Disappointing release decisions

[Jon Stebbins]

Fact is, there's only one version of "Bum" ever done the rounds, and that's a lo-fi version of what was released in 2008. Jon will confirm this.

I have a version that's quite different from the released version. It's been a few weeks since I've listened to it, but I do remember that the tempo is much faster than the officially released version, and the lyrics are slightly different to what is on the officially released version. It is also a completely different vocal take(obviously, considering the different lyrics). 

Yes, i also have a different TAKE - not version then: a different take - that is very much different to the released version, which is all i was trying to say from the start.

Honestly i haven't listened to the booted version of this song in a decade because the fidelity was so horrid, lots of unintended distortion and hiss...but if its the version I remember it was a very rough mix. Dennis tended to sing several lead vocal takes on different tracks and then pick and choose during the mixing process. Whats Wrong is a great example, there are many lead vocals on the master with differing quality, texture, and yes even different lyrics. If you listen to the released version it has bits and pieces of these different lead vocal tracks weaved and stitched together. There are examples of released Dennis songs where he's singing one thing in one channel and another in the other....Be With Me comes to mind. Also on POB in places. What you probably have there with your boot copy of He's A Bum is a boot mix that reveals different ELEMENTS that were mixed out of the Bambu version...not a different take of the track. All of the vocal takes or vocal options would exist on the same multi-track master, but it would depend on how they were mixed, or what elements were revealed, for the final presentation. There are also times where there are bits on a second or third master, or a reference mix that get combined into, or onto the final mixdown. Its been a few years since I heard the multi-track of He's A Bum but I'd wager there were multiple lead vocal choices on the tape, which is usually the case with Dennis. And again, these multiple choices often have lyrical variations. The producers were going for a clean version that displayed the most fully developed elements of the song. But as I said before, mixing is subjective, and something you have become attached to may have been dropped down in the mix, while something else may have been brought up. Also, these masters were played around with in Dennis last years, and things were changed, edited and even erased. What we had to work with may or may not have had all the info that exists on the boot mix. If it did, then it comes down to an aesthetic choice to present the song in way that hopes to give it a released quality mix that Dennis might have approved of.

[rogerlancelot]

This thread made me break out my Legacy set and listen to HAB again. I remember hearing the booted version 12 years ago and being not impressed. The new mix has changed that for me. The whole set is flawless in my opinion. For instance IMO "Constant Companion" works way better without the long (and out of sync) percussion intro and the backing vocals are kind of cool.

"It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright. You don't have to worry, don't have to be afraid."

[Paulos]

I listened to He's A Bum 3 times in a row last night trying to solve Disney Boys query, and I had that the "It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, You don't have to worry, don't have to be afraid" part stuck in my head for hours after that, which is a good thing, lovely song.

[rogerlancelot]

It's a catchy bit of music. My personal favorite on Bambu is "Are You Real?" which had never been booted.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Yes, Are You Real was a real surprise and is among my favourites on Bambu - that gorgeous asending synth-led instrumental break, wow!!

Would Bambu have been superior to POB had it been completed? What'd you think, folks? And what's the deal with Baby Blue? How come it wasn't on Bambu? Had dennis decided he only wanted it as a BB release?

[Andrew G. Doe]

"Baby Blue" w/Carl wasn't included because it was contracted to CBS - the reason that the POB reissue took so long was that who owned what too forever to sort out.

[Jay]

In my opinion Bambu blows away POB. When I listen to Are You Real, Album Tag Song, I Love You, etc, the more I think that POB was Dennis's Pet Sounds and Bambu was his Smile.

[MarcellaHasDirtyFeet]

In my opinion Bambu blows away POB. When I listen to Are You Real, Album Tag Song, I Love You, etc, the more I think that POB was Dennis's Pet Sounds and Bambu was his Smile.

Why had I never thought of that?! Brilliant. But I like POB better, except for He's a Bum. And Wild Situation. And School Girl. And Love Remember Me. And... Oh, nevermind

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

All fantastic tracks!

For my money, Dennis' voice is actually better on Bambu that POB.

Maybe the range wasn't there but he was pushing his voice more on the Bambu material, and we're all the better for it.

[MBE]

All fantastic tracks!

For my money, Dennis' voice is actually better on Bambu that POB.

Maybe the range wasn't there but he was pushing his voice more on the Bambu material, and we're all the better for it.

Interesting insight. I think Dennis was doind a little more rock on the later sessions, and maybe having finished an album felt initally more confident in Bambu.

[Jay]

I think I actually prefer Dennis's later, more gruff voice.

[Micha]

"Baby Blue" w/Carl wasn't included because it was contracted to CBS - the reason that the POB reissue took so long was that who owned what too forever to sort out.

You missed a "k", which made the sentence a bit confusing on first reading.

[punkinhead]

Is the Christmas Day of Mike's you're referring to Alone on Christmas Day? I just assume it and Go and Get that Girl weren't written by the guys themselves (who was it, Altbach? or some guys from Celebration?) anyways, since it was their writing credits, maybe that's why it wasn't released...just a guess though.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Is the Christmas Day of Mike's you're referring to Alone on Christmas Day? I just assume it and Go and Get that Girl weren't written by the guys themselves (who was it, Altbach? or some guys from Celebration?) anyways, since it was their writing credits, maybe that's why it wasn't released...just a guess though.

