The Smiley Smile Message Board

I just recently bought the BB Selections by BW and I love his version of California Feeling...it's such a peaceful vibe...in fact, it makes this album like something to get high to...like god only knows- CF is great....
the BB version is good too (from the 70s)...it sounds so brian-y but doesnt even have a Brian vocal, right? Hearing bruce on there....that's the most clear as day ive heard him since I'll Bet he's nice and dont hear anything from him til endless harmony...say, did he submit any tunes for LA that are obviously unreleased? I know he produced it, right?

I hope I'm understanding your questions right.  That's Carl singing the lead on the Beach Boys version of "California Feeling", with Bruce on the bridge... indicating this song was finished during the sessions where Bruce was brought in to work on the Light Album.  No I don't hear Brian at all on this, though there's a demo making the rounds where he sings it (as well as an alternate version featuring the vocal "talents" of Rocky Pamplin, about which the less said the better.)  I don't think Bruce is featured on "I'll Bet He's Nice" or Love You at all for that matter.

I don't know if it was ever submitted for LA or not, but Bruce wrote an incredible song around this time called "Brand New Old Friends" that was cut by Curt Becher's group California Music but sat unreleased until the year 2000.  Would have made a wonderful addition to LA Light.

Some other good stuff that sat in the can around this time:  "Santa Ana Winds", "Looking Down the Coast"/ "Monterey" all by Al Jardine, "Our Team" (MIU reject I believe; surely this was better than "Kona Coast"?), "Sherry She Needs Me"... All of these can be found on a boot titled California Feeling, along with some lesser period outtakes ("Skatetown USA", anyone?) 

"Those groovy little wheels are gonna git me sum."

Oh, Mike. Sum what? Hip replacement surgeries?

i coulda sworn Bruce was on IBHN...he sings around the end..."well it's you"

pretty sure bruce has even went on to say he's sang on every BB record except MIU

That IS Bruce. He made little apperances every now and then, true. Although, I did not know he was So Tough. Anybody have any info on what he was on on that album?

I've never heard the BB version of CF with Brian on lead. I've heard the version with Carl, and of course the "new" Brian version from 2002. Anybody who has heard it..any comments? How does Brian's voice sound on it?


Completely unrelated , of course, but...there is this interesting looking icon to the right of the profile and email icons.
<--------------------------

I wonder what it does...  ;)

The California Feelin' demo from 1974 is unbooted, but one of the most talked about recordings of any of the Beach Boys. Brian still has his sweet voice and plays a gospel piano. I'm told it puts the 1978 and 2002 versions to complete and utter shame.

It's unbooted?!  :'(

I've heard similar from AGD, but I think he's heard EVERYTHING.

Yes, it's unbooted, sadly. There's a lot of stuff that is. Oodles.

AGD hasn't heard everything. Not even Alan Boyd has heard everything, and he manages the tape vault, for Chrissakes!

What? A 1974 version with Brian singing lead?  I would give a lot to hear this.

Bruce can be clearly heard on the tag of "IBHN" - further, he's stated many times that the only BB album he's not on since he joined the band was M.I.U..

Oh, and Brian is on the 10/78 recording of "CF" - that's him being whiny all over the end of the chorus.

It's a pretty loose demo, just BW and a piano. He's in excellent voice though. Go figure.

Always recall reading about it in the 1976 Crawdaddy articles, thinking "WHOA !"... then actually hearing the 1978 version and thinking, "WTF... ?". BIG letdown.

thank you AGD!  ;D

Isn't there a version from '76 with Brian in his voice of the period?

I believe Bruce left the BBs when most of "So tough" was already finished.

But if he was on every album except M.I.U. (and I don't blame him for not being on THAT !), does that mean, he's also on "In concert"? If so, what songs is he on and what is he playing (instrument) ?

I think the quote was about studio albums.

Revive!  (for my first post)

I sort of felt the same way -- having read about it in Tim White's TNFAP.  When I finally heard the boot, I was kind of bummed.  Carl sounds like he's been sedated.

