Album Review:

Here’s a rare compilation of tracks from the mind of Gary S. Paxton. If that name sounds familiar, he wrote the 1950s novelty song, ‘Alley Oop.' He also had a hand in a few low-grade surf and hot rod songs. Pressed on his own Garpax label, Beach Party collects a bevy of early surf and hot rod tracks together in one place. While none of these tracks belong on the ‘best of’ lists of the era or genre, it is one of the earliest surf complications.

Of peak interest are ‘Church Key,’ ‘Let’s Go To the Beach,’ ‘Surfin’ with Jimmy,’ and ‘Scavenger.’ Also, the two doo-wop-inspired numbers, ‘Surf N Stomp’ and ‘Beach Party,' are reminders of how close the 1950s were to the genre’s beginning. ‘Wipe Out’ (not the Surfaris’ song) is also a highlight. Oh, and by the way, the Surfaris listed here are in fact, the Original Surfaris (not related to the famous band).

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Beach Party is a nutty, slightly oddball treat if you can track it down.