The Smiley Smile Message Board

Overcome with anticipation of the upcoming release of "POB/Bambu", I came up with a 77 minute chronology of Dennis Wilson's recordings with the Beach Boys (that have been officaly released).  Wildly dreaming that "POB/Bambu" will sell well enough that BRI/Capitol will release a 2 CD DW/BB chronology with these songs above plus unreleased live performances, studio tracks and demos.  By the by, if "Smile" is the greatest unreleased group album of all time, isn't "Bambu' the same solo wise?

Notes on my track list:

* "Denny's Drums" (no vocals)

** All DW vocals (lead or co-lead) even if he didn't write the song.  I didn't include songs he wrote but didn't sing (wondering if there isn't some amazing demo version of Steamboat with Dennis vocals somewhere).

*** Yes, "Sound of Free" & "Lady" are out of order but they, to me, have a 1967/68 sound.  And yes, they were released as 'DW and Rumbo' but they were Capital/EMI releases and probably had Beach Boys involvement. I think they were also considered for inclusion on BB albums.

Listening to all these songs at once I was truly wow'd.  A stunning body of work!!!!

Song List:

1.   Alan And Brian Talk About Dennis 0:20 Al Jardine, Brian Wilson  Hawthorne, CA: Birthplace Of A Musical Legacy
2.   Do You Wanna Dance - 1965   2:20   The Beach Boys Today!      
3.   You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - 1966   2:58   Beach Boys' Party      
4.   Lady - 1969   2:17   Dennis Wilson & Rumbo (BB)               
5.   Sounds Of Free - 1969   2:23   Dennis Wilson & Rumbo (BB)               
6.   A Time To Live In Dreams 1968   1:51   Hawthorne, CA: Birthplace Of A Musical Legacy         
7.   Little Bird - 1968   2:00   Friends      
8.   Be Still - 1968   1:25   Friends      
9.   Be With Me - 1969   3:16   20/20      
10. Never Learn Not To Love - 1969   2:34   20/20      
11. Celebrate The News - 1969   3:07   Friends & 20/20 2fer bonus track      
12. Slip On Through - 1970   2:20   Sunflower          
13. Got To Know The Woman - 1970   2:44   Sunflower      
14. Forever - 1970   2:42   Sunflower       
15. Barbara - 1971   3:00   Endless Harmony Soundtrack   
16. Make It Good - 1972   2:39   Carl & The Passions      
17. Cuddle Up - 1972   5:30   Carl & The Passions
18. In The Still Of The Night - 1976   3:06    15 Big Ones         
19. Mona - 1977   2:09 The Beach Boys Love You            
20. I Wanna Pick You Up - 1977   2:42   The Beach Boys Love You         
21. Morning Christmas - 1977   3:26   Ultimate Christmas         
22. My Diane - 1978   2:38   M.I.U. Album
23. All Alone - 1978   3:40   Endless Harmony Soundtrack         
24. Angel Come Home - 1979   3:42    L. A. (Light Album)      
25. Love Surrounds Me - 1979   3:43    L. A. (Light Album)      
26. Baby Blue - 1979   3:26    L. A. (Light Album)
27. You Are So Beautiful To Me - 1980 3:13  Good Timin: Live at Knebworth, England 1980 [liVE]         
28. Dennis On Performing   0:28   Dennis Wilson   Hawthorne, CA: Birthplace Of A Musical Legacy          
29. Forever (A Cappella Mix) 1970   2:52   Hawthorne, CA: Birthplace Of A Musical Legacy.

Additions (by popular demand):

 1)  "Little Girl (You're My Miss America)" - 1962  2:04  Surfin' Safari
 2) "Surfer's Rule" - 1963  1:54 Surfer Girl
 3) "This Car of Mine" 1964 – 1:35 Shut Down Volume 2
 4) "Denny's Drums" 1964 - 1:56 Shut Down Volume 2
 5) "Girls on the Beach" – 1964 2:24 All Summer Long
 6) "In The Back Of My Mind" - 1965 2:07 The Beach Boys Today!   

