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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Music General Discussion »

Permalink Dick Dale's "Surfers' Choice"

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I'm curious how many have of you have bought DD's "Surfers' Choice" CD reissued by Sundazed a few months ago. I find it interesting that there has been almost no discussion about it - given its historic significance, and just how simply kick-ass it is, that kinda blows me away! I figured that people would have been really eager to see this one finally released, and then have something to say about it, but maybe I was wrong....

Ivan

Ivan
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Im gonna buy it only because I never really liked DD, or I guess never had an album of his I liked, and THAT one is supposed to be really good.

One of these days. I try to keep my music spending to $8 per CD unless I'm in a music store. That album hasn't presented itself to me in that manner yet and it's a long way till my birthday.

I don't exactly have a shortage of Dick Dale either, but I could always use some more

Storm Surge of Reverb: Surf & Instro Radio

I have it. Got it around Christmas time. So why is it still in it's shrink wrap? Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed

Better get to listenin'..... Razz

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"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

I bought it - I'd love to discuss it too - as long as we don't start to be-little D.D. This is (arguably) what started all this music that we talk endlessly about.

Chris

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

Question Question is sundazed another reissue of old stuff or is it new stuff? got most of the old stuff, so if its not new i'll have to think about it a bit.

I bought a copy a couple months ago after I just happened upon it in a record store. I wasn't even looking for it, or any surf albums for that matter, but there it was and I couldn't refuse. I'm not sure I would have bought it under any other circumstances. I probably would have fit under the "all the good songs are on the best of..." category. It's weighty historical significance might have sold me at some point, but when I did in fact buy it, it was for that reason and just the pure convenience.
It's true that many of the songs on the album kick tremendous ass, but I was still kinda disappointed in it because I'm a huge snob about surf vocals, and thus I really dislike a measurable chunk of the album. Plus the only instrumental I hadn't heard before was "Jungle Fever," which is good, but not as good as "Surfing Drums." So in conclusion all the songs I hadn't previously heard were a bit disappointing, but it doesn't mean I don't like the album as a whole. I don't at all regret having bought it. It's a very important album to have. Worship Plus I think that most other people would be more forgiving than me, so I still highly recommend it.

I got a copy of it from vinyl awhile ago and can't see purchashing it now.

"as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"

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I own the album. DD signed it for me at one of his shows on Hollywood Beach (FL) I might as well get the CD - perhaps he'll sign that too.

CUTBACK

I definitely think it's worth picking up, especially if you only have the Rhino best-of. Even if you hate all the vocals, that's just one third of the songs. The liner notes and packaging are great (pretty typical for Sundazed), and thanks to the bonus tracks, there's a five-song stretch from "Death of a Gremmie" to the single version of "Misirlou" that's just plain badass.

Before the re-issue came out I passed up several opportunities to buy an original LP because I didn't think it would be worth $30-$40, and historical merit aside, I don't think it is. But $15 for the re-issue? That's a steal.

-Warren

That was excessively violent and completely unnecessary. I loved it.

What Warren said,

I got it about a month ago,
the kick ass stuff kicks ass.

the other stuff makes my toenails curl up.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Interesting responses, thanks all.

BillAqua
I got a copy of it from vinyl awhile ago and can't see purchashing it now.

I should have included this as one of the options in the poll: "Already have it on vinyl, don't need it on CD." Oops.

Incidentally, I also have had it on vinyl for years. And I've collected enough comps (some official, some not) that I already had all the instro and the majority of the vocal tracks on CD. But still, I felt I should buy this, if nothing else for the awesome packaging and the convenience of having it all on one professionally mastered CD. And of course to support Sundazed, because I am very grateful they keep releasing surf stuff - especially stuff this important.

Bill, don't you want to own Del-Tone Rock, Jungle Fever, Eight Till Midnight and Lovin' On My Brain (though that one really rubs me the wrong way!)?

Ivan

Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
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Been meaning to pick it up, other things just always seem to pop up when I step into a record store! Im pretty stoked about the other sundazed reissues coming out soon!

Nicely put Warren. Now I have to follow through and actually open it up, listen to it, and check out the liner notes.

How does everyone else like it?

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"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

Have 2 original vinyls.
One broken on arrival...and a signed one.

Plus a TNT cd (1991) Dick Dale vol 1 (both Surfer's Choice & King of the Surf Guitar)

The bonus tracks on other vinyls like Surf 4940 Dick Dale Rarities

Should I buy this Sundazed release? Is it remastered? Awesome booklet?

image

Dick told me when it was coming out so I was on the doorstep at Barnes & Noble the day it arrived to be placed on their shelves. I missed it the first time around so I was glad he decided to have it re-issued.I LOVE IT!

BTW For those of you who think the "Wedge" was stolen from someone else you are mistaken.Dick wrote that song based on living at the Wedge and bringing in the first surfboard and surfing it. He says it was stupid to do so but he did it and it insipred him to write that song. I know it was done 61/62, he's my best friend and I was there.

Happy Easter from the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum Smile

I'm a lover not a fighter, a hugger not a handshaker and I take friendships very seriously...Love the life you live, live the life you love. Cool

Well he have written the Wedge but he borrowed a huge chunk of Malaguena to do it. Not there is anything wrong with that.

I have Surfer's Choice on vinyl (1970s Capitol reissue) and also have the bonus tracks (Rarities bootleg put out by the German Surf label). Still might buy the Sundazed reissue though.

As for the question if Dick Dale used reverb or not on the album, only "Let's Go Trippin" sounds reverbless to me after listening to the album today.

T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S

Last edited: Apr 05, 2007 13:58:07

I've found the LP at a tag sale in the 80's.
I 've always wondered if there were versions of a couple of the cuts out there somewhere without the goopy overdubbed string arrangements - I really like the extended version of Miserlou on the album but don't dig the strings.

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In reluctant defense of the vocal numbers on the disc (vocals never being DD's biggest strength), SURFER'S CHOICE almost certainly has some of his best stabs at the mike. His version of "Night Owl" I totally dig, and if the others ain't quite up to that level, they're certainly no worse than most other surf acts' of the time. They're a WHOLE lot better than his vocals of the 70's & 80's, at least! Hopin' the next comp or three has "Jessie Pearl", a killer indeed...

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