"The Sound of Free"

[hellfrick]

I'm a 20 Beach Boys veteran, although I'm ashamed to admit I'm in my 40s. I missed listening to them on a steady basis in the 70s and 80s thanks to the anti-Beach Boys stigma that was so pervasive in my home town and grade school. So silly of me! So many years to make up for!

Anyway, I couldn't find a thread devoted exclusively to this song, so I figure I'd start one.

I love "The Sound of Free," and don't know much about it. Perhaps someone here can shed some light, whether it be fact or myth (hopefully clarifying one from the other!). Why wasn't it released in the States? Why has it yet to be officially released on CD anywhere? (Is that still the case?) Who owns it? Etc?

I e-mailed Daryl Dragon the other day, on the off, off chance that he had the master of it or knew its fate. He responded immediately (swell guy!), but confirmed that he's also in the dark on this one.

Like so much post-Pet Sounds Beach Boys music, I'm stumped by this song's place in the scheme of things. To me, it's an immediately gratifying and very clearly a great single. Maybe not a hit--OK, def. not a hit--but certainly as strong as anything on Sunflower, and since the 45 label says its the property of Brother Records and it's co-written by Mike, it seems like it'd be welcome company on a BBs compilation or box set.

It's one of those head-scratchers, at least for me. Mostly, I'm just bummed out that I can only hear it in compromised quality (I'm not a collector of 45s).

And so for my first-ever thread, I toss this out to you guys!

[Jason]

In a perfect world, if the albums were all reissued as single LPs with bonus tracks, the Sound of Free/Lady single would have made for two awesome bonus tracks on a Sunflower reissue.

As far as the Rumbo single not being released in the States, it's logical to say that the fact that the Add Some Music To Your Day single only managing the top 70 and the Sunflower album hovering at #151 did not seem to indicate much interest in a solo single of Dennis', no matter how good. Of course, it didn't chart anywhere else, so your guess is as good as mine there. It should still be owned by Brother.

[stack-o-tracks]

I was thinking about Sound Of Free last night, wondering if I'm ever going to hear a good quality version of it. I found an mp3 a while back but it's all crackly and stuff. I could always try and find the actual single, but I don't have a turntable.

It definitely should see a remastered release but I doubt it.

[hellfrick]

it's logical to say that the fact that the Add Some Music To Your Day single only managing the top 70 and the Sunflower album hovering at #151 did not seem to indicate much interest in a solo single of Dennis', no matter how good.

Those numbers always shock me, just how low they went. I shouldn't be shocked, but I just hate getting so cynical that I'd hear a fact like that and say, "Yeah, well what do you expect? That's the way consumerism is." I'm just glad they followed their own paths.

I was thinking about Sound Of Free last night,

We do that, don't we? Think about this kind of stuff. Last night, in bed with the wife, she's reading People and says, "Wow. 1983? Mila Kunis was born in 1983? She's only 28?!" And since I was mid-thought about Dennis, I said, "It's all relative. You're thinking, 'She's only 28!' and I'm thinking, 'Wow, Dennis has been dead for 28 years?!'"

I've been wondering what the various labels have in store for the 50th Anniversary (beyond the Smile box). Is there a thread that speculates what we can expect/hope for?

[smile-holland]

I thought that the DW/Rumbo release was someting like testing the waters for a solo album (being a Dennis Wilson / Daryl Dragon collaboration). For long I thought it was released in Europe only (UK, Ireland, Netherlands and France, the last 2 with a PS), but since recently I know Australian and New Zealand copies exist as well.

[37!ws]

A new mix of "Lady" was released on something recently; darned if I remember what it was, though. I know there are strings over the intro.

BTW, there's a really good-sounding copy of both songs on one of the Dumb Angel Rarities..."Dutch imports"....

[willy]

Gorgeous song. Note the early version of 'River Song' in the middle.

[smile-holland]

A new mix of "Lady" was released on something recently; darned if I remember what it was, though. I know there are strings over the intro.

That would be the Summer Love Songs conp from 2009. Called Fallin' In Love on this one btw.
Lady/Fallin'In Love was also released on a Super Furry Animals compiled "Under The Influence - A Collection of Musical Influences & Inspirations" released in 2005.
(wikipedia is your best friend: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_(Dennis_Wilson_song) )

[Mikie]

That was a tough single to come up with for the collection.

I have yet to hear a good, clear version of 'Sound of Free'.  It's always sounded muddled to me. It begs for a re-mix/re-master. Maybe a result of too much ping-ponging of tracks back and forth. Did Desper produce that? Was that recorded at Brian's home studio or in the Heider mobile truck?

Guess it didn't quite make the cut for "Hawthorne, Ca.", but at least "Lady" (Fallin' In Love) did.

[hellfrick]

All this talk of "Sound of Free" got me to thinking about another Dennis Wilson classic from that era: "4th of July." What a killer track. I see on Allmusic.com that it's been released on some random comps since the 1993 box set. Has anyone ever heard these comps? Has this song been remastered in this century (although I must admit, I've never taken any issue with the mixing or mastering of the tracks on that box set)?

[hellfrick]

That would be the Summer Love Songs conp from 2009. Called Fallin' In Love on this one btw.

Wow. I missed that detail regarding that comp. Admittedly, I like that song--but don't love it. Y'know: LOVE it. Still, hearing a pristine mix may make a fan out of me.

It also makes the omission of "Sound of Free" even more vexing since if they have the master of "Falling in Love" and include it on a recent comp, then they probably have everything they need to release the A-side. But as Mikie pointed out, it is pretty muddled sounding. Sounds like the tape is saturated with overdubs, God bless 'em.

