Title: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: nobody on September 26, 2009, 01:23:00 PM I'm listening to Sunflower which I haven't done in a long time. I love Dennis' songs. Ever since hearing Little Bird I've resonated with Dennis' feel. The "My love is growin, your heart is knowin, our love is growin" part of Slip On Through is as meaningful to me as the "Gotta keep those lovin good, vibrations a-happening with you". But who let Bruce write songs for the album? I'd rather hear more from Mike or Al that Bruce. He was a McCartney worshipper, said so much himself with that idiotic comment about their song Michelle. Deirdre is a good song ... if you're one of the boys in The Brady Bunch. Anyone got any good tips in re-sequencing the album and remove the Bruce from it (also a product by Billy Mays - the Bruce Remover 3000)? Oh well, Steve Desper is God, right? He has an interesting style. Did he do any other records by other groups? He seems like a nicer and more loving version of Steve Albini. Or maybe it's just the two Steve's and my brain is satisfied with that. Sunflower has a great, bright sound.
Is anyone's favorite Beach Boy legitimately Alan Jardine? I find him absolutely delightful to look at, like a little gnome of a man. And he seems to be a beautiful person in how willingly dorky he is and yet within him you can see a deep man with a contemplative, considerate nature. Al Jardine has heart, but I think he's also a bit afraid of questioning the authority of the world. He's the sort of guy who would ruffle his eyebrows in astonishment if you spoke about anything unusual. Or, he'd listen attentively and then pause for a moment, "Wellll, yes, that is a way to see it, but ... " and give this sobered gnomish take on things like how George Harrison is like a little gentle wizard. But Al had one of the most distinct and strong voices in the Beach Boys, all the more strange that he was the dwarf of the group. EDIT: while I was making this thread I lost my internet connection and had to restart my computer to get it back, canceling and my train of thought. But in the meantime I recorded some ghitarr playing if you want to hear what I did in the minute or so waiting for the computer to load again. http://www.sendspace.com/file/pmab1q (http://www.sendspace.com/file/pmab1q). Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Aegir on September 26, 2009, 01:42:27 PM Deirdre and Tears in the Morning are some of my favorite Beach Boys songs. I wish Bruce wrote more in that style.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: nobody on September 26, 2009, 01:44:35 PM Deirdre and Tears in the Morning are some of my favorite Beach Boys songs. I wish Bruce wrote more in that style. That's f***ed up. The two people who should've been all over Sunflower are Dennis & Carl. The rest should've took backseat. Obviously excluding Brian but I think D & C could've done great things together by themselves. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: halblaineisgood on September 26, 2009, 01:48:08 PM What about Disney Girls? If you don't like Disney Girls, you must really be anti-Bruce.
I'd Watch what you say around here or else I'm gonna find you and run you down in my little cobra. And then sir, you are going to be crying tears in the morning. The trouble you had, wasn't so bad!!! Huh??!?Not nearly as bad as being run over by a little cobra....... Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: nobody on September 26, 2009, 01:51:38 PM What about Disney Girls? If you don't like Disney Girls, you must really be anti-Bruce. I'd Watch what you say around here or else I'm gonna find you and run you down in my little cobra. And then sir, you are going to be crying tears in the morning. The trouble you had, wasn't so bad!!! Huh??!?Not nearly as bad as being run over by a little cobra....... Disney Girls ... the title says it all. Have some taste, halblaineisgoo Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: SG7 on September 26, 2009, 01:52:47 PM I am probably one of the few that likes Goin' Public. ;D
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Aegir on September 26, 2009, 01:54:08 PM Haven't heard the whole album, but I hate what he did to Deirdre on that. Completely sucked all the life out of it.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Nicko1234 on September 26, 2009, 02:23:11 PM Disney Girls is a great song. Deirdre and The Nearest Faraway Place are both good songs and some of Bruce`s other stuff with the band isn`t bad at all either.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: PongHit on September 26, 2009, 03:09:59 PM This made me laugh:
