The Smiley Smile Message Board

The "Marcella" talk on another thread prompted me to listen to Carl & The Passions - So Tough, and I was knocked out - again - by "Cuddle Up". This has to be, not just one of Dennis's greatest songs, but one of The Beach Boys' greatest songs, to me anyway. However, it rarely gets noticed outside of the Beach Boys' circle. So, I was inspired to list my three most underrated Beach Boys-related songs. What are yours?

1. Cuddle Up - Never appears on a comp, was rarely performed, probably won't be in the future; love the fragile Dennis vocal, the "choir-like" backgrounds, the strings are just right; very romantic, not as rough as something from POB; I wish somebody would cover this and give it a slow dance beat; I think it could be a hit.

2. Amusement Parks USA - The most intense two minutes ever put on a Beach Boys' record; love the Mike/Brian trade-off, the Palisades Park-like organ, that cool tambourine; the instrumental bridge is one of the most rockin' things Brian ever did; if you could eliminate the annoying screaming/laughing, it would be a classic!

3. Cherry Cherry Coupe - Wasn't a single, kind of short, but so cool; another one that didn't make a comp, it's a neat "car song" because it isn't racing fast, just a nice cruisin' beat; one of Mike's best vocals, and a lot of Dennis on the backgrounds; great drumming from Hal (?), Brian was able to churn these mini-classics out like nothing, never get tired of this one.

1, Our Car Club - Probably my favourite car song that the band ever did and one that again is seldom heard.

2, Daybreak - Not just underrated but still unreleased. Should have been included on LA imo and is better than most songs that the band released during the wilderness era.

3, Viggie - It's good I tell ya!  :)

Great thread subject...

We'll Run Away - To me the middle section of this is one of BW's best non-falsetto vocal moments. "If other kids went through it, then I know we can do it..." Some might consider the lyrics sappy, but i absolutely love them. The payoff..."It wasn't too long ago when our  folks were...going through the same thing we are now...but one thing they're forgetting, a thing they're not regretting...they ran away and got married anyhow."  Maybe Brian's parents were regretting it, maybe not, but i love that lyrical twist and I love the melody and most of all Brian's performance. No one gives this song any props, and it mystifies me. Would make a great cover duet for some teen pop stars.

Tug Of Love - I realize its only been available commercially for a year and a half, but this has got to be one of Dennis' most inventive and underrated productions. The fact that it was slapped on as a bonus track on the Legacy POB disc one is part of the problem. It obscures what is a truly great DW moment. Some of us, Hanlon included, really lobbied hard for this to be the lead track of the Bambu side(disc two). That would have given it the focus it deserved. But that was a sequencing choice that Sony overruled. I love the song, I think its another DW mini-masterpiece, warts and all.

I Wanna Cry - Dave and the Marksmen - A 1964 track written and produced by a 16 year old, this song really deserved to be a top 40 hit, instead of a single nobody heard. The twelve string is magical, the tom thumps are British Invasion meets Spector, haunting backing vocals. Sounds closer the the Zombies than the Beach Boys. I don't know how Dave pulled this off, but he sure didn't get any credit for it.

Agreed. A very underrated tune. I have always loved that song and you have stated the exact reasons why I love it.

Of course it all depends what you mean when you say "underrated" but some other tunes that I think are underrated are: "Your Summer Dream", "Ballad Of Ole' Betsy", "Let's Put Our Hearts Together", "Keep An Eye On Summer", "Little Pad" and "She Knows Me Too Well". Not sure if everyone would consider those underrated but I still think some of them deserve more attention than they get. There are also plenty of other tunes I could have listed - just so many quality tunes!

I third this one. I've always been blown away by how high BW is singing that bridge WITHOUT using his falsetto. I remember trying to hit those notes way back in high school and just could not get there (and still can't of course).

Your Summer Dream is another one with an amazing BW vocal and the lyrics are really evocative of magical summers that never were...

I completely agree about both "Cuddle Up" and "We'll Run Away."  I was blissfully unaware of "Cuddle Up" for far too long, but when I heard it, damn, it knocked me right out.  The way it builds up slowly is so captivating, and it's one of Dennis' best vocals.  His raw emotion just hits you right in the gut...Dennis could really just spill his guts on record and have it sound beautiful.

"We'll Run Away" is fantastic as well.  Brian's voice is (as usual for that era) amazing, and he takes a simple concept and simplistic lyrics and makes it memorable.  I certainly echo the sentiments of other posters about this one.

One I'd like to add is "No Go Showboat."  It doesn't deviate much from their other car songs in terms of content, but it's really one of Brian's best early vocal arrangements.  Brian and Mike compliment each other so well on the verses, and Brian's solo falsetto parts are incredible.  Great group vocals on this one too.  Very underrated compared to several other car songs they did.

Here are mine:

Awake- Although it's not exactly a beach boys song, I LOVE it! My favorite part is near the end, where there is a big drum roll, and you hear this big voice singing  "Ariiiiiiiiiiiiiiiise!".  Another favorite part of mine is the weird ascending and decending chord progression that doesn't make much sense, until you stop thinking about it.  :)

Steamboat: For some reason, I find this song quite spooky, or dark. I love it though. My favorite part is the guitar solo. It's probably the most "hard rock" the group has ever sounded, at least studio wise.

A Day In The Life Of A Tree: This song has one of the best melodies I've ever heard. It's beautiful, yet sad. It fits perfectly with the lyrics. This also has probably the most magnificent fade of any song I've ever heard.

In the past, I would have mentioned "Your Summer Dream", but I think it has gotten a lot more attention amongst the big fans in the past decade or so, but among the general public, I'd definitely say it's underrated.

As for songs that are underrated among fans, I'd propose:

"She's Just Out To Get You" - A spirited Mike Love lead vocal, among his best, and some very catchy background parts.

"The Girl From New York City" - Mike had some amazing lead vocals on the early hits, but he doesn't sound any more into what he is singing than he does on this song.  A lot of people say it's a weak opening song for SDASN, but I beg to differ.  It really would not have fit anywhere else on the album than the beginning.

"Love Surrounds Me" - LA Light Album version.  An appropriately gruff lead vocal from Dennis on top of a contemporary, tastefully synth-heavy track.  The last 45 seconds or so take me to another place and remind me why I'm a fan.

"Givin You Up" - COuld have been a hit single, if it was given the chance.  Same thing for "One More Night Alone".

"Here She Comes" - Funky and cool, and not at all what a BB fan would have expected in 1972.  Which is part of what makes it so great!

I love Cuddle Up, but for me there is something about the chorus that lets the rest of the song down. I dunno but it just doesn't live up to the beauty of the goregeous string and piano middle section and the background vox of the second verse 'The night...(aaah)'. Although now it is hard to imagine it any other way, I wonder how a more um 'restrained' chorus would have worked.


