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Title: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: mikeyj on October 13, 2007, 08:40:24 AM I was wondering what everyone else thinks in regards to their favourite obscure vocal part (ie: God Only Knows is NOT an obscure vocal) in terms of the entire Beach Boys history (you don't have to limit it to one)... Specifically I don't mean an entire vocal, just a part of a vocal or it can be a backing vocal or whatever you wan't. I was just thinking this because I have always loved the backing vocals on "Ballad of Ole' Betsy"... I don't know what it is on that song but it gets to me emotionally... I can't explain it, just those backing vocals are beautiful, by no means perfect Beach Boys harmonies but I really love them. What does everyone else think?
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: the captain on October 13, 2007, 08:45:09 AM Dennis' lead vocal on "It's Trying to Say (Baseball)." In fact, that whole song, not just the vocal, just kills me (in a good way).
I also like Reiley's vocal on "A Day in the Life of a Tree." Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: John on October 13, 2007, 08:58:06 AM Funnily enough, the back-ups on the tag of I'll Bet He's Nice. "Well it's youuuu!"
And the bass vocal on the Surf's Up tag. But my favourite, although it's not too obscure has to be: "Kiss a little bit/ Fight a little bit/ Kiss a little bit / Whoa baby!" from Kiss Me Baby. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Sheriff John Stone on October 13, 2007, 08:59:38 AM Right at the end of "Let's Put Our Hearts Together", Brian sings "together, together" very poorly. Then, out of nowhere, he finishes with, "together you and I" in this amazingly soft and sensitive, circa-late 60's Brian Wilson voice! Where was THAT on the rest of the album!? Damn...
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: mikeyj on October 13, 2007, 09:23:18 AM Dennis' lead vocal on "It's Trying to Say (Baseball)." In fact, that whole song, not just the vocal, just kills me (in a good way). Maby it's because I'm not American and dont particularly like Baseball but I don't like that song all that much :P... Certainly is obscure though... I remember you mentioning it on another post a while back Luther that you liked the song. Can I ask what you like so much about the song (I'm just curious). I've always found it strange, what are the "Baseball tapes" that people have talked about. At first I assumed that it was It's Trying To Say... but people usually state "Baseball tapes (Not Its Trying To Say)" so what is this other track like? John I too agree that Mike's bass vocal on the tag of Surf's Up is incredible. Whether you like Mike's lead vocals (which I personally love - even some of his nasaly efforts like It's OK, obviously not as good but not unbearable) or not he is an incredible bass vocalist. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Beach Boy on October 13, 2007, 09:31:51 AM Intro to "Island Girl", "Problem Child" and Carl's vocal on "Chasin' The Sky", wow. :o
To be honest, I don't really like the backing vocals to "Ballad Of Ole' Betsy". :-\ Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: mikeyj on October 13, 2007, 09:44:36 AM To be honest, I don't really like the backing vocals to "Ballad Of Ole' Betsy". :-\ Yeh thats cool. Of course it's all a personal thing. That's what I was meaning by obscure. Something that isn't obvious. Like obviously everyone likes Carl's vocal on God Only Knows (atleast 99% of people) but not everyone likes the vocals to some of the lesser known things. Like I said I just can't explain what it is about those backing vocals but I just love them. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: the captain on October 13, 2007, 11:03:39 AM Maby it's because I'm not American and dont particularly like Baseball but I don't like that song all that much :P... Certainly is obscure though... I remember you mentioning it on another post a while back Luther that you liked the song. Can I ask what you like so much about the song (I'm just curious). I've always found it strange, what are the "Baseball tapes" that people have talked about. At first I assumed that it was It's Trying To Say... but people usually state "Baseball tapes (Not Its Trying To Say)" so what is this other track like? You can ask, but I have no good answer. I am American, but I don't like baseball at all. I like Dennis' vocal, I like the rhythm of the song, I like the simple chord progression, I like the goofy lyrics...i just like it. Never heard of "Baseball tapes" though, so I am of even less help there. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: mikeyj on October 13, 2007, 11:12:46 AM Never heard of "Baseball tapes" though, so I am of even less help there. I don't know if its actually called "Baseball tapes" but it's something like that. All's I know is it has the name Baseball in the title and it's apparently not the same as ITTS. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: mikeyj on October 13, 2007, 11:22:39 AM You can ask, but I have no good answer. I spose its kinda how I cant explain why I like the backing vocals on Ballad of Ole Betsy (I was gonna abbreviate that but decided not to :P) Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: punkinhead on October 13, 2007, 01:02:51 PM "the constalation are stars that form animals, cleo and capricorn too" ---great stuff
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: phirnis on October 13, 2007, 01:13:21 PM I just LOVE Games Two Can Play and find myself humming the first few lines of that song quite often.
