Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again

[Nicko1234]

Agreed about a different tracklisting for the box, its just the quality of work from 1980 doesn't justify too much space on the box set. I would rather take some 1960s-1970s rarities or live material.

I agree the wilderness stuff wouldn't be given too much space but I guess that depends on whether any solo stuff is included (AGD commented that he thought it might be). Songs like It's a Beautiful Day, Where I Belong, California Dreaming, Rock and Roll to the Rescue and Somewhere Near Japan (along with some of the recent recordings of course) would be contenders I guess.

The problem with rarities from the 1960s is, how many are there left in the vaults that weren't included on the twofers or the box set or Endless Harmony or Hawthorne or the Smile box? I know there are a few that we are all aware of but how different can those first few CDs of the new set really be to the 1993 box?

[Sheriff John Stone]

Boxed sets and compilations are always going to be subject to opinions. But, I do think the 1993 boxed set Disc 4 was too Brian top heavy - just Disc 4. That would've been a good opportunity to showcase some of the top tracks of the other band members - which, let's face it, were basically just a few tracks.

I would've gladly sacrificed:
- "Funky Pretty"
- "That Same Song"
- "Let Us Go On This Way" (which I love BTW)
- "Our Team"

and replaced them with

- "Only With You"
- "Lady Lynda"
- "Where I Belong"
- "Somewhere Near Japan"

Wouldn't that have been a fair trade off, wouldn't that have made a superior Disc 4, a more "band" representative Disc 4, I guess ultimately it didn't/doesn't matter...

[hypehat]

Does anyone remember Ponghits thread about meeting Alan Boyd? The consensus from that seemed to be that the tracks in contention were more from the 70's, booted or not, which seeing as it's pretty much the great lost period of the band is quite encouraging.

Also, we know our boots - reckon there's enough unmined 60's material to make that period of the set interesting.

[Jason]

I don't know how much 60s material is actually left that can be released, short of 1967-69 outtakes.

[MBE]

Jon's description is perfect. I don't remember the part I heard in graphic detail just that it is very pretty and Dennis' voice was excellent. Brian was a fantastic talent, and Dennis was his biggest fan, yet they WERE a great group with every one of them adding to what made The Beach Boys so special. Just enjoy them for who they are.

[Dave Modny]

From hearing the cover of WIBNTLA, I can certainly say that it's not what I'd call "Dennis's Surf's Up", not a iota.

Not at all a relevant comparison in my book. To me nothing in pop can really compare to the song, melody, lyric and production of Surf's Up...but that's the kind of sh*t Dennis always had to deal with and still does apparently...being compared to Brian who is incomparable. Dennis is his own thing, Brian is something else. WIBNTLA will suffer some ...oh yawn, not as good as Brian type of BS...because it is so anticipated. Its not a big production, and its not a particularly unique arrangement, Dennis' songs like River Song, End of the Show, Love Remember Me and Moonshine are more "production" songs. WIBNTLA is a fine arrangement and production, but in a more modest early 70's way. However, its Dennis' performance that is what makes it great. He sings fantastic, and he wrote a vehicle for his voice that is probably the best one in his canon...it fits his voice like a glove, in the same way Forever or Barbara does...he just sings it beautifully. The emotion, the honesty, and whatever that wondrous/humble/hopeful but sorrowful vibe that Dennis had...this song brings that to the table in the best way. Its just solid, he nailed it, its a crime that it got buried by time. But don't expect a mindblowing production or insane arrangement like Surf's Up. WIBNTLA is far less eclectic...but completely beautiful and human and great in its own way.

The thing that gets me about the song, again, using Adam's version as a point of reference, is that it's just such *pure Dennis* that even someone who's never heard the original can pretty much imagine in their head, exactly, what it sounds like!

The whole "Who ever said" motif is so damned infectious, and it's presented with that mark of soulful melancholy that no one in the band *ever* did better than Dennis. Also, I don't know if it was Stanley alone, or in combo with Dennis who wrote that "high on a hill, making love again" line, but can anyone *not* imagine that coming out of Denny's mouth? The whole narrative sounds like it's a microcosm of his life story!



I mean...it's Dennis...1971. Firing on all cylinders during that era -- both vocally and compositionally -- with nary a misstep. How can any Beach Boys fan not be excited about the prospect of that?!

[adamghost]

The first time I ever heard it, my reaction was, "now the SURF'S UP album makes sense."

It really sounds like the missing link on that record.  It doesn't surprise me it was pulled at more or less the last minute.

[Dave Modny]

The first time I ever heard it, my reaction was, "now the SURF'S UP album makes sense."

