REVIEW
This is Fun
By Greg Wallace
Independent music reviewer
This is Fun
©2002 Rolltop Records
Produced by Tim Coffman
There’s a saying in the world of professional musicians; Every now and then ya gotta do one just for the band. After almost 30 years in the music industry on both sides of the mixing board, independent producer Tim Coffman has finally done one just for himself.This is Fun - a collection of vintage instrumental originals penned and arranged by Coffman - is just that: fun, and a whole lot of it. Reaching back over a 10-year stretch to material he originally penned and left on the shelf, Coffman has produced an easy listening album that is at once engaging and highly enjoyable.
Half the fun of Fun is in knowing some of the behind the scenes details. In his efforts to capture the authentic "soundtrack" texture of the 60s, Coffman eschewed the digital world for the drums, guitars, horns, tube amps and mics of the era. Indeed, there’s nary a drum machine on the whole album, which should earn him an appreciative nod from listeners who are weary of the seamless artificial intelligence of the digital recording world.
Reading over the list of instruments and equipment involved in the recording of Fun is simply a trip into the past. For guitars, Coffman used a 1961 Epiphone Wilshire - the model once favored by Jimi Hendrix in his pre-Fender days, and a Gibson ES125. Amps include a 1959 Silvertone and a 1965 Fender Princeton. For drums, Coffman used a 1965 Ludwig kit and a variety of acoustic snare drums dating back to the 1920s.
The result is a delightfully authentic album that sounds at once familiar yet new. Read on for a track-by-track snaphot of this simple but pleasing album guaranteed to make you smile.
Track 1 - MONACO NIGHTS.
Lush Mediterranean texture highly evocative of a ‘60s Audrey Hepburn movie. John Rekevics melodic sax work saves the tune from being bogged down in the theme and gives it a sharp, contemporary feel while maintaining the integrity of Tim Coffman’s arrangement.Track 2. HIGHWAY 1.
Succulent and melodic, without being cloying. Top-down cruising music for the beautiful stretch of road that graces the California coast. Think Big Sur with the fog breaking over the mountains and the sun shining through the trees.Track 3. SLINKY FEET.
Nice work reminiscent of Chicago from the horn section - especially Mitch Manker on trumpet - and a special guest appearance from guitarist T.J. Tindall keep this highly listenable tune from sounding like just another John Tesh knock-off.Track 4. FRESH ROSES.
Greg Sardinna - arguably one of the best Hawaiian steel players around - and some Duane Eddy-style lead work from Anthony Da Luz add an exotic and wistful texture to this sweet little tune.Track 5. VISION OF GREATNESS.
It’s obvious that Tim Coffman’s strength leans to the orchestral, string- and synth-dominated arrangement, a tendency that would be repetitive and annoying if he weren’t so good at it. Vision… is deeply reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac’s gorgeous Sunny Side of Heaven.Track 6. WITH HOPE.
Tim Coffman handles the lion’s share of the work on this one, laying down synth strings, bells, arpeggios, and bass. All this works to the benefit of the listener as he does an excellent job of finding balance and clarity while avoiding slogging through simply another exercise in electronic excess.Track 7. SECRET EXPECTATIONS.
A tribute to Henry Mancini, with a taste of spaghetti western style from Hugh Montenegro thrown in for good
measure. Outstanding work from Archie Thompson on piano, though it would have been nice to hear more of his piano in this delightful trip into the past.Track 8. LOW TIDE.
Anthony De Luz again takes center stage in this blissful guitar-driven ballad that borrows shamelessly and lovingly, "the vibe" from the seminal surf picture "Endless Summer."Track 9. SUNSET AT WAIKIKI.
Anthony De Luz and Greg Sardinna play off each other on guitar and Hawaiian steel respectively in this faithful homage to the closing credits of every surf movie ever made.
