A Great video of a beautiful cover.

And what a thrill to see Mike and Bruce appear there at the end.

It all makes me wish (for maybe the millionth time) that the Beach Boys would have performed this number during the C50 tour.  And who knows, maybe one day, while everyone is still here, the Boys can get together and do it (yet) again.

And maybe even include "Surf's Up" in the set list this time.

[EDIT:]

I was just watching this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY2Vq96Ta4c


And it just reminded me how much I'd love to see the Hollywood Bowl gig released.

Justin (or anyone else who might know), did the group capture the Hollywood Bowl gig with pro cameras/multi-track audio?


EDIT: Whoops!  I guess I should have checked before posting, eh?  It's funny how we all started thinking "Hollywood Bowl" right around the same time.

So... if the Hollywood Bowl show really was captured all nice and neat like that, is anyone here familiar with any plans on ever releasing it?  Even if it's not in theaters and in 3D, how about a regular old blu ray release?

The historic aspect of the gig alone is enough to make me really, really want to see it given a proper release.

I just caught a trailer for Love and Mercy on television about an hour or two ago.

It was cool.  My mother happened to be there watching, too.  She tunred and asked "So, hey, what are you doing on June 5th?"

[EDIT:]

Might have been sound check, unless this setlist isn't accurate.  In my experience, this site has very accurate setlists.  

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-beach-boys/2012/saratoga-performing-arts-center-saratoga-springs-ny-3df09ab.html

Yep, it was the sound check.  


Someone mentioned the Japan show video?  It's really terrific!  Great show with sound and video captured professionally; I sure wish we could get that thing released in full HD quality some day soon.  The hard work is already done, here, isn't it?  Why not polish it up, slap it on a blu ray and get it out to us?


Now, as far as wish list, dream releases go?  London.  Both shows.  Pro shot.  Blu Ray.

Make it happen, Brother!

EDIT: Oh, and hey -- whatever happened to Red Rocks?  Wasn't that show supposed to be released, or something?

I seem to recall something along those lines, amirite?

Which of the unreleased live recordings sound the best?

I'm hoping to find excellent versions of "Our Prayer" and "Summer's Gone"...

I think Our Prayer was only done at the Royal Albert Hall.

I saw them perform it in Boston.

That's right!

First the sound check in Saratoga and then it's added to the set three days before I saw them.  I thought for sure I was going to get to hear it!  

It's cool, though.  That night in Darien Lake, "Heroes and Villains" was brilliant (I couldn't believe I was there to experience Brian Wilson singing H&V live in front of me).

And then "Good Vibrations" absolutely brought the house down.

Oh, and a special shout-out to the fireworks show during IJWMFTT.  Too cool.  

I recall a member here sharing a recording of "Our Prayer" (I think from Saratoga -- just before I saw the band at Darien Lake).

Here's the catch: I can't remember if the Saratoga version was during the sound check or the show, proper.


EDIT: It was for the sound check:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,13535.msg293832.html#msg293832


And Zach95, God bless him, he's still got the wav he recorded up for our listening pleasure.

[like]

Neat idea for a radio show.


As for the C50 live CD?  Myself?  I like the darned thing!

It is imperfect, sure.  And it will never quite live up to my memories of seeing the 'Boys perform one gorgeous evening at Darien Lake in 2012 with my Mom.

But by and large?  I thoroughly enjoy the release.  Even some of the songs originally sung by Carl ("Good Vibrations"?  Love it.).

My family and I happily spun both discs of that thing in our car every day for months (and even now, it still gets popped in the player a fair amount of time).


I'm even a fan (though less so) of the C50 live blu ray.  Enjoying the performances by the band is a lot of fun.  But it's also frustrating.

My two big gripes?   Same as everyone else's, I bet:

One, the amount of cuts to the audience.  It's not as bad as what you'll see on some concert videos, but the new Brian Wilson PBS video, for example, does a much more satisfying job of keeping the focus right where it belongs -- up there on the stage.

But like many of us, most of whatever bad feelings I have about the video comes from what isn't there.  Try as I might, it's awfully hard for me to divorce myself from the knowledge that we're only seeing about half of an average C50 set list.


Like a lot of us, I'm still holding out hope for a nice, deluxe release which offers one of a few possibilities:

- If they're into a single, uncut show, I'd love to see the Albert Hall gig.  That was kind of the ultimate Beach Boys set list, for a show in a wonderful setting.  Or, failing that, even something like the Chiba concert in Japan?  That sure looks like a video that was produced with an eye towards a widespread release.

