How did Chuck Berry influence this recording? Why is this important to know about?
How did Chuck Berry influence this recording? Why is this important to know about?
DIRECTIONS:
- Listen to the recording of the tune by clicking the attached mp3 file. This will open the recording in a new window or tab. Listen and follow along with the listening guide in the book.
- Read the liner notes below.
- Read the information “What to Listen For”
- Respond to the Rate-A-Record/Questions by clicking on the assignment link and then click on on the button “Write Submission” (to the right of Text Submission) to record your response. Do not use the comments field.
Surfin’ USA by The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys started as a garage band in Hawthorne, California, in 1961; the group included brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Like many others in California, the group was influenced by Chuck Berry and the black pioneers of rock and roll, and it embraced the guitar-oriented sound emerging on the west coast with Dick Dale and Duane Eddy. Dennis Wilson was part of the surfer subculture that was beginning to take shape in southern California; he thought surfing might be a good subject for a song and suggested it to Brian. Their first hit, “Surfin’ Safari” (aggressively promoted by their manager/father/uncle Murray Wilson) sparked a nationwide craze for surfer fashion and lingo and for several years the band’s lyrics focused on surfing, car racing, sun, and California fun. However, the band’s breezy, bright lyrics were supported by surprisingly sophisticated musicianship. The distinguishing characteristic of the Beach Boys sound, their vocal harmonies, was adapted from the jazz vocal group the Four Freshmen, whom Brian Wilson greatly admired.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
Driving tempo driven by the bass drum on the drum set
Predominance of backgound vocals and unique vocal timbres from different members
Guitar sounds and solo that “pay tribute” to the past
Organ solo
Look at the form in the listening guide. Notice how many times the refrain appears. MAJOR ear germ, infectious hook being crammed into our ears.
RATE-A-RECORD/QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:
How did Chuck Berry influence this recording? Why is this important to know about?
Give it a rating: 0 = Bad, 100 = Awesome. Defend your number.
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