Cows In The Pasture

[Mr. Cohen]

Yeah, Fred Vail's country album. 15 tracks produced by Brian in 1970 in 2 weeks. Never finished.

But what does it sound like? Supposedly there were some big studio musicians involved. No one ever talks about this album, ever. Is it because it's terrible? I want to know!

[Andrew G. Doe]

From Bellagio 10452:

Cows In The Pasture (Fred Vail)
recorded April 4th-17th 1970
produced by Brian Wilson
Bethany Ann* - There's Always Something There To Remind Me* - Kittens, Kids & Kites - Lucky Billy - Black Man In Georgia - One Woman Won't Hold Me - Why Don't You Give Her To Me - If You're Not Loving, You're Not Living - All For The Love Of A Girl* - Only The Lonely* - Carolina On My Mind - My Way Of Life - A Fool Such As I* - You Pass Me By - I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You
[titles noted * had vocals recorded]
 
   Fred Vail's connection with The Beach Boys began as a teenager in May 1963 when he staged a show in Sacramento, and continued as their promoter until they severed links amid some acrimony in the mid-seventies (although he remained especially close to Dennis). Exactly why Brian decided to embark on this particular project - a country album - just as the band were commencing the sessions that would result in Surf's Up is yet another minor BB mystery (unless, of course, Brian was making an oblique point; however it's more likely that he was merely doing a favor a friend). At five sessions over the course of two spring weeks, Brian produced tracks for the fifteen titles listed above, using such country luminaries as Glen D. Hardin, Buddy Emmons, Red Rhodes & James Burton.  As might have been expected, Brian then lost interest in the project, but not before vocals had been recorded for five songs. For pretty well all its known existance, the album was simply referred to as "Fred Vail's country album", but Kurt Ackerman recalls Bruce giving it this title at a Carnegie Hall gig just before he left the band. however, when questioned directly, Fred himself stated that the album had no title.
Possibility of release: given that a) the album is incomplete and b) Vail's voice has been described (by Brian) as "far out", exceedingly slim… but it would be interesting to hear Brian's sole foray into the country field.

[A Million Units In Jan!]

I'd love to hear Fred Vail's voice. Then again, maybe not. Brian describes it as 'Far Out', and he also thought that Marilyn had a fantastic voice-and, to be honest, her voice is....er, not so great.

[slothrop]

It'd be awesome to see how Brian approaches country arrangements. That is if he was responsible for them on the album.

[mtaber]

"A Fool Such As I" may have been a good LP title...

[Rocker]

It'd be awesome to see how Brian approaches country arrangements.

That's why I'd love to hear it too. Not Vail's voice (although, maybe it's good) but to hear how Brian worked on country. As mentioned many times, some of the finest musicians around were used.  Which begs the question, who paid and was a release ever planned?

[bossaroo]

I've been wanting to hear this ever since I heard Buddy Emmons played steel guitar on a Brian Wilson production.

talk about two geniuses.

[Matt H]

Are all these songs country standards, or did Brian compose some of them?

[XY]

The "Cotton Fields" single was released in April 1970, so Brian perhaps said "Ok, let's go country!". Don't really believe that he was aware of it, but the album version was already put out as single in some countries and reached high chart positions. And some big names in the business had country-albums out around that time.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Are all these songs country standards, or did Brian compose some of them?

All country standards.

[bossaroo]

I don't recognize a lot of the titles, and I wouldn't call anything by Bacharach/David a country standard.

I do see a Hank tune in there however.

[Rocky]

I've been wanting to hear this ever since I heard Buddy Emmons played steel guitar on a Brian Wilson production.

talk about two geniuses.

  it would be worth hearing for the history of that alone

[runnersdialzero]

Bethany Ann* - There's Always Something There To Remind Me* - Kittens, Kids & Kites - Lucky Billy - Black Man In Georgia - One Woman Won't Hold Me - Why Don't You Give Her To Me - If You're Not Loving, You're Not Living - All For The Love Of A Girl* - Only The Lonely* - Carolina On My Mind - My Way Of Life - A Fool Such As I* - You Pass Me By - I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You
[titles noted * had vocals recorded]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtPKa7MXLfA

I hope it sounded more like this.

[runnersdialzero]

I'd love to hear Fred Vail's voice. Then again, maybe not. Brian describes it as 'Far Out', and he also thought that Marilyn had a fantastic voice-and, to be honest, her voice is....er, not so great.

"Fantastic" sounds like a compliment, while "far out" sounds... well...