- Or maybe they'd go the 'cherry-pick' route and compile the best selections from the whole tour?  That could be fun, too.  My only wish there would be that a version of every number performed on the tour was included.  Maybe they could narrow the focus and pick the best versions from among RAH and Wembley?  Call it, I don't know: "Live in London"?  It has a certain ring to it.

I know that I've said it before, but I love that you're a part of the community here, Mr. Desper.

Your contributions to the board (and to our evolving understanding of the history of the band) are absolutely invaluable.

Getcha Back, It's Gettin' Late, Crack at Your Love, She Believes in Love Again, California Calling and It's Just a Matter of Time were performed live. Whether they were properly recorded or not is another matter.

Awesome.

Good info, too.

Thanks for the reply!

[The Beach Boys]

I'm still holding out hope of living to see the day that a The Beach Boys remix release, with way more organic sound, is announced.

I know the album was a reflection of its time, and I suppose that there's something to be said for that.

But I really feel as though hearing the record, minus the dated eighties sound, might make people sit up and take notice in a way that the production of the official version makes unnecessarily difficult.  I think the songs are there.

There is certainly precedent among other top acts.  John Lennon's Double Fantasy album was always a favorite of mine, but hearing it "Stripped" was much more than a novelty.  On some of the tracks, it was downright revelatory.

Shame it'll probably never happen for BB85.

Considering that it was recorded on Digital equipment, I'm not really sure how much BB85 would benefit from a remix. I don't really think there is enough "real instrument" sound for it to work for a complete album remix. Especially since the drums were programmed.

Yes, I've wondered about that, myself.  And it may be a real issue.

My thinking was, the very first thing you try to do is to tweak those individual digital drum tracks in such a way as to approach a more timeless sound.  But if that didn't quite achieve the desired effect?

Then maybe 'cheat' a bit by doing the best you can with those digital drums, and then also supplement them minimally with some additional new acoustic percussion.

...

But if either option just weren't feasible, and the digital drums just cannot be made to sound good, no matter what you do?

Well, in that case, my final (even more radical) thought is: How about just outright stripping away the digital drums, entirely?  Then replace what was lost with some modern day acoustic drums, percussion, etc.?  Whatever it takes.

But that opens a whole other can of worms.  The argument could, I suppose, be made that if you're going to go that far, then why not go the distance and just re-record the songs, entirely?  It would seem to cross the line from a remix project into... something else.

...

But putting aside dreams of an official remix release for a moment, I'm with CenturyDeprived: I'd still be very interested to hear what might be possible, just given the multi-tracks and the opportunity.  I'd have a lot of fun with those, and who knows what some real engineers might be able to come up with?

I said before that "the songs are there," and I stand by that.  Which is not to say I think we're dealing with long, lost Beach Boys classics, mind.  Just that I think that some new appreciation for the numbers could be won if they were ever able to be enjoyed in a different light.  I feel like the songs are better than they seem, encased in their current production.

The least fantastic option might be what was alluded to earlier: Live versions.

I know that it was hearing "Getcha' Back" live that really got me thinking about the whole thing.  Have they played every song from the album live?  I'm guessing not, but if enough of the record has been performed on-stage, maybe a collection of live versions could be compiled and included as the second disk of a BB85 deluxe version?

Toss in any demos?  Album session outtakes (like maybe "Oh, Lord")?  I'd buy it.

Ah, to dream...

[The Beach Boys]

I wonder if Dennis lived, if the Boys would've recorded a studio version of You Are So Beautiful.

I would have loved that.  Why, oh why didn't they ever bother?

I'd like to hope that if Dennis were on BB85, the drums would've sounded like they were played by a human being. 

I'm still holding out hope of living to see the day that a The Beach Boys remix release, with way more organic sound, is announced.

I know the album was a reflection of its time, and I suppose that there's something to be said for that.

But I really feel as though hearing the record, minus the dated eighties sound, might make people sit up and take notice in a way that the production of the official version makes unnecessarily difficult.  I think the songs are there.

There is certainly precedent among other top acts.  John Lennon's Double Fantasy album was always a favorite of mine, but hearing it "Stripped" was much more than a novelty.  On some of the tracks, it was downright revelatory.

Shame it'll probably never happen for BB85.

