Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Fans of twangy instrumental rock (Ventures, Shadows, etc.) will be thrilled by this reissue set devoted to the legendary Edmonton group. Dakus and his band ruled Western Canada in the late 1950s and early ’60s. Tasty singles like “El Ringo” and the weird ’n’ wacky “Dog Food” brought them to the attention of producer Norman Petty (Buddy Holly), who eventually recorded “Pedro’s Pad” and “Side Winder” (both included here) at his Clovis, New Mexico studio. Irresistible stuff, with two more volumes to come.

Like The Ventures, The Shadows and other instrumental guitar bands in the 1960s, Wes Dakus & the Rebels offered a cool alternative to vocal groups of the day. The talented Edmonton outfit got to record at Buddy Holly’s legendary studio in Clovis, New Mexico where it cut such reverb-heavy originals as “Hobo,” “Sour Biscuits” and “Fried Rice.” Now thankfully back in circulation, these highly danceable tracks—including the slinky classic “Rattlesnake”—revive the twanging thrill of Canada’s pioneering beat group.