Unreleased Beach Boys/Dennis Tracks:

1) "I'm Going Your Way" (aka: California Slide)  SUNFLOWER outtake

2) "Carry Me Home" - Holland outtake

3) "I've Got a Friend" - LIVE

4) "Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again" Surf’s Up Outtake

5) "Little Bird" Live from the '68 tour complete with brass

6) "Ecology"   

what about in the back of my mind?

Add "Little Miss America", "Surfer's Rule", and "In The Back Of My Mind" to the list.

I was trying to get it all on one CD plus focusing on Denny's evolution as a creative force.  A two cd set would include those early tracks as well.

I suggest if you include ITBOMM use the single tracked vocal - Unsurpassed Masters, Vol. 8, Disk 3, Track 14 - instead of the double tracked vocal - its rawer and more honest as to Dennis's vocal quality - It really is beautiful.

 You Are So Beautiful would have to be live 1976 or 77...not '71. The first time he did it with the BB's was '75. Also... All Alone is from '78.

Mahalo Jon - knew I was going to get stuff wrong/miss some songs.  Problem is I loaned your book to my brother in Kona (funny enough, also named Jon) and he lost it :-( 

Modifications made.

Great idea!  Wonder if Alan Boyd has a definitive index of Dennis' Beach Boys unreleased live recordings, alternate takes, unreleased songs and demos that exist on tape???

Be way cool if that list were compiled and included in Jon's next edition of "The Real Beach Boy"!

Great compilation! I love the concept. If I may add a suggestion...

Eliminate "Forever (A Capella Mix)". You already have the Sunflower version. Replace it with "You Are So Beautiful" from Live In Knebworth (1980). It fits chronologically, and goes perfectly after the "Dennis On Performing" snippet. It you can, fade the applause; it makes a neat closing, kind of like the end of the show.

Mahalo Sheriff John - Good one.  Another I had missed.  Have added it and deleted the unreleased version I had listed (which is good as now everything on the list is a released song).  It's a good idea to put it last (but i love the A Capella Mix and it is a released Denny track).  Either way, an amazing body of work!

I have an iTunes DW career playlist that's similar to the lineup above, but I start it off with "The Wanderer" from the Concert album. That way the playlist begins with DW's intro as the "hardworkin' drummer, Denny Wilson."

In a similar fashion, my Carl Wilson career iTunes playlist starts with Denny's intro of Carl (the one where they play back "Good Vibes" at chipmunk speed, and the guys crack up in hysterical laughter).

If it were me, I'd add the unreleased "I'm Going Your Way", and the "Be With Me" backing track.  :)

My Itunes DW list is longer.  But, starting it off with Brian and Al talking about Dennis is a much better idea than what I had.  and I like the alternate Back Of My Mind idea, as well.  Apparently I overlooked Surfer's Rule, per this thread.

