REISSUES New 2-CD set liberates Jan and Dean's doo-wop

— Only the Beach Boys surpassed Jan Berry and Dean Torrence as the musical exponents of the California surf, girls, hot rods and pop life of the 1960s.

As Jan and Dean, they scored a number of hits around those themes, including their No. 1 hit "Surf City," which got a boost from Beach Boy Brian Wilson as a writer and singer; and the novelty "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena," with its "go-Granny-go" chorus.

But they were not strangers to the pop charts when their career kicked into high gear. Jan and Dean also had a handful of doo-wop-flavored singles on small labels in the late '50s - Top 10 hits "Jennie Lee" and "Baby Talk," plus several releases co-produced by Herb Alpert, including the ballad "We Go Together" and a souped-up "Clementine."

Jan and Dean signed with Liberty Records in 1961; their first chart single was a redo of the Jo Stafford hit "A SundayKind of Love" that makes one think of The Marcels' doo-wop redo of "Blue Moon." It lasted one week on the charts.

That song opens The Complete Liberty Singles (Collectors' Choice, $27.98), a two-CD set that, as the title says, collects every single Jan and Dean released on that label. Another remake, the 1947 hit "Linda," is atypical in that it seems to borrow heavily from the Four Seasons in style. But it did reasonably well and set the stage for "Surf City" and other hits.

Though Jan and Dean lacked the artistic ambition and depth of the Beach Boys, they did excel in creating catchy pop singles. This 42-song compilation is a real boon for fans; the original mono sound is present and serves this set well. While 42 songs may be more than thecasual fan would want, there's a lot to like, including their cover of "Norwegian Wood," "Sidewalk Surfin'," the movie theme "Ride the Wild Surf" and a rockin' "Bucket T."

Various artists, Justin Time Records 25th Anniversary, Justin Time, $16.98

The independent label Justin Time has a strong reputation in jazz, but it's also known for being adventurous, and this two-CD set shows it. Among high points are "Sacred Ground" by saxophonist David Murray with Cassandra Wilson, a fascinating rework ofMuddy Waters' "Mannish Boy" by the World Saxophone Quartet with James "Blood" Ulmer, Diana Krall's lively "This Can't Be Love," Paul Bley's "Startled" and a fabulous "Good Day Miss Lee" by pianist Oliver Jones. This mix of studio and live tunes is a fine overview of the label's silver anniversary with its array of jazz, gospel, folk and more.

Bobby Womack, The Best of Bobby Womack: The Soul Years, Capitol, $18.98

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Bobby Womack's versatility may have held his career back in some ways commercially, but creatively, it yielded a fascinating body of work. This 22-song collection is superb; the digital remastering improves the sound and reveals even more of Womack's gifts. His music embraced some sweet, smooth pop ("I Left My Heart in San Francisco"), gritty soul ("Across 110th Street") and other unlikely tunes - cool, thoughtful covers of James Taylor's "Fire andRain" and The Mamas and The Papas' "California Dreamin'" and a memorable soul take on the standard "Fly Me to the Moon." There also are hits such as "Harry Hippie," "That's the Way I Feel About Cha" and "Lookin' for a Love." A fabulous singledisc collection.

FRANKIE IS THE WORD

Two albums for the price of one is a great deal. And fans of Frankie Valli will be pleased with these four two-fers of his solo work. They are $16.98 each.

Solo and Timeless (1967 and 1968) is a mix of hits - "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "To Give" - plus a batch of standards and covers such as "My Funny Valentine," "For All We Know," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Secret Love."

Close Up and Valli (1975-1976) collects 18 tunes with his smash hit "My Eyes Adored You," plus the disco-ish "Swearin' to God" and a cover of Boz Scaggs' "We're All Alone."

Our Day Will Come and Lady Put the Light Out (1975, 1977). His hit cover of Ruby & the Romantics' "Our Day Will Come" plusEric Carmen's "I Need You" and "Boats Against the Current" and "Walk Away Renee."

Frankie Valli Is the Word and Heaven Above Me (1978 and 1980) were recorded after he formally left the Four Seasons. The single CD includes the smash "Grease," along with "Without Your Love" and "Save Me, Save Me."

LOOKING AHEAD

Otis Redding, Live in London and Paris, Stax, $11.98. The great soul singer is backed by Booker T and the MGs in these 1967 shows. Out Sept. 23.

Graham Nash, Songs for Beginners, Rhino, $24.98. The 1971 solo debut plus a bonus DVD. Out Sept. 23.

Miles Davis, Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition, Columbia/Legacy, $105.98. Two CDs with the original album plus studio sequences and alternate takes from the 1958-59 recording sessions and a live "So What" recorded in 1960 in the Netherlands. A DVD includes Celebrating a Masterpiece: Kind of Blue, a 55-minute documentary and Robert Herridge Theatre: The Sound of Miles Davis, plus a photo gallery. The 60-page book hasessays and session transcripts. Out Sept. 30.

Roy Orbison, The Soul of Rock and Roll, Monument/Legacy, $59.98. A four-CD boxed set that spans the career of the late singer-songwriter. There are 107 songs, including 12 previously unreleased tracks. Out Sept. 30.

Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison: Legacy Edition, Columbia/Legacy, $39.98. This boxed set has two CDs and a DVD. The first CD has the 65-minute first show with seven unreleased tunes; the second is the 75-minute second show with 24 unreleased tracks. A DVD has a new documentary. Out Oct. 14

Celtic Woman, The Greatest Journey: Essential Collection, EMI Manhattan, $18.98. Four new songs and a DVD with a behind-the-scenes documentary. Out Oct. 28.

E-mail:

ewidner@arkansasonline.com

Style, Pages 39 on 09/04/2008

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