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This thread makes me feel like a total newbie because I feel that I should know the truth about this after years of fandom, but for the life of me I just can't remember. So here goes...

That version of "River Song" from earlier in the '70s where a clearer-voiced Dennis sings the lead, where is it from? Is it a Beach Boys studio recording, is it a "solo" Denny Wilson recording, or is it a rehearsal or something? I seem to recall it being a rehearsal, but I'm not sure that I'm right.

Anyways, after listening to it again earlier, I'm kinda surprised it didn't make it onto Made In California (if it was indeed a Beach Boys recording), since it's pretty different from the Pacific Ocean Blue version, and I'm sure Beach Boys aficionados wouldn't have minded it.

Reason it's not on MiC is probably that there are so many Dennis songs being released (since he penned much of the unreleased material).

Also, Myke Luhv decided that the world was finally ready to hear Goin' To The Beach! ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJeHcHzGyZQ

This version?

There's an excellent reason Dennis sounds clear-voiced on this: it's Blondie (who sang lead on the live performances). Recorded in 1973. There was a KABC TV clip that featured this recording: the voice-over stated it was a rehearsal for the upcoming tour, which would have been the August 12-September 3 sweep of the east coast and midwest. The didn't do "River Song" at every stop, but certainly did on 8/24 at Dillon Stadium in Hartford CT.

I trust you on this kinda stuff Andrew, but that is not Blondie on the lead. That is Dennis. Those are Denny's vocal inflections. In fact, it almost sounds like the POB version, but just a touch sweeter sounding.

But yeah, I have to imagine that they have a live version in the archives (or maybe they don't). Or at least a cleaner version of this rehearsal. Definitely think it shoulda made it, and I really don't have complaints about MIC otherwise.

Yeah, the version AGD's talking about is an actual early version. This is just a different mix of the POB track, with a different vocal take. AGD was talking about "the version from earlier in the 70s"

River Song was played on at least a couple gigs on the summer 1973 tour - in Hartford as Andrew mentioned, and also at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY the previous day.

That youtube version is the 1973 rehearsal for the tour - I have a copy of the audio for the KABC TV report, and it's the exact same track. And listen again - the vocal is Blondie, with DW occasionally doubling. Denny's voice in 73 was already deteriorating and it was never, ever that clear.

Hmmm. Interesting. Thanks for the info Mr. Doe. So this is indeed a rehearsal, and it is indeed Blondie singing (with occasional Dennis doubling).

Which would mean that Andrew Hickey's assertion that this is an alternate take from Pacific Ocean Blue is incorrect.

However, did The Beach Boys ever attempt any official recording of "River Song"? Or was doing it live close as they got?

Sorry but this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJeHcHzGyZQ is the early early studio version with the basic track being the same as the released POB version albeit in a much different mix. All the lead vocals on this are Dennis with some Carl harmony and doubling. You can even hear them bringing the tape/track up at the beginning. No Blondie on this as he was gone by the time it was recorded. He does sing lead on the couple of live versions that float around from the '73 tour. Andrew Hickey's assertion that this is the 1974 in progress studio cut is correct.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81PcyF7Ygl8
This is how Blondie sang it, the rehearsal version is to my ears Dennis. I think Dennis could still sing well in 1973 if the live Forever is anything to go on.

Again, that version I commented on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJeHcHzGyZQ... is not a rehearsal. its an early early mix/vocal take circa '74 of the eventual POB track, much of what you hear there remains on the released POB track, some of it buried further down in the mix.

Yeah, the Hartford and Nassau boots have the early River Song on there.

There was a radio interview in early 1976 and I'm trying to remember what it was........where the '73 track of River Song was played. Carl commented on something during a phone interview with a DJ or commentator. I think he was asked about 15 Big Ones because he commented that "the new album will consist of an album of oldies and an album of new songs". I can't remember. All I know is this guy was talking and the '73 River Song track was playing in the background and he intoduced the soundbite by saying "We're with Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys". Anybody else hear that one?

Man, I'd give my left AND right nut to hear River Song if the band could've done it during the Surf's Up era.

Think you're slightly misremembering the spring National Album Countdown show where Carl did a phoner: I have that tape, and the DJ does say that... but the track played is the 'hot' mix of "Rock & Roll Music".

If Jon says so, then I defer, of course. Memo to self - schedule appointment to audiologist.

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Not surprised I'm misremembering. I initially typed that Rock & Roll Music reference, but then deleted it, thinking it was a different interview. I have it mixed up - I don't think it was the Best Summers Of Our Lives radio special. I have it on a cassette somewhere. I know for a fact River Song is definitely playing in the background at the beginning. Maybe C-Man or Steve Mayo remembers. Big Steve, you out there?

Tell me I'm not insane, Van Dyke!

