AL JARDINE - CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' SAMPLE

[Smilin Ed H]

"WTF? Hey, if you wanna bring it on Male Ego style, I can deliver it as good as anyone."  Evidently not.  

You're living in a fool's paranoid. Why do you assume this was aimed at you?

You - "The 'occasional buyers' don't even buy Brian's solo CDs, so I doubt they'll feel moved to give Al Jardine a chance."
Me - "It isn't going to sell a lot (though I'll buy it), and certainly not to occasional buyers"

Unless it was your crack about it being a new song back in 65, but, as I said, why do you expect more from Al, particularly now?  It would be nice if he'd come up with all new songs, but that's never been his bag, so we get 'typical' Al - a few 'new' songs, some covers, some derivative stuff - all pleasantly delivered and sung well with some unnecessary guest stars (though the fact that Mike, Brian, Carl and David feature is a major plus this late in the Beach Boy game).

[The Real Beach Boy]

Brainiac...

Wow....someone's definitely gonna have a bruised ego after that one. Male Ego couldn't stoop lower.

Gimme a break.

[Dancing Bear]

"WTF? Hey, if you wanna bring it on Male Ego style, I can deliver it as good as anyone."  Evidently not.  

You're living in a fool's paranoid. Why do you assume this was aimed at you?

Oh, come on. 

[Sheriff John Stone]

....as I said, why do you expect more from Al, particularly now?

I'm surprised somebody posting on this board would have to ask that question. So, I'll answer it for you.

1. Al Jardine has been writing and recording songs for over 40 years now. His songs have not always been represented on Beach Boys albums in large numbers, usually one per album, if that. So, one might think he would enthused about the opportunity to record an album of almost ALL Al Jardine songs, and not have to share the space. Not that Al is egotistical, I'm not insinuating that, but most artists record albums to share THEIR songs.

2. Again, because Al has been writing music for over 40 years, one would think he would have a large number of HIS songs in his back catalogue; songs that were unfinished, rejected, or just not right for a Beach Boys' album. Now would be the logical time to revisit them.

3. This is a solo album. Most solo albums mean that the artist prefers to share his songs, his voice, his playing, his vision, his lyrics, his whatever. One would think that a main purpose for a solo album, again for an artist as experienced as Al who has never recorded a solo album, would be to record SOLO SONGS, not covers of others' songs. Been there, done that, several times.

4. Al owns the studio; he could EXPERIMENT as long as his little heart desires. Al's an artist, right? Why not do something a little more "out of the box". Just suggesting it, it's Al's choice of course, but still one wonders why he's taking a conservative route.

5. Al brought in an eclectic mix of musicians, many of them outstanding songwriters/lyricists as well as instrumentalists. Collaborations, on new songs, maybe? I mean, was it really necessary for their guitar or singing skills? Oh, it will sound nice, but what about some writing?

6. In Al's last years with the Beach Boys, he was very critical of Mike Love's direction, both in concert and in the studio. In my posts, I have been critical of Al about his complaining, referring to him/it as hypocrisy. I believe Al's solo career has proven my posts to be accurate. Now, when Al can do whatever the hell he wants to - away from Mike Love and the Beach Boys - Al chooses to record "Honkin' Down The Highway", "Help Me Rhonda", California Dreamin", "California Feeling", "California Saga", and a song called "Drivin'". Nevermind "PT Cruiser". While I can't say that I'm totally surprised that Al chose this direction, I think the above points that I have made do lead to some surprise and disappontment from Al Jardine/Beach Boys fans who have followed his career.

[Mark H.]

Al could buy some original material if he wanted too.  Al should put together an album that re-issues all the songs he sang lead on over the years.  That might be an interesting  cd.

Otherwise the whole thing is a big yawn! 

[lance]

It shocks me to say, but it sounds like there is going to eventually be a piece of Beach Boys related product that is....a rip off.

