The Smiley Smile Message Board

I was thinking the remaining guys could offer up their own solo tracks that haven't been released and re-record and have the best of both Brian's and Mike's backup band play backing vocals and intstruments? Hell, find a couple of unreleased Carl/Denny recordings that are definately missing a lot like Carl's Where we Were. Would it be a sing to add the guy's vocals to Taylor Hawkin's version of Holy Man? Throw in a re-recording of Spirit of Rock and Roll and some of Mike's Unleash the Love tracks with Brian/Al/Bruce vocals. I'll come up with an ideal list here in a bit.
Maybe let Brian and Mike add parts to Al's newerr version to Calirfornia. Finish up You're Still a Mystery. Perhaps have the guys add new Soul Searchi ;omgn with Brian and cal.

new Brian/Mike songs

I think maybe they could do like 3 new songs....one new Wilson/Love song, one new Wilson/Bennett song, and maybe a new Wilson/Parks thing in the vein of SMiLE.

But seriously if they only do 1 song, I think they should do a new song of Brian's and if Mike isn't a co-writer he should suck it up and do it anyways. I think Mike overrates the amount of material that him and Brian did together. When was the last time they wrote together....1979? Maybe we could say 1995, for the classic "Baywatch Nights"?

Most importantly though, and maybe I'm being greedy but I hope we get some kind of compilation with unreleased material besides SMiLE, especially stuff from 1969 to 1980. Then cap it off with a sweetened version of "You're Still a Mystery" and maybe 1 or 2 other new songs.

God  I think it would horrible if they recorded some new music. Unless it comes out as "The Beach Geezers" it should either be Brian featuring Mike or Mike featuring Brian. Or Al or whatever that guy's name is.  :hat But uh. Yeah. No more Beach Boys, please. To me they died with Dennis. And it really kind of seems like Brian hasn't wanted to be  a Beach Boy since the mid-60s.

This would be the worse possible thing to happen ever in the history of the Beach Boys

No thanks

hahahahah Beach Geezers hahahah ; it's just a trippy thing to think about; I mean I think most fans can agree that they haven't recorded anything substantial in decades and if they were to come together and record something "new" I highly doubt it would have any lasting value. The Beach Boys need to be remembered as the greatest American rock band, the epitome of pop perfection and the mythical personification of the California lifestyle etc. Not as an "oldies band" or whatever horseshit they get pigeonholed into a lot nowadays.

Funnily enough, I mentioned to a friend last week about Brian's idea of renaming the band, "The Beach Men". Now, my memory is flagging of the exact details but was this mid-70s around Endless Summer? Was it put to the other guys as a serious idea or just laughed off?

Thanks for any info

Beach Blokes?
Beach Fellas?
Sandmen?
Beach Crusties?

i'm thinkin about older songs from their solo stuff & other unreleased songs to finish out like Sweetie, Stevie, I'm Begging You, Ruby Baby, Paley Songs, leftover Sweet Insanity stuff. leftover Carl and Denny stuff.

New Wilson-Love songs, please. An album full of them. With great vocals from the guys andtheir extended family. If you want to remember the band for their output from their first 5-10 years of career, fine. They don't have any statment to make, they don't have anything to prove. But hey, it would be great to see hear them try some new material one last time.

Forgot in which book I read about that, but it was - I think - late 69 early 70 that Brian had suggested in renaming the group in "The Beach". And that idea lasted for maybe a few days at most.

from a topic in 2009: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,8140.0.html

I would love another worldwide super hit such as 'Kokomo'. Now that's what I call music! Like no other song it encompasses, and defines, the happy happy sound of the Beach Boys in their prime.

Forget Pet Sounds. Dull, grey, and in boring mono. Forget SMiLE. Unfinished business to be fleshed out into a monstrous Frankensteinian box, to seduce the gullible into saving Capitol from bankruptcy.

I say: Kokomo, that's where it's at! It's the yardstick by which all other BBs achievements must be measured.

I don't know about the leftovers idea. If Brian is into it then sure. But I don't want them finishing stuff just cuz its the easiest idea. If Brian wants to write a new song for the a new project they should do it. Or if he wants to cover "Be My Baby" they should do that. Or if he wants to cover "Male Ego", well.....maybe don't let him do that. But yeah, you get my idea. We have enough half hearted crap from the group and Brian. I only want something if its for real.

That's the one-knew I'd read it somewhere-many thanks for the link!

I guess that means "Summer Of Love" is not so terribly bad after all!

 :lol good thinking, Watson... the game's afoot then!

Has anyone ever witnessed a sports team hosting an "old timers" event, where former players come back to the stadium wearing a uniform top that doesn't fit and where they go through the motions of playing the sport they played professionally as younger versions of themselves, for the benefit of the fans who are there more to grab their autograph instead of see them chuck the ball around the field before the current players take the field for the real game?

It's nostalgia, it's an autograph session, it's older fans telling their kids "I saw him play when I was 9...", but when it's all added up it can be kind of sad. These are people some fans would idolize and try to emulate, while tracking stats and cheering on their favorite players from season to season...now here they are on a field as older men, having lost more than a few steps and having gained enough weight to no longer be able to wear the uniform that you'd imagine yourself wearing one day if fantasy became reality. It's the same uniform with the same name and number on the back, but it's not the same. They're going through the same motions of playing the game, but as you watch them, the idolization and fantasy can be replaced by reality, and if you wanted reality you might read a newspaper or watch the daily news on television instead of going to a ballpark...

It's much like putting on a record and losing yourself in the grooves as you escape reality for those few minutes of your day. Some things are best left as they were with good memories.

Yeah but those events don't necessarily damage the accomplishments of long ago.  Music and sports are also totally different animals as while the body breaks down, musicians in many cases are still able to perform well into their later years and still create compelling music.

As someone already mentioned The Beach Boys accomplishments of long ago will never be adversely affected by anything they choose to do today.  I think as a fanbase we need to mature with the group and realize that there are two separate things going on here.  On one hand you have a group that has provided us with a rich legacy that we can choose to relive any time we want by popping in one of the "hits" cds.  On the other hand we have a group of guys now in their sixties whom if they want to get back together for one final hurrah should not only be allowed to but be celebrated for doing so.

The Beach Boys and their fanbase are in a different place now than we were in 1992 when "Summer In Paradise" was released.  Carl is gone obviously but Brian has managed to restore a great deal of the luster and at the same time managed to cultivate a great deal of appreciation for The Beach Boys catalog beyond what you can find on the "Hits" cds.  I think with the "Pet Sounds" and "SMiLE" tours alongside their respective boxsets (the "SMiLE" one obviously upcoming) the media and casual fans alike are starting to realize what an important band The Beach Boys were in the advancement of pop music in the sixties. 