"I ain't goin' nowhere/I got lots of time" - what a great line and what a beautiful, funny delivery. Another favorite has to be Lookin' At Tomorrow. "I'll be coming home tonight..." just kills me every time I hear it. Third one: Mike's lead vocal on Cherry Cherry Coupe. Amazingly brilliant. Talking about car songs, I have to agree on Ballad of Ole' Betsy. In fact I find that tune very moving in a way I can't even explain. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: melissalynn on October 13, 2007, 01:36:18 PM The backing vocals in 'Steamboat' ('Don't worry Mr. Fulton'...).
'I break down and cry'-'Walk on By' the 'Four Seasons you better believe it' part in 'Surfer's Rule'. And I really love the 'We love the drive in, we love the drive in' part in 'Drive-In'. Always gets stuck in my head for some reason. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: mikeyj on October 13, 2007, 10:54:19 PM And I really love the 'We love the drive in, we love the drive in' part in 'Drive-In'. Always gets stuck in my head for some reason. Hey me too! That's really strange because when I hear that song I keep repeating that line in my head over and over for ages. Its not necessarilly one of my favourite lines but for some reason its just so catchy. Talking about car songs, I have to agree on Ballad of Ole' Betsy. In fact I find that tune very moving in a way I can't even explain. Yeh I just love Ballad of Ole' Betsy. How can a song about a car be so moving? Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: tpesky on October 14, 2007, 08:12:24 AM The acapella opening and ending to Come Go With Me they did live in the 80s and 90s. Easy to miss, but really awesome the way the voices blended together and started and ended, especially Carl and Al
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Aegir on October 14, 2007, 10:31:38 AM Alternate version of Don't Back Down has some great vocals. Esepcially the chorus "Don't back down, don't back DOW-N". Brian's "anyhow" on the tag of We'll Run Away is amazing. I love Mike's bass vocal on California Calling "California calling, ring, ring ring ring". The vocals on the Friends album are great, nearly every song has a gem.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Roger Ryan on October 14, 2007, 11:11:56 AM The group "do-da-de-do" vocals at the tail end of "I'd Love Just Once To See You" is pure bliss, made even more exquisite in the recent concert performance by coming to a distinct end.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: pixletwin on October 14, 2007, 11:14:23 AM If I understand the question, my favorite obscure vocal is the "truck driving man" bit Dennis sang in cabinessence.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: phirnis on October 14, 2007, 11:39:02 AM Alternate version of Don't Back Down has some great vocals. Esepcially the chorus "Don't back down, don't back DOW-N". Brian's "anyhow" on the tag of We'll Run Away is amazing. I love Mike's bass vocal on California Calling "California calling, ring, ring ring ring". The vocals on the Friends album are great, nearly every song has a gem. In my book Friends includes some of the Beach Boys' most marvelous vocal performances ever, both lead and background. Brian hardly ever sounded that relaxed again and the group vocals on this album are total bliss. Love that California Calling bass vocal as well, it makes the whole song for me. It's probably their post-70s nostalgia tune I like the most. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Loaf on October 14, 2007, 12:49:37 PM What a great topic! There are millions of hidden vocal gems throughout the BBs catalogue that outshine most other bands' entire careers.
Pretty much everything from 67-73 has one of these background nuggets, but off the top of my head i'll go for the soaring ending to 'All This Is That' and the baton-style vocals of 'Somewhere Near Japan'. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Fun Is In on October 14, 2007, 01:22:27 PM In "It's OK" when Dennis sings what sounds to me like "find a ride, find a ride".
There's just something in that admittedly hoarse sounding back up that really adds something special to the production. And, umm, that consteallation is Leo the Lion, not Cleo, the Queen of Denial. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: 49ersphil on October 15, 2007, 01:39:55 AM Dennis' lead vocal on "It's Trying to Say (Baseball)." In fact, that whole song, not just the vocal, just kills me (in a good way). Maby it's because I'm not American and dont particularly like Baseball but I don't like that song all that much :P... Certainly is obscure though... I remember you mentioning it on another post a while back Luther that you liked the song. Can I ask what you like so much about the song (I'm just curious). I've always found it strange, what are the "Baseball tapes" that people have talked about. At first I assumed that it was It's Trying To Say... but people usually state "Baseball tapes (Not Its Trying To Say)" so what is this other track like? This is from Dan Addington's excellent Denny site. he's quoting Brad Elliott "Baseball tapes" , 1974, (DW) Different from "It's Trying to Say" by Brian. Tape #514W contains a song called "Take Me Out to The Ballgame"; tape #513W contains a song simply titled "Baseball". A notation on the tape box says "Dennis' film".(!) Tape #515W, 2/22/74, has the title "Spring Bass Song" - It's possible that "Bass" could actually be "Base" as in "Baseball"), Elliott 2001 These are recordings reported to exist somewhere. One day I'll swith on my PC and somebody will have unearthed them and offer them to me. I can hope, can't I? ;) Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Shady on October 15, 2007, 04:47:25 AM For me, Brian on 'We'll Run Away', Mike On 'All I Wanna Do', Mikes bass vocals on 'Got To Know The Women' And Brian Or Carl not to sure, at the end of 'Forever', to name a few.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: SloopJohnB on October 15, 2007, 08:37:33 AM My favourite obscure "vocal" part can be heard in the tag of "All I Want To Do".
