Album Review:

The film The Lively Set was released on October 24, 1964. While many 'soundtracks' of the era only lifted the actual songs from the film (see Annette Funicello, Donna Loren discography), The Lively Set actually features underscores from the film as well as a few tunes.

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James Darren seems right at home among the brassy big band sound of the title track. Some roaring engines accompany the jazzy underscore of 'Turbine Montage (Sound of The Turbine Engine With Music)'. 'Look At Me' is rather bland, while 'Bonneville Boss' and 'Coffee Perkin' Time' are further underscores. 'The Pomona Drags (The Lively Set) (Sound Of Drag Racing With Music)' is actually a pretty fun brassy instrumental. The wonderfully talented Joanie Sommers sings what is practically the strongest tune on the album 'If You Love Him' with a lot of charm. After a painfully dull 'Theme For Eddie (Look At Me)' instrumental, we finally reach the album's lone surf tune - 'Boss Baracuda'. This song was composed by Terry Melcher and Bobby Darin and released by the Surfaris in June 1964 (three months before the film). Interestingly, another rendition would appear in September on the Catalinas' Fun Fun Fun album (and as a single a full year later in June 1965). As well, the small Candy Johnson-owned Canjo label put out yet another version credited to the Barracudas in 1964. Joanie returns for the brief 'Casey Wake Up' which is barely a minute in length. Obviously, there wasn't enough musical material to fill an entire album because the penultimate track could've been pulled from any effects record; 'The Tri-State Race (Sound Of The Stock Cars And Turbine Engine With Narration)'. 'End Title (If You Love Him)' is a jazzy take on the Sommers tune.

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As a motion picture, The Lively Set didn't quite have enough tunes to count as a musical. As a result, the soundtrack album isn't much of a soundtrack or an album. The best moment is, without a doubt, the inclusion of the previously released 'Boss Barracuda' and Joanie Sommers' 'If You Love Him.' There certainly are some nice orchestrations on the backing score side, but nothing else is especially interesting.