Album Review:

Jan and Dean finished 1964 strong with the release of The Little Old Lady from Pasadena. After Ride the Wild Surf failed to get anywhere musically, it seemed they were again ready to stretch their creative abilities with a new set of tunes.

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The opening track is a defining piece of early 60’s surf-pop and shows Jan Berry’s knack for vocal arrangements. While an earlier version of ‘Memphis’ had been previously featured on their Surf City (and Other Swingin’ Cities) album, this rehashed version possessed better production and a surprising alternate ending. ‘When it’s Over’ finds Jan revisiting the ‘It’s as Easy as 1, 2, 3’ theme but thankfully, he’s able to cover new ground with an inventive mix of clarinets/cellos and other plucked strings. ‘Horace the Swingin’ School-Bus Driver’ is a comic number with lots of brass, flutes, and car horn effects. The instrumental, “Old Ladies Seldom Power Shift,” was subsequently released as ‘Bucket Seats’ under the Fantastic Baggys name and merits inclusion here. ‘The Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga Sewing Circle, Book Review and Timing Association’ is also an inventive track, complete with horns, tight harmonies, and even a harpsichord. With P.F. Sloan’s pure falsetto sailing over the top of the thick production, it’s one of the best examples of the genre. The classic ‘Summer Means Fun’ also gets the Jan and Dean treatment, though it possesses no defining characteristics to distinguish it from other versions. Interestingly enough, two of the remaining tracks had already been included on previous albums; both ‘Sidewalk Surfin’ and ‘It’s As Easy As 1, 2, 3’ are resurrected from the Ride the Wild Surf Lp, and in case you were holding your breath, we have the final installment of the ‘Skateboarding series' in 'Skateboarding–Part 2.' ‘Move Out Little Mustang’ speeds through many keys and is sung almost entirely by the Fantastic Baggys while ‘One Piece Topless Bathing Suit’ offers a different ending to the narrative from the Rip-Chords’ version.

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In all, The Little Old Lady from Pasadena is a fine addition to any collection, though the number of repeats from previous releases makes it non-essential for the casual fan.