I love that to and have said before I think that fade is every bit as heartbreaking if not more than that of Til I Die.

Sam

Yep. Actually, I find the Youngblood album underrated; I rank it No. 2 behind POB as far as BB solo albums go (as I run for cover....)

I've seen "A Day In The Life Of A Tree" mentioned a couple of times. I hate to rehash the term, but the end of that song is, well, genius. If Brian was ever gonna record a solo album while with the Beach Boys, I wish it would've been that 1969-1970 period. He was writing some amazing stuff. How about this for an album side:

1. Add Some Music To Your Day
2. This Whole World
3. All I Wanna Do
4. Good Time
5. My Solution
6. A Day In The Life Of A Tree
7. Til I Die 

OK, continue with the underrated and under appreciated..."Michael Row The Boat" anyone? Seriously!

A few that come to mind:
SJS nailed one with "Cuddle Up," not only one of the most tender performance Dennis ever gave, just a fantastic song and production. When that last violin comes in after "I know a man who's so in love" I don't mind saying I've shed a tear there.

One that I've been listening to over and over again is "Hang onto Your Ego" with the full group vocals that was on the boxset. What a cool song that is, especially with Brian belting out the chorus so effectively.

"She Knows Me Too Well" should be a pop standard and classic as should "Please Let Me Wonder," but PLMW gets a bit more attention. Brian's vocal on "She Knows" is extraordinary.

"Long Promised Road," especially the middle-eight, one of the most beautiful moments in BB hisory. "Trail starts at dawn carries onto the season's ending." "Funky Pretty," a classic Brian head-scratcher. One of the times where Brian was extremely inactive and then BAM he comes through with a gem.

"Sherry She Needs Me," the 1976 version. Why this wasn't included on an album, or on the GV set is a mystery to me. Beautiful, gruff vocal with Brian in great form on the chorus in falsetto.

"I'll Bet He's Nice" is one of my 10 favorite BB tracks, just a beautiful song and a really cool arrangement.

Here's a few:


One that always comes to mind is "You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone" from CARL & THE PASSIONS.  Just a good, contemporary rock song where the boys come together as a band, musically & vocally.  Also, a different sound that I wish they'd explored more.  Love the distinctive keyboard intro, the banyo, harder-edge guitars, & the way the bass & drums sync.  Some may be taken aback by Carl's vocal, but I love it.  In a fair world, it would have been a hit, showing the BB were more than surf, cars, & fun in the sun.

Have the BB ever performed this song live since the early '70s?  I'd also enjoy learning which BB played what instrument.

I'm also partial to "Woncha Come Out Tonight" from MIU in 1978, especially that high falsetto at the ending where they repeat the title several times.  Woncha still proved the BB were in a league of their own vocally when they wanted to be.  "Pitter Patter" is another guilty pleasure from that LP, again, the vocal arrangement & the guitar/bass/drums are pretty good.


"Full Sail" & "Goin' South" are 2 from "Light Album" with Carl vocals that I think need more attention, too.  They fit the late night vibe of that LP perfectly.

Moving on into the '80s, I've always loved their version of California Dreamin."  To me, it didn't get so bogged down in the '80s of processed synths & all that.  Great band vocals, too.

This was used very effectively on one of the documentaries (Endless Harmony?) when it came to Carl's passing. It kind of stops your breath....

Was just listening to "You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone"; love the part "She don't know me, she don't know it, she don't know...."; Brian still had that knack for writing those "out there" arrangements.

I prefer the Ten Years Of Harmony version of "Wontcha Come Out Tonight"; it's about 11-12 seconds longer, and I believe a slightly different ending mix(?), but it highlights the part you're referring to, especially when the horns come in.

Endless Harmony, yeah. It's always what pops into my head. That and that in 2008 when Rolling Stone was taping a backstage pre-show thing with Brian before a gig he unexpectedly started playing that part on the piano, the first time anyone had heard him play it.

Kiss Me Baby - That song is AMAZING!! The harmony, orchestration, everything.

Trombone Dixie - Such a travesty this song did not close out Pet Sounds. It's like the one song if you want to describe the style Brian was using around that time, this is the song to play.

Your Summer Dream - Everything is so lush in this song. I would love to hear a jazz interpretation of this.

She's Not the Little Girl I Once Knew (alt. version) - I honestly wish this had been the official version. The acapella break is just killer. Sorry Brian, but Mike was a better pick to do the spoken bits.

Big Sur (alt. version) - Same wish as SNTLKIOK. Holland I think plain suffers from waay too much narration.

I like I Just Got my Pay and All Dressed up for School much better then Marcella.
Can't Wait too Long is not bad for a song never really finished
When Girls get Together is not as horrendous as most say
I...I like Sumahama  :-[
Honkin' Down the Highway
The Night was So Young

These are my confessions.

"Sweet Sunday Kinda Love"
"Rainbows"
"Almost Summer"
"It's Tryin' To Say"
"Stevie"
"That Special Feeling"

Games Two Can Play
California Slide.
We're Together Again
Celebrate The News
What can I say I love the late sixties stuff!

These 3 are personal favorites of mine, and YNAMOHTSA and Full Sail have always been recurrent inclusions on my in-car compilations.

'Aren't You Glad' and 'Friends' - Might be the two most laid-back, relaxing songs I've ever heard.

'Winter Symphony' - I LOVE the steady, driving piano, the cool lead vocal and the beautiful French horn.
 
'All This Is That' - Amazing how it's so beautiful even though it's not really going anywhere.

'Cuddle Up' - If there's a heaven and they're still looking for some kind of theme song to welcome folks at the gates, I suggest they'd take the backing track and backing vocals of 'Cuddle Up' from 2:44 on.

'Looking At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)' - Great spooky folk ballad.

'The Lonely Sea' - This might be my favorite pre-Today! BB ballad.

'Long Promised Road' - Carl's masterpiece.

'Looking Down The Coast' - My favorite unreleased BB song.

'It's A Beautiful Day' - I think they really re-captured the spirit of their early sun & fun hits here.

'Time To Get Alone' and 'This Whole World' - These are both in my BB top 5.

'I Wish For You' - Hard to listen to this one with dry eyes.

And the entire 'That Lucky Old Sun' album. I've never been a really big fan of Brian's solo stuff, but this is my 6th favorite BB/BW album - right after 'Pet Sounds', 'Sunflower', 'Smile', 'Friends' and 'Today!'...

Couldn't agree more about "A Day in the Life of a Tree" and "Cherry Cherry Coupe".

Off the top of my head...

