Al Jardine Appreciation Thread

[myonlysunshine]

I would say that Al is my favorite Beach Boy, most definitely. His voice is so good. He sounds like a grainier version of Brian to me, but with a slightly lower range. To me he could have been the lead singer on a lot of the early hits had Mike not been in the band. I always thought he would sound good singing the lead to California Girls, and indeed he does sound good singing it in his solo band even today.

[Mendota Heights]

I would say that Al is my favorite Beach Boy, most definitely. His voice is so good. He sounds like a grainier version of Brian to me, but with a slightly lower range. To me he could have been the lead singer on a lot of the early hits had Mike not been in the band. I always thought he would sound good singing the lead to California Girls, and indeed he does sound good singing it in his solo band even today.

Al's my favorite too. A nicer guy can not be found.

[Wrightfan]

Al Jardine at home on his Big Sur ranch on a brisk December day.....








(still wanting to be a dentist)

Maury: A DENTIST...GOOOOOOOOOOOD GRIEF!

[Disney Boy (1985)]

I'm no huge fan of Add Some Music To Your Day, probably my second least fave Sunflower song after Tears... HOWEVER, it's always worth a listen for that magical moment (my favourite Al vocal on record in fact) when Al sings, with so much heart and feeling that ya just wanna cry: 'And on every day of the summer time...' Stunning vocal!

Al's voice is an absolute gem, and true he does get repeatedly under-rated, largely i think for his close association with Mike during the late-70's-'80's artistic decline. The idea that he's never written a bad song is obviously false, he's penned several utter stinkers, but he's also written his fair share of beauties. I'd say his top 5 writing credits are:

1. Lookin' At Tomorrow (tremendous track - it tends to get over-looked as it's a) so short (a bit like Al in fact), and b) it falls between a series Carl and Brian masterworks)
2. California
3. Susie Cincinatti (the best track on 15 Big Ones by some distance...)
4. Wake The World
5. At My Window

P.S. Al is credited as a co-writer on It's About Time. Does anyone know what his contribution was? I've always assumed it was that killer riff on the fade. Correct?

[Smilin Ed H]

Add All This is That to your list.

And the fact he was the one who pushed for the unplugged rarities set in the 93 tour

[Aegir]

you think Alan ever fantasized about being raped by a black man?

I think everyone does at least once.

What's that? They don't? Uh, nevermind.. well, that is, uh, I certainly haven't, uh, look-at-the-time-gotta-go!

the strangest thing about people bumping old threads is seeing things I wrote six years ago.

[Bedroom Tapes]

Hey Al!  Love your new album, great work, dig the packaging.  Hope you make us another one!

[SummerInParadise23]

I'm very appreciative of AL. Behind Mike and Brian he is my 3rd all time fav Beach Boy. Love his voice. "Than I Kissed Her" and "Runaway" are great!

[sparkydog1725]

...I'd say his top 5 writing credits are:
4. Wake The World...

I never noticed he wrote that. That is close to my favorite BB song!

That is all.

[Ron]

Along with Bruce, the nicest man in show business.

Only Al isn't a commited Republican, thus is therefore even nicer than Bruce.

...You liberals are so intollerant, so quick to judge people because they have a D or an R in front of their name.  Disgusting.