The Smiley Smile Message Board

Ok someone's going to have to help me out here because, comparing the single and album mixes on spotify, I can't tell the difference aside from better clarity on the 99 remaster I'm listening to.

I'm throwing Al's crazy Neil Young version into the poll too. Nice hearing Neil singing this one.

The single edit is on The Best of The Brother Years - if it still sounds the same, check yr spotify isn't linking the track to a version on yr computer?

Single version has horns, more Brian, better mix, more moog. It's a really nice production. And this is a really nice song!

Always wish it went a bit more like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ylp4smFxx8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ylp4smFxx8) (Go to about 1:05-1:40 to hear the most significant revamping I did)

This is just a working idear I had for it, it's obviously not 100% finished. Too messy? For me, Brian's part was always my favorite and was the biggest "hook" the song had.

Posted the single version the other day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmN6R-e9Knw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmN6R-e9Knw)

I prefer it, although the 'water' vocals after the intro are too soft and lack the punch of the album version...

Thanks, runners. I like it. Your version is now on my iTunes!

Probably my favorite Al song. Single version sounds slightly overproduced but it edges out the LP version because of more Brian, quite simply. There's something really fascinating about his early-70s voice I think, it sounds soft and kind of exhausted but also incredibly charming.

I like this song because it both fits on Holland, AND sounds like a classic Beach Boys song. (Of course, the fact that it's basically a ripoff of california girls with a hint of cool cool water sure helps that along)

Hey, Al doesn't "ripoff", he "bases"  :lol

Single version gets my vote for all above reasons + it's a bit zippier.

But that's not to pish-posh the other 2 versions - all good - and loved Al's live version from earlier this year

Since I keep spreading these over the board, here's the Wembley Performance

http://soundcloud.com/frederickjamesfrench-pounce/california-saga-california (http://soundcloud.com/frederickjamesfrench-pounce/california-saga-california)

I also only just noticed that they add in the single version bits live!

I always like the brief, acoustic version in the Endless Harmony doc - if anybody has this and can help me "locate" it I would be most grateful...  ;)

The single version is superior to the album version. Love the horns and the little Brian insert ("On my way..."). It actually makes me enjoy the album version less; it drags in comparison.

That's awesome. Nice job. You could even combine the two "On My Way To"'s and place a delayed "Sunny Californi-a" on top to forge a double tracked lead.

There's Al's acoustic version that was released on ESQ's "One in a Million" CD in 2004 or so.

I like it, runners.  I agree that Brian's parts are terrific.  That said, try losing Brian from 1:30-1:33.  Maybe 2:16-2:23, too.  A touch of breath.

Great tune and like many, I, too, prefer the single version.  I wish the lyric at 2:53 ("sing about liberty") would have been "liberation," thus giving us a nice internal near-rhyme with "Big Sur congregation."  Oh well, what can you do?  As I said, it's a great compostition of Al's, featuring a wonderful (if all too short) hook coutesy of Brian.  Definitely one of the highlights of the evening at Darien Lake last summer.

this song makes me want to immediately visit the central california coast.

best state ever aside from the politics.

both versions are dope. the single version has a slight edge, but not much. was cool getting to see it played live with al on the banjo!!!

thanks mrmoustachioto for uploading the single version!

I have to opt for the album version. But this may be because I'm used to it.

The banjo stands out a lot more in the single version which is really nice!

I second this.  I've wanted to use parts of this for an extension of CCW, but the full version eludes me

I remember hearing this on AM radio as a kid and thinking it was just about the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard.  The water, water is so big and bold that it makes the hair on my arms stand on end to this day.  It is certainly the best song Alan Jardine ever wrote and one of the high points of the Seventies for The Boys, in my opinion.

Always loved California as a New Jersey kid but this was the song that really got me yearning to go to Big Sur. And have been fortunate to have been there now a few times. Simply put probably the most beautiful spot in the continental US. Love it there

Did the group ever perform the full California Saga live? It seems like parts 1 and 2 always get left out. I always listen  to the full saga.

No?

I also like the live version from the Carnegie Hall concerts - it's fun and loose.  When will those shows be released???