Lost 1972-1974 BW Songs: Just An Imitation, Rooftop Harry, etc

[Jim V.]

OK, so after looking at the "Tours & Sessions" section of AGDs site, I'm gonna ask if there is any info on the following BW songs:

"Spark in the Dark" pretty much around 11 minutes of a "pounding organ jam" with "jagged synth lines"; part of it contains the melody to "Chain Reaction of Love"

"Funky Fever" supposedly a collaboration between Brian with David Sandler; recorded at Bolic Sound; musicians include guitarist Al Vescovo and drummer Edward Greene

"Rooftop Harry" only an instrumental track;  was discordant with vibes and horns playing abrasively against each other; described as "schizophrenia on tape"; Michael Clarke (of The Byrds) apparently plays drums on this; Bruce Johnston also at the session

"Gimme Some Lovin'" recorded in April 1972; musicians listed as Brian Wilson, Tommy Morgan, and David Sandler; supposedly a medley with "Baby I Need Your Lovin'"; Sandler says it's the best thing they did together

"Pattycake" supposedly written about a gorilla at the zoo; I'm doubting this was ever recorded in any way

"Brian's Jam" recorded early 1974 at Brother; it's basically the "Shortenin' Bread"/"Proud Mary" riff (according to Alan Boyd), with Dennis, Carl and a couple others from The Beach Boys band at the time

"Just an Imitation" apparently written in tribute to Murry in 1974; most likely no recording exists

"Lucy Jones" written by Brian with Steve Kalinich; Kalinich handles most of the lead vocals; recorded at same session as the 1974 "California Feelin'" demo

"You're Riding High on the Music" recorded around the same time as "Lucy Jones"? Any info?

Sorry if this is stuff that is really old to people....I just thought it'd be cool to have it all in one thread. Maybe I can even update this top post with the info we find. I dunno...we'll see.

EDIT: I figured I'd update this with any pertinent info!

[Jason]

There's a documented session for Spark In The Dark, presumably the tape exists. I believe Chain Reaction of Love took its chorus or bridge section from this song, forget which.

Funky Fever was one of a few titles Brian and David worked on in 1971-72. They presumably still exist. Ditto to the Baby I Need Your Loving track.

Rooftop Harry is one of those famous titles. I don't know if it exists on tape.

Pattycake and Just An Imitation were never recorded - the latter was a sort of tribute to Murry.

You're Riding High On The Music and Lucy Jones still exist and have been heard by a few. They're the first known instances of Brian's "new" voice.

[Mr. Cohen]

I also remember hearing about "Burlesque", a song that was in the "Marcella"/"You Need A Mess of Help" style that, according to Jack Rieley, was a good song that really summed up Brian's character at that time. Unfortunately, the group thought that it was too lewd for the BBs to release.

[Jim V.]

Ah, yes I remember hearing about "Burlesque" too....its funny that the BB's would refuse a song of Brian's during a time where it seemed like they would be happy to release any scrap that he would give them.

[Andrew G. Doe]

"Just An Imitation" is real, and reportedly very good, as in Pet Sounds good.

"Rooftop Harry" also exists, on tape. Bruce was at the session.

[the captain]

"Just An Imitation" is real, and reportedly very good, as in Pet Sounds good.

According to whom? I ask because unless I'm mistaken, David Leaf in his book gives pretty high praise for some early-to-mid 70s then-unreleased tracks that have since circulated which fail to live up to their billing. While I'm in no position to say the reports aren't true, it seems pretty unlikely to me ... we get Rainbow Eyes and Spirit of Rock n Roll, but not a Pet Sounds quality gem?

[Andrew G. Doe]

"Just An Imitation" is real, and reportedly very good, as in Pet Sounds good.

According to whom? I ask because unless I'm mistaken, David Leaf in his book gives pretty high praise for some early-to-mid 70s then-unreleased tracks that have since circulated which fail to live up to their billing. While I'm in no position to say the reports aren't true, it seems pretty unlikely to me ... we get Rainbow Eyes and Spirit of Rock n Roll, but not a Pet Sounds quality gem?

According to a someone who heard Brian play it, and whose initials were not DL. 

[Jim V.]

So Andrew, you're positive that "Just an Imitation" actually got recorded? If so, why haven't they considered ever releasing it on ANYTHING through the years.

I wish we could have "Just An Imitation", the Brian "California Feeling" demo,  "Where Is She", and the 1967 "Surf's Up" (if it exists)....then I think I, as a Beach Boys fan, would finally be somewhat content.

[hypehat]

I suppose this is the thread to ask....is the song 'Is Jack Reilly really Superman?' anything more than a bonkers session title?