Deirdre is a good song ... if you're one of the boys in The Brady Bunch. This did not: Quote also a product by Billy Mays - the Bruce Remover 3000)? Anyway, "Deirdre" is a wimpy tune, & I don't dig it. However, I enjoy the INSTRUMENTAL "Tears" track a lot! Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Sciencefriction on September 26, 2009, 05:20:11 PM Bruce may not be the most artistic Beach Boy to ever grace us, but his songs on Sunflower and Surf's Up are beautiful. I don't understand how some people talk so highly about albums like Today and Pet sounds, which have happy and sad themes but can't accept the sad themes (by Bruce) on Sunflower. I would go far enough to say that's Bruce's songs on Sunflower are hopeful and optimistic, and show the power of pain and growing from it. I can understand people having different tastes musically; I'll admit there isn't much about Bruce's music output that I like post-1971, but I think he was perfectly insynch with the Beach Boys at that time. To answer your original question, I'm not sure how to re-sequence Sunflower without Bruce's songs, but you could always add songs like Lady Love and/or Soulful Ol' Man Sunshine. You lose that emotional balance I spoke of, but for me those are two of the strongest songs from around that time.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Sheriff John Stone on September 26, 2009, 05:35:37 PM Bruce may not be the most artistic Beach Boy to ever grace us, but his songs on Sunflower and Surf's Up are beautiful. I don't understand how some people talk so highly about albums like Today and Pet sounds, which have happy and sad themes but can't accept the sad themes (by Bruce) on Sunflower. I would go far enough to say that's Bruce's songs on Sunflower are hopeful and optimistic, and show the power of pain and growing from it. I can understand people having different tastes musically; I'll admit there isn't much about Bruce's music output that I like post-1971, but I think he was perfectly insynch with the Beach Boys at that time. To answer your original question, I'm not sure how to re-sequence Sunflower without Bruce's songs, but you could always add songs like Lady Love and/or Soulful Ol' Man Sunshine. You lose that emotional balance I spoke of, but for me those are two of the strongest songs from around that time. A lot of good points there, Sciencefriction. Bruce did fit in nicely during that 1965-1972 period. Regarding Sunflower, while I can't say "Deidre" and "Tears In The Morning" are two of my favorite Beach Boys' songs, in a funny way they also seemed to "fit" on that album. Simply flip-flopping their positions on the album - end Side A with "Tears", begin Side B with "Deidre", would've improved their effectiveness. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: variable2 on September 26, 2009, 05:44:28 PM at least listen to deirdre and disney girls for the wonderful brian wilson falsetto background vox
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: the captain on September 26, 2009, 05:49:38 PM And whatever you think of his songwriting (I think it's schmaltzy, but some of it is decent), he is a talented guy. I know it's cooler to fawn over the Wilsons, but they didn't choose Bruce back in 1965 because he was a suck-up. (Well, maybe they did ... but he offered a lot more than that.) "I think the least known Beach Boy, Bruce Johnston, was probably the most talented of the gang, along with Brian, of course. ... [Y]ou could hear this mountain of talent pouring out of the Hammond B-3." - Hal Blaine, "Hal Blaine and the Wrecking Crew," p70.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: nobody on September 26, 2009, 05:53:40 PM Bruce's voice may just be the sweetest on "God Only Knows". He always sung with a sort of purity.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: variable2 on September 26, 2009, 05:57:47 PM you know, there is a recording of a party with BW and Bruce and some other folks around a piano (which I may or may not have heard), where Brian begs Bruce to play Disney Girls because he said when he first heard it it took him "off of the earth." Then Brian sings his old background vocal part, that, as Bruce reveals, he had Brian sing on the recording because Bruce couldn't sing the notes right. "Church, bingo chances, and old time dances"
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: nobody on September 26, 2009, 06:00:13 PM you know, there is a recording of a party with BW and Bruce and some other folks around a piano (which I may or may not have heard), where Brian begs Bruce to play Disney Girls because he said when he first heard it it took him "off of the earth." Then Brian sings his old background vocal part, that, as Bruce reveals, he had Brian sing on the recording because Bruce couldn't sing the notes right. "Church, bingo chances, and old time dances" that sounds like a great recording, where may i find it? i love hearing Brian at the piano or anywhere near it. like those cocaine and hamburger sessions with dennis Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: variable2 on September 26, 2009, 06:05:00 PM you know, there is a recording of a party with BW and Bruce and some other folks around a piano (which I may or may not have heard), where Brian begs Bruce to play Disney Girls because he said when he first heard it it took him "off of the earth." Then Brian sings his old background vocal part, that, as Bruce reveals, he had Brian sing on the recording because Bruce couldn't sing the notes right. "Church, bingo chances, and old time dances" that sounds like a great recording, where may i find it? i love hearing Brian at the piano or anywhere near it. like those cocaine and hamburger sessions with dennis careful discussing things like this in the open now. you might want to look at your pms. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: the captain on September 26, 2009, 06:05:20 PM you know, there is a recording of a party with BW and Bruce and some other folks around a piano (which I may or may not have heard), where Brian begs Bruce to play Disney Girls because he said when he first heard it it took him "off of the earth." Then Brian sings his old background vocal part, that, as Bruce reveals, he had Brian sing on the recording because Bruce couldn't sing the notes right. "Church, bingo chances, and old time dances" Is that the one with Stamos (bless him) where they run through parts of quite a few songs--probably 20-30? If so, I love that: Bruce keeps trying to show Brian what they're doing with "Caroline No" in the live show, and every time he starts, Brian goes off in other directions. You can't tell if he doesn't care, or is messing with Bruce, or what.Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: variable2 on September 26, 2009, 06:09:13 PM you know, there is a recording of a party with BW and Bruce and some other folks around a piano (which I may or may not have heard), where Brian begs Bruce to play Disney Girls because he said when he first heard it it took him "off of the earth." Then Brian sings his old background vocal part, that, as Bruce reveals, he had Brian sing on the recording because Bruce couldn't sing the notes right. "Church, bingo chances, and old time dances" Is that the one with Stamos (bless him) where they run through parts of quite a few songs--probably 20-30? If so, I love that: Bruce keeps trying to show Brian what they're doing with "Caroline No" in the live show, and every time he starts, Brian goes off in other directions. You can't tell if he doesn't care, or is messing with Bruce, or what.that's the one.. and several times brian says "check out this new song i wrote" and it's just the shortenin' bread riff. it's fun to hear how excited Brian is when someone calls Little Honda. "Little Honda?! I'm gonna wake you up early.." Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: hypehat on September 26, 2009, 06:10:42 PM er.... that only sounds amazing. can one possibly tell me more about it? ;D
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: mtaber on September 26, 2009, 06:47:53 PM I have to say, this is one of the all-time great thread titles...
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Reggie Dunbar on September 26, 2009, 09:33:00 PM I have been waiting for Bruce to show up here for years, and he seems
sensitive to criticism, but these kind of jabs questioning his musical integrity likely stick in his craw the most and keep him over at the Blue Board. Yes, we all know he's schmalzy and doesn't have a rocking bone in his body, but his presence in the band has always been beneficial. He has dedicated his entire life to standing in someone else's VERY large shoes, been there and done that. He is a grammy winning writer, has provided his beautiful voice to some of the finest music ever recorded, and seems to be a good family man too. I'm going to step down from the soapbox now, someone had to write this because it's obvious I'm not alone in my respect and admiration for this gifted and slighted man. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: nobody on September 26, 2009, 09:44:04 PM I have been waiting for Bruce to show up here for years, and he seems sensitive to criticism, but these kind of jabs questioning his musical integrity likely stick in his craw the most and keep him over at the Blue Board. Yes, we all know he's schmalzy and doesn't have a rocking bone in his body, but his presence in the band has always been beneficial. He has dedicated his entire life to standing in someone else's VERY large shoes, been there and done that. He is a grammy winning writer, has provided his beautiful voice to some of the finest music ever recorded, and seems to be a good family man too. I'm going to step down from the soapbox now, someone had to write this because it's obvious I'm not alone in my respect and admiration for this gifted and slighted man. Bruce is a big boy now, if he allows himself to be hurt by playful threads like this then he should take a few months off and examine his mind. Besides, Bruce played the organ solo on How She Boogalooed It, right? I love that song and solo! Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Surfer Joe on September 26, 2009, 11:04:44 PM I feel obliged to man up here and say that "Deirdre" is one of my favorite post-Capitol Beach Boys songs and I can't imagine Sunflower without it. Wouldn't want to change that excellent album one bit.