SUMMER HOLIDAY liner notes by Gene Weed

When the folks at Reprise called me and asked if I would like to do the liner notes for the new Jimmy Griffin album they were releasing, I quickly said, "The notes for a new album by whom?" It seems that in my experience of playing popular music as a dee jay, I had not had the pleasure of meeting this young newcomer to the music business. Nevertheless, I said I would write the notes. The next day I received a copy of Summer Holiday, and after dropping the needle on side one I knew Jimmy Griffin was a name I would be hearing regularly on the popularity charts around the country.

I still have yet to meet Jimmy, but after listening to his album several times, I look forward to that pleasure very soon. Jimmy, although still in his teens, has mastered that all-important quality of the successful singer: that of feel, understanding and heart in the songs he sings. You'll know exactly what I mean when you hear Jimmy invite you on a "Summer Holiday," the first tune in the album. From there on you just become more and more impressed by the way he tackles the eleven other tracks in this, his first album. He has taken two of the great pop standards, "Too Young," and "Love Letters In The Sand," and put brand new rockin' dresses on them. You'll also hear several brand new tunes in this album, some of which you'll probably be hearing soon on the Top Forty Surveys around the country. There are two songs in particular, in my opinion, that stand out: "What Kind Of Girl Are You?" and "My Baby Made Me Cry." "A Little Like Lovin"' also offers strong appeal. If you are like me and enjoy a good singer, singing a beautiful tune with an exceptional lyric, you'll soon find the needle on your player returning again and again to the third track on side one, "She Used To Be Mine."

Within the jacket of this new album there is an example of just about every type of song, each one done in Jimmy's own enjoyable style. A couple of your memory making favorites are here too: "Sealed With A Kiss," and a truly moving version of "Summertime Blues." As I said earlier, about Jimmy Griffin I know absolutely nothing. About Jimmy Griffin's singing I know exactly what you will know after you have heard the twelve songs in "Summer Holiday." I am sure that you and I will agree that this album, added to your collection, will gather little if any dust in the next few years, or at least until Jimmy releases another. Good listening to you and good luck to Jimmy, a new talent that is here to stay, and I'm glad!

- GENE WEED
KFWB, Los Angeles

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Last updated: Friday, April 03, 1998