Cowsills Global Album - Some Good Years

[Jim Curtis]

After seeing the Cowsills “family band” documentary a few years ago I was drawn to their music.  I downloaded Global at the time and was shocked to how great it was. Originally recorded in the early 90s.  They then released a new album in 2022 Rhythm of the world”.  I was instantly hooked so I started listening to Susan Cowsills solo stuff.  I believe she has one of the best female vocals in both Rock and Country.  The story behind the 1992 Global is a real interesting one.  Recorded in 1991-1992 but not released until 1998.   What I recently learned from the liner notes is that in 1991 Bob Cowsill offered his “Some Good Years” to The Beach Boys but they turned it down.  This song with Gary Griffen on keyboards has hit written all over it.  Not sure why the boys would have turned it down?? This was around “Summer In Paradise”?

https://youtu.be/8g7Xp-sI3DM?si=vdtm3g-Ns_Pe2N85

[jeremylr]

Maybe others will chime in on why the BB's turned down "Some Good Years"--and who specifically turned it down. Just added "Some Good Years" to my Apple Music and will listen soon. Appreciate the recommendation, Jim.

[Jim Curtis]

Thanks Jeremy.   Would love to hear from others on what they think of the song.  The Global album has just been released and the story behind the album is very interesting.  In a lot of ways the Cowsills story parallels The Beach Boys.  There father was a sick tyrant who left them broke.  They are a family band with infectious harmonies.  And because they were considered a bubble gum band from the 60s as an inspiration for the Partridge Family show know one took them serious later in life.  In fact, they all became great musicians and writers.  When they were recording Global in the early 90s they were making the circuit in the LA club scene.  The music on this album shows how talented they were and still are.  The 2022 release of Rhythm of the world is worth a listen also.  Here is another song from Global.  When a promoter at AM records played this for the  head of AM records the record executive was so impressed with the song.  When he found out it was the Cowsills he fired the record promoter.  Sought of why the DJ would not play Sunflower in the early 70’s.  Like I said a lot of parallels between the 2 groups

https://youtu.be/kJee6LAjIHc?si=vcf4egaryO_q3TLy

[Tony S]

I've seen the video before and always thought the guys could have created a great video for themselves based on their past achievements. And I think a shared lead vocal from Carl and Al would have sounded fantastic! Alas, what might have been....so many of those in their careers!

[MyDrKnowsItKeepsMeCalm]

Good catch! and an interesting what-if. I can definitely "hear" the Beach Boys circa early '90s doing a nice job of it.

[Steve Mayo]

I received my copy of global yesterday.  It is a fine album. Amazon has it in stock. Omnivore put it out again this year with three unreleased tunes as a bonus. Only $14.

[coco1997]

Definitely a very Beach Boys-sounding song and I'm sure the band would have done a great job with it.

It's fascinating to me that the song was "offered" to the band, considering to that point they were still mainly writing and recording their own material, save for the occasional cover from the '50s or '60s. Are there other known instances of artists offering the Boys songs and getting turned down?