There are plenty of exceedingly rare and sought-after surf albums from the 60s. Most surf bands only played local gigs and never had the opportunity to enter a recording studio. Those fortunate enough to cut a single would represent a small number, and those who released an entire album were in an even smaller minority. From Adrian & the Sunsets' seminal Breakthrough, to the Fantastic Baggys' uber-scarce South African-only releases, Surfer's Paradise, and Ride the Wild Surf, collectors have worked tirelessly to dig up as much information on their favorite "long-lost releases." Seldom, however, is there an album with as much mystery and as little documentation as Billy Lazar & the Woody Wagoners' Surfin' Around.

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Almost no information has been unearthed about this record. The only release that Scarlett Records ever made has some curious quirks on it. First off, despite ‘MONORAL’ being prominently printed on the labels, this album was only pressed in wide stereo. A sticker on the original shrink wrap of mine aims to rectify this by indicating “SUPER SALE 44¢ - playable on STEREO phonographs.’ Secondly, most known copies have a picture of DJ Sam Riddle on the back with the words “Billy Lazar” beneath marked out in black marker. I’m assuming this was a more cost-effective correction than reprinting covers at the pressing plant. Third, almost all the songs are Jerry Cole compositions. There are a few tunes exclusive to this release, but many are renditions of tracks that can be found on Liberty, Capitol, and Crown releases that Cole masterminded (Hot Rod Dance Party, Surf Age, Motorcycles U.S.A., Checkered Flag). It is unknown if Cole first recorded these tunes for the more polished and higher-budget Capitol and Liberty albums and then re-recorded them on smaller, budget labels or visa versa. Nevertheless, I believe this release predates any of the later Crown or Liberty Cole albums and it’s the first time any of these tunes were laid to tape - 1963.

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'Surf Bustin'' is a sweet surf track. It is the same composition as 'Night Drag' from Hot Rod Dance Party with a more active saxophone line. 'High Surf' has a subtle Spanish influence to it. 'The Stinger' is lifted directly from Dance Party, (title and all), though I find this version slightly more energetic. The glassy 'The Surf And I' is an album highlight with some extremely inventive guitar picking. 'Surfer and Guitar' is a simple beach jam unique to this release. 'Mashin' in the Sand' is a fun ditty with a bevy of modulations. Another Woody Wagoner original, 'Sea Foam,' is a dreamy ride with deep guitar bends and rolling toms. 'T Road Rock' from Dance Party becomes 'The Big Board' - a composition Cole would recycle frequently. It is the Billy Lazar version where the tune really shines, and I appreciate this rendition best. 'Song of the Surf' is a straightforward surf jam with rumbling guitar work. The last track, 'Surfer and Drums,' is another unique track and an ultra-surfy closing.

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Surfin' Around may contain a few tunes you've heard elsewhere, but there is definitely enough singularity here to warrant seeking it out. The additional tunes unique to this release are also enough to justify adding to your collection. Copies usually only turn up on eBay every 2-3 years and have gone for well over $200, but if by the odd chance you find yourself able to nab one, it's well worth the hunt.