The drums at the end get pretty wild on that demo version. Who is it?

If I remember correctly, the drums on River Song were done by Ricky. Both the demo and the album version.

Gotta be Rick.  Dennis had a dilapidated hand.....

Did the Beach Boys record any more vocals for this? The song could've become a Beach Boys classic imo. You got so much in there that made them so fascinating among other things. The great harmony vocals in the beginning, that cool bassline (rollin', rollin'....) which was perfect for a Mike Love vocal. Then you have this almost Smile/Good Vibrations structure with different musical motifs and even a connection with the water.

Pretty sure what you thinking of is the KABC TV clip from spring 1973. Would love to see the video of that.

Ed Roach mentioned once on here that he mixed this version, and loved the bongos so much he brought them up at the end. Well played, Ed  ;D

That's right, it's actually the same exact drum track on both.

I'm well-familiar with the POB version of "River Song" and though I've heard of the early mix version, this is actually the first time I've ever heard it, and right from the very start, with the guitars doubling the piano, wow, there's an immediate payoff.

This mix, I mean, it's fantastic.

I have to say, what with the pulsating, overdriven guitar chords and added percussion at the end, this is how the song should be heard.  It breathes, it stretches out and, and well, it rocks.  It rocks in a way the official version feels like it wants too, but never quite allows itself to.

The shakers during the "I was born to the city life" section... I mean, gee, the list just goes on and on.  Mr. Roach, well done, sir.  The official release is a fine thing, and more stately, I suppose, but damn, what I wouldn't give to have this version released in better fidelity (but keep those guitars dirty, and right up front!).

Now I've got to try to track down a lossless version to really get an idea of what this mix sounds like.  Wish me luck.

One way to easily confirm that this is indeed Dennis singing is the way he sings "Oh mighty river, I would love to be like you". Dennis had an interesting way of pronouncing this particular word. He did the same thing in Forever.

You are of course correct, I was thinking more about the lead vocal than the source.

Definitely Blondie on lead for the Hartford show, and Dennis on lead in the early studio version...isn't the Hartford show bootlegged on one of those "Long Lost Surf Songs" volumes?

As Gen42 notes, the '74 version rocks, but (IMO, at least...) it needs a vocal tag that it didn't get for awhile longer ("You've got to run away, run away..."). That over the power chords, and the drumming, might well have been a hit.

Seems as though the clock was doing some serious ticking in '74--late June was when Endless Summer came out, and unfortunately it seems likely that a "River Song" single for the BBs might not have been able to withstand the resurgence of the older material.

I really do think the BBs were just one hit away from being able to "stay the course" in the 72-74 time frame. I think it's pretty clear that Warners just didn't have it when it came to pushing BBs singles in this time frame. Too late on "Marcella," no follow-through on "SOS": they probably would've done something similar to a "River Song" single.

But also...Lord knows what the band dynamics would have been like if a song written by Dennis had gone, say, top 20. Would they have galvanized around that, given who wrote it? Lots of imponderables there, mates...

According to Ed Roach, the early River Song mix only exists on cassette, and, IIRC was a mix that he made. Dennis didn't want the prominent guitars, and so that approach was abandoned. This was brought up in a thread on this board around the time of the POB reissue (circa 2008?).

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,9303.0.html has the discussion in which Ed reveals all!

I will upload the River Song from the Hartford 1973 concert soon on my Youtube channel. For those who haven't heard it :) My copy has some strange noise, unfortunately, but it's still listenable.

IIRC that show was recorded professionally for the In Concert album. So there must be a live "River song" somewhere in the vaults in perfect quality

Was just logging in to tell the story of my mix, and was surprised to find my memory still intact - was about the tell it the exact same way!

Also, still haven't got that KABC video transferred...  Among the many gems stashed in the archive awaiting the next documentary

Ed, once again, I really enjoyed your mix.  I know the Beach Boys have been, generally speaking, more a keyboard than a guitar group, but I think your mix, with it's attention to the guitars and percussion at the end is just terrific!

If your mix truly exists only in cassette form, I'd like to think the elements to recreate such a mix for weren't wiped.  That said, should another archival release beyond MiC ever see the light of day, maybe with just the r2r tape you mentioned in that earlier thread (used to dub your cassette), something could be prepared for official release?

I know I'm reaching here, but what can I say?  I just think that, even more so than what is experienced with the fine POB mix, your take on the performance really did the song the right kind of justice.   :thumbsup

Interesting! I really hope they will release a live box set at some point. Especially the 1971-1974 years were great.

Ed if you don't mind me asking do you recall when Dennis cut his lead? I have been trying for a long time to figure out when he voice lost the clearer tones heard here compared to the released version. Also did the River Song news footage ever get found or transferred? Thanks for all you have added here and for my work personally.