Album Review:

If there ever was an album that perfectly defined the essence of surf music and culture, then here it is! P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri’s classic album has everything that made the genre such a success in the early ’60s. Prior to the Fantastic Baggys moniker, the duo supplied background vocals (and some leads) to many of Jan and Dean recordings. Accomplished songwriters in their own right, their compositions had also previously shown up on releases by the Rip Chords, Shelley Fabares and, of course, Jan and Dean. However fine these releases were, it was with the undertaking of their Tell ‘Em I’m Surfin’ album that the Baggys' were able to receive full exposure.

With a lead vocal handled masterfully by Sloan, the opening track, ‘Tell ‘Em I’m  Surfin,’ is the quintessential surf tune. Having been recorded just a month earlier by Mr. Berry and Mr. Torrence, it’s the Baggys' version that reaches the song’s full potential. ‘Let’s Make the Most of Summer’ is a sundrenched ballad, reminiscent of the Beach Boys’ ‘Keep An Eye On Summer’ while ‘Surfin’ Craze’ is another strong number (soon to morph into ‘Skateboard Craze,’ and become a hit for Jan and Dean). A cleaned-up version of ‘My Big Gun Board’ boasts a great deal of surfing jargon, followed by the beautiful ‘Alone on the Beach,’ another Beach Boy-type ballad. The quirky version of ‘Surfer Boy’s Dream Come True’ is another sun-drenched narrative with a very Brian Wilson-Esque delivery from Sloan. Sometimes you’d swear it was Wilson himself singing along with Sloan’s exquisitely pure falsetto. 'When Surfer's Rule' is not the Beach Boy's song but a new composition, while ‘Wax Up Your Board’ improves on the Rip Chords' original. The near-perfect rendition of ‘Summer Means Fun' features Steve Barri on lead and is a tune that would receive a great deal of mileage over the years. The final two tracks, ‘Surfin’s Back Again’ and ‘Surf Impressions’ poke a little fun at the genre with the final number featuring imitations of various personalities, such as Terry Melcher, Brian Wilson, Jan Berry, Elvis, and even Daffy Duck.

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When it comes to Beach Boys-laden harmonies, clean surf guitars, and songs for summer, Tell ‘Em I’m Surfin’ is just about the best you can get! Complete with top-notch vocal and instrumental performances to boot, the Fantastic Baggys' first album is quintessential listening for just about anyone who's ever dreamt of cruising in an open convertible down the Pacific Coast.