;D Seriously, I dig the "muuuusic, muuusic" backgrounds in "I Can Hear Music". Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: mikeyj on October 15, 2007, 09:07:01 AM Dennis' lead vocal on "It's Trying to Say (Baseball)." In fact, that whole song, not just the vocal, just kills me (in a good way). Maby it's because I'm not American and dont particularly like Baseball but I don't like that song all that much :P... Certainly is obscure though... I remember you mentioning it on another post a while back Luther that you liked the song. Can I ask what you like so much about the song (I'm just curious). I've always found it strange, what are the "Baseball tapes" that people have talked about. At first I assumed that it was It's Trying To Say... but people usually state "Baseball tapes (Not Its Trying To Say)" so what is this other track like? This is from Dan Addington's excellent Denny site. he's quoting Brad Elliott "Baseball tapes" , 1974, (DW) Different from "It's Trying to Say" by Brian. Tape #514W contains a song called "Take Me Out to The Ballgame"; tape #513W contains a song simply titled "Baseball". A notation on the tape box says "Dennis' film".(!) Tape #515W, 2/22/74, has the title "Spring Bass Song" - It's possible that "Bass" could actually be "Base" as in "Baseball"), Elliott 2001 These are recordings reported to exist somewhere. One day I'll swith on my PC and somebody will have unearthed them and offer them to me. I can hope, can't I? ;) Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: PMcC on October 15, 2007, 10:14:40 AM Brian's understated and totally gorgeous falsetto lead in the early song, "Lana"....in 2nd place, Mike's 'I got the pink slip daddy' (not really that obscure) ..3rd place, the original Dennis vocal on "You are my sunshine"
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Alan Boyd on October 15, 2007, 11:08:30 AM In "Ballad of Old Betsy" I love the texture of Dennis' voice in the harmony stack on "Betsy was a lady, and that she will remain..."
"Doo Ron Day Ro Day, Doo Ron Day Ron!" from "In The Parkin' Lot" Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: smile-holland on October 15, 2007, 11:36:40 AM tough one....
but after several days of thinking on this subject, I'd say the (high) BW/CW-vocals on the fade out of Till I Die. That is: I think it's Carl (with Brian). I've heard this outtake last year. Carl and Brian share the highparts in the fadeout and when you hear just the 2 of them singing the "aaahs" and "ooohs" (without the ("These things I'll be) until I die" lyrics) that really moves me everytime I hear it. Totally fits the mood of that song.... haunting.... Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: jmc on October 15, 2007, 12:48:03 PM I agree with so many of these already posted.
"Find a ride!" from It's Ok (Dennis) "Kiss a little bit fight a little bit, Kiss a little bit, whoa baby...." I've always thought there were some great and 'obscure' background noises (voice effects) from the Smile era. Wonderful's unreleased tag in particular. "Oh pretty baby wont'cha walk with me Henry..." and the associated background vocals for that piece. Brian sounding like a kazoo on the (unused) tag of Vegetables. I'd have to say the lyrics and delivery from 'Good Time' always make me chuckle..... "My girlfriend Penny she's kinda' skinny, so she needs her falsies on......" too funny and at the very end of the outro you can hear Brian say...."hey?" Lastly, I love Stevie....one of my favorite Brian leads with his rougher voice. Such a great song, shame it wasn't released at the time. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: pixletwin on October 15, 2007, 12:49:24 PM tough one.... but after several days of thinking on this subject, I'd say the (high) BW/CW-vocals on the fade out of Till I Die. That is: I think it's Carl (with Brian). I've heard this outtake last year. Carl and Brian share the highparts in the fadeout and when you hear just the 2 of them singing the "aaahs" and "ooohs" (without the ("These things I'll be) until I die" lyrics) that really moves me everytime I hear it. Totally fits the mood of that song.... haunting.... Yeah, the harmony bit at the end of Break Away (I think its labeled in some Boots as Harmony Frie) is probably one of my favorites for the same reason. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: SloopJohnB on October 15, 2007, 01:36:25 PM Yeah, the harmony bit at the end of Break Away (I think its labeled in some Boots as Harmony Frie) is probably one of my favorites for the same reason. Harmony Friends :) . Great harmony indeed! Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: bossaroo on October 15, 2007, 10:01:17 PM i like the spanish vocal on "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times"... O Cuando Sere, Un Dia Sere... gorgeous.