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: nobody on September 26, 2009, 11:08:37 PM I feel obliged to man up here and say that "Deirdre" is one of my favorite post-Capitol Beach Boys songs and I can't imagine Sunflower without it. Wouldn't want to change that excellent album one bit. When was "When Girls Get Together" recorded? From memory it sounds like it was that same period of time. I'd exchange that for "Tears In The Morning". If it weren't for the slightly wandering melody the former would be a truly great song I think. Or maybe that's what makes it so great already. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: PongHit on September 27, 2009, 05:10:00 AM I have been waiting for Bruce to show up here for years ... keep him over at the Blue Board. Blue? I've never seen him post there, but I see him on the yellow board regularly. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Nicko1234 on September 27, 2009, 06:17:17 AM When was "When Girls Get Together" recorded? From memory it sounds like it was that same period of time. I'd exchange that for "Tears In The Morning". If it weren't for the slightly wandering melody the former would be a truly great song I think. Or maybe that's what makes it so great already. Each to their own but I don`t think the former song is particularly well liked. Tears in the Morning isn`t particularly to my tastes too but it fits in with the rest of the album. I would say the same about Got to Know the Woman which be the first I would cut with Lady in its place. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Bicyclerider on September 27, 2009, 08:00:24 AM Besides When Girls Get together, you have the following options to replace Bruce's songs:
Loop de Loop, San Miguel, Lady/Fallin' in Love, Games 2 Can Play, I Just Got My Pay, and Good Time. And I'm Going Your Way. If I had to replace them, I'd choose Games 2 Can Play and Loop de Loop - even though the Dennis songs are better, more Dennis would destroy the "beach Boys" balance of the record. Good Time and Pay's lyrics are just too wretched to put alongside the rest of Sunflower IMO. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: the captain on September 27, 2009, 08:13:11 AM Good Time's and Pay's lyrics are too wretched to be placed alongside those verbal masterworks Got To Know the Woman, At My Window, and It's About Time? For that matter, I've never understood what all the lyrical fuss about Add Some Music was. OK, so Brian says he thinks they're great lyrics, but that's hardly an endorsement I'd take to heart. If I were replacing two songs on Sunflower, I doubt either would be a Bruce song. Maybe Tears, but not Deirdre. I'd pull It's About Time for sure, then either AMW, Tears or Got to Know... The two I'd add would be Good Time and either Loop de Loop, Lady/FiL, or Games.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: rogerlancelot on September 27, 2009, 04:23:10 PM I must be alone on this but I wouldn't change a single track on Sunflower. It is true that there are many other great songs from that era but changing that album would be like changing Abbey Road. It's perfect as it is and I for one rather enjoy Bruce's 2 songs on here especially "Tears In The Morning". I for one am not a huge fan of Going Pubic however but I do like his contributions to 20/20 through Surf's Up. Okay I might be able to live without "At My Window" or "Cool Cool Water" but there is really nothing wrong with either of those tracks (and to some of you may be your favorites) but I would never cut anything off of it just merely tack on some bonus tracks at the end. :hat
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Aegir on September 27, 2009, 08:04:52 PM The cool thing about "Deirdre" and "Tears in the Morning" is that "Deirdre" is about a happy return, and a few tracks in "Tears in the Morning" she runs away again. Listening to "Deirdre" every time after that is colored by the fact that you know "Tears" is coming up a few tracks later.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on September 27, 2009, 08:29:10 PM If I were to change one thing about Sunflower, it would be a different opening track. Not to replace Slip On Through (Although, I would), but move it. I think that It's About Time would be a much better opening track or Soulful Old Man Sunshine.
As for Bruce's songs, I have no problem with his song writing or producing. It is his voice I don't care for. He has a good voice, but his lead vocal style doesn't fit the BBs. Endless Summer is hard to listen to until Carl takes the lead. Then it becomes one of the most beautiful sections I've heard on a BB song. Of course that may have more to do with Carl then Bruce, but you still have to credit Bruce for writing it. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Eric Aniversario on September 27, 2009, 11:44:49 PM Deirdre - Yes!!