In fact I'd go so far as to say the amount of respect The Beach Boys have in 2011 from the music industry and music fans alike is something they haven't enjoyed since Leonard Bernstein gave plaudits to Brian for "Surf's Up" in 1967.  Therefore on their 50th anniversary I believe it is the time for the band to be celebrated and not be shuttled to the back of the room as a nostalgia act.

Brian has already proven since his reemergence into the pop music world that he can still write some great music.  There is no reason in my mind that he couldn't craft some new tunes specifically for The Beach Boys which will allow them to end their careers on a note that not only doesn't do the band any disservice but also are highly enjoyable to listen to which is something you can't say for a lot of the material that the band released on say "Summer In Paradise". 

Furthermore I think for the first time since the sixties, The Beach Boys have an audience that sees them as something more than an oldies act and would be receptive to such a release.  I really couldn't think of a better time for the group to come together again and record a couple of new Brian compositions for their fanbase.  I really don't see it doing any harm and in fact probably would be the way I personally would like to see this group bring their professional career together to a close.

I'll post a list of tunes that I think would sound great from a BB sound of today in a bit

Is it possible to take Mike's lyrics from his collab with Denny of 10,000 YEars and use the backing track of Dennis' production and use Mike's words with Mike/Brian/Al/Bruce singing on top of it?

I think the line can be drawn pretty close between sports figures and musicians, especially if we consider the era in which the Beach Boys had their hits was also a time when more fans of a certain team heard the games on the radio and had that imagery develop in their minds as opposed to having access to any number of games via digital television and the internet. It's so close in nature to picturing the sun, surf, and California girls as you put the needle down on a 45 in 1965 as it would be to be listening to an announcer describe Sandy Koufax pitching a gem of a game on a beautiful July afternoon in 1965.

The notion of developing an image in your mind of your favorite player if you're a sports fan and developing a mental image as you're listing to a favorite band or record if you're a music fan are variations on the same theme, and I think they are very much related. At the end of the day you have two cases of professionals being paid very well in most cases to provide escapist entertainment for their fans, and the level of art and creative flair each brings to the table are the hallmarks of creating that escapist fantasy for the fans.


Having put that on the table, if the situations were different in the past 20 years perhaps a "reunion" would be in order. But what if anything would give a clue that Brian Wilson wants to do anything beyond what he has been doing with his music in those 20 years? You could argue the semantics but hasn't Brian done very well especially in the past 10 years releasing and performing music on his own terms, both without and maybe in spite of the other band members and their touring groups? Not judging at all, but it is what it is and Brian has had a handful of hugely successful tours, of which I have seen three of them in sold-out venues, he's released more albums in 10 years than the other band members have release combined in 25 years, and some of those albums have been quite successful critically and commercially.

To put it in old-time terms, "he's done quite well for himself", and he also has a core backing band of solid musicians whom he seems to enjoy playing and touring with since he's had the same core group since I saw them nearly 12 years ago on that first tour.

And I'd argue Mike Love and Bruce are happy doing what they do as well - Mike gets to interact with the fans who come to see them and enjoy the hits, Bruce is happy performing, they have a solid band of musicians touring with them - it's a good scene all around. They are still headliners within that circuit, and they are also doing quite well.

So we have Mike and Bruce happy doing what they do and giving their fans the kind of show they'd expect, Brian does what he does and releases new albums, performs concerts, and basically gives his fans what they want as well...and what many of those fans prior to 1997 thought would never happen.

Why try to recapture a spirit and a scene which in reality has not existed since the 60's? Especially since Mike and Bruce are known more as a touring group than a recording group, and Brian has his own schedule and plans for recording albums.

The best move the Beatles ever made was to never perform live as "The Beatles" after they split up. And the issue of the "Threetles" reunion was resolved by their wise decision to use "unfinished" John Lennon songs so it felt different than it would have if George, Paul, and Ringo had simply written and recorded a brand new song as if John wasn't a part of the whole thing.

There lies another crucial point: The legacy of Denny and Carl. The reality is there will never be another "Beach Boys" without them, and how would Mike, Al, and Brian overcome that without looking like they're copying what the Beatles already did in 1994?

hell, re-record some of the instrumentals that were un-used back in the day:
-Side Two
-Chopsticks Boogie
-Moni Kani-Brian's band could play it!
-Chain Reaction of Love- The guys could totally make a great cut outta this.
-San Miguel (from Denny's Bambu trial track) and add the original SM lyrics to it.
-Looking Down the Coast (didnt Al do this for Postcard, I don't know because I dont own it), re-record it with Mike and Brian.
-Just Say No- A whole new remake , not an anti drug song, just re-do the song and lyrics, keep Mike on that same bass line that sounds like him from the original 'Just Say No'
-Big Sur, have Mike re-cut the song in the 4/4 and add their current vocals, there's some great harmonies I'd love to hear.
-I'm Broke-I know a great rocker could be re-made into this
-Cool Head, Warm Heart- with Brian and Al's voices added.
-Love Ya/Sweetie---maybe make this into a non-cheesy medley together
-Water Builds Up-Redo with the guys
-Slightly American Music- Redo and have each Beach Boy singing about the different eras, Al at the beginning, Brian singing about "even the Beatles couldn't build the wall (of sound)," then Mike on the last verse.
-Do you Have any Regrets?- redo with the guys
-It's trying to Say-with Denny's vocals and the current guy's vocals
-Carry Me Home- keep Denny's original vocals, have Blondie re-cut his vocals with the remaining Beach Boys
-My Mary Anne and Market Place- Re-done.

punkinhead's list is interesting and well thought out, but certain suggestions on that list bring up another issue:

Already on the list we have the core group - Mike, Brian, and Al. Then we have Bruce who is as much a part of it as anyone. Then we see a mention of Brian's band recording Mona Kani. Then we see Blondie's name mentioned, even though he was only briefly a member...can we get a Ricky Fataar track too? What about Mike's backing band with some very good players? How about Al's son Matt, he was a Beach Boy on tour for years? What if Al asks if Wendy and Carnie can join in since they were in " BB's Family And Friends"? And what about David Marks, one of the original Beach Boys, I'd say he's more deserving of a spot on the reunion album than some of the names mentioned above. Who engineers the whole thing if we work with old tapes: Mark Linett who has done remarkable work with both the Beach Boys' archives and Brian's solo material, or Stephen Desper who was an integral part of the band's recorded sound for a time, and has recently worked with Al Jardine? Who will remix and rework the old tapes? Where are some of the long-gone touring members, like Daryl Dragon and others?

If the band's history weren't so confusing and filled with so many detours and U-turns, the prospect of a reunion might be an easier project to develop. But seriously, as soon as the name Blondie is mentioned, it opens up a new can of worms. I can't imagine the mass appeal for such a project if we include members who were only short-term members, and dueling backing bands from Brian and Mike (and possibly Al).

