Album Review:
A follow-up to Draggin and Surfin' Volume I this album is a vast improvement in both material and execution. As with other Jalopy Five releases, the covers pale compared to the original hits; where the album shines, however, is the originals. While the first installment only had two original songs, Volume II 's secret sauce is the new tunes. There are a few hidden gems on this release that warrant attention from fans.
'Ride the Wild Surf' is an ambitious opening track though the Jalopy Five handle Berry's complex tune with adequacy. The Beach Boys' 'Little Honda' is also mildly enjoyable. The original '2+2' - an ode to the wide-track Pontiacs of the day - is one of the better hot rod tracks of the era, complete with a falsetto. 'California Street' is another first-rate song. The third original number, 'Be Yourself,' is a Four-Seasons type ditty that doesn't really fit among the other hot-rod-themed tracks. As many of the same session musicians who played on these recordings were also members of Ronny & the Daytonas, it makes sense 'GTO' would be found on this release. One the most accurately performed covers that the Jalopy Five ever laid to tape is their cover of Jan & Dean's 'Sidewalk Surfin' - surf music's most recent hit at the time of release. The arrangement is a note-for-note remake of the Little Old Lady track; right down to the tenor sax solo in the instrumental section. The haunting 'We Built A 409' is a highlight and definitely one of the group's best. Likewise, the very Daytonas sounding 'Daytona Darling' is cut especially well. 'Ford G.T.' is another forgotten hot rod gem sung by Bobby Russell and Bergen White - two session vocals that also were prominent on the Zip-Codes Mustang! release.
Draggin' and Surfin' Volume II is a surprisingly solid album. Even if most of the tracks had previously been released as singles and b-sides, the material is notably stronger than the other Modern Sound Jalopy albums. Highly recommend checking this one out!
Draggin' And Surfin' (Vol 2)
The Jalopy Five
// 1965 on Modern Sound Records (MS 536)
7.5
Ride the Wild Surf / Little Honda / 2+ 2 / California Street / Be Yourself / GTO / Sidewalk Surfin' / We Built A 409 / Daytona Darling / Ford G.T.