Muscle Beach Party

[mikeyj]

I was just wondering, apparently Brian produced versions of songs that he, Usher and Christian wrote for the movie, but according to Brad Elliott, these versions weren't included on the album, so someone else had to cut new versions for the soundtrack. So my question is, is there any place (besides the movie) where you can hear Brian & Usher's original productions?

[Andrew G. Doe]

I was just wondering, apparently Brian produced versions of songs that he, Usher and Christian wrote for the movie, but according to Brad Elliott, these versions weren't included on the album, so someone else had to cut new versions for the soundtrack. So my question is, is there any place (besides the movie) where you can hear Brian & Usher's original productions?

Can't quote you chapter and verse, but the versions with the Wilson/Usher produced tracks are out there somewhere...  I'll delve deeper.

[brianc]

I don't think there was an out and out "Muscle Beach Party" soundtrack. Annette and Frankie each put out albums under that title, but neither were the soundtrack, and neither featured the backing tracks produced by Wilson/Usher.

I think the place to look for those backing tracks is the Superstocks' "Surf Route 101" album, plus additionally, the Superstocks' 2-CD set on Cema had some "MBP" soundtrack songs not on "SR 101."

[brianc]

Donna Loren's single version of "Muscle Bustle" also featured the Wilson/Usher backing track, but not Dick Dale vocals, as were in the movie.

[mrski]

Just for information:

The Donna Loren version of 'Muscle Bustle', a song containing the great lyric of

'Flexing up your biceps that's how it goes,
Then you turn your head and strike up a pose,
Do the 'mashed potatoes' and stick out your chest,
The guys are looking good - but the girls are looking best...'

Is included on a V.A. 'surf' compilation CD of the same title released some years ago by ACE Records in the UK.

The Donna Loren version of the song is more 'dramatic' than that of Annette, (I prefer the latter version personally).... but Annette's 'Muscle Beach Party' album is worth searching out because, (apart from the 'bonus tracks' of 'Merlin Jones' and a spoken piece titled 'The Scrambled Egghead'), the majority of tracks are either BW/GU/RC or GU/RC compositions, PLUS you get The Honeys adding vocals and harmonies...!

Isn't there a BW produced Frankie Avalon track featured on one volume of the (bootleg) Rarities series on Dumb Angel? (The title "Don't Stop Now' rings abell but not entirely sure...)

[brianc]

Agreed on the Annette "Muscle Beach Party" album. It's a great one. Not the film soundtrack versions, but excellent re-records of BW/RC/GU tunes nonetheless. Plus, as you said, a bunch of other Christian/Usher tunes featuring the Honeys on backups. Good call.

[roll plymouth rock]

Agreed on the Annette "Muscle Beach Party" album. It's a great one. Not the film soundtrack versions, but excellent re-records of BW/RC/GU tunes nonetheless. Plus, as you said, a bunch of other Christian/Usher tunes featuring the Honeys on backups. Good call.

The Honeys are on Annette's Muscle beach Party, hey? I never knew that...cool, will keep my eyes peeled.

[LeeDempsey]

The Super Stocks versions of "Muscle Beach Party" and "My First Love" on their Surf Route 101 LP use the same backing tracks as the movie versions.  "Surfer's Holiday" was an outtake from that LP, and also uses the same backing track as the movie including the Dick Dale guitar solo (which may explain why it didn't make the Super Stocks' LP, if they couldn't get Dale's permission to use his solo).  "Muscle Bustle" by Donna Loren on the Challenge label is actually a re-recording in a higher key, but otherwise is very similar to the movie version.  An acetate of the movie version featuring the Dick Dale / Donna Loren duet was up for auction on eBay about 8 years ago, being sold by Loren's brother if I recall.  It's a full take without the annoying crowd overdubs, ending in a fade-out.

Lee

[MBE]

Lee did Brian produce or sing on the actual Donna Loren 45 then. I just bought one and am curious.

[mrski]

Agreed on the Annette "Muscle Beach Party" album. It's a great one. Not the film soundtrack versions, but excellent re-records of BW/RC/GU tunes nonetheless. Plus, as you said, a bunch of other Christian/Usher tunes featuring the Honeys on backups. Good call.

The Honeys are on Annette's Muscle beach Party, hey? I never knew that...cool, will keep my eyes peeled.

Yes they are...!

To quote liner notes from The Honeys Capitol Collectors Series CD:

'Gary Usher would soon call upon The Honeys' singing skills again, this time to provide background vocals on Annette's 'Muscle beach party' album. Ginger recalls, "What's interesting is that Gary would say to me, 'Would you put down a work vocal, 'cause Annette can't sing on her own? She needs someone to sing with.'... So I'd put a work vocal on and she'd sing the part, and then he'd just turn off my part and it would leave her."'

Muscle Beach Party           (Usher/Wilson/Christian)
A Girl Needs A Boy            (Hemric/Styner)
Surfer's Holiday                (Usher/Wilson/Christian)
I Dream About Frankie     (Styner/Hemric)
Muscle Bustle                   (Usher/Wilson/Christian)
Merlin Jones                     (Sherman/Sherman)

Custom City                     (Usher/Christian)
Draggin' USA                   (Usher/Christian)
Rebel Rider                     (Usher/Christian)
Waikiki                            (Usher/Christian)
Shut Down Again            (Usher/Christian)
The Scrambled Egghead (Sherman/Sherman)

Track it down if you can,... it really is alot of fun!!

[roll plymouth rock]

Agreed on the Annette "Muscle Beach Party" album. It's a great one. Not the film soundtrack versions, but excellent re-records of BW/RC/GU tunes nonetheless. Plus, as you said, a bunch of other Christian/Usher tunes featuring the Honeys on backups. Good call.

The Honeys are on Annette's Muscle beach Party, hey? I never knew that...cool, will keep my eyes peeled.

Yes they are...!

To quote liner notes from The Honeys Capitol Collectors Series CD:

'Gary Usher would soon call upon The Honeys' singing skills again, this time to provide background vocals on Annette's 'Muscle beach party' album. Ginger recalls, "What's interesting is that Gary would say to me, 'Would you put down a work vocal, 'cause Annette can't sing on her own? She needs someone to sing with.'... So I'd put a work vocal on and she'd sing the part, and then he'd just turn off my part and it would leave her."'

Muscle Beach Party           (Usher/Wilson/Christian)
A Girl Needs A Boy            (Hemric/Styner)
Surfer's Holiday                (Usher/Wilson/Christian)
I Dream About Frankie     (Styner/Hemric)
Muscle Bustle                   (Usher/Wilson/Christian)
Merlin Jones                     (Sherman/Sherman)

Custom City                     (Usher/Christian)
Draggin' USA                   (Usher/Christian)
Rebel Rider                     (Usher/Christian)
Waikiki                            (Usher/Christian)
Shut Down Again            (Usher/Christian)
The Scrambled Egghead (Sherman/Sherman)

Track it down if you can,... it really is alot of fun!!

Actually saw a copy on LP a week or so before reading this post....will probably go grab it this weekend. Thought it looked cool, but was semi pricey ($25) so I didn't buy it at first. Didn't realize The Honeys were on it though, that seals the deal for me! I love those ladies!! (and met them all last year, they were so nice)