As a fan who has attended their shows, this is how I see it: Brian Wilson & Al Jardine, with special guest Blondie Chaplin, backed by one of the best bands in the business.

Brian and Al reconnecting at El Camino College in 1961 was ultimately the genesis of the entire Beach Boy thing.  As such, I think it's really great to see the two of them together on stage after all these years.

Agreed, but I still think Al should receive co-billing.

Since I haven't seen B&A since 2017, can someone remind me which songs are Al leads in this tour (besides Help Me Rhonda, of course)?

Really don't agree with sending Brian out on tour given current circumstances

I agree. Having Brian, Al, and Blondie out there is pretty scary to me, for their health and for the audiences. Even if Brian’s singing better, I don’t feel safe enough to go to the closest show near me.

I don’t want to offend Howie or Joshilyn, but I remember c-man saying there were two attempts at recording a basic track for Susie Cincinnati. Maybe you’re each recalling a different version?

Remember me?

Anyways I got one question for today. I've wondered about Feel Flows (box set) lately and I just want to know... the organ on Seasons In The Sun?

I can’t give you the organ credit, but c-man has posted before (I can grab the link for you if you want) if that it otherwise was a Wrecking Crew instrumental performance: Sonny Curtis (the same as from The Crickets?) and Mike Deasy on guitar, Lyle Ritz on bass, Earl Palmer on drums, and Virgil Evans on trumpet

You’re correct with Blondie - more details can be found here:


http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,8440.0.html

As far as I know, Bruce still does the FFF coda falsetto, but he doesn’t do the chorus falsetto.

This is slightly off-topic, but I’ve never understood why Al was still doing Barbara Ann in 1980. While he sounds good on others, he was just too shot by that point for that song. Bruce or Bobby Figueroa should have taken over.

Thanks jiggy22 for the list.

All material related to the proposed BROTHERS, COUSINS AND FRIENDS project

Forgive my ignorance and/or inattention, but this is the first I've read about this project. Any background on this would be appreciated.

This was a proposed follow-up to KTSA. The board has a couple other threads on it; I could only find the link to one which I will put below. Like HeyJude, I have a strong interest in this era. Maybe it’s because there is all this interesting unheard material. Maybe it’s because they had 5 years of no albums. Maybe it’s because of how great the touring band sounded in 1980, but it’s just really interesting to me.

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=2293.5


I don’t want to derail this topic more, but in typical Beach Boys fashion, couldn’t they have used outtakes from previous albums? Or even try to use some of Dennis’ unused songs from Bambu? I think that’d give them at least two albums worth of material (in varying quality) that they could narrow down to make something.

EDIT 10/13/21: My excitement and fast typing resulted in some embarrassing typos that have now been fixed.

HeyJude, thanks for responding to most of my questions. Do you think my theory about the 1981 recording of I Ran (All the Way Home) holds any water?

I'd be surprised if it isn't a cover of the Impalas song. Recorded together with the original version of Sweetie at Rumbo, March 1981.

The demo tape with Brian playing Walking on Water, Sweetie, Rings and Don't Let Her Know is dated October 1986 by a voice on a collector cassette, although the songs are all known to have been written by 1985. It's possible that the date could be a year off. Sweetie is just a case of Brian revisiting an old song.

HeyJude, thanks for responding to most of my questions. Do you think my theory about the 1981 recording of I Ran (All the Way Home) holds any water?

Can't say I have any specialized knowledge on that one; I think your theory sounds quite plausible.

You never know, though. We later found out two *completely* different Brian songs called "Lay Down Burden" existed, and somehow they wrote during the "No Pier Pressure" era a song called "He Come Down" that *isn't* a cover of the "So Tough" song? They did "Where I Belong" in 1985 and apparently Brian has a brand new song for his new documentary titled "Right Where I Belong." There are many examples of course (All I Want To Do/All I Wanna Do).

So there is precedent for very specific song titles to reemerge as completely new songs.

Thanks to SaltyMarshmallow, and thanks again to HeyJude for the helpful info/reminders.

They sounded bad, even the younger guys and Christian in particular. Listen to the show, and what this great band has accomplished in the past.

