best Of' is my first retrospective, a 2-CD set with songs from 1963 to now. It was a difficult task to pick a group of songs from nearly forty albums – I found a few unreleased gems along the way.” - Merrell Fankhuaser

Merrell Fankhauser 'The Best Of' features tracks spanning the majority of the music legend's extraordinary career; featuring Merrell And The Exiles (1963-64), Fapardokly (1966), Merrell And HMS Bounty (1968), MU (1971-74), and solo (1976-2011) including several unreleased recordings. Many tracks included on this compilation are hard to find, highly sought after, collector's items that have been out of print for many years, making Merrell Fankhauser 'The Best Of' the definitive collection.

Merrell Fankhauser has presented a number of television programs over the years including 'California Music', 'Route 66 TV Live', and in 2001 he began hosting a music show called 'Tiki Lounge' that airs on the California Central Coast, Southern California, Hawaii and parts of the East Coast. 'The Best Of The Tiki Lounge' volumes 1&2 DVDs feature highlights from Merrell's cable TV show and is also available now on Gonzo MultiMedia UK.

To purchase Merrell Fankhauser 'The Best Of' two-cd set: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15291/MERRELL_FANKHAUSER-The_Best_Of.html

To purchase Merrell Fankhauser 'Best Of Tiki Lounge' DVDs: www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15360

Visit the official Merrell Fankhauser website at www.merrellfankhauser.com

MERRELL FANKHAUSER: Review from Philly

Often regarded as one of the pioneers of surf music, guitarist Merrell Fankhauser (whose band, The Impacts, had a hit with “Wipeout” in 1963) has built up quite a respectable career and fanbase over the last few decades. In 2001, he began hosting a music show called Tiki Lounge, which aired on the East Coast. In it, Fankhauser explored the history of surf music and related genres by interviewing musicians, performing covers, and educating viewers. Recently, a 2 DVD/2 CD compilation entitled The Best of the Tiki Lounge was released, and for fans of the music, locations, personalities, and time period, it’s a fantastic collection.

Read on...