Listening to San Miguel recently... sounds like Denny was specifically aping a Phil Spector sound in parts.
Why? Because of the marimba, the castanets, the bullfight trumpet? Nah. Dennis' Latin vibe was Mexican. Phil's was Puerto Rican.
It's likely that Dennis was writing about San Miguel (a surf spot) on the Baja California coast. The song owes much more to Lonely Bull than it does Spanish Harlem.
The basic track and vocals make for a straight ahead rocker. Not Phil Spector or Brian Wilson.
And
aping? Really.
I guess I shouldn't have used the term "aping", as it could imply a negative connotation, and I did not mean anything negative by it. I love love love San Miguel, and think it's criminally underrated and unknown. I think the slightly murky, yet beautiful production and vibe (not just the castanets) reminds me of Spector's productions.