BW tours have been like those events. Brian's the old-time player, going through the motions of what he was so good at 45 years ago. He's surrounded by a group of caring pros that do the real thing, while BW provides the emotional factor to those that cherish the real stuff he did in his 20s.  For a number of fans it's even an event to get an autograph with a concert before it. If he sucks, no one cares; if he does it poorly, then "it's not bad considering it's him", much like the old sports player. At the end of the day, it can be sad indeed. But it is also a compelling oportunity for those who love his music to thank him, show support and be moved by the unrelenting spirit of a man who will do it no matter what.

Let the BBs perform. Let them record. Some people care. Their image has already been taken care of.

Dr. Lenny, I don't disagree with what you said, as I felt some of those same things myself at the handful of Brian's shows I saw. It was a chance to see the man himself, in person, and connected to the music. But at the same time I felt seeing Brian on that first "new" tour in years in the 90's was a catharsis of sorts, something I'd never imagined would happen given the state of his affairs over the 20 years before that tour. And the Smile tour was simply put an *event* of the highest order - it was material being presented in that way for the first time. I never got the nostalgia feeling watching the Smile set or his first set which in Boston included the most transcendent performance of a song I've ever witnessed in person, when he sang God Only Knows and the entire hall felt like it got a jolt of energy...amazing experience. The audience that night included many of Boston's rock elite, such as Al Kooper when he was teaching in Boston at the time, who wanted to witness Smile in person - and if it were a nostalgia show or an old-timers event, I doubt someone like Kooper would have bothered. Only when Brian came out after Smile holding the bass for the oldies portion did I get the nostalgia vibe. But that was like the desert after the main course anyway.

The music overall at each of those shows was performed at such a high level and much of it felt vibrant and fresh rather than a retread of old songs, it became an overall experience in the moment to witness those shows.

In my mind I haven't been able to find that place where bringing a cadre of past and present Beach Boys and backing musicians together on stage or in the studio at this time, after each member has carved out their own niche and fan base which supports everything they do, would add up to something greater than the individual parts especially when two members are gone. I'd love to be proven wrong, believe me.

Kudos to punkinhead for taking time to think out how some incomplete oldies might be revived - that list is creatively imagined, and done with some vigour and artistic spirit, like the vintage performances on the 1993 'Box Set Tour', it might be great. But personally, I think something like this much-mooted reunion will never happen, and to be honest, I hope it doesn't. I have strong feelings about it. So forgive the essay that follows. It's something I've been wanting to get off my chest for a while... ;)

Certain intense BB fans often say things like: "Here are Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston - they used to work together in a band called The Beach Boys. They're still alive, so if we put them together again, THEY CAN BE THE BEACH BOYS AGAIN". But the reality is different. For one thing, there's far too much history between these people. Mike, Al and Bruce can never look up to Brian's compositional and production skills in quite the way they did in 1965, say, when the band was near the height of its success, reach, and commercial power, because of all the stuff that came afterwards that disappointed them so much. And Brian has all that terrible history with Mike.

You can put (some of) the same people back together, but you can't put the clock back to the way things were. To take a specific example, you can't recreate, say, the atmosphere of creativity that came about between Brian and Mike the night after JFK was assassinated, where a confident, clear-headed Brian, whose talents were blooming and whose loving relationship with his wife Marilyn was a big influence on his life and work at the time, repaired to his office with his childhood friend and cousin Mike, and, with the two of them feeling a strong urge to make some kind of artistic statement by way of reaction to the killing, came up with The Warmth Of The Sun, sparking off each other and encouraging each other creatively.

The two people in that scenario share the same names with the Mike Love and Brian Wilson of today, but there almost all of the similarities cease. Almost everything else is different, down to the smallest details. Brian isn't the same. His skills, vocally and musically, aren't the same as they were (note that I'm not making any relative judgements here about HOW they're different - that debate belongs elsewhere). But consider other, more minor aspects of that songwriting session. Brian doesn't have an 'office' any more, where he goes to plan regular attacks on the pop charts. Marilyn Wilson, Brian's love for her, and the effect which that had on his state of mind and the romantic feel of his early-to-mid-60s compositions, is part of history, not current reality. Nor is Mike the same - for example, he knew nothing about TM in 1963, so we didn't get any of that influence in The Warmth Of The Sun, whereas in more recent years he has more often tried to reflect that influence in his lyrics (come to that, it's a good while since Mike wrote ANY lyrics for a project that reached the public domain...).

These people have all moved on, and they've gone in different creative directions. The genie is out of the bottle, and won't go back. And that's BEFORE you even begin to consider the fact that Carl and Dennis would be missing, or that hardly any of the surviving members sing anything like they used to.

It was hard enough in 1975, for 15 Big Ones, trying to pretend that The Beach Boys could be forced back into the mould where Brian ruled the roost, cracked the whip in the studio and the other guys just played and sang along, as it had been 10 years earlier. It's now another 36 years later still, and over a quarter of a century since anything approximating the band of 1961 to 1966 released any new recorded material. That's a long, long time. Far longer that they *haven't* been creatively active together than the time that they WERE, in fact.

So I don't think it will fly. There are all these reasons against it, and the only pros are, ' hey, cool, it would be THE BEACH BOYS again!'. But as I've said here - it wouldn't. Not really.

There's another point to make. While close fans on here might say 'Brian Wilson was a member of The Beach Boys, and they used to sing the songs he wrote... *therefore*, any work he did later as a solo artist could still become Beach Boys material... if you just get the other Beach Boys to sing on it'. There are all kinds of emotional and artistic barriers to this. Whatever we might think of it, Brian created Water Builds Up, say, on his own, later, by and for himself, and not for The Beach Boys. He probably doesn't want Mike Love singing on it — in fact, in 2011, he probably doesn't even want to still think about that track even for *himself*. Brian has moved on too, even from the 1990 version of himself. And again, that's before you even start to consider whether Mike, Al and Bruce would feel comfortable working on a track of Brian's that never came out officially on an album that was twice rejected for being uncommercial. Similar arguments hold for old Al, Bruce or Mike material. Is it right to have Bruce and Al sing Mike's lyrics on a track of Dennis's like 10,000 Years? That would probably never have happened in 1975-77, when all of the original participants were still alive and creatively active, so why should it now? Just because it *can* be done, doesn't mean it *should*...

'Über-fans' sometimes forget that these kind of real-world artistic objections occur, because they still think of the individuals who were in the band as Beach Boys, and expect that the former band members also see themselves in the same way, prepared to swap songwriting ideas and songs for the greater good of the band, as they might once have done in 1969, 1970, or 1975. Over a third of a century ago...