"Roller Skating Child" - believe it or not, this is easily among my top 10 favourite Beach Boys songs. "Insane" Brian at his catchiest ever and I love the quirky production (still haven't figured out everything going on in the background during the verses)

"Lahaina Aloha" - I've always been a huge fan of the song "Jamaica Farewell" and this is as good as an hommage to that tune could ever get. Yes, it's on Summer in Paradise and I think it's great (unlike most of the other tracks on that particular album...)

"Lookin' at Tomorrow" - production-wise this is as dark as the BB ever got. Very underrated tune. By the early 70s Al Jardine did some very fine work with the group. Love the "California Saga" as well

More to follow...

Agree that this one is underrated and the only thing that lets it down is Terry Melcher's drum-heavy production.

In no particular order:

1. Let Him Run Wild - I put this with "Little Girls" and "California Girls" as the best of that era.

2. Rainbows - That would have been a great Beach Boys song!

3. Santa Ana Winds - While not prolific Al could occasionally come up with a real gem. 

4. Meet Me in My Dreams Tonight.

5. All This is That - Music to chill out by.  This is by far the best "non-Brian" Beach Boys recording.

6. It's Gettin' Late - I love the horns as a counterpoint to the synths.  I was never a big fan of the synth heavy sound but I do like this. 

7. All I Wanna Do - Mike Love's best moment as a Beach Boy.

8. Roller Skating Child - Get beyond the creepy lyrics and this song flat out rocks.

9. Livnn' With a Heartache - If only Carl's solo work sounded more like this.

Now there's one I haven't heard enough of. In fact it's interesting that Dennis could've made a killer soloish album with all of his Add Some Music/Sunflower stuff: "San Miguel," "California Slide," "Forever" etc. etc.

I agree with "Roller Skating Child," forget about the lyrics, forget about the lyrics...what a production!

And ya know what ? It's a complete blast to sing live.  ;D

"Let Him Run Wild" is my favorite BB song. I think we die-hards love it, but it's not wel known by the general public.

I agree with Jon who suggested it and everyone who seconded "We'll Run Away."  A lot of the others already suggested are great. I would add:

"Wake the World" - Very short, but great harmonies, and I LOVE the tuba.

"Slip on Through" GREAT Dennis song. Love his balladfs, but I wish he had done more uptempo songs like this and (of course) "Sound of Free"

"Melt Away" To me it's easily Brian's best solo song (besides "Caroline No" and the BWPS Smile songs). Was this a single in '88? If so, why wasn't it a hit?

"The Night Was So Young" I know Love You sparks great disagreements, but can't we all agree that this one is great?

"Rainbows" A very good song and, IMHO, Dennis' best vocal performance on POB. I think ths should have been the single off the album.

Not a big fan of pre Today album but from that era the pre-cursors to Brian's best work:

Farmers Daughter
The Little Girl I Once Knew

The classic Brian era:

When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
Please Let Me Wonder
The Girl from New York City
(Everything on Pet Sounds and SMiLE get the credit they deserve and Smiley Smile is just ... just ... just ... )
Heroes & Villains stereo single version on Hawthorne because Brian's mix down of the original single is sooooooo bad ..
Meant For You

The Progressive Band era:

This Whole World
Lady
Cuddle Up
Big Sur (Mike's outtake)
California
Rainbows

The post being a significant band era:

Still I Dream Of It

Wow...love this thread.  The two that jumped out to me that I agree with are "It's A Beautiful Day" and "Love Surrounds Me."  Surprised no one mentioned "Be With Me."

Landy, Landy, Landy. If there had been proper promotion, no Landy controversy and a big push "Meet Me in My Dreams Tonight" b/w "Melt Away" by Brian Wilson could've gotten into the top 10.

Glad to see "Roller Skating Child" getting some recognition. Like phirnis said, it's near the top of my favorites list, too. I never get tired of listening to it; there's so much going on in the track. It proved, even as late as 1976, that Brian could still produce the magical two minute song. If not for Brian's off-key tag, it would've been perfect. "Roller Skating Child" rocked live also, including Brian's DANCE! :o

I've heard/read some criticism of "Livin' With A Heartache", but I love it; probably my favorite song on KTSA. It didn't sound like a Beach Boys' song, but it did, if you know what I mean. Carl was peaking as a lead vocalist around this time IMO.

4th Of July - I absolutely adore this song, the shimmering strings, Carl's vocal married to Dennis' gorgeuos track and not forgetting the flute on the outro  simply stunning.

A Young Man Is Gone - My favourite version of Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring, vocally flawless (at least to these ears) performance which never fails to make the hairs on my arms stand up, spellbinding.

Don't Back Down - Brilliant song, should really have been a single and I love the alternate version on the LDC/ASL twofer. In fact I'm not sure which version I prefer more.

Kiss Me Baby - The only flaw with the Good Vibrations boxset is that this song was left off it, breathtakingly beautiful and the stereo version makes me want to cry tears on unshamed joy.

Sherriff Of Noddingham - Best Beach Boys surf instrumental by a clear mile, Dave really shines on this and shows us exactly what he was capable of.

Brother Lou's Love Colony - Perhaps a strange choice but this song is great and Dave's lead vocal is non too shabby either! Highlight is the 'love is the reason' refrain, love it!

Meant For You - Mike's shining moment (well, apart from Big Sur) with a wonderfully restrained vocal, why couldn't he sing like this more often?

Got To Know The Woman - So very Dennis, a great fun rocker and the awesome bass vocals in the chorus knock me out.

"Melt Away" is pretty awesome.

That Same Song (with the Double Rock Baptist Choir)...

Too Much Sugar

Little Bird

Country Air

Sweet Sunday Kinda Love

...to name a few.

Some of my favorites...

1. Lahaina Aloha
2. Angel Come Home
3. Little Pad
4. It's Trying To Say (Baseball)
5. With Me Tonight

The funny thing for me is that I had many of the "...unreleased" songs on my computer, where I listen to most of my music; compared to the official albums, which I have on CD. At things point, I think I'm as familiar with the unreleased songs as the released ones. Oh, this crazy digital world.  :-D

Hello, I'm new.
I'm a big Beach Boys fan - ever since I was searching through my Dad's old vinyl records when I was about fourteen (and just starting to get into music) and I stumbled across a BB Best Of. Shortly thereafter I bought Smiley Smile coz i loved the cover, and then I loved the album too - and I've been fanatically obsessed ever since!
So there's my intro.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I thought it was meant to be 3 under-rated songs? So I'm going to stick to that. So here they are:

'In The Parkin' Lot' - not surprising it gets ignored really, with Dont worry baby and Warmth of the Sun surrounding it, but this is a sublime early BB song: fantastic intro (and outro), a great vocal from Mike, and as for those chord changes on the chorus - woah momma!

