MIC Absentees

[Les P]

Considering the wealth of material we are getting, it seems rather ungrateful to criticize the selections.  But from the perspective of selecting songs that really should appear on (presumably) the last comprehensive retrospective of their career, here we go:

1.  Cool Cool Water (Sunflower version) – way out front
2. You Need a Mess of Help
3. Little Pad (stereo mix)
4. Keepin’ the Summer Alive (live at Knebworth)
5. Somewhere Near Japan

6. That Same Song (Documentary version)*

1.   This is the only one of the five I would say should definitely be on here, hands down.  Obviously not complex songwriting, but it’s one of their finest vocal arrangements after Smile.  A peak for the group and Steve Desper.  I know there are already 5 excellent Sunflower songs on MiC, but a career retrospective with “Brian’s Back” but without “Cool Cool Water” is…well, just not right.

2.   Because it rocks in a loose way that was a new, exciting direction for them in the early 70s.

3.   Smiley Smile is under-represented.  Here we get some beautiful Smile-worthy melodies, yet it’s goofy enough to represent what SS is about.  I could see "She's Goin' Bald" as perhaps more representative of SS; "Little Pad" is just a personal preference musically.

4.   Shows the band could still rock even among the dreck of the 80s, in an improved version of a late-period fun-in-the-sun song.

5.   One of the better post-70s tracks among a very small pool of contenders.  

6.*   OK, technically not released on album, but has been released publicly and presumably exists on multi-track somewhere.  Again, a much more energetic version of an album track, featuring a rarely attempted gospel style that is otherwise unrepresented.

Good choices/explanations. Very good point re Cool Cool Water, though I'd hope for the album version rather than the single version (which features some shocking editing).

Yes, definitely the album version in its glorious completeness!

And after sleeping on it, I would probably opt for "From There to Back Again/Pacific Coast Highway" or "Summer's Gone" over the 80s tracks.  To show that Brian still has it after 50 years.

There are a lot of good choices posted here...when I get bored with MiC I might use the songs in this thread to compile "Also Made in California."

[over and over]

"All I Wanna Do" - It's the best song ever made imo

[Vegetable Man]

1. She Knows Me Too Well
2. Little Pad
3. Tears In The Morning
4. Here She Comes
5. Hey Little Tomboy

1. This song is great. it shows that the boys could pull off the Wall of Sound without having to use session musicians.
 
2. A nice little song from Smiley Smile (which is hardly represented at all).

3. I know it's not a favorite around here, but this was a hit in Europe (I think), and since this is a "career retrospective", it should be here. Plus, it gives Bruce something other than Disney Girls.

4. A great showcase for the writing team of Fataar/Chaplin. Something you wouldn't expect from the Beach Boys.

5. Like Smiley Smile, M.I.U isn't represented well either, and this coves it and Adult/Child. I'm not sure if the original mix would be recommended, but some version of it should be included.

[Jim V.]

1 "Cool, Cool Water": A career highlight. Great production, vocals, everything.
2 "From There To Back Again": I think this being included would turn more people on TWGMTR if they don't already have it, whereas as much as I like "That's Why God Made The Radio" and "Isn't It Time", there are a bit more "obvious" for the kinda sound The Beach Boys would have in 2012.
3 "Aren't You Glad": Wild Honey deserve more songs on the set, and I feel this one sums up the album well.
4 "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)": One of the best examples of Brian's singing and composing talent. Shoulda been there.
5 "Fairy Tale Music": Shows how creative Brian still was by the Holland era (along with "Sail On, Sailor" and "Funky Pretty") and its definitely a hidden treasure.

[Micha]

Why would "Here Today" be an unpopular choice?  It's one of my favorite Pet Sounds recordings.

It's actually my favorite BB song of all, but it's hardly ever mentioned and never included in any compilation, so I figured I'm the only one who loves it, and for the others it's just a good track out of many.

[Rocky Raccoon]

Why would "Here Today" be an unpopular choice?  It's one of my favorite Pet Sounds recordings.

It's actually my favorite BB song of all, but it's hardly ever mentioned and never included in any compilation, so I figured I'm the only one who loves it, and for the others it's just a good track out of many.

The instrumental break itself is amazing.

It's a great song but it's not one of my favorites on Pet Sounds, which just goes to show how good Pet Sounds is.

[Niko]

Why would "Here Today" be an unpopular choice?  It's one of my favorite Pet Sounds recordings.

It's actually my favorite BB song of all, but it's hardly ever mentioned and never included in any compilation, so I figured I'm the only one who loves it, and for the others it's just a good track out of many.

I never really liked Pet Sounds, it seemed like an overrated album by a band I wasn't familiar with. Once I became a fan and finally listened through the ENTIRE album, I got to Here Today...which made something click with me. After that I totally got Pet Sounds, with Here Today being my favorite track of all of them.
Now my #2 favorite after IJWMFTT.
Yeah, totally underrated. That descending horn part in the chorus and the instrumental interlude are incredible 

[MBE]

The instrumental break on Here Today is one of Brian's best moments. Mike nailed this when I saw him do it in 2007, made me see him on a new level even after being a fan for 20 years at that point.

[Niko]

The instrumental break on Here Today is one of Brian's best moments. Mike nailed this when I saw him do it in 2007, made me see him on a new level even after being a fan for 20 years at that point.

I didn't know Mike had done it live.
Are there any audio/video clips of this?