Last Saturday I had a viewing party at a friend's home for "Soundstage: Brian Wilson and Friends" and "No Pier Pressure," last Saturday.  There were about 12 people aged early-20's to 60's.   Interestingly, the youngest group happened to be fans of both Brian and Nate Reuss, and everyone is planning to see L&M when it's released.  It was a great day in the countryside.  Now I'm off to ship another copy of the Soundstage dvd to Ireland.  I think people are buying me drinks all over the UK and Ireland on my next visit after this past month of sending off items that aren't available in the UK.  These are good times for people who love BW's work, and there are a few more after last Saturday.

 I'm not certain I understand how the DVD isn't available in the UK, when all you have to do is direct these folks to the Soundsatge website so they can order it themselves.

They seem to be having problems, so I'm sending them the dvds.  That's the best answer I have bgas...I'll have to ask the details of their problems, as they've all offered to pay me for them.  However, I prefer to collect payment in drinks once I get to the UK this fall.

You're awesome. 

[in Ithaca]

I'll be shocked if this hits the mall theaters in Suracuse.

Me too, but I was hoping maybe the mall theater in Ithaca, or at least something like the State Theatre there.

That would be nice.

Netflix has Love & Mercy in their database now. They predict I'll give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5. I'm thinking at least 4.  

PS -- And the first movie their algorithm suggests as being "like Love & Mercy" is Full Metal Jacket!

Sh*t, that's funny.  

Speaking of alt. vocals (and "Sail on Sailor"), did Mr. Desper say he thought that he may have had somewhere (in storage, believe) a copy of Carl singing the lead on S.O.S.?

Or am I misremembering?



Oh, and also: Brian joining Carl for those signature falsetto "I... hear the sound of a" and "When... I look" hooks in the verse of "Good Vibrations" is an example of my favorite couple of moments in all of recorded 'Beach Boy-dom' (surpassed, perhaps, only by the classic "Ahhh......." harmony sung by the whole group later in the same number).

It's been a while since I listened to the performance, but I believe that the two brothers sung it 'live' together like that during the rehearsal prior to the gig (though I cannot recall if they did it during the actual shows) in Hawaii, '67, right?

Finally, does anyone know of any other recorded times where Brian joined Carl for those two key moments of G.V. in a live setting?

I'm happy (and relieved) to report that my order finally arrived yesterday.  Apparently, one of my daily emails must have finally been attended by someone, but the utter lack of any response, whatsoever, is still a little head-scratching.

I'm a patient guy and had I received even one single reply from anyone (whether it was a shipping confirmation or just a simple acknowledgement that I had been heard), I would have been content to wait patiently while things had been sorted-out on their end.

As it stands right now, though, I'd probably feel a little reticent about ordering through these folks again.

Anyway, I know this thread is about the show, and I'll share my thoughts on the complete performance at another time (also arriving at my door yesterday was a new novel, so I'll be busy having fun over the next two days, or so).


Mostly, though, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank the likes of Dave Modny, ArchStanton, bgas, HeyJude, the professor and everyone who has been helpful in sharing their experiences, providing contact information and/or offering their encouragement.  

Thanks again!

The other consideration, I think, is the production.

Who knows?  It might be incredible.  It would certainly be different.  But do we want to hear a seventy year old B-Dub singing Chuck Berry songs arranged for keyboards with an adult contemporary mix?

Dear God no! Two guitars, bass, piano and drums only please.

Hear! Hear!

[Also needed is a huge emphasis on guitars, as found in the BB's early work.]

With Brian's current voice I'm not seeing the logic of a rock n roll album unless others do the great majority of the leads, with a strong emphasis on BW doing his classic background vocals.  The concept really makes a lot more sense as a Beach Boys album than a BW solo album, IMO.  Also needed is a huge emphasis on guitars, as found in the BB's early work.

I think this is a good point.

Any talk of a Beach Boys/Brian Wilson "Rock 'N' Roll" album really does evoke images of the earlier, more guitar-driven material.

I'm not sure that the more keyboard-laden work of, well... almost everything put out by Brian since those early days, lends itself to the R'N'R sound quite as well.  At the very least, not as 'classically.'

And more than a few have mentioned Brian's voice.  Don't get me wrong: Brian's vocals have seen a wonderful resurgence of late and I think he sounds wonderful on NPP.

But it's not necessarily a voice which cries out "rock'n'roll" to me, either.

The other consideration, I think, is the production.