Quote Lastly, I love Stevie....one of my favorite Brian leads with his rougher voice. Such a great song, shame it wasn't released at the time. i've never heard Brian's version of this. can someone help me out? i will return the favor. thanks Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: mikeyj on October 16, 2007, 02:58:06 AM tough one.... but after several days of thinking on this subject, I'd say the (high) BW/CW-vocals on the fade out of Till I Die. That is: I think it's Carl (with Brian). I've heard this outtake last year. Carl and Brian share the highparts in the fadeout and when you hear just the 2 of them singing the "aaahs" and "ooohs" (without the ("These things I'll be) until I die" lyrics) that really moves me everytime I hear it. Totally fits the mood of that song.... haunting.... Yeh that is incredible. Shows the amazing ability of both their voices. In Til I Die though (although its not really obscure) my favourite part is when Brian says "Until I Die" before the tag. Just the way he says it... Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Alex on October 16, 2007, 08:23:44 AM Carl singing "and that makes all the difference to me" in All This Is That
Blondie Chaplin's background parts in "He Come Down"-I'm not a religious person, but I love the singing on that song, and Blondie's voice sort of gives it some authenticity Brian's falsetto "oh oh oh" in the instrumental break on "Forever" Though its not that obscure, Brian singing the bridge on the vocal-only version of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" Brian singing Frankie Valli's "oooh oooh oooh" falsetto line from "Walk Like A Man" at the end of "Surfer's Rule" after the boys sing "4 Seasons you better believe it, surfer's rule"-to me it seems like the BB's are calling the 4 Seasons out for a fight Dennis' vocal at the beginning of "Thoughts of You" I also like Dennis' vocal on "Its Trying To Say"-I think its a horrible song, but some reason that I can't really explain, I really dig Dennis' singing Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on October 16, 2007, 11:33:42 AM Brian singing the verses on Wake the World.
Dennis singing 'fast gas' in Cabinessence Carl singing just about anything! I don't know if I have a favorite, but I like his intoxicated vocal on Its Over Now Mike singing 'bad luck, no more no bad luck' on Celabrate the News Al singing 'a childeren's song...' at the end of Surfs Up Bruce's vocal on Lonely Days Van Dyke singing 'trees like me...' on Life of a Tree The black choir singing back up on Dennis' River Song I could go on Forever. If every thing they sing could feel my heart with joy I'd listen forever. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Beach Boy on October 18, 2007, 09:24:47 AM The boys on "Endless Harmony", Brian's voice on "Surf's Up" and perhaps my favourite: Background vocals on "Sloop John B".
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Christoph on June 03, 2012, 05:03:23 AM Talkin about God only knows, I love the version from Carnegie Hall where Dennis sings the tag, much more soulful than Bruce and a great contrast to Carl.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Al Jardines Bagpipes on June 03, 2012, 05:18:08 AM All the vocal parts on Fairy Tale music from Holland, also, the Lovester's bass vocals on The Girl From NYC, duh duh duh da dah.......!!!
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Jukka on June 03, 2012, 05:29:48 AM My favourite is Brian's "I'm on my way to sunny California" from Holland. It's such a joy-filled announcement, the way he sings it, with the rhythm sounding like someone strolling happily into the sunset. And it's the last officially released example of his old, golden voice. Gotta love it.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: runnersdialzero on June 03, 2012, 08:23:23 AM 2007: The year most people forgot what the word "obscure" meant.
2012: The Meaning Of "Obscure" Being Forgotten Strikes Back Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Freddie French-Pounce on June 04, 2012, 01:25:23 AM My favourite is Brian's "I'm on my way to sunny California" from Holland. It's such a joy-filled announcement, the way he sings it, with the rhythm sounding like someone strolling happily into the sunset. And it's the last officially released example of his old, golden voice. Gotta love it. That's Al isn't it? Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: kiwi surfer on June 04, 2012, 01:39:52 AM More of a guilty pleasure but I love the fade on "Winds of Change".
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Cabinessenceking on June 04, 2012, 02:16:51 AM Dennis - It's Tryin' To Say (Baseball), dat lead guys, dat lead...
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: RadBooley on June 04, 2012, 03:31:14 AM Van Dyke singing 'trees like me...' on Life of a Tree Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Eric Aniversario on June 04, 2012, 04:19:19 AM Not sure what qualifies as "obscure", but here's what comes to mind.
The falsetto in the last part of "Surf's Up" the 1971 version The falsetto in the last part of "Love Surrounds Me" The "boat" in "No Go Showboat" The first few bars in "Don't Worry Baby" on Stars & Stripes The "mmmmm close to me" in "Cuddle Up" The "just for youuuuuu" in "Barbara" The chorus in "Full Sail" The "dididit dit dit" vocal interplay between Bruce & Mike in "Here Comes The Night" from LA Light Album The "I love you" in "Please Let Me Wonder" Mike's verse in "Isn't It Time", you expect to hear Bruce but Mike comes in instead and brings his flavor to the song The "ahhhh ahh ahh ahhhh ah ah ah ah COOL COOL COOL WATER (water)" in "Cool Cool Water" The "lay down in the sun, watch the stars go by" portion "Keepin The Summer Alive" The fadeout on "The Trader" Dennis' "The sun in her hair, the warmth of the air" on "Girls On The Beach" These are just a few, I could write all day about them. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Sie W on June 04, 2012, 06:12:26 AM Blondie's "Keep on tryyyyyyyeeeeeyyyyyiiiiinnnnnggg" from Hard Time love that.
