Surf Rock Instrumental Review: Various Artists-American Surf Treasures Volume 1 & 2

Paul Johnson’s importance to the development of surf-instrumental music, more specifically South Bay Surf, cannot be overstated. His contributions to the genre helped to create and establish the music as a viable source of entertainment for teenagers nationwide during the early sixties. He is so vital that he stands alongside The Ventures, The Shadows, Merrell Fankhauser, and Link Wray as one of the true pioneers and innovators of a musical genre that has a colorful past and continues to grow and evolve today.

These two CDs, aptly titled American Surf Treasures Volume 1 & 2, are a significant part of surf-instrumental music history. Volume one delves into PJ’s work and his collaboration with The Galaxies and Art Fisher of the Journeyman, offering a glimpse into the admiration and respect PJ had for Artie and his group. This is not just a collection of music, but a historical narrative of PJ’s journey and his influence on the genre.

 

PJ was ready to grow and move on as a developing and influential guitar player at all times, hence his continuing evolution in several different groups and metamorphosis into a fabulous solo career that is going with a full head of steam to this day (check out his MP3 site-remember that?).

 

Volume two gives you a glimpse of some of the more progressive groups of the time, chosen by PJ to record and be guided by his musical genius in the studio. The Nocturnes, Vibrants, Wheely McSidewalk & The Ball Bearings (how do you like that name!), and the Revelairs, known for their experimental and innovative approach to surf music, are given equal time with their priceless songs. It proves the influence, importance, and respect that PJ had from his peers in the genre early on.

 

Some of these songs are surprisingly rocking for the time they were recorded. You can tell that the playing is slightly restrained, so they would not veer off too far into the rock and roll sound, a more aggressive and vocal-driven style, that could have soon derailed the surf-instro music phenomenon dead in its tracks.

 

Volume one has twenty-five tracks while volume two is bulging with twenty-eight tracks. How could I possibly cite any one song as a standout? They are all timeless pieces of surf-instrumental history, forever linked together. There was not one song that I didn’t enjoy.

 

That says a lot for the selection and quality of the songs and the sound.

 

The only drawback to the entire set is that the folks at Gee-Dee ignored PJ’s request to proofread the liner notes. It’s rife with errors. It’s a shame because it’s an exciting and fabulous read that could have been given the care it deserved, to complement the immense quality and significance of the collection. It’s an easy enough error to overlook when you sit and listen to the music, so don’t let that stop you from picking up these priceless gems.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
September 7, 2001

Track Listing

Volume One:

01. Tally Ho

02. Andele

03. Rise And Fall Of Flingel Blunt

04. The Shimmy (AKA Side Two)

05. Wild Goose

06. The Moldau

07. One Mint Julep

08. Rockin’ Pnuemonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu

09. Big Shot

10. Scouse

11. Lanky Bones

12. Comin’ Home Baby

13. Belly Button

14. Ramrod

15. Vamonos

16. (It’s Gonna) Work Out Fine

17. Squad Car

18. Mariah

19. Fink 20. Work Out

21. Bag’s Groove

22. Surfer’s Blues

23. Surfer’s Rule

24. Artie’s Blues

25. Rum Runner

 

*Tracks 1-14 are PJ & The Galaxies, 15-19 are PJ & Artie, 20-25 are the Journeyman.

 

Volume Two:

01. Third Star To The Left

02. Sticky

03. Bha-Ree-Ba!

04. Space Probe

05. Surfer Street

06. Midnight Run

07. Journey To The Stars

08. HonkyTonk

9. Comin’ Home Baby

10. Wipeout

11. Shootin’ The Pier

12. Memphis Beat

13. Funky Beat

14. Surf Beat

15. San-Ho-Zay

16. Hawaiian Warchant

17. Ridin’ High

18. Skokiaan

19. Scorpion

20. Zorchy

21. Stomp Crazy

22. Wild Fire

23. The Breeze

24. Fuel Injection

25. Whispering

26. Theme From “Blacksaddle”

27. Dark Eyes

28. The Cruel Sea Third Star To The Left

 

*Tracks 1-11 are the Nocturnes, 12-14 are Wheely McSidewalk & The Ball Bearings, 15-18 are the Revelairs, 19-24 are the Vibrants, 25-28 are the Revelairs.