I saw the farewell tour.   It is very telling of this disease just how it goes to a farewell tour and on to the stage where he now waits for the real farewell......So many of us have friends and family who have been touched by this disease or other age related cognitive decline or dementia.     Hope his going public with his journey into loss of self is inspiring to others dealing with this disease which is just as real and just as final as those diseases that are thought of as more "devastating".    Hoping he and his family will have a merciful finale and peace.

sorry about that blank response.     Just wanted to respond that I agree with, endorse your perspective and always enjoy your postings.      but I still enjoy random rediscovery of pieces of the catalogue.   today, re listened to NPP and enjoyed most of it and listened to disc 4 of the MIC box and just loved the sound quality and sequencing.    and also enjoyed much of it on a more visceral, just joyful level.     It IS  a different experience than it was when I was rediscovering the band the first or second time,  but continues to reward and comfort on a number of levels.   I probably now listen more to other OLD music in between BB listenings

Without a doubt, my ludicrous degree of fandom has affected my simple enjoyment. Can't say it's actually ruined it, but l frequently long for the days when l could listen to a track and think, "yeah, like it" as opposed to " well, considering what was going on, it's not too shabby". Wish l knew less.

I fall into this category. My happiest time as a Beach Boys' fan was when I was a relative newbie. In 1974-75-76, all I owned was Endless Summer and an import comp called The Beach Boys Best 40 Greatest Hits which filled in the gaps. I read one book by Ken Barnes, there was no internet, and my favorite publication was the TV Guide which I scoured weekly for any TV appearances. But most importantly, all I knew was the prevailing stereotypes. Brian was the shy, sensitive genius who wrote all the songs; Mike was flashy, outgoing "front man", Dennis was the athletic, rowdy "real Beach Boy", Carl was the quiet Beach Boy with the tender voice, and Al was the gentleman farmer who liked folk music. And that was all I needed to know - for a little while at least. But, that was the simplest, purest, happiest time I ever had as a Beach Boys fan!

Seriously, it was 99% about the music on those records. That was about to change with the "Brian's Back" campaign, David Leaf's book, and all the other drama - actually tragedy - from 1977-1983. But even with all of that soap opera stuff, the music won out. I did get to know more about the individual Beach Boys. I did get to know about the genesis of the songs I was listening to. I did get to see the original group in concert. And, I did live and die with each crazy thing that I read in a magazine or saw on TV. It was quite a fascinating ride. And, up until Dennis' death and Brian's second stint with Landy, the fandom didn't ruin my enjoyment of the music, and in some instances, it actually added to the depth. Then things started to change, slowly but surely.

Starting with The Beach Boys 1985, things just "felt" different. Things in the Beach Boys' world  seemed contrived. Who was really calling the shots, who was really writing and producing the songs, do these guys even like each other, do they even care, why are they still a group, WHO ARE THESE GUYS? The purity of the Beach Boys started to fade for me. As crazy as that 1974-1982 period was - and it was crazy - it still felt like the real Beach Boys, warts and all. And maybe because of those warts you knew it was real. I mean, what other group could possibly come up with the stuff that was coming out of The Beach Boys. You couldn't dream this stuff up if you tried. Maybe I was starting to know too much. Maybe, no, I WAS becoming jaded. Skeptical. But, I mean, how many "Brian Is Really Back This Time" campaigns can one fan endure?

Which leads to Brian's solo career. I won't get too much into that because I'm familiar with many of the posters on this board; they won't get it (my perspective) anyway, they won't allow themselves to get it. They would rather sling insults and name call. Their love of Brian Wilson, or who they think he is, and because his music has given them so much happiness, I think - I THINK - makes people very defensive of him. I'm curious to see or read their perspectives as the years go by and they learn even more about Brian and The Beach Boys. One thing we've all learned on this board is that over time, myths are dispelled and truths will come out. That knowledge (if you want to call it that) has to change one's perspective.

On a recent thread (I don't recall the exact thread or the exact poster), somebody posted and I paraphrase, "I'm tired of all the smoke and mirrors with Brian's solo career." Again, I'm not going to elaborate because I don't need any War And Peace-length lectures/responses, but Brian's "career" has worn me down, not out but down. It is difficult for me to get full enjoyment from Brian's solo music starting way back with Imagination in 1998 because I will find myself, sometimes subconsciously, asking, "I wonder who wrote that part?", "I wonder who really produced that track/album?", "Does Brian really care about this project?", "Who's idea was this to begin with?", and the most asked question, "If Brian was left to his own devices, would he have really done this song/album/concert/etc." There was a time when it wasn't necessary to ask those questions. But, when that time came, yeah, things changed...

I was just thinking of posting on this topic.    I put this on in my garage the other day while tinkering with my antique car.  a beautiful day, sunny and crisp fall day.   I had forgotten the lead off track.   Absolutely perfect timing,  Great vibe.  Just stood and listened.    but then, Run Away Dancer followed........I agree with another poster that this song should have been elsewhere on the album, not following TBD

I have all of those major comps from the 70s and 80s.     On vinyl.     Never listen to them.    I have remastered mega mixes on CD.    Those I listen to.     But at the time, I was thrilled to find and listen to them, and to discover some cuts I had not yet heard.  I hold onto these vinyl copies for nostalgia purposes.       Having said that I do still enjoy , in a nostalgic way, the sequencing of ES.   Remember, there was no GV on ES.  You had to buy another comp to get that!

I had been a fan and buying BB records since around 64.    BUT, I had strayed as a fan and had been into other stuff of the day in the early 70's .   Then, my favorite hip record store had a rack of copies of ES on sale.   I bought.    I reconnected.   Been a rabid fan , bigger than before ever since.    As a vinyl collector, I have since acquired the entire catalogue along with 6 copies of ES .     I agree with the thread initiator that this is a milestone collection.  HMR should have been the single version though.