Interview Sweden 1963
Little Girl (You're My Miss America)
The Wanderer
Denny's Drums
This Car Of Mine
 Auld Lang Syne
Do You Wanna Dance
In The Back Of My Mind
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Unknown piano intermezzo
Old Master Painter,You Are My Sunshine
Little Bird (mono remix session)
Little Bird (mono remix session)
Little Bird (mono remix session)
Little Bird
Be Still
A Time To Live In Dreams
Walk On By
Mona Kani
San Miguel
Be With Me (Backing Track)
Be With Me
All I Want To Do
Never Learn Not To Love
Celebrate The News
Sounds Of Free
Lady
Slip On Through
Got To Know The Woman
It's About Time
Forever (A Cappella Mix)
Forever
Forever - Live 1971
I'm Going Your Way
Quad Symphony (chuck mix)
All Of My Love
I've Got a Friend (Radio Luxenbourg 10-5-72)
Barbara
It's a New Day
Sea Cruise
4th Of July
Interview / Falling In Love 1971
Make It Good
Cuddle Up
Steamboat
Only With You
Carry Me Home
Cuddle Up Live _intro72
Cuddle Up Live _boston72
Only With You (live 1972)
River Song (Early Version)
River Song - Early Session
River Song (Live)
Pacific Ocean Blues (Track)
Nixon Joke 1973
Help Me Rhonda Live nassau74
You Are So Beautiful 1976
In The Still Of The Night
My Diane
My Diane
Mona
My Love's Comin' Down
Dennis Wilson-River Song Short Promo
River Song
What's Wrong
Moonshine
Friday Night
Dreamer
Thoughts of You
Time
You And I
Pacific Ocean Blues
Farewell My Friend
Rainbows
End Of The Show
Holy Evening
Baseball
School Girl
Companion
Moon Light
Its Not Too Late
Wild Situation - Take One
Wild Situation
Baby Blue Eyes
Love Surrounds Me - Take One
Love Surrounds Me - Take 2
He's A Bum
New Orleans
10,000 Years
All Alone
Angel Come Home
Love Surrounds Me
Baby Blue
Angel Come Home - Live
Good Timin' - Live
July 04-December 1983 (from the BB documentary done in the 80s)

anyone who's got Jerry Boyd's "Life of Brian" series should add "Not So Dumb Angel" from Disc 4 (Track 10) to finish it off.

Don't know what interview Sweden is-but the BBs didn't go there till 1964 so it is probably misdated

Jon S. or AGD or anybody know the Beach Boys involvement in the sessions for 'Lady' and 'Sound of Free'? Were they originally intended as possible Beach Boys songs? I've read that 'Lady' was on the proposed 'Landlocked' album??  Released as Dennis Wilson and Rumbo, I understand Daryl Dragon are on them. 

By the way, I love these two songs!!!  I took my vinyl recordings, did a little digital remastering and they sound great!  (though I'd buy them in a flash if they were on some sort of CD release).

Unknown piano intermezzo

what is this?

Sound of Free has Beach Boys vocals on it...Carl and Brian...maybe Al...plus some Mike lyrics. I think Lady is relatively solo DW.

Mahalo Jon! 

Yeah Brian and Carl are pretty upfront in the mix. It's funny that Lady and not Sound Of Free was considered for a Beach Boys release as Sound is much more a Beach Boys track.

And would have been great on Surf's Up (with Woudn't It be Nice to Live Again)!

Always found this site very helpful (even though it's not up to date):

http://www.danaddington.com/denny/releasedmusic.html

Found this article on it:

http://www.earcandymag.com/brianfanmixes10-04.htm

If BRI/Capitol did release a Dennis Wilson/Beach Boys Chronology (Taking all the songs leading this thread but removing "All Alone" - though released on the Endless Harmony Soundtrack it is apparently a 'Bambu' track), what bonus tracks of unreleased material are we aware of?

For starters, I've heard or Jon Stebbins has confirmed the existence of:

1) I'm Going Your Way (aka: California Slide)  SUNFLOWER outtake

2) Carry Me Home - Holland outtake

3) I've Got a Friend - LIVE

4) "Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again" Surf’s Up Outtake

5) "Little Bird" Live from the '68 tour complete with brass (per Jon Stebbins in the POB live rehearsals thread)

6)"Ecology" To quote AGD "Dennis stretching himself - even incomplete, it's still hugely impressive"

I've heard 1, 2, and 3.  I've not heard 4.  I've not heard, nor heard of, #5.

Other possibilities:  Mona Kani,  My Love's Comin' Down.

Not even Adam Marsland's version? (The only one that's ever been released, legally or illegally)

Re: 4) "Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again" Surf’s Up Outtake

I haven't heard it - it is unreleased and unbooted but AGD and Alan Boyd have.  Apparently, it's 7 minutes long; but read for yourself:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,4546.0.html

Version I heard was nothing like 7 minutes, and what I heard was the 'finished' version. Same length as Adam's excellent rendition, give or take a few seconds.

