Corky Carroll & Friends [ Laid Back ] CD [EM1093CD]

+ First time ever reissue of a legendary 1971 album
+ Digital transfer and remastering by Dennis Dragon (ex. Farm/The Surf Punks)
+ Gatefold cardboard sleeve
+ Liner notes written by Corky Carroll

Just in time for summer: "Laid Back" by Corky Carroll and friends, a warm-hued snapshot of the musical life of one segment of the American surfing world, circa 1971. This album, the first ever recorded by true surfers, captures the relaxed, truly laid back feeling of the surfing life. The album features none of the tropes of "surf music": no reverb, no sugary vocal harmonies. Simply recorded with warm fidelity, what we hear is pro surfer Corky Carroll and his surfer pals in various combinations delivering songs and instrumental pieces, perfectly capturing the sultry seaside atmosphere and their idyllic oceanic lives.

All the performers were, in Corky's words, "real surfers" (unlike the Beach Boys), well-recorded in casual circumstances in California in 1971. Beginning (and closing) with Hawaii-born master board-maker Raymond Patterson's joyful slack-key guitar fantasias, the album features the famed Denny Aarberg on guitar (with Kathy Dragon of the legendary Dragon family), the articulate folk picking of David Lyons, Al Oakie's affable acoustic blues (with some fine harmonica), and the folky guitar playing of Carroll himself.

A blend of vocal and instrumental pieces, the album is largely acoustic, and even the two tracks with electric instruments (from the band Hana, with electric pianist Jon Close, guitarists Dave Rullo and herb Torrens, and bassist Dave Shoffner, surfers all) do not break the serenity of the calm, Pacific mood.

"Laid Back" was Carroll's first recording, released independently on Rural Records (jointly run by Carroll and Dennis Dragon) while Carroll was still surfing professionally. Dragon, a skilled engineer, and Carroll "travelled up and down the California coast with (Dragon's) mobile recording setup and recorded this music in these people's living rooms and garages." You can feel the ocean nearby...

"Laid Back", a long-prized treasure, is an oceanic balm retrieved from the waves of time and offered to all in 2011 by EM Records, in CD and vinyl formats.

Corky Carroll (b. September 9, 1947) was a professional American surfer and is considered a pioneer in the sport by becoming the first real professional surfer as well as being the first to receive endorsements.
Carroll started his career in 1959 at a very early age and by the time he retired in 1972, he was only 24 years old. From 1966-1970 he won the United States Surfing Championship and also won the International Surfing Championship three times. (from Wikipedia)

TRACKS:
1. Lahaina Girl - Raymond Patterson (slack-key guitar)
2. Haleiwa - Raymond Patterson (slack-key guitar)
3. Love Sick - Denny Aaberg (g) & Kathy Dragon (flute)
4. Waikiki Shuffle - Corky Carroll (g), Raymond Patterson (ukelele) & Denny Aaberg (conga)
5. War - David Lyons (g)
6. Merrit - Liane Hirschi (voc & g)
7. Leavin' California Blues - Al Oakie (voc, g & harp)
8. Hanalei - Hana : Dave Rullo (g), Herb Torrens (g), Jon Close (piano) & Dave Shoffner (b)
9. Ain't Nothin' (In the World) - Hana (vocals by Dave Rullo)
10. Sparkles - Corky Carroll (g)
11. Easy Ride - Al Oakie (voc & g) & Corky Carroll (g)
12. All Pretty Women - Al Oakie (voc, g & harp)
13. A Walk on Hot Sand - Corky Carroll (g)
14. Maui Chimes - Raymond Patterson (slack-key guitar)