Customer Reviews

The Best Of Bruce & Terry

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like contemporary Gary Usher, Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher used studio time to produce a number of lost, but worthwhile, surf treasures under a variety of names: Bruce & Terry, the Rogues (also represented on this set), and the Rip Chords. Had they consolidated these works under one name, they might've had a noteable career. The music ranges from sundrenched surf (like the nationally-charted "Summer Means Fun"), California folk-rock ("Four Strong Winds") and straight-ahead rock ("Everyday"). The compositions are generally good and (because the original production values were high) the sound quality is also above-average. A number of tracks are in stereo for the first time (though the remix of "Come On, Let's Go" sounds different from my 45). If you're fond of surf music -- and are adventurous enough to sample more obscure tracks -- you'll enjoy this set from two of the genre's comparatively unsung heroes.

This CD contains just about everything recorded under the "Bruce & Terry" name. It also includes the great Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly covers they recorded under the name "The Rogues", as well as the throwaway instumental b-sides from those singles. Bruce & Terry owed a lot to the Beach Boys, whose California sound is closely followed on many of these tracks. In fact, there are three Beach Boys covers here. And ironically, Bruce himself later joined the Beach Boys. Terry later went on to be a successful producer, most notably for the Byrds & Paul Revere and the Raiders. This CD should appeal to fans of the California sound. Bruce & Terry aren't the Beach Boys, heck, they aren't even Jan & Dean, but they succeeded in making some fun records.

Anybody that is a fan of Surf/Hot Rod/California West Coast Sound, as well as the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Gary Usher etc..will want to get this great CD combo. This is Bruce Johnston pre-Beach Boy, and his partner the late Terry Melcher(Doris Day Melcher's son)before he began a very successful producing career with such groups as Paul Revere & the Raiders and the Byrds to name a few. There is some really good stuff they did as a team most notably "Summer means Fun" written by P.F. Sloan & Steve Barri(Fantastic Baggys). This CD combo will go a long way in expanding your education and appreciation of where these 2 great musicians and singers came from. Get it and enjoy!

Most Californian surf & hot rod compilations from the 60's -
other than Beach Boys and Jan&Dean - often have 1 or 2 "goodies"
+ the rest rather disappointing and often of bad sound quality.
Besides that, you need a scholar's degree to find out who's
who: Fantastic Baggys, Rip Chords, Superstocks, Gary Usher,
Bruce & Terry, Jan & Dean etc. I still don't know - 40 years
later - whose the original singer of "Summer Means Fun".
All the above have a version of it but the backing vocals
according to the credits of each LP or CD always differ and therefore confuse. Anyway the song, whoever the singer is, is
one of the best "summer" songs ever.
On the best of Bruce and Terry there are really some highlights
which makes it much better than other compilations. I wonder
why "Carmen" never made it into the Top 100 (bubbled under)
because musically it's fantastic. The other great songs are
Hawaii (different from the Beach Boys version), Summer Means
Fun, Four Strong Winds, Look Who'se laughing now and Here Comes
Summer. Besides these Come On Let's Go (Ritchie Valens),
Everyday (Buddy Holly) and Help Me Rhonda are in great stereo
as well. The rest is in mono but well recorded. If you like
the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean this is the best alternate choice
to make.

The Best Of Bruce & Terrygreat enjoyment listening ,.played well on Cd, and nice booklet that came with CD. Some great songs included. Order arrived on schedule