Actually, not true.  We did omit (or else we could not have fit it in the live set, plus it kind of made the song drag a bit in the middle) a long and repetitive guitar solo that fell between (IIRC) the second and third "B" sections of the song.  The theory is it was a "placeholder" solo by Carl that never got redone, since it's basically the same three notes over and over.  Other than that, though, it's pretty faithful to the original, though Dennis' version was a whole step down from ours.

Thanks for the kind words!  Hard to go wrong with Evie Sands on a lead vocal.

Aloha AGD - re: the seven minutes, I was using info posted by Alan Boyd in last years "Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again" thread on this board.  Sounds like you heard a edited version.  Interesting that it has been mixed and edited down to 4 some minutes but never released.  What are they waiting for???

   I totally agree with you Surfrider, if you're going to do it, (the re=release), DO IT!!!! Dennis said to know him, we should listen to his music !!  I think that Dennis would want you to blow some minds along the way with this!To the powers that be on this great once in a lifetime project, let us have it ALL!!! We may never again get the chance to hear all of Dennis' music if you don't do it NOW!! Life is too short, and us fans that knew Dennis when, are pushing 60+ and I for one, don't want to wait any longer. I'm only a few years short of the drool cup as it is!! How hard would it be to let us hear it all?
Thanks, I feel better now.

WIBNTLA is a Beach Boys track from 1970 or '71. There are NO Beach Boys recordings on the Dennis Wilson POB/Bambu release that is coming in May on Sony. It is all solo Caribou era DW from '75 to '79 and its fantastic. There I've said it again...sigh. The people who are putting out the forthcoming DW solo release have zero rights to the Beach Boys material. BRI on the other hand has had every opportunity to include WIBNTLA on a BB"s release for many many years...and they have chosen not to. Direct your request for this song to Brian, Mike, Al and Carl's estate because they (BRI) are the ones who own it's release rights. Thanks, I feel better now.

Someday people will (hopefully) catch on, Jon...but until then....looks like ya gotta keep repeating yourself.

Aloha Jon - I'm a big Dennis supporter and reader of your work (my copy of "The Lost BB" arrived today from Amazon) but.....  please note that I have made this thread completely separate from POB/Bambu.  And referenced only BRI and Capital in regards to releases.  I think the post from Donna was about the mixing of WIBNTLA down from the seven minute play-out.  Think she meant that if it's good enough to mix, then it should be released.

But to your point, I'm told/read that 'important BRI/BB inner circle types" read this board. Alan Boyd, BRI historian posts here.  Send me effective email addresses for Brian, Mike, Al and Carl's estate and I'll start a campaign.  Otherwise, I don't know what to do but post in places like here. 

By the by, why BRI is happy with all these boots going around (BRI - please see the Doors, Dead, Beatles Anthology to name a few) makes no sense from an economic point of view.  But that argument is ages old.

My thread started with "Overcome with anticipation of the upcoming release of "POB/Bambu", I came up with a 77 minute chronology of Dennis Wilson's recordings with the Beach Boys.  Wildly dreaming that "POB/Bambu" will sell well enough that BRI/Capitol will release a 2 CD DW/BB chronology with these songs above plus unreleased live performances, studio tracks and demos."

Again, my hope is that POB/Bambu will do well and 'BRI" will do something smart - that is release a record that has Dennis Wilson's unreleased Beach Boy work.  I think there were two genius's in the Beach Boys and agree Dennis doesn't get the 'hype' he deserves.  In any event,  big Mahalos for all your efforts.  I highly doubt we wouldn't be seeing anything happen if it weren't for you!