Christmas Day (B. Wilson - Love)
Go And Get That Girl (Tuleja - Altbach)

[MBE]

I think I actually prefer Dennis's later, more gruff voice.

He did pretty good with it but I wish it had never gone on him.

[runnersdialzero]

Dennis totally knew how to work with what happened to his voice. He sounds a little green on some of the earlier Beach Boys stuff, but after that is pretty great throughout. But yeah, like Mr.Eder just stated, I'd rather it hadn't played out like it did, especially considering there was a point where the guy supposedly just lost the ability to sing.

[punkinhead]

Is the Christmas Day of Mike's you're referring to Alone on Christmas Day? I just assume it and Go and Get that Girl weren't written by the guys themselves (who was it, Altbach? or some guys from Celebration?) anyways, since it was their writing credits, maybe that's why it wasn't released...just a guess though.

Christmas Day (B. Wilson - Love)
Go And Get That Girl (Tuleja - Altbach)

Alright...So based on the original post, the proposed Christmas Day is a classic...but I thought it'd never been booted.
As for GO and get that Girl, sure, I'd love it if it was officially released but it most likely would have ended up on Ultimate Christmas and it woulda sounded as out of place as Games Two can Play on Adult Child.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Alright...So based on the original post, the proposed Christmas Day is a classic...but I thought it'd never been booted.

Huh ?  It's been doing the collectors rounds since the early 80s.

[punkinhead]

Alright...So based on the original post, the proposed Christmas Day is a classic...but I thought it'd never been booted.

Huh ?  It's been doing the collectors rounds since the early 80s.

Really? I don't think I've heard it. What "rarities" package could it be on?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Merry Christmas from the Beach Boys 1977 ?  Seriously, it's been an archive staple for close on 30 years. Here's the lyric:

When you find for some sad reason, you're alone this Christmas season
And the joys of home grow dimmer just like a memory's distant glimmer
When your love and you are parted, and all Christmas cheer departed
It's sad I say, when you're away, from love on Christmas Day

Whether cruising the lonely highway, or jetting miles high through some skyway
When you've reached your destination, awaiting baggage at the station
When you see some happy greeters, it can make your bitter sweeter
But still for real, it's sad to feel, alone on Christmas Day

Why the sadness,
When there should be gladness
All you can do is keep moving on
Time is mending
Pain soon has it's ending
Know in your heart it soon will be gone

In your prayers and meditation, you can find your consolation
And the gospel choir's chorus, tells of the love the Lord has for us
Here's the message we are bringing, in this little song we're singing
In reality, you'll never be, alone on Christmas Day

Reality, you'll never be, alone on Christmas Day

[punkinhead]

Merry Christmas from the Beach Boys 1977 ?  Seriously, it's been an archive staple for close on 30 years. Here's the lyric:

When you find for some sad reason, you're alone this Christmas season
And the joys of home grow dimmer just like a memory's distant glimmer
When your love and you are parted, and all Christmas cheer departed
It's sad I say, when you're away, from love on Christmas Day

Whether cruising the lonely highway, or jetting miles high through some skyway
When you've reached your destination, awaiting baggage at the station
When you see some happy greeters, it can make your bitter sweeter
But still for real, it's sad to feel, alone on Christmas Day

Why the sadness,
When there should be gladness
All you can do is keep moving on
Time is mending
Pain soon has it's ending
Know in your heart it soon will be gone

In your prayers and meditation, you can find your consolation
And the gospel choir's chorus, tells of the love the Lord has for us
Here's the message we are bringing, in this little song we're singing
In reality, you'll never be, alone on Christmas Day

Reality, you'll never be, alone on Christmas Day

Yeah, ok, I know it. But I always thought it was known as Alone on Christmas Day

[punkinhead]

I've always seen it listed on "unofficial releases" as Alone on Christmas Day....And whenever I've read about the unreleased album on books or sites it looks like it's listed seperately from Christmas Day. My mistake, obviously a misunderstanding.

[Aegir]

and then there's also "Christmas Day" from "The Beach Boys' Christmas Album". and "On Christmas Day" from Brian's solo Christmas album..

[The Shift]

On the topic of disappointing releases, I'm a tad disappointed that there appears to be nothing from our boys on Record Store Day:

http://download.recordstoreday.com/free/RSD_2012_RELEASES_WEBSITE.pdf

Ideal opp to get a bit of publicity and hook into the indie cred that tends to go hand in hand with indie stores and vinyl. They scored a hit last year with the Vibes/heroes 2x10" ep ... Have they dropped that ball for 2012?

[lee]

On the topic of disappointing releases, I'm a tad disappointed that there appears to be nothing from our boys on Record Store Day:

http://download.recordstoreday.com/free/RSD_2012_RELEASES_WEBSITE.pdf

Ideal opp to get a bit of publicity and hook into the indie cred that tends to go hand in hand with indie stores and vinyl. They scored a hit last year with the Vibes/heroes 2x10" ep ... Have they dropped that ball for 2012?

I'm really disappointed as well. Seems like a great opportunity wasted on their part. Would have been a great publicity considering RSD is right before the tour kicks off.