Cowabunga! The Surf Box

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.com
California may be the largest state in the Union, but it's only one state nuzzling one ocean, with only so many people living near the coastline, and a small minority of them have attempted to navigate waves on a board, much less possess the fetching physique to do so in public. Obviously, then, surf music isn't for surfers. If it were, Rhino would put out a greatest-hits EP instead of a four-disc box set. Cowabunga! is all the permanent-wave stuff most people will ever need. The discs are arranged in a curious manner: disc 1, "Ground Swells," chronicles the years from 1960 to 1963; disc 2 features nothing but recordings from '63; the third CD runs from '63 to '67; and the coda captures the postpunk renaissance that began in '77. Curious, isn't it, that there was so little going on in surf between '67 and '77? Maybe Jimi Hendrix almost killed it when he promised (in 1967!), "You'll never hear surf music again" on "Third Stone from the Sun." But Hendrix is dead, and Dick Dale lives! So, too, do the Revels, the Beach Boys, the Surfaris, Annette Funicello, the Ventures, and dozens of others. At least they do in this anthology. By the way, "cowabunga" is "a yell of excitement by a surfer." You learn that from the helpful glossary included in the excellent liner notes by John Blair, leader of Jon & the Nightriders. As to the lasting appeal of surf music, perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it's mostly instrumental. People make jokes about dumb California blonds, but the ones who made most of the classic surf sides knew one thing: it's wise at times to keep your mouth shut and play! --Steven Stolder

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Customer reviews

review by: trivia buff date: 2008-07-22 rating:
Surfin' is the only life, the only way for me.
This is a four disc collection of surf music. Most of the "classic" surf music is included, as well as a number of rarities. One complaint I have is that a lot more music could have been included on these four discs. With the exception of the fourth disc, which features the surf music "revival", the discs are well under an hour long. Plus, the discs are padded out by including about two minutes of the sounds of waves crashing at the end of each disc. But it is still quite enjoyable if you are a fan of surf music.

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review by: Surf guitar 71 date: 2007-10-28 rating:
Rare Huh, Must Have um No.
If this is so rare why are there so many for sale here? If this is a must have, why are there so many for sale. I owned this. i sold it for way less than what its going for. The reason it;s OOP - maybe Rhino didn't sell enough. As a long time surf music enthusiast and player, there is too much lame common stuff here. So many of the artist put out great CDs and 45s that this collection just isn't worth having. Some of this stuff is sooo common. I say look at whats here and listen. See who you like and pursue those cds, 45s and albums. Some songs aren't really representative of the bands especially newer bands. Where's the Bomboras and the Fathoms and the Huntington Cads and Finks on disc 4. I say avoid like red tide.

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review by: elitist duffer date: 2005-12-10 rating:
Indispensable
I live in the vicinity of Orange County, CA, and have to come to realize that most surfers of this day and age don't really care for this classic music. Their loss - this is brilliant rock music. I would put the caliber of musicianship on display here up against any rock musicians anywhere...Also, the craft involved: you have to have great melodies in order for an instrumental to succeed and all this stuff does...

As a bumper sticker I saw recently said, "why can't we all just get a longboard?"...

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review by: date: 2004-09-09 rating:
4 1/2 Stars: Great Box Set!
Massive, if not quite definitive, four-CD, 82-track box set of surf music. The first three discs are devoted to material from the genre's '60s prime, and the fourth devoted to revivalists from 1977 to 1995. If your interest runs very deep, this should satisfy, placing most of the emphasis on instrumentals rather than vocals (though significant efforts in the latter vein by the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, and others are included). It has most of the big hits, and quite a few of the ones which were principally popular in Southern California, as well as some neat rarities that are hard to find anywhere, like the Illusions' storming "Jezebel," and the Surfmen's "Paradise Cove," the Latin-surf hybrid of Dave Myers's "Moment of Truth," the Sandals' "Theme From Endless Summer," and the Sunrays' Beach Boys Xerox, "I Live for the Sun." The fourth disc of modern-day revivalists is interesting but not essential, except perhaps in the minds of the Rhino compilers. It's the first three discs that really deal with the heart of the matter. The 66-page booklet has voluminous annotation and lots of great photos, especially the booklet's cover photo - a surfer playing a Fender Jaguar guitar - while surfing! Hopefully, it's unplugged. - Richie Unterberger, AMG




review by: date: 2004-07-15 rating:
Expensive, but the only one available
This box is worth the money one has to pay since its OOP. Also check out ebay since it always has some auctions on this item.

However, since it is hard to find, try to seek a copy. The box itself is nice, as well as the booklet. The music is fantastic and otherwise hard to find!

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