It really sounds like the missing link on that record.  It doesn't surprise me it was pulled at more or less the last minute.

And, if it's any consolation, I know more than a few people who have used *your/Evie's* version to do just that. That is, put it back in its rightful place. All in good fun, of course, as an alternate, fantasy situation.

Though, in my case, I chose to use it to close Side 1. That's where it always sounded "right" to me.

[Don Malcolm]

The first time I ever heard it, my reaction was, "now the SURF'S UP album makes sense."

It really sounds like the missing link on that record.  It doesn't surprise me it was pulled at more or less the last minute.

To be a fly on the wall for that discussion, and to have been able to assume human form in time to intervene in order to effect a compromise that would have gotten WIBNTLA on that album. (sigh)

I get the impression, though, that the song needed to be edited for length (given that those who've heard the tape peg its length at 7+ minutes, and the edit on beachboys_fr's acetate is around four and a half...) , and who knows how that might have entered into the dispute. Some have said that the argument was over track placement (Dennis wanting it to close the LP, and "Surf's Up" disrupting that scenario). Can't imagine that Mike was going to roll over on SDT, and it's likely that Reiley was in his corner for that, because it had "relevant" lyrics and it was the only hard-rockin' track on the entire LP.

If you use those two notions as binding constraints for the decision-making, where would WIBNTLA fit on the LP? Missing link it may very well be, but given that you're gonna have SU and SDT, where does it fit, sequence-wise?

[beachboys_fr]

My decision has been made.

First of all, I won’t share the whole track, neither privately nor publicly. I won’t accept any financial offer too.

If WIBNTLA is the masterpiece of the MIC box, Capitol/BRI will surely be angry when seeing this track surfaced. They even can sue me and claim money for loss of earnings, prejudice, etc. They may want to make an example too. Don’t forget that the US is a country where you can obtain $190,000 just because hot coffee has been spilled over you in a restaurant…

Even if I purchased the CD legally, this CD was not supposed to go outside Capitol’s walls. I don’t know if it exists in the US but in France, it is called “receiving stolen goods” (“recel” in French). I can be sued and, in the best case, I should send the CD back and I would loss $400.

This said, having this track may constitute for me an opportunity to improve my collection. After all, having found this track by luck can be seen as a “premium” (“bonus”) for having built this collection and for having spent all this money through the years. I therefore decided the following. If someone who wants the track is able to provide me one or several CDs I don’t have in my collection, I will propose the following deal: I will purchase these CDs by offering money against CDs and I will send the track as a gift. I don’t want to make money with the track. The gift of the track will compensate you for the psychological cost to sell CDs from your collection.

These deals will have other features:

1) In any case, I won’t send the whole track but a sample. The length of the sample would be about 1 minute.

2) Once all the deals are made and all the transactions completed, I will send the track in WAV format in a single email to all the people who have made a deal with me. I do that because I want to avoid that the first person I make the deal with puts the track on the Internet which leads other people not to deal since they will have the sample for free.

3) No return will be accepted. Hope you understand why…

4) No shorter sample will be sent during the deal process. I want to keep the control over the copies of the track. It implies that you won’t be able to authenticate the track before you receive it. You have to trust me… I don’t oblige anyone to trust me and I don’t oblige anyone to deal with me. I hope that the elements about me available on this forum, through PMs, and elsewhere on the Net (eBay feedbacks record, SH forum, etc.) are sufficient.

Here is the list of what I’m looking for. Beside this list, if you think you have something at home that I don’t have, feel free to send me your list. I will be delighted to go through it. For me, it’s even better to discover very new stuff than to find something which is already on my want-list. Just don’t forget that I’m collecting original CDs only (no CDR) and The Beach Boys only (no solo, no various artists stuff).