'She's Goin Bald' - Smiley is one of my very fave BB albums and this is my favourite song off it. Those trippy background vocals on the opening section are tremendous, concentrate on 'em next time you're giving it a listen. Plus the lyrics are hilarious, and words can't describe how much I love the 'what a blow' speeded-up vocals bit, so I'll just write a load of gobbledegook instead: bhdsbhvjbvdbvgdhvbsdvb.

'Steamboat' - a great great song on a brilliant album. Carl's vocal is gorgeous and I love the whole chugging sound of the song, it's got its own unique rhythm. The slide guitar solo is awesome too. All of 'Holland' is underrated really...

It is, I agree. I think it's one of the group's most consistently great records and that greatness does include "Mt Vernon and Fairway", which to me feels like one of those rare glimpses into the very soul of Brian Wilson (could just as well be nothing more than wishful thinking on my part, however).

Really?

A couple of votes for "Lahaina Aloha"....It is a great one IMO. Is this Carl Wilson's last great Beach Boys' vocal? "You know I wanna but I can't stay. Girl you know I'm gonna sail away...." Is this Carl's "Riders On The Storm"?































Or is it "I Wish For You"?

Sheriff, I believe that someday that track will end up on an official compilation and get some recognition. They've had 'best-ofs' for everything, sooner or later they'll get around to the later years!

"He Came Down" - A fun gospel style song that I think gets some undue hatred because it's about TM. "I belieeeeevee it (in my soul)!" Any time Mike says "yeah" in his deep bass voice a song gets a +1 automatically with me.
"Funky Pretty" - I like this song a lot more than "Sail On Sailor".
"Rock And Roll Music (Single Mix)"  - This mix has that Love You farting bass synth that is either not present or inaudible on the more common album mix, which boosts the song IMO. Sure, the song is kind of dumb (in comparison to something like "Good Vibrations"), but it's that catchy kind of dumb that you know could have only come from the mind of Brian. Take, for example, those organ stabs during the chorus. They're kind of ridiculous in a way, but who else besides Brian would think of doing that? I love it. While the song was a hit, not many BB fans are big on it.
"Airplane" - An interesting, spacey arrangement with a cute lyrical concept. Love the falsettos from Brian and the demented "I need God as my guide..." bit, and the outro is such a pleasant surprise.
"No Go Showboat" - Magic.
"He's A Doll" - A rocking Honeys song. Great production from Brian.
"I Went to Sleep" - One of the best things Brian ever did. It should be considered one of his classics in my opinion.
Brian's songs on BB85 and a few others: You know, I don't think that those songs are classics, but they're not that bad IMO. I find them enjoyable in moderation.

Also, I second "Melt Away". The ending is like "Til I Die" pt. 2.

I'm a little late on this thread and I do agree with most of what people have brought up ("Steamboat", "Cuddle Up", "Melt Away", etc.) but here are a few more:
1) San Fransisco
2) This Whole World (Spring version)
3) You're Still A Mystery (unreleased)
4) Farewell My Friend
5) The End Of The Show
6) Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
7) Tears In The Morning
8) Let It Shine
9) I'll Bet He's Nice

I'll stop there for now.....

I agree wholeheartedly!!!  15 Big Ones is the worst BB album, in my opinion, but I LOVE the single mixes of RNRM and It's OK...they are regular staples on my in-car compilations...I always get embarrassed when my friends hear the album version of RNRM.  I quickly forward to the next song or ANY other song...my friend summed it up..."I hate this song!  Why are the background vocals so loud?"  It's an embarrassment on Sounds Of Summer...the 45 version definitely should have been used there.

Someone mentioned "I Wish For You".  I think that the whole Like A Brother album is under-rated, both among the fans and the general public.  Great stuff.

Great overall choices, Dada! I think I pretty much agree with all of them.


It took me years to get into this song. To be perfectly honest, I used to hate it. One day, however, I thought of it as a precursor to all the other gospel-infused BW material (such as "That Same Song", or "Walking Down the Path of Life") and from there on it has grown on me to the point of being one of my favourite BB songs from that particular era.


Brian really must've liked those organ stabs around that time. Personally I think they made some of the BB's music sound rather robotic, especially when combined with some of the basic Love You-era drumming. For some odd reason I absolutely love it.


If only Brian would sing this song in concert these days. I bet he'd love to sing that outro!

Much agreed on "Ballad of Ole' Betsy", "Cherry, Cherry Coupe", and "Little Pad"
 

Others:

Girls On The Beach
Soulful Old Man Sunshine
The Night Was So Young
Busy Doin' Nothin'
Passing By
When A Man Needs A Woman
Custom Machine

...gotta cut myself off. I could go on for a while  ;D

LITTLE PAD - Funny that this one came up as it's been in my head for about a week now. Just one of those very catcht little tunes that's hard to git rid of once you start hearing it over and over. Actually, Smiley is full of that kind of stuff. Just little bits and pieces of VERY catchy stuff.

Another two off the top of my head...

"Good to My Baby" - to me Today is one of those very rare "all killer no filler" type of records and this (despite all the fantastic material on the album's second side) has been my favourite ever since I first heard the instrumental mix on the Hawthorne compilation CD

"Wind Chimes" - Smiley version. This has to be one of the spookiest recordings ever put to tape by a major pop group. Psychedelic Brian at the very top of his game. Love the little touches of musique concrete

Is the 45 version the one on Get the Boot that plays after the interview with Carl?

No - that's the 'hot' and as-yet unreleased version. Or so I've been told by people who have heard it.  ;)

That's not the mix on Brother Years?

Haven't read the whole thread but "One More Night Alone" has to be among the top 3 in my book.   Carl at his solo best IMHO.  And a Billy H. peened tune to boot!
Is ther anyone who hasn't really listened to this?  Really listened...on a good system....payed attention to Carl's vocals?  If you have not, you are missing something very special.

Keeping in mind that obviously diverse BBs fans have diverse favorites, overall, I'd say that the only really underrated BB-related songs among people in places such as this are the hit singles. And the underrated songs among the more casual listening public are all of the non-singles. Sound too easy? Well, I stand behind it (at least at the moment).

Eric, we are obviously from the same branch of the Carl Wilson fan club.  I even like TODAY.  A powerful tune and a great anthem for living for the day ahead as the gift that it is.  Life going on either with us or without us.  I know the song was co written but it hit me hard hearing it for the 1st time after Carl's death.  As did I wish for you.

The mix on The Brother Years is the 45 mix. The version referred to above has yet to be released.

