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Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: Autotune on February 03, 2014, 07:18:42 PM



Title: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Autotune on February 03, 2014, 07:18:42 PM
Recent announcement of Mike being an Ella award recipient provides a chance to ponder his abilities as a vocalist.

Remarkably, he shines as a bass singer even though his natural range is that of a baritone-tenor. Yet, he manages to sound ultra cool and has been an anchor for the harmony stack for over five decades. Brian's arrangements usually demand that Mike jumps from lead tenor to bass (e.g. Wendy, Little St Nick and countless others).... He does this with incredible ease and control. Some of the bass lines he sang are significantly intricate and he excells at them (Lord's Prayer is an extreme example of this).

As a lead singer he is a most distinctive part of the sound associated with the BBs and some of their timeless songs. He defined a style of his own that blends a young man's self-confidence, coolness and innocence. He sounds like a regular guy, and yet has a perfectly distinctive sound. In fact, his voice and early singing style is so associated with the music, that BB soundalike usually suffer a great deal in the lead-singing department. Seems so siimple, but still...

As their career advanced, Love showed an unusual range and versatility as a singer. Meant For You, SDT, All I Want to Do are examples of this.

And finally, he has been extremely competent and consistent. Rarely missed shows, tours and performs endlessly while his level of performance and commitment remains at an admirable high.

Please discuss.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: bluesno1fann on February 03, 2014, 07:24:39 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umuz39g_nOE


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: alf wiedersehen on February 03, 2014, 07:25:55 PM
Intelligent response.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Sheriff John Stone on February 03, 2014, 07:27:32 PM
And finally, he has been extremely competent and consistent. Please discuss.

This is the point that I would like to highlight; I think it goes largely unnoticed.

We have learned that you never know what to expect from each successive Beach Boys' album, except for one thing. Mike Love will provide excellent vocals, both lead and background.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Kurosawa on February 03, 2014, 07:29:16 PM
He's an awesome singer, an awesome frontman and sometimes a great lyricist. He should write more songs because he's more than capable. But just as a singer-the guy is ace. Best nasal singer ever, IMO, and his bass parts are great too.

People wouldn't be so bitchy about Mike and Brian not playing together if they didn't know deep down that Mike is great.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: CenturyDeprived on February 03, 2014, 08:40:32 PM
He's an awesome singer, an awesome frontman and sometimes a great lyricist. He should write more songs because he's more than capable. But just as a singer-the guy is ace. Best nasal singer ever, IMO, and his bass parts are great too.

People wouldn't be so bitchy about Mike and Brian not playing together if they didn't know deep down that Mike is great.

IMO, Mike has been very, very underutilized in terms of his "Meant For You"-type voice. The few examples we have of his leads on songs like that tell me that he had a lot of wasted potential as a more sensitive vocalist. I'm guessing it's because there were powerhouse vocalists like BW + CW in the band which made Mike's more sensitive side as a vocalist less of an avenue he wanted to keep exploring, and that's a bummer, because instead we got a lot of later-period retreads of mid 30s (and beyond) Mike trying very consciously to sound like early 20s Mike, often with mediocre/annoying results.

I hope with whatever recordings Mike still may have in him, he goes more the "Cool Head, Warm Heart" and "Kokomo" route with how he sings. (And I'm serious, I really love Mike's smooth vox on "Kokomo" - I like that vocal styling, but I just don't want anymore "Kokomo"-ish lyrics/retreads anymore.)


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: guitarfool2002 on February 03, 2014, 08:45:13 PM
I'll take it from a musician angle...Mike is a great bass singer, and not just as a frontman but I think his real strength was always the way he had such a good bass *sound* that could anchor a larger vocal group arrangement and sing bass parts that weren't "comic" sounding. That's what gets me sometimes about listening to the hundreds of various 50's doo-wop groups and theie offshoots in tribute bands and retro bands and the like. The bass man was often doing some kind of an overblown comedic type of singing, or was overblowing the bassy part of his range too much for effect. But Mike had a really smooth, natural voice.

I remember Brian in some interview or something complimented him on how he could sing those "guttural" bass parts as in "Papa Oo Mow Mow" and others, and it's very true. He could have a sensitive bass tone for a ballad, and then switch on that gritty, guttural growl of a bass voice, and that was impressive technically.