Tears In The Morning - Noooo! People talk about HCTN being out of place and an interruption on LA Light Album, or even Sloop John B on Pet Sounds...I actually love both exactly the way they are on there. If there is any song that has jarringly interrupted an otherwise perfectly good album, it's Tears In The Morning. Beautiful backing vocals, but overall just WAY too schmaltzy and annoying. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: rogerlancelot on September 28, 2009, 12:36:12 AM Not to get too far off topic here but I was thinking of other songs that seemed out of place on an album:
Surf's Up = Student Demonstration Time Friends = Transcendental Meditation So Tough = Dennis songs? (still love them!) I'll stop there. Just saying I love Tears In The Morning. Very, very emotional song and fantastic arrangement of instruments and voices. Deirdre took me longer to appreciate but I learned to love it as well. So much great music in the whole catalog really! Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Mr. Cohen on September 28, 2009, 12:54:34 AM People who want "At My Window" off of Sunflower? And what of those people who want "Diamond Head" off Friends? of They're all crazy! "Loop De Loop" on Sunflower? "Loop De Loop"?! You think most people would like it better that way? Really? REALLY?!! I think maybe you've just listened to the albums too many times and that you're overrating a song based on the novelty value it has when it's placed in the middle of an overly familiar track list.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Nicko1234 on September 28, 2009, 02:04:14 AM Yeah, I think Loop de Loop wouldn`t have helped Sunflower at all and wouldn`t really have fit. Soulful Old Sunshine would have stuck out even more.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: The Shift on September 28, 2009, 03:47:12 AM I'm always torn by the presence of Bruce's tunes/songs on the BBs' LPs*.
Tears, Dierdre, The Nearest Faraway Place... it's like there's great melodies and harmonies but, when it came to the production recipe, Bruce misread the bit about "2lb of sugar or syrup", and somehow put in 2lb of sugar and syrup. Disney Girls is undoubtedly his finest Beach Boys moment. * Medium which predated CDs Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Jonas on September 28, 2009, 08:16:05 AM Tears is a wonderful song, and as someone mentioned the instrumental is just something else man.
Also really dig Disney Girls....such a sweet tune. faaantasy world and dis-a-ney girllssss...im coming back. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Sound of Free on September 28, 2009, 09:44:05 AM I thinke Deirdre is fine. Tears and At My Window are the two from Sunflower that don't do it for me. If we're rewriting history, I have a true fantasy scenario:
The Beach Boys meet Rieley earlier, say just after 20/20 came out. He starts their makeover - stage clothes, longer sets, connecting with the "hip" crowd earlier - and tells them not to waste prime material for the final single they owe Capitol, to save it for the future deal he will negotiate with them. So after releasing their final, unsuccessful Capitol single, Games Two Can Play/We're Together Again, and generating some buzz with their improved live act, the Boys release their first Warners album, Breakaway: Side 1: Breakaway Celebrate the News This Whole World Add Some Music Deirdre It's About Time Side B Slip on Through San Miguel All I Wanna Do Our Sweet Love Forever Cool, Cool Water This would be a million-and-two seller. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Aegir on September 28, 2009, 01:29:34 PM "At My Window" is a Brian song! "At My Window" is a classic Brian-stream-of-consciousness song, like "I'd Love Just Once to See You" or "Busy Doin' Nothin". How do people not like it?
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Nicko1234 on September 28, 2009, 02:52:52 PM "At My Window" is a Brian song! "At My Window" is a classic Brian-stream-of-consciousness song, like "I'd Love Just Once to See You" or "Busy Doin' Nothin". How do people not like it? Hasn`t Al said in interviews that Brian didn`t have that much to do with the song? Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Eric Aniversario on September 28, 2009, 03:47:09 PM "At My Window" is a Brian song! "At My Window" is a classic Brian-stream-of-consciousness song, like "I'd Love Just Once to See You" or "Busy Doin' Nothin". How do people not like it? I LOVE it!Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again on September 28, 2009, 05:07:49 PM I honestly love all Bruce's BBs songs!
