Independence Day Party 1981 - yet another grey area release

[The Shift]

This has been at Amazon UK as a download in recent weeks but is now also being advertised as a CD release:

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01EX0PXZY/

I'm sure this was released as a bootleg very recently and that it's been circulated among collectors for a good while. I wonder why there seems to be no official attempt to stifle these grey area releases?

[c-man]

God, I wonder if the mix is any better?

[Douchepool]

Sheesh...one of their worst gigs, if not the worst. Between this and the Long Beach gig a day later, it's hard to choose which one is the real turd.

[HeyJude]

Whenever anyone has claimed the Queen Mary July 5th show is the worst they ever did, I always point out that we have audio from the show literally the day before, and it's equally as dire. It's, not surprisingly, *very* similar in setlist and performance to the Queen Mary show.

I'm also certain that, sadly, these gigs were probably not literally the worst they ever did. Many in this era were of similar quality.

I would tend to doubt there are any mix improvements on this recording. It's not a coincidence that all of these grey market releases feature already-circulating live recordings. I'd be surprised if they even applied any notable EQ or anything of that nature.

That *these* grey market releases are hitting and BRI doesn't seem to be doing anything about it, while at the same time BRI apparently employs people to scour eBay and YouTube to have stuff pulled down, while *also* simultaneously not taking any apparent strides to do an official, in-house live archival series, even in a digital-only format, is super discouraging and makes them look inept. BRI needs new management.

People should be able to buy a new official *good* live performance from the 70s or 80s instead of grey market releases featuring questionable performances and likely "meh" sound quality. I'm not opposed to any live stuff hitting the market; but I would hope it would motivate BRI more to do their own vastly superior release program.

[You Kane, You Commanded, You Conquered]

The #TheBeachBoys YouTube channel uploaded that awhile back, not available in America though.

[HeyJude]

Stunningly, the cover art for this CD actually *is* correctly at least from the 1981 tour.

[Emdeeh]

No Carl = grey area release at the most, more likely a boot. I can't envision a legitimate release from that era without Carl (even if he was on hiatus on the date in question).

[HeyJude]

No Carl = grey area release at the most, more likely a boot. I can't envision a legitimate release from that era without Carl (even if he was on hiatus on the date in question).

I don't think there's any question, it's definitely a grey market release. There's no way BRI would pick *this* show of all shows to release. Not only is Carl not there, it's also just not a good performance.

Again, this is another show that was broadcast on the radio (as was the '85 July 4th show, etc.), and that probably explains both the *sourcing* of the recording for this release, and the reason it apparently isn't just outright immediately removed as a boot release. Something about it being publicly aired in the past I would guess is where the record label in question is at least attempting to justify its legality.

[SMiLE Brian]

Sheesh...one of their worst gigs, if not the worst. Between this and the Long Beach gig a day later, it's hard to choose which one is the real turd.

Didn't you listen to all of those boots from 1981? Yeesh....

[Jay]

The Stanley Theater show in PA might be the best(worst) show from that year.

[drummer083]

  As bad as the Queen Mary show is vocally, and God is it awful, I can't help but heap tons of praise upon Dennis's performance at this show. His drumming is in absolute top form-but the rest is so bad that hardly anyone would notice.

[HeyJude]

  As bad as the Queen Mary show is vocally, and God is it awful, I can't help but heap tons of praise upon Dennis's performance at this show. His drumming is in absolute top form-but the rest is so bad that hardly anyone would notice.

Dennis is pretty solid at the show. The main problems were Adrian Baker, Ernie Knapp's bass, and a few of Brian's leads. Mike and Al weren't horrendous on leads, they were just on autopilot, which doesn't cut it when the whole deal is crumbling behind you. The vocal stacks were kind of wonky, but that's kind of on everybody. Bruce is essentially a prop. Bobby F. does a solid lead on "Sail on Sailor."

Brian's lead on "God Only Knows" actually isn't too bad. In fact, if they had just cut "Don't Worry Baby" out of the show, that would probably alleviate a good hunk of the "bad" that people remember. 

[Lonely Summer]

I'm all for releasing Beach Boys shows on cd, but this is one I will pass on. Their low point as a touring band, at least while Dennis was alive.

[Tony S]

Boy, if there's a worse performance than the Queen Mary show, I don't want to see it! The absolute worst performance I have ever seen by a major concert act; will always remember watching it on TV and thinking, "OMG, is this what a Carl less Beach Boys show sounds like?". I do agree about Dennis' performance, especially on Surfin USA....strong! And Jude's comment about the decision to include Don't Worry Baby.....I've always wondered, why in the heck they included that....so embarrassing for Brian and them in general, why not just edit it out? Strange decision for sure.

[Douchepool]

There are weak links in every band, but both Ernie Knapp and Adrian Baker's awfulness cannot be properly defined as merely "weak link." Carl was smart to fire them both when he returned to the fold.

[HeyJude]

In fairness, Adrian Baker remained in the band for some time after Carl returned in 1982. Baker was also rehired in 1990 for around a year to replace Foskett. Carl seemed to speak kindly of Baker during an interview circa 1991 for a TV special (I believe a European 30th Anniversary special).

Here's a shot of a 1982 show with Carl, Foskett, and Baker. I'm guessing, with Baker moving to more keyboards after Foskett joined the band, Billy Hinsche ended up filling Baker's role when he (Hinsche) returned in later 1982.

[The Shift]

In fairness, Adrian Baker remained in the band for some time after Carl returned in 1982. Baker was also rehired in 1990 for around a year to replace Foskett. Carl seemed to speak kindly of Baker during an interview circa 1991 for a TV special (I believe a European 30th Anniversary special).

Here's a shot of a 1982 show with Carl, Foskett, and Baker. I'm guessing, with Baker moving to more keyboards after Foskett joined the band, Billy Hinsche ended up filling Baker's role when he (Hinsche) returned in later 1982.

Nice pic… Al looks like a very sedentary version of that bloke from AC/DC!