It was compiled and sold by scandanavian flea marketeers to make a quick profit from rabid but unemployed Norwegian fans of surf music.     Subsequently booted for sale at flea markets and truck stops in kentucky and Indiana.  Released with several different album covers and liner notes written and translated by apprentices in back alley print shops.

Talking about alternate takes of Brian's '76-'78 material, I just stumbled upon this earlier (?) mix of Pitter Patter. To me it sounds much better than the finished version that ended up on the M.I.U. Album, which sounds "polished to death" in comparison. Love the little instrumental addition towards the end here (synth?), wouldn't be surprised at all if it was Brian's idea, it's very reminiscent of some of his other late-70s work like Do Ya or It's Like Heaven.

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

Very nice.  I had always liked this song but the pitter patter parts made them sound like a bunch of weenies.   this is less weenie like and more manly     They should release this version.  Maybe add some more thunder and lightning sounds to the mix

Great stuff, Coachhill,  deliriously envious of your find. 

Enjoy those babies; will you dare play 'em?

- A

Good question I think! For Me, I'd never play a Candix 45( haven't played any of mine), but I could see popping the Barbie boot on the turntable

I now play ALL of my records.  And I drive my antique Chevy frequently.    Decided I wanted to be the guy to actually enjoy this stuff before I die and it passes to someone else

Scott no longer on Mike's right?

I've had the box almost since it's release and have listened to it much more lately, almost to the exclusion to other comps and originals.  There are a LOT of alternate mixes and versions on MIC.   I only now sorting out the differences and nuance in comparison to other versions/mixes.  MIC is a giant gift to the hardcore fan.     Owning this box makes for a challenge when it comes to making new  personal comps

SIP rehashes old songs and old Beachboys lyrics.    and it is poorly mixed and produced.    they released this themselves....why  didn't they take more time to get it right?   they weren't under a contract deadline were they?   another in a long line of poorly thought out releases that followed Love You.    It's like they were guilty of poor judgment and taste, rather than lacking inate talent.   a hardcore fan ( like you or me)  could just sense the unrealized potential of these releases.     lack of vision, creativity, taste, and imagination from a band that often exhibited all of this when at their best.   I listen to SIP and think I myself could do better if given a chance to remaster/remix Those songs.

All in all, it sounds as if the definitive Carl Wilson bio is yet to be written.  But it also seems that much of the history is "out there " but has not been compiled, sequenced, and fleshed out through follow up research and interviews with family, friends, and those in or close to the band.     

Barbara Ann is bad but not as bad as  some songs by other acts that have been big hits to some and ear poison to others.

BA BA BA BA BA Banana!

It's beneath them and by extension as a fan it is beneath me.   For such an amazing musical entity to be widely known for this loathsome knockoff is endlessly frustrating.   

I confess.  I called the cops.   and I'd do it again.    are you reading this Mr. Love?

Wirestone thanks for the concise background on the delay of the release.  I suspected such an explanation.  glad to finally see this.  lovingly done IMHO.

I have an opportunity to see them for the third time this year.        thought I was done but they'll be at the Mountain Winery in San Jose during my trip to Monterey CA this year..     and as it happens, it will be my 3rd time seeing them at that venue.     the stars seemed to be aligned for me to spend a night at the Saratoga Inn This September.
Is this excessive fan behavior?   

just watched this.     WOW!      What is the story on why this is just now coming out?   Opening credits say 2008.  I've heard about this for sometime now but had no idea it was actually made some time ago.

I loved it.   Been a fan of this group of musicians for many many years.    What a treat to watch it tonight......and again tomorrow.   WAY better than I anticipated.   

Heard part of the mini mansions cut on WNKU the other day.   Reminded me a bit of Cherokee trail from BW 88

Was Rock n Roll to the Rescue written during the 85 sessions or done specifically for Made in the USA ?

I like Brian's voice BETTER on 85 Album than on R&R to the rescue.   His voice sounds very weird on that song,an otherwise potentially good BB song.    Terry Melcher had a very interesting career and was around or involved in the making of some classic music.  I wonder sometimes how much his mother's connections were involved in getting him his break into the business.    Also, I don't recall ever reading how he and Bruce met and how their partnership  developed.

The sequencing and alternate mixes, along with the superior sound quality on many cuts, make MIC a special listening experience over previous boxes and comps.  I haven't pulled the 93 box out in along time.  Might be interesting to compare song for song.

I've had the same sort of experience with the two Byrds boxes.  A few years ago I attempted to cull my favorite mixes and versions from both sets onto one set .    I finally gave up on it as it became too tedious to sort out the nuances.   I did finally cram as many of my favorite cuts as possible onto a single cd for a Byrds Prime Listening CD to take on the road.

I recall reading here, or possibly somewhere else, that it is Brian and the part is repeated on a loop.

He really should do it.  Write it the way he wants to, with the help of a hand picked editor, and shop it to publishers.  I wonder what Mr. Stebbins has to offer on the subject?    I could write the skeleton of the book myself starting with his childhood, on to his work as a Ripchord, and with Terry Melcher, onto first and second terms as a Beachboy, the in between years, his Grammy win, his unique role in the Beachboys, his acquaintances and relationships in the music business, his songwriting approach, the reunion, and sprinkle throughout tales of the road with the band.   As we've discussed before, he is in a most unique position to write a history of not only the Beachboys but the whole music scene that emerged from LA in the 60's and beyond.   He should get it written and release it after retirement if he is concerned about repercussions.

More shows?    could this be a record year?  how many shows total including Germany?   Impressive work ethic......

Andrew and other data crunchers;   Where does 2015 stand in terms of number of shows?     Gotta be close