Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Exotic melodies are as big a part of surf's oeuvre as clangorous reverb and Fender guitars. So it's no surprise that guitarist Mel Waldorf's paean to his Jewish heritage works so effortlessly. See, after making the connection between the parting of the Red Sea and the curl of the Banzai Pipeline (it's a joke folks, his, not mine), Waldorf got to work arranging traditional Jewish folk songs such as "Hava Nagila," "Driedel, Driedel," and "At the Rabbi's Table" for a rather snappy surf record. Tackling all of the instruments but the drums, Waldorf's arrangements, on first listen, seem fairly standard, sporting equal parts twangy, yet furious double-picking, and splashy, 'verbed-out melodies. But consecutive spins reveals Waldorf's clever use of baritone guitar textures, as well as strategic overdubs to highlight the tune's melody. A fun record -- even for goys like me!
- Guitar Player Magazine
You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy Meshugga Beach Party. Subtitled Twenty Songs Of The Chosen Surfers, the basic premise here is mixing the catchiest, time-honored songs of the Jews with rockin’ surf guitar music. The idea in itself is decades old and hundreds of guitar group’s over the past 40 years have covered favorites like “Hava Nagila”. Featuring guitarist Mel Waldorf, the CD takes the concept to it’s logical conclusion and beyond, retrofitting certified Kosher classics like “Shalom Alechem” and “Hatikvah” (what, no “Adon Olam”?) A great idea taken to completion by guitarist Waldorf and his meshugga beach buddies, the album is a done deal with a cover art straight out of Mad magazine! - 20th Century Guitar
Outrageous, eclectic, and just plain cool! Put down the bagel and lox and paddle out! - The Surfing Rabbi
Discography
2005 - Twenty Songs of the Chosen Surfers
2003 - Sixteen Songs of the Chosen Surfers
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Mel Waldorf has been playing surf guitar for almost two decades, in bands such as Los Mel-tones and The Mach IV. He's also been a Jew his whole life! Mel's original surf music compositions have been featured in TV shows and movies, including episodes of Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, MTV's Real World, and Walt Disney's My Favorite Martian. Oy, it makes his mother so proud!
So, how did he come to make Meshugga Beach Party? Mel tells it in his own words:
It was quite a confluence of events. It was the year I got my first guitar. Hawaii Five-Oh was on TV in the afternoons before the Mets games. And I had just over-indulged in the syrupy-sweet Manischewitz wine at the Passover seder. Let my people go, indeed.
Somehow, in the post-seder haze induced by an excess of wine, matzoh, potato kugel and geflite fish, it all came together. The parting of the Red Sea and the curl of the Banzai Pipeline. The sands of the Sinai and the waves at Waikiki. The Diamond District and Diamond Head. The songs of the Jews and the sound of the surf guitar!
At first it did seem a little odd. Aren't beach parties and ocean sports for the goyim? But something in these melodies, the moods that range from boisterous to melancholy, from somber to shmaltz, seem to transition so well from the bar mitzvah to the beach. Two for the price of one. What is there to kvetch about really?
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