Andrew, in your book I thought  you said the 45 mix for R&RM was too degraded to be used? What's the story on it being on the Brother Years? Safety Copy?

I love "Today"...I remember buying "Like A Brother" from Tower Records the day it came out, going down to my car, putting on my headphones, and popping it my portable CD player, and hearing it for the first time, knowing that this would probably be the last "new" music from Carl.  What a bittersweet moment that was...I was happy that it was finally released, but sad that it was likely that no new Carl music would ever be released again.  I played the CD all the time at home...my roommate actually would request "Today"...he found it inspiring and catchy.  My personal favorite from the album was "They're Only Words".

Are these two single mixes available on CD? I haven't seen them on any of the new compilations.

Speaking of Funky Pretty, how many hooks can one song have? Most only have one or two. On FP I count at least five.

The verses:
1.A Pisces lady loves romance....

Pre-choruses:
2.'Cause it's a silent night in the sea

Chorus:
3.The queen in Copenhagee....

Tag:
4.I still remember Funky Pretty...
5.Someone say why, someone say why...

Seems like a less talented song writer would try to get four or five songs out the hooks in this one. This song always surprises me when I forget about and then listen again and remember how great it is.

Honestly I think Friends could have been a better album than Pet Sounds. It comes close really, with the inclusion of I Went to Sleep and Time to Get Alone from 20/20 and maybe something like Let the Wind Blow from Wild Honey it could have been the best Beach Boys album.
To me Wake the World may be my favorite track. Friends and Meant for You are great. Passing By is a great instrumental, Little Bird is one of Dennis' best songs. Time to Get Alone has some of my favorite harmonies of any Beach Boys track, when it breaks into the chorus it's heavenly.

Other than that, I think Leaving this Town from Holland is really underloved.

Really interesting post.  Makes me want to listen to the song in a whole new way.

I think you hit on a key word: talented. I posted something (I think it might've even been in this thread) that Brian was composing some amazing things in the 1968-1974 time period. There's so many little pieces in his songs ranging from "I Went To Sleep" to "This Whole World" to "A Day In The Life Of A Tree" to "You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone" to "Mount Vernon And Fairway" to even "Child Of Winter". HE STILL HAD HIS TALENT. It separated him from other songwriters. People just didn't write things like that. You could even extend it to "Had To Phone Ya" to parts of The Beach Boys Love You. I'll stop there....

That's in version #1, and is what Mark Linett told me when I interviewed him just after the box came out (I have it on tape). The 45 mix on GH3 is the original master, not a copy.

Both single versions - the 45 of "It's OK" isn't a remix, just sped up about 2% - have been available on CD since the release of Best Of The Brother Years.

Do you know why it wasn't used for Sounds Of Summer?  That awful album version sticks out like a sore thumb on that compilation...what an embarrassment!

Heading for Haiti this morning for a week, and AGD's Complete Guide is going with me! :-D

I forgot to mention Girls On The Beach in my list, absolute heaven and it may be sacrelige to say this but I think it's better than its musical cousin Surfer Girl. Dennis' line 'the sun in her hair, the warmth of the air' is so heartfelt it gives me goose pimples every time.

Here is my list:

Farmer's Daughter (great early Brian falsetto)
The Lonely Sea
Don't Back Down
Lana
We'll Run Away
Why Do Fools Fall in Love? (This is a really driving cover imo)
Hushabye (some of the best Brian/Mike trade offs)
Our Car Club (a lot of fun)
I Do (Brian's song for another group, recorded with the beach boys)
Don't Hurt My Little Sister
Girl Don't Tell Me  (very Beatles-esque)
Then I Kissed Her
Country Air
Wake the World
Time to Get Alone
Anna Lee, The Healer
Little Bird (Great Dennis song)
I Went to Sleep

Here's a few more too... so much of what I like about this band is that their best material is often all those underrated hidden gems.

Slip on Through (Dennis is really underrated all around)
Got to Know the Woman
Deirdre
At My Window
All This is That
Cuddle Up
Steamboat
Marcella
Roller Skating Child (Just a really fun tune)
Mona (The majority of "Love You" actually)
The Night Was So Young
I'll Bet He's Nice
Pitter Patter (Love this little song)
Baby Blue (Beautiful Dennis track)
My Diane
Oh Darlin'

(damn double post)

By album, because there's no way I could do this otherwise (beginning with All Summer Long, since that's--embarrassingly--where my BB collection starts):

Kiss Me Baby
The Girl from New York City
Amusement Parks USA
She's Goin' Bald
Aren't You Glad?
Everything on side 1 of Friends
Be with Me
I Went to Sleep
Cool, Cool Water
A Day in the Life of a Tree
You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone
Here She Comes
Cuddle Up
Steamboat
Big Sur (but the album version!)
Funky Pretty
It's OK
Susie Cincinnati
Roller Skating Child
I'll Bet He's Nice
Airplane
Wontcha Come Out Tonight?
Pitter Patter
Angel Come Home
Love Surrounds Me
Sumahama
and, yes, Shortenin' Bread

Phew.  I love this band so much.

"Let's take your car and mess around at the park all day". Yeah!

Welcome to the board. A Mets fan, huh?

Another fan, nice.

My pick would be the SS version of "Windchimes".  I actually prefer this over the more polished Smile versions floating around.  Mainly because of the tag I admit.  The singing is pure nirvana.

UGH.  I HATE the Smiley version of "Wind Chimes".  (Whoever was working those clanky wind chimes managed to fail here AND in "Fall Breaks"!)  That song was not meant to be some lifeless stoner song!  Where's the launch into the "doo doo doo" section?!

Also, in my opinion, odd to see "She's Goin' Bald" on someone's list, but to each their own - I like "He Gives Speeches", but I guess it doesn't have the quirky goofiness of the final product.  (I do like to sing the "sha-na-na" bit, with increasing pitch.  Try it!)

It's not 'lifeless', especially with that breathtaking acapella tag before the whispering winds bit. that's possibly one of my favourite BB's moments. I'd even go so far to say it improves on the Smile version.

Shortenin' Bread is pretty cool as well - Dennis' bass vocal absolutely owns that.

Mona is also my favourite cut on Love You. I never quite got the love for 'The Night Was So Young', really.

Not sure Baby Blue is underrated round these parts, but it's the only song i can listen to on L.A, besides Shortenin' (But i don't really think that counts, seeing as the recording is a few years older than that material, right?).

I didn't know they were THAT desperate to get fires burning.

Ha, no I'm back now. Sorry, this was off topic anyway. I posted in the sandbox about the "Port Au Prince" lyric in Kokomo being rather ironic now.

Yeah...I just saw your post from over a week ago and knew I had to get in a one-liner.