That said, this week, I'm kind of into it.  The Bruce part, in particular, where he repeats the title over and over again w/ the modulation.  Sometimes I just wonder how in the hell these guys put out so much garbage in the late 1970's when they had so much better material in the can.

:lol I've never actually heard the song but that didn't stop me from making a terrible electric keyboard cover version by following along with the chords and guessing the melody, and singing in an assortment of creepy pervert voices. I'll have to find it and upload it sometime. That song just seems like it represents everything wrong with Mike Love and the BBs at the time, even though I've never heard it.

edit- Finally listened to it. I had guessed the vocal melody pretty closely. I figured that the song would be produced to sound exactly like "Almost Summer", and I was right. As an aside - isn't it depressing to see Mike Love live now? I know it's great that he's still touring, but after seeing all of those ridiculous dances and hand gestures he did as a youngster, it's sad to see the feeble hand movements he's limited to today. It's like he wants to do more, but his body just won't. He tries to swing his hips and nothing happens.

Someone give him a Red Bull before concerts. Actually, giving cocaine to Mike Love and Brian Wilson would be a great idea. Perk 'em up.

I'm sure I've read that CF was recorded for MIU. 

I've had a hard time getting into this song...at least on a par with the way it has been talked up.  I've heard better unreleased stuff.  Some of it quite good in comparison imo.

Of course, I'm a big fan of Holland and Love You so I should like this song in terms of the era ......maybe it will one day grow on me.

Nope - however, M. I. U. was originally called California Feeling, even though Brian flatly refused to allow them to include the song. It wasn't recorded during the MIU sessions - the first known version (Brian's original 11/12/74 Western demo aside) was with American Spring in summer 1977 at Brother (lead vocal, Rocky, and I don't think it's too bad). The BB version was cut at Criteria during the Miami sessions, 8/28 and 9/1/78.

Bruce, What songs are going on LA (as David Leaf asked in the fall of 1978):

As of now, the songs that will probably be on the album are “Baby Blue”, “Angel Come Home”, “Lady Lynda”, “Here Comes The Night”, “Full Sail”, “Going South” … maybe “Calendar Girl” … I’m trying not to put “Santa Ana Winds" on … a heavy ‘no’ on “California Feeling”.

Meaning...?  That they had a hard time cutting the song or something?

Sounds like Bruce didn't like the results.

Meaning, 'no, it's not going to be on the album'. And by God, it wasn't. Amazing, huh ?  ;D

He's trying to avoid Santa Ana Winds as much as he can...but he's doing everything he can for HCTN?? WOW Bruce! oops

And people think Brian was the crazy one  ::)

Has it ever been known exactly why Brian was so opposed to the band using California Feeling in the late 70's?

I've never heard the 1974 Brian version (very few have), but I can see why the 77 version wasn't.

It sucks.

I don't think the late-seventies BB version sucks. It sounds a bit drowsy, yes, but so does most of the Light Album without being half as charming and melodically satisfying. Also, unlike Full Sail and Goin' South, CF really does sound like the Beach Boys.

It's the last time Carl sounds a little drugged so to speak, but I do still like their version. I never heard one I disliked but I don't care for some of the lyrics in Brian's remake from 2002.

The late 70's version is one of my favorite BB recordings. Really spacey.

i wouldn't mind the new lyrics so much if they didn't replace the ending verse, which is just too good. Apart from that, it's perfectly inoffensive. Could've been one of their great 70's tunes with a slightly bigger production, i think

The 2002 version has the original lyrics, doesn't it?

the last verse is completely different - Instead of the epic ending, they go for another full verse with some duller ones. witness - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFXXyRFPSwY
the rest is the same though, you're right. I prefer the 70's version cos of the greatness of that ending. it's a cracking song with that

The 1978 track sounds better one semitone sped. The vocals, especially Carl, at least.

Agree.

