Customer Reviews

Surfin' Hits

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great CD featuring some of the greatest surf hits of the '60s. Eleven of the tracks are instrumentals and seven of them feature vocals. I know that some people don't consider vocal songs to be "real" surf music, but I disagree. I love the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean and the rest. Recommended as a great starter for those with an interest in surf music.

I have not purchased this CD. However, it looks like a distillation of the 2 album collection titled Golden Summer from the 70s. Looks to be an excellent 1 CD overview of the top songs from early 60s surf music for those individuals that do not want the expense of the 4-CD set Cowabunga.

The song by the Trade Winds,New York's a Lonely Town (When You're the Only Surfer Boy Around)is well worth the price of the CD.

Everyone needs at least a little surf music in their collection, and this one has most of the famous/popular tracks and it's inexpensive, so a great place to start.

However, Rhino also released a box set, Cowabunga! The Surf Box, which any fan of the genre would eventually want anyway.
All but 3 of the tracks on Surfin Hits are duplicated on Cowabunga.

The non-duplicated tracks are "Surfin Safari", "Ride The Wild Surf" and "Boss". The first two are pretty easy to find, but "Boss" (which is essential, you'll love it) is very difficult to find (I know of only 2 other compilations on Amazon which include it, Let's Go Trippin' and Surf Legends and Rumors:1961-1964, both of which are out-of-print and more expensive than Surfin Hits. The out-of-print Rumblers album, Boss: Surf Music Classics has it, but only fans of the band would want a whole album by them.
The two Surfaris tracks are "long versions" on Cowabunga, but single versions here.

Even though there's a lot of duplication, I suggest people unsure how deep they want to dive into surf music buy Surfin Hits first. It's cheap and has most of the classics.
That will only whet your appetite for more, then you'll want to save your pennies for the out-of-print and much more expensive Cowabunga box.

Note to Rhino: what's with the duplication of tracks from previous compilations on later compilations? You did the same thing with the Girl Group and Rockabilly comps. Lots of the same songs, but with enough essential different tracks so you have to buy them all! Is that the plan?
It would make more sense to simply add "Volume 2/3/4/5/etc" in a series without ANY duplication. That way we only need to fork out our money ONCE! That would also mean you could take your time, adding to the series gradually over years until you run out of good material. No need for "major projects" like 4-volume box sets.
And where's your bubblegum compilation, you've NEVER done that genre! Isn't it "cool" enough for ya!

I had the cassette version of this albumn years ago and this CD has additional tracks. CD contains very cool 60s surf instrumentals, some of which were used in "Pulp Fiction" in the mid-90s which led to a revival of instrumental surf. I occasionally serve as a guest DJ on an eclectic show on community radio and use the instrumental selections when I do an all-surf show. Highly recommended.

Okay, here's a rule: Good surf has no lyrics. So we can just toss out the Jan & Dean and Beach Boys stuff and start from there.

This is a largely unexceptional collection except for a couple gems that usually slip under the radar.

"wipeout" and "Pipeline" are classics, but everyone's aware of those.

But, stuff like "Surf Rider", "Penetration" (I hope that's a surfing term), "Let's Go Tripping", "Mr. Moto", "Boss" and "Surfer Stomp!" are farily obscure and well worth a listen.

I must confess to never having heard of The Rumblers prior to picking up this disc, and being completed thrilled by there cut, "Boss."

This is a nice, cheap CD that will probably cost you a bundle in the long run as you start seeking out more work by these artists. But hey...that's kinda the point of this whole Amazon.com thing anyway, right?

The remastering on this disc is Rhino-typical clean.

Some may question whether a particular tune or group is truly "surf". But I say get over it. It's music. Just like an opera, the setting is just an excuse for the songs. I bought this because it has 18 good tunes. Beach Boys and Jan & Dean are kept to a minimum which is how I like it. I rather have one disc of good songs, then to buy a set of three with junk songs mixed in.

I left my copy of this CD at my brother's house a few weeks ago, my kids can't make through the summer without it but I don't have the heart to take it back from him. So here goes, 2nd purchase.

what a surfin cd, it's a great one. this disk makes you want to boogie dance & get your woody loaded & head for the beach. highly recommended , way worth the money!

This is a great mix of surf music if you are looking for something to listen in your hot rod or want to enjoy a warmer day. Definitely a good one for your surf music collection.