The Smiley Smile Message Board

At aljardine.com they have a new video page with "Help Me Rhonda," featuring Steve Miller & Flea.

Flea looks to be going for a bit of a Pet Sounds-era Mike Love look there. That can't have been popular chez Al.

Wow, not bad at all.  Al is in great form and a nice vocal contribution by Steve Miller.  What a peculiar voicing Miller he has and he still sounds much like Wild Mountain Honey on Fly Like An Eagle.  I also recall Flea and The Chili Peppers did a rousing version of I Get Around on the MusicCares  special a cupla years back.

So it appears that about half of Al's album is a rehash of old BB tunes or out of the can BB stuff.  I woulda been more interested to have him redo his Calif Saga stuff on there instead of HMR but, while I was hoping for more, with all the guests on the album - including CW and BW - it should be a worthwhile listen.  Too bad Mike and Bruce are too stiff to go over and contribute a vocal.  I know, don't tell me, "Tough management."

Really looking forward to hearing Al and Bri together again .  The show they did together in Long Beach sounded great...

 

The harmonica's kind of annoying, but it's cool. I liked the video.

When Al's in the studio with Steve Miller doing his vocals I couldn't help but think of Murry telling Al to synchopate! Really though it just kinda looked like a bunch of old bored guys going through the motions. Wait a second, I guess you could say that for any of the current beach boys projects! Come on Al, you couldn't write 12 good songs in the last few decades...?

Thought the same. No offence to Al but the last thing I need is to hear HMR again. Bit of a waste. Studio looks cool and casual though. Lock in Brian, Al, Mike, Bruce and Dave with a keg I say. ;)

I love Al and am looking forward to the album.  I am really excited about Don't Fight The Sea, but Rhonda is a complete waste of time.  I will skip the track every time.

I’m getting kinda used to this version, but it’s not my favourite Rhonda. When I first HMR on the radio in 1965 I was thrilled. A great up-tempo song, a great hook, a great chorus, great singing, and a wonderful and great short solo. But it worked. The song was alive and kicking, Rhonda was the girl you’d go for. Although I kind of understand Alan’s bluesy approach to the song, I love the harmonica, I feel the song doesn’t make waves. Somehow, it doesn’t belong here. Love the video though.

The website lists David Crosby and Steven Stills as contributors.  Does anyone know what Crosby and Stills contributed?  Vocals?  Would love to hear David sing with Al (Brian too for that matter).

I *believe*, along with Neil Young, they appear on "California Saga". 

Sounds a bit like the Stars & Stripes version.
Nice video, nice to see Al at work, but why so many BB cover on a solo debut?

Maybe a misguided attempt at commercial insurance? Either way, its still a pretty nice version.