Surf Route 101

The Super Stocks Surf Route 101

From the opening boogie-woogie piano on the title track of the Super
Stocks Surf Route 101 LP, Gary Usher invites you along as he starts up the
woodie and pulls it out of the driveway for a weekend pleasure cruise. For
anyone who has driven up highway 101, this is one of the most beautiful
routes along the California coast. At the time of Usher's writing, the
beaches were packed with surfers and pleasure seekers who were living the
California dream. The music in this album, both vocal and instrumental,
reflects the mood and the lifestyles of those times. Prepare yourself for an
exciting adventure and get the convertible ready; you're taking the scenic
route.

The band members on the cover of Surf Route 101 are (left to right):
Wayne Edwards, Richie Podolor, Bill Cooper, Dick Burns, and Gary Usher. This
photograph was taken just south of Zuma beach, north of Malibu beach on the
California coast. It's interesting to note that although the group on the
cover all played on the recording sessions, they never performed live. The
back cover of the album credits Jim Economides with production, but it was
actually produced by Usher (Gary is credited as the arranger on the LP
jacket). Economides was not in the studio for these sessions. This
congregation of west coast cats rocked the surf crowd with tight arrangements
and inspirational playing. The wailing sax work here floats like a poetic
breeze across the sand, and the twang of the guitar's vibrato bar and the
grinding bass lines provide a soundtrack for mythical seaside escapades. Who
are we to deny them these adventures?

Those familiar with Annette or Frankie's renditions of "Muscle Beach
Party" will find the Usher version using a completely different backing track
for this album. However, the Super Stocks version found here uses the same
backing track as the one found in the film Muscle Beach Party. The version
of "Muscle Beach Party" from the film was produced by Gary Usher and Brian
Wilson. Gary certainly didn't waste any time in the recording studio; he
created sonic landscapes for the California sound at an astounding rate.

If the driving instrumental number "Ventura" sounds familiar, this is
because it is a modified version of the song "Bikini Drag" from the Bikini
Beach film. Thrill to the pounding drums and Richie Podolor's wistful guitar
work.

"Santa Barbara" begins with one heck-of-a kicking, smoking & rocking
drum intro before heading off into minor key madness. Again, Richie Podolor
takes the spotlight for his dazzling guitar work. His guitar style is sort
of a shotgun wedding between the styles of Duane Eddy and Dick Dale; add a
dash of his own originality, technical accuracy and flair, and you have the
main ingredients of his six-string recipe.

"Surfin' Scene" (Gary Usher-Roger Christian) depicts the ideal
California lifestyle, free from responsibilities and commitments of any kind.
But don't mistake the surfers here for lazy sleepers who waste away the day:

"Better get with it, you don't wanna be late
the early morning surf is nothin' but great...
grab some coffee, we're gonna leave at six
in a custom caravan we're gonna get our kicks...
Hey, hey, let's make the Surfin' Scene"

Wide awake at six o'clock A.M.?!! Sounds like a working vacation to
me. Such is the discipline of a true dedicated surfer.

It's interesting to note that Gary Usher seemed to have romantic
independence in mind for the vocal selections included on Surf Route 101.
Case in point, Gary's vocal on "My First Love":

"Everyone says that there's a love for me now,
but my first love is still the sand and the sea
now...I know a gal who'd make a real great wife, but I don't
want a gal to run my life".

Lyrically, Gary has no hesitation about telling us what his
priorities are. On "My First Love", Brian Wilson makes another appearance as
a co-author, his other being "Muscle Beach Party". Another Wilson-Usher
collaboration "Surfer's Holiday" appears in the Muscle Beach Party movie, and
was an outtake from the Surf Route 101 LP. Usher handles all the lead
vocals on this LP, receiving a "Featuring Gary Usher" credit on the cover.

On Surf Route 101, Gary definitely makes an artistic statement of
independence; with other projects he utilized such lead vocalists as Chuck
Girard and Joe Kelly (who appear here as backing vocalists). Usher boldly
fronts the Super Stocks for this project with great confidence and vision.
Incidentally, Dick Dale performs a version of "My First Love" in the film
Muscle Beach Party (utilizing the same instrumental track as the Super
Stocks' version) and is featured singing it in the trailer.

"Midnight Run" begins with a slight musical nod to "Pipeline" via the
opening guitar riff, but soon heads off into more original territory with its
unique Eastern-flavored melody line. This is an instrumental that proves
more endearing each time you hear it. The listener can almost visualize the
moon on the waves as the group pounds out this tribal, hypnotic beat.

The writer's credits on "Malibu Blues" appear as G. Usher-H. Goodwin.
Co-writer Hal Goodwin was a Disc Jockey at KFWB at the time and wrote the
lyrics for this number. Here's a sample slice of his surf soliloquy:

"Now what did I do to deserve it today,
the water's too cold and the skies are all gray
my board's all waxed and I'm ready to go, but the surf
is down that's why I'm feelin' so low
Feelin' so bad...I got the Malibu Blues".

A real drag for surfers, eh? The ultimate bummer for hot doggers- no
surf. Further Goodwin lyrics: "I feel like a sand flea without any sand".
Hmmm...pure poetry for the Hurrache sandals set.

The outstanding bonus tracks included here should excite the
aficionado's musical palette to no end. The rarities on tracks 14-21 are
great examples of exquisite mood music with which to soothe the savage
surfer. They are taken from extremely rare acetates and the combo playing
the sessions is essentially the Super Stocks. Marvel at the wonder; the
meeting of technology and the inspired studio works of Gary Usher & company.

The Super Stocks Surf Route 101 LP may have been just one of many
musical pit stops in the musical journey of Gary Usher. However, it remains
an important album because not only was Usher asserting himself as the lead
vocalist for the project, but he was also gaining more control and finesse in
the studio.

Viva Gary Usher, and thank you for blessing us with your creativity
and vision. You have enriched our listening experience significantly, and
amazed us with your prolific pen and tireless recording efforts. Musically
speaking, we are all winners as a result of your efforts.

-Elliot
Kendall

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