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"IN PROGRESSION"- The Knights

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Track Listings

Surf Instros Refashioned for a New Millenium

Combining trade and modern guitar

By Michael Daley, MA - CBC Radio, Toronto

"The Knights have hit upon a brilliant solution to the problem of revitalizing a historical musical form, using a fusion of the old and the new to point away to the future of surf-instrumental rock."

MAJOR PLAYERS
Jason Stewart – modern guitar; Dick Stewart – trad guitar; Ritch Stewart – bass; Steve Hudgins – percussion

A WALK THROUGH THE TRACKS

"In Progression" - A baroque march and some fuzzed-out arpeggios from Jason begin this powerhouse opener. Dick takes over for the tune proper a few seconds in, with Jason’s distorted backing. Following Dick’s clean, mellow statement, Jason returns with a multitracked guitar choir and solo. There is a slight Latin tinge to the rhythm section backing of bassist, Ritch Stewart, and drummer, Steve Hudgins. The opening section returns to bookend this song.

"Ragtime Surf" - An unusually subdued opening is followed by a harmonized minor-key riff from the father-son guitar team. The ragtime element can be heard in the surprisingly chromatic theme.

"Torreon" - Another high-energy romp, with the two electric guitars in tandem, one octave apart. The bridge section features some dense guitar harmonies. Jason’s distorted guitar provides a distant counterpoint to the proceedings. The coda is quite symphonic and dramatic, with overdubbed cymbal flourishes from Hudgins and a driving frat bass by Ritch.

"Yellow Jacket" - This, the first of two covers on this collection reanimates the ubiquitous surf anthem with a back-and-forth father and son guitar duel.

"Awakening" - A beautiful, fingerstyle opening gives way to a jazzy, upbeat guitar melody. Stewart's father and sons then establish a deadly accurate double-time backing that percolates under a restatement of the main theme. Yet another contrasting section follows and a final theme statement closes off proceedings.

"Surfin’ the Badlands" - Probably the most traditional surf-music melody and formal structure of this set, "Surfin’ the Badlands" displays the roots from which this contemporary version of The Knights springs. Jason Stewart contributes a soaring solo. Heads up for the ping-ponging stereo steel guitar overdubs played by Johnny Hogan.

"Pipeline" - The Chantays on steroids. Listen for Dick’s mastery of vintage, surf-rock tremolo bar technique. Some rapid-fire string rubs (strangely reminiscent, to me, of hip-hop record scratching) in the middle section give way to Jason Stewart’s self-duetting doubled solo. A final twang-bar mash from Dick closes the show.

"Shelbi with an ‘I’" - For my money, this is the single. Section after section of catchy melody with even a harmonically tense middle section to provide some contrast to the overall upbeat sunniness. Some very interesting clean-toned solos from Jason, complete with double-picking and Wes Montgomery-style octaves. Dick’s offer of deft pedal steelwork provided by Johnny Hogan had me reaching for hyphenated descriptors for a new style . . . Country Surf? Western Instro Rock?

"Agua Loca" ("Crazy Water") - Though Dick takes the melodic lead on this cut, it’s Jason that sets the tone for this rocker. His heavy rhythm backing and metallic fills are the dominant force, and it’s Jason that takes over for the solo, using pick harmonics and a variety of low riffs to create a thoroughly modern atmosphere.

"Simple Wonders" - The ethereal opening recalls some of Jimi Hendrix’s more subdued work. But it’s the Edge from U2 that informs the rhythmically echoing guitar, multitracked into a small orchestra of sparkling lines. The rhythm section is, in fact, absent for this beautiful coda to "In Progression." Only the sound of guitars remains . . . the center of surf rock and the center of The Knights as they refashion surf music for a new millennium.

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"IN PROGRESSION"- The Knights

50s Rockabilly,

'60s Garage Band Music, Surf and Modern Guitar Instrumentals.

  • Have a question about RV Stewart Productions?

    Can you tell me more about RV Stewart Productions? 


