Big guitar instrumental Apache is another of our cover features whose lives have had two acts. First in 1960 as the Jerry Lordan penned number one hit for The Shadows. Though long considered a surf instrumental standard (alongside other classics like Wipe Out, Walk Don’t Run, and Telstar), Lordon and the Shadow’s lofty idea of Apache was envisioned more along lines of Morricone and other grand western soundtracks. However it’s lazy slide and southwestern flair became an immediate hit with coastal California guitar acts (ironic considering both Lordan and the Shadows were from the UK).
Years later new life was breathed into Apache via the Incredible Bongo Band. Released in 1973 IBB’s offbeat Hammond and conga driven funk version wasn’t initially a big hit. However later in the decade nascent hip hop DJs like Kool Herc and Afrika Bambatta picked up on it’s rather lengthy percussive ‘break’ section and bits of this particular Apache soon found it’s way onto scores of hip hop tracks. Even today it shows no signs of fatigue; with elements still cropping up in rap from Missy Elliot and The Roots to electronic acts like Future Sound of London and Mr. Oizo.
So today we cover many bases. Working in a reverse fashion I’m leading with a section based around the Incredible Bongo Band cut. Just as incredible is Afra & The Incredible Beatbox Band‘s human beat-box tribute; A cover from France’s Le Par Bongo Rockers, Grand Central’s Fingathing and a very rare version by The Jimi Entley Sound (AKA Geoff Barrow from Portishead). The next two hip hop cuts are probably pushing it in regards to being actual covers, but as the judge says ‘I’m going to allow it’; The Sugarhill Gang‘s Apache (Jump On it) which I believe is the first recorded instance of using IBB’s sample and Breakdancin’ (Electric Boogie), a classic electro cut by West Street Mob. Rounding off is A Bit Patchy; a house/electro cut from the loud and phenomenal (or is that just phenomenally loud) Switch.
Next is the off-beat covers. A sublime classic reggae cut by Byron Lee & The Dragonaires as well as a new school ska version by The Skadows. There were not one but TWO(!) wild Moog cuts courtesy of Rod Hunter and Hot Butter. A swinging Mancini-esque rendition by Si Zentner an an oddball mandolin-gypsy sounding one from Poly. There were also two proper disco cuts from the cosmic Les Rockets and the Euro-cheesey Seebach Band. And lastly not content to leave a fine instrumental well enough alone are two vocal versions; an easy listening ballad from Sonny James and a funny little Spanish-language one by Wilson Miranda.
As for the rest, well, a plethora of fine, personally handpicked, surf and ‘big guitar’ covers.

Incredible Bongo Band – Apache
Afra & The Incredible Beatbox Band – Apache
Le Par Bongo Rockers – Apache
Fingathing – Apache
The Jimi Entley Sound – Apache
Sugarhill Gang – Apache (Jump On It)
West Street Mob – Breakdancin’ (Electric Boogie)
Switch – A Bit Patchy

Byron Lee & The Dragonaires – Apache
The Skadows – Apache
Rod Hunter – Apache
Hot Butter – Apache
Si Zentner – Apache
Poly – Apache
Les Rockets – Apache
The Seebach Band – Apache
Sonny James – Apache
Wilson Miranda – Apache

Aki Aleong & The Nobles – Apache
Al Caiola – Apache
Aqua Velvets – Apache
Astro Zombies – Apache
Bert Weedon – Apache
Boss Combo – Apache
Davie Allan & The Arrows – Apache ’65
Duane Eddy – Apache
Fantastic Dee-Jays – Apache
Goran – Apache
Jimmy Thackery – Apache
Jon & The Nightriders – Apache
Jorgen Ingmann and His Guitar – Apache
Killer Bananazz – Apache
Link Wray – Apache
Los Pekenikes – Apache
Los Shains – Apache
Luizinho e seus Dinamites – Apache
Mermen – Apache (Live 2004)
Newtones – Apache
Os Incognitos – Apache
Ricky King – Apache
Romeo Void – Apache
Satan’s Cheerleaders – Apache ’95
Susan & The Surftones – Apache
Takeshi Terauchi – Apache
The Apaches – Apache
The Bells – Apache
The Bitch Boys – Apache
The Blue Hawaiians – Apache
The Breakaways – Apache
The Challengers – Apache
The Cousins – Apache
The Jet Blacks – Apache
The Jet Blacks – Apache (Twist version)
The Jokers – Apache
The Jordans – Apache
The Phantoms – Apache
The Spiedels – Apache
The Surfaris – Apache
The Swagmen – Apache
The Ventures – Apache
The Ventures – Apache (Ventures Play Telstar version)

Enjoy!
LS

PS Those in Thee Versions Galore Facebook Fanclub not suffering terminal Apache burnout at this point can head over to the wall where the original versions await…

Tags: Apache, Incredible Bongo Band, The Shadows, Twas late and I was tired. Apologies in advance for crap writing and any mistakes...

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