Reunion Studio Work

[Matt H]

Sorry guys and gals but the idea of the BBs revisiting semi finished recordings from the 80's and 90's fills me with dread

They will all be compromises and its now 2011 and voices aren't as good as what they used to be.

If they went in and recorded an album of totally new high quality songs with top session guys (no not the current Wonderminty or Love Bruce things) then I might be interested.

Quality control is what I am seeking and a lot of those older songs haven't been released because they don't deserve to be

I would want them to update the instrumental tracks, and re-use Carl vocals.

[Matt H]

Reviewing AGD's website shows that there are a number of tracks worked on in 95 and some back in 85 that could potentially be re-worked which may have Carl on them with vocals for a new studio effort:

From 1995:
Dancin' The Night Away
Grace Of My Heart
Must Be A Miracle
Soul Searchin'
Turn On Your Love Light
It's Not Easy Being Me
You're Still A Mystery

From 1984/85:
Down By The Pier
Water Builds Up
And I Always Will
Oh Lord

I realize some of these have since been released, but have not had a very large audience, so potentially they could be re-worked for a Beach Boys release.  For the 84/85 stuff the instrumental tracks could be re-done to get rid of the 80s synth sound. 

Just a thought.......

The songs I've bolded, have you heard these before?
Or are they just random songs thrown out from that era?

No I haven't, all I know is what is on AGD's site.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Reviewing AGD's website shows that there are a number of tracks worked on in 95 and some back in 85 that could potentially be re-worked which may have Carl on them with vocals for a new studio effort:

From 1995:
Dancin' The Night Away
Grace Of My Heart
Must Be A Miracle
Soul Searchin'
Turn On Your Love Light
It's Not Easy Being Me
You're Still A Mystery

From 1984/85:
Down By The Pier
Water Builds Up
And I Always Will
Oh Lord

I realize some of these have since been released, but have not had a very large audience, so potentially they could be re-worked for a Beach Boys release.  For the 84/85 stuff the instrumental tracks could be re-done to get rid of the 80s synth sound. 

Just a thought.......

The songs I've bolded, have you heard these before?
Or are they just random songs thrown out from that era?

No I haven't, all I know is what is on AGD's site.

They'll be the ones I made up, then... 

[The Shift]

I have a small forrection...

I'm sorry to hear this. I'm even sorrier for Mrs. Jay. 

This gets worse – he gets a small forrection watching Des… Morecambe & Wise should be told!

[Mikie]

Anyway, I wasn't aware the BBs had recorded a version of Water Builds Up.

I wasn't aware of it either.  First time I heard that.  Is there an instrumental track and vocal for it?

[Matt H]

Anyway, I wasn't aware the BBs had recorded a version of Water Builds Up.

I wasn't aware of it either.  First time I heard that.  Is there an instrumental track and vocal for it?

No idea, maybe AGD knows, it is listed as being recorded during the '85 sessions on the shows & sessions page here: http://esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs84.html.

[Matt H]

Does anyone know anything about a song called "   BOOGALOO SUSANNAH?" It is listed on the BMI website as being written by Peter Brandt, Al, Mike, Bruce & Carl.

[Christian]

Does anyone know anything about a song called "   BOOGALOO SUSANNAH?" It is listed on the BMI website as being written by Peter Brandt, Al, Mike, Bruce & Carl.

I think it´s a German-language cover version of "How She Boogalooed It". (No, I haven´t heard it)

[bgas]

Anyway, I wasn't aware the BBs had recorded a version of Water Builds Up.

I wasn't aware of it either.  First time I heard that.  Is there an instrumental track and vocal for it?

I think that's the Beach Boys Water track which Builds Up from there with various vocals.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Does anyone know anything about a song called "   BOOGALOO SUSANNAH?" It is listed on the BMI website as being written by Peter Brandt, Al, Mike, Bruce & Carl.

I think it´s a German-language cover version of "How She Boogalooed It". (No, I haven´t heard it)

It is indeed.

[GuyOnTheBeach]

I don't know if anyone here brought the 2001 re-issue of George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album, but in the bonus tracks, there were some demos, with some very light new overdubbing, just a few keyboards, and vocal overdubs where needed, I think where revisiting archival material, this approach would be best for The Beach Boys. Release an album like this, with a handful of new tracks, maybe one from each member, and leave it as that. As mentioned before, Al excepted, none of them have the voices which they used to have, so heavy reworking, and recording may not be the best approach.

