The Keepin' The Summer Alive sessions

[Jay]

It has been said that virtually every second of the KTSA recording sessions were preserved on tape, because it was thought that it might be Brian's last recording with the group. Where are all those tapes? Do they still exist? I know that quite a few outtakes have surfaced in one form or another, but if the entire recording process was taped, why aren't there multi volume bootleg box sets like there are for the Smile sessions? Is there really a bunch of tapes waiting to be discovered/recovered, or is it just another Beach Boys myth? KTSA is far from the group's best work, but I'd love to hear all the sessions for it. Some of the things that have surfaced(Oh Darline' with Brian singing, River Deep Mountain High, etc) sound quite promising.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The info is confusing, but my impression is that only the initial sessions at Western were thusly taped.

BTW, "River Deep..." (which is an atrocious performance from Brian) was recorded some time after KTSA, at Mike's place.

[Jay]

I wonder if Johnny B Goode exists with Dennis? I wouldn't go as far as saying Brian's vocal on River Deep Mountain High were "atrocious". Sure, he shouted to much at the first verse, but it's far from terrible. 

[Sheriff John Stone]

It has been said that virtually every second of the KTSA recording sessions were preserved on tape, because it was thought that it might be Brian's last recording with the group.

I've read this before, but never saw it expanded on. The guy was only 38 years old then. Did they think that:

A) he would never produce specifically The Beach Boys again
B) he would never produce anybody again, thus retiring
C) he was going to die soon

If Answer A, what would lead them to think this would be "the last time"?

[the captain]

My impression was C.

[Pretty Funky]

While on the subject. What about this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFIsQUjhXU4

Good performance of 'Goin On' IMO. Brian seems up but the broadcast date 20 June 1980 would not have been the recording date. We know they were in the UK for Knebworth at the time.
No Dennis but I am interested in when the show was recorded and any thoughts on the deterioration of Brian between this and his Knebworth appearance.

[markcharles75]

Once again,  one little slice of a Beach Boys time period (KTSA sessions) and once again....stuff, perhaps really cool stuff, MAYBE languishing on tape somewhere...forgotten...maybe to be discovered some day....damn....I LOVE being a Beach Boys fan....what other band has so much stuff in the vaults? or on tape somewhere? in private hands? Or just lost?  I tell ya, for years to come, we will always have new and interesting (well to us anyways!) stuff come out...the well is not dry!

[RONDEMON]

Goin On is such an incredible song. It's one of those pure-Brian songs from the key change in the middle to those descending harmonies and verses.
I love it.

In that video, Brian looks totally into it. That's a sight I love to see. Why doesn't he play that one live?

[Magic Transistor Radio]

The song Sunshine is really growing on me. I would love to hear the backing tracks to When Girls Get Together and Santa Anna Winds. I love the music on those but the vocals kind of ruin them. Carl's songs are very good. Really, the only one I hate is Some of Your Love.

[Jay]

The info is confusing, but my impression is that only the initial sessions at Western were thusly taped.

BTW, "River Deep..." (which is an atrocious performance from Brian) was recorded some time after KTSA, at Mike's place.

Is it known exactly what was done at Western?

[Beach Boy]

I love the whole album so much, perhaps my favourite album, would love to hear the sessions! WGGT is out of place, the studio version of School Days sucks, the same for the title track and Some Of Your Love ain't a masterpiece but I still like the songs and the others not mentioned are all great!

[c-man]

The info is confusing, but my impression is that only the initial sessions at Western were thusly taped.

BTW, "River Deep..." (which is an atrocious performance from Brian) was recorded some time after KTSA, at Mike's place.

Is it known exactly what was done at Western?

In July, they cut the basic tracks (on 4-track tape, with Chuck Britz engineering) for "School Day" and what became "Sunshine", plus some outtakes.  In October, they returned and did the track for "Oh Darlin'" and some more outtakes (.  The rest of the new stuff was done at Rumbo and Jardine's Barn. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

The info is confusing, but my impression is that only the initial sessions at Western were thusly taped.

BTW, "River Deep..." (which is an atrocious performance from Brian) was recorded some time after KTSA, at Mike's place.

Is it known exactly what was done at Western?

Read the liners to the KTSA/Beach Boys 2fer. All in there. 

[SloopJohnB]

Read the liners to the KTSA/Beach Boys 2fer. All in there. 

    

Actually, even if you don't like KTSA and BB85 (which isn't my case - I like them) it's worth buying this two-fer just for the liner notes!