Surfin' Safari / Surfin' USA   1990   Netherlands   EMI-Capitol
Little Deuce Coupe / All Summer Long   1990   Netherlands   EMI-Capitol
Smiley Smile / Wild Honey   1990   Netherlands   EMI-Capitol
Friends / 20/20   1990   Netherlands   EMI-Capitol
Party! / Stack-O-Tracks   1990   Netherlands   EMI-Capitol
Concert / Live in London   1990   United States   BMG
Smiley Smile / Wild Honey   1990   United States   BMG
Friends / 20/20   1990   United States   BMG
Today! / Summer Days   1990   United States   Columbia House
Smiley Smile / Wild Honey   1990   United States   Columbia House
Little Deuce Coupe / All Summer Long   2001   United States   Columbia House
Today! / Summer Days   2001   United States   Columbia House
Concert / Live in London   2001   United States   Columbia House
Surfin' Safari / Surfin' USA   2001   Canada   Columbia House
Surfer Girl / Shut Down Vol. II   2001   Canada   Columbia House
Little Deuce Coupe / All Summer Long   2001   Canada   Columbia House
Today! / Summer Days   2001   Canada   Columbia House
Concert / Live in London   2001   Canada   Columbia House
Smiley Smile / Wild Honey   2001   Canada   Columbia House
Friends / 20/20   2001   Canada   Columbia House
L.A. Album   90's   United States   Caribou/Epic (ZK 46958)
Sunflower   90's   Australia   Caribou/Epic
15 Big Ones   90's   Australia   Caribou/Epic
In concert   90's   Australia   Caribou/Epic
Love You   90's   Australia   Caribou/Epic
Holland   90's   Australia   Caribou/Epic
M.I.U. Album   90's   Australia   Caribou/Epic
L.A. Album   90's   Australia   Caribou/Epic
15 Big Ones   90's   Canada   Caribou/Epic
In concert   90's   Canada   Caribou/Epic
Love You   90's   Canada   Caribou/Epic
Carl & the Passions   90's   Canada   Caribou/Epic
M.I.U. Album   90's   Canada   Caribou/Epic
L.A. Album   90's   Canada   Caribou/Epic
Keepin' the Summer Alive   90's   Canada   Caribou/Epic
Keepin' the Summer Alive / The Beach Boys   2000   Canada   Capitol
In Concert   2000   Canada   Capitol
Surfin' Safari   ?   Canada   EMI (Valuo Plus Series)
Greatest Hits - The Danish Collection   2000   Denmark   EMI      
Surfin' Safari      Australia   Tempo      

Compilations:
- Surf's up (Excelsior label) (A cassette exists / EMI Special Market Canada 1984 4XL-9053)
- The Absolute Best Vol 1    (longbox / even empty)
- The Best of - Greenline Series   (Wal-Mart Exclusive)
- The Greatest Hits Vol. 2    (Canada)      
- The Warmth of the Sun   2007   (Target Exclusive)

Promo:
- Song from here & back   
- That's Why God Made the Radio EMI-Ireland
- Carl & the Passions (reference CD)
- Keepin' the Summer Alive / Beach Boys 85 (reference CD)
Bootleg:
-Smile + Smile (Bits and Pieces) T 2580   (with poster)

I'm also looking for the following bootlegs provided they actually exist as original silver CDs:                  
- Smile - Part 1   1993  GEMA   A 12556
- Smile Red Robin Record
- Help Me, Rhonda; Black Park BP141
- A Capitol Offense; (IU 9410-1)
- Smile (The Definitive Version) Wilson Records BB001
- Brian Loves You
- Live At Central Park, Sept. 1977
- California Feeling;Brother 1976
- At The CBS Convention Live; Brother Records; BR 1977
- Surf's Down; Running Bear Records; RB 0011
- The Cocaine Sessions;01125 TV
- Live At Big Sur; Murry 1001
- Carolina's Birthday Party
- L.A. Light Album bootleg ("Brother/Warner" BBLA 0202)
- Live in London acetate (10th Planet, London)
- LONDON Wednesday JAN 30TH 2002 (SPARK IN THE DARK)
- STILL SURFIN(G) IN ATLANTIC CITY (1996 - JOEY CAT RECORDS - JCR04)
- ALL SUMMER LONG IN TENNESSEE

And also:

Compilation 16 GREATEST HITS      Germany   SWEET   16CD12011   
Compilation   GOLDEN SURF      Canada   IMD   40252   with Jan & Dean?
Compilation   Concert Days   1995   United States   CEMA   077775676129   A cassette exists

Hope everything is clear despite my poor English.

I’m waiting for news from you through PM.

Thank you for your understanding, especially if you have only LPs at home… Hopefully, WIBNTLA will be released on the MIC box, now scheduled on 08/27.

[Jason]

That explanation should be good enough for anyone. If not, take it to PMs.

[Daniel]

The man has spoken.
Thank you beachboys_fr and good luck to you.
I hope you find something youre looking for 

[pixletwin]

Sounds like a good way to go about it. 

[SMiLE Brian]

Let the games begin!

[Jason]

I guess it's to be assumed that Mr. beachboys_fr has the excellent East German "The Very Best of Beach Boys" from 1985?

[Amanda Hart]

Decisions, decisions...

[Andrew G. Doe]

The first time I ever heard it, my reaction was, "now the SURF'S UP album makes sense."

It really sounds like the missing link on that record.  It doesn't surprise me it was pulled at more or less the last minute.