PERHAPS all of these objections could be rudely thrust aside if someone offered the former members of The Beach Boys enough money to tour or record. But even if that happened (unlikely in itself with the current financial climate and state of the music business), and they all agreed solely for the money, that wouldn't invalidate any of the points made here, or make such a reunion any more of a good idea. It would just mean that all those good reasons why a reunion shouldn't happen were being ignored.

In my opinion, the best way to see and hear the Beach Boys in 2011... is on old films, records and CDs. In other words, in the past tense. In many ways, I think this is the ONLY way to see and hear the band we think of when we hear the name The Beach Boys.

Sad, perhaps, but a part of life, just like birth, growth, and death.

Having said all of that, I could still be proved wrong. I felt exactly the same way about Brian Wilson going on the road in the late 90s, and right up until the week before SMiLE debuted live in 2004, I thought it was impossible for the Brian of 2004 to add anything new of worth to the SMiLE canon. I'm glad to admit I was totally wrong about that, and I could be wrong about this.

But still... just imagine... the lights go down... a greying, paunchy Mike Love (looking, as someone memorably described him on another BB-related board recently, like Emperor Palpatine) lumbers out on stage into a spotlight, clad in bright foil and a garish head-dress, and croaks out the opening lines of "Hotter" "Song Of The Whale" or "I Write The Songs"...

S-s-hudder.

Bad idea.  The BB are done as a recording act.  Mike's stuff since MIU has been a parody of the BB hay-day/'Do It Again". Ever since MIU "Kona Coast".  And I hate to say it, but Brian's new music has gone the same way.  He's lost his voice.  TLOS was trying to be another 'Smile' (had some good music I admit) but the Gershwin album is just doing Gershwin Smilized.  I can't even listen to it.

The Jeff produced "King for a Day" by Micky Dolenz is so much a better listen.  (Maybe the BB could pull off Brian's 'Rock and Roll' album; doing covers ala "King for a Day")

We'd all be much happier and better off if they emptied the vaults of all the good stuff in there.

The BB's recording at about 70 years of age without Carl and Dennis is like Paul and Ringo doing a Beatles album today.

Let's just enjoy the 'Smile Sessions', enjoy whatever else we get from the vaults, hope for a one off reunion concert celebration with all 5 guys left, and thank god for one of the greatest bands of all time!

i honestly woulda had more to mention through personal, but as I was typing this out originally, it was during my prep period at school, and then I never was able to get back online....I really wanted to add that I'd like the best of Brian's and Mike's groups to be used as a backing/tour group; let alone the best from former years of tour members: Billy Hinshie, Ed Carter, Bobby Fig, etc,,,,,those I cant think of being that i'm a little stoned and too tired from workin 2 jobs, i'll try later tomorow.

i can't tell if your kudos is sarcastic or not (either way, I'm not hurt  ;))...I'm always thinking about all these songs, released or not that should be re-done or just released as is....I had another list written out of stuff I'd like to have the BB perform live or re-record like Brian did with the IJWMFTT project...like songs that weren't up to par back in the day or nowadays....and maybe have vocals on those songs that weren't ever sung by the likes of Brian singing on LA or KTSA album material.  I'd like a new cut of Girl don't Tell Me that Al has performed in recent years, I love the drums they added to it...I'll try to come up with a list of re-recordings i'd prefer.

Songs I could see being redone for a tour or release (much like BW's IJWMFTT):

-Let Him Run Wild (Jeff F on falsetto)
-You're Still a Mystery
-Keepin' the Summer Alive (performed live/Bruce on lead)
-Back Home (medley with Sunflower version/15 Big Ones version) (played live)
-Summertime Blues (Dave on lead) (played live)
-River Song (Brian on lead)
-Hawaii/Kona Coast (performed as medley) (Brian on chorus/Mike on verses)
-Desert Drive (performed live with Mike on lead)
-Cool Head, Warm Heart (performed live)
-Strange Things Happen (performed live/Al on lead)
-We're Together Again (each member sharing a lead vocal like Funky Pretty)
-Goin' On (performed live)
-Honkin' Down the Highway (performed live/Al on lead)
-California Feeling (rare cut with Carl on lead with remaining BB)
-Everyone's in Love with You (using Mike's track from Unleash the Love and add the other guy's vocals)
-Lay Down Burden (played live with all the remaining guys vocals)
-Summer Means New Love (Brian/Mike's band plays) (played live)
-Where We are (finished recording with Carl's vocals left intact, add vocals and instrumentation where needed)
-Island Girl (performed live/Al on lead)
-You Need a Mess of Help (played live)
-Hot Fun in the Summertime (re-recorded, closer to the original)
-Car Crazy Cutie/Pamela Jean (made into a medley) (played live)
-10,000 Years (DW's track/Mike's lyrics, remaining BB sing)
-Believe in Yourself (added vocals from Al, Bruce, Mike)
-California (performed live)
-Our Team (updated version performed live)
-Some of Your Love/Mike Come back to LA (sang in chorus as a joke) (played live)
-How can We still Be Dancing (Mike on lead) (played live)
-Make it Big (performed live)
-Let Us Go On This Way (played live/Brian and Mike share lead)
-Almost Summer (performed live/Al on lead vocals)
-Santa Ana Winds (re-recorded/played live, no spoken intro, harmonica solo Paul M)
-PT Cruiser (Mike/Brian/Bruce/David vocals added) (performed live as well)
-Endless Harmony (use the KTSA track with Carl's vocals and add Bruce/Mike/Brian/Dave to the original track)
-Good Timin' (with Brian singing lead/played live/recorded in studio as well)
-Had to Phone Ya (performed live)
-Friends (performed live)
-One For the Boys (Performed live)
-Marcella (performed live)
-Heaven
-Lady Lynda/Liberty (whatever 'L' word Al is fixed on now)
-I'll Bet He's Nice
-Anything For You (performed live/Mike on lead)
-Getcha Back (re-record to sound "updated")
-Farewell My Friend (performed live with Denny's vocals played as lead and then the backing band playing the track and the rest of the guys singing backing vocals)
-Let's go to Heaven in My Car (played live/shared lead with Brian/Mike)
-Girl Don't Tell Me (performed live the way Al's band played it on his live album)
-It's OK (performed live/re-recorded "updated")
-Salt Lake City (re-recorded by just the original BB, that's right, Mike on sax!) (performed live)
-Lines (re-recorded with Carl's vocals kept on track)
-Daybreak (performed live)
-Rockin' All over the World (performed live)
-South America (performed live/Brian & Mike share lead vocals)
-The Night was So Young (performed live)
-Oh Darling (re-recorded, updated into a more "Brian-esq")
-Ruby Baby (performed live)
-That Same Song (re-recorded/update version & played live)

I know, I'll keep dreaming

Was it too much?
I know it would be if I added my other list of songs that I posted earlier in the thread

I think you're onto something, a Mike Love lead on How Can We Still Be Dancing and some other Beach Boys vocals thrown in on this tune, would make it very appealing.