Did we ever figure out exactly what Bruce did on SO TOUGH?  I don't hear him singing anywhere.  I suppose he could have played keyboards on something, though I think a lot of the parts have been accounted for (Carl/Daryl Dragon/Brian).

If I had to guess, the only I could think of might be the organ on "He Come Down."  Andrew?  Alan?

from what I read and heard he participated on either Marcella or Mess Of Help (or both). It was discussed here before I think. But he's probably buried way down in the mix.

I'm still wondering btw, the BB (if I can believe Badman's book on this) supposed to have done a (lip-synched) performance of Marcella for a Dutch TV program on Feb. 24th 1972 **. And Bruce - according to Badman - was there as well. Apart from the fact that I'm very curious if this was actually broadcasted... is this true at all?

(** this was the day before the Grand Gala Du Disque show)

(http://i43.tinypic.com/nva7w9.jpg)

It is true. That picture was taken at NOS Studios, Hilversum. Blondie made the trip to Holland but wasn´t on that clip (he didn´t play The Grand Gala Du Disque either).

BTW: Who´s the guy behind Mike?

Ah, I knew that picture, but wasn't aware that it was from that performance. Thanks for that info. It still makes me wonder though if it was ever broadcasted. Marcella wasn't released as a 45 yet as far as I remember.



I happen to have heard the audio-recording of GGDD a lot (and - no - of course I don't have it), and one of the hosts of the evening clearly mentions that this was a performance of the Beach Boys, including "TWO members of The Flames". And I also have a picture of the group performing that evening, and Blondie is clearly visible.

(http://i39.tinypic.com/2woeo06.jpg)

Bruce's last show with the BB was April 2nd, 1972, in Tampa. However, he did contribute to the CATP sessions between 4/3 and 4/13 - a very basic version of "Ten Years Harmony" was recorded then. By his own admission he was present at Brian's "Rooftop Harry" session on the 15th at Larrabee Sound. This was the day after the first non-Bruce BB gig in Ames IA.

But that doesn't actually put him on the album, is what I'm saying.  If Bruce says he was on all the albums bar MIU then he had to have sung or played on something that actually was released.

He probably sang on "Marcella" though I (and we) dissected it thoroughly enough to pick Jack Rieley out of the mix (confirmed by Alan Boyd) but not Bruce...maybe he's one of the sped-up background harmonies on the verses.  He could also have played bass on something I suppose, though he doesn't seem to have played much bass in the studio and with Blondie there I don't know why he would have.

Come to think of it, perhaps Bruce sang on "Cuddle Up."  It was recorded prior to CATP, right?  Or was it?

Not listening to it right now, but I could def. imagine him on "All This Is That."

At any rate, I'd just say that Bruce's bit on the 1978 "California Feeling" is really quite affecting.  Someone mentioned elsewhere that a song like "Endless Harmony" sounded a little like B-grade Paul Simon.  But when deployed properly, as it was on CF, it had a very touching, elegiac quality to it. 

Is that Billy Hinsche behind Mike?

Who's playing the piano?

I thought "All This Is That" was three part harmony all the way through -- Carl, Al and Mike.  Are there any block or background harmonies with more than three voices on there?  I don't remember any.  Of course Bruce could have been one of the voices somewhere in there but I thought it was all the three writers.

This excellent website will answer that question.  ::)

http://www.btinternet.com/~bellagio/gigs.html (http://www.btinternet.com/~bellagio/gigs.html)

Try the pages for 1971 & 1972.

It really is an excellent website.  It's very generous of you to devote your time (and money) to nail down Beach Boy history.

I like the Rocky/Spring version the best backing track and vocally-wise.

Hmm, so according to Mr. Doe, Dennis' two songs were recorded later in the CATP sessions, not earlier, though it looks like Bruce was in the band up until the last few sessions.  It's interesting that "Ten Years' Harmony" was recorded in April, days before he quit the band...it does seem then as if, as was indicated in press reports at the time, Bruce's departure was very sudden.  Otherwise why demo up an original song for consideration on the album?

