I am a huge Valli / Seasons fan.  I have seen him / them live several times.  Jersey boys a couple of times.  Started listening to them in 1973 (I was born in 1974) and listened to The Beatles, Beach Boys and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons the most growing up (I still refer to those three groups as the holy trinity in the music of my youth).  Though Valli and the Seasons are still one of my fave groups I still don't believe they made particularly great complete album statements.    But damn, their singles were out of this world.  I like the Gazette album but find it to way over hyped.  Oracle, Pet Sounds (and many other BB and Beatles albums) are  far superior IMHO.  I far prefer the Gaudio / Crewe combos work to the Holmes / Gaudio team.  Having said that I still feel that Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons work is so often under rated in the rock world.  At their best their music rivals and can often best that of their contemporaries.  Rag Doll for instance is about as perfect as a song can be.  Killer backing track that bests Spector, vocals that come pretty darn close to the mighty Beach Boys best vocal work, a great lyric and a coda and lead vocal that might be one of the strongest in the history of pop music.  I know some here are down on Valli's falsetto but both his tenor and his high range's power cannot be disputed.  I still like Brian's high range better because I like the whine and the tender delivery that he brought, but sometimes a punch can be as good or better than a kiss in pop music and in that respect Valli's falsetto takes the cake.  The high vocal vamps at the end of many of their songs are other worldly in the power and beauty.  Let's Hang On, Silence Is Golden, Working My Way Back To You, Beggin', C'mon Marianne are also up there as perfect pop slices.  As for the lesser known stuff Around and Around, Danger, and I'm Gonna Change are well worth a second look too.

You hear a wall of Jardines.  Don't think any other real BBs are on the track.

I was just exchanging messages with Les recently regarding a Wilson Phillips show he just saw.  So Sad.  He was always such an upbeat happy and devoted fan, can't believe how suddenly he is no longer with us.  Life is precious.  Sad stories like these should remind us all not to waste it, and enjoy the blessings we have.  My thoughts are with his family.  Love and Mercy to you.

I bought one but it cost $24 (plus tax) at one place and $25 at another.  They still had five left earlier today if anyone is still looking for it and wants me to pick it up.  Shipping from Calgary, Alberta, Canada isn't cheap though :-(
I still have a couple extra sealed RSD Good Vibes / Heroes 10" as well.

T'was $24 here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Ouch.  But I buy everything BB related.  I can't help myself.  It is purdy though...
Might buy a back up if they still have copies at other stores tomorrow (only one per customer at my local store).
 

Hello,
A touch off topic but I figured some of you audio superstars may be able to help me.  I am looking for a good but cheap Cassette to cd (or mp3) converter.  Preferably one that you have tried and can vouch for its ease of use and quality job.  Any help would be really appreciated.  I have some rare stuff I wanna transfer.
Thanks in advance

Lovin this!  Reminds me of the great shows I saw this summer.  I'd pay for high quality audio or video of this on cd or blu-ray.  In the meantime very happy to have the mp3s.  I wish the BB would have gone the route of other live acts and offered live downloads or offered cds of each of the reunion shows.  I'd have been ok with warts and all shows.

Um how do I put this on my ipod?  Sounds great.  I'd pay for a release like this.

I thought it was great.  Better than the first one in the series, but that may be because I am more fascinated by this period in the BB history.  Like many of the obsessed nut-jobs here (I use that term affectionately), I have read every book and darn near every post on this board so sometimes I get my hopes up that a new doc like this will have a whole bunch of new and revelatory info.  Of course it doesn't live up to those unrealistic expectations but it did have plenty of great info with people who know and understand the story well.  I really enjoyed Desper's, Lambert's, Kalinich's, Vail's and Priore's contributions.  It is great to have this period illuminated as all we mostly hear about is the big hit years.

I have an extra sealed dvd of this as well as an extra Wilson produced Kalinich cd if anyone want to do a bit o' trading.  PM if interested.

Great question.  I love Dennis on GT and I love his comments as to why he is singing it too.  My Name Is Brian's theory as to why there is a switch is a good one.  I also enjoy Dennis' piano playing and Rhonda vocal.  He took this lead quite a bit over the course of more than a year, correct?  But only the bluesy version in the lower key right?  I can't think of any other leads he stole though beside these two.

Totally agree with Pretty Funky (and many others) here.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this board Mr. Lawlor.  Your presence is informative, illuminating and refreshing.  We hope to hear more from you.

Mr. Desper,

I just wanted to add my name of the long list of people who are VERY grateful for your contributions here.  The music of Beach Boys is the most emotional response inducing thing I have ever encountered.  The records you engineered are my favourite sonic experiences.  Thank you for making some of the world's best singers reach even more brilliant heights.  I just watched the 40 min CCW video.  I am stunned.  What a beautiful gift you have given us.  To break down and dissect this dense, intricate music as you have is just a joy.

I hope you realize how much your contributions mean to us.

I am off to watch the Heroes video.

All the best,
Rich Panteluk
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I had a similar problem, it is not on Canadian Itunes either.   Grrrr.  Maybe tomorrow when the new stuff is released in North America we'll get the new EP too.

I'll be buying (crazy thought, I know) all the remasters on Tuesday when they come out in Canada.  Who has the cheapest price out there so far?  I have them all preordered on Amazon.ca but the lowest preorder price is $15.49 CAN each.  I'd love to support smaller indies (I do a lot of my buying at local indie store already) but I am cheap and poor but I need to have all of these in my collection as the ridiculous completist in me demands it.  US amazon seems a touch cheaper but the longer wait and increased shipping cost still make amazon.ca the best bet.  Any other cheaper prices I am missing out on.  Can't wait to hear and have these!