It's an acquired taste I have to admit.  Does go a little wonky in the middle but I still love it.

Another Two that spring to mind as underrated are "Santa Ann Winds" and "Somewhere Near Japan",  probs because they are on albums generally considered lesser works.

Another Two that spring to mind as underrated are "Santa Ann Winds" and "Somewhere Near Japan",  probs because they are on albums generally considered lesser works.
[/quote]

I'm also a big fan of Somewhere Near Japan, but now I get a bit creeped out listening to it after the whole John/Mackenzie Philips incest thing. According to AGD's Guide, it was written about John's daughter's honeymoon. Maybe not Mackenzie though....

A short list:
Lahaina Aloha
Island Fever
Summer In Paradise (live version)
Somewhere Near Japan
Sumahama
Keepin' The Summer Alive
Meant For You

"Little Children": This is just so catchy it gets me everytime. I don't mind the lyrics, in fact I think they're fun.

"Passing By": Heavenly.

"Devoted to You": I actually prefer this over the original Everly Bros. version. There's something deeply melancholy about Mike and Brian's singing I think. Beautiful rendition of an all-around great song.

"Salt Lake City": Love the Hawthorne CD stereo mix. Again, I don't mind the somewhat silly lyrics.

I really love those last you mention too, and would specify to that the Hawthorne version of Devoted to You also.

The 8 minute mix of "'Til I Die" that's been around a while. I used to listen to it every night before I went to sleep.

Came out of lurking to post again.  Here are some that I think are underrated

1.  Mona.  This was mentioned already.  Didn't Brian say that this was his favorite Love You cut?  I love it. My favorite on Love You
2.  Lets Go Away For Awhile.  After years of reading fan comments, reviews etc... I know there are people who like it, but I get the feeling of "nah...whatever... skip...".  I usually am not a lover of instrumentals, but this is an unbelievable track and it just transports me.   The middle at about 1:00 minute is so peaceful and that sound/whine at about 1:23 always sends a chill up my back.    I cannot imagine Pet Sounds without this essential track.  Yes..the sentiment...Lets Go Away For Awhile...reminds me of childhood...the Sunday "drive"  (you know, go for a drive, stop in for an icecream...) when everything was closed on a Sunday...the park...wow..what a beautiful beautiful track...
3. The Lonely  Sea:  I have noticed that this has crept out of the shadows the past 10 years or so...so it is being recognized as one of Brian's best early introspective ballads. Lovely.
4. Let It Shine.  Love it.  However, I do think the album version is way too slow. I have a live version with Brian's band and it rocks. That is the one I listen to the most.  Great song.  Shadows fall, the ocean calls to me...
5.  My Diane.  Once again, this is starting to get attention these days.  And how could it not?  No intro...just wham! Now that I have lost my Diane...incredibly powerful.
6.  Oh Darlin'.   I love this KTSA track.  Not many do.
7.  Goin' South.  There is not much love for this tune and I don't know why.  I remember when I first heard L.A. I was expecting the worst because of what I have read.  But it is a nice album.  Goin' South...what the hell is wrong with it?  It is a lovely tune and brought tears to my eyes.  I remember I first heard it around October ...knowing winter was around the corner and I was feeling hurt missing a girl I loved (I cannot believe I just wrote that!) Anyways, very laid back tune.  Goin' South...leaving it all behind...get my life in order. 
8.  Matchpoint Of Our Love.  Ok...what the hell happened to Brian's voice on this record?  It is so smooth and relaxing...this is the "manly" voice I wish Brian had of stuck with.  I have a theory about MIU.  Mike must have said to Brian..."listen will you cut out the croaking and gruff voice dammit!"  lol Why did he switch all of a sudden to this voice?  The middle eight is great.
9.  City Blues.  Dammit what a rocker.  It captures perfectly the feel of the big city.  So intense.  Great song.  I do think Clapton rips it up on this one!
10.  We'll Run Away.  I have to agree with what has been said here about this track.  I love it. 

Well, those are 10 tracks that I feel are underrated.  I know it is subjective but I wanted to share my thoughts with you guys.  There are many more to be sure but for now those are 10 that I can think of. 

Mark

I would give the credit to Al. He produced the vocals on that album and did an excellent job. Especially considering that Carl was hardly involved.

Rogerlancelot, are you talking about the long "Til I Die" that gets wedged (inappropriately) onto the ends of "Landlocked" boots sometimes?

If you are, that's just two unrelated mixes stuck on one track... it's not meant to be cohesive.  It's a rough mix lacking some of the vocals (the solo lines, "It kills my soul" etc, are missing), followed by the 'Desper Mix' from Endless Harmony.

As for underrated tracks - I'm ashamed to admit it, but "I can't wait 'til summer, 'cause it's gonna be a summer of love!" keeps creeping into my head these days. :-P

It's not the production - Brian's voice just sounds fantastic, here. It's very weird. I'm willing to bet the initial run with Landy - i.e. losing weight, being healthier, and staying away from coke and cigarettes, caused his vocal cords to begin to heal and for him to have some more control over his voice.

I doubt his voice would have ever returned to how it originally was, but he just sounds so damn good on here compared to the few records before it and anything after - like 25% new Brian and 75% old Brian. Imagine BWPS with a slightly older version of THAT voice.

Damn shame he got back into those things :( he sounds good nowadays and is certainly capable of sounding great, but there was still a bit of the old personality and magic in his voice on those songs, especially "Matchpoint".

I bought MIU the day it came out, and I can't describe the feeling of elation when I first dropped the needle on that record. Keep in mind the previous two albums were 15 Big Ones and Love You, so those were the most recent Brian vocals. From the beginning of "She's Got Rhythm" to "Wontcha Come Out Tonight" to "Matchpoint" and ending with the closing falsetto on "Winds Of Change", well, it was an emotional experience.

Some people aren't crazy about Brian's falsetto on "She's Got Rhythm" (personally I love it), but, keep it in perspective. The last Brian lead vocal (and song) that we had to live with for a long time was on "Love Is A Woman"! :o

I think that "Slow Summer Dancin' (One Summer Night)" is really underrated, it's such a great song with great vocals by Bruce and Al.

