Liberty Records Mono 1964
1964... California... You could feel every wave, feel the sand between your toes and hear the Symphonic Ride The Wild Surf on the radios. The song, and the album were another of Jan Berry's greatest productions. Kicking off an album with such a great track was just another way to please the hungry Jan & Dean fan's, and a way to tie-in the album with a film of the same name, which Jan & Dean were supposed to star in. However, they ultimitly just recorded the soundtrack theme song, which thankfully was an awesome piece of pure-summer-sunshine.
The rest of the album was once again produced to the n'th degree by Jan, who ensured that every song sounded like it was a mini-masterpiece. Backing vocals on this album, like so many other Jan & Dean albums of this period were by The Fantastic Baggies, who can clearly be heard on Tell 'Em I'm Surfin'. She's My Summer Girl was the B-Side to Ride The Wild Surf in many territories and is n itself a great song with catchy Gary Usher trade-mark hand-claps. Side one ends on another instrumental, the god-awful Skateboarding (Part 1) which was obviously added as filler, and could easily have been left off this production.
Side two starts off with what has to be one of Jan & Dean's greatest ever songs. Jan Berry's re-working of The Beach Boys Catch A Wave, complete with a skateboard sound-effect intro, great horn section, great vocals and one of the catchiest melodies ever put to vinyl. Sadly the song stalled in the top 20 and should have easily reached the top 5! That said, side two has more great songs including two rather funky numbers with Surfin' Wild and Down At Malibu Beach.
To end the album Jan & Dean chose Walk On The Wet Side, another Dean Torrence comedic-role, that sadly is not as good, or as funny as Schlock Rod. However, a great end to a great album.
Side 1.
1. Ride The Wild Surf 2:13
2. Tell 'Em I'm Surfin' 2:00
3. Waimea Bay 2:44
4. She's My Summer Girl 2:55
5. The Restless Surfer 2:14
6. Skateboarding - Part 1 2:08
Side 2.
1. Sidewalk Surfin' 2:18
2. Surfin' Wild 2:14
3. Down At Malibu Beach 2:10
4. A Surfer's Dream 2:27
5. Walk On The Wet Side 2:12
6. The Submarine Races 2:08
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