Why thank you, I would like to rethink/edit my tracklisting and add/change some of the lead vocals and if they're appropriate for just playing live and/or to record/re-record....any input through replies or P.M is more than welcome; concerning the vocals or tracks: leads, adding/subtracting tracks, what songs/ideas actually sound plausible.



and I wanna start out these list of songs by saying they're just ideas and suggestions...not a setlist per-say, being that I know it'd be merely impossible, but it's just ideas I've had floating around to incorporate as much material from each Beach Boy throughout their whole career as a group and their career as solo artists in respect as tributes (Carl/Denny) and incorporating the surviving Beach Boys into other solo material, which is most obviously a fantasy.

Finishing tracks or tracks played live

Possible instrumentals recorded or played live:
-The Beginning Of The End (as a Gary Usher tribute played live)
-Side Two
-Chopsticks Boogie/Boogie Woodie *medley* (as a jam)
-Moni Kani-Brian's band could play it!
-Shortenin' Bread- could go many ways, possibly played as a jam, but more than likely as a sing-along but I'd love a SB riff medley with the likes of the original from Adult Child/LA, Metal Beach, and top off with Fantasy is Reality.
-After the Game/Summer Means New Love- Somehow I could see these two songs getting on very well with each other, idk, they have the same kind of vibe, anyone else hear this? Brian's and Mike's band would sound great with Al and David sharing guitar parts; in my opinion prolly the best way to showcase a great instrumental.
Mrs. O'Leary's Cow/Fall Breaks---hell, if they wanna mix em together and throw some woodblock percussion, I wouldn't complain....get the fire hats out and the backup bands can do their best while the guys (Bruce/Brian/Mike/Al) harmonize their parts with Taylor Mills and Jeff Foskett and whoever wants to join in.
-Diamond Head- a Hawaii Suite would be kinda nice too, add In Blue Hawaii in there, I'd love it...the Beach Boys music flows together so well...from instrumental to dream pop/psychedelic. 

Songs that could possibly be re-recorded or re-arranged with original recordings with added new overdubs where needed.
(I am aware that some of these could be considered blasphemy to overdub something new, so please forgive in those areas and I'll make corrections where needed)

-You're Still a Mystery (desperately needs released and could be played live), keep the same tune and update the track, that Pet Sounds-esq guitar part is perfect!
-God Did It-Brian on lead, Mike on bass vocal...re-recorded in a vibe like TLOS style/Walking Down the Path-gospel style
-Chain Reaction of Love-Brian and Mike share lead/bass vocal love....imagine what Brian's/Al's/Mike's band could do with that backing track!
-10,000 Years (DW's track/Mike's lyrics, remaining BB sing), again, maybe blasphemy.
-Carry Me Home- keep Denny's original vocals, have Blondie re-cut his vocals with the remaining Beach Boys.
-San Miguel (from Denny's Bambu trial track) and add the original SM lyrics to it. (or this may just need to be left alone and released on a rarity package)
-I'm Broke- Somehow, I hear Al doing a great job on the lead vocals for this.
-Soul Searchin'- Combine the original track from the Paley sessions and Brian's track from GIOMH (mostly just Carl's vocals, the track from GIOMH, turning down Brian's vocals but still make it like a duet and add Mike/Al/Bruce's voices to the song)
-It's trying to Say-with Denny's vocals and the current guy's vocals (or this may just need to be left alone and released on a rarity package)
-Proud Mary- Perhaps Brian wants to hold this for his "rock and roll album" but I think the guys could really re-make a killer version, and something more upbeat than his version with Paley and really play up the Shortenin' Bread riff.
-Slightly American Music- Redo and have each Beach Boy singing about the different eras, Al at the beginning, Brian singing about "even the Beatles couldn't build the wall (of sound)," then Mike on the last verse.

The New California Saga   (no particular order):

-Looking Down the Coast (didn't Al do this for Postcard, I don't know because I dont own it), re-record it with Mike and Brian.
-California-Al's version heard on the Endless Harmony documentary.
-Santa Ana Winds- either release the original from late 70s that's far superior to the KTSA version or re-record it with the surviving Beach Boys, no big backing band, just the guys, Dave on guitar, add Al on Banjo, Ricky on drums, Brian on piano/harmonica, and Mike on backing vocals....and NO SPOKEN INTRO! ;)....could perform live, add Brian on vocals and Paul M. on harmonica.
-California Feeling- for re-recording, use Carl's version from late 70s (Light Album) era as a basis, keep Carl's vocals and have Brian double his vocals for lead. Al/Bruce/Mike adding their harmonies...could be perfect!  But also, release for a rarity package, bring us the original from pre-15 Big Ones.
-Don't Fight the Sea-perhaps use Al's recording, I can't remember who is all on that record that was released on the Postcard album...whomever is not on there...add those surviving members on
-Big Sur-Mike should re-record his original cut from the early 70s....as much as Mike loves to re-record things (especially for his solo stuff that goes nowhere), you'd think he woulda re-recorded Big Sur again after Holland for a solo project or something...If anything, it'd be the best track for Unleash the Love.

-More to come-

any feedback?

I didn't wanna continue on if no one cared.

punkinhead

I think its cool to think about this kind of stuff, i do it all the time. I've come to the conclusion though that really it's just dreaming - not sure how old you are, but I've never experienced the release of a new Beach Boys album and have never seen the proper Beach Boys in concert (well 7 at the time of S&S...) - so the idea of the guys coming together and being the Beach Boys is really like a dream for me, and others do. Sometimes I don't think that the older guys and girls on the board can quite appreciate that - it must be easier to say 'they've given us more than they needed to' when you've lived through it.

My fantasy is a new album, stripped down production with organs, and acoustic guitars (Friends style), lower and rougher but warm vocals from the guys with help from family - tasteful album art, Brian Wilson in the producers chair...

But, these guys are really old and I just don't feel that the energy is there for an ambitious project, and in honesty I doubt that the ability is there these days. I don't really buy into the 'no carl + no dennis = no Beach Boys" thing - I don't think that in itself is insurmountable. If you had put Brian, Mike, Al, Bruce, David together in 1975 or even 1995 - I think you could reasonably expect a proper Beach Boys album or concert - to have the magic. But these guys now aged 70? They just don't have the energy, I think.

The absolute best we can hope for, is a couple of 'hits' concerts, and maybe a DVD. As for all this talk of 'which band' - can anyone really see these guys putting together a new band of 'all the talents'. It just seems that Brian's band would be the only way to go. Beyond that - if  you could get some BBs backing vocals onto a Brian song, that might be feasible. But embarking upon revising old material, writing new material together, recordindg albums, just can't see it. And believe me, that makes me really sad that I won't ever experience that (but still grateful to be able to go through all the old recordings, and see Brian and the touring Beach Boys!)