1. "All I Wanna Do"--I cannot understand how this has not ended up on one of the many compilations yet. A beautiful and psychedelic love song.
2. "Celebrate the News"--One of Dennis' best IMO. The tag with all the boys voices shooting all over the place is great. And there's actually some heavy drumming here, unique for a lot of the BB catalog.
3. "Transcendental Meditation"--Many don't like this song but I think the horn arrangement is pretty groovy. I like Brian's take on an "Eastern" scale kind of sound, too.
4. "Airplane"--Just an great song. The organ and bass are some of my favorite on Love You.
5. "She Knows Me Too Well"--This song seems to get overlooked. Probably because it's next to juggernauts like "Please Let Me Wonder" and "Kiss Me Baby". I think it's the best track on the album though; great vocals, great chord changes, that wonderfully understated guitar solo. Plus, if I remember correctly, it's actually the Boys playing, which is nice to know.
6. "Leaving This Town"--That serpentine Moog solo says it all.
7. "Aren't You Glad"--Great white-boy soul. What is that playing the chords in the beginning? Piano, marimba? Maybe both doubled, but either way it's a great sound.
8. "I'm So Lonely"--This is the only song from "85" IMO that is completely successful within it's slick production. Gorgeous chords and melody and just a truly heart breaking song. Everyone has felt this way at some point and Brian really pulled this one off great. Love Carl's middle-eight too.
9. "It's A Beautiful Day"--It bewilders me that this was not a hit. If you've ever lived (hell, even just visited) LA, you know how well this song exudes the feeling of driving around on one of those sunny days.
10. "I Went to Sleep"--This just has an overall amazing sound. Simple but dazzling arrangement and sound effects: the clock-like percussion, snoring, tambourine "sprinklers". I love the sleepy, stoned sounding vocals and lyrics too.

and for the holidays

11. "The Man with All the Toys"--All the vocals are just great. The "whoa" background part is the best.
12. "Child of Winter"--I'm surprised this bizarre nugget hasn't been discussed more. Weird backing vocals, Brian's somewhat creepy spoken section and most of all Moog/synth lines floating all over the place. I believe it was Brian's first "solo" production since "Add Some Music" and it's a great portrait of how he developed up in his bedroom alone. Definitely a sign of things to come, too. Scary, funny, outrageous. Oh, and that "ding dong ding go the bells" with that 8-bit sounding synth at the end is far-out. Sounds like a Nintendo game.

Two words: "Custom Machine".

As much as people enjoy the LDC album, I can't believe this one does not get mentioned more often. Flawless vocals and execution (unlike some of the other cuts on the album), beautiful arrangement, a tight, dynamic song full of surprises, a unique chord progression, a piano solo, an effortlessly cool Mike Love lead, a damn fine set of lyrics... Some glorious two minutes of Wilson art.

What an album cut! Couldn't this have been a hit?

I'm certain this must have been mentioned previously, but I'd say "The Girl From New York City", for one. 
I remember reading in the Rolling Stone record guide [in a review of Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!) by Dave Marsh] that this was a cover of The Ad Libs "Boy From New York City", and then when I finally heard the song I was, on one hand, pissed off that such a major music rag could publish a review (and not a very good one) of something the reviewer (again, Dave Marsh) obviously hadn't even listened to, and on the other hand I was blown away by how great this song is.  I love this track.  This is classic Beach Boys par excellence, IMHO, and a very overlooked track.

It's amusing to note how many "underrated" BBs songs I hate, or "overrated" ones I love, with others obviously in similar boats, considering how many of the same songs appear on both threads. Why not just save the time and make a thread of all BBs songs and the footnote that someone here considers each either over- or underrated? Maybe a seminal classic, maybe some aural urine. Somebody loves or hates it.

I actually thought it was a "Boy From New York City" cover before I heard it too....

Now you know how I feel when I read in 'The Great Rock Discography' that Chumbawamba's foul-mouthed tribute to Lenny Bruce, "Big Mouth Strikes Again", was a Smiths cover.  (The two songs have no similarities outside of the title.)  Oh, the inaccuracies in that book... the same book said that Ringo Starr recorded an album called "Vertical Smile"!  (The author was a perv, apparently!)

That's the one! And I knew it was thrown together by the people responsible for putting it out. But it's such a cool long edit! I have played that version WAY more times than the one on Surf's Up. As a matter of fact the final released version sort of was a let down for me as I had the Landlocked mix before I bought the Sunflower / Surf's Up two-fer.

One more underrated BB song: "Moon Dawg".

I actually go completely the other way. If this song had been recorded very simply with just piano and vocals then I think it could have worked. But I find the arrangement and the production kill it for me and rob the song of any emotion.

"Summer of Love" is bad but it's a catchy type of bad if you follow me. Can't say it's underrated because no one on planet earth rates it in the first place. As for "Moon Dawg", one of the few songs on the first record worth listening to.

LOL, I know what you mean - I ONLY play the 'Desper Mix'.  Except for the awful edit to the vocals, I love that one more than the album version.

Listening to 'Lost and Found 1961-62' at the moment... does anyone else think that "Luau" sounds like a Grease 2 reject? :-P  (Seriously, it's that damn "Rock A Hula Luau" song, two decades earlier!)

The one that really stands out to me is:

Keepin' The Summer Alive

The studio version is a nice cut but when this was played live, the band really laid into it.  What a great song!

Hmmmm, what else....

And more.....

Cindy Oh Cindy
Full Sail
Funky Pretty
Let the Wind Blow
It’s a Beautiful Day
It's Gettin' Late
Santa Ana Winds
This Whole World
Marcella
Pitter Patter
Aren’t You Glad
Susie Cincinnati
Ding Dang
Shortenin’ Bread
Almost Summer

Here's one that just popped into my head - "That Same Song". Not the 15BO version which is pretty cack but that amazing gospel choir version they rip through on the '76 t.v. special. If only Brian had thought of doing it that way for the album. I think it may have influenced Dennis when he recorded his solo version of "River Song".

I've always thought Diamond Head is a killer slice of Brian atmosphere which really sends the Friends album off into some really interesting/unexpected territory while still feeling completely at home on that album!

Yeah, Side B of Friends has a cool vibe/atmosphere, one of the most eclectic sides of any Beach Boys' album.

Ditto on the two above posts. Imagine if We're Together Again or I Went To Sleep were added? Sleep especially fits the Friends vibe I think and would've been a great ending after TM.

speaking of ding dang, I was thinking how it should have ended the Love You album...no tracklisting for it, just have it as a hidden track after Love is a Woman, it would give that Brian Wilson 'charm' that we all love and know.

Indeed!

You're a genius! Exactly. Fade out Side A with "Honkin' Down The Highway", and use "Ding Dang" to close the album. The optimism/pessimism of "Love Is A Woman"/"Ding Dang". Brilliant suggestion. I love it!

I always thought "Noble Surfer" and "Lana" were catchy tunes as well.