Disney Girls is one of my top 5 favorite songs of all-time! Not just Beach Boys songs! And considering the amount of cover versions it's gotten, I'd say it's something of a universally beloved song, Beach Boys connection or not. Most bands need a good utility man and Bruce was more than up to the task. He looked the part/sounded the part, yet still retained his own identity. And Goin Public is a nice slab of Southern California 70's chill! Bruce is all good in my book! Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: the captain on September 28, 2009, 05:11:26 PM "At My Window" is a Brian song! "At My Window" is a classic Brian-stream-of-consciousness song, like "I'd Love Just Once to See You" or "Busy Doin' Nothin". How do people not like it? Being a Brian song isn't a free pass. Sure (in my opinion) Brian songs have tended to be better, but that certainly isn't a reason for me to like a song. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Sciencefriction on September 28, 2009, 06:36:21 PM Whenever I listen to the songs Bruce wrote for Sunflower/Surf's Up I really don't think they are as schmaltzy as the other soft hits of that period. Later, Bruce became extremely schmaltzy, but I always felt those early 70s songs had beautiful melodies and artistic depth alongside the sweetness. I can't explain the connection I feel from those songs Bruce wrote. Disney Girls has to be the one of the most beautiful songs, it gets me every time. Maybe you have to have felt some sort of regret or nostalgia in your life and have accepted that before you can appreciate some of Bruce's work. I think I'm just a strange Beach Boys fan (that's new) among strange Beach Boys fans. I even like Student Demonstration Time, I think it has a GREAT backing track and vocal from Mike. Regardless, I don't think Sunflower can really be changed. I've always felt songs like San Miguel, Celebrate The News, and Loop de Loop (to name a few) were all weaker than what was released on Sunflower. The only song I've really wished had been record properly and released is I'm Going Your Way (as long as they changed the guitar solo..).
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Dancing Bear on September 28, 2009, 06:54:43 PM The Surf's Up album has three classic songs: Title track, Til I Die And Disney Girls. The Beach Boys were very lucky for having chosen him to sub for Brian on the road.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Cam Mott on September 28, 2009, 07:06:55 PM I say anyone who doesn't appreciate Tears In The Morning is one lucky sob/dob because they probably haven't had their heart broken.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: hypehat on September 28, 2009, 07:07:13 PM "At My Window" is a Brian song! "At My Window" is a classic Brian-stream-of-consciousness song, like "I'd Love Just Once to See You" or "Busy Doin' Nothin". How do people not like it? It's a bit lightweight - some of the harmonies are killer, but i always heard it more as Al imitating that conversational Brian style. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Mr. Cohen on September 28, 2009, 08:46:10 PM I'll tell you what part of "At My Window" Brian definitely did: those brilliant bird noises harmonizing with the rest of the song. I'm not sure if it's an actual bird or someone (Brian?) imitating a bird, but whatever it is, it works. Although I'm sure the genesis of the song lies with Al, as it's a loose cover of the Kingston Trio's "Raspberries, Strawberries", there's also these moments of underlying tension in the song that I find hard to believe that Al came up with by himself, and the F#m7/C#/B7/E chord change during the "he came to my window" refrain is very Brian. But, then again, it could all be Al, I suppose. Of course, he also probably considers himself a major part of the "Sloop John B" hit cover because he added a chord.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: MBE on September 28, 2009, 10:04:46 PM Sunflower I wouldn't change a thing except to delete the piano solo at the end of Tears. It just drags the song down, and was a little low volume wise. Other then that it's my very favorite album period.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Eric Aniversario on September 28, 2009, 11:13:01 PM I say anyone who doesn't appreciate Tears In The Morning is one lucky sob/dob because they probably haven't had their heart broken. I'm not a fan of the song, but I've definitely had my heart broken...Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Eric Aniversario on September 28, 2009, 11:17:59 PM If I were to grade Bruce's Beach Boys songs:
These grades are on a Beach Boys curve...in comparison to other Beach Boys songs, but not music in general. Disney Girls - A Deirdre - B+ At My Window - B+ The Nearest Faraway Place - B+ Endless Harmony - B- She Believes In Love Again - C+ Slow Summer Dancin' (One Summer Night) - C Tears In The Morning - D- Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Aegir on September 28, 2009, 11:20:44 PM "At My Window" is a Brian song! "At My Window" is a classic Brian-stream-of-consciousness song, like "I'd Love Just Once to See You" or "Busy Doin' Nothin". How do people not like it? Being a Brian song isn't a free pass. Sure (in my opinion) Brian songs have tended to be better, but that certainly isn't a reason for me to like a song. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: GLarson432 on September 29, 2009, 02:08:37 AM I think this thread is talking about what is known as "The Lost Hotel Tape". Recorded/filmed on July 2nd, 1990 in Toronto. July 4th, 1990, in Maine was Jeff Foskett's final day as a member of the Beach Boys' backing member.
