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Dick Dale played a Rocks Off Cruise (pics & review)

words by Alanna Wray, photos by Deneka Peniston & Jason House

Dick Dale on a boat (by Deneka Peniston)
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Last Sunday (one day after the Kvelertak show), backlit with our lady of liberty and the east river’s special scum, The King of the Surf Guitar, Dick Dale played the perfect venue– on the water. The Jewel, one of the illustrious Rocks Off Concert Cruise’s fleet, is an intimate, rocking (from side to side) host to a plethora of shows “that don’t suck”. Dick Dale, the Jewel’s latest jewel, graciously glutted his steadfast fans with all the classics: from a blistering “Miserlou”, to the anthemic “Let’s Go Trippin'” and back to a virtuous version of “Amazing Grace” (which filled the East River with more righteousness than the Slocum Ferry Disaster.)

At seventy four years old, Dale plays with the antics and agility of a rock n’ roll wood sprite. His seamless set moved with the graceful fluidity of 60 years of refinement, grooving through his time honored originals into epic covers of Rumble, Hava Nagila and House of the Rising Sun.

Jimmy Dale, Dick’s fresh-faced nineteen year son, backed on set gyrating the double bass like an arena heavyweight. Bassist Sam Bolle of Agent Orange fame played a soulful House of the Rising Son solo smokey as slow sex. The vibe was fuzzy, the sound was wet, the energy was slap happy, the crowd was authentic. After the show Rocks Off bossman Jake Szufnarowski had Dick Dale sign his arm, which has since become his latest tattoo. Dale ended with a “thank you for being my medicine”… and if Dale’s got a musical prescription that good, we’re glad he’s sharing.

Here are some pictures from the show. They continue below

Dick Dale by Jason House

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Dick Dale by Deneka Peniston

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