Who knows?  It might be incredible.  It would certainly be different.  But do we want to hear a seventy year old B-Dub singing Chuck Berry songs arranged for keyboards with an adult contemporary mix?


Maybe give us two-out-of-three?  Brian singing these classics with a guitar backing and a raunchier, less... "safe" production?

Well, I made my order April 9, and have started sending emails every day since Saturday the 25 asking for... anything.

Still no reply.

If I placed an orer such as you did and KNEW my credit card had been charged, I'd either call my card company and dispute/cancel the charge ( and then chance a re-order)
OR I'd quit wasting my time on emails and use the telephone

My bank records show a successful charge on the 10th of April.

Seems the telephone is my next route.  From the replies here, it seemed the email was the avenue getting results, but I'm just not getting anywhere.

[Pleasure Island]

In the interview I posted earlier, he says this: "Chuck Berry, Paul McCartney, Elton John. You know, the greats. We’re going to do an album playing their songs."

I'd rather Brian write some of his own rock 'n' roll songs than cover someone else's, but it should be fun either way.

I'm with you.

Given the inspiration to Brian and the 'Boys that artists like Chuck Berry and The Beatles represent, it's awfully tempting to want to hear Brian's take on some of their material.

But that said, I think I'd really much prefer Brian writing an album's worth of hard-rocking originals.  Give the songs a set of lyrics on a theme and call it Pleasure Island.  I'd buy that.  Heck, it would be a Day 1 pre-order from me.


But considering Mr. Wilson has been kicking around a "Rock 'N' Roll album" for, well, a long time time now?  I'm beginning to think that if we're ever really going to see anything happen, Brian and his band busting-out a quick and fun collection of covers might be the only realistic option left.

I don't want Brian to do a R&R album- I want to see him do more mature music that's better suited to his unique gifts.

But if we're talking what we want to see Brian do next more than anything else?  Your call for more "mature" music reminds me that the one thing I want from Brian Wilson more than anything else is that he finish and release the Life Suite.

Well, I made my order April 9, and have started sending emails every day since Saturday the 25 asking for... anything.

Still no reply.

[former]

I think that goes back to the old (and I'm sure run through numerous times on boards) debate about whether the lyrics mean that they wish all girls were *like* the girls in California, or that they wish all girls could *be* California Girls, as in they wish they all would come out to California so they could *be* with them.

I always, always (for decades, since I was a little kid) heard it as the former.  As in, "Yes, all of these other girls are wonderful (and offer wonderful things), but they still cannot compare to our girls back in Californ-i-a."

But was it during the QVC visit in 2012 where Mike said that, to him, it was meant as the latter?

Any pictures from the final show?

I'll add to that "Or audio/video?"

It would be nice to be able to experience the moment in some way.

I would try again, or even call--you absolutely should have had it by now.

I placed my order on April 9, with my credit card being charged the next day.

I sent off a quick email on April 15, just asking whether they had had the opportunity to ship my order yet.  Though the site promised a reply within one business day, I've not yet heard a word.

More, I've read of more than one fan here who hails from roughly the same area (Upstate NY) and who have long-since received theirs.

So yeah, I suppose I'm beginning to feel a tad... uneasy.

Not sure whether I should try to contact them again (or if it would even do me any good, considering I never heard back from them)?

I don't know if you saw any of my earlier posts, but your situation seems similar to what I went through. I also ordered late night of the 9th. Ultimately, it took an e-mail to Elizabeth at soundstage@wttw.com (who then apparently forwarded it to Jonathan at Questar) for me to get any sort of response/results.  The "Contact" email form and 800 number were useless for me.

And while I still haven't received my order, I was assured with a follow-up e-mail that it shipped out this past Wednesday, 4-22. They said 3-10 days to arrive.

Thank you both for your replies.

I very much appreciate your advice (which I decided to take and sent an email to the soundstage@wttw.com address).

Thanks again!

I placed my order on April 9, with my credit card being charged the next day.

I sent off a quick email on April 15, just asking whether they had had the opportunity to ship my order yet.  Though the site promised a reply within one business day, I've not yet heard a word.

More, I've read of more than one fan here who hails from roughly the same area (Upstate NY) and who have long-since received theirs.

So yeah, I suppose I'm beginning to feel a tad... uneasy.

Not sure whether I should try to contact them again (or if it would even do me any good, considering I never heard back from them)?

Rest in peace, Jack.