Album Review:

The wider release of the June 1963 promotional album, The Big Surfin' Sounds Are On Capitol Records, Surfing's Greatest Hits is an early compilation of surfing songs from Capitol's arsenal.

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Three Surfin' U.S.A. tracks ('Surfin' U.S.A.,' 'Farmer's Daughter,' and 'Noble Surfer'), and two Surfin' Safari tracks ('Surfin' Safari,' and 'Surfin') were possibly the biggest draw for buyers in June 1963. As Surfer Girl would not be released until September 1963, its tracks are absent. The Dick Dale numbers, pulled from his Surfers' Choice ('Surf Beat,' 'Let's Go Trippin'), and King of the Surf Guitar Lps ('King of the Surf Guitar,' 'Hava Nagila'). Two tracks originate from Jack Marshall's My Son the Surf Nut album. These are 'Monster Surfer' and the non-musical 'World's Richest Surfer' - notably weak choices. 'Murphy's Grey Wet Suit' and 'Goofy Foot Glen' were culled from Jimmie Haskell's John Severson's Sunset Surf.

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Greatest Surfing Hits is a snapshot of early surfing hits. Admittedly there are some peculiar inclusions here ('World's Richest Surfer,' Farmer's Daughter' ???), but overall it's a worthwhile compilation.