 :-D

I think that now finally an interesting and important part of the DW archives are going to be opened (apart from the fact that POB gets it's well deserved re-release) makes many a fan wishing for more. Overhere they would say (Dutch saying): "Give them a finger, and they want to take your whole hand!"  ;D

Haha, can't deny that Dennis had really beautiful 'hands'....  ;)

Sorry for the misunderstanding Jon. Surfrider's last post says it all!! Didn't mean to step on any toes. I am anxiously awaiting the release in May and your updated book on Dennis. I just want all I can get of Dennis' music and I'm sure all his fans do as well. As long as the archives are open, let's get them all out. We just don't know who has what. I too will be more than happy to get on the campaign to Brian and whomever else has the rights to the music.
Thanks.

[I think that now finally an interesting and important part of the DW archives are going to be opened (apart from the fact that POB gets it's well deserved re-release) makes many a fan wishing for more. Overhere they would say (Dutch saying): "Give them a finger, and they want to take your whole hand!"  ;D


[/quote]

Ha...over here (the USA), it's "Give 'em an inch, and they want a mile".  Same meaning! 

Ha...over here (the USA), it's "Give 'em an inch, and they want a mile".  Same meaning! 
[/quote]

...I guess in Europe that would translate as "Give 'em a centimeter and they'll want a kilometer"  ;D

Right on, Donna! :rock

Surf Rider and Donna...no toes stepped on here. I'm only trying to inform you that the Beach Boys or BRI or Mike or Brian or that crowd...THEY are the reason Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again is not with the fans. I think that's an interesting point to consider. There were missed opportunities...it could have been on Warmth of the Sun if they wanted it to be there. Some element of that equation does not want it released I would think. However, the "powers that be" that have put together the DW POB/Bambu package have struggled long and hard to make this happen. It was quite a tangle, but instead of saying its too much trouble, certain people pressed ahead and made it happen. If the Beach Boys had done the same we'd have all of that unreleased early '70's Dennis music to enjoy(and it would have been a thousand times easier for them to do it!)

I do appreciate the kind words and the passion that fans like you bring to the proceedings. Thanks for participating and for being loyal DW fans...that means a lot to me. I think this new 2 CD set is going to make you very happy. Cross your fingers that it finds a smooth path to release.

Thanks so much for replying Jon, that means alot to ME! Please pass on my sincerest thanks to the "powers" behind this project. As you say, it could've been left behind where it was. I'm very grateful for the release and your update on your book. Please keep us informed on that as well.  I guess I just got caught up in the excitement of wanting it all!!!

Will there be another book signing event with the updated book? If so, let us know when it gets close. I have a plane ticket to buy!!!

Thanks again Jon, you are the best!

Questions for Jon Stebbins – * CAVEAT: Jon, sorry to rehash what’s already in your book (my apologies as I don’t remember and my brother lost my copy).

Did Daryl Dragon give extensive interviews to you regarding  his work with Dennis?  I ask as there have been various posts recently regarding the number of solo albums Dennis actually recorded.
 
Looks like Dennis began solo recording in 1967 and that his work with Dragon wound down in 1972.
So, would solo album #1 come from that time period?

And was an actual full-blown album (Hubba Hubba?) actually finished, or nearly?  Once again my apologies for rehashing what is in your book!!!!  Looking forward to the updated edition forthcoming!

Dennis titles rumored for this period include:
Lady, Sound of Free, I Don't Know, Tune #L, Mona Kani, Tale of Man, Away, Settle Down, It's a New Day, Behold the Night, Ecology, Baby Baby.

** Caveat II – All of the above refer to BRI/Capital owned recordings and are NOT related to the upcoming POB/Bambu release or any James William Guercio, Caribou Records or Sony BMG owned recording.

I Don't Know was Dennis's first recording session and was probably just a chance to try his hand at making music-rather than an attempt at a releasable record.  It was made before he met Daryll Dragon.  I believe that the Dragons joined the band in the Fall of 67-when the BBs did a brief tour that October with an expanded band.  So Dennis probably didn't start recording with Daryll till sometime in 1968 at the earliest (most of their collaborations seem to have been later than 68).  I would assume, perhaps wrongly, that Dennis didn't consider a project seperate from the BBs till he had a backload of songs-probably in 70-71.  It is still a bit of a mystery exactly what transpired in 1971 that made him ask that all his songs be left off Surfs Up. 