Jerry would be the guy who could really shed some light on the Carl story.  That would be a wonderful read.

Guess who was sitting two boxes behind me at the BB hollywood bowl a few months ago?  But I spent more time (when the BBs were not on stage) looking at Jerry's date.  Pricilla still looks incredible.  They both seemed to enjoy the show a great deal.  What a great night that was...The Beach Boys put on a wonderful show.  And it was pretty neat to see a whole bunch of celebs up close and in person there too.  Paul Stanley, Billy Idol, Jackson Browne etc...

Thanks Tansen and EgoHanger!

Do you mind me asking if this version of Our Sweet Love (with the revelatory Brian vocal) is included on a footwear release and if so which one (or ones) as I am curious.  Thanks in advance to those who are in the know for sharing their knowledge.

I'm in.  I like this idea.

I have at least two hundred BB / BW related "extra" or "doubles" of cds, vinyl, and other collectables as I love to shop for Brian and Beach Boys stuff and if I see something I know is hard to find, rare or just a great deal I pick it up with the hope that I will one day meet other over the top BB geeks with whom I can trade. 
If there are any fans who want to trade stuff in the meantime send me your list (PM or e-mail) and we can work on a trade or two!

Cabinessenecking asked has there ever been a good BB comp.  It was by no means complete and had a few really weird choices but I loved the Sunshine Dream cassette and 2 vinyl lp set.  I remember I had to buy a second cassette as it was a really long comp and I played it so much it got stretched out.  Lots of post 66 material.  Again it was in NO WAY complete but I loved the non obvious selection of tracks.  Anyone else remember and like this comp?  Crazy weird cover too.  I'll try to dig it out and post the the track listing (although someone will undoubtedly beat me to it).

With respect to the new releases I will buy the 50 Big Ones (Have to have the new version of IIT on cd) and ALL of the reissued albums on cd.  Some may say I am a sucker completist (probably true, although I am passing on the single disc best of).  I do REALLY REALLY hope for lots of rarities on the upcoming box set though...

Just wanted to add my thanks to Scott Totten (and ALL the fab band) for all of their hard work at recreating those wonderful songs.  Truly a dream come true for us hardcore fans.  It may seem like we always have a complaint (we do), but this tour has been an embarrassment of riches.  It is what we do (see the Smile box set reviews for how we end up looking a gift horse in the mouth...).

The 3 shows I saw (Berkeley, Hollywood Bowl, and Irvine) were a joy and a true celebration of the music.  Thanks for the personal shout out on microphone from the stage at the Berkeley sound check, Scott, it made me SMiLE!

I'm all for another North American reunion tour - hope it happens!  But I'll still be checking out all the Al, Brian, and Mike and Bruce shows separate shows if that is the way it plays out.

I hope you are having fun!

Yeah I went to Berkeley, Hollywood Bowl and Irvine shows and have three of the posters, tote bags etc and I really only need one of each.  If anyone wants to trade for other merch or music send me a pm.

Jeffcdo,

The accordion player for Wouldn't it Be Nice was none other than BB regular  and Fosketty friend Gary Griffin.  Nice to have an accordion on that song.

Urbanite,

Brian WAS singing Isn't It Time (with Jeff doubling) and NO other help (cheating) last night.  I had very close seats at the bowl and I also heard Brian sing the song 3 times the day before in Berkeley (twice at soundcheck and once at the show - I was in the 5th row).  I agree that Brian has his fair share of dodgy vocals and that Isn't It Time sounded very very good (almost suspicious even).  But, there was no funny business going on there, just a very rehearsed Brian delivering a great performance which does happen from time to time.

I loved both shows.  Going to Irvine tonight too.  The backing band is phenomenal and I have loved MANY moments from each of the principal BBs, but the standout has been Al for me.  Damn he sounds good.

I will try to formulate more complete and better reviews of each show later but I need breakfast by the ocean.  Life is hard...

I saw a whole bunch of celebs at the show last night.  Priscilla Presley (who was sitting with Jerry Schilling), Paul Stanley (Kiss) and wife, Billy Idol, Jackson Browne.  Pretty cool and they were all loving the show.  Jerry (who was two garden boxes behind me) looked quite emotional at several points with his hands over his face.  Priscilla still looks hot.  I mean really hot.  Both of Carl's sons were there too (only one was on stage singing though...)

Also, on the celeb front I went to the rainbow room on Sunset after the show for a celebratory libation, and ran into Sebastian Bach, Taylor Hawkins, and my friend was very fascinated that Ron Jeremy (adult movie star) was there.  Of course I had no idea who he was...  

Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Reunion Concert - Greek Theatre Berkeley, California - June 1, 2012

I have an extra pair of tickets to the Greek Theatre Berkeley show that I would like to sell.  No scalping here, just looking for face value and a good home for these tickets.

I paid $100 each through ticketmaster.
 
Tickets are in Section 9, Row 15, Seats 17, 18.

These are hard tickets, and not home-printed e-tickets.

E-mail me if interested.

Thanks,

Rich

Richp20@hotmail.com

The Greek Theater Berkeley show is sold out, is it?  Crazy.  I'll be there (and Hollywood Bowl and Irvine too).  I have 2 extra tickets for the Berkeley show if anyone wants / needs.  No scalping - just looking for face value.  Drop an e-mail / pm my way if interested.  Thanks!