[Micha]

Once upon a time there was an audience clip on YouTube, I think the beginning was missing, the sound was distorted and the video even worse, but the band was great! I wish I had saved that. Maybe I would be less of a Mike defender hadn't I seen that. Too bad they didn't do it on the C50.

[Rocky Raccoon]

1. Here Comes The Night (1979 single version)
2. Chasin' The Sky
3. East Meets West
4. Happy Endings
5. Living Doll

Bonus Absentees
6. Crocodile Rock
7. Problem Child

The reasons are the same for all of them. I think the purpose of a boxed set is to include those songs that either weren't/aren't available on CD, or ones where you have to buy an album/comp by another artist to get it (like "Crocodile Rock"). I also think this new boxed set should feature every single (with the single mix) that the group ever did. In my opinion...

I disagree, I think the box set should only include good songs.

I do like Chasin' the Sky though and Here Comes the Night.

But seriously, all Terry Melcher produced Beach Boys material (with maybe two or three exceptions) should be destroyed and forgotten, no offense to the late Melcher who did some great work with the Byrds.

EDIT:  Oh hey, this is my 1000th post.  I feel like I should celebrate with a woot. 

[zachrwolfe]

‍

[Gertie J.]

liar? how 

[alf wiedersehen]

It doesn't say "edited" at the bottom of his message.

[Rocky Raccoon]

I edited it before I posted it... if that makes sense.  I really didn't need to write EDIT.  I apologize to all who were offended.

[zachrwolfe]

‍

[bsten]

If you're not happy with it, why not just go read another thread?

The user who opened this thread does. So be polite & don't spam.

Sorry,  I can't think of a polite way to say 'this is a stupid idea for a thread'
 

ps, I'm trolling, not spamming.

[bsten]

1. WE GOT LOVE - their biggest mistake not putting that song on the Holland album. BTW, I'd love Neil Young to do that song...

2. CUDDLE UP - One of Dennis's best moments - so romantic.

3. LONG PROMISED ROAD - Carl at his best.

4. COOL COOL WATER - any version...

5a. YOU NEED A MESS OF HELP TO STAND ALONE - a nice rocker, quite unusual and complex, yet simple. Listen to the harmonies at the end of the song...

5b. MATCHPOINT OF OUR LOVE - I know many people hate this, and yes, the lyrics are quite, errr, well, but it's a nice tune, with an unusual oriental feel. If you like this one, I can also recommend Incense and peppermints/Strawberry Alarm Clock, Colours of darkness/Young Idea, Reflections from the looking glass
/1910 Fruitgum Co., Dragonfly/Fleetwood Mac.

[Quzi]

I need a bit more time to think of the studio songs, but here are three songs that I would have been stoked to see as live performances on MiC:

"What'd I Say?" - 1964. Hugely energetic and easily one of the best performances the band delivered in the early era. Kicks the ass of anything on Beach Boys Concert. Carl delivers a taste of "Wild Honey" three years early, Dennis' drumming is wild and Mike gives a surprisingly decent sax performance.

"Roller Skating Child" - 1978. While the performance in this video is pretty badass, I have a strong feeling there's a rawer version out their somewhere. I demand a full scale manhunt for the grungiest, dirtiest performance of "RSC" in existence. Poorly performed? Awesome. Tempo too fast? Awesome. Brian sounding like a member of Slipknot? Awesome. I need a lethal dose of the Beach Boys' demented take on punk, please give it to me Capitol.

"Lookin' at Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)" - 1983. How the fuck did this prog-rock arrangement show up in a 1983 setlist? Was this recorded in an alternate universe where Endless Summer was never released and the band kept on playing shows like it was 1973? Whatever the case, it's a neat arrangement and it really deserves release.

[Sam_BFC]

One song that nobody has mentioned (in less I missed it): Keep an Eye on Summer.

I received my set today, and when skimming through CD 1 I really noticed its absence.

My revised list now reads

1. Keep an Eye on Summer
2. Aren't You Glad (fantasy stereo mix)
3. My Diane
4. Somewhere Near Japan
5. Lahaina Aloha

[Wrightfan]

That version of Lookin' made me think "Tom Sawyer" was going to start 

[SloopJohnB]

- All I Wanna Do
- Long Promised Road
- A Day In The Life Of A Tree
- Funky Pretty
- Somewhere Near Japan


These are the first five that came to mind. Especially the last two.

[runnersdialzero]

Holy jumpin' fuckin' Jesus, where on earth did that version of "Lookin' At Tomorrow" come from? Why have I never seen anyone talk about it before? It is so over the top/hilarious/AWESOME/fascinating/amazing.

[Tony S]

I was at that show back in April 1983 at the Meadowlands in Jersey when they played Lookin at Tomorrow. I was floored by it. I believe it was at the time when Carl had just recently returned to the band, and as a part of that return insisted that they not only practice more, but add some new tunes and arrangements to the setlist. Didn't last long, but I believe that was the reason. Will always remember this show as Dennis was there and it was the last time I saw him perform. Billy Joel also showed up for Rhonda. Strangest(and saddest) thing about this show.....Dennis did a very very raspy version of You Are So Beautiful, standard at the time. Really hoarse.....in the newspapers the next day, the Newark Star Ledger reported that Billy Joel AND JOE COCKER, showed up at the Beach Boy concert, that's how rough Dennis sounded.

[doinnothin]

Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
All I Wanna Do
Johnny Carson
My Diane
From There To Back Again