I know someone else had already written this years ago, but the way Mike sings the chorus hook on "Kiss Me Baby", specifically the part in bold here: "kiss a little bit/fight a little bit/kiss a little bit...whoa baby"...that whoa baby part...it took the role of a doo wop bass singer out of the comic and overblown 50's "bow bow bow, dum dum dum, dit dit dit" kind of nonsensical syllables and into the realm of advancing teen pop music into something new for the 1960's and beyond. You have doo-wop bass singing, then you have what Mike does on "Kiss Me Baby" in the same role, and it's like going from cylinder records to 33 1/3 LP vinyl in terms of advancing the form.

Having said that, it's not saying anything negative about previous bass singers, I just wrote a chapter-length thing on the Drifters' "White Christmas" and how the bass lead stands out, but Mike I seriously think did do a lot for bass singing in general, in pop music, which he doesn't get enough credit for doing with the Beach Boys.

For the technical aspects of his singing, I think even he would say his range was limited and his vocals needed to be close-mic'ed a certain way to really deliver the full resonance since he didn't project as loud as some other trained bass voices might have done, but it was the *perfect* anchor for those terrific group vocals.

As a lead, he has his ups and downs but one thing you can't deny is that his voice put a distinctive stamp on the BB's tracks where he sang lead. You can't mistake at all who it is when you hear "round round get around...", and that was his fastball, that distinct quality.

Has he made questionable choices? Sure, everyone has.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: guitarfool2002 on February 03, 2014, 09:07:18 PM
Apart from "Kiss Me Baby" which I think is one of Mike's all time best, I have to mention "That's Not Me" as a standout lead vocal. He does a really cool thing where he goes from the aggressive voice as the narrator to a sensitive voice when he sings a line like "What matters to me is what I could be to just one girl" and holds out the note on the word "girl". It's a terrific lead vocal, and it captures a range of emotions that a lot of people overlook in his style. It's how you deliver a classic vocal, essentially, and no amount of "coaching" as seen on shows like American Idol can teach a singer how to pull that off. And it sounded real rather than contrived or even put-on for effect.

That's Not Me, a terrific vocal on a melody that can be a real bitch to sing, and worth noting as a Mike highlight.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Cyncie on February 03, 2014, 09:20:33 PM
One of the most distinctive things about The Beach Boys "sound" was the contrast between Mike's more earthy vocal quality and Brian's soaring falsetto. Often imitated, never duplicated. He is an integral part of what made The Beach Boys, The Beach Boys.



Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on February 04, 2014, 12:22:31 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umuz39g_nOE

I knew someone would do this, and I kinda guessed it'd be you. Odd you didn't post the original recording for comparison. Or this one:

Kiss Me, Baby (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTsL_ImgWn0)



Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again on February 04, 2014, 12:28:03 AM
One of the most distinctive things about The Beach Boys "sound" was the contrast between Mike's more earthy vocal quality and Brian's soaring falsetto. Often imitated, never duplicated. He is an integral part of what made The Beach Boys, The Beach Boys.



This is what I've been yelling and screaming (granted, with much less beautiful simplicity as you) forever, and it's why there's no dismissing Mike! The Beach Boys sound, DNA, identity (to it's basic core) is Brian and Mike's voices: their interaction, dynamic. With all the rest either filling in or replicating/replacing (to an extent).


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: kwan_dk on February 04, 2014, 12:29:10 AM
I'm a bass singer in a Beach Boys inspired group myself and since taking on that role my appreciation for Mike's talent has skyrocketed. Some of his parts on the Beach Boys classics are way more intricate and challenging that you would think as a casual listener. We tried our hand at Our Prayer some time ago and his parts there are outright scary, jumping all over the place. As a standalone vocal it just sounds really weird, but combined with the other voices - lo and behold; it makes perfect sense.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: bluesno1fann on February 04, 2014, 12:50:28 AM
In all seriousness, I've said it once and I'll say it again: This is Mike Love's all-time best vocals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SIirCB-nII


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: kwan_dk on February 04, 2014, 12:55:40 AM
In all seriousness, I've said it once and I'll say it again: This is Mike Love's all-time best vocals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SIirCB-nII

Nope, - this is. Almost same title. But way better song with the perfect lead vocal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_LX-m74uw


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Nicko1234 on February 04, 2014, 01:11:22 AM
I think Mike's lead vocals up to around 1973 were superb both in terms of his bass singing and his leads. I think Brian absolutely made the right choice when selecting him to sing so many of those hits and that the songs wouldn't be as good if other band members had sung them.

