VA - Hollywood Maverick, The Gary S Paxton Story [2006]

POP ROCK

VA - Hollywood Maverick, The Gary S Paxton Story [2006]

Gary S. Paxton was a sonic misfit with a knack for turning chaos into chart gold, and Hollywood Maverick, The Gary S. Paxton Story captures his wild ride through the back alleys of American pop from 1958 to 1965. Released in 2006, this single-disc compilation is curated by Rob Finnis and mastered by Nick Robbins, offering 24 tracks that span novelty, surf, doo-wop, and proto-garage, all stamped with Paxton’s eccentric production style.

The set kicks off with Paxton’s early success as half of Skip & Flip (The Pledges), including the Top 20 hit “It Was I” (Brent Records, 1959), before veering into his more notorious creations like The Hollywood Argyles’ “Alley-Oop” (Lute Records, 1960), a #1 novelty smash recorded with a rotating cast of studio musicians. From there, it’s a whirlwind of aliases and side hustles: Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers (“Monster Mash”), The Cordials, Ritchie Marsh, and The Avengers, each representing Paxton’s DIY label empire, Garpax, Paxley, and others.

What sets this comp apart is its inclusion of deep rarities like Dorothy Berry & The Swans’ “You Know You Lied” (Challenge Records), and The Paradons’ “Never Again” (Milestone), showcasing Paxton’s gift for vocal group production. There’s also early work featuring future legends like Leon Russell, David Gates, and Sky Saxon, all orbiting Paxton’s chaotic studio universe.

The liner notes are rich with anecdotes, tracing Paxton’s genre-hopping from rockabilly to gospel, and his role as a connector in the LA underground. The mastering brings clarity to even the most obscure 45s, and the packaging includes rare label scans and promo shots that deepen the archival value.

This isn’t just a novelty comp, it’s a portrait of a restless innovator who shaped the sound of Hollywood’s indie scene with grit, wit, and a touch of madness. (B)

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Track list

01 Pledges - Betty Jean 2:01

02 Gary Paxton - What Kind of Girl You've Been 1:45

03 Skip & Flip - It Was I 2:17

04 Skip & Flip - Fancy Nancy 1:52

05 Chuck and Chuckles - Bury The Hatchet 2:39

06 Doug & Freddy - Need Your Love 2:27

07 Hollywood Argyles - Alley-Oop 2:41

08 Joe Lover & The Gaylads Band - Don't Leave Me Baby 2:17

09 The Rod Marshall Combo - Hot Toddy 1:50

10 Innocents - Tick Tock 2:20

11 Paul Revere & The Raiders - Midnite Ride 2:53

12 Hi-Tensions - The Clock 2:14

13 PF Flyers - The Turtle & The Hare 2:40

14 Mavricks - Sugar Babe 2:26

15 Paradons - Never Again 2:15

16 Swans & Dorothy Berry - You Know You Lied 2:24

17 Cordials - The International Twist 2:50

18 Ritchie Marsh - Darling, I Swear That It's True 1:53

19 Bobby (Boris) Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers - Monster Mash 3:13

20 Sonny Day - Razor Blades 2:26

21 Johnny MacRae - Honest John 2:35

22 David & Lee - Tryin' to Be Someone 2:20

23 Gary Paxton - Your Money Makes You Purty 2:26

24 Don Wyatt - I've Got Love 3:06

25 Gary Paxton - Spookie Movies 2:21

26 Renfro & Jackson - Elephant Game, Pt. 1 2:43

27 Wee Willie - We're Gonna Dance 2:21

28 Ron Holden - Shake a Shake 2:13

29 Buddy Wayne - Agent 007 Dance 2:27

30 Mickey Rooney Jr. - I Can Read Between the Lines 2:15

31 Four Freshmen - Nowhere to Go 2:44

32 Art Reynolds Singers - Jesus is Just Alright 1:57

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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