All they'd need was the right producer.

Won't happen though, and that makes me sad.

Rick Rubin (although the mooted CSN/Rubin project hasn't materialised yet - that should be a good indicator of what he can do with a harmony group!)

I'm 26 and have been a BB/BW fan for 12 years....but i'm a Scif-fi/imagination/Dallas/fantasy-fan, so you can see why I'm a dreamy-eyed kinda guy when it comes to these kinda things.

On one hand, I agree with you, littlepad. I don't think there is gonna be any re-visiting random old songs from their solo careers. And I highly doubt that beyond SMiLE they will be revisiting any old material. My hope is maybe we get one album's worth of unreleased material topped off with 2 or 3 new songs. I think the guys still have it easily within themselves to give us 3 great new Beach Boys songs. Have Brian come up with a song, and he can work with Mike, Alan, and Bruce, and I'd think we get something cool. Sure people will say "why not David?" but lets be honest, the other guys probably don't consider him as much of a Beach Boys as themselves. He left the band in the '60s. Brian and Al left in the '90s (and are also part of BRI). There is a bit of a difference.Ricky and Blondie would be awesome too, but I just don't see it happening. Have Brian, Mike, Al, and Bruce do some Beach Boys recording, have a few concerts, with Blondie and Ricky on "Sail On Sailor" and "Wild Honey", and feature David on "Surfin' USA" and everybody can go home happy.

Also, they are not too old at all. Neither is McCartney, Mick or Keef, or any of these guys. They all still tour and do quite a bit of recording.

Albini should (co-)produce the BBs. :lol

f***, not Rick Rubin. Either Jason Pierce (Spiritualized), Mike Mogis or Todd Rundgren.

Ok - you WAY piqued my interest.
Now, Mike Mogis sort of makes sense in a folksy way. Todd is well, Todd. I'm guessing inclusion from faithful and deface the music, maybe XTC's skylarking?  But Jason Pierce is waaaaay out there (although he and Brian could probably swap stories). So please, elaborate!

I don't mean to sound sarcastic - as you've mentioned some favorite artists here.

I WAS thinking of saying something sarcastic about them picking somebody like Santi Gold or will.i.am to try to get some street cred and move to an "urban" sound. Mike would make a fantastic rapper. I think a big gold chain and a rapper hat would look great with a hibiscus luau shirt and flip-flops.

But I won't.
;D

Have you heard Songs In A&E? The production on that would really suit The Beach Boys, if they were going for a modernish reimagining of their 70's sound. I wasn't quite suggesting Jason gets the phase pedals out..... Although that record needs to be made by somebody  ;D

Mogis is in the same ball-park, I suppose, kinda thinking of people who can get that really full acoustic sound.

I don't know about Todd nowadays, but his 'classic' productions have such range he's a good choice for anybody, really because he is so versatile.

This is on another thread, but besides the reunion talk it's a good interview as well! Brian is clearly cheering up over here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20110516_brianwilson.shtml?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Yeah, I have Songs in A&E - Laser Guided and Ladies & Gentlemen still my faves. But it still seems rather spacey and heavily orchestrated. Then I think "I Got a Fire" and "Soul on Fire" and "Sitting on Fire" and Brian going Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!  :ahh

Todd is fer sher a musical chameleon when he wants to be. But he also rules the booth with an iron fist. And, "the New Cars" new stuff sure sounded like he wished he had Utopia back.

Mogis makes me think of something in the vein of Sunflower could easily happen - I think he' be the most laid back in the studio of the three.

I think Brian talking about the possible reunion and "zany guys" being code for "I don't know if I want to have that sort of pressure". He's gotten through the last decade with a bunch of caring guys who knew just how far and when they could push - and has basically had his hand held through the process. I think a real album with a real producer and a "crazy" band ready to throw ashtrays or tofu or whatever is something he's not ready to deal with.

But, I hope I'm wrong!

The thought of the guys doing experimental, progressively produced music at 70 is just absurd but I'd hate to see them just rehash the formula from MIU onwards either. What I'd love to see is just Brian (or Bruce if Bri's ability has deteriorated that much) at a piano with the other guys harmonising, playing a stripped down run through of their favourite songs from their career plus a couple of new songs recorded in the same vein. I think this approach would be great artistically plus as a bonus there'd be no need for Stamos.

Something like what happen on the 'hotel tapes' from the late 80s or early 90s with Brian, Bruce, Jeff F, and John Stamos....something where Brian keeps going from song to song from his entire catalog, released or unreleased...and keep goin back to Rhapsody in Blue/Shortenin' Bread riffs   ;D

I think you nailed it man. Why would we want a bunch of 60+ year old singers singing songs that would be much more beneficial having released remastered (or even remixed where multitracks are available) in their original forms? I think we would be much better off with the release of Landlocked, the unreleased 76 material, even Paley sessions or 'Landylocked', etc.

I mean, sure it's a nice nostalgic idea, and if their voices were still pristine, then yeah, it could have definitely worked. But one of the things at least I love about the original Beach Boys is the singing and the quality of the vocals. Now, when that important factor is gone (sure, they can sing, but nowhere close to how they used to sing), to me, it's a no thanks.

To the vaults! :D

Isn't Landylocked and the Paley Sessions the same thing?

I think T-Bone Burnett would (co) Produce something BB worthy.

Personally, I just can't imagine them working together as a creative unit. A new BB album would mean every single "group member" works on his own stuff with just alibi vocal tracks from the other Beach Boys. That would be a waste of time.

But they couldn't go back to the days when everybody just did what Brian told them to, the other guys have evolved too far. I'd really like the Paley sessions stuff finished with Mike/Al/Bruce vocals, but I don't believe the guys would want THAT.

Are you serious? They have not worked together for 15 years. I think Brian has proved to everyone that he is capable of producing a good album again. That wasn't the case back in the mid-90's. If Brian is agreeable and ready, I believe that they will jump at the chance to record, especially Mike.

For me, the big question is, will Capitol or another company give them a contract to record one?

Well that's the thing. A company would, imo, need a strong set of songs ready to ensure they aren't getting a bunch of reheated surf songs, and it's not worth the risk of putting everyone into a high pressure situation without a definite deal...

Brian can turn out decent material with a collaborator, but hasn't done anything great, or even especially good with Mike, imo, since..... oo, 1979 or something?

I think everyone is in a much better place now, than back in that 79-85 time frame. It most likely will be their last one and I would like to see The Beach Boys end with a Brian Wilson written and produced album. SIP and S&S just don't cut it as swan song albums.