Hawaii
Don't Back Down
Good to My Baby
When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)
*Amusement Parks USA
Let Him Run Wild
You're So Good to Me
With Me Tonight
Gettin Hungry
How She Boogalooed It
Passing By
Little Bird
Diamond Head
Be Still
At My Window
Long Promised Road



A few notes:

- Amusement Parks USA gets an asterisk because of the awful carnival sounds added. Without those, it's wonderful.
- One can't really say that any part of Pet sounds is underrated, but I think Here Today and I'm Waiting for the Day are two of the more overlooked gems on that record.
- Side 2 of Friends might be the most underrated single side in their catalog. I actually don't much care for Side 1, except for Passing By and Meant For You.
- I strongly prefer the era up to and including Surf's Up, so those are the only ones I included in my list.
- I'm looking at this list now and wondering why these tracks aren't held in the same regard as many of the initially lesser-known Beatles deep cuts that are now considered classics. Nothing against the Beatles, of course.

One from (almost) each album, i'd love to see any of these included on future Beach Boys compilations:

Noble Surfer
No-Go Showboat
At The Parkin' Lot
We'll Run Away
The Man With All The Toys
She Knows Me Too Well
The Girl From New York City
She's Goin' Bald
Country Air
Be Here In The Mornin'
Never Learn Not To Learn (forget the Manson aspect - this is an incredible production by Dennis)
Celebrate The News
Lady
Slip On Through
Lookin' At Tomorrow
Cuddle Up
Steamboat
Johnny Carson
Angel Come Home
Livin' With A Heartache
Where I Belong

Sweet Mountain.

Sharon Marie's stuff is great. Her "Summertime" blows Brian's solo version away.

One of my favourite underrated songs is American Spring "It's Like Heaven" is one I song always hear the boys on in my head , and the Moog riff from bout 1:30 in sounds like it ended up on "Let Us Go On This Way"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=othG9M3ieVc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I'm a sucker for "Cool Head, Warm Heart", the Carl like "don't get stressed out" and the harmonies on tag towards then end are nice, don't know of that track gets much love around here.

The "Live in London" versions of "Wake the World" and "Aren't You Glad" (A random thought  - imagine "Wild Honey" backed by Booker T & the MG's with the Memphis Horns!)

The "In Concert" versions of "Marcella" and "Funky Pretty" - They just rock more than the studio versions.  I love the drumming in FP.

"Had to Phone Ya" - Despite this being the unveiling of Brian's new voice this is a great little song.

"I'll Bet He's Nice" - Love the tag.

It's probably been mentioned before but not nearly enough: "Tonight You Belong To Me" by The Honeys. I absolutely love Brian's arrangement and production!

Let The Wind Blow
Do It Again
It's About Time
Slip on Through
Disney Girls
A Day in the Life With Trees
Til I Die
Student Demonstration Time
Leaving This Town

I don't really see how Disney Girls is underrated.

Good one! It is overshadowed, but an essential part of Brian's "School Suite". :police:

1. "All Dressed Up For School"
2. "In The Parkin' Lot"
3. "Dance, Dance, Dance"
4. "Be True To Your School"
5. "Graduation Day"

Nor are Do It Again or Til I Die. They're both quite reguarly celebrated as being awesome, by hardcore fans, casual fans and critics.

Plus Disney Girls has been played live for a while now, right (and Do It Again did very well in the charts back then, i believe so).

Just reading this makes me want to dig out the Pet Projects comp! Very 60s and incredibly charming arrangement!

I might be in minority of those who like Blondie and Ricky stuff. Special honor goes for Here She Comes. Also I always had a soft spot for Casual Look and Blueberry Hill. Regarding solo, the one I think is truly underrated is Night Time. Catchiness at the best possible way!

This, why is it not discussed more? It's a fantastic composition, wonder how a BB version woulda been... Spring sound great on it though and I love how Brian comes in at the end with his 'pied piper' era voice, truely a great unknown gem.

Almost everything on the Wilson/ Paley Sessions is underrated imo, the actual songs/compositions if not always the performances, especially -

You're Still a Mystery
It's Not Easy Being Me
Some Sweet Day - Wilson/ Paley (I adore this)
Soul Searchin and GIOMH (either Wilson/Paley or released versions)
Chain Reaction of Love
Market Place
This Song Wants to Sleep With You Tonight
Must Be a Miracle

Also from a mix of released and unreleased -

Melt Away
Rio Grande (really wish he'd done this live over the last several years)
It's Tryin' to Say
I Sleep Alone (If Brian can sing I Loves You Porgy from the girl's perspective, he can sure record this one too  :-D)
My Diane (a true classic imo)
Holy Man (Instrumental and T. Hawkins vocal version)
Santa Ana Winds
Life Is For the Living
Deep Purple
She Believes In Love Again
Rock N' Roll to the Rescue
California Dreamin'
Love Ya
Cry
Good Kind of Love
Message Man (If all/ most of TWGMTR dates back to late '90s, this is BW's greatest 'recently' composed and released song imo)

And many more  :)

Won't You Tell Me - That early 70's Murry song with Brian & Carl singing.  Brian is all over that one. :o

Apparently Brian wasn't very involved with that one, it was more David Sandler's song and work, so I doubt it would have ever been attempted by the Beach Boys. Hearing Brian in the early 70s when his voice was at its most child-like doing a bass vocal, of all things, is indeed cool as f***. He nails it, and as great as the entire song is, I always look forward to that part the most.

AWESOME post RR.  I really enjoyed your comments on these rare tracks, quite a few of which don't get talked about much.  I love Brian's demos, especially the 80s ones.  You can really hear Brian reconnecting with his muse in them.  Forget about the bitter aftertaste of the Landy Administration, and simply wonder at the sheer music pouring from our man Brian.  One of my favorite tracks from that period is "Black Widow".  I love the eerie verses, with Brian seemly paralyzed with fear upon spotting a black widow spider crawling up his wall, a very Smile-meets-Shortenin' Bread piano riff being hammered on throughout...then it shifts to a classic "Brian-pep-talk" lyric, with a soaring major key chorus..."Can't take it no more...can't take it nooooooo mooooore! The little things...that mean so much...to me!"  Brilliant melody from Brian here, with a classic Brian lyrical sentiment.  Can you imagine if this had made it to BB85?  Instant Beach Boys Deep Cut.

Another song with has a similar dramatic shift in tone is "In My Car".  A menacing verse with scary-sounding atonal vocals from Brian, into a high-speed and happy cheer-lead for "my car", where you can be the captain of your destiny.  Straight-up BW Weirdness.  Love it.

A song I think gets a unfair shake at the stick is "Living With A Heartache"...loved this song from the first time I heard it.  Mellow, but tight instrumentation, a super Carl Wilson with some tasty country overtones, and is it me or is Terry Melcher on backing vocals here?  Sounds like the Bruce and Terry Blend there.  I'll think of some more tomorrow...