I've been given to understand that he & Carl had a major fall-out over the sequencing of Surf's Up, causing Dennis to pull the almost completed "(Wouldn't It be Nice To) Live Again" and the work-in-progress that was "4th Of July". It's been positied that this was why "Student Demonstration Time" was included (the track was in the can and mixed by early November 1970). It's possible that the other late addition was "'Til I Die".

I thought 4th of July was replaced by Take a Load Off Your Feet.

I still think that the "Other power's that be" should take the opportunity now, since the upcoming release of Dennis' music will surely be a hit with all of his fans, to get in on it and release the music that they have their hands on. I'm sure Brian and Al would be willing to do so, but Mike has always had a problem with Dennis. I'm sure that Mike had alot to do with Dennis' low self esteem as a solo artist. Mike was always jealous of Dennis and his looks, charm, and way with the ladies. Maybe Mike wouldn't have much of a say-so in the matter (I can only hope). Even in death, Dennis is a threat to Mike.

Hi Surf Rider...
Daryl Dragon was not interviewed for my book, I approached his office in 1998 but was told he could not talk about Dennis. He has subsequently given a couple of interviews about Dennis. The most recent comments were given to David Beard who is collaborating with me on liners for the new package... these have just hit my desk...nothing revelatory.

I think solo album number one would consist of things recorded from '69 to '71.

I can say there are quite a few tracks in the can that are finished or nearly finished from that period...Desper said 90% of it was 90% done...that sounds close...but then a lot of it got released later...Barbara, Lady, some form of Cuddle Up...these would have been part of "Poops" or "Hubba Hubba" or whatever he might have called it. There may be enough if you coupled the released things with the unreleased to make a full LP.

There is a track from '77 called I Don't Know(Love Remember Me)...this is not from the Poops period.

Hope that helped.
JS

DonnaK, could you elaborate on how Mike Love "had alot to do with Dennis' low self esteem as a solo artist"? Some people blame Mike for keeping Dennis's songs off of Beach Boys' albums. Now you're saying that Mike also influenced Dennis's "self esteem" as a solo artist. The guy just can't win.

This is how I see it. Dennis pulled his song(s) from Surf's Up because he had a disagreement with Carl. Dennis didn't contribute to MIU because he had a disagreement with Mike and Al. Dennis didn't contribute to Keeping The Summer Alive because he was a non-recovering addict and alcoholic. Why do you think we had to wait 30 years to hear Bamboo? Because Dennis didn't finish it. And who do you blame for that?

There is no one - no one - who wanted a hit Beach Boys' record/album more than Mike Love. I still find it hard to believe that Mike would turn away a quality Dennis Wilson song if it could strengthen a Beach Boys' album. But that's just me...

On the Holland album, one of the strongest cuts is the Dennis Wilson-composed "Only With You". Who contibuted the lyrics to that song? On Pacific Ocean Blue, there is a song that is NOT about cars, girls, or surfing. It is the title track of Dennis's only solo album. Who wrote the lyrics to that song?

As far as Mike being jealous of Dennis's "way with ladies".... Add Mike Love to the list of several MILLION guys who might be jealous of their friend, classmate, teammate, bandmate, brother, or cousin's way with the ladies.

hear hear!

