Album Review:

Parkway is not known for surf music. The east coast label was based in Philadelphia and majored in doo-wop and dance-based records such as the Twist, Watusi, Mashed Potato, and others. On this - a rare foray into the surf genre - established artists try their hand at the Westcoast sound with varying success.

Bobby Rydell squeezes The Beach Boys’ ‘Surfin’ U.S.A.’ into his signature crooner style, complete with a female vocal ensemble and a brass section taking over the ubiquitous guitar lick. Chubby Checker merely takes ‘Let’s Twist Again’ and replaces any mention of dancing with ‘Surfing.’ The Dovells sound very lost in this new space as they attempt a messy version of ‘Surfin’ Safari.’ The Orlons fair a little better with ‘Surfin’’ and ‘Mr. Surfer.’ The latter would be rewritten the following year as ‘Mr. Hot Rod’ and appear on the Woofers’ Dragsville album. Perhaps the worst moment of the record is The Tymes’ mislead cover of ‘Surf City,' which has the group in very unfamiliar territory as most of their hits were dreamy mid-tempo doo-wop songs in the style of ‘So In Love.’ Aside from Rydell’s energetic (albeit slightly odd) tracks, the artist that has the best delivery is undoubtedly Dee Dee Sharp, with two originals: ‘Ridin’ the Waves’ (also rewritten for the Woofers’ album) and ‘Down By the Oceanside.’

As well-intentioned as this release is, it's rather obvious that in this context, the Cameo-Parkway artists are collectively a fish out of water.

CHOICE CUTS:

Ridin' the waves / down by the oceanside / surfing usa