I haven’t listened to this show yet (I will). But I will say that from what I saw on the 4th (via CNN’s special), Mike, Bruce, and Christian all sounded horrible. I thought Ike sounded pretty good, though. I couldn’t pick out Scott Totten or John Cowsill in the vocal mix but I’m stilll trying to train myself to hear individual parts of the harmony stacks.

HeyJude, thanks for responding to most of my questions. Do you think my theory about the 1981 recording of I Ran (All the Way Home) holds any water?

[1980]

Comments/questions in italics.

1980 - Keepin' the Summer Alive era

- "Can't Wait Too Long" (1980 remake): unbooted. Overdubs were attempted by the group - I thought this was for Captwin and Tennille

- Dennis Wilson and Christie McVie sessions: no luck - no luck as in erased or lost to time?


1981

- "I Ran (All the Way Home)": unbooted - Is there any chance this is a cover of the song by the Impalas?


1984 - The Beach Boys (self-titled album) era

- "Down By the Pier", "And I Always Will", "At the Hop": covers, only "At the Hop" is booted, and it might be better off kept in the vault - I thought Al wrote And I Always Will, later re-recorded for Postcard, and that we didn’t know who wrote Down by the Pier

- "Buzz, Buzz, Buzz": unbooted live cover - Technically it is somewhat booted because videos from 7/4/84 or 7/4/85 are on YouTube

- "Water Builds Up": unbooted. A song Brian later recorded on his own for the Sweet Insanity album - Interesting


1986 - Wilson Project era

- "Sweetie", "Rings", "Walking on Water", "Don't Let Her Know She's an Angel": booted piano demos by Brian - I thought at least one of these was from 1981 and that Brian added to an old demo tape

- "Rock and Roll to the Rescue" (alternate extended mix): not available for streaming, don't think the original version is either

- "Wouldn't That Be Cool": a Brian song attempted during sessions for Made in U.S.A. Apparently shares similarities with American Spring's "Do Ya" - maybe this had to do with the fight over R&RTTR?

- "Spirit of Rock and Roll": unbooted live version with the Boys - also interesting


1995

- "Grace of My Heart": unbooted - Isn’t this also one where we’re are unsure if it was recorded?


2012 - That's Why God Made the Radio era

- "I'd Go Anywhere": apparently unused part of Brian's suite from the end of the album, bits of it can be heard here since it was used in a behind the scenes EPK of the album with interviews played over it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1MWbi5jjh4 - How positive are we that this was I’d Go anywhere and not another one of the 16+ unused/unfinished songs?

- "She Believes in Love Again": remake of the Bruce song from 85. See you in 2062 for these hot tracks!!

-"Waves of Love": if it was even worked on? Al offered it for the album. Who knows if the Beach Boys (outside of Carl and Al) ever touched it - Couldn’t we say the same thing about SBILA?

-supposedly there were like 29 tracks overall recorded for this album. Whether or not any ended up on No Pier Pressure is another question though

Hopefully there will be some type of video uploaded to youtube, either professionally filmed, or fan filmed.

I won't be listening to this as  I live in the UK ,  the band are what we call in the UK 'past their sell by date' they were great back in the 60s but now things have changed, we have COVID 19 to deal with, which makes me wonder why on earth are they doing concerts when this pandemic is still around? as one health expert here in the UK said 'COVID likes crowds'   even if they are sitting in  cars, there will be times when people will interact, and that's when the problems start. Here in the UK not many outdoors music gigs are taking place ( Glastonbury  is one of them).  Its a shame, we've had nearly 2 years of restrictions and it will be some time before any kind of  normality will return.

I hate to break it to you, but you’re responding to two different things at once. This SiriusXM reunion was 3 years ago - for the first stint of the limited edition SiriusXM channel. The channel is back, but there are no new reunions scheduled for it. While it’s you that Mike and Bruce (and now Brian, Al, and Blondie starting later this month) are still performing while possible, and I do agree with you that it’s not safe enough for concerts yet, these are two separate discussion topics. Mike and Bruce don’t care about case numbers and will play even if they dropped dead on stage. Brian, Al, and Blondie I’m surprised about because if their ages and the pandemic; not that M&B aren’t up there too, but we know how that will turn out.

