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Title: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: JeffRetro on March 05, 2009, 10:19:07 AM Like a lot of people here, I think this is the last great BB's song (even if Alan didn't realize what "chinese junk" was actually referring to). :-).
As the followup to "Still Cruisin"" it was issued in the U.S. only as a cassette single (Capitol 4JM-44475) with "Kokomo" as the B-side (again). There were two promotional issues associated with this release, one a double A-sided vinyl 45 (Capitol 7PRO-79841) and a 1-track CD single (Capitol DPRO-79823). I know that the vinyl 45 features the 4:10 remix/edit on both sides, a further shortened version of which was also used for the video. But i need to know which versions are on the other two issues - the promo CD single and the commercial cassingle. My guess is the cassingle features the full LP version and the CD single has the 4:10 remix/edit, but I'd like to know for sure. Any help greatly appreciated ('cause the cassingle is virtually impossible to find!). Thanks! Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: Rich Panteluk on March 05, 2009, 10:40:14 AM Hey JeffRetro,
Love SNJ to! Great song! I have the promo cd single (no artwork - front or back liner). I am at work (and the cd isn't) so I can't post more detailed info - but I can tell you that I'm pretty sure that the cd has TWO tracks. If I recall correctly the two versions are NOT the album version but the remix and an even shorter remix edit. I'll check and post definitive info when I get home. Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: dogear on March 05, 2009, 10:52:45 AM You're right: two versions on the CD
1. Edit 2. LP version Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: Christian on March 05, 2009, 11:08:03 AM ... and the full LP version on the cassette single
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: JeffRetro on March 05, 2009, 12:18:46 PM Thanks, guys, for all the info. That was the last info i needed to reconfigure/upgrade/correct my BB's Complete U.S. Singles set. :-)
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: donald on March 06, 2009, 01:30:00 PM A really good song. And I intend to put it in a good spot on my summer 09 comp.
Where to put it....where to put it.......where to put it? Kind of melancholy........I'm leaning to before or after I Can Hear Music...not sure why.....there is a feel to it.... Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: phirnis on April 26, 2011, 11:10:54 PM Sorry to resurrect such an old thread but I just stumbled upon the song's original version by John Phillips and thought it was quite interesting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRR9Za258Bw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRR9Za258Bw) Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: buddhahat on April 27, 2011, 01:45:58 AM Sorry to resurrect such an old thread but I just stumbled upon the song's original version by John Phillips and thought it was quite interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRR9Za258Bw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRR9Za258Bw) Thanks - I have not listened much to the BB version. Actually thought it was an original! Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: ReggieDunbar on April 27, 2011, 02:10:35 AM Depends on your definition of original. The version w john phillips is a demo :)
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: phirnis on April 27, 2011, 06:36:46 AM On repeated listening I think this is a nice (if somewhat cutesy) song in its own right.
The lyrical allusions to drugs/getting high are rather obvious, however... :smokin Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: pixletwin on April 27, 2011, 07:23:39 AM Sorry but this is one of the most awful lyrics ever presented on a Beach Boys album... I was never aware of the drug references, but the whole song premise is like something out of a bad karaoke video.
Music is ok though. :D Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: oldsurferdude on April 27, 2011, 09:08:57 AM Good vocals on this very weak song. Cheesy.
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: busy doin nothin on April 27, 2011, 11:01:34 AM I'd never listened to "SNJ" before -- can't say I'm impressed. The last great BB song? The last BB song I really like, personally, is "I'm So Lonely." But the last truly great BB song -- taking into account production and arrangement -- is probably "Baby Blue." Just my $.02.
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: Andrew G. Doe on April 27, 2011, 11:07:16 AM I've always referred to it as the last halfway decent BB song. Last decent one was probably "Where I Belong" and last classic was... ohhh... "Sail On, Sailor".
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: drbeachboy on April 27, 2011, 11:11:01 AM Can I ask; How did it take you 22 years after release to listen to this song? I'm not questioning your taste, but you can't get much more basic a song than I'm So Lonely. SNJ is a more complex song with much better vocals, as well.
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: bgas on April 27, 2011, 11:32:48 AM Can I ask; How did it take you 22 years after release to listen to this song? I'm not questioning your taste, but you can't get much more basic a song than I'm So Lonely. SNJ is a more complex song with much better vocals, as well. I can't swear that I've heard SNJ either. Not what I'd call one of my favorite releases, or BBs time period; and being the collector I am, odds are I bought it to put it on the shelf for 40 years rather than actually submit my ears to such a lovefest! Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: drbeachboy on April 27, 2011, 11:46:25 AM How would you know if you never heard it? Honestly, I don't understand the reasoning.
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: lance on April 27, 2011, 11:48:29 AM I really love that song. But I have to say i really like the BB version better. I can tell that its the same song, but there is so much more going on musically in the BB. I know Melcher Love and Johnston are also credited. I guess this is a song that Id love to be able see the process of how it was transformed to that demo to the released version.
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: bgas on April 27, 2011, 12:15:53 PM How would you know if you never heard it? Honestly, I don't understand the reasoning. That's a fair point. I'd answer that, right around 86/87 they really turned me off with some concert performances, and it caused me a bit of trouble, other than the collecting; which swung me more into BW solo territory exclusively for quite a span.So, while it's possible that I heard the song, I have NO recollection of doing so. Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: SloopJohnB on April 28, 2011, 03:48:45 AM I think both versions are absolutely great in their own way. The "45" version of the BB's version is probably the "worst", and it's still very good.
I also think I'd read somewhere that Bruce had actually done most of the production work on this song and wasn't credited... Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: STE on April 28, 2011, 04:01:58 AM How would you know if you never heard it? Honestly, I don't understand the reasoning. That's a fair point. I'd answer that, right around 86/87 they really turned me off with some concert performances, and it caused me a bit of trouble, other than the collecting; which swung me more into BW solo territory exclusively for quite a span.So, while it's possible that I heard the song, I have NO recollection of doing so. Fascinating.. Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: MBE on April 28, 2011, 05:01:33 AM The LP version is the best one. John's is OK it sounds kind of like a renaissance tune but I think Mike and Bruce fixed it up quite a bit.
Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: BJL on April 28, 2011, 10:09:38 AM I've always referred to it as the last halfway decent BB song. Last decent one was probably "Where I Belong" and last classic was... ohhh... "Sail On, Sailor". Sail on Sailor, really? What about Ding Dang? What about Shortening Bread? What about Roller Skating Child!? I think you may need to get your ears inspected :-) The weird thing is I can't for the life of me figure out how much of this is sincere and how much is sarcasm... Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: Rocker on April 28, 2011, 11:27:42 AM So, while it's possible that I heard the song, I have NO recollection of doing so. Wish I could say that about "Summer in paradise" Title: Re: Somewhere Near Japan Post by: phirnis on April 28, 2011, 03:29:05 PM Last "halfway decent" song the group ever did = Lahaina Aloha (imho)
Last real classic... probably Good Timin' |