From the mid-70s through to the 90s his voice did become too nasal but remarkably it seems to have improved over the past decade. Certainly not to make him as good a singer as he was in his prime but he now does a good job again on the hits.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: seltaeb1012002 on February 04, 2014, 01:21:15 AM
In all seriousness, I've said it once and I'll say it again: This is Mike Love's all-time best vocals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SIirCB-nII

Nope, - this is. Almost same title. But way better song with the perfect lead vocal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_LX-m74uw

OT.. but f*ckin hell that just reminded me of how that song is pretty much the best song ever written, recorded, engineered, produced, sung, arranged, etc etc etc etc. How was this not released as a single?

And to keep it on topic.. Mike's voice is awesome, not necessarily in the classic sense. He can't do vocal acrobatics but his tone sounds great on record, and live. Definitely legendary status.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: bluesno1fann on February 04, 2014, 01:23:04 AM
In all seriousness, I've said it once and I'll say it again: This is Mike Love's all-time best vocals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SIirCB-nII

Nope, - this is. Almost same title. But way better song with the perfect lead vocal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_LX-m74uw

We'll have to agree to disagree with that. I prefer All I Want To Do over All I Wanna Do, and Mike's vocals are far superior on the first one IMHO


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: kwan_dk on February 04, 2014, 01:39:52 AM
In all seriousness, I've said it once and I'll say it again: This is Mike Love's all-time best vocals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SIirCB-nII

Nope, - this is. Almost same title. But way better song with the perfect lead vocal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_LX-m74uw

We'll have to agree to disagree with that. I prefer All I Want To Do over All I Wanna Do, and Mike's vocals are far superior on the first one IMHO

Fair enough. To each his own. And yes, he really rocks on the first one. It's a cool song.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Autotune on February 04, 2014, 03:32:05 AM
I'll take it from a musician angle...Mike is a great bass singer, and not just as a frontman but I think his real strength was always the way he had such a good bass *sound* that could anchor a larger vocal group arrangement and sing bass parts that weren't "comic" sounding. That's what gets me sometimes about listening to the hundreds of various 50's doo-wop groups and theie offshoots in tribute bands and retro bands and the like. The bass man was often doing some kind of an overblown comedic type of singing, or was overblowing the bassy part of his range too much for effect. But Mike had a really smooth, natural voice.

I remember Brian in some interview or something complimented him on how he could sing those "guttural" bass parts as in "Papa Oo Mow Mow" and others, and it's very true. He could have a sensitive bass tone for a ballad, and then switch on that gritty, guttural growl of a bass voice, and that was impressive technically.

I know someone else had already written this years ago, but the way Mike sings the chorus hook on "Kiss Me Baby", specifically the part in bold here: "kiss a little bit/fight a little bit/kiss a little bit...whoa baby"...that whoa baby part...it took the role of a doo wop bass singer out of the comic and overblown 50's "bow bow bow, dum dum dum, dit dit dit" kind of nonsensical syllables and into the realm of advancing teen pop music into something new for the 1960's and beyond. You have doo-wop bass singing, then you have what Mike does on "Kiss Me Baby" in the same role, and it's like going from cylinder records to 33 1/3 LP vinyl in terms of advancing the form.

Having said that, it's not saying anything negative about previous bass singers, I just wrote a chapter-length thing on the Drifters' "White Christmas" and how the bass lead stands out, but Mike I seriously think did do a lot for bass singing in general, in pop music, which he doesn't get enough credit for doing with the Beach Boys.

For the technical aspects of his singing, I think even he would say his range was limited and his vocals needed to be close-mic'ed a certain way to really deliver the full resonance since he didn't project as loud as some other trained bass voices might have done, but it was the *perfect* anchor for those terrific group vocals.

As a lead, he has his ups and downs but one thing you can't deny is that his voice put a distinctive stamp on the BB's tracks where he sang lead. You can't mistake at all who it is when you hear "round round get around...", and that was his fastball, that distinct quality.

Has he made questionable choices? Sure, everyone has.

Great observations! There is an earlier example of "sensitive/artful" bass singing from Mike that always got me and that's the chorus to Don't Worry Baby. There are earlier examples of that to be sure, but that is outstanding. Let me say again. I appreciate your post very much.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Micha on February 04, 2014, 05:16:05 AM
IMO, Mike has been very, very underutilized in terms of his "Meant For You"-type voice.