[Jonathan Blum]

3. This is a solo album. Most solo albums mean that the artist prefers to share his songs, his voice, his playing, his vision, his lyrics, his whatever. One would think that a main purpose for a solo album, again for an artist as experienced as Al who has never recorded a solo album, would be to record SOLO SONGS, not covers of others' songs.

You seem to have confused "solo artist" with "singer-songwriter".

Al Jardine is a guy who's written a scattering of songs over his years as primarily a singer/guitarist.  So he's more of a performer than a songwriter -- big deal, the same is true for everyone from Elvis to Joss Stone...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[SurfRiderHawaii]

It shocks me to say, but it sounds like there is going to eventually be a piece of Beach Boys related product that is....a rip off.

Al has never claimed to be a 'Brian Wilson'.  It's easy being a back seat driver but I guess Al is doing what he thinks will be 'most commercial' (kinda a 'Stars n Stripes' formula).  I'll be thankful for a new BB solo album and would buy it anyhow just for 'Drivin' (Brian and Al sound great on that one).  For those who don't find it their cup of tea, don't buy it (or just the tracks you like, on iTunes)

[Smilin Ed H]

"Oh, come on. "

I dunno, I read the whole thread. So you were expecting a wonder record from Al?

 Al's not a singer songwriter, Sheriff.  You know that.  You've also read a few months back about the sort of stuff that's going to be on the album.  California Dreamin' seems to fit the tone (though SJB...?).  What the hell if he wants to record a whole album of covers? He's 66.  He's served his time.

I wonder if your sixth point doesn't inform the rest of your thinking...

Anyhow, don't like it: don't buy it, but don't like it for something it didn't set out to be.

[phirnis]

It shocks me to say, but it sounds like there is going to eventually be a piece of Beach Boys related product that is....a rip off.

Al has never claimed to be a 'Brian Wilson'.  It's easy being a back seat driver but I guess Al is doing what he thinks will be 'most commercial' (kinda a 'Stars n Stripes' formula).  I'll be thankful for a new BB solo album and would buy it anyhow just for 'Drivin' (Brian and Al sound great on that one).  For those who don't find it their cup of tea, don't buy it (or just the tracks you like, on iTunes)

Part of people's frustration with the Beach Boys might be that what these guys might consider as "most commercial" has been proven totally wrong over the course of so many years. Stars & Stripes, Keepin' The Summer Alive, Summer In Paradise, you name it, all very likely made with high expectations in mind in terms of sales. Yet people at concerts being most enthusiastic when all the old ones are being played does not mean they want to buy an album of dodgy remakes or all too obvious nods to the glory days. That's a lesson the Beach Boys have failed to learn and they have been wrong with this kind of stuff for 30 years minimum, as in the end most of these ill-fated projects presented the group at their uttermost "uncommercial".

[carl r]

Yes, exactly!

[John]

Al's not a singer songwriter, Sheriff.  You know that.

He was at one point. Not the major one, but from 1969 onwards, he could be expected to produce, what, two or three songs on an album, and a few more in co-writes? That's the equal to George Harrison's contributions in the Beatles. George was a singer-songwriter, no?

California Dreamin' seems to fit the tone (though SJB...?).  What the hell if he wants to record a whole album of covers? He's 66.  He's served his time.

Not in the arena of showing us what he can do, he hasn't. There's plenty of old guys, who weren't the main songwriter in their band, who still produce something better than lame re-recordings and callbacks to their glory days. To carry on the Beatles analogy, Al is a George, but acting like a Ringo, who also produces songs made specifically out of references to other songs or the 1960s. Al could've mustered 10 friggin' songs, especially including the old unreleased stuff like Don't Fight The Sea.

Some of you guys are acting like we're expecting SMiLE or something. We're expecting a TLOS, or to finalise the analogy, a Brainwashed. Harrison managed to make that - ten songs nobody had heard - while preoccupied with his cancer, and his attack, and still pushing 60. Al can't muster ten songs? Feh.