[Wylson]

I don't know if anyone here brought the 2001 re-issue of George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album, but in the bonus tracks, there were some demos, with some very light new overdubbing, just a few keyboards, and vocal overdubs where needed, I think where revisiting archival material, this approach would be best for The Beach Boys. Release an album like this, with a handful of new tracks, maybe one from each member, and leave it as that. As mentioned before, Al excepted, none of them have the voices which they used to have, so heavy reworking, and recording may not be the best approach.

I think people underestimate the capability of mike and Bruce in studio conditions. I'm sure you could get a decent sound out. Brian too.

Actually I would quite like to see the likes of matt jardine, Christian love, the wilson boys - to me it's not about recreating the beach boys sound, but giving Brian a group of voices to play with.

[bgas]

I don't know if anyone here brought the 2001 re-issue of George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album, but in the bonus tracks, there were some demos, with some very light new overdubbing, just a few keyboards, and vocal overdubs where needed, I think where revisiting archival material, this approach would be best for The Beach Boys. Release an album like this, with a handful of new tracks, maybe one from each member, and leave it as that. As mentioned before, Al excepted, none of them have the voices which they used to have, so heavy reworking, and recording may not be the best approach.

I think people underestimate the capability of mike and Bruce in studio conditions. I'm sure you could get a decent sound out. Brian too.

Actually I would quite like to see the likes of matt jardine, Christian love, the wilson boys - to me it's not about recreating the beach boys sound, but giving Brian a group of voices to play with.

And if you can only convince Mike/BRI to credit those other voices as "The Beach Boys", then no-one will be the wiser?

[GuyOnTheBeach]

I don't know if anyone here brought the 2001 re-issue of George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album, but in the bonus tracks, there were some demos, with some very light new overdubbing, just a few keyboards, and vocal overdubs where needed, I think where revisiting archival material, this approach would be best for The Beach Boys. Release an album like this, with a handful of new tracks, maybe one from each member, and leave it as that. As mentioned before, Al excepted, none of them have the voices which they used to have, so heavy reworking, and recording may not be the best approach.

I think people underestimate the capability of mike and Bruce in studio conditions. I'm sure you could get a decent sound out. Brian too.

Actually I would quite like to see the likes of matt jardine, Christian love, the wilson boys - to me it's not about recreating the beach boys sound, but giving Brian a group of voices to play with.

And if you can only convince Mike/BRI to credit those other voices as "The Beach Boys", then no-one will be the wiser?

Actually, although I don't think it should be about recreating the Beach Boys sound, I also don't think all these other people should be included, keep it bare minimum, as close to the original band as possible, augmented where needed otherwise just Al, Brian, Bruce and Mike. With all of these other faces it would feel more like what bands like the Drifters are these days, where nothing remains from the original band other than the name.

[Wylson]

I don't know if anyone here brought the 2001 re-issue of George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album, but in the bonus tracks, there were some demos, with some very light new overdubbing, just a few keyboards, and vocal overdubs where needed, I think where revisiting archival material, this approach would be best for The Beach Boys. Release an album like this, with a handful of new tracks, maybe one from each member, and leave it as that. As mentioned before, Al excepted, none of them have the voices which they used to have, so heavy reworking, and recording may not be the best approach.

I think people underestimate the capability of mike and Bruce in studio conditions. I'm sure you could get a decent sound out. Brian too.


Actually I would quite like to see the likes of matt jardine, Christian love, the wilson boys - to me it's not about recreating the beach boys sound, but giving Brian a group of voices to play with.

And if you can only convince Mike/BRI to credit those other voices as "The Beach Boys", then no-one will be the wiser?

Not sure if you're being sarcastic, but:
- Mike has been touring with a bunch of randomers called "the beach boys" for over a decade
- Mike happily had matt j as a bb
- why would anyone have to be none the wiser

[bgas]

I don't know if anyone here brought the 2001 re-issue of George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album, but in the bonus tracks, there were some demos, with some very light new overdubbing, just a few keyboards, and vocal overdubs where needed, I think where revisiting archival material, this approach would be best for The Beach Boys. Release an album like this, with a handful of new tracks, maybe one from each member, and leave it as that. As mentioned before, Al excepted, none of them have the voices which they used to have, so heavy reworking, and recording may not be the best approach.

I think people underestimate the capability of mike and Bruce in studio conditions. I'm sure you could get a decent sound out. Brian too.


Actually I would quite like to see the likes of matt jardine, Christian love, the wilson boys - to me it's not about recreating the beach boys sound, but giving Brian a group of voices to play with.

And if you can only convince Mike/BRI to credit those other voices as "The Beach Boys", then no-one will be the wiser?

Not sure if you're being sarcastic, but:
- Mike has been touring with a bunch of randomers called "the beach boys" for over a decade
- Mike happily had matt j as a bb
- why would anyone have to be none the wiser

ahh, but you see, studio and touring are two different animals

[Jim V.]

