Featured Album:
The Beach Boys – Surfin Safari
Before I start with the article, I would like to raise a concern. Over the last few weeks there have been several comments about how bad some of you are feeling, especially with these silly rules on lockdown and worries about yourself or family not getting the health measures they need. Certainly, some of us will be feeling depressed. In the “news” they are now talking about the rise of MHI and suicides, people not being treated by “Our NHS” as they are busy doing nothing as they are banned from making Tik-Tok videos.
Perhaps there is something our merry band of ladies and gentlemen can actually do to help each other. For example, if anyone fancies a chat with me, or maybe you need a few days break away from your place, you can come and stay with me for a bit. I am in the same boat as you and everybody else, but sometimes having someone to talk to can help. It may even get exciting and you can come with me to the caravan on the holiday site, have a bracing walk along the beach, the highlight of the day being a couple of games of Bingo in the club whilst having a pint of Eurofizz (other drinks are available). The holiday site is located about 30 minutes away and is located in a one-horse town, but without the horse. If you cannot afford it, no worries, my treat. If you cannot afford the train or fuel to Maidstone, no worries, if you are within say 150 miles or so of Maidstone, I will come and collect you and take you back. I mean it, no worries at all. It may be that you and your other half just fancy a few days of peace and quiet alone, so you can borrow the caravan for free. It is something that others may be able to do as well. My GP e-mail is here My E-Mail
This is a series of articles looking at albums from 1960 to whatever year we end up in.
I will select a featured album for each year and the link for the whole album, Plus list the songs on it.
As before, it is not just about the songs and tunes, it is very much about memories, and good ones, I hope.
Not everyone will like my choices of course, and you may remember some from each particular year that you feel should have been included, so do please post a link to the song.
Track listing
| Side one | ||||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocal(s) | Length |
| 1. | “Surfin’ Safari“ | Mike Love | 2:05 | |
| 2. | “County Fair“ |
|
Love | 2:15 |
| 3. | “Ten Little Indians“ |
|
Love | 1:26 |
| 4. | “Chug-A-Lug“ |
|
Love | 1:59 |
| 5. | “Little Girl (You’re My Miss America)“ |
|
Dennis Wilson | 2:04 |
| 6. | “409“ |
|
Love | 1:59 |
| Side two | ||||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocal(s) | Length |
| 1. | “Surfin’“ |
|
Love | 2:10 |
| 2. | “Heads You Win–Tails I Lose“ |
|
Love | 2:17 |
| 3. | “Summertime Blues“ | 2:09 | ||
| 4. | “Cuckoo Clock“ |
|
Brian Wilson | 2:08 |
| 5. | “Moon Dawg” | Derry Weaver | instrumental | 2:00 |
| 6. | “The Shift” |
|
Love | 1:52 |
| Total length: | 24:53 | |||
The Beach Boys have been one of my favourite bands for many years. I just love the sound, happy, upbeat, and generally toe-tapping.
More writings on this album here: Surfin Safari
The Top 10 Albums with a You Tube hyperlink on the title:
Top Tip: Right-click and open in new tab
| Top Albums of 1962 | ||
| 1 | Original Soundtrack | West Side Story |
| 2 | Elvis Presley | Blue Hawaii |
| 3 | Cliff Richard & the Shadows | The Young Ones (OST) |
| 4 | Elvis Presley | Pot Luck |
| 5 | Shadows | Out of the Shadows |
| 6 | George Mitchell Minstrels | On Stage With The George Mitchell Minstrels |
| 7 | Joe Brown & The Bruvvers | A Picture Of You |
| 8 | Bobby Vee & The Crickets | Bobby Vee Meets The Crickets |
| 9 | Helen Shapiro | Tops With Me |
| 10 | Original Soundtrack | It’s Trad Dad |
Elvis of course, he could do no wrong! The B&W Minstrels still there as well! I toyed with Joe brown for the featured album, but could not find any link to it, plus when I listened individually to the tracks, it is not his best. A Picture of you is a super tune though. I thoroughly recommend a quick search of Joe on You Tube, perhaps try his concert in Liverpool, a very funny man playing some awesome tunes Joe in concert.He also does a tribute to the late great Chas & Dave with Ain’t Know pleasing You.
So, on we go with memories from 1962: (Thank you Wiki)
I was only 7 or 8 years of age. I remember having to get a new pair of grey shorts for school and they kept falling down, so my mum took me on the bus to the top of town, then we walked quickly down Bath Street in Ilkeston to a shop called Fords, who sold children’s clothes, to buy a Snake belt, it had that “S” thing buckle, we all had them. I remember this as we were rushing down the street to the shop as it was half day closing on a Wednesday.
In my view the best albums of the year, after the featured one, and the top tune from each, are:
Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan – Never been his greatest fan, but he can sure write some top tunes and influenced many others. This was his first album.
Booker T. & The Mgs – Green Onions – Awesome stuff, you hear the title track so often.
Roy Orbison – Crying – Roy is another of my most favourites. I must make him a featured artist at some point.
Peter, Paul And Mary – Peter, Paul And Mary – brings back happy childhood memories for me, they were often guest artists on various telly shows. Well worth a listen for pleasant gospel/folk type tunes.
Meet The Supremes – The Supremes – early stuff, wonderful toe-tapping tunes.
Telstar – The Tornadoes – Loved this, always playing in the early sixties and the start of the “space race”
The Sound of Johnny Cash – Johnny cash – Big favourite of mine.
The Shirelles – Baby It’s You – Lovely sound, I must do an article on Motown at some stage,
[I Left My Heart] In San Francisco – Tony Bennett – not what I call pop, but what a great voice. Go on, just play the first and title track, I know you want to singalong.
….and then I wrote – Willie Nelson – What can I say, I just love Willie.
Sam Cooke Greatest Hits Full Album – Could easily have been the featured album, but I am trying to avoid “best of” albums. There will be one exception of course. Hint, begins with Q.
Scoring:
As you know I like to review your “tunes” that you post. Scoring this week will be as per my first comment you will not read:
*Note. Anyone scoring a Morrissey (lowest score possible) will be reported and blocked.
Hat tips to:
https://www.albumoftheyear.org/ratings/8-all-music-highest-rated/1962/1 these give the top 100 selling charts for each year
http://www.everyhit.com/chart1.html these give the top 10 songs for each year
https://www.youtube.com/ you know them.
Next Time: 1963
Stay sane everyone. We are a big family and we can support each other.
Featured image: Capitol Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
© Phil the ex test manager 2020