[bgas]

I thought that the DW/Rumbo release was someting like testing the waters for a solo album (being a Dennis Wilson / Daryl Dragon collaboration). For long I thought it was released in Europe only (UK, Ireland, Netherlands and France, the last 2 with a PS), but since recently I know Australian and New Zealand copies exist as well.

I thought we determined there was a New Zealand release, but NO Australian one.

[Rocker]

That would be the Summer Love Songs conp from 2009. Called Fallin' In Love on this one btw.

Wow. I missed that detail regarding that comp. Admittedly, I like that song--but don't love it. Y'know: LOVE it. Still, hearing a pristine mix may make a fan out of me.

It also makes the omission of "Sound of Free" even more vexing since if they have the master of "Falling in Love" and include it on a recent comp, then they probably have everything they need to release the A-side. But as Mikie pointed out, it is pretty muddled sounding. Sounds like the tape is saturated with overdubs, God bless 'em.

I guess the release of "Lady" (a.k.a. Fallin' in love) was due to the big success of the re-release of "Pacific Ocean Blue". But since Summer Love Songs didn't sell the way P.O.B. or Sounds Of Summer did, I fear they won't go that direction. Maybe another boxset (Dennis solo or Beach Boys) will contain Sound Of Free. I hope so, it's a cool song.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

That was a tough single to come up with for the collection.

I have yet to hear a good, clear version of 'Sound of Free'.  It's always sounded muddled to me. It begs for a re-mix/re-master. Maybe a result of too much ping-ponging of tracks back and forth. Did Desper produce that? Was that recorded at Brian's home studio or in the Heider mobile truck?

Guess it didn't quite make the cut for "Hawthorne, Ca.", but at least "Lady" (Fallin' In Love) did.

"Sound of Free" sounds good playing from my 45.  One of my better collectibles.

[smile-holland]

I thought that the DW/Rumbo release was someting like testing the waters for a solo album (being a Dennis Wilson / Daryl Dragon collaboration). For long I thought it was released in Europe only (UK, Ireland, Netherlands and France, the last 2 with a PS), but since recently I know Australian and New Zealand copies exist as well.

I thought we determined there was a New Zealand release, but NO Australian one.

Oops, should have checked my inventory-list first. You're right bgas, New Zealand only

[Bicyclerider]

This should have been on Surf's Up, instead of Mike's Student Demonstration Time!

[Mikie]

"Sound of Free" sounds good playing from my 45.  One of my better collectibles.

Every source I've ever heard - be it vinyl 45, vinyl album, CD, FLAC, .Wav, or Mp3 - the song still sounds somewhat muddled. I'm sure all of the sources on bootlegs over the years came from needle drops off an original single somewhere.

The issue is in the mixing/mastering of the song. I think "Lady (Fallin' In Love") was cleaned up for the Hawthorne CD, or they had access to the original or safety copy of the master.

[Jon Stebbins]

I think "Lady (Fallin' In Love") was cleaned up for the Hawthorne CD, or they had access to the original or safety copy of the master.

They had access to the multi-track of "Fallin' In Love" for the Summer Love Songs CD. I don't know if they have the multi-track for "Sound Of Free". It would be great if they did.

[runnersdialzero]

EDITED BY MODERATOR: Don't even think of trying this again.

[bgas]

Speaking for myself, I don't think it's cool to use quoting to  add something to someone else's post that they didn't say.

I think "Lady (Fallin' In Love") was cleaned up for the Hawthorne CD, or they had access to the original or safety copy of the master.

They had access to the multi-track of "Fallin' In Love" for the Summer Love Songs CD. I don't know if they have the multi-track for "Sound Of Free". It would be great if they did.

[Jason]

Just a note, I've edited runnersdialzero's comment as well as part of bgas' post to remove a bastardized quote. Nothing else was touched here.

[Custom Machine]

"Sound of Free" sounds good playing from my 45.  One of my better collectibles.

Every source I've ever heard - be it vinyl 45, vinyl album, CD, FLAC, .Wav, or Mp3 - the song still sounds somewhat muddled. I'm sure all of the sources on bootlegs over the years came from needle drops off an original single somewhere.

The issue is in the mixing/mastering of the song. I think "Lady (Fallin' In Love") was cleaned up for the Hawthorne CD, or they had access to the original or safety copy of the master.

Gotta agree, it would be great to hear a properly done remix of Sound of Free.  I've always wondered why both Lady and Sound of Free suffered from such lackluster sound quality on their original 45 rpm single release.  Anyone know the recording details of these songs?

[SurfRiderHawaii]

"Sound of Free" sounds good playing from my 45.  One of my better collectibles.

Every source I've ever heard - be it vinyl 45, vinyl album, CD, FLAC, .Wav, or Mp3 - the song still sounds somewhat muddled. I'm sure all of the sources on bootlegs over the years came from needle drops off an original single somewhere.

The issue is in the mixing/mastering of the song. I think "Lady (Fallin' In Love") was cleaned up for the Hawthorne CD, or they had access to the original or safety copy of the master.

Gotta agree, it would be great to hear a properly done remix of Sound of Free.  I've always wondered why both Lady and Sound of Free suffered from such lackluster sound quality on their original 45 rpm single release.  Anyone know the recording details of these songs?

It is muddled.  I should have said it sounds a lot better from my turn table/stereo than transfer to AIF/WAV/MP3.  Definitely needs a remix/remaster for digital release!!!!

I still think a two CD set of Dennis BB/Brother stuff - released and unreleased, would be a good seller!

[Custom Machine]

I still think a two CD set of Dennis BB/Brother stuff - released and unreleased, would be a good seller!

Absolutely!

[MBE]

Great song. I want an early Dennis collection on vinyl! At least 3 LP's like POB