Sheriff John, I feel Mike didn't want to f--- with the formula, as he has said so many times, that to include anything that Dennis did, would mess with the formula.Plus, why would Mike want Dennis to get attention?? In reading Jon's book, it just seems to me that Dennis was put back so many times by the band while trying to get a solo career going, that he lost confidence. He wanted to keep the band happy at his own expense., so he put his own solo career on the back burner to keep the band happy. I think Mike had alot to do with that. I still to this day, feel that Mike had a holier than thou attitude because he didn't drink or do drugs. I also think that Mike wants to be the head honch. First Brian left, then Dennis dies, then Carl. So who was left? Al. Look what he did to AL??? I never have liked Mike and I never will. I saw Mike's band last year, and got backstage. I got up to Mike to get an autograph and say thanks for the music. He didn't say ANYTHING to me at all. No thanks for coming to the show, thanks for being a fan, kiss my butt, nothing. Needless to say, I pitched the autograph!! I just don't think the guy has a heart and never has. He is out for himself and always has been. That's the way I feel, right or wrong babe!!

Between '68 and '73, Dennis was second only to Brian in the amount of songwriting credits.

Funny facts.  :)

I had that same experience with Brian....

Sorry John, but if it were me trying to get an autograph from Brian, I would be too speechless to even say thanks!!! With Mike, he's just full of himself, with Brian, I would understand. He was probably writing music in his head while signing the autograph!! Still, lucky you for getting one and being that close!!!!! :o

This is clearly a series of biased anti-Mike, pro-Brian statements. Same behavior from both, but Brian has an excuse.

If Brian was writing music in his head each time he signs an autograph without saying anything, he'd have made a shitload of solo albums by now!  ::)

I actually managed to exchange a few words with him, but most other people present that night didn't even get a "hello". And I think that's *wrong*, because even if he's tired after a show (I can understand that), as an artist performing live he somehow *owes* it to his fans. It's called courtesy! (the same comment goes for Mike, of course)

I'm tired of "fans" finding excuses for Brian when he clearly has the same behaviour as Mike.

Maybe, but in Brian's case, I think the lyric from a certain recent song of his says it best:  "All these voices...all these memories...make me feel like stone...all these people...make me feel so alone".

Fine, but it's Scott saying it.

These recent posts, just like 75% of the others on BBs related sites, are just each of us speaking based on our own impressions of (however incomplete or inaccurate they are) or wishes for (however unreasonable they are) people we don't know as if we did know them. Albums, interviews, books of varying quality, and worse, "common knowledge," all so woefully inadequate sources by which to judge people as people.

What's wrong with "I like

• 's songs best"? Why does that have to become "[X] was an angel and [Y] a piece of sh*t"?

...about Brian.   :)

I know. But I could write a song saying "Brian is doesn't even talk to his fans / what a crazy fucking prick / he should go back to bed." Somebody out there can relate to it. It doesn't make it true. People have long-since been writing lyrics as if they're from Brian. And sometimes people assume they're some great revelation into his soul. But these people are professional songwriters, and they're just trying to write good songs. I mean, Landy sure got plenty of those intimate looks from Brian's true thoughts, right? Same thing, right?

(Just being difficult here for my own amusement, in case you can't tell.)

Luther, I agree with you wholeheartedly. We don't know these guys even tho their music has been with us for years. I think as you say, we like to THINK we know them, but really we can only believe what we experience.
In my case with Mike, he will stare at you for the longest time from stage, but when I got backstage, which was just a case of luck, he was very friendly to some children who came back and took pictures with him, and other fans. I waited my turn, and when it was my turn, I said "Mr. Love, thanks for the great music over all of these years!" while he was signing my program. As I said before, he didn't say sh--. NOTHING. Then just walked away. What was with that????? Maybe, he felt the vibes that I'm a diehard Dennis fan. I love the Beach Boys, but have really never liked Mike. I just feel he really believes he is a god. Not!!

hm, I thought this discussion was on DW and his recordings, instead of BW/ML autographs and ego's...  ::)

Instead it's the first ever instance of a thread on this board going off topic.

 :lol

Time to resurrect this thread from January.

With what has been released and what's in the vaults, it would make a very nice two disc set in the format of POB/Bambu. 

