Johnny Cymbal - Dum Dum Dee Dum

samh4life

Review by Samuel Heil

Dum Dum Dee Dum by Johnny Cymbal: A Retro Blast Worth Remembering Alright, let’s talk about Dum Dum Dee Dum, Johnny Cymbal’s quirky little gem from 1963. This album is like a time capsule stuffed with bubblegum pop, doo-wop charm, and just enough rock edge to keep things interesting. It’s not perfect—heck, it’s kinda all over the place—but that’s what makes it so memorable. The record bounced around countries like Japan, Canada, the US, and even Greece, which tells you something: people back then couldn’t resist its sugary hooks and playful vibes. First off, can we talk about “(Surfin’ At) Tia Juana”? Yeah, I know—it’s listed like five times on the tracklist, but trust me, this song sticks. You hear those opening beats, and suddenly you’re transported to some imaginary beach party where everyone’s wearing Hawaiian shirts and laughing way too loud. It’s got this beat-heavy groove that feels like an odd mix of surf rock and novelty nonsense. And honestly? That’s why I love it. It doesn’t take itself seriously for one second. When Alan Lorber’s arrangements kick in, it’s impossible not to bob your head along. Sure, the lyrics are goofy as heck (“Tia Juana” repeated endlessly), but isn’t that the point? It’s fun without trying too hard, like a summer fling you’ll never forget. Then there’s the title track, “Dum Dum Dee Dum.” Oh man, this one hits different. It’s got this vocal swagger that screams early '60s pop ambition. The harmonies feel like they’re straight out of a street-corner doo-wop session, while the production gives it a polished sheen courtesy of Allen Stanton and Alan Lorber. There’s something almost hypnotic about how the chorus loops in your brain long after the song ends. Is it deep? Nope. But does it make you smile? Absolutely. What strikes me most about this album is how unapologetically joyful it is. Back in ’63, music wasn’t always about being cool or groundbreaking—it was about making people feel good. Listening to Dum Dum Dee Dum feels like hanging out with old friends who don’t care if their jokes land—they just want to have a good time. Here’s the kicker though: despite its lightheartedness, this album has layers. Maybe it’s because it came out during such a pivotal year—Kennedy was still president when it dropped, and the world felt both hopeful and chaotic. Or maybe it’s because hearing these songs now reminds us how simple happiness used to sound. Whatever it is, Dum Dum Dee Dum leaves you with this weird sense of nostalgia for a time you probably didn’t even live through. So yeah, give it a spin. Let “(Surfin’ At) Tia Juana” loop in your ears until you’re grinning like an idiot. Just don’t blame me if you start craving tacos afterward.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: johnny-cymbal-dum-dum-dee-dum.zip
  • MP3 size: 37.8 mb
  • FLAC size: 294.6 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Tia Juana "Surfin' At"2:27
(Surfin' At)Tia Juana
Dum Dum Dee Dum
(Surfin' At) Tia Juana
(Surfin' At ) Tia Juana2:27
Tia Juana2:26

Video

JOHNNIE CYMBAL Surfin' at Tia Juana.wmv
Dum Dum Dee Dum - Johnny Cymbal

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • K-539X
  • 15115
  • K 2071
  • HL-R. 9762
  • K-539
  • HLR 9762
  • KP-85

Labels

  • Kapp Records
  • Polydisc Records
  • London Records, London American Recordings

Listen online

  • kuunnella verkossa
  • lytte på nettet
  • escuchar en línea
  • écouter en ligne
  • online anhören
  • ouvir online
  • online luisteren
  • ascolta in linea
  • lyssna på nätet

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 7"
  • 45 RPM
  • Single
  • Promo

Companies

RoleCompany
Manufactured ByKapp Records, Inc.
Pressed ByColumbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute
Recorded AtKapp Records

Credits

RoleCredit
Arranged ByAlan Lorber
ConductorAlan Lorber
ProducerAllen Stanton

Notes

  • Manufactured by Kapp Records, Inc. New York
  • Made in Greece.
  • Standard UK issue four prong round centre. Not the promo. Originally recorded by Kapp Records New York
  • A label Demonstration Sample - Not for sale.

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (Label side A): K-7034
  • Matrix / Runout (Label side B): K-7035
  • Matrix / Runout (Label Side A): K - 7034
  • Matrix / Runout (Label Side B): K - 7033
  • Rights Society: C.C.
  • Rights Society: NCB
  • Matrix / Runout (Etched side A): K-7034-3 T1
  • Matrix / Runout (Etched side B): K-7035-3 T111

About Johnny Cymbal

Johnny Cymbal (born February 3rd, 1945, in Ochiltree, Scotland, UK - died March 16th, 1993, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA) was a Scottish-American singer, songwriter and producer. He died of a heart attack aged 48.

Real Name

    • John Hendry Blair

Name Vars

  • Cimbal
  • Cymbah
  • Cymbal
  • Cymball
  • Cymbol
  • Cynbal
  • Derek
  • Gymball
  • J Cymbal
  • J. Cymbal
  • J. Cymbal
  • J. Cymbol
  • J. Cymbul
  • J.Cymbal
  • J.H. Cymbal
  • John Cymbal
  • John Cymball
  • John Cymbel
  • Johnny (Mr. Bassman) Cymbal
  • Johnny Cumbal
  • Johnny Cymball
  • Johnny Cymbel
  • Johnny Cymble
  • Johnny Cymbol
  • Johnny H. Cymbal
  • Johnny Symbol
  • Johny Cymbal
  • Sohnny Cymbal
  • T. Cymbal
  • Д. Симбол
  • ¸çËüû·óÐë

Aliases

  • John Blair

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a fun fact: The album *Dum Dum Dee Dum* by Johnny Cymbal is like a musical time capsule from 1963. It blends rock, pop, and doo-wop with a playful novelty twist. One of its tracks, *(Surfin' At) Tia Juana*, gets so much love that it appears multiple times on the album—sometimes with slightly different titles! Produced by Allen Stanton and arranged by Alan Lorber, this quirky record found its way to countries like Japan, Sweden, and even Greece. Not bad for a bubblegum-style surf tune, right?