To be a fly on the wall for that discussion, and to have been able to assume human form in time to intervene in order to effect a compromise that would have gotten WIBNTLA on that album. (sigh)

I get the impression, though, that the song needed to be edited for length (given that those who've heard the tape peg its length at 7+ minutes, and the edit on beachboys_fr's acetate is around four and a half...) , and who knows how that might have entered into the dispute. Some have said that the argument was over track placement (Dennis wanting it to close the LP, and "Surf's Up" disrupting that scenario). Can't imagine that Mike was going to roll over on SDT, and it's likely that Reiley was in his corner for that, because it had "relevant" lyrics and it was the only hard-rockin' track on the entire LP.

If you use those two notions as binding constraints for the decision-making, where would WIBNTLA fit on the LP? Missing link it may very well be, but given that you're gonna have SU and SDT, where does it fit, sequence-wise?

I believe "SDT" was one of the subs for the two DW tracks he pulled from the album following his, er, frank exchange of views with Carl. It was in the can, having been mixed back on 11/3/70.

[Dave Modny]

The first time I ever heard it, my reaction was, "now the SURF'S UP album makes sense."

It really sounds like the missing link on that record.  It doesn't surprise me it was pulled at more or less the last minute.

To be a fly on the wall for that discussion, and to have been able to assume human form in time to intervene in order to effect a compromise that would have gotten WIBNTLA on that album. (sigh)

I get the impression, though, that the song needed to be edited for length (given that those who've heard the tape peg its length at 7+ minutes, and the edit on beachboys_fr's acetate is around four and a half...) , and who knows how that might have entered into the dispute. Some have said that the argument was over track placement (Dennis wanting it to close the LP, and "Surf's Up" disrupting that scenario). Can't imagine that Mike was going to roll over on SDT, and it's likely that Reiley was in his corner for that, because it had "relevant" lyrics and it was the only hard-rockin' track on the entire LP.

If you use those two notions as binding constraints for the decision-making, where would WIBNTLA fit on the LP? Missing link it may very well be, but given that you're gonna have SU and SDT, where does it fit, sequence-wise?

A person could add *both* WIBNTLA and 4th Of July, without getting rid of anything, and the album would still clock in at just a hair above 40 minutes...which would have been do-able and nominal for Warner Brothers in 1971, in terms of LP cutting practices. And nothing would have to be rearranged, side-wise, to make the times work (though one could do that as well if they wanted to...more down below). Maybe not 100% ideal in terms of maximum fidelity, but again, still nominal for 1971 (both 15 BO and LA Light are also in the 40 min. range).

For me, I still would've put WIBNTLA as the closer for Side 1...right *after* SDT. I can imagine it having a sort of side finality to it  -- especially with CL's flute trailing off -- but NOT as the closer to the entire album. Carl was right there. SU is the epic track, in movements, and it belongs where it was. Ditto for the finality of the trailing off part of the latter (IMHO, of course).

I'd then put 4th Of July on Side 2, right after LAT. Roughly 20 minutes per side (or actually 21 and 19). You could even swap out "Feet" and LAT if you wanted to make those sides a little closer, time-wise (i.e. more like 20-20). Ultimately, 6 tracks per side.


PS - Andrew, I'm assuming "Feet," being in the can, was the other replacement song once Denny pulled his two? I think I've read that before, correct?


EDIT: Also, this is of course assuming WIBNTLA being the 4 + minute mix.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The seven minute plus version contains roughly two minutes of fade and general noodling about.

[Peter Reum]

Patience  folks...do you seriously think that it would be left off the box if it is that good? I don't! If it is that good...it'll be there.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I concur with Peter. This is the last chance to do it right. The new album and tour proved they can. I fully expect the box will have something for everyone and complete the trifecta.

And before someone points out it got vetoed from TWOTS... totally different circumstances. Believe. I do.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Patience  folks...do you seriously think that it would be left off the box if it is that good? I don't! If it is that good...it'll be there.

I have many of those sought out bootlegs but would not trade one for a 1 min sample of a song I will have in full, mastered quality in 4 + months. Good luck to him.

[Dave Modny]

Patience  folks...do you seriously think that it would be left off the box if it is that good? I don't! If it is that good...it'll be there.

As I may have mentioned prevously, I think it would be incredibly contemptuous for them to leave it off. Whatever politics or artistic decisions may have come before, there will be no better place for it, or better time in history, then on here. Both artistically and economically speaking.

My personal gut feeling: It'll be on the box.

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Seems fair to me, I'm not interested until after the box listing is announced.

Let me be the first to say, after the box is released, If that song is excluded...

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Seems fair to me, I'm not interested until after the box listing is announced.

Let me be the first to say, after the box is released, If that song is excluded...

I believe quite a few people know, they just aren't saying........