Customer Reviews

Surfers Pajama Party

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This album was recorded at a live performance at a U.C.L.A. frat house, in two-track stereo. The sound quality is not the best, but it is a fun and lively performance by Bruce Johnston and friends. The song selections are about half instumentals and half vocals. My favorite performance here is "What'd I Say". This track really rocks! One thing I need to point out is that the track listing is wrong, not only here, but also on the CD itself. Here is the correct track listing:

1. Ramrod
2. Last Night
3. Surfer Stomp
4. What'd I Say (Part 1)
5. What'd I Say (Part 2)
6. Something On Your Mind
7. Surfer's Delight
8. Kansas City
9. Mashin' the Popeye
10. Gee But I'm Lonesome
11. Green Onions
12. Soupy Shuffle Stomp (Part 1)
13. Soupy Shuffle Stomp (Part 2)

A few words about the last two tracks. They are bonus cuts that were not on the original album. They are not live recordings, nor are they in stereo. "Soupy Shuffle Stomp" was inspired by Soupy Sales, as you might suspect. Bruce even does an imitation of Soupy's dog, White Fang. "Part 1" is a vocal version of the song, while "Part 2" is an instrumental version.

Bruce Johnston, along with Terry Melcher, were the first house producers of "teen" music for Columbia Records' west coast region. Prior to the advent brought by the Beatles and the British Invasion, the Beach Boys/Jan & Dean sound was the model for the post-Spector music of the West Coast. Bruce and his studio buddies put together this party album which showcases his abilities to play piano and sing rock & roll, which contrasted with his then-developing role with the Beach Boys as touring bass player and singer of proto-Beach man Brian Wilson's parts. An important historical document, light on content and sound quality, but heavy on party attitude. A must for BB/J&D fans.

Bruce Johnston, along with Terry Melcher, were the first house producers of "teen" music for Columbia Records' west coast region. Prior to the advent brought by the Beatles and the British Invasion, the Beach Boys/Jan & Dean sound was the model for the post-Spector music of the West Coast. Bruce and his studio buddies put together this party album which showcases his abilities to play piano and sing rock & roll, which contrasted with his then-developing role with the Beach Boys as touring bass player and singer of proto-Beach man Brian Wilson's parts. An important historical document, light on content and sound quality, but heavy on party attitude. A must for BB/J&D fans.