[Chris Brown]

So Andrew, you're positive that "Just an Imitation" actually got recorded? If so, why haven't they considered ever releasing it on ANYTHING through the years.

I don't think (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong AGD) that Andrew was implying that the song was recorded, only that Brian sat at the piano and played it for someone.  Of course, it may have been recorded at some point and then erased, as Brian apparently had a tendency to do during this period.

[Jay]

I hope I don't offend anybody by saying this, but I've never understood how somebody like Steven Desper, or any "insider", could/would willingly go along with erasing a recording. I mean, this is brian wilson. You would think at least one safety copy would have been made. I know, it's probably an ethical thing. I myself would have to make myself a copy, just for private listening.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I hope I don't offend anybody by saying this, but I've never understood how somebody like Steven Desper, or any "insider", could/would willingly go along with erasing a recording. I mean, this is brian wilson. You would think at least one safety copy would have been made. I know, it's probably an ethical thing. I myself would have to make myself a copy, just for private listening.

Sometimes, there just isn't time - f'rinstance, Steve told me that when Brian wanted to record a new vocal, with revised lyrics, for "'Til I Die", he wanted to do it NOW, and as there wasn't time to make a copy, the new vocal was recorded over the original one.

Also, Steve was an employee, Brian his boss.

[Jay]

You're Riding High On The Music and Lucy Jones still exist and have been heard by a few. They're the first known instances of Brian's "new" voice.

I would quite possibly blow another man to hear those recordings.

[MBE]

I thought the half and half vocals from the 1975 In The Back Of My Mind were the first real change? I don't know as I haven't heard any of this stuff.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

A LONG time ago, back when I was  a relative neophyte, I heard this long, droning piece, mainly instrumental, a lot of organ, but with a little bit of Brian's speaking. "This is...this...okay here's the change". I have no freaking idea what it was, but the timbre of Brian's speaking made it sound like 1972-1973, roughly. It *may* be one of those tracks, or it may not.

Mike, I'm about 99% certain that Lucy Jones was the first of the "new" Brian, although technically his part in "He Came Down" would qualify (although he sounded more "normal" on a few songs afterwards").

[rogerlancelot]

You're Riding High On The Music and Lucy Jones still exist and have been heard by a few. They're the first known instances of Brian's "new" voice.

I would quite possibly blow another man to hear those recordings.

WTF? and LOL!

[adamghost]

A LONG time ago, back when I was  a relative neophyte, I heard this long, droning piece, mainly instrumental, a lot of organ, but with a little bit of Brian's speaking. "This is...this...okay here's the change". I have no freaking idea what it was, but the timbre of Brian's speaking made it sound like 1972-1973, roughly. It *may* be one of those tracks, or it may not.

Mike, I'm about 99% certain that Lucy Jones was the first of the "new" Brian, although technically his part in "He Came Down" would qualify (although he sounded more "normal" on a few songs afterwards").

So is the consensus now that it was Brian on "He Came Down"?  I think I was the one that may have first pointed it out on the vocal credits thread, but I didn't get the sense that we'd conclusively nailed down it was him (though I personally think it must have been).

[MBE]

Sweet Mountain is interesting because Brian does both high and low parts. He's less raspy on the low then later, but it's sort of a preview.

[runnersdialzero]

I'm not sure how that could be Brian on "He Come Down". Which section, specifically? I'm sure he's on it, but if we're talking about the 2nd "I believe it," part then I would imagine it's someone else.

He sounds just the same as he always did on later tracks like "California", the early "Ding Dang", "Magic Transistor Radio", "Funky Pretty", etc. so it would be totally weird if he sounded closer to his 76 self on an earlier track.

[MBE]

He's doing the bass humming during the real fast section. Again it seems a little less coarse then say something from 1976 but the same tone.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Yep, the "Eeeh eeh" part that repeats (the low part).

[Jay]

You're Riding High On The Music and Lucy Jones still exist and have been heard by a few. They're the first known instances of Brian's "new" voice.

I would quite possibly blow another man to hear those recordings.

WTF? and LOL!

Let me rephrase: blow A man, not another man. 

[Jason]

I would quite possibly blow another man to hear those recordings.

Well, that certainly puts my mind at ease. Thank God I don't own copies of them.

However, please do something about your urges to blow dudes to hear unbooted recordings. It's just not natural. I would suggest Ritalin. Unless of course someone was willing to acquiesce to such a request...

[Sheriff John Stone]

I would quite possibly blow another man to hear those recordings.

Well, that certainly puts my mind at ease. Thank God I don't own copies of them.

Say "hello" to my little friend...

[Jay]

little