Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Collection: Rock 'n' Roll Beach Partydotdot
artworkThis is mostly an oldies comp with the beach in mind, as opposed to a surf focus. Two surf instros ride amid a plethora of California pop, fifties rock 'n' roll, and other tracks. One of the stranger characteristics of this comp is the use Jan and Dean versions of Beach Boys songs. Vocals include Jan and Dean "Surf City," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Little Old Lady from Pasadena," "Help Me, Rhonda," "Ride the Wild Surf ," and the Beach Boys "Surfin' Safari," "Surfer Girl," plus Bobby Freeman "C'mon and Swim" and "Do You Wanna Dance," the Trashmen "Surfin' Bird," the Regents "Beach Baby," the Hondells "Little Honda," the Rivingtons "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow," the Shangri-Las "Leader of the Pack," Little Richard "Tutti Frutti," Chubby Checker "Let's Twist Again," Lesley Gore "It's My Party," Chad Allan and the Expressions "Shakin' All Over," and Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs "Woolly Bully."
Picks: Pipeline, Wipe Out

Track by Track Review


Pipeline dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is it. This track defined surf. It is the archetype! Paul Johnson once told me that when first heard this tune on his car radio, he said Whoa! Wha-at is THAT?, and pulled over to the side of the road to listen. The Chantays defined the classic surf line up, 2 guitars, piano, bass, and drums. Glorious first use of glissandoes, first rhythm guitar dominance in the mix, and just plain essential.

Wipe Out dotdotdotdot
TV Surf (Instrumental)

"Wipe Out" is simply the definitive drummer's badge of courage. If he can do a decent "Wipe Out," he's hired. Simple, and written and recorded in just minutes, this is an international classic that has sold multimillions of copies, and still does every year worldwide.