Beach Boys Survivor #34 Winner: Soul Searchin'

[Nicko1234]

Soul Searchin

[Les P]

Soul Searchin'

[Disney Boy (1985)]

You're Still A Mystery

Without a doubt, YSAM is the best remaining track. It's a real return to form. The melody and the harmonies on the chorus are stunning. Soul Searchin' is fluff in comparison... 

[Please delete my account]

You're Still A Mystery

[mikeyj]

Soul Searchin'

[Eric Aniversario]

This is the first time that the top 3 tracks were so close for me that I had to go back and listen to all of them before voting.

There was a big element of excitement when the booted versions of soul searchin and you're still a mystery came out. I listened to those songs over and over, and I remember thinking what a big loss it was that they were never released. Now they have been released years later, sounding noticeably different. Now the element of excitement is not quite there anymore, and I kind of wish that i could listen to these official versions with fresh ears. But I can't do that. Now I find myself listening for differences, and understanding why they weren't released. Granted, they are far better than stars and stripes, but neither one really feels complete as released. Mystery sounds way too slow, and Soul Searchin just doesn't sound very convincing.

California Dreamin, however, is not only complete, but also features some of the best vocals we've heard from Al and Carl. My vote goes to California Dreamin.

[Fall Breaks]

Calif. Dreamin'

[Cabinessenceking]

You're Still A Mystery

very good song, I think it's more creative than Soul Searchin (itself a great track) because in SS Brian hammers the piano chords which was typical him in the 70-90's but I got a bit tired of it. If we compare the released version of SS to the booted one, I think the booted one comes on top because there is less dramatic backing vocals which are at times a  little over-the-top.

[Ovi]

Soul Searchin'

[Watch a Cave]

R & R to the rescue would have been my fave.. best power uptempo track from them in years.

Anyway, from the remaining I will go with You're still a Mystery.

[drbeachboy]

Soul Searchin'

[Quzi]

YSAM

[alf wiedersehen]

I find "California Dreamin'" to be terrible.

"Soul Searchin'" and "You're Still a Mystery" are both great songs. Really wish that could have resulted in something.
It's difficult to choose, but I think "Soul Searchin'" is my favorite of the two.

[baseball95]

You’re Still a Mystery

[Alan Smith]

Soul Searchin'

[Dudd]

Soul Searchin’. Still A Mystery comes close, but the chorus kinda sucks.

[EgoHanger1966]

Soul Searchin' is a better song overall, so I'll vote that. Mystery has some truly great moments but doesn't feel as cohesive,and the chorus is a bit of clusterfuck.

[smilethebeachboysloveyou]

Soul Searchin'

[ThyRavenAscend]

You're Still a Mystery

[Custom Machine]

This is the first time that the top 3 tracks were so close for me that I had to go back and listen to all of them before voting.

There was a big element of excitement when the booted versions of soul searchin and you're still a mystery came out. I listened to those songs over and over, and I remember thinking what a big loss it was that they were never released. Now they have been released years later, sounding noticeably different. Now the element of excitement is not quite there anymore, and I kind of wish that i could listen to these official versions with fresh ears. But I can't do that. Now I find myself listening for differences, and understanding why they weren't released. Granted, they are far better than stars and stripes, but neither one really feels complete as released. Mystery sounds way too slow, and Soul Searchin just doesn't sound very convincing.

California Dreamin, however, is not only complete, but also features some of the best vocals we've heard from Al and Carl. My vote goes to California Dreamin.

I've already voted for Soul Searchin', and am not changing my vote, but I feel compelled to say that I totally agree with Eric's comments and understand why he voted for California Dreamin', which although a cover version, fits into the category of many BB cover versions, such as I'm So Young, and I Can Hear Music, and Rock n Roll Music, where the original was great, but the BB cover was even better.  Although a "latter day" BB cover, it easily surpasses the Mamas and Papas original, IMO, but I had to go with Soul Searchin' as one of the last great BB originals with incredibly great vocals featuring Carl Wilson.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Soul Searchin’. Still A Mystery comes close, but the chorus kinda sucks.

That's the best bit!!!

[Sam_BFC]

California dreamin'

[feelsflow]

Love Love Love all three of these final tracks, but wish "Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love" would have made the cut instead of "California Dreamin'"

Which was such a breath of fresh air in 1986.  The video was very welcome amongst most of the crap MTV was putting up.  Patricia, doing all her videos on the Ultimate BB Channel on youtube, has the very day that it world premiered.  I have that too, somewhere in the storage room with the hundreds of vhs tapes that share the same fate.  At the end Martha Quinn says that Brian won't be making the 1986 tour, as he is working on a solo album.  Really?  Well that only took two more years.  That passed for cutting edge news back then.  What's youtube but the current MTV - but now You get to decide what's next.  I saw some photos of those old VJs the other day, think it said Howard Stern's Show...Martha still looks very nice!

I'm going to pick between the other two though.  As impossible as it is.  I remember John Manning once described it as, "Couldn't put a credit card between 'em" - Let's give another one to Brian.

"You're Still a Mystery"

[Emdeeh]

Soul Searchin’

[musicismylife101]

You're Still a Mystery