It was incomplete and taped over. Once something is taped over, it cannot be recovered. Not lost, just erased very soon after it was captured.

Isn’t there some new technology where if the heads weren’t aligned properly, they can recover some “erased” material? Obviously that would still be a long shot, but still it’s something interesting to think about.

As a somewhat new hardcore fan who hasn’t heard many bootlegs or rare songs because I’m on the younger side, I still have a hard time processing the greatness that you all have said lies in the vaults.

Also, so I guess Carl’s Song isn’t Angel Come Home? It Could Be Anything is the same song re-recorded and left unissued during the LA a Sessions right? Howie, could some of the song have started in ‘74, or did Carl just invite Ricky over? Also, I’m assuming the owner of the “hypnotize me” tape wanted too much money from BRI and that’s why it’s not on Feel Flows?

He was off the road more than he was on during 1963.

Thanks, Adam. I wasn’t sure or not if it was 50-50.

Brian was on tour with the group from 1961-1964, 1976-1982, and 2012.  He made semi-regular but occasional appearances in 1965 and 1983-1990 and very rare appearances in 1966 (once), 1967 (twice), 1970 (a handful of times), 1973 (once), 1995 (twice?), and 1996 (two or three times?)

The first reason is the main reason. I don’t want to gloss over some details so I’ll let other, more informed members try to explain Bran’s absence from 1968-1976. Most of his appearances in 1970 were sitting in for an absent Mike. 1967 was sitting in for an absent Bruce. 1995-1996 was during the brief Paley sessions/Stars and Stripes reunion era.

What was the 1973 show he attended? Did he take any significant vocal duties?

I think he just played piano on a couple songs, but I’ll double check and edit this post.

EDIT: So apparently he ‘participated in the encore,’ along with Bruce, according to Bellagio. If setlist.fm is accurate, there were two encores. I’m assuming just backup vocals and/or piano, but I don’t have enough info.

Brian was on tour with the group from 1961-1964, 1976-1982, and 2012.  He made semi-regular but occasional appearances in 1965 and 1983-1990 and very rare appearances in 1966 (once), 1967 (twice), 1970 (a handful of times), 1973 (once), 1995 (twice?), and 1996 (two or three times?)

The first reason is the main reason. I don’t want to gloss over some details so I’ll let other, more informed members try to explain Bran’s absence from 1968-1976. Most of his appearances in 1970 were sitting in for an absent Mike. 1967 was sitting in for an absent Bruce. 1995-1996 was during the brief Paley sessions/Stars and Stripes reunion era.

He throws a baseball left handed; Bats both right and left; writes right handed.  For the record, Carl threw left handed, played guitar right handed, wrote left handed.

You can kind of tell too by Brian's famous way of playing piano (does more rhythm with his right hand, walking bassline with his left hand).  

A lot of pianists play that way though, especially those Brian would have been influenced by: Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc.

Another thing worth mentioning though is that people are very complex, intelligent creatures... Brian's deafness in one ear may have determined which hand he uses to do things as well, in a subconscious way... even the way he plays piano.  I know lots of people play piano like that but since Brian prefers it it could be because he's left handed, OR it could have something to do with which ear he hears better out of... same with throwing a ball, even.... and it could possibly even explain why he writes right handed, maybe when he signs autographs he stands on a certain side so he can hear better and then signs with the convenient hand in that stature.  

It's just hard to figure somethings out, but I wouldn't rule out that his hearing has something to do with it.  

I do think this is a good theory, though.

New 2021 US tour dates announced for Brian, Al, and Blondie:

Oct. 5 -- Huntington, NY -- The Paramount
Oct. 6 -- Port Chester, NY -- Capitol Theatre
Oct. 8 -- Wallingford, CT -- Toyota Oakdale Theatre
Oct. 9 -- Lowell, MA -- Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Oct. 10 -- Rochester, NY -- Kodak Center
Oct. 12 -- Albany, NY -- Palace Theatre Albany
Oct. 13 -- Morristown, NJ -- Mayo Performing Arts Center
Oct. 15 -- Washington, DC -- Warner Theatre
Oct. 16 -- Atlantic City, NJ -- Mark G. Etess Arena, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Oct. 17 -- Reading, PA -- Santander Performing Arts Center
Oct. 19 -- Greensburg, PA -- Palace Theatre
Oct. 20 -- Akron, OH -- Goodyear Theater
Oct. 22 -- Nashville, IN -- Brown County Music Center
Oct. 23 -- Waukegan, IL -- Genesee Theatre

I’m surprised they’re back on the road this early. If I was anywhere near the ages of Brian, Al, or Blondie, I’d hold off until 2022 if I thought I could.