And the "Hey now's" from Rock'n'Roll To The Rescue, get stuck in my head everytime I hear it. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: seltaeb1012002 on June 04, 2012, 06:25:05 AM "I write em all dooown" from Busy Doin' Nothing.
The "ahh's" from that unreleased uptempo section of Can't Wait Too Long. (Would love to hear that in high quality.) All of "Maybe I Don't Know". The vocals sound amazing in that song. Should've been a smash. edit: "I-I love you Diane, I-I miss you Diane" from My Diane. Especially in the alternate mix where the vocals are dry and much louder. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: runnersdialzero on June 04, 2012, 08:29:09 AM Obscure = hidden or difficult to notice, or in this case, difficult to hear in the mix. Brian's "OOOOOOOOOOO FUNKY" in "Funky Pretty" is an example as it's somewhat difficult to hear. That would be an obscure vocal part, and it's also one that I enjoy.
JUSTSAYIN' ^_^ not trying to be an asshole aboot it or anything. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Emdeeh on June 04, 2012, 08:39:09 AM Just for a start: I love Brian's way-over-the-top lead on "Spirit of America."
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: startBBtoday on June 04, 2012, 09:03:59 AM Mike's entire vocal on "I Do"
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Mendota Heights on June 04, 2012, 09:13:19 AM The horse whinnies in Vegetables. :-D
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Sound of Free on June 04, 2012, 09:25:49 AM For a two-second vocal: Near the end of Slip On Through, after Dennis sings "My love is growin'" I LOVE Carl's "OH-OH-OOOOH"
On Breakaway, I love it when Mike comes in with his "Found that it was in my head." Brian's final "They ran away and get married anyhow" (and the whole song for that matter) Dennis' "Can't marry no one"s at the end of I'm So Young (my favorite BB cover) Carl's vocal on "Where I Belong" is amazing, but I also love Al's interplay with him on the final two choruses. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Eric Aniversario on June 04, 2012, 09:57:55 AM The background vocals on "Farmer's Daughter", I love to sing those and back Brian up with the rest of the Boys.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: 37!ws on June 04, 2012, 10:09:41 AM One that really sticks out for me is on the studio version of "Marcella," during each chorus...Dennis has a really killer backing vocal..."One arm...one arm over my shoulder....sandals...that dance, dance at my feet.....her eyes, her eyes knock you right over....Ooh my/Mar....Marcella's so sweet." The way he belts those out....
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: keysarsoze001 on June 04, 2012, 10:38:55 AM The count-in and finger snaps just before "Yesssss, I believe it" in "He Come Down". It's not terribly audible, but it helps to visualize everyone gathered around the same mic before you're hit with the blast of the harmony.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Sie W on June 04, 2012, 11:02:34 AM The single note vocal in the right speaker on "Better Get Back In Bed", think it may be Brian.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: willy on June 04, 2012, 11:25:36 AM 'Winds of Change' coda — "Won't - last - forever...won't last, forever...forever..."
'A Day in the Life of a Tree' — VDP's "Trees like me weren't meant to live......" 'California Saga - The Beaks of Eagles' — Al's sung choruses are almost genius... "A broken shack, an old man takes his time about dying..." "Spilled from a hill, a wagonload of bodies lay scattered..." 'Country Air' — Carl's (is it Carl?) out-of-tune humming, and the occasional shouted "Come on!" 'Add Some Music...' — "And on every day of the summertime, you'll see children chase an ice cream cart..." just sums up that gorgeous song. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Jukka on June 04, 2012, 02:15:57 PM 'Country Air' — Carl's (is it Carl?) out-of-tune humming, and the occasional shouted "Come on!" Oh yeah, this is definitely one of their greatest moments, it sounds so... victorious, for lack of better word. Also, the "DEEP AND WIDE" -part in Time to Get Alone gets me every time. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: theCOD on June 04, 2012, 02:22:08 PM The first 35 seconds of "Can't Wait Too Long" from the Mark Linett SMiLE mixes boot is the first that comes to mind.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: jvcthome on September 01, 2013, 08:49:53 AM This is a really cool thread!
My favorite one is probably the "Love you, baby, and I can tell that our sweet love is just like honey" backing vocals on the coda of Our Sweet Love. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: punkinhead on September 01, 2013, 09:29:37 AM Time to Get Alone---"DEEP AND WIDE"
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Daniel on September 01, 2013, 10:19:16 AM One that really sticks out for me is on the studio version of "Marcella," during each chorus...Dennis has a really killer backing vocal..."One arm...one arm over my shoulder....sandals...that dance, dance at my feet.....her eyes, her eyes knock you right over....Ooh my/Mar....Marcella's so sweet." The way he belts those out.... I was just about to suggest THIS. Outstanding Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: ivrimark on September 01, 2013, 03:05:57 PM Like “Runners”, I think of “obscure vocals” as meaning hard-to-hear, really mixed way down, almost inaudible, etc. rather than simply vocals that I find beautiful. Love to catch these on the third or fourth or hundredth listen. That doesn’t mean I necessarily think they’re pretty, just obscure – and when you hear them for the first time it does add a little something to the song.
