Customer Reviews

Surfers Rule/Gone With the Wave

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

 

 

This compilation highlights Ron Wilson's vocal talents along with earlier instrumentals by The Surfaris. The new vocals feature post-British Invasion hits the likes of Dylan, Turtles, Grassroots, Everlys and others in strong versions of the originals. Ron Wilson's voice is strong, rock-valid and pleasing to both the casual and serious listener alike. This is a great gathering of The Surfaris last works.

This is an odd compilation of albums but it is interesting in that it has some things that you won't find anywhere else. While it's true that the Surfaris were at their best when doing their trademark instrumentals, they did some great vocal stuff too(usually with Ron Wilson or Jim Fuller on lead)while working with Gary Usher. It also has some very different sounding stuff(although not my favorite) from their last album, which is unavailable. It kind of falls into the folksy/hippie/protest rock that was so popular from around 66 or 67. They had clearly lost their way by then and were trying to stay commercially viable, and I think only Ron Wilson and Bob Berryhill were still in the band. Everyone had left in protest and were replaced with studio musicians by their record label. But this CD does fill in a few blanks, I'm glad I have it but I would prefer to play their earlier albums instead.

Yes, this is a great compilation of tunes from a surf band mainly recognized for their instrumentals. However, it's really the vocal tracks that stand out on this release. It's not clear who actually sang most of the lead vocals on this CD.
It is quite confusing because the drummer's name is Ron Wilson, and the vocals on most songs sound exactly like Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys. Most sources say that Ron Wilson and Brian Wilson are not related, but I'm not so sure about that.
Anyway, the background vocals sound exactly like the Beach Boys but even better. I would not be at all suprised if the Surfaris called in the Beach Boys dad, Mr. Wilson, for vocal lessons during the studio recordings. And as good as the vocals are on this release, Mr. Wilson must have hogtied and whipped these Surfari boys into shape until their true voices arrived. I'm talking Pulp Fiction here people. I mean how would Mr. Wilson get those pure, high pitched squeals out of these young gentlemen. Deliverance, maybe, I don't know. Now, I'm not sure if it was Mr. Wilson, but I sure wouldn't doubt it. These vocals are great. Was it the Beach Boys called in under the table, maybe, I'm not saying it was, but I wouldn't doubt it. I wish Mr. Wilson was still around so he could teach these new idiots like Ricky Martin and Creed how to sing. I'm sure he would get the best of them. Squeal Ricky, yeah, now thats the voice we want. Thanks Mr. Wilson for this beautiful 5 star release.

I have to say there are of course two groups with this name that came out in the sixties,but when I heard this cd originally in the now defunct record store CD Now in Cherry Hill,NJ. I heard Hot Rod High and was hooked.This group was apparently very under rated by many during there heyday but Its just a great group with great sounding music and here you have 40 of these great songs.....

If you'd like to hear a couple of discs of the Surfaris abandoning their wonderful original sound and style and trying to sound like the Beach Boys then by all means, pick this one up.
Personally I'd rather pop in a copy of their excellent "Surf Party" and get to the real stuff.
It's not that this music isn't well played, just that it had all been done before. This isn't what made the Surfaris great! I think they realized this later, and it definately shows in the live "Surf Party" CD which I believe was recorded 6 or 7 years after these two disappointing efforts.
Steer clear of this one and save your money for something real.