I’m not a Smile expert, so I have a couple questions for Greg Parry and juggler

I would love to hear Stephen's recollections of these sessions, and I apologise in advance if this has been discussed by him before. I would also love to know if he recollects hearing any other Smile material which has since gone missing. The story about the Heroes and Villains session Brian undertook long after Smile's abandonment is tantalising, especially as Brian then wiped the tape.
 

When did this later H&V session take place? I know Brian briefly revisited it during the Cocaine Sessions, IIRC. Is that way you’re referring to?

As far as I'm aware, there has never been any doubt that the lyrics and melody are of 1966 vintage. Did Brian remember the lyrics, or were they preserved in note form?

One of the things that's always bugged me about Smile "scholarship," is the matter-of-fact nature of the' opinions of many Smile "scholars" about what existed or didn't exist.  Some folks will tell you with great certainty that "there were never vocals recorded for X" or "Brian and Van Dyke never wrote lyrics for Y."    The truth is that all we know is what's surfaced and what the participants remember. And neither of those things are comprehensive.  That fact has been proven over and over again.  For example, for 3+ decades, AFAIK no one ever mentioned the lyrics of "I'm in Great Shape," claimed to have heard them or said that there was audio of them.  And then the Humble Harv demo surfaced.

What is the Humble Harv demo, please?

Thanks!!

I've always heard/read that Bruce previously sold his shares in BRI...

I'm certainly open to correction on that point if anyone has the scoop.    Anyone want to ask Abe Somer, the lawyer who did that paperwork?

 I will say, though, if the group did in fact award a share of BRI to Bruce when the corporation was formed in January 1967, it's strange that a period of reduced Bruce  involvement immediately followed, i.e., skipping Smiley Smile, skipping Lei'd in Hawaii, etc.   As mentioned in the thread linked to above, it's widely believed that Bruce was trying to cut his own record deal with Warners in Summer '67.    Does all that sound like someone who just became a corporate member of the Beach Boys? 

And if Bruce did in fact have a share of BRI, was it an equal share with the others?   Such an arrangement would have been extremely generous to Bruce who'd been with them less than 2 years at that point and was certainly a non-essential, minor contributor.  The fact is that the Wilsons, Love and Jardine did have equal shares in BRI.  That fact had been disclosed in multiple legal filings over the years related to the many BRI lawsuits.

In an article that would date to the period in the first half of '67 when Smile was still set for a release and "Heroes" was the single still being worked on, Derek Taylor wrote an article stating Al had just become a member of the BRI financial organization. Even though he was an original member, Al was still on salary until 1967. And later documents give a date for one of the agreements regarding Brother membership and all members as 1973 I believe, but I'd need to check.

So Bruce was not a voting member or financial part of Brother in '67, and unless someone has different info, he was still on salary much like he is and has been with Mike since the 90's. That also means he was pretty much free to come and go.

The question is still why did Mike say the Wilson brothers voted him out, after saying Bruce left on his own accord to pursue his own music. And *if* he was in fact voted out either as Mike claims by the Wilsons, or Mike-Al-Carl voting him out, or was fired instigated by Jack, that would suggest he was still a musician for-hire, and not a full voting member of BRI when that happened. I don't know for sure but don't think Bruce ever had a vote with BRI, which meant he wouldn't have financial shares in it either.

Interesting. I thought I had read that Bruce was given shares in BRI before Al, and that Al hadn’t received them until 1973 after Bruce left. That could be faulty memory or just from a poor source, though,

I also am intrigued by a Carl-Mike-Al “unanimous” vote. Would that mean Brian and Dennis were not consulted? Maybe they abstained in order not to show support Bruce or have a record of firing him, which would make the vote “unanimous”?