1) “Umm dirty water, umm dirty water” on “Don’t Go Near The Water” under the “Toothpaste and soap” lead vocal. 2) Hal Blaine’s vocal in “Amusement Parks USA” as the carnival barker talking about Stella the Snake Lady: “She’s got the biggest asp. . .” 3) Lots of vocal layers in “Cool Cool Water” to sort out – one being “Drip, drip, drip, drip, drink a little” that’s fairly covered up. 4) The tag of “Funky Pretty” is also multi-layered: “Someone say why, someone say why, why she left, my Pisces lady” 5) Still can’t figure out Dennis’ section in “He Come Down” after the second chorus and before the count-in. Could be anything! And when Paul sings “Molly lets the children lend a hand”, John and George sing “arm!” and “leg!” Oh, wait, that was some other group. Lots more. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: The Shift on September 01, 2013, 03:18:59 PM One fave mo' is what i think of as the chorus of breaths and 71 Surf's Up merges with the solo Brian section at the "Dove-nested towers…" line. That's God sighing, that is…
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Cabinessenceking on September 01, 2013, 03:29:46 PM Talkin about God only knows, I love the version from Carnegie Hall where Dennis sings the tag, much more soulful than Bruce and a great contrast to Carl. That is a true gem and just because of Dennis' vocals it deserves official release! Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Nicko1234 on September 01, 2013, 03:31:29 PM The harmonies on the live version of Lady Lynda.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: EgoHanger1966 on September 01, 2013, 03:33:11 PM This is a really cool thread! My favorite one is probably the "Love you, baby, and I can tell that our sweet love is just like honey" backing vocals on the coda of Our Sweet Love. He sings "just like a honey", which makes it completely different and fairly cringeworthy (IMO). Our sweet love is just like a honey. A honey WHAT? Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Tony S on September 01, 2013, 04:27:13 PM Carl's vocal on "Where I Belong" is amazing, but I also love Al's interplay with him on the final two choruses. I agree 100% Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: chrs_mrgn on September 01, 2013, 06:25:56 PM Would Van Dyke Prks vocal in the coda of Day In The Life Of A Tree count as 'obscure'? It's beautiful I know a lot of people don't care for his voice though.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: runnersdialzero on September 01, 2013, 06:52:02 PM Brian's isolated "Caroline No" vocal from the Pet Sounds box boosted about 30 dB. Most obscure vocal part ever.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Gabo on September 01, 2013, 08:10:07 PM I like the vocal trade off in She's Going Bald. I never noticed it was multiple voices until I read about it on this forum.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Summer_Days on September 02, 2013, 07:52:32 AM the "drip drip drip...driiiiink a little" vocal on 'Cool, Cool Water'
"shooby dooby doo" in 'Marcella' "funkay...I still rem'mber my funky prett-ay!" vocal by Blondie on 'Funky Pretty'....might not be obscure, but it's awesome Carl's "aahhh ahhh" background vocal in 'It's Gettin' Late' Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: jvcthome on September 02, 2013, 08:26:12 AM I don't know if someone mentioned it, but: California caliing, a-ring ring ring.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on September 02, 2013, 03:02:07 PM The echo part "match point, match point" and the "hey little, hey little tom boy"
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Mitchell on September 03, 2013, 01:57:26 PM "when you add some music you'll be glad some music"
The verse chords during Break Away. Every near-inaudible Mike bass part that anchors the harmony and you FEEL rather than hear. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Freddie French-Pounce on September 03, 2013, 02:06:43 PM Any Mike 'YeeeEEEAAAAHaaahhhahahhhahhahhhHHHHH' is usually awesome. If ridiculous.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: chrs_mrgn on September 03, 2013, 05:22:52 PM Any Mike 'YeeeEEEAAAAHaaahhhahahhhahhahhhHHHHH' is usually awesome. If ridiculous. Personal favorite here too. Someone should compile into song format all of Mike's "YUUUEEAAAGHHH"'s and "WheeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN"'s Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Gabo on September 04, 2013, 12:19:31 AM Has anyone noticed that Brian and Mike are trading off vocals in the Vega-Tables demo? Mike and Brian did a lot of vocal tradin' during the Smile sessions it appears. You can hardly notice it a lot of time given how similar their voices are in a low range.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: humanoidboogie on September 04, 2013, 03:54:48 AM All of the vocals in Break Away.
The brief a cappella bit in Disney Girls. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Fall Breaks on September 04, 2013, 04:47:34 AM Brian's "dit-dit-dip dih" part in the later part of Cottonfields (45 version)
Brian and Carl's dual falsetto in the 'Til I Die tag Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Amanda Hart on September 04, 2013, 11:25:27 AM Five years and four pages and no one's mentioned the fade of Leaving This Town? Especially Mike's bass part. Killer.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: sunnycalifornia on September 04, 2013, 11:34:00 AM I would say the chorus of Cherry Cherry Coupe.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Nile on September 05, 2013, 03:23:57 AM I must say I'm blown away by "boys girl.." part in "HV-My children were raised"...