Oh yes!!! On my alternate reality fantasy SMiLE album, Mike sings the lines "Surf's up aboard a tidal wave, come about hard and join the young and often spring you gave" in this vocal style.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Joel Goldenberg on February 04, 2014, 08:18:21 AM
I pretty much like all of the Mike vocals i've heard, including the later You're Still A Mystery (near the end of the song). The only one I dislike is the overly nasal Getcha Back. and I was glad David Marks sang it in concert.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Sheriff John Stone on February 04, 2014, 08:38:42 AM
I like Mike's lead vocal - and his "bow bow's - on "Getcha Back". I don't think David's lead vocal comes close to Mike's, and I was disappointed that Mike gave it up in concert. When "Getcha Back" first came out, especially on the radio, and still today actually, it has that Beach Boys' sound as much for Mike's familiar voice as Brian's falsetto. That was Brian wasn't it? ;)


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Niko on February 04, 2014, 08:51:12 AM
I have a vintage tube radio from the 60's that has an 'audio-in' port, allowing me to play whatever I want, and Getcha Back is one of the songs I play most over it. It makes it sound so much warmer...and even if Mike's lead vocal is nasally, it's still a great song. The half step key change at the end is perfect, and bridges to the outro so well. Luv it.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Watch a Cave on February 04, 2014, 09:26:00 AM
I have always thought Mike had/has a great voice.  Love the baritone bass parts and of course the punkish nasal lead vocals from the 60s. 

I agree with the post above that the Mike and Brian interplay is the definitive Beach Boy sound for me.  As great as Carl, Dennis and Al's voices are,  when Mike does his thing and Brian hits the falsetto it really has a magical sound.

On a side note, isn't it amazing how much vocal talent this group has?  I feel like the number 5 guy (Al? Dennis?) could have been the best singer on most groups in the 60s.



Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Catbirdman on February 04, 2014, 11:27:36 AM
Oh yes!!! On my alternate reality fantasy SMiLE album, Mike sings the lines "Surf's up aboard a tidal wave, come about hard and join the young and often spring you gave" in this vocal style.

Wow, that sounds so amazing in my head. If only...


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: bluesno1fann on February 04, 2014, 12:28:16 PM
I pretty much like all of the Mike vocals i've heard, including the later You're Still A Mystery (near the end of the song). The only one I dislike is the overly nasal Getcha Back. and I was glad David Marks sang it in concert.

Agreed with Getcha Back. I love that song, it's their best single in the last 30 or so years, but the one flaw is Mike's singing. Absolutely horrible, could have been a lot better. Someone else should have sang that, maybe Carl or Al or even Bruce!


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Sound of Free on February 04, 2014, 12:47:41 PM
Apart from "Kiss Me Baby" which I think is one of Mike's all time best, I have to mention "That's Not Me" as a standout lead vocal. He does a really cool thing where he goes from the aggressive voice as the narrator to a sensitive voice when he sings a line like "What matters to me is what I could be to just one girl" and holds out the note on the word "girl". It's a terrific lead vocal, and it captures a range of emotions that a lot of people overlook in his style. It's how you deliver a classic vocal, essentially, and no amount of "coaching" as seen on shows like American Idol can teach a singer how to pull that off. And it sounded real rather than contrived or even put-on for effect.

That's Not Me, a terrific vocal on a melody that can be a real bitch to sing, and worth noting as a Mike highlight.

I'm right with you, Guitarfool. I think it's Mike best, as well. While you cited the end of the first verse, I always loved the second, "And every night as I lay there along I will dreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeam."

His bass was amazing, i.e. "All Dressed Up For School."

I know the board is pretty well split on this one, but I definitely prefer Mike on the "Wouldn't It Be Nice" bridge.

And one of the great things about Beach Boys records is when a member not signing lead will get a brief section of lead on a song. I always loved when Mike comes in with the "Found that it was in my head" part of "Breakaway."


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: urbanite on February 04, 2014, 12:57:37 PM
I thought Mike's lead vocals on TWGMTR were poor, probably a product of age.  He sounded gravelly.  I haven't been a fan of his sound as a lead vocalist for a long time because his voice changed.  His vocal on It's A Beautiful Day is of the type that I can't stand. 


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: smilethebeachboysloveyou on February 04, 2014, 01:04:27 PM
I don't know whether this fits better here or in the "Unpopular Beach Boys Opinions" thread, but I love the version of "Vega-Tables" where Mike and Brian share the lead vocal, and prefer it to Al's lead on the same song.  Whatever Mike's opinion of the material may have been, his vocal expresses of the whimsy of the song very effectively.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: rab2591 on February 04, 2014, 01:09:21 PM
I thought Mike's lead vocals on TWGMTR were poor, probably a product of age.  He sounded gravelly. 

He sounds amazing on the recent 'California Girls' spoof. Perhaps autotune/production was to blame for the gravelly sound on his TWGMTR leads.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: SMiLE Brian on February 04, 2014, 01:17:08 PM
This quote from Oldsurferdude is funny since both Mike and Frank Sinatra have won an ella award:

wanna stay on this board? It's easy-just don't say anything negative about the lovester. He is a wonderful man who has a great voice and and is a true artist. He will go down in history as one of the greatest entertainers of all time far surpassing Frank Sinatra in phrasing, voice and charisma. Really.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Dancing Bear on February 04, 2014, 01:58:01 PM
He is a wonderful man who has a great voice and and is a true artist. He will go down in history as one of the greatest entertainers of all time far surpassing Frank Sinatra in phrasing, voice and charisma. Really.


Nothing better than a lifetime ban to make the unenlighted see the light. May he spread the TRUTH all over youtube now.  :)


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: mikeddonn on February 04, 2014, 03:53:01 PM
Jacqui have a look at this thread! :-D.

I also think Mike was great at singing the 'signature' leads on the hits but especially love the 'Meant For You' and 'All I Wanna Do' softer vocals.  The bass vocals are also amazing and I still think it's Mike on 'Wipe Out'!


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Kurosawa on February 04, 2014, 06:06:33 PM
Listen to "Heroes and Villains" sometime and just pay attention to Mike's parts.  It's like an awesome song within another awesome song.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Ron on February 04, 2014, 07:50:22 PM
Mike's a great singer in my opinion.  For what he does, he's very good.  I like his swag on the early songs, like "409".  "Well... I saved my pennies, and I saved my dimes...." he sounds cool as sh*t, he sounds like he's James Dean on that song.

Then you flash forward to 2012, he's 71, and singing "Spring Vacation".  Same voice, sounds just as good 50 fucking years later.

Incredibly consistant. 

Like he's quick to point out :) his bass vocals are some of the most loved parts of the songs too.  Also liked mentioned in the original post, I love the songs where he dodges from lead to bass back and forth.  My favorite is probably "Little Deuce Coupe"Also I always thought he was really good on "Surfer Girl". 

It's really interesting how he did his job as well as Brian and Carl did their jobs, they had completely different voices but really added a lot to the songs in completely different ways. 


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Ron on February 04, 2014, 07:57:42 PM
I like Mike's lead vocal - and his "bow bow's - on "Getcha Back". I don't think David's lead vocal comes close to Mike's, and I was disappointed that Mike gave it up in concert. When "Getcha Back" first came out, especially on the radio, and still today actually, it has that Beach Boys' sound as much for Mike's familiar voice as Brian's falsetto. That was Brian wasn't it? ;)

It's my opinion that he sounds like that on Getcha Back because they wanted it to sound like that.  The production is really kind of snappy like everybody did in the 80's, and the song had that goofy video too, I think the whole idea behind the song was a guy who's kind of a nerd dreaming about this girl.  I think they intended Mike to sound kind of nerdy and geeky in the song, which he pulled off by singing it a bit nasally. 

I love the song, I think it's fantastic, I even like the video.  One of their best, and i'm not kidding. 

I'm 100% certain that's Brian singing the falsetto, too.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: urbanite on February 04, 2014, 10:09:56 PM
I think Mike sounds like his age caught up with him on Spring Vacation.  His vocals were indispensable to the Beach Boys in the glory years, but the last 20 years or so, when it comes to recorded music, I'd much rather have Al Jardine singing lead.   


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Micha on February 05, 2014, 09:49:09 AM
I pretty much like all of the Mike vocals i've heard, including the later You're Still A Mystery (near the end of the song). The only one I dislike is the overly nasal Getcha Back. and I was glad David Marks sang it in concert.

Agreed with Getcha Back. I love that song, it's their best single in the last 30 or so years, but the one flaw is Mike's singing. Absolutely horrible, could have been a lot better. Someone else should have sang that, maybe Carl or Al or even Bruce!

IIRC I read that Mike would have wanted a Dennis-like rough voice on it, which wasn't possible any more of course.


I love the version of "Vega-Tables" where Mike and Brian share the lead vocal, and prefer it to Al's lead on the same song.  Whatever Mike's opinion of the material may have been, his vocal expresses of the whimsy of the song very effectively.

I share this opinion. I like the lyrics better too.


I love the song, I think it's fantastic, I even like the video.  One of their best, and i'm not kidding. 

One of their best songs or one of their best videos?


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: clack on February 05, 2014, 06:53:00 PM
Yeah, a good lead singer and a great ensemble one.

He's talked about his frustration in having Brian chose other lyricists , but I've never heard Mike discuss losing his main lead singer status with the Boys as the 60's went on. Must have been awkward trying to project frontman/alpha male attitude while you're pushed into a background role without an instrument to play, reduced to clapping your hands a banging a tambourine, singing backup to the bass player or the lead guitarist -- who just happened to be 2 of the greatest singers of the rock era.

How can you be "lead singer" of a group that has Carl and Brian Wilson in it?


Title:
Post by: zachrwolfe on February 05, 2014, 07:30:50 PM


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Ron on February 05, 2014, 09:35:25 PM
I love the song, I think it's fantastic, I even like the video.  One of their best, and i'm not kidding. 

One of their best songs or one of their best videos?

Both! Definately one of the Beach Boy's best songs.  They didn't have many videos so of course it's one of the best videos. 


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: CenturyDeprived on February 06, 2014, 02:13:47 AM
I like Mike's lead vocal - and his "bow bow's - on "Getcha Back". I don't think David's lead vocal comes close to Mike's, and I was disappointed that Mike gave it up in concert. When "Getcha Back" first came out, especially on the radio, and still today actually, it has that Beach Boys' sound as much for Mike's familiar voice as Brian's falsetto. That was Brian wasn't it? ;)

It's my opinion that he sounds like that on Getcha Back because they wanted it to sound like that.  The production is really kind of snappy like everybody did in the 80's, and the song had that goofy video too, I think the whole idea behind the song was a guy who's kind of a nerd dreaming about this girl.  I think they intended Mike to sound kind of nerdy and geeky in the song, which he pulled off by singing it a bit nasally. 

I love the song, I think it's fantastic, I even like the video.  One of their best, and i'm not kidding. 

I'm 100% certain that's Brian singing the falsetto, too.

With you and Sherrif on this one. I love the song, and I really wish Mike would've kept singing it through the tour instead of giving it to Dave, who didn't really do a good job at all. Mike's original vocal was perfect for the song. Dave's great and all, but he should have just stuck to the Dennis songs, which I think he is much better suited to.

Agreed. It's really odd, seeing how I've always liked Mike's vocal on "Getcha Back" (and so have most people, I think?), and likewise for Brian's vocal on "Let Him Run Wild" (I dig it, as do most fans), yet those two guys, seemingly inexplicably, decided to get all self-conscious about their own lead vocals on tracks which sounded good to begin with. 

There are other lesser quality (and more annoying) Mike lead vocals ("It's OK", anyone?) that would make more sense for him to feel self-conscious about, IMO.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: bluesno1fann on February 06, 2014, 03:56:29 AM
He is a wonderful man who has a great voice and and is a true artist. He will go down in history as one of the greatest entertainers of all time far surpassing Frank Sinatra in phrasing, voice and charisma. Really.


Nothing better than a lifetime ban to make the unenlighted see the light. May he spread the TRUTH all over youtube now.  :)

I've got the feeling that if OSD did say that, he was either being sarcastic or making a joke. Still often see recent Myke Luhv comments by him on various BB's videos on YouTube, so...


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on February 09, 2014, 12:21:37 PM
Bruce emailed me yesterday concerning this thread, and gave me the OK to post his message here:

"I was curious to see if the Smile Board had anyone posting about Mike Love and his upcoming Ella Awards event and I was happily surprised that for the most part, the comments stayed extremely positive about Mike's singing ability on many of the treasured Beach Boys recordings.

Bruce"


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: startBBtoday on February 09, 2014, 01:51:38 PM
I pretty much like all of the Mike vocals i've heard, including the later You're Still A Mystery (near the end of the song). The only one I dislike is the overly nasal Getcha Back. and I was glad David Marks sang it in concert.

Agreed with Getcha Back. I love that song, it's their best single in the last 30 or so years, but the one flaw is Mike's singing. Absolutely horrible, could have been a lot better. Someone else should have sang that, maybe Carl or Al or even Bruce!

IIRC I read that Mike would have wanted a Dennis-like rough voice on it, which wasn't possible any more of course.

Springsteen-ish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQSn26zCXYQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQSn26zCXYQ)) then?

Bruce actually had to speed up his vocals to get a poppier sound for Hungry Heart. I've never had a problem with Mike's vocals on Getcha Back, but perhaps The Beach Boys should have done the same.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Shady on February 09, 2014, 04:50:03 PM
Bruce emailed me yesterday concerning this thread, and gave me the OK to post his message here:

"I was curious to see if the Smile Board had anyone posting about Mike Love and his upcoming Ella Awards event and I was happily surprised that for the most part, the comments stayed extremely positive about Mike's singing ability on many of the treasured Beach Boys recordings.

Bruce"

That's nice.

Bruce should know only very few people on here dislike Mike. The rest of us love and thank him for all the wonderful music he has given us.

I really hope Mike felt that love during the 50th anniversary tour,


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: bluesno1fann on February 09, 2014, 04:55:15 PM
Bruce emailed me yesterday concerning this thread, and gave me the OK to post his message here:

"I was curious to see if the Smile Board had anyone posting about Mike Love and his upcoming Ella Awards event and I was happily surprised that for the most part, the comments stayed extremely positive about Mike's singing ability on many of the treasured Beach Boys recordings.

Bruce"

That's nice.

Bruce should know only very few people on here dislike Mike. The rest of us love and thank him for all the wonderful music he has given us.

I really hope Mike felt that love during the 50th anniversary tour,

I think the majority of the Myke-Bashers have either been banned or choose not to join up here.
In all honesty, Mike's my least favourite BB and his personality and all the stuff he's done in the past gives people a good reason to dislike him.
But I do agree that some of the Myke-Bashers go way too far, and that includes OSD.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: bachelorofbullets on February 11, 2014, 02:34:08 PM
He was good at what he did, which was share melody with Brian and do great bass harmonies for all the beach boys.  It worked, nobody can deny that.

I liken him to David Lee Roth.  Neither was considered a great singer, but their style defined the music.   





Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Letsgoawayforawhile on February 11, 2014, 02:57:52 PM
Congrats to Mike.
He's simply one of the best. Well, to me at least.
The classic BB songs just couldn't work without him.

I was just listening to Mike's parts on Summer's Gone.
He does a magnificent job. Really emotional singing.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Micha on February 12, 2014, 03:06:31 AM
Surfin' USA, Fun, Fun, Fun, and I Get Around would suck with Frank Sinatra on lead! :-D


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: filledeplage on February 12, 2014, 04:46:28 AM
Surfin' USA, Fun, Fun, Fun, and I Get Around would suck with Frank Sinatra on lead! :-D
Absolutely, and with Mike on fire on those songs!  ;)

Agree 100%! 


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Micha on February 12, 2014, 11:55:28 PM
On the other hand, "My Way" with Mike on lead wouldn't be quite as... um... believable? :wink


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Mayoman on February 14, 2014, 08:05:39 PM
California Saga is playing the Ella Awards ceremony with Al and Brian's kids. David Marks will be playing as well. Whatever the rift between the two camps is, it can't really be THAT huge, can it?


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: sandmountainslim on February 14, 2014, 08:22:15 PM
California Saga is playing the Ella Awards ceremony with Al and Brian's kids. David Marks will be playing as well. Whatever the rift between the two camps is, it can't really be THAT huge, can it?

It's not "Old Pink Floyd" style hardcore.  They work together when they all benefit.  2012 proves that. 
As to Mike, I like his singing.  He has a voice that is good for what he does.   He is the Roger Daltrey of the Beach.   Not a great singer but perfect for what he does.


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: donald on February 16, 2014, 03:49:54 PM
Roger daltrey of the beach? :spin :spin :spin


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Shady on February 16, 2014, 09:54:16 PM
On the other hand, "My Way" with Mike on lead wouldn't be quite as... um... believable? :wink

The Record shows
I wrote Kokomo
And did it My Way


Title: Re: Mike Love's merit as a singer
Post by: Micha on February 17, 2014, 12:42:14 AM
On the other hand, "My Way" with Mike on lead wouldn't be quite as... um... believable? :wink

The Record shows
I wrote Kokomo
And did it My Way

Even with those lyrics it sounds better in my mind with Sinatra's voice.

Or Sid Vicious's. ;D