"California Feelin'" 1974

[Andrew G. Doe]

Anyone listened to the very end and cranked up the volume ? OK, so in and of itself, "Can I hear that back out here ?" isn't earth-shattering... but what it isn't is mildly interesting. 

[Jukka]

Thanks, I hadn't noticed that! So he did care enough about the song to give it a listen...

[silodweller]

Hey,
I did hear that the first time I listened to it.  I was surprised not only for the reason you mentioned but just because it sounds like "old in control of production" Brian, even the tone of his voice. 

[Jim V.]

Anyone listened to the very end and cranked up the volume ? OK, so in and of itself, "Can I hear that back out here ?" isn't earth-shattering... but what it isn't is mildly interesting. 

Yeah, I noticed that a while ago. The things that interest me about it are, his voice sounds like 1976 Brian, and the fact that he asks to hear it, and doesn't say "toss it". But apparently this isn't the take where he says that, since there apparently is a different take where he says that.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Anyone listened to the very end and cranked up the volume ? OK, so in and of itself, "Can I hear that back out here ?" isn't earth-shattering... but what it isn't is mildly interesting.  

Yeah, I noticed that a while ago. The things that interest me about it are, his voice sounds like 1976 Brian, and the fact that he asks to hear it, and doesn't say "toss it". But apparently this isn't the take where he says that, since there apparently is a different take where he says that.

'Xactly.  

[urbanite]

So can someone tell me why this outstanding song wasn't released in the 1970's or 1980's?

[bgas]

So can someone tell me why this outstanding song wasn't released in the 1970's or 1980's?

The world wasn't ready

[Jim V.]

Anyone listened to the very end and cranked up the volume ? OK, so in and of itself, "Can I hear that back out here ?" isn't earth-shattering... but what it isn't is mildly interesting. 

Yeah, I noticed that a while ago. The things that interest me about it are, his voice sounds like 1976 Brian, and the fact that he asks to hear it, and doesn't say "toss it". But apparently this isn't the take where he says that, since there apparently is a different take where he says that.

'Xactly. 

So anything else to add on the topic, AGD? Wasn't the version on MIC the first try? Do we know how many times he ran through it? And since I'm pretty sure you've heard at least two versions of the demo, which do you prefer?

And more to the point, is there still any more context on why Brian went to the studio that day in 1974? Was he gonna offer this to The Beach Boys, or possibly American Spring, as has been said from time to time? It's also interesting to note that the first true attempt at getting a finished version was with American Spring (albeit with Rocky Pamplin). The Beach Boys version didn't come until the L.A. (Light Album), at least as far as we know, even though the song was being talked about by Carl by at least 1975, and played by Brian in front of any interviewer in '76. You gotta wonder why it was never attempted.

[Wirestone]

Wasn't there speculation that the MIC version is a comp?

[Jim V.]

Wasn't there speculation that the MIC version is a comp?

I vaguely remember hearing something about that, but I also remember saying that what we have is actually take 1.

[monicker]

You know, Doe, it's not really necessary to crank up the volume to hear this... This is one reason why i had a few laughs to myself (and disregarded whatever you had to say on the matter) around the time of the release of TSS when you were ridiculing those who heard certain things, which you believed required full blast volume and, i don't know, an oscilloscope.

Anyway, carry on. 

[Jay]

I've always read that there is a version of CF from Brian from 1974 where he sings it completely in a high falsetto voice, except for the very end. Is this true? What do you think are the chances that we'll ever get to hear it?

[Jim V.]

I've always read that there is a version of CF from Brian from 1974 where he sings it completely in a high falsetto voice, except for the very end. Is this true? What do you think are the chances that we'll ever get to hear it?

I don't think that exists. You must have misunderstood. I think what you're referring to is the take where he apparently sings it "straight" for most of it, and then at the end futzes it up a little bit and goes into a crooner voice. Which is what I assume most of us thought we were getting on MIC. But we didn't, and I don't mind at all, because I absolutely love the version we got. And the official Beach Boys version too, with Brian singing the first few lines (and oddly sounding a lot like his 1974 self in 1978).

[Andrew G. Doe]

You know, Doe, it's not really necessary to crank up the volume to hear this...

It is if your hearing isn't what it used to be and you can hear... something, but you're not sure what.

And more to the point, is there still any more context on why Brian went to the studio that day in 1974? Was he gonna offer this to The Beach Boys, or possibly American Spring, as has been said from time to time?

The only additional context I can offer is that "Lucy Jones" was recorded at the same session. Go figure. I recall someone (Peter carlin ?) writing that he got Marilyn to drive him down to Western on the spur of the moment (presumably picking up Stevie K en route), so was probably just a whim.

[Jay]

I've always read that there is a version of CF from Brian from 1974 where he sings it completely in a high falsetto voice, except for the very end. Is this true? What do you think are the chances that we'll ever get to hear it?

I don't think that exists. You must have misunderstood. I think what you're referring to is the take where he apparently sings it "straight" for most of it, and then at the end futzes it up a little bit and goes into a crooner voice. Which is what I assume most of us thought we were getting on MIC. But we didn't, and I don't mind at all, because I absolutely love the version we got. And the official Beach Boys version too, with Brian singing the first few lines (and oddly sounding a lot like his 1974 self in 1978).

Um...isn't that pretty much what I just said? 

[Watch a Cave]

I absolutely love this demo.  I think Brian sounds totally with it and his falsetto still seems to have that old 60s tone..  especially the part in the middle where he goes ".. tell me you feel that California feelin!"

Its almost eerie how 60s esque he sounds on this part.

Even singing in his non falsetto voice he doesn't sound anywhere near as hoarse as he did on 15 Big Ones.  I compare this demo to "Back Home" and I shake my head in disbelief.  What the heck happened in 75 to make this change?

[Jim V.]

I've always read that there is a version of CF from Brian from 1974 where he sings it completely in a high falsetto voice, except for the very end. Is this true? What do you think are the chances that we'll ever get to hear it?

I don't think that exists. You must have misunderstood. I think what you're referring to is the take where he apparently sings it "straight" for most of it, and then at the end futzes it up a little bit and goes into a crooner voice. Which is what I assume most of us thought we were getting on MIC. But we didn't, and I don't mind at all, because I absolutely love the version we got. And the official Beach Boys version too, with Brian singing the first few lines (and oddly sounding a lot like his 1974 self in 1978).

Um...isn't that pretty much what I just said? 

No, you said he sings most of it in a "falsetto" voice, which whatever you think of how he was singing, he surely was not doing the WHOLE SONG in falsetto.

[Rotat]

Even singing in his non falsetto voice he doesn't sound anywhere near as hoarse as he did on 15 Big Ones.  I compare this demo to "Back Home" and I shake my head in disbelief.  What the heck happened in 75 to make this change?

I've been wondering for years about this. It was kind of surreal to me to hear that demo on MIC for the first time. It sounds like a 50/50 mix of early 70's Brian and 15 Big Ones Brian. His falsetto is still very much in good shape, and he belts out the ending with some awesome vibrato too. One year later and he could barely sing on key and his voice was so gruff and as the years went on any glimpse of the Brian of years prior was surely unidentifiable as far as his singing voice goes. The closest I've ever heard to a early 70's Brian was the "You've Lost That Lovin Feeling" cover and MIU but that's about it.

[donald]

I'd like to see them go back and try to do this right just one more time.   this thing has been patched up and edited so many times that one more shot wouldn't hurt.   Use the take with Carl and Bruce As a starting point.   add Brian and Al and layer on that harmony.   I was disappointed that they didn't' get this right onMIC.