DALE, DICK & HIS DEL-TONES - SURFERS' CHOICE

 

Clear vinyl. Surfers' Choice is a true landmark of surf rock, being the album that established the genre more than any other release. First issued in 1962 and mostly recorded at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa Beach, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, it has rollicking surf anthems like 'Surf Beat,' 'Shake 'n' Stomp,' 'Surfing Drums' and 'Take It Off,' as well as Dale's adaptations of 'Night Owl,' 'Fanny Mae' and a strangely orchestrated take of  loop John B.' With a soaring guitar that's drenched in reverb at centre stage and Dale's gritty vocals varying the action, this is the enduring start of surf rock and a blistering start at that!