A Surfer Boy's Dream Come True (Background Vocal Overdub 1)
Let's Make The Most Of The Summer (Instrumental)
Phil 'P.F.' Sloan and Steve Barri, known for writing 'SummerMeans Fun' for Bruce & Terry, recorded only one album as theFantastic Baggys, this album spotlights the entire 'Tell 'Em I'm Surfin' album along with 17 addir... more »ional tracks including rare singles, unreleased material and alternate versions. 28 beach-bound tracks in all including 'Surfin' Craze' and 'Let's Make The Most Of Summer' (Version 1 & Instrumental). 2000 release. Standard jewel case.« less
Phil 'P.F.' Sloan and Steve Barri, known for writing 'SummerMeans Fun' for Bruce & Terry, recorded only one album as theFantastic Baggys, this album spotlights the entire 'Tell 'Em I'm Surfin' album along with 17 addirional tracks including rare singles, unreleased material and alternate versions. 28 beach-bound tracks in all including 'Surfin' Craze' and 'Let's Make The Most Of Summer' (Version 1 & Instrumental). 2000 release. Standard jewel case.
CD Reviews
Underappreciated surf rock classic!
popular culture lover | Travelers Rest, SC United States | 10/31/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, there are those who say "REAL surf music has to be instrumental." This CD proves them wrong. Superlative vocal quality stands up to comparison even with the Beach Boys. Well-crafted, fun music, well-played. Amid the plethora of surf-rock music being reissued these days, this stands out. Get it. You won't regret it!"
Somethin' for the Fans
Royal City Homeboy | Canada | 07/23/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Well, I first came across the Fantastic Baggys on an Austrailian import album anthology called Pebbles way back in the 70s. The song was "Anywhere the Girls Are" and that song stuck with me. Not bad for a studio creation of Beach Boy band member Bruce Johnston and P.F. Sloan. I've always been a big fan of surf and car music and especially songs with vocals. This disc does help to prove that there was more to the California sound than just The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. Listening to this cd you can't help but be blown away by the amount of talent and creativity at such a young age. Here is a fine example of what can happen when you literally grow up in the business and not have anyone telling you that you can't accomplish what you want to do. There is a great variety of tracks and studio outtakes and the booklet that accompanies the disc is fairly informative. There is a real treasure trove of musical goodies in here. An example of how solid their songs were, a cover version of "Surfin Craze" was done by James Darren for an episode of the Flintstones!! This disc is the perfect compliment to "The Best of Bruce and Terry" as issued by Sundaze Records. Come on Kats and Kittens wax up your board and Hang Ten!!!"
Sloan and Barri Bring Back Cars and Fun in the Sun
Michael K. | Wisconsin | 12/30/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Most people familar with the best '60's surf and songs know the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. Few know that these studio musicians and back up singers Sloan and Barri put out some classic surf and car music comparable to the best at the time. "Anywhere the Girls Are", "Hot Rod USA", and "Summer Means Fun" are the gems but only a small selection of the good songs on this CD. The harmonies are fine, the guitar playing strong and the lyrics...well it is about cars, surf, sun and fun! If you haven't heard of this "group" and appreciate this genre, don't let this CD pass you by!"
Long forgotten gem rediscovered
MarvsC61 | Yorba Linda, Ca. USA | 08/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a lover of Surf/HotRod/WestCoast/California sound music for as long as I can remember. Growing up in So. California in the early 50's and 60's, there was a lot of excitement surrounding local groups like the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean, Surfaris, Chantays, etc. But I thought I had pretty much heard everything there was out there until I bought and played this CD. WOW! I love all of the music in this genre, but particularly have been fond of music with vocals. This one suprised the heck out of me. I had been somewhat aware of the fact that Jan & Dean had a group doing background vocals with them named the Fantastic Baggy's. I was not aware until recently that they had done an album by themselves. I also realized that on the songs that they worked on with J & D, that their contribution was so great, and that those songs had a significantly better sound vocally. This is a real gem, I don't think you'll be disappointed if you love 60's West Coast sound vocal music. This should have been a big hit but I think the timing was a little too late. Once the Beatles hit the U.S. they overshadowed everything else. Surfin's Back Again! and Hot Rod's are bigger than ever!!"
Pure Surf Lyrics, Band of Baggys With a Unique Story!
K. Brown | Walnut, Ca USA | 09/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Fantastic Bagggys, despite what you might gather from the photo on their CD cover, were just two studio musicians named Phil Sloan and Steve Barri. On top of that, The Fantastic Baggys made only two live appearances: opening for Jan & Dean to an audience who went wild for them, and once on Lloyd Thaxton's TV show.
The rest of this duo's history has virtually nothing to do with Baggys, but with writing smash hit songs for the likes of Johnny Rivers, The Turtles, Herman's Hermits, and most frequently for Jan and Dean.
The Fantastic Baggys never hit the big time, but they recorded enough quality tracks to leave for future generations. This "Best Of" description is endearing, and really not misleading. If this was everything they recorded, then I believe they can accurately describe their entire songbook as "Best Of" material.
The majority of these 28 surf music tracks are vocals, which usually is tough sell to me: I prefer surf instrumentals, but when the right vocal pieces hit, they hit me bigtime!
What I love about the lyrics in these songs is that they shove so many words about surfboards, waves, woodys and sunshine into nearly every song that they sound like they could be leaders of a sun-worshipping surfing beach cult! You can tell the influence they had on Jan and Dean by these high spirited lyrics combined with the clean guitar work.
If you are like me, and are predominantly a fan of the surf groups like The Challengers, The Ventures or The Shadows, this might not be up your alley. That said, I suggest you give this CD a chance, because after having little effect on me the first time I gave it a spin, The Fantastic Baggys won me over after several more plays.
Every bit as fun as the music are the liner notes that tell in great detail the story of the songwriting team of Barri & Sloan. While you can tell how proud they are of the work they have done for other pop groups, I think it is so great that they had a project that they could call their own, and eventually showcase for posterity."
Track Listings (28) - Disc #1