Here's what I think should be played for a Beach Boys Anniversary Show, showcasing their whole catalog with music from all aspects, but I will warn you, this is lengthy and is in no order, just songs I thought of that would be appropriate and side notes for directing vocals and/or lead vocal alternates for reasons given:

-Surfin' (SIP version, much like what BW did (with The Little Girl I Once Knew) for the Roxy Theater Shows (live album), play an excerpt of the original boys singing Surfin' together, preferably the version on Hawthorne, CA. Then the guys launch into it and Brian plays on the organ, the "Underwater"/Frogman riff that was added to the version in Hawaii (Lei'd in Hawaii 67).
-Luau (b-side to Surfin, group vocal)
-Island Girl (Al on lead)
-You Need a Mess of Help (Brian/Mike/Jeff share leads)
-Hot Fun in the Summer Time (rearranged to fit more like the Sly Stone version than the SIP cut)
-Car Crazy Cutie/Pamela Jean-(sang not exactly as a medley, but add Pam Jean as one of the choruses as a reference)
-California (of course Brian on "I'm on my Way" at the beginning and throughout the song like the single mix, Al or Jeff on banjo, Al/Mike share leads)
-Our Team (updated version with everyone singing and Al/Brian/Mike/Bruce sharing leads)
-Some of Your Love/Mike Come Back to LA(sang not exactly as a medley, but add Mike Come Back to LA as one of the choruses as a joke, of course Mike on lead)
-Make it Big (Brian and Jeff or Billy H. share lead)
-Let Us Go on This Way (Brian/Mike share lead)
-Almost Summer (Al/Mike share leads)
-Endless Harmony (used as a possibly encore, speed the beat up a bit, maybe update part of the lyrics; let Bruce take the lead. Not sure who should sing "And we sang God Bless America, it's land where we tour....", it's one of my favorite Carl vocals, it should obviously be someone who sounds a lot like Carl, anyone know someone from Mike's band that sounds like him, I'm not as familiar with his band members. Brian could arrange the last vocal chord of the song to sound phenomenal.
-Do it Again (of course, Mike on lead)
-Good Timin' (being biased, I'd suggest Brian but trying to branch out, I somehow remember either Christian Love of John Stamos singing it, and if I remember it right, Stamos did a pretty good job, that is is Stamos is invited)
-Had to Phone Ya-(mixing the 15BO version with horns and such with the American Spring version with "fart synth" and such, but are such good tracks. Hell, it Marilyn Rovell's there, have her come up and sing backing, she was on the original 15BO version, right? Al/Bruce/Brian/Mike share lead vocals in a vocal-like-round like the original)
-Friends- (Al or Brian on lead)
-Marcella- (rocking version like BW's live version, if Blondie's there, have him do "Marcella hey's" towards the 2nd half like the So Tough version or Jeff did a good job of that on the live version; Brian/Al on lead, Mike on "Sandals dancing my feet")
-Lady Lynda or Liberty or whatever L-word Al's fixed on right now. (Of course, Al on lead; Brian on harpsichord and Bruce on piano)
-I'll Bet He's Nice- (Brian on lead)
-Getcha Back- (I'm not sure how Mike's version sounds right now, but I'd like to hear an updated version from the 80's cut from BB85)
-Sail On Sailor (Billy H. and/or Bobby F. on leads if Blondie's not available)
-Girl Don't Tell Me- (performed like Al's version from his live album, I love the drum part that was added. I think Al deserves the lead).
-It's OK- (Mike on lead/Brian on Denny's part "Get a ride" or whatever it is)
-Salt Lake City (Mike should sing lead and play the sax riff, Jeff on falsetto)
-The Night Was so Young (Brian on lead)
-Ruby Baby (including oink oinks, lead by Brian)
-That Same Song-(Brian on lead)
-Sandy/Sherri She Needs Me/She says that She Needs Me (performed as a medley together if at all possible?)
-All This is That (Combing the studio cut with the live version, the sax and/or flute improv solo)

How many days are they playing for?  :lol

Be interested to see what solo material you'd assign to whom, in all seriousness.

well, it's just some suggestions to choose from...obscure album material is always a favorite to suggest....I've got a couple up my sleeve for all the solo material, mostly ideas for Brian....Not a lot you can do with Carl or Bruce's stuff.

Well, Heaven & Disney Girls are two that come to mind.

Punkinhead. You have Surfin on your Roxy Album? ???

I'm sorry, I left out that it was reference to the Roxy album's beginning with the Little Girl I Once Knew

don't worry, the next setlist is coming soon

Continued Set List songs:

-Let Him Run Wild (Jeff on falsetto)
-Keepin' the Summer Alive (Bruce on lead)
-Santa Ana winds (Al on lead)
-Back Home (Al sings his version from Sunflower then goes into the rockier version from 15BO)
-Summertime Blues- (David on lead)
-Hawaii/Kona Coast- (medley with Al and Mike sharing lead)
-Strange Things Happen (Al on lead)
-You're Still a Mystery (same vocal arrangement as original)
-Big Sur (Mike on lead), preferably the early version
-We're Together Again (each member sharing a lead vocal)
-Goin' On (Brian/Mike share lead)
-Honkin' Down the Highway (Al on lead)
-California Feeling (Brian on lead)
-Our Car Club (Mike on lead)
-Long Promised Road (Brian on lead)
-Wild Honey (Blondie on lead)
-Everyone's in Love with You (Mike on lead)

Now of course, I know what you're thinking, you left out most all the music from early to mid 60s, but, I'm not interested in picking those, because that's what they're gonna pick anyway really.

Now here's some solo songs that I'd enjoy hearing some Beach Boy vocals added in; all separated by each Beach Boy:

Mike:
-Daybreak
-Cool Head Warm Heart
-10,000 Years
-Anything For You

Dennis:
-Farewell My Friend (Billy H. on lead)
-Carry Me Home (Blondie on lead, Denny's vocals played)
-River Song (Brian on lead)
-It's a New Day (Blondie on lead)

Bruce:
(all vocals by Bruce himself)
-I Write the Songs
-Rendezvous
-Disney Girls

Al:
-PT Cruiser/Hey Little Cobra (Al on Lead)
-Lookin down the Coast (Al/Brian share lead)
-Don't Fight the Sea

Carl:
-Heaven (Brian on lead)
-Rockin' All Over the World (Mike on lead)
-Where We Are
-What You do to Me

Brian:
-Believe in Yourself (Brian on lead)
-How Can We still Be Dancin' (Mike on lead)
-California Role (Mike/Al share leads)
-One for the Boys (all)
-Desert Drive (Mike on lead)
-Someone to Love (Al on lead)
-Southern California (Brian on lead, Al on "woah woah woah it's magical" part)
-Let's go to Heaven in my Car (Mike/Brian share lead)
-South America (Mike/Brian share leads)
-Do You Have any Regrets? (Al and Brian share leads)
-Little Children (Al on lead)
-Forever She'll be My Surfer Girl (Brian and Al share leads)
-Rio Grande (Al on lead at the beginning "Rio Grande Rio Grande, I'd swim you but I can't", Mike on the "Night Blooming Jasmine" voccals, Brian throughout the whole thing.)
-Spirit of Rock and Roll (Brian on lead)
-Mexican Girl (Al on lead)
-Lay Down Burden (Brian on lead)
-Let it shine (Mike/Brian share leads)

I think both of us can only speculate what Mike would or will do, but my speculation differs from yours. I speculate that everybody would want their own creativity in the album, not just sing to Brian's creative output, furthermore that Brian doesn't want the BBs to sing his stuff anymore, and that Mike would nag about missing hit single potential and that he knows how to write one.

