10 Years Of Harmony LP... Some Thoughts

[Shane]

It was meant to be that I acquire the "10 Years of Harmony" LP this week.

In my 12 year obsession with the Beach Boys, this has been one of the very few BB albums that has escaped me.  It isn't that valuable or impossible to find, but it is just an album that I rarely see.  Last night, I found myself in a town about 45 minutes from where I live, browsing through a record store.  I found a copy of the LP on the shelf for $11.98.  I almost bought it, but decided to pass on it.  After all, I own a record shop myself, and I shouldn't be buying things at full retail prices from the competition!  I figured a copy would come my way someday at a less-than-retail price.  

Today, a lady brought a box of records to my shop to sell, and sure enough, there was another copy of the LP, staring right at me.

I spent the evening listening to most of this album.  What a great, thoughtfully created two record set... the "greatest hits" from a period of the band's history when they were having very few hits, despite the quality of the music.  There is a couple rarities in there as well ("Its a Beautiful Day, "San Miguel"), and even a Dennis solo track ("River Song").  In my opinion, the Beach Boys were always, and always have been brilliant.  The thing that has faded over time is their ability to be *consistently* brilliant.  This set collects those moments of brilliance from the 1970s.

Also, I've noticed some alternate mixes of several of the tracks on this album... I'm thinking these are the 45 versions.  "California Saga" has a few surprises in the mix, and "Add Some Music" sounds different to my ears.  I'm digging this album!

[Mr. Wilson]

yea 10 yrs of harmony is a favorite of mine..it was released to celebrate 20 yrs together.. or was it 30 yrs together..81 or 91 i forget... another favorite i believe came out in early 90"s was..The complete collection 2 seperate cd collections of the capitol years.... those 4 cds together have most of the essentials..

[Andrew G. Doe]

yea 10 yrs of harmony is a favorite of mine..it was released to celebrate 20 yrs together.. or was it 30 yrs together..81 or 91 i forget...

 

[Mr. Wilson]

i must have had a brain fart..lol

[Aegir]

I think it was ten years on Brother Records.

[Mr. Wilson]

yea i know it was 10 yrs of brother records..But it was released for some anniversary thing..In 1981 BB celebrated 20 yrs..i think they use the date 12-31-61..The date for thr richie Valens memorial concert at Long beach..Their 1st REAL important gig..In 81 Knebworth was planned for release but scratched..Then they use some of it with interviews + create a 20th anniversary special....Also around this time i saw HBO live wash DC 1980..Saw these all In 81 82...Also around this time they released "Sunshine Dreams"..Best of package with artwork kinda like ES ..OR ..SOA...I could be wrong but 10 yrs of harmony came out around the same time..The cd was released early 90"s  ..??..Also in early 80"s...{81 82 83 84}...UK vinyl box set..The Australian release with "What I Say"...And also ..Rarities...Just tryin to figure out timeline here..

[MBE]

It's pretty good because of the single mixes, but I would change a few things. First Dennis would get at least a side worth of tracks as I think he was the most consistant during this period. Second I would have liked liner notes and chronological order. I remember getting the tape in 1989 which didn't even have the album credits on it. I was really confused as to what went where. Still it is pretty darn good music on there. None of these songs have been overplayed so I always enjoy hearing it.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I think it was ten years on Brother Records.

Ten years on Brother-Reprise.

[smile-holland]

I think it was ten years on Brother Records.

Ten years on Brother-Reprise.

+ a bit of Caribou, as a few 1979-80 releases (LA, KTSA, and It's A Beautiful Day) + a DW POB track are added to the comp as well