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http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/pressclips/newreleases/curiousgeorge2/newreleases.html (http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/pressclips/newreleases/curiousgeorge2/newreleases.html)

Breaking silence just long enough to say wow! That's a BW-composed bridge, if I'm not mistaken. Just wish BW didn't sound so -- sludgy.

For some odd reason the song reminds me of some of the Sweet Insanity material. It's not bad but his own vocal performance is pretty awful.

Another example of a potentially really good song with a cool backing track that doesn't reach its potential because Brian can't sing. But, thanks for the link anyway, AGD.

 ???what is the problem. I think Brian sound really good and the song is great. Thanks AGD for the link ! :-D

It's a fun tune but I can't even make out most of the words he's singing. I sort of like it anyway, though I think it's nowhere near as good as the TLOS bonus tracks. But that's alright, just a nice little soundtrack tune.

You know I don't think Brian sounds bad at all...not TLOS worthy but miles away from GIOMH. Perhaps next time just a single-tracked lead? Great, great bridge with a great bass vocal from Brian at the end. One thing I will add is that I didn't think he sounded all that good until I pumped up the volume. Man do those drums sound great!

Brian can't sing? Blasphemy.

Gets a B from me. Nothing great, but fun.

You know, you're right. I used the wrong choice of words. I should've said that it wasn't one of Brian's best efforts, because, the last couple of years, he has sung better, including TLOS, his cover of Carl's "Heaven", and that Burt Bacharach thing.

I will, however, stick by my opinion about some/most of Brian's songs not reaching their potential because of his leads, this song being one of them.

I think it sounds pretty sweet, and more importantly Brian sounded like he had a good time doing it ;D I never would've found this so thanks for sharing :)

Wait, is this a new song? When's it from

11 more songs, and we'll have the long awaited rock and roll album!  ;D

...I actually did enjoy this song though. I liked the original, the Ramones version, and this one too.

The Dictators did a good version of "California Sun" on their album, Go Girl Crazy.

While we weren't watching, Brian DID his rock and roll album:

BRIAN WILSON - California Feelin'

1. One For The Boys
2. California Sun
3. California Feelin'
4. I'm Into Something Good
5. Let's Go To Heaven In My Car
6. Desert Drive
7. Keep An Eye On Summer
8. Meet Me In My Dreams Tonight
9. South American
10. Sunshine
11. Forever She'll Be My Surfer Girl
12. How Could We Still Be Dancin'
13. Southern California
14. The Spirit Of Rock And Roll

Now, if I could get "California Sun" into an mp3, I could burn that comp onto a CD! :police:

Brian's voice at the end of the bridge - the Pied Piper from Mt. Vernon & Fairway made his return!

I think that's one of the biggest faults of the vocals on GIOMH, Imagination, and some other 90s and 00s solo stuff. Double tracked vocals with gobs and gobs and frigging gobs of reverb does not fit EVERY track - in fact, it rarely works well at all. TLOS often employs a more dry vocal production and is single tracked, and I think he sounds about a hundred times better on those moments.

I almost think that making a composite single track of the two takes here and removing all that reverb could prove to be a pretty good vocal. Alas...

This song, other than what I just mentioned, is pretty nice. Thanks for sharing, Mr.Doe.

A rather pointless cover imo that sounds less than many other versions. Brian's vocal is pretty poor and somebody should have cracked the whip and got something more from him.

I worked up a similar comp last night, with a rock and roll side, and a more reflective side.

Set myself a couple of rules though: firstly, no tracks that have appeared on other BW solo LPs/CDs (other than as TLOS etc bonus tracks). Secondly, let it in even if it's not top-drawer, as long as it fits the theme and has a BW lead vocal; otherwise there wouldn't be enough for a decent "album".
Haven't included California Feeling though as it's one of the very few BBs/BW tracks I simply don't like.

The Spirit of Rock & Roll
Rodney on the Rock
California Sun
Speed Turtle **
I'm Into Something Good (with Carole King)
Believe in Yourself
Message Man

Live Let Live
Just Like Me And You
What Love Can Do (Demo, Burt Bacharach    lead, an exception to the rule) *
What Love Can Do
Oh Mi Amor
Walking Down The Path Of Life/Love & Mercy
Heaven

* anyone know if this is "out there" in anything than the truncated version someone recorded off a radio broadcast?  If so, I sure would like to avoid it!  :-X
** Rock and Roll, zimmer style!

It actually seems to me that Brian was trying to emulate the Rivieras' original in terms of his vocal style. All the same, not top drawer (but more intelligible than Joey Ramone!). What is surprising is that Brian was under no obligation whatsoever to write a new bridge for the song, but evidently felt inspired to do so.

Not too shabby.  Not a remarkable vocal performance but nothing horrible. 

I like it - the true successor to Monkey's Uncle! Not bad from a guy approaching 70...

I really like this song so it's cool to hear Brian do it. I don't think the new bridge is an improvement though.

What will he do next? Louie Louie? Surfin' Bird? Woolly Bully?

All of the above I hope!  :-D

 :lol after posting, I thought exactly that! They're exemplary songs for 'goofy, dumb' Brain, and perfect for sneaking in a brilliant backing vocal or bridge, to prove his art.

I'd actually like to see Brian reading the lyrics to "Surfin' Bird" from a teleprompter while performing!

 :lol ahpapapapapapapapapapapapapa-oomowomowomow-papa-oomowmowmowowmow (ad infinitum)...

I've been only waiting to post this one again:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okVglyNzRFk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okVglyNzRFk)
 ;D ;D ;D


Back to Brian's recording of CS, I'm not very impressed by his vocals, but the track, especially the drums, sound great !

nice.

Seems like 100% Brian vocals. And the unclear quality of the lead may be due to the fact that it's like triple or quadruple-stacked.

Can anyone share information as to when, where, and with whom it was recorded? Did Mark L produce/engineer/mix the track?

Yay! And with Swedish subtitles as well!  ;D

Track sounds good, vocals are good enough. Bridge is worth trying, even though I'm not thrilled with it. Doesn't matter: it's just a fun tune. I mean, you can't expect every recording to be another Speed Turtle.

He's in 'shouty' vocal style thats for sure! Just a fun tune.  Thanks for posting AGD!  Btw was anybody reminded of "Go faster faster!  Little Honda Honda!" by the organ riff?

These are the credits I have:

produced and arranged by Brian Wilson
Brian: piano, lead vocals, background vocals
Jeffrey Fosektt: guitar
Nicki Wonder: guitar
Gary Griffin: keyboards
Scott Bennett: drums
Probyn Gregory: bass
recorded an mixed by Mark Linett at Your Place or Mine

Cool, thanks for that!

Just a heads up to everyone, but "California Sun" is now available on iTunes!!