Yes.  With the success of the POB rerelease - for a reissue of an only marginally successful album from the 70's, in this era of collapsing CD sales - Capitol should jump on the bandwagon with a "Best of Dennis Wilson with the Beach Boys" (with the Beach Boys in small print, but would have to be included or Mike would sue) single or double CD, with the best of his BB tracks mixed in with unreleased solo tracks from the 69-74 era.  Dennis has proven he can sell CD's, I"m sure POB has outsold the singles box many times over.  So let's exploit that and get more Dennis stuff out!

Amen to that babe!!!!  Now that Brian is back with Capitol, I feel that they will try to milk all they can out of the guy and try to make up for lost time (and revenue). Putting out the box set was not what I had hoped for (also did not buy).

More Dennis is what I want, but should just be very thankful for what we got last month. Truly a beautiful thing!

Thanks to the resurrection of this thread, I am reminded of how awesome I was in Feb. '08. And obviously, I had no recollection of any of it. Demon wine.

I don't mind having all of Dennis' released Beach Boys tracks on a compilation/box set, as long as its not at the expense of excluding previously unreleased stuff.  In other words - I'd rather have a set filled with 25 unreleased songs and none of the released stuff rather than 16 previously (and currently available) Dennis/BBs tracks and a mere 9 from the vaults. 

If there were just the one archive track, and it was "(Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again", no complaints from this quarter.

See, you've highlighted one of the main problems with Mike's role in the 'history of the Beach Boys"

You bring up feeling this way and that about Mike based upon reading Jon's book. Even though I loved the book and consider it the BEST written on the Beach Boys, Jon still couldn't avoid the trap of having instant sympathy for Dennis/Brian on any and all mistakes or messed up things they might have done, yet he has little sympathy or respect for Mike's actions. He's a lot nicer on Mike than most writers, but things are still skewed in Dennis' and Brian's favor. But then again, it's a bio of Dennis, so it;s only fair.

To quote Sherrif Jon Stone, Mike just can't win. If I were him I'd be an assshole too

Look: Dennis was a bad guy in a lot of ways. I hate to say it. Cheating/underage girls, and he punched out/beat up Mike on at least a couple of occasions. How would you feel about someone like that who you had to deal with on  a daily/professional basis? I have a feeling there would be some...... tension.... to say the least.

Of course Dennis had another side. Of course. And we all love him for it. But put yourself in Mike's shoes for a minute or so.


Has anyone head the recording of "I've Got A Friend" where Mike introduces it as one fo his favorite songs written by anyone ever?

So, I assume it was Mike who prevented the band from ever recording it, right? I mean, it just had to be Mike, right?

Jon is very fair  to Mike in the David Marks book.

I know. I just realized I was thinking about "Catch A Wave"

Catch A Wave does present Mike's side at least. I think you're right about the slant overall but I thought Carl got the worst of it in that book.

Was recorded - well, the track, anyway, during Dennis' 1971 solo sessions. Sadly, no vocals known to exist. The track is a snorter.

now, to stir up the hornet's nest...
why not  Taylor Hawkins ?
we know the basic words and melody

As long as it isn't John Stamos I would buy it lol.

Andrew, can you translate "snorter" for me?  Does that mean it's good?  Being on the other side of the pond, I'm not familiar with the term.

It's good - very good.

Don't know why, but having both Dennis and "snorter" in the same sentence seems oddly appropriate. :lol

Yes, appropriate verbage!

"Snorter" sounds a bit negative. IGAF is one of my fave Dennis cuts. I have two versions on boot. One with a full band arrangement sounds pretty damm good.

Maybe "snorter" means a song that when you hear it you wanna just go and snort a huge mountain off a table somewhere because it's so good! I can buy that.

And yeah, Carl did get it the worst in Catch A Wave. But some of it was via unfortunate Landy quotes. At least that book wasn't sleazy like Heroes And Villians.

A variation of the phrase is "corker".

So good you start snorting like a pig--literally. How much music makes you do that?

It's a diminutive of "rip-snorter".

OK, for those with a limited lexicon - it's fucking good.