Album Review:

Crown Records was a budget label that existed almost solely to cash in on popular crazes. In many instances the label would rebrand previously released material into something that would appeal to the masses. Such is the case with Don Dailey's Surf Stompin.' Truthfully this album is a repackaging of Billy Boyd's 1960 album, Twangy Guitars.

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The album opens up with 'Hang 10' which is almost passable as a surf tune. 'Close out' is basically a rewrite of 'Riot in Cell Block #9' while the laid-back 'Mornin'' is instantly forgettable. 'Mornin' at Makaha' is simply a rebranded jazz number, while both 'Surf Stompin'' and 'Maile' are both unimaginative sax-driven songs that betray the supposed 1963 recording date. 'Malibu' is perhaps the album's best track and almost breaks into the surf music genre. 'I'm Stoked' again slips back into the previous decade, and 'Way Out' is based on Link Wray's 'Rumble.' Mr. Dailey shows off his sax playing once again in 'Ala Moana' - almost a surf tune. The rambunctious 'Waimea Wipe-Out' would've been a strong number if the album was titled 'Music to Rock n' Roll By' though here doesn't merit much here. The Lp concludes with a slow guitar jam which is unlisted on both the jacket and the vinyl.

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There are some nice surf-like moments on here but most of the tunes are played in a late-fifties style. You'd think that buyers would've learned their lesson from the other Crown releases and steered clear of this album. As it turns out, most did. Still, if you are able to locate a copy of this, might as well get it for the cover, right?

CHOICE CUTS:

Malibu