    Welcome to RvStewartProductions, home of Record collectibles, the Lance Monthly, Cool Links Publishing, and Lance Music Publishing. Lance Record's focus is on early rock and roll from its official birth in 1954 throughout the ‘60s with a special emphasis on early ‘60s guitar-rock instrumental styles by King Richard and the Knights and modern guitar-rock offerings by Ritch Stewart, his brother, the late Jason Stewart who sadly passed on April 15, 2021, and their father, Dick Stewart. RvStewartProductions (Record collectibles) is not a new company. 


    The spark for Record collectibles came when Albuquerque-native, Dick Stewart was bitten by the rock-and-roll bug in 1954 and wanted to do more than just listen and dance to its infectious beaHe wanted to be a contributor. 

    Guitar-rock instrumentals became his passion after listening to the late ‘50s and early ‘60s hits by George Tomsco and the Fireballs from Raton, New Mexico, and the Ventures from the Pacific Northwest. As a result, in 1961, Stewart formed the Knights that later became known as King Richard and the Knights. A few years later, Stewart composed and released a guitar instrumental titled “Precision” with his band, and it earned a number-one spot on KQEO, the leading rock-and-roll, top-40 A.M. radio station in New Mexico at the time. 


    L.A.’s Dot Records was so impressed with the instrumental’s classical piano hook that the major record label made an offer to release it nationally but sadly changed its mind when the Beatles came to the United States. Not only the Knights, but many aspiring rock-and-roll bands suffered the same fate. It was the coming of the British Invasion and the 45-vinyl record-buying teens turned their undivided attention toward the Beatles, including a slew of newly formed British bands that immediately followed. But Stewart didn’t throw in the towel. In 1965, he published the Lance Newsletter (today the Lance Monthly) in Albuquerque to help put some of the local bands, including his own, on the map. It was during this time that Stewart formed Record collectibles which immediately signed many of these local bands which showed promise. In the late ‘60s, Stewart turned his attention toward another genre of music: Mexican/America Rancheras and formed Casanova Records. He released several vinyl record albums and singles by the popular New Mexico Mexican/American bands, and he and the Knights contributed four of their own instrumental offerings. 


    One of them was their version of “El Rancho Grande” which became an instant hit in the Mexican/American market of the Southwest and continues to this day to do well with downloads and listens on the Internet. RvStewartProductions (Record collectibles) is very active today. Record collectibles continues to release CD albums, most of them instrumental with King Richard and the Knights with Dick Stewart and Ritch Stewart at the helm. Dick Stewart has also been busy writing books on the history of early rock and roll, his latest being Fourteen Unsung Pioneers Who Didn’t Get Their Due.  In addition, the Lance Monthly will once again post new issues. There’s a lot to see and much to take in at Record collectibles. So, take your time while enjoying the rest of the recently released King Richard and the Knights’ instrumental, “Phantom Riders.” When you give Record collectibles a call, you will be directly connected, so don't wait, call now! 


    How can I get in contact with someone from RV Stewart Productions (Record collectibles)? 


    You can get in touch with Record collectibles through three methods: 


    Phone for Record collectibles: 505-286-0623 


    Email for Record collectibles: rvstewartproductions@yahoo.com 


    Contact form: Use the contact form on our website to get in touch with Record collectibles. 


    Who were The Knights?


    The Knights (a.k.a. King Richard and the Knights) had its beginnings in 1961 in Albuquerque, New Mexico (U.S.A.), during a time when instrumental rock ruled the world with The Ventures and The Fireballs leading the way. Thus, the band (or combo as it was called back then) became a Ventures/Fireballs-style band, playing 40 to 50 instrumental guitar songs per gig with no vocals other than a Chuck Berry tune here and there to break the monotony. By 1964, the band finally developed an identity and released "Precision" on a little label called Red Feather Records. This guitar instrumental with a classical piano accompaniment performed by the studio engineer, Dave Bonham, became a regional hit (chiefly due to the unique combination of these two music genres) and set the record for the most time at number one for a local release on the then ruling Albuquerque, New Mexico rock-and-roll AM radio station, KQEO. But when the Beatles invaded the U.S. in Feb. of 1964, it was a bad omen for The Knights. The Knights just couldn't give up their beloved rock instrumental efforts. After a few notable vocals on John Wagner Studios' Delta Records, the band disbanded in 1967.


     When you give Record collectibles a call, you will be directly connected from someone from Record collectibles, so don't wait- call now! 

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