The Smiley Smile Message Board

 Darlin:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0uO0WfGoXs

Darlin' was meant to be sung by Carl and Carl only-the song should be retired from the list out of respect for him instead of  destroyng it. Just another good reason not to see  Mike and company. :P

I agree that no one can sing it like Carl, but I really love this song, and it's among one of the lesser known hits, so any exposure to casual audiences is good, in my opinion.  I say that they should keep performing it!

I'm pretty critical myself, but I found that I really enjoyed watching Cowsill and Totten. I feel those two have added much more deph to the band.

If the bands--all of the Beach Boys-based bands that perform now--were going to retire any tune that may not live up to the deceased (or even younger versions of the still living) members decades-gone standards, they would sit mute through their shows. But what do you want them to do, go home? They're doing what makes sense, which is to keep making a living off their legacies. And they entertain quite a few people doing it. So it doesn't top the ghosts. That's life.

John Cowsill did a great job on the vocal. I guess you never approved of Billy Hinsche singing Sail On Sailor or Jeffrey Foskett or Matt Jardine. singing Brian's old lead vocals.

I saw the Mike and Bruce show a couple of weeks ago  and was pleasantly surprised.  You might be too.

That's my favorite John Cowsill vocal. I think he does a great job on that.

Just watched the video.  I think that that is the best I've heard John sing it yet.  It is kind of odd that he adds the "keep dreamin bout darlin" part that Carl added to his live performances in the 80's or 90's, but I think of it as a tradition that has continued.

sorry to see your "fall from grace" moment. Really, how coul you sell out like this?? :o

Excuse me?

Couldn't agree more.  Those two have earned a permanent place in the band.  Regardless of who might come or go and also in the event of any reunion.  These guys MAKE the show!

Have you actually seen the current touring BB band perform it ? In person ?

Wait, I'll rephrase that - have you actually seen the current touring BB band perform, period ?

did I not correctly spell something? Were there problems decoding what  was written?   No, I haven't seen "them" and will not do so in this lifetime-what is left of it. Absolutely no time for copy groups. Period.

Then you, sir, are considerably more stupid than I took you for in the first place - and trust me, that was plenty stupid. Your attitude is that of a spoilt child stamping its foot and screaming "won't" repeatedly.  Your loss.

Let me get this straight, jackass-you, the great omnipotent potentate of a couple of  "message boards" (Oh, the  holiness of it all, coughs and all) are displaying a bit of inner discomfort due to someone who has no time for an "oldies band? Doesn't take too much to make you fall off your skates does it? You can honestly sit there and work up a lather over something as meaningless as someone's decision not to see the Lovester and his tribe in tow? Try a chill pill and a long overdue stay at the neighborhood rest home and while you're there, think about your sorry life and what your real priorities should be-checked your BP lately-they have meds for that y'know. AsEd Norton used to say, "shees! What a grouch!

And - again - we can conclude that there are 3 type of BB-fanatics.
- Those who are still fond to see the Beach Boys performing live, even if it's "just" the ML/BJ-lineup.
- Those who once were convinced to never see this line-up live but at a certain moment decided to give it shot, were pleasantly surprised and since then will advise others to do so as well.
- Those who won't ever attend a non-Wilson BB concert, even if it was in his/her back yard, and like to remember the group as they once were.

And - my humble opinion - all 3 points of view are valid if that makes one feel comfortable.

And all 3 points of view have juist passed in review.

Now if we could all respect each others, instead of name-calling each other... So please don't offend the other, and if you feel offended, don't respond in a similar way. We're all adult people here, and wise enough to keep the conversation civil.

 Following the Lovester and his tribe
 has put me in the poor house
 but it was fun!

totally agree with you-sorry for venting, but being called stupid  twice in the same post is a bit over the top for my liking-

I wasn't specifically / only referring to your post oldsurferdude.  :)  Goes for all of us.

This seems to be the case.  I only urge others to see this line up----and I emphasize THIS line-up ...I don't know who might be performing as the Beach Boys in the future.  I was one of the "willl never attend a non Wilson BB concert" types......until they visited my neighborhood and I said...OH What the Hell!...I'll GO!   And I'm now in the second group....those who now suggest others see the current line up.  I hadn't seen Mike Love for years and had spent the first part of the 21st century only attending BW gigs.   My eyes were opened.  A revelation....."hey, not only are these guys good, I can go watch both of these great bands perform!"

I am reminded of a story told about my great grand father who refused for most of his life to eat a banana.  Just had his mind made up.  Once he tried one, he couldn't get enough of them.  From then on, everyone going shopping had to bring home bananas for grandpa.