[Smilin Ed H]

I guess not, but Al's no Harrison, is he? And he wasn't way back either.  Of course, the annoying thing is that there are going to be two or three songs on this dating from late 70s-early 80s that would've been better than some of the stuff released on MIU, LA and KTSA.  Same with stuff on Mike's unreleased album.

[John]

I dunno, I don't think he's as good a songwriter quality-wise as Harrison, but his songs are solid enough, and as I say, he seems to have contributed at least two tunes to every album from, like Friends onwards, with the exception of Love You. And he fulfils the same kind of niche in the band - a lesser ranked songwriter whose work is sometimes slightly derivative but can always be relied upon to be at least thoughtful.  It's only Al's lack of ambition which is keeping him from being a Harrison.

[Smilin Ed H]

Maybe he's lazy. He's had a career relying on others, so maybe you're right - no ambition - or he's happy with it that way. It's just that we want more! 

[Tom Martin]

I found your last post to be insulting . . .

Al has been working very hard to make this album a quality project. 
Take a look at the guest list: Brian Wilson, David Marks, Steve Miller,
Neal Young, Flea, Glen Campbell, David Crosby, Gerry Beckley (AMERICA), Dewey Bunnell (AMERICA),
and Stephen Stills to name a few.  Now consider schedules and logistics and you can see why it is taking time to finish this album.

Please be patient and keep it positive . . . and try to appreciate the preview samples released.

[Steve Mayo]

heck, i'm happy just getting anything from any group member now....i too would like brand new songs, projects that stretch out, rocking songs but that hasn't happened, on an lp scale, since '73. i accept that fact and just enjoy whatever comes out nowadays.

[John]

I found your last post to be insulting . . .

Al has been working very hard to make this album a quality project. 
Take a look at the guest list: Brian Wilson, David Marks, Steve Miller,
Neal Young, Flea, Glen Campbell, David Crosby, Gerry Beckley (AMERICA), Dewey Bunnell (AMERICA),
and Stephen Stills to name a few.  Now consider schedules and logistics and you can see why it is taking time to finish this album.

But those guys could just as easily be playing on ten of Al's newer songs written between 1998 and today. Hey, I'm just devil's adovcating here. I'd rather hear Al solo on acoustic guitar playing something I've never heard before than all those guests playing on re-recordings. That's all I'm saying.  I dig Al's work and want more of it.

[Smilin Ed H]

I was being devil's avocado too. Lazy from our point of view. As I said earlier, the guy's 66; let's face it, whether certain 'fans' like it or not, he's doing what he wants to do at his own pace.    I don't have problems with the covers (except maybe his signature Help Me Rhonda) but I guess my initial hope was that we'd get some kind of California folk-type stuff with BB calibre singing and harmonies - the kind of stuff I've read he's written or heard boots of from the late 70s (though I realise we're getting some of those too).  I just got a little pissed at people jumping all over him for - I suspect - being Al Jardine.

Hmm, re-reading this and the previous posts, I confess that my real - possibly only - beef with Al is that for a time in the mid-late 70s, he was attempting to write what might be called 'mature' BB songs in the Holland mode and yet none of them made the albums, including the one he oversaw, until  Bruce's syrupy production of Santa Ana Winds (possibly the best thing on KTSA).  Ironically, the only other person displaying any ambition in the songwriting seems to have been Dennis, but the band fractured and Al seems to have stood with Mike and gone for the summer-is-fun thing - though let's face it, the name of Brian Wilson is on a lot of those songs! I don't want to make any claims for Al being as good as writer as Dennis, because he wasn't, but between them, with the odd number by the others (including, Bruce, a more acclaimed songwriter, whose album also contained covers, remakes and a few new numbers, and who seems to show no interest in releasing anything he's written and is surely more a target for your ire than Jardine), we could have had some decent BB albums that might have garnered critical as well as fan respect, instead of the horrible winding down of a great band that did occur.

[donald]

Al seem to do well in an ensemble.  Maybe this is it.   I'm ready to hear it.