Fun City Compilation

[Moon Dawg]

 Hi Guys

  I recently bought a Jan & Dean CD called FUN CITY, a K-Tel product compiling Jan Berry and Jan & Dean recordings from the 70s and 80s. Most of it is rather decent - I still think "Ocean Park Angel" could have been a Top 40 hit.

 Did Jan & Dean ever incorporate any of these tunes into their live act with second wave 1978 - onward? I never saw the duo live, but I would have rather heard a few of these than say "Help Me Rhonda".

 Tracks:
 
 1)   Fun City - J & D
 2)   Don't You Just Know It - Jan & Brian Wilson
 3)   How How I Love Her - Jan
 4)   Just One of Those Days - J & D
 5)   Sing Sang a Song - Jan
 6)   That's the Way It Is - Jan
 7)   Skateboard Surfin' USA - Jan
    Little Queenie - Jan
 9)   Hot Lookin' Lady - J & D
 10) Blue Moon - Jan
 11) Totally Wild - J & D
 12) Tinsel Town - Jan
 13) The Best Love Ever - J & D
 14) Hawaiian Mirage - J & D
 15) Ocean Park Angel - J & D

[Admin]

In the late '70s, Jan played "Little Queenie" live with Downing, Tripp & Middler . . . and also with the Aloha band. He also played "That's the Way It Is" live with Aloha.

Jan and the Aloha Band, Live 1977 . . . small sclub in Marina Del Rey . . . a bit rough but they had just gotten together:

Little Queenie

That's the Way It Is

[2dean2]

Little Queenie sounds pretty "normal" . That's the way it is . Has the post accident "cadence".

[Moon Dawg]

 Based on what I've read, Jan was more into the idea of doing new songs on tour than Dean. Dean liked to give the people what they came to the show for - old favorites.

[Mike1965]

Dean is still doing that.  85% of the Jan & Dean show is Beach Boy songs. The rest is Surfy City, Deadman's Curve and Little Old Lady. 

[BlackSea]

That's The Way It Is, Jan's best effort in the 70s, an excellent track. Not a bad comp, quality OK. Well worth getting this one.
Until Next Time

[1Jay1]

ocean park angel was a def Top ten song.

Would love to hear the real reason for not being released

[jdman]

I think Jan's best shot at success in the 70's was with Sing Sang a Song or Fun City. Ocean Park Angel is a great song, but you can hear the affects of the accident more on that one. just my opinion

[Moon Dawg]

I think Jan's best shot at success in the 70's was with Sing Sang a Song or Fun City. Ocean Park Angel is a great song, but you can hear the affects of the accident more on that one. just my opinion

  It's funny you say that because my reaction upon hearing "Ocean Park Angel" was just the opposite. My thoughts were "I'm hearing Jan Berry sing" without any real thought of the accident. That isn't the case with "Tinseltown", for one.

[jdman]

It's been a year since I wrote that. Am I the only one that checks this site daily? lol

Anyway, Ocean Park Angel is a good record. It's one of Jan's best post accident. But commercially, I still think Fun City and Sing Sang a Song had more potential.
And Mark's book does confirm this. Both songs received airplay in some areas of the country. Also, the production on Fun City and Sing Sang a Song had a pre-accident feel to it. Ocean Park Angel sounds like Papa Do Run Run.

[2dean2]

But and this is an important one it had a new 70's feel to it. An updated sound.

[Moon Dawg]

But and this is an important one it had a new 70's feel to it. An updated sound.

  That's the way I hear "Ocean Park Angel" as well. There's always a mental image of J&D lip synching this on SOLID GOLD circa 1982. Maybe it happened in some alternate reality. Jan would have truly appreciated another Top 40 hit.

[Surf Route 101]

 "How How I Love Her" is a nice one.

[Mike1965]

I think That's The Way It Is, is the best post accident song.