The files that were provided to me were FLAC transfers from original mastered for production redbook CD.

Those would be the tracks Hoffman mastered some 15 years ago and never got paid for, then.

Steve was joking about not being paid - he's known about this release for months and been supportive. I've spoken to him in the last week in fact. You actually have no way to know what the deal was between Brad and Steve 15 years ago, nor whether any agreed-upon compensation between them was paid or not. It's certainly none of my business - nor is it any of my concern what happened previously as I wasn't involved and don't have to answer for it.

I'll get the campaign out soon. You pays your money / you takes your choice...

Even if I raise $20 on the campaign - the people that pledged will get what they paid for or their money back...You can't say fairer than that...

Hey all,

So I aim to have the Indiegogo campaign up in the next few days....

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments and messages of support I've received...Looking forward to reaching the goal someway and somehow...

As for Brad...I respect everyone's opinion and I hope that you all respect mine as the Producer of this release to be entitled to deliver the product in the shape and form that I see fit. Artistic vision and courage of your own convictions is vital when delivering any project. It's what keeps me determined.

The files that were provided to me were FLAC transfers from original mastered for production redbook CD. 16bit/44hz hence why no HD option. Incidentally, I was offered many titles that fall under this UK copyright 50 year ruling by many artists - and chose The Beach Boys because I really wanted to get Prelude To Summer... out there as I've often read about these mythical recordings. And no I'm not at liberty to discuss the other artists mentioned.

I sought out Brad to write these notes - I'm glad he said yes. He took some persuading and I don't blame him based on the stuff I've seen in the last week or so. I've even had my integrity called into question despite trying to be upfront on honest at all times. But I forgive easily, as this is one hell of a touchy subject.

I dearly hope you all help and pledge support towards this new campaign; and I totally understand if your principles / objections prevent you from doing so.

The IndieGogo campaign will be based on 750 pressed copies. I had already put in that order for the 750 so we'll see where we go before I push for any more. Regardless of whether I hit the campaign target - these 750 copies are being pressed..

More when I have it...

Hey guys,

Just so you know I cancelled the Kickstarter campaign tonight. Apologies, I was very naive and this was my first Kickstarter campaign and in hindsight I should have opted to demonstrate a target that would cover costs rather than based on what I'd hoped to amass by selling all the copies I'm pressing.

I'll relaunch on IndieGogo in the next week or so..This allows me to guarantee some funding regardless of target, and I'll be going with a much more appropriate target based on costs to produce...Watch this space...and thanks to most of you for the questions and amazing support I'm receiving behind the scenes....

Chat soon

Raph

raphph, thanks for the previews!


It always sounded to me like the finished "Surfer girl" had at least two Brians during the bridge; one singing lead, the other(s) in the background. The version in the video seems to be missing some voices, at least the high/falsetto part. So, would it be correct to assume that Brian overdubbed himself afterwards? And maybe even did all the voices?

The answer to this very good question is featured in the liner notes

The kickstarter goal strangely adds up to the amount Brad owes.
[/quote
I woulda gotten away with it... If it weren't for ...

(Anybody else think raphph is not who he seems? *cough*)

Hey cmon I've tried to be honest and upfront with you guys.

So why do you need $38,000 to press 1,500 copies?

Tis a valid question. Whilst I'm not going to provide breakdowns of costs - I will say that it's taken a lot of behind the scenes costs to pull this together. Else I'd just burn CD-Rs of 1500 copies and mail them to you all.

Is one of those behind the scenes costs recompensing Steve Hoffman? Granted, he's not everyone's favourite online presence but his work is regarded as exemplary, and I'm not sure whether it could be argued that that copyright has expired on the remastered files he created…

I think what folk are looking for there is a release that's completely above board, whereby everyone is recompensed for work done (bit like Frank Holmes was, I understand, eventually recompensed for his Smile artwork with the 2011 TSS release) and maybe long-standing debts are settled.

Wouldn't it be better, first of all, to sort out all those legal contentions that prevent the release of his package as a complete entity?

I hate being so negative about such a potentially wonderful release but I'd love to see all the bases covered and the job done comprehensively.

Ok guys I'm starting to know when I'm beat. Clearly there is considerable interest in this release but we've had ten backers so far. I was trying to give this a proper release rather than a rush job. I've learned my lesson. Thanks for your time. I hope you can all see I was trying to do something worthy. I hope you don't have to wait another fifteen years to see these recordings - but don't hold your breath

 As yo've presented it, I see no way you're going to reach your goal.
You'll be better off taking PM "orders" and distributing  CD-Rs for $25 each

Sounds an even better reason to do CD-Rs: You can include ALL the 1st Wave tracks....