It's funny, I actually saw Captain & Tennille in Binghamton, NY when I was a little kid, and I remember Toni Tennille saying onstage that her first-ever show with the Beach Boys was in Binghamton.  Looks like she stretched the truth just a little, though Oneonta is just 50 miles up the road, so it's close enough.

So, back to the Bruce on CATP mystery (I was stuck at the Verizon store for three hours today, so I want to indulge myself in some geekiness before I get back to work), he was definitely in the band for the following basic tracks in 12/71:  Marcella, Mess of Help, Here She Comes and He Come Down.  But they're already doing Blondie/Ricky originals so those two are in the band at this point.

We have a track sheet for Mess of Help somewhere in the vocal credits list but I don't have time to go look for it.  Listening for Bruce on these here's what I got:

Mess of Help
Bass is fairly rudamentary and played with a flatpick, but to the extent I'm familiar with Bruce's playing (not very), I'd guess this is Blondie or Carl or Ed Carter.  He could be playing the piano, but it seems more likely to be Brian or Daryl Dragon (or both, it sounds like there might be two).

There's a couple vocal breakdowns where he might be.  At 1:57 I hear Mike (double-tracked), Carl, Brian, and one or two other voices.  I think one of the others is Brian.  None of them sound remotely like Bruce, ESPECIALLY the highest one.

There's a very highpitched (and sloppy) background vocal part at 2:23.  It could be anyone, but the tonality is pretty nasal and un-Bruce.
verdict:  I can't prove he's not there, but I just don't hear him.

He Come Down
keyboards:  there's a piano and organ.  Piano sounds like Brian.  Organ sounds like Brian too, but it's not specific to his style, and some of the Hammond moves suggest it could be someone else. (Actually a second organ comes in around 2:15).
bass:  follows the piano bass line.  Could be anyone (including Brian).
vocals: 
Well, there's lots of parts.  On the "I believe it part" I hear Ricky and or Blondie (I have trouble telling them apart) scatting on the left and right parts.  Sounds like a 3-part harmony center channel.  Definitely Carl, possibly Brian, possibly Blondie, possibly Al.  Don't hear any trace of Bruce in there.  I don't know who's doing the "down down" bit but I'd say Blondie or Al.  Anyway, no sign of Bruce here.

As for "yes, I believe it!" -- again, lots of parts, but the only one that sounds remotely like Bruce is at the tail end, right channel at 3:35.  But I don't think it's him.
verdict:  again, I don't hear him vocally.  The high vocals have a denser and grainier texture than Bruce is known for.  I could buy that he's playing one of the organ tracks.

Marcella
Bass -- never noticed how bad-ass this bass line is.  It's mixed pretty low...I can't even tell if it's bass guitar, moog, or some combination.
Keyboards -- there's an organ on the right channel in spots.  There's another keyboard in the right channel (sounds like a Wurlitzer) at 2:25.  Piano comes in at 2:32.  The piano sounds like Brian.
Vocals -- During the song I hear Carl (a bunch of them I believe), Dennis, Mike, Al (one of the "knock you right overs" I believe)
At the end I hear a couple of Mikes, someone doing counterpoint (Al or Brian or both), Dennis or Carl ("Marcella hey"), Jack Rieley ("hey Marcella"), and someone else doing "doobie doobie doo" (I'd guess Al).  No trace of Bruce here.
The ONLY place that sounds like Bruce is the varispeeded vocals in the verses...that has a bit of his tonality to it.
One interesting thing about this track is that the drums at the end sound like BRIAN played them (the drums at the first part are clearly someone else), and also you don't hear the piano come in until the very end.  This track sounds to me like it was recorded in two halves...Brian producing the second half and cutting it mostly himself, and the band playing the first half.  Also interesting is the lack of Blondie and Ricky vocally on this track, indicating this is more of an "old school" BBs performance.
Verdict:  It makes sense that he WOULD be on this track, but I'd swear he's not on it vocally unless he's one of those varispeeded harmonies.  I could buy that he's playing the bass though it seems unusual.  There's not a lot of keyboards for him to have played, though he could have done the organ and the other keyboard in the first half of the song.