Listened practically nonstop today.  Yeah, there's some repetition issues, which I hear now that I've listened for a few hours straight through.  First, on Saturday I heard Back Home 1970 and You Need A Mess of Help to Stand Alone, both for the first time ever, and I definitely enjoyed both, especially YNAMOHTSA which kicks ass.  Also on Saturday, I heard Honkin' Down the Highway, followed by a promo for "2 in a Row" from Love You and then heard I'll Bet He's Nice and then All Summer Long.  Someone must have messed up the queue.  ASL is one I, ironically, hear a ton on the station; I  haven't heard The Surfer Moon yet, I don't believe.

Anything marked with an asterisk is I believe my first time hearing that song.

Celebration - Gettin' Hungry - no album cover - *
Hushabye
BTTYS (Single Version) - LDC album cover
Strange Things Happen - *
Priscilla Presley promo
Rock and Roll Music - maybe hot mix but I'm not positive - no album cover
The Trader (73 Clarkston) - Holland cover
Don't Back Down (I believe normal version) - ASL cover
California Girls
Break Away - " (Demo)" - Brian vocal with -partial backing track - *
Bruce promo - discussing Dennis and his suits
Forever
Surfin' USA
California Calling
All Summer Long
Al Jardine - Looking Down the Coast (LDTC/Monterrey) - *(?)
DDD
This Whole World
Mike speaks about Roger Christian
Ballad of Ole' Betsy
Caroline, No (73 Richmond) - PS cover - personal debut? unless this is the version from 73 IC, which I may have heard once or twice.
Brian discusses writing and recording WIBN
WIBN
You're So Good To Me - no cover
Darlin'
Bruce & Terry - I Love You Model "T" - *
Marilyn Wilson talks about Brian's voice and TWOTS
TWOTS - twofer cover
Sail On Sailor - I have never noticed the Moog buildup at the end until now.  What kind of a superfan am I? 
In My Car -- YEEEEESSSSSS!!! I like this one too much.
Sloop John B
Soul Searchin'
California Saga: The Beaks of Eagles - *
WIGUTBAM
YSBIM - 1993 NYC - PS cover - *
H&V 45 version - from GV box set, based on the cover used
David Marks promo - guitar and covering
In My Room
Chasin' the Sky
I Can Hear Music
Dennis Wilson - River Song - *
Al Jardine talks about vocal arrangements
Fallin' In Love - * - from the Summer Love Songs comp
Don't Worry Baby
Surf's Up - no album cvoer
Mike/Bruce/Adrian Baker/absent David Marks - 409 - NASCAR - no cover
Peggy Sue
Joe from Wisconsin promo
Shut Down
promo featuring Brian discussing vocal arrangements and Lady Lynda intro?
Girl Don't Tell Me
Gene Simmons promo about Brian's arranging/producing
GV 45 version from GV box set
Funky Pretty
Barbara Ann - long version - undubbed?, uses 2015 cover
Dean Torrence talks about surfing
Catch A Wave
Pitter Patter - *
Surfin' Safari
Lady Lynda (80 Knebworth) - LA cover
DIA album version/Workshop - Stack-O-Tracks cover
Kokomo - Philharmonic version - SC cover
Al talking about Brian's gifts and burden
Let Him Run Wild
FFF - stereo mix - SG twofer cover
Sweet Sunday Kind of Love - specifically labeled Sweet Sunday
LDC
Carl Wilson - Time
DW on GOK - *
GOK
Some of Your Love
Marcella
TWGMTR live - album cover TWGMTR - not sure if this is the version from the 2013 live album
Disney Girls
Don Randi on the lyrics - *
I Get Around
Cherry Cherry Coupe
Break Away
Mike on re-recording Help Me Rhonda
HMR
Cuckoo Clock
ASL
South Bay Surfer
Brian on release of Surfin'
Surfin'
DDD
Wendy (64 Sacramento)
Bruce on Brian retiring from touring
Don't Go Near the Water
WIBN
The Nearest Faraway Place
Surfer Girl
Land ahoy - Rarities cover - *
California Girls
County Fair
Drive In
Mike Love and Hanson - It's OK (no cover photo)
Hey Little Tomboy
Ben from Michigan
Sail On Sailor
Getcha Back
Mike on Surfin' and its release
Surfin' USA
Brian Wilson - Back Home (00 West Hollywood) - *

Anybody who has heard Celebration material on the station, how does it sound? Vinyl sourced? Cuz as far as I know, only "Almost Summer" has made a digital appearance, on a pretty rare compilation CD.

