For Mr. Moore: Port To Paradise

[maxfrost]

This question is for Mark A. Moore.

I had a few questions about the Jan & Dean cassette-only album "Port To Paradise".  First of all, was this strictly a Jan Berry solo project? If so, was it mainly a collection of remixes of his 70's singles with some brand new recordings thrown into the mix?  How involved was Dean in the final product.? How close did "Ocean Park Angel" get to being released as the Jan & Dean "comeback" single?
Thanks in advance for attempting to clear up a very grey area in J&D history!

Ben

[Mark A. Moore]

Ben,

Port to Paradise did feature some of Jan's solo material from the '70s (Ode) . . . such as "How - How I Lover Her," "Sing Sang A Song," "Totally Wild," and "Tinsel Town." Plus a song from '75 called "Fun City," featuring both Jan and Dean.

But it also had a few of Jan's '80s compositions, and Dean sang on a few of them.

"Ocean Park Angel" of course featured both Jan & Dean, but its release was scuttled by disagreements between parties involved with funding and promoting the song.

It reached a point where Jan had to delete OPA from subsequent re-issues of the cassette.

M.

[maxfrost]

Thanks for the info, Mark.   Ocean Park Angel had all the makings of a big hit had it been properly issued.