Here She Comes
bass -- no way that's Bruce.
keyboards -- the piano sounds too funky for Bruce...I'm assuming this is Ricky or Daryl Dragon?  Someone probably knows.  There's a couple of organ tracks.
vocals -- there's actually more harmonies on here than I remember.  Evidence that Bruce is NOT here is there is someone on a very high harmony and not only does it not sound at all like Bruce, they're flat.  I would think if he were around they would have put him on that part.
Verdict:  I can't rule out Bruce on the vocals but I doubt it.  I could buy he's on the organ.

So I'm thinking that, if we take Bruce at his word that he's on CATP, he might have been the designated Hammond organ player on the sessions.  The Wrecking Crew guys had high praise for his feel on the organ, there's organ on all these tracks that's discrete from the other keyboard tracks (e.g. played by someone else), and he was playing the Hammond onstage as an integral part of the band at that time so it makes sense to me that if he was hanging around the studio when stuff was getting cut that would be what he was doing.

I took a quick listen to the ending of "Cuddle Up."  There's a lot of reverb on the vocals...I don't hear Bruce (though that's Toni Tennille on that high part right?), but the tonality of the vocals is such that he could easily be on there. 

So that's my thought.

Oh the other thing is the lack of Bruce vocally would make sense, since they probably did the vocal tracks last.  So I'm thinking his contribution to the album was probably (mostly) instrumental.

I hope this doesn't come off too weird: I love you.

(You, sir, are my kind of geek.)

Great detailed post. I'll second Luther's modest statement.

I wasn't being immodest. I meant "my kind" as in the sort I can adore. I have no Chaos band!

Right back atcha Luther.  I am always down with what you have to say...you never disappoint.

I didn't catch that "All This Is That" was the first song recorded for CATP.  Guess I should have listened to that first.

Goes without saying, it's totally redundant, but Brian's demo may top my list of tracks I want to hear most. Top five for sure. What all do we know about it?

I luuurrve Luther.

I just assemble the info and host it - 99% of the props here go to Ian & Craig (c-man).

Recorded at Western 11/12/74, engineered by Chuck. Just Brian & a piano, and he's in great voice until the end, when he starts dicking around, sounding like a bad Vegas lounge singer. "Lucy Jones" was cut at the same time, a prime example of shouty Brian. Vocal there shared with Stevie K.

So Andrew, any opinion as to where Bruce J. is to be found within the grooves of CATP?

No idea. I'll ask him.

Going purely by the dates, well... could be almost any of them as the sessions commenced late 1971, when he was still firmly in the band. He evidently made his decision to leave (or had it made for him) between April 2nd-14th. We'll work it out, given time. We usually do.

This just in - Bruce says the only track he's on is "Marcella" (vocals).

Well, now we know.  I'm guessing he's one of those varispeeded "aaahs" then.

Thanks for checking out, another riddle solved.

I'm still curious about the Marcella performance on Feb 72 on Dutch TV.
According to your site, Andrew, there were 2 sessions/periods in which Marcella was recorded.
- December 6-10th 1971
- February 17th 1972

On Feb 24th - only a week later - they did the performance at the Toppop TV show in the Netherlands. Apparently a lipsynch performance (from what I read in Keith Badman's book). On May 15, almost 3 months later C&tP/So Tough and the Mess Of Help 45 is released.

Seeing the pictures from that performance (I've never seen the video footage) Bruce was there. I'm very curious if he (Bruce) remembers performing there, if the recording that was used was the version we all know or an earlier mix. Why they performed it in the first place (were they planning on releasing this as the 1st single in stead of Mess Of Help?). And why only a day later, the Beach Boys perform on the Grand Gala, with Blondie, but apparently without Bruce (although I've seen a picture of Bruce being present at the show).

O well, just wondering... I happen to find these days from the BB-history very interesting (must be the Dutch connection).