I heard Celebration's Gettin' Hungry today.  Sounded okay to me, but I was listening on a computer without headphones or proper speakers.  And it was also the first time I had ever heard it so I can't really be of much help unfortunately.  I have only listened to versions of Almost Summer, Cruisin, and disco California Girls on YouTube, in varying quality.

Listening right now. I probably forgot a few I’ve heard today (or the order), but this is what I have.


All Summer Long
Celebration - Cruisin’
PT Cruiser
Feel Flows promo
Susie Cincinnati (Live)
Marilyn Wilson talks about recording the cheerleading on BTTYS
Be True To Your School
Til I Die (Desper mix from EH)
Brian promo?
In My Room
Priscilla Presley promo
Kokomo
Here Today
I Get Around
Mike, Bruce, Adrian Baker, and an absent David Marks - The Little Old Lady from Pasadena (NASCAR)

I also had an epiphany as to why they put the BB channel on 105 -- because the 105 freeway in LA runs right over the site of the Wilsons' home.

Interesting, Emdeeh. It is cool, but also a little stupid, since there aren’t any other music channels above the mid-80’s or so, and people might otherwise not know the channel exists.

California Saga's single mix is pretty readily available on Spotify as part of Best of the Brother Years

https://open.spotify.com/track/0lWLhsB8FT7wRpjfucDmaq?si=5712f3436cc54d52

Is it? I tried this, but all I still here is the album version. And Spotify seems to agree, showing the Holland cover.

Definitely the single version with Brian's extra vocals during the first verse - and Spotify's showing the Brother Years cover too. Maybe some odd geoblocking stuff with Spotify?

Maybe, that’s the only thing that makes sense to me,

California Saga's single mix is pretty readily available on Spotify as part of Best of the Brother Years

https://open.spotify.com/track/0lWLhsB8FT7wRpjfucDmaq?si=5712f3436cc54d52

Is it? I tried this, but all I still here is the album version. And Spotify seems to agree, showing the Holland cover.

As an aside (and I guess stating the bleeding obvious), the Single version is on multiple CD releases since the turn of the century.

Could you name one, other than Ten Years of Harmony IIRC, because I need to make a purchase then.

The channel has re-launched as of noon. I don’t know if we’re going to do what we did 3 years ago, but here were the songs I heard (after some probably reused promotional intros from 2018, which were similar to the montages from Love and Mercy):

Surfin’ USA
Fun, Fun, Fun
Match Point of Our Love
When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
Catch A Wave

California Saga's single mix is pretty readily available on Spotify as part of Best of the Brother Years

https://open.spotify.com/track/0lWLhsB8FT7wRpjfucDmaq?si=5712f3436cc54d52

Is it? I tried this, but all I still here is the album version. And Spotify seems to agree, showing the Holland cover.

[guess]

Who plays the bass on Aren’t You Glad? From my understanding it was Carl because of how the bass sounded, but for whatever reason on Wikipedia it was switched to Brian, which just doesn’t sound right. Was it Carl? As soon as I saw that happen on Wikipedia I began questioning anyone and everyone that could have possibly made that change.

My guess would be it's Brian. I think there was a feeling until a few years ago that Brian didn't do much in those sessions, but around the time of Sunshine Tomorrow that seemed to change a bit, with recognition of Brian's more extensive involvement. I don't remember any specific piece of info coming out to change that particular reference though. C-man might jump in at this point. . .

I know this is really late, but I want to jump into this conversation. C-man’s work in 2017 for ESQ credited Bass to Carl. As the obsessive nerd I am, I’ve been transferring this info to Wikipedia as well, but someone changed my edit (C-man’s work) on Wiki at some point. Unfortunately I misplaced my copy of that issue and can’t correct/add to what I have so far. Hopefully it turns up soon, along with my misplaced Holland LP.