Lastly, what is stuff like "Turn on Your Love Light" and "Grace of My Heart"? Actual songs the BB recorded in '95? Or BW solo? You know anything AGD?

Gigs & sessions 1995

I know what your site says....but those are confirmed Beach Boys tracks too? Besides "You're Still a Mystery", "Soul Searchin'", and "Dancing the Night Away"? I always thought those were the only 3 the boys actually recorded...I didn't know they actually worked on some other material.

[drbeachboy]

If Chris Love, Matt Jardine or any other background singers are used, then you credit them as guest vocalists, just like any other band would do. If any new recording is done, you can be sure that there will be quite a few guests playing and singing on the tracks.

[GuyOnTheBeach]

I think people underestimate the capability of mike and Bruce in studio conditions. I'm sure you could get a decent sound out. Brian too.

I just thought after "Cool Head, Warm Heart" played on media player, although it was never released, Mike was very clever with that album, to the untrained ear of a casual fan, that falsetto could easily be Brian, and that mid range Carl's*. That is a very marketable sound bearing in mind it sounds more like The Beach Boys vocal blend than anything they done since "Surf's Up", so to a fan who has one of these greatest hits and only knows those tracks, that is the vocal blend they would be used to.

*Untrained ear, Ignorant mind - regarding the fact that Brian hasn't sung like that for 40 years, and Carl hasn't been with us for 13 years.

[Wylson]

I think people underestimate the capability of mike and Bruce in studio conditions. I'm sure you could get a decent sound out. Brian too.

I just thought after "Cool Head, Warm Heart" played on media player, although it was never released, Mike was very clever with that album, to the untrained ear of a casual fan, that falsetto could easily be Brian, and that mid range Carl's*. That is a very marketable sound bearing in mind it sounds more like The Beach Boys vocal blend than anything they done since "Surf's Up", so to a fan who has one of these greatest hits and only knows those tracks, that is the vocal blend they would be used to.

*Untrained ear, Ignorant mind - regarding the fact that Brian hasn't sung like that for 40 years, and Carl hasn't been with us for 13 years.

Actually also raises a good point. Mike love Not war may be unreleased and not that good, but his vocals are nice and warm. Just listen to the everyone's in love with you rerecording (it's on YouTube).  Mike may not sound great every night on tour, I'm pretty sure he could nail a take in the studio

[hypehat]

Lastly, what is stuff like "Turn on Your Love Light" and "Grace of My Heart"? Actual songs the BB recorded in '95? Or BW solo? You know anything AGD?

Gigs & sessions 1995

I know what your site says....but those are confirmed Beach Boys tracks too? Besides "You're Still a Mystery", "Soul Searchin'", and "Dancing the Night Away"? I always thought those were the only 3 the boys actually recorded...I didn't know they actually worked on some other material.

They were all intended for the Boys -Brian's vocals on the booted tracks have something of the demo about them - although the project was nixed after those three were recorded.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Lastly, what is stuff like "Turn on Your Love Light" and "Grace of My Heart"? Actual songs the BB recorded in '95? Or BW solo? You know anything AGD?

Gigs & sessions 1995

I know what your site says....but those are confirmed Beach Boys tracks too? Besides "You're Still a Mystery", "Soul Searchin'", and "Dancing the Night Away"? I always thought those were the only 3 the boys actually recorded...I didn't know they actually worked on some other material.

Unless it say "Brian Wilson session..." or "[solo album title of your choice here] session...", then AFAIK, it's a BB session.

And those titles come from an AFM sheet, info supplied to me by someone I trust implicitly. That stuff may be on my site but the gigs & sessions pages in particular are not even close to being all my own work, as detailed on the 'front' page of that section.

[c-man]

Lastly, what is stuff like "Turn on Your Love Light" and "Grace of My Heart"? Actual songs the BB recorded in '95? Or BW solo? You know anything AGD?

Gigs & sessions 1995

I know what your site says....but those are confirmed Beach Boys tracks too? Besides "You're Still a Mystery", "Soul Searchin'", and "Dancing the Night Away"? I always thought those were the only 3 the boys actually recorded...I didn't know they actually worked on some other material.

"Grace OF My Heart" was the Boys attempt at a title song for the movie of the same name (I recall reading about it in Bilboard at the time).  It was ultimately either rejected or perhaps not even submitted.  I've never heard it, and I don't know if it was ever completed.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Billboard 3/18/1995

[bgas]

Billboard 3/18/1995

Nice article; I have to wonder what happened to thwart all the good things planned.