Ideally, I'd still like to stick to the law if I'm charging

Thanks for taking the time to answer

Why not release the full 2CD set as Brad was planning to do?

If i buy this, i might have to buy the same thing again later on for a few more tracks. I already have Lost & Found, and i'll be honest, these aren't the greatest tracks in the world

Legally, I can only release tracks that have fallen into Public Domain under UK law. You'll get a 73 mins CD.

I believe the original Lost And Found DCC was only around half an hour?

Trying to A/B Prelude to Summer/ First Wave,  These seem to be the tracks you're not including; can you explain why you deem these not to be Public Domain while the ones you're including are?  

>>
Disc One
Recorded September 15, 1961

 1. Surfin' (demo) 2:24
 8. Lavender (demo, take 4) 2:22 *

Recorded October 3, 1961

 9. Surfin' (take 1) 0:16
 10. Surfin' (take 2) 2:22
 17. Luau (take 1) 0:20
 18. Luau (take 2) 1:51
 
Recorded February 8, 1962   ( Some of these four may be on your set, but the track titles aren't a firm match)

 35. Surfin' Safari (take 10) 2:07 *
 36. Surfin' Safari (overdub take 1 on take 6) 2:24
 37. Surfin' Safari (overdub take 2 on take 10) 2:17
 38. Surfin' Safari (stereo overdub on take 6) 2:06

Disc Two
Recorded February 8, 1962

 4. Surfer Girl (take 4) 2:24 *
 7. Surfer Girl (overdub take 1 on take 4) 2:33
 9. Judy (take 2) 2:35 *
 10. Judy (overdub take 1 on take 2) 2:29
 11. Judy (overdub take 2 on take 2) 2:41
 12. Beach Boy Stomp (take 1) 1:34 *
 15. Beach Boy Stomp (overdub take 1 on take 1) 1:32 *
 16. Beach Boy Stomp (overdub take 2 on take 1) 1:38

Recorded March 8, 1962

 23. Barbie (overdub take 7) 2:45
<<

Also, While I can't speak for anyone but myself, I have to say that using Brad for liner notes ( no matter how qualified you deem him to be) leaves an extremely bad taste and may well be a primary reason for people NOT to support your campaign. He stole people's money and yet he's to be paid by them again?  You have to see how wrong this is.

So why do you need $38,000 to press 1,500 copies?

Tis a valid question. Whilst I'm not going to provide breakdowns of costs - I will say that it's taken a lot of behind the scenes costs to pull this together. Else I'd just burn CD-Rs of 1500 copies and mail them to you all.

 As yo've presented it, I see no way you're going to reach your goal.
You'll be better off taking PM "orders" and distributing  CD-Rs for $25 each

The tracks  included have never been released in the last fifty years.  A/B'd them all comprehensively. The ones not included had legal contentions as to their release. The original tracklist that was going to be presented for Prelude To Summer was much longer...

So why do you need $38,000 to press 1,500 copies?

Tis a valid question. Whilst I'm not going to provide breakdowns of costs - I will say that it's taken a lot of behind the scenes costs to pull this together. Else I'd just burn CD-Rs of 1500 copies and mail them to you all.

Brad Elliot is a scumbag.

Brad is a standup guy. Even Steve Hoffman has said so. The whole 2000 release saga was unfortunate for everyone involved. The person who lost the most in the whole saga was Brad.

The whole 2000 release saga was WORST for those whose money Brad stole.  

While you seem to be a good guy yourself, you obvioulsy don't understand the situation and your defense of Brad only serves to label you much less so.
Brad took $40000 + dollars from people and gave nothing in return; choosing instead to slink away and  disappear.  
Using Steve Hoffman as a defense for Brad only adds to YOUR loss of credibility; Steve deletes any postings on his own page that don't make him appear to be a demi-god, so why would anyone take his word about the scumbag Brad?  

Hey dude,

I get that this is a really thorny issue for a lot of people. I get that, I really do. I only quoted Steve Hoffman as he was the mastering engineer on that release - not because of any demigod notion.

I'm trying to bring this back to focus on the music.

These are truly some great recordings.

No one gets to hear them. That sucks.

We live in a Spotify age of awful releases. I'm trying to be a libertarian and get these out there. It would cheapen them to just release them digitally on iTunes. I want to give them a good package. No one is more qualified to write those notes than Brad. This "Prelude To Summer..." package truly is a just testament to these recordings - else I wouldn't put my name on it.