Never knew it existed till I TSS! Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on September 05, 2013, 03:41:54 AM 'I'm Going Your Way' has a terrific lead from Dennis. He sounds like he's having great fun and it's infectious.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: ThyRavenAscend on September 05, 2013, 06:40:16 AM 'I break down and cry'-'Walk on By' I don't understand why it sounds so freakin' beautiful, but it does. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: ThyRavenAscend on September 05, 2013, 08:34:22 AM I'm not sure what "obscure" is intended to mean here, but here are some of my favorite vocal parts/moments in lesser-known BB's songs:
"Slip on Through", the highest background vocal in the chorus drives me wild (Brian, right?). "Full Sail", the background vocals in the chorus ("Full saillll.... F-u-ull sa-ail"). "Little Pad", the whole thing (though Brian's vocal, not so much). "Isn't It Time", Jeffoskett's vocal in the bridge ("And as the sun goes down, we raise our glass to kindness."). "I Wanna Pick You Up", the 'gang-vocals' in the chorus ("I want to pick you up..."). Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Disney Boy (1985) on September 05, 2013, 08:43:59 AM Five years and four pages and no one's mentioned the fade of Leaving This Town? Especially Mike's bass part. Killer. Agreed. Maybe someone should start a thread 'Amazing Fades That Fade Out Too Soon'! Other candidates could include When I Grow Up and It's About Time. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Amanda Hart on September 05, 2013, 10:54:22 AM Five years and four pages and no one's mentioned the fade of Leaving This Town? Especially Mike's bass part. Killer. Agreed. Maybe someone should start a thread 'Amazing Fades That Fade Out Too Soon'! Other candidates could include When I Grow Up and It's About Time. That list would be so long. It's amazing how much care went into all the fine, little details through the final seconds of so many '60s-'70s Beach Boys songs. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Letsgoawayforawhile on September 05, 2013, 11:59:44 AM I'm really in love with the Snowdrifts part from Goin' South.
Amazing! Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: ThyRavenAscend on September 05, 2013, 12:33:02 PM Five years and four pages and no one's mentioned the fade of Leaving This Town? Especially Mike's bass part. Killer. Agreed. Maybe someone should start a thread 'Amazing Fades That Fade Out Too Soon'! Other candidates could include When I Grow Up and It's About Time. And definitely "In the Back of My Mind"! Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Joshilyn Hoisington on September 05, 2013, 01:52:13 PM I feel like if 1969 Mike had done a recording of himself, double-tracked, singing a low F for as long as he could hold it, I would loop that and listen to it for really quite some time.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: pixletwin on September 05, 2013, 02:04:48 PM I love the BV in Breakaway at the end.. I think it was booted once as "Vocal Fry" or somesuch.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Summer_Days on September 05, 2013, 03:37:40 PM 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' fades out a bit too soon.
'Nother fav obscure vocal part: Carl's "nah nah nahs" on 'All This Is That'. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: CarlTheVoice on September 05, 2013, 11:44:48 PM Thank you so much to those who mentioned the falsetto parts on Till I Die - I had heard Brian's whine before but after many, many listens to this song I had not heard Carl's "wooo". Now that you have mentioned it I can't understand why I couldn't hear it before! So beautiful!
I probably have so many obscure vocal parts that at the moment I can't think of but one that springs to mind is Carl's bits on the chorus of All I Wanna Do - so silky smooth! Great thread. More bits to listen out for! Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Fall Breaks on September 06, 2013, 12:16:25 AM Thank you so much to those who mentioned the falsetto parts on Till I Die - I had heard Brian's whine before but after many, many listens to this song I had not heard Carl's "wooo". Now that you have mentioned it I can't understand why I couldn't hear it before! So beautiful! On theGet the Boot boot, there are Brian's and Carl's 'Til I Die falsettos pretty much isolated. (Or am I having my bootlegs mixed up? It's out there somewhere at least.)I probably have so many obscure vocal parts that at the moment I can't think of but one that springs to mind is Carl's bits on the chorus of All I Wanna Do - so silky smooth! Great thread. More bits to listen out for! Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: punkinhead on September 11, 2013, 05:48:56 PM Yodel-ay-ey-ooo's on Wonderful
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Ninten on September 11, 2013, 08:41:39 PM Some of my favourite moments are:
All of Girl's On The Beach (the harmonizing, Dennis' vocal, all of it) The entire second part of Surf's Up (from "Dove nested towers...") The humming and duh duh duhs on Little Pad That "I Break Down and Cry" Part from Walk On By that was mentioned... amazing The chorus backing vocals to Break Away ("Break break shake away break break away...") recently I've been obsessed with that part in Don't Go Near the Water where they sing the title twice in harmony (right before Al's "toothpaste and soap") Brian's vocals on Til I Die ("I lost my way Hey Hey Hey/It kills my soul Hey Hey Hey") Marylin's vocals on It's Over Now Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: runnersdialzero on September 12, 2013, 01:24:01 PM 2007: The year most people forgot what the word "obscure" meant. 2012: The Meaning Of "Obscure" Being Forgotten Strikes Back 2013: The year they changed the definition of "literally" and also "obscure", apparently. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: 37!ws on September 12, 2013, 02:13:08 PM Seriously, I dig the "muuuusic, muuusic" backgrounds in "I Can Hear Music". And I dig Mike's bass vocal in the a capella break: "Do re mi fa-a sol la ti do, do re me fa tight now, baby..." Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: punkinhead on September 12, 2013, 06:32:05 PM Perhaps there's some who think this is about obscure vocals from any song and perhaps there's those who think it's about vocals from obscure songs?
;) Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: grillo on September 12, 2013, 07:51:09 PM Mike's "Now don't...Don't you worry, Baby..." bass part in the chorus is pretty much my favorite BB vocal part ever. Not sure if that counts as obscure.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: metal flake paint on September 12, 2013, 08:17:54 PM The ascending "Bom, bom, bom, bom, bom" Eb7 notes, and "Come and do it baby"
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Amazing Larry on September 12, 2013, 09:45:53 PM Seriously, I dig the "muuuusic, muuusic" backgrounds in "I Can Hear Music". And I dig Mike's bass vocal in the a capella break: "Do re mi fa-a sol la ti do, do re me fa tight now, baby..." Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: metal flake paint on September 12, 2013, 11:06:09 PM Seriously, I dig the "muuuusic, muuusic" backgrounds in "I Can Hear Music". And I dig Mike's bass vocal in the a capella break: "Do re mi fa-a sol la ti do, do re me fa tight now, baby..." More Oh than Ooh, as the isolated vocal track reveals ;D Do re mi fa so la ti do, Oh I hear the music hold me tight now baby, Do re mi fa so la ti do, Mmm I hear the music, ooo wee baby Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Joshilyn Hoisington on September 13, 2013, 06:21:34 AM Mike's lead vocal on California Girls.
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Joshilyn Hoisington on September 13, 2013, 06:22:39 AM Get it? Because that's the least obscure vocal on the least obscure Beach Boys song. Ha!
Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: ash on September 13, 2013, 08:21:03 AM Once upon the sandwich isles the.... and whatever Brian's singing in the back ground on the Holiday session - both from the Smile box.
Wish Al would hassle Brian about remembering those and perform them live. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: Don Malcolm on September 13, 2013, 09:56:01 AM Get it? Because that's the least obscure vocal on the least obscure Beach Boys song. Ha! <sound of crickets> But you raise an interesting question for another thread...it certainly seems correct that CG is the most well-known BB song. The various greatest hits compilations would give us a master list of what the BBs and their record companies consider to be the most familiar and best-loved tracks. But how would we order that list? (Double apologies in advance for hijacking the thread and for bringing up a topic that's likely to have been covered elsewhere...someone feel free to post a link to a thread covering this idea already, I'm strapped for time this morning and don't have time to search the archives....) Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: RangeRoverA1 on September 14, 2013, 08:45:17 AM Maybe someone should start a thread 'Amazing Fades That Fade Out Too Soon'! Good idea, Disney Boy (1985)! To me, the most amazing fade is on M.I.U. version of "Lady Lynda" - Al did some gorgeous falsettoing there. Same is alternate DWB from MIC, only now it's Brian. Additionally, I wish "That's Not Me" never ends, the song seems to be one of the undeservedly underrated on the BBs' milestone. Non-vocal fade, I especially like in "I Know There's An Answer". Mike's "Now don't...Don't you worry, Baby..." bass part in the chorus is pretty much my favorite BB vocal part ever. I won't say that it's my all-time fave obscure vocal but it's indeed great! Mike added coolness & groove to the song.And I dig Mike's bass vocal in the a cappella break: "Do re mi fa-a sol la ti do, do re me fa tight now, baby..." Wow, I didn't know that Mike namechecked the notes, thought it's sth. meaningless. Thanks for clarification, 37!ws!Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: RockNSoul on November 16, 2013, 02:04:42 PM Some good choices in this thread! One I've always liked is:
"(You) love to see those healing hands of Anna Lee" - from Anna Lee, The Healer The little "you" is sung by Carl I think before the whole band sings. He does that three times, but you can hear it best during the second chorus. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: dombanzai on November 18, 2013, 02:17:44 AM The horse whinnies in Vegetables. :-D I love the horse whinnies in Vega-Tables, probably my favourite backing vocals. Just fabulous. Some of their vocal work on Smile completely blows my mind. Title: Re: Favourite obscure vocal part? Post by: smokeythebear on November 18, 2013, 06:48:54 AM For some bizarre reason i cannot get Mikes bass part in Wonderful out of my mind.
Da da..da da…. |