Al Jardine EP

[The Shift]

 

[Matt H]

I guess since there is nothing on iTunes and nothing on AlJardine.com I will just have to wait until the official release date of 03/01/2343

[Beach Head]

Somebody posted a link over on Brian's message board.  It's to an address at AlJardine.com.  Put in in your browser and it starts a download.  Once downloaded, though, the file has no tag, so your computer won't know what to do with it.  Rename it with a ".zip" tag, then you can extract the mp3's.

[Matt H]

Awesome, Thanks!

[Jason]

Someone was dumb enough to post a link to download music on the blueboard?!? Wow.

[Matt H]

Someone was dumb enough to post a link to download music on the blueboard?!? Wow.

yeah, but it is at Al's website.  The dumber thing is that AlJardine.com is not secured.

[Matt H]

Sounds awesome to hear those voices together on Don't Fight The Sea!

[the captain]

DFtS sounds like it belongs on Imagination. The delays and reverse echoes on the vocals ... icky. Those voices do just fine on their own, thanks.

[TdHabib]

I loved "Don't Fight the Sea" despite the sometimes cheesy production business, it was really cool to hear all of the guys singing again...even if it was through several decades. I like it a lot.

I must admit I thought it was unnecessary to hear "California Saga" again but nearly fell out of my chair when Neil Young started singing. Neil's one of my favorites, so that's a plus.

[Aegir]

Listening to Don't Fight the Sea right now. This is the first time I've smiled all day.

[jeremylr]

Here's my initial impression:

I'm also listening to Don't Fight The Sea; mainly I wished they could have updated the keyboards, because they really date the song.  On the other hand, it's great hearing all the boys sing again.  I also like the drums, bass/ & guitars.  This song would have strengthened one of their late '70s/early '80s albums if it had been included.

Tidepool Interlude isn't bad.  I've just never been a huge fan of hearing narration (Alec Baldwin this time) in a song.  Same way I feel about TLOS.  The instrumental backing isn't bad, though.  Great piano.  I like how you hear the waves crashing at the beginning followed by the piano & shaker.   I'd rather just hear an instrumental version myself.

Campfire Scene:  I like it.  Only 40 seconds long; cool harmonica opening & then banjo (good job Al); Only wish it was longer.  It really sets the scene for California Saga.  Seems like Al was paying attention to Brian's That Lucky Old Sun LP while finishing this EP.  Neil Young sings here & on Saga below.


California Saga.  I guess Al was never completely satisfied with the original recording so he did it again here.   Nice hearing Neil Young sing with Al.  Not sure if he played guitar on this or not.  This song isn't marred by cheesy instrumentation.  I like it.  Also good hearing banjo on this.  Good guitar work & vocals & liked hearing train whistle.   Again, this song won't trump the original, but it's nice, & it certainly shouldn't embarass Al or BB fans.

Maybe next they'll come out with who played what on each song.  I'm looking forward to hearing the full LP.  You can understand why Al was a BB for so long.

One last thing on "Don't Fight The Sea:"  I didn't like the '80s sounding keyboard/synthesizer production, but I understand if Al was trying to preserve the track for historical purposes.  On the other hands, if he overdubbed instruments recently, he could have made the keys/synth more live/warm/real if that makes sense.


Note:  Hypehat,  thanks for catching me on my Cool Cool Water mistake.  Fixed now.

[hypehat]

It's not Cool, Cool Water... the original California Saga has that too.

It's kind of lightweight, but nice. The TLOS comparisons are accurate - pleasant, but not going to blow any minds with ridiculous musical invention. Alec Baldwin's narration made me chuckle, but i blame 30 Rock for that rather than the narration itself 

Not sure about Don't Fight The Sea as a song. I can kind of hear everyone on it (is that 80's Brian doing the overlapping 'Don't Fight The Sea's at the end of the verses?) but it's an average tune.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Not bad. Not bad at all.

I just hope inferior covers don't bring the project down. And, for all of the doubters who think the Beach Boys are too old or over-the-hill vocally, well, with some good production and studio aid, I think they blend quite nicely.

[TdHabib]

I will admit I got a full chill hearing Carl sing that little verse by himself, and then picking him out in the harmony stack. Surely I won't get the chance to do this much more on new songs. He is missed.

[Steve Mayo]

wow..just heard these...got to admit i got the same satisfing smile on my face after listening to california saga here like i did back in 73 after hearing holland's version for the first time..
and i  firmly believe al has the best voice now of any of the remaining group members...sounds like al always did.... 

[Awesoman]

I'm diggin' what I hear.  On "Don't Fight The Sea", is that "young Brian" singing with "old Brian"?  Or is that Matt Jardine singing falsetto?

[MBE]

Don't Fight The Sea is the standout here. The production could be less cheesy but the voices and melody are pretty terrific. Hearing Al, Carl, and Brian together again is something special. I wonder how much was recorded now as opposed to 1980.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Don't Fight The Sea is the standout here. The production could be less cheesy but the voices and melody are pretty terrific. Hearing Al, Carl, and Brian together again is something special.

And Mike. 

[SG7]

Don't fight the sea I enjoyed a lot. Didn't expect to, but I did!

[SurfRiderHawaii]

So nice to hear the Boys on DFTS.  Great vocals.  Glad he got Mike to do some parts.  'Campfire Scene' is great, as is the new version of "CS".  "Tidepool Interlude" would have worked better with a vocal instead.

Overall, way to go Al!

[phirnis]

"Don't Fight the Sea" reminds me of "Somewhere Near Japan". I'm actually glad it sounds the way it does, I don't mind the keyboards at all. To me, this song is an all-around pleasant surprise. Should've been a Beach Boys single.

I have to say I kind of enjoyed "Tidepool Interlude" despite the apparent cheesiness. Alec Baldwin's voice never fails to remind me of his outstanding performance in "Glengarry Glen Ross", however, which doesn't add to the overall bucolic vibe of this tune.  

"California Saga" is the only low point for me. Always been a huge fan of the original Holland arrangement, so I have to say the new version is kind of underwhelming. Neil Young doesn't add anything interesting here.

[MBE]

Don't Fight The Sea is the standout here. The production could be less cheesy but the voices and melody are pretty terrific. Hearing Al, Carl, and Brian together again is something special.

And Mike. 

Cool I didn't know he was on it.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Don't Fight The Sea is the standout here. The production could be less cheesy but the voices and melody are pretty terrific. Hearing Al, Carl, and Brian together again is something special.

And Mike. 

Cool I didn't know he was on it.

For some reason, it was minor news here last year that Mike went in with Al and cut some vocals.  In my mind, it's the most positive BB development in years.

[Nicko]

For some reason, it was minor news here last year that Mike went in with Al and cut some vocals.  In my mind, it's the most positive BB development in years.

I don't think Mike actually went into the studio. I seem to recall reading that Scott Totten recorded Mike's vocals in a hotel room. I agree though that it certainly is a positive development as there have been periods in the recent past when Al probably wouldn't have asked Mike to contribute.

[runnersdialzero]

Was "Don't Fight the Sea" worked on at any point after 78 but before more recently? Carl's vocal sounds closer to his 90s voice.