First, Mike has mentioned many, many times that he would love to write and record with Brian again. Should Brian decide that he wants to do a Beach Boys album, which he has hinted that he might want to do, then I think they will record some of his songs, don't you? Lastly, why do you think Mike wants a hit single? In this day and age, do you really think Mike and the Boys could even have one? Unless Mike & Brian write the greatest hip-hop song ever made, I don't see a hit single being a Mike issue. ;)

At that rooftop reunion a few years ago, didn't Brian try to give Mike a tape of a song that he wanted Mike to write words for, and Mike declined, saying that he'd rather start a new tune with Brian from scratch?  Or am I mis-remembering?

I'd love to see a setlist of anybody elses that perhaps has the lesser known material they'd like to hear live or see re-recorded.

also, I'd love to see some solo material with what other BB doing vocals on the other's solo songs, does that make sense? Look at mine for an example...I'm really proud of my Rio Grande assigned vocals...I had a couple more when I listened to it the other day, but I can't remember em.

I don't want anything re-recorded. New stuff only, please!

Me too. New stuff that is as good as the classic eras' stuff, with everyone singing live around one mic in perfect circa 1966 voices. And playing their own instruments (also live). And with classic production sounds. But also very appealing to modern audiences so it can sell. But it shouldn't appeal to the masses, as the modern public has bad taste. I don't think I'm asking too much.  ;)

With Brain's band handling the music and helping with background vocals, I'm sure they could pull off recording some half-way decent stuff. If Brian gets adventureous, he can folow up SMiLE with an album of new songs and call it SMiRK.

Well, the only re-recording I want is unreleased material.

Who wouldn't? ::) But does Brian really want to write with Mike? I doubt it. Didn't Brian even state in a recent interview he's not sure he even wants to be around the other guys?


Did Brian mean it when he said he might want to? I don't know, of course, but I doubt that too. Of course if they did record a new album, they would record Brian songs, but I can't imagine them working together as a creative unit.


Just to show Brian that Brian couldn't do it without Mike?


You mean without Brian? No way. But would Mike admit that?
With Brian? Probably not even then.

You know, I'm not a Mike basher, but I feel Brian and Mike just - don't - like each other that much.

And of course it's perfectly ok for you and me to disagree,  :)

I don't see Brian or Mike doing this, but maybe approving of it (as they prolly have to), but I could see Al and maybe Bruce putting together some "archived songs that we haven't heard."

Somehow, I could see them taking some of the rare stuff (not so rare to booters) but taking songs that are Beachy & cleaning them up like Goin' to the Beach, Almost Summer, It's a Beautiful Day, Skatetown USA, etc.

I have no idea how to answer you back. You seem convinced of your opinion.

I honestly think that if they do put out another new release besides SMiLE, I kinda think Brian would rather write new songs than deal with old stuff, probably because they might "bring back bad memories" or something.

Can we hope for a "Stars & Stripes, Vol. 2" ?   :o

http://twitter.com/ZildjianCompany/status/71661552993976320

"Nashville studio legend Eddie Bayers recording Beach Boys 50th anniversary record! All surviving members are there." (via Twitter on May 20th)

ah geegs

Is this f'real? If so ...  ??? If not ...  ???

If something like Stars & Stripes Vol.2 should happen and is similar awfully done as vol.1 then good night....... ::) >:( :'(

Not up to speed with this thread so apologies if this has already been posted:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beach-boys-contemplate-reunion-as-50th-anniversary-approaches-20110523

IF true, it's just one of the best studio drummers working/recording with the boys. And don't worry - Eddie is more a Rock'n Roll kinda drummer albeit he played on numerous country records.  ;D

Agreed. Some great non-country albums have been recorded in Nashville.

 :o :o :o

A new album being recorded? And we hear it first from a session musician?

If that's true, I just hope they're not re-hashing old hits. And please, PLEASE, no so-called "guests". I don't want to hear Lady Gaga or Justin Timberlake on what could likely be the Boys' last work.

Eddie Bayers played on IMAGINATION as well as STARS & STRIPES. I believe he was a contact via Joe Thomas. If this is indeed real, then it appears that the Beach Boys have decided to work with a guy who helped out on the last Beach Boys sessions, bypassing anyone in Brian's band or Mike & Bruce's band.

Nashville is home to a good number of non-country artists and songwriters including Jack White - I think the down-home yet urban atmosphere appeals to the creative types as much as anything, and there are some really nice studios there too with a lot of fine session musicians on call. I'm traveling there myself in the summer - it would be cool if they're still in town!

Although the idea of them working on a Stars And Stripes part 2 isn't too far out of the realm of reality, I hope whatever they do avoids the usual "reunion" cliches and focuses on good songs and good vocals. Leave the "guests" home for this one, keep it in the immediate family, I say.

I sure would like to have Hal Blaine on the sessions whatever they're doing...that would be a nice touch.

just a thought: do you believe that they had enough time to write new songs (and that's what Mike wants to do with Brian) ? Personally I don't think so. So if this is true I have a bad feeling about it

Get ready for this credit: "The Beach Boys featuring the cast from Glee"

I'm sharing this thought/fear, actually. But wouldn't it be nice if they used some new songs...

Of course. It would be nice if they for one time could do something right. But it's the gosh darn Beach Boys....

I'd rather Mike expand "Brian's Back" into a twenty minute epic featuring Justin Beiber and The Black Eyed Peas than have to suffer another Stars & Stripes.

YOu can pretty much take every version of Brian's Back and make a "20-minute epic" out of it....that last one from Unleash the Love is pretty hard to get through...one thing, it's about the 4th or 5th time listening to the song and second, the sincerity and slowness of it just makes me wanna vomit....let alone how Mike has treated Brian around the time he recorded this.

Well, actually I am! ;D And you're convinced of your opinion, too, aren't you? But as I said, it's ok to disagree, I respect your opinion, it's as valid as mine and so far I enjoyed discussing it! :) If you should discover sources that might change my mind, show me the links, if you want to, I'll check them out.