Please correct me, anybody, if I'm wrong about any of this. Greg Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Eric Aniversario on September 29, 2009, 02:16:28 AM I think this thread is talking about what is known as "The Lost Hotel Tape". Recorded/filmed on July 2nd, 1990 in Toronto. July 4th, 1990, in Maine was Jeff Foskett's final day as a member of the Beach Boys' backing member. Please correct me, anybody, if I'm wrong about any of this. Greg ??? ??? ??? Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: matt-zeus on September 29, 2009, 02:50:06 AM 'Deirdre' is one of my favourites on the album, certainly better than that Dennis tosh 'got to know the woman'. If Bruce was a McCartney lover then good for him, he knows how to write a good song...
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Bicyclerider on September 29, 2009, 07:06:02 AM Got to Know the Woman is goofy but it's supposed to be goofy - Dennis laughs while singing it! And I dig it. It's About Time doesn't have great lyrics but the way it's produced and sung it all works and the lyrics don't stick out. Cool Cool Water's lyrics ("such a gas?") are lame in spots but it's part of the song's charm.
I have to agree that Add some Music's lyrics, despite Brian's affirmations of it being his favorite lyrics, are pretty lame-o. I'm an "At my window" fan also despite the lyrics. But Good Time? There's a reason it was dropped from the lineup - falsies on? cookin - good lookin'? Some of the best music of the period but horrible lyrics. Pay's only slightly better. It's too bad Brian wasn't looking for outside lyricists at this time that could have turned these tunes into classics. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: sleeptalk on September 29, 2009, 02:38:16 PM Sunflower has 5 truly great songs on it. "Deirdre" and "Tears" are two of them.
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Bicyclerider on September 29, 2009, 03:14:28 PM Sunflower has 5 truly great songs on it. "Deirdre" and "Tears" are two of them. Only in an alternate Beach Boys universe like Bizarro-World! Slip On Through, Forever, This Whole World, All I Wanna Do, and Cool Cool Water. Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: rogerlancelot on September 29, 2009, 03:49:10 PM I was just saying that it's easy to skip "At My Window" because it doesn't stand out as much as the other songs. You have to admit "Tears In The Morning" will make you take notice right from the intro whether you like it or not. I think I'll get my fix of it right now! :smokin
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: sleeptalk on September 29, 2009, 04:57:39 PM Sunflower has 5 truly great songs on it. "Deirdre" and "Tears" are two of them. Only in an alternate Beach Boys universe like Bizarro-World! Slip On Through, Forever, This Whole World, All I Wanna Do, and Cool Cool Water. replace "Slip" and "World" with the 2 Bruce tunes and you have my list! Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: hypehat on September 30, 2009, 07:40:46 PM 'This Whole World' isn't one of your personal best on Sunflower? May i ask why? It's one of the last balls-out Brian songs, that disappeared until Love You, and then not in the same way. The production, harmonies and construction are all insanely good, what with it's 4+ key changes and incredibly lush sound....
All in my personal opinion, of course ::) Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: Mr. Wilson on September 30, 2009, 07:55:14 PM OH BOY when Sunflower 1st came out i was a senior in high school + i took a bunch of merda for liking that lp..Then 1 yr later Surfs Up came out + everything was OK..The stoners off the day like the mix of the lp ..Most of the songs to..But Sunflower..UMM..Nobody got it at first till they started to play it live..IMO..
Title: Re: Who let Bruce write songs for the album? Post by: sleeptalk on September 30, 2009, 10:06:02 PM 'This Whole World' isn't one of your personal best on Sunflower? May i ask why? It's one of the last balls-out Brian songs, that disappeared until Love You, and then not in the same way. The production, harmonies and construction are all insanely good, what with it's 4+ key changes and incredibly lush sound.... All in my personal opinion, of course ::) i love "this whole world" and it's great, i'd just put it 6th behind the others...it's a really, really solid album. |