Van Dyke Parks: Song Cycle (Rhino Records/2013)

Van Dyke Parks is something of an enigma who has worn many hats in his long career. He has worked with The Beach Boys on their legendary Smile album and co-wrote "Sail On Sailor". He did the arrangements on Disney's The Jungle Book. He was the head of  Warner Brother's audio/video department in the 1970's. He was taught by Aaron Copland and sang for Albert Einstein in German as a child. He's recorded with The Byrds in the late 60's. He gave Buffalo Springfield it's name. He was a child actor and appeared in several films and television shows, including a neighbor of Ralph & Alice on The Honeymooners.

He's also released a few solo albums. The most notable of these was his debut album, Song Cycle. Song Cycle was originally released on Warner Brothers in 1968, and was recorded with a budget of $35,000 dollars making it the most expensive album at the time of its' release. It is an assemblage of various styles of American music. Ranging from old-timey American Ragtime and showtunes, traditional bluegrass, orchestrated suites all in an esoteric, psychedelic late 60's baroque pop art context. It's simultaneously backwards-looking and progressive. The songs are somewhat seamless and flow better than most albums of this sort IMHO. For starters, there are never any discernible lulls that seem to plague a good majority of so-called experimental pop music. Something is always taking place, and it's that very thing about it - which is wonderful - that may be off-putting some. I love Van Dyke Parks and love the album too.

This release was a limited edition 180-gram mono-pressing of 2,500 copies celebrating it's 45th anniversary. It was released by Rhino on Record Store Day of 2013 and it's basically a flawless release.

Here's the video review:

The Rip Chords: Sting Ray 7" (Sundazed Music/2006)

The Rip Chords were southern California surf pop band that were signed to Columbia Records. They released two unsuccessful doo-wop influenced singles (“Here I Stand” & Gone”). Columbia Record producers Terry Melcher and Bruce Johnston - also of the surf pop combo Bruce & Terry - came in shortly thereafter and took over the lead vocal duties. The band then had huge hit singles with “Hey Little Cobra” and “Three Window Coupe”. The band released two albums and subsequently had one more charting single with “One Piece Topless Bathing Suit” before calling it a day in 1965.

The always reliable Sundazed Music later reissued the bands two albums and a best of compilation that also contained a few unreleased items. Sundazed also released a single on colored vinyl on yellow wax.

“Sting Ray” is a boogie woogie rock and roll song that references The Beach Boys “Little Deuce Coupe”. “Red Hot Roadster” is a song that appeared in the motion picture A Swingin' Summer, that the band actually appeared in and the band performed said song. “Shut Down” is the a cover of the Beach Boys classic and appeared on the the Hey Little Cobra And Other Hits album. Terry Melcher went on to produce The Byrds and Paul Revere And The Raiders. Bruce Johnston joined the Beach Boys in the Spring of 1965 and is in the band to the day. And a touring version of The Rip Chords still tours the oldies circuit.

Highly recommended for fans of The Beach Boys and 60's Surf Pop. 

Here's the video review:

David Marks & The Marksmen: The Sheriff Of Noddingham 7" (Sundazed Music/2003)

David Marks was the rhythm guitarist with The Beach Boys from February of 1962 until October of 1963. He co-signed the band's contract with Capitol Records along with Mike Love and the Wilson brothers and was on the bands first four albums (Surfin' Safari, Surfin' USA, Surfer Girl and Little Deuce Coupe). He ultimately left the band left over a financial dispute between his parents and Murray Wilson. He was technically a legal full-time member of the band until late 1967.

David Marks later rejoined The Beach Boys in 1995, first appearing on Baywatch with the band. Then on the Beach Boys Salute NASCAR 1998 compilation. And later appearing on the bands 2012 reunion album That's Why God Made The Radio and subsequent 50^th Anniversary World Tour.

Soon after leaving the band Marks formed The Marksmen in 1963 and released a few singles on A&M Records and Warner Brothers before disbanding in 1965. The complete Marksmen recordings were finally compiled in 2008 on the Quiver Records compilation album The Ultimate Collector's Edition 1963-1965.

Sundazed Music released this beautiful little single in 2003 of two of the stand-out tracks by The Marksmen (“The Sheriff Of Noddingham” b/w “Kustom Kar Show”). “Noddingham” is a classic surf instrumental rave-up with plenty of wet, reverby guitar ala Dick Dale, while “Kar Show” is an endearingly goofy songwith backing-vocals and handclaps by The Honeys (which featured Brian Wilson's future wife Marilyn Rovell).

Highly recommended for fans of The Beach Boys and Surf Rock.

Here's The Video Review: