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Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: mikeddonn on December 24, 2014, 04:18:07 PM



Title: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: mikeddonn on December 24, 2014, 04:18:07 PM
I asked about this on another thread.  Does anyone have any details as to why it was never commercially released or any other pertinent info?

It contained interviews with the group during the 1991 UK Tour (I reckon these were filmed in The Moat House, Glasgow) as well as two fabulous versions of God Only Knows and Please Let Me Wonder.  It was shown at the Stomp Convention in 1992 and I remember the hairs on the back of my neck standing up listening to Carl nail GOK!  I had the pleasure of seeing them in Glasgow in 1991 during that same tour.  Happy days!  ;D

I think it was directed by Mr Alan Boyd.


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: mikeddonn on December 25, 2014, 02:55:15 PM
I just watched some of this again for the first time in ages (it's on VHS).  It was directed by Michael Feeney Callan for Black Cat Productions in association with R.T.E.

Some interesting stuff on it.


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: Pretty Funky on December 25, 2014, 04:50:03 PM
This it? The Beach Boys Today.

http://www.michaelfeeneycallan.com/?cat=4

Never seen it myself.


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: mikeddonn on December 25, 2014, 05:18:12 PM
Thank you for the link.  That's the one!  Interesting that Al initiated it, and along with Carl got it approved.  Changed days now!  It was filmed during the 1991 Tour and includes interviews conducted in Glasgow and London during the groups stays in those Cities. 

I would like to know if it was ever shown on TV.  And it would be interesting to know how much live footage was recorded.  As I mentioned before God Only Knows was a standout and a version I would have used at C50.


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: bringahorseinhere? on December 25, 2014, 05:24:17 PM
would love a copy of the doco...

is there anywhere where it can be purchased?

RickB


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: Pretty Funky on December 25, 2014, 06:26:02 PM
I hope nobody puts it on youtube and upsets 'the suits'! ;)


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on December 25, 2014, 07:55:46 PM
When I saw this topic, I was thinking a 30th anniversary doc on the Today album.  How about a 2015 mini doc for the 50th of Today!


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: stack-o-tracks on December 25, 2014, 11:54:23 PM
Never heard of that 30th anniversary deal before this thread, but it's good, like that 25th anniversary thing with Ray Charles and the dress that keeps trying to fall off Belinda Carlisle.


Why is it that every Beach Boys thing involving somebody with the last name Wilson is so fuckin' good but every anniversary or event (COUGH 50 YEARS OF "FUN FUN FUN" COUGH COUGH) that has nobody named Wilson involved is just expendable and not even worth talking about? I'd rather talk about the last fart I made that caused sour faces from people than a "Beach Boys" event that didn't involve a Carl, a Dennis, or a Brian.


I'd ask a Cowsill or a Totten to explain me the reason(s) but I feel even they couldn't do that.


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on December 26, 2014, 01:55:42 AM
Never heard of that 30th anniversary deal before this thread, but it's good, like that 25th anniversary thing with Ray Charles...

... which was actually pretty poor in parts. And, ah, given that until a few days ago you didn't know the 30th anniversary doc even existed, care to explain to me how you know it's "good" ? I take it your assessment is based on having actually seen it...


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: Rocker on December 26, 2014, 05:46:15 AM
That's interesting. Thanks for the link etc.!

Can anybody who has seen this doc share some infos? What songs are played and what are the interviews like?

Adrian Baker was with them during this time, wasn't he? That would be reason enough to me not to release it   :-D


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: Rocky Raccoon on December 26, 2014, 07:21:59 AM
Never heard of that 30th anniversary deal before this thread, but it's good, like that 25th anniversary thing with Ray Charles...

... which was actually pretty poor in parts.

I'd say it's awful actually.


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: Rob Dean on December 26, 2014, 09:37:56 AM
That's interesting. Thanks for the link etc.!

Can anybody who has seen this doc share some infos? What songs are played and what are the interviews like?

Adrian Baker was with them during this time, wasn't he? That would be reason enough to me not to release it   :-D


Yep got it on VHS somewhere , had it about 20 years ago - Haven't played it for a long time , well produced and yes PLMW is probably the highlight ( I believe the live footage comes from the 1991 Glasgow show - Also like the rehearsal footage where Carl voices over the members of the Back Up band , who they are etc..... I did in fact play the Video at a BBB Convention (In Scotland) a number of years ago (naughty me) - Must dig it out again and do a fresh appraisal


Title: Re: Beach Boys Today 30th Anniversary Documentary
Post by: mikeddonn on December 26, 2014, 02:26:06 PM
I've just watched it again.  It lasts about 50 minutes and has some interesting song selections.  For example, "I Do", "Busy Doing Nothing" and "Walk and By".  There's a segment on Smiley Smile and they even show the cover of the bootleg of Smile (2nd edition).  Some honest comments from Carl, Al, Mike and Bruce and interviews with the touring band.  Really well made, considering the short amount of time it lasts.

Rob, I always thought and hoped the live clips were from Glasgow but they also show a clip from the London soundcheck so it's possible some of concert footage is from there too.  The interviews were conducted in Glasgow and London.

This was the first time I had seen the Beach Boys live and, having collected numerous live shows from the years previously, I felt that they sounded excellent (even Adrian Baker who sang "Don't Worry Baby" was quite inconspicuous the rest of the time).

I was also fortunate enough to see them in 1993 when they came back to tour the UK for the last time with the great Carl Wilson.