I just love folk with an SOH bypass - so easy to yank their chain.  ;D

Grandpa just needs to try a banana.  Just once. :happydance

Wasn't it actually meant to be sung by Redwood?

a skill that you so proudly put on display-what a lagacy to have follow you  around. The bloo threw off the roof-keep being your wonderful self and the only place you'll have left to go is the potty.  :o

edit-"...the blew threw YOU off the roof- " :p

G'wan - givvus a big kiss.  :love

FLAAAAAAMMMME WAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!    :pirate :pirate :jedi :jedi :jedi  :angry :angry :angry :police: :police: :police:  :thud :thud :thud

I wish the BB had done Darlin' when I saw them on 7-11-09. I don't agree that the song should be retired since Carl passed away. At the show I saw they did a Jan & Dean song, should they retire that because Jan Berry passed away? I don't think so.

Saw the Association in '98 and it irked me that some of the songs were originally sung by former band members (like "Along Comes Mary") were sung live by recent recruits instead of Russ Gigere or Larry Ramos. But my main complaint is that they really do that many Association songs. Of their lesser known hits they did awful yuppie-pandering covers of Motown and Creedence songs, with the disclaimer that "we'd like to do a tribute to artists we heard backstage at festivals in the '60s". Last time I saw the Buckinghams they did a similar set ("Whiter Shad Of Pale" or some such foolishness!). I really glad that the BB haven't degenerated into a generic '60s yuppie cover act like many of their contemporaries!

You know there are more than 3 type of BB fanatics, I saw the BB in 2007 and it was an average concert-no more no less. I enjoyed the rarities, "Good Timin'" was fantastic,  "The Warmth of the Sun" (not a rarity, but not too frequently performed) was transcendent and "I Can Hear Music" sounded great. That said, I didn't think any of the meat-and-potato stuff was all that good. Incidentally "Darlin'" I didn't think was great or bad...just good.

I've never (unfortunately) had the opportunity to see Brian in person. But I have taken in hundreds and hundreds of live performances of his from internet sources (youtube clips that are undoctored, complete BW show bootlegs and the like)...and even when his vocals are a little off or a lot off I am overtaken by how well the band is playing. They truly are the best band in the business.

So here's how I would settle the BW/BB bands dispute:
BW is the best ticket when he is doing a long for piece by far: TLOS, SMiLE, Pet Sounds, and pratically all of his 1999-2003 shows where the setlists were packed with goodies. Look at 2002...AS GOOD AS YOU CAN GET as far as I'm concerned.

The Beach Boys and Brian are about equal with their Greatest Hits show. The Beach Boys have more balanced lead vocals and stage prescense, but their band pales in comparison to Brian's. Both put on fine shows (if Brian is engaged).

I must say I have been pleasantly surprised by what I have seen The Beach Boys do in the last few years...but make no mistake who I think the better ticket is.

I've only seen Brian once, and it was a greatest hits show. Honestly, with Fun Fun Fun, Shut Down, Surfin' USA, etc in the setlist, I'd rather hear Mike singing Mike's parts than Brian singing Mike's parts. I'm seeing Brian again in October, and that will probably be another greatest hits show.

But if I had the money, I'd go to every BB-related show I could. I didn't like Mike & Bruce the first time I saw them, but I've been to three more shows since (I've only ever paid for one of these), and while neither band plays my ideal setlist (I greatly prefer 1966 - 1992 as opposed to 1963 - 1965), I always enjoy seeing the remnants of my favorite band. I was born in 1987 and didn't become an obsessive fan until 2004. Carl and Dennis died before I even knew they existed. I didn't know about the Beach Boys at all until I heard Surfin' USA at a laser light show when I was in 5th grade in 1997 or so.

But even if my favorite bands of today are still touring 40 years from now with only one or two original members, I'd still go and see them. I guess that's just the kind of person I am.

Aegir, you have the perspective of youth and the wisdom of age.     Enjoy!

John Cowsill singing Darlin sounds like well John Cowsill! If that's what Beach Boys fans want to listen to then listen to it. I have not seen Mike Love and Bruce Johnston's touring band nor will I. I have not seen the Beach Boys since about a year before Carl passed away. When Carl passed away The Beach Boys as a whole passed away. You could say that when Dennis passed away the heart of the Beach Boys passed away as well. It's a tragic story but Mike being Mike never seen it that way! Mike has created nothing on his own. Dennis, Carl, and Brian were creative outside of the Beach Boys! Oh and I do not Consider Looking Back With Love filled with bad remakes a creative talent. Besides Mike couldn't even write the title track to his own solo effort.   

Go back to 2004.

Just how creative was Carl outside The Beach Boys?