Maybe I'm naive in my plight, but I sleep at night with 100% faith that I'm trying to do a good thing for likeminded Beach Boys fans...

Honestly, I would dearly love for you guys to help me...I get why there is reluctance...I'm trying to bring this back to the music...I'm probably not going to hit this goal - but I'd damn well like to try...

23. Lavender [Take 4].  I believe all we've heard before is the demo.

Thanks,

Lee

Here's the first minute https://www.dropbox.com/s/5vqkjuzig65nxjl/23%20-%20Lavender%20%5Btake%204%5D%20SNIPPET.mp3?dl=0

Raphael, I know my main interest lies in the unheard studio version of "Lavender."  That was going to be one of the highlights of the FIRST WAVE release.  Any chance of posting a 10-15 second snippet?

Thanks,

Lee

Help me out - which specifically from the list of 48 Prelude To Summer tracks are you requesting?

Raphael, you have to understand, and you seem like a smart guy so I know you do; many collectors were burned by the last offering of these tracks in 2000. People fronted their money for the CD set and did not get a refund when it didn't happen. This was unexpected and people learned their lessons from it. I'm sure that many, including myself, want to see the goods physically materialize first before laying out money for the product.

One of the reasons why I pursued the Kickstarter route was so that it's much easier to provide refunds and track all purchases / pledges should any mishaps / delays occur.

I totally understand anyone's reluctance...It's regrettable that anyone feels burned by any musical release that was shelved or halted...

This is not about profit - it's about giving these recordings the release they deserve...It breaks my heart that these Julie London albums are being treated so shoddily because they have fallen in the Public Domain in the UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/8-Classics-Julie-London/dp/B0051OJG4Q/

I want these recordings / Prelude To Summer... to be a kickass release... You guys deserve to hear these...I can't wait to have you all hear them..

Thanks for taking the time to answer

Why not release the full 2CD set as Brad was planning to do?

If i buy this, i might have to buy the same thing again later on for a few more tracks. I already have Lost & Found, and i'll be honest, these aren't the greatest tracks in the world

Legally, I can only release tracks that have fallen into Public Domain under UK law. You'll get a 73 mins CD.

I believe the original Lost And Found DCC was only around half an hour?

Keep the questions coming guys - would hate to find a reason why you aren't backing the campaign...

Hi RaphPH, thanks for posting here.

So how did you come to be in possession of these tapes?

They came into my possession through middle men acting on behalf of an anonymous party who insisted on a quality and fitting release for such a historical document.

This came about as I posted on the Hoffman forums about wanting to start a label and I was based in London.

And please for the love of God

BACK THE CAMPAIGN

Or else no one gets these recordings

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/448050763/unreleased-beach-boys-recordings

Many thanks for the response Raphael.

Will this release use the Steve Hoffman mastering?

Exactly the same mastering that was used for the shelved First Wave release...

The recordings sound great...

If you guys want me to post any more snippets - I'd be happy to oblige...

Brad Elliot is a scumbag.

Brad is a standup guy. Even Steve Hoffman has said so. The whole 2000 release saga was unfortunate for everyone involved. The person who lost the most in the whole saga was Brad.

I had to ask:

"Hi Raphael,  I paid Brad for two copies of this release back in the year 2000 or so. He never delivered. Am I in credit? I think these recordings are probably some of the most important elements in the band's history but Brad's involvement will upset the many fans who were ripped off at the time First Wave was first touted. What reassurance can you give, and what explanation for the high cost of the individual units? Thanks in advance, John."


I know, I'm a whingeing bastard, but I have to wonder whether the chap Raphael knows the background. How much is he paying Brad for the liner notes? What has he got in his possession; a CD or the actual tapes?

Time Capitol stepped in, bought the rights (if they haven't already) and did this project (and rhe fans) justice, definitively, once and for all.

So, let's be clear. Brad has nothing to do with this release other than I wanted a Beach Boys expert to write the liner notes. He doesn't even have anything to do with how I am in possession of these recordings. That said, I understand some of the acrimony involved in the previous aborted release.

The way the campaign currently stands - we aren't going to hit the goal. I know there is strong interest. The Steve Hoffman thread had 1600 views so people found it entertaining enough to sit back and eat popcorn and watch. Call me naive, but I'm surprised by the reaction by some as this type of 50 year copyright release is very common in the UK now

Hey guys,

I'm "Raphael" the producer from this project. Feel free to pose any questions that you have. I've only just been given access to this board so apologies if I've skirted over anything. I'll do my best to fill you in.