Customer Reviews

Drag City / Pop Symphony 1

5 star:		(3)
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3 star:		(1)
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This CD combines two albums from the 1960s.

Drag City is arguably Jan & Dean's best album. Unlike the typical albums of the era, which used to feature one or two hits plus covers of other performer's hits, this album features almost all original tunes (other than a cover of "Little Deuce Coupe"). The songs are all about cars and they are all good. "Drag City" was the hit single, but "Popsicle Truck" also became a hit later, as did "Dead Man's Curve" (but this isn't the version of "Dead Man's Curve" that was later released as a single). The other songs are all good, too, but my favorite is "Schlock Rod(Parts 1 & 2)", which is a hilarious parody of songs where a guy brags about his car.

Jan & Dean's Pop Symphony No. 1 isn't actually a Jan & Dean album. It's an album by "The Bel-Aire Pops Orchestra" (which sounds like a made up name for a non-existant orchestra). It features orchestral versions of Jan & Dean hits (plus the obscure b-side "It's a Shame to Say Goodbye", for some reason). It's not a very good album, I'm sad to say. A few of the tracks are "interesting", but that's not the same as being good. Pop music and classical music are very different things, and they don't mix well together in this case.

The CD adds two bonus tracks. "Frosty the Snowman" was their Christmas single for 1962. "She's Still Talking Baby Talk" was the b-side of that single, as well as being a sequel to their first hit "Baby Talk". Unfortunately, "She's Still Talking Baby Talk" is not actually on this CD. They accidently put Jan & Dean's remake of "Baby Talk" from the album Jan & Dean's Golden Hits on the CD instead.

Of all the One Way Records Jan and Dean 2-for-1 reissues, this one is arguably the best. "Drag City" signaled a change for the boys. Up till then, Jan and Dean records were composed primarily of cover songs. Although "Surf City" introduced the concept of self-penned material, it was "Drag City" where it really came together. Working with a close knit group of Los Angeles songwriters (including none other that Beach Boy Brian Wilson), Jan brought together a collection of mostly original songs. Standouts include "Drag City," "Hot Stocker," the hilarious "Schlock Rod (Parts 1 and 2)" and my favorite, "Surf Route 101." This is also the album that introduced the classic "Dead Man's Curve."

"Pop Symphony No. 1" is a very special treat. Recorded in 1965, "Pop Symphony" was Jan's attempt to create orchestral versions of Jan and Dean's greatest hits. Working with the Bel-Aire Pops Orchestra and some of Los Angeles' finest studio musicians, Jan presents mini symphonies of Jan and Dean favorites such as "The New Girl in School" and "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena." Although purists may discount this album due to the lack of any apparent involvement from Dean, it is a true milestone in the history of surf music.

Of all the One Way Records Jan and Dean 2-for-1 reissues, this one is arguably the best. "Drag City" signaled a change for the boys. Up till then, Jan and Dean records were composed primarily of cover songs. Although "Surf City" introduced the concept of self-penned material, it was "Drag City" where it really came together. Working with a close knit group of Los Angeles songwriters (including none other that Beach Boy Brian Wilson), Jan brought together a collection of mostly original songs. Standouts include "Drag City," "Hot Stocker," the hilarious "Schlock Rod (Parts 1 and 2)" and my favorite, "Surf Route 101." This is also the album that introduced the classic "Dead Man's Curve."

"Pop Symphony No. 1" is a very special treat. Recorded in 1965, "Pop Symphony" was Jan's attempt to create orchestral versions of Jan and Dean's greatest hits. Working with the Bel-Aire Pops Orchestra and some of Los Angeles' finest studio musicians, Jan presents mini symphonies of Jan and Dean favorites such as "The New Girl in School" and "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena." Especially well done are "You Really Know How to Hurt a Guy" and that old chestnut "Heart and Soul." Although purists may discount this album due to the lack of any apparent involvement from Dean, it is a true milestone in the history of surf music.

This CD comes with the original LP artwork, but little else. It would have been nice to see the song writing credits and additional session information. Also, the CD mistakenly labels the song "Baby Talk" as "She's Still Talking Baby Talk." However, the A-side of "She's Still Talking Baby Talk," "Frosty the Snowman," is included for Jan and Dean fanatics.

THIS ALBUM IS A MUST FOR SURF MUSIC FANS,AND JAN AND DEAN.THE MUSIC IS!! AAA+!! FROM DRAG CITY,TO POP SYMPHONY NO 1 .WAIT TILL YOU HEAR THIS MUSIC!!.YOU WONT BE SORRY.!! A GOOD BET TO BUY.5 STAR RATED.