The Boston Globe (US newspaper) did a short piece on the Murry LP today: https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/11/22/beach-boys-fan-tracks-down-elusive-songs-by-wilson-dad/

As a MA native, The Boston Globe and Herald are two different papers; regardless, I’m happy to see you get the exposure and hope to buy a copy if you stil have any left on Discogs.

Also, the paper couldn’t find a recent picture of M&B?  Mike Kowalski and Randall Kirsch are in it; hell, even a C50 picture would have made a little more sense because Murry is Brian’s father and Mike’s uncle.

Well... so shoot me, but I love the remake of HCTN. I rate it as different to the original, but still great. Even I would admit, though, that the 10-minute version overloads the album somewhat. They should have put on the single edit IMHO... maybe included another couple of tracks, and left the 10-minute version of HCTN for the 12-inch single.

Personally, I find LA too full of really dull, over-smooth late 70s yacht-rock. Good Timing is OK but doesn't break any ground, and HCTN is (to me) fun but too over-long in the album version. The one track I think is truly great, and which always makes my personal Beach Boys Top 20, is Baby Blue. About the last thing, to my mind they ever did (even if it was mostly Dennis and Carl) that had some of the love and soul you can hear in SMiLE and Pet Sounds and the greatest of the late 60s stuff. After Baby Blue, it really is downhill all the way for me (well, until 2012, anyway).

Lastly, I have a feeling no-one ever COULD have got 'It's Over Now' and 'Still I Dream Of It' onto LA in the late 70s, even if anyone had wanted to... which they didn't. The 'clean-livers' in the band were in the ascendant at the time (witness MIU and the yacht-rock smoothness of LA). Even Carl was addicted for some of this period, Dennis was starting the long slide down and out, and Brian was declining towards his very lowest point. The Brian-heavy Love You DID come out but bombed... and the album that DID feature those tracks, Adult Child, was subsequently canned by the band and didn't EVER come out, even to this day. Who, quite simply, would have fought to put those tracks on LA? No-one.

I definitely agree that I love the single HCTN and think it should’ve been on the album instead of the long version. Great vocals and bass, even though the vocoder intro is a little cheesy. Carl kills it as usual. I think we can enjoy Beach Boys rock, pop, and disco just as we can enjoy Beach Boys pop, disco, and rock. I don’t think Mike and Al are the reason for the yacht rock sound on LA - it’s a Carl- and Dennis- centered album.

I remember liking one of Carl’s songs a little but not the other - I think of ACH as Dennis because he sings it. Baby Blue is great to me, except Carl’s vocal. Its one of his too-perfect-that-it’s-boring vocals (like Our Sweet Love). I don’t think It’s Over Now would have made it because Marilyn sings on it; I doubt Brian would have been okay with that with the impending divorce.

Things are good. It's moving forward.

I can’t believe I never commented/responded to this. Awesome!! Thanks Howie!!

In the meantime, Elton John ... and there's an Elvis Presley box set of his June 1970 Nashville sessions coming out Nov. 20. So there certainly seems to be a market for box sets nowadays.

And I can’t wait for From Elvis in Nashville too. Been promoting both that and Feel Flows for at least a month or so whenever I can.

Reports on Endless Harmony that there was an offer for a 60th anniversary album.
I asked, was Brian and Al’s refusal related to the circular firing squad episode that then held up  Feels Flows.

I have little doubt that Brian and Al considered the stress of dealing with a bandmate with narcissistic personality disorder, and decided against it. Who needs that kind of stress when pushing 80? Not them.

Mike has burned all of his bridges.

Here is the quote from EH, written by SaltyMarshmallow, if anyone is interested:

I guess the implication was lost on the last page, but apparently I have the green light to say it now: according to a reliable source (someone who works at Capitol), the group were approached about doing another reunion album earlier this year. Brian and Al both flat-out said no.

And I agree, CD. I think TWGMTR is a perfect send off from the band, and Brian had already wanted to do a follow-up album years ago which was refused by Mike due to the “writing alone in a room with Brian” thing (I think).

Would any of you want to be alone in a room with a guy who berates your wife and talks sh*t about your mental health to the press? *edit, I think many wouldn’t mind using the room as a UFC cage for a while, but in Brian’s case, I think he just wants to be free of Mike for good.

Disappointing of course, but I can’t say I blame them after Mike’s actions this year (and any time since 2012).

Hi everyone, I’m assuming many of us have read this interview, but I didn’t until I saw it posted on Brian’s Facebook page. Could the author be related to or married to David Beard?

https://hbr.org/2016/12/brian-wilson?fbclid=IwAR0L2OV9eFpotgX1g1PbzbL6uhfXyZWYgmw7M3BUotX_ygIhB9VgZr31r2c


EDIT: Can we form an accidental double-post club? I might need to be initiated; I’m a rookie with this.

Hi everyone, I’m assuming many of us have read this interview, but I didn’t until I saw it posted on Brian’s Facebook page. Could the author be related to or married to David Beard?

https://hbr.org/2016/12/brian-wilson?fbclid=IwAR0L2OV9eFpotgX1g1PbzbL6uhfXyZWYgmw7M3BUotX_ygIhB9VgZr31r2c

I hope this was an off night for Mike, and not the new normal with his voice. I think the group still sounded *ok* when Stamos wasn't drumming. Just understandably rusty. Perhaps the monitoring was poor. But Timmy's keys and Keith's bass sounded wonderful. The vocals were shaky overall, but I think Ike, Totten, and Bruce did well. I think Bruce rocked on Do You Wanna Dance. Mike's voice had me worried. Between the video of his movements and audio of his singing, it's the first time Mike has really seemed his age to me. My dad and I always leave the Mike & Bruce shows talking about what a force of nature Mike is. That he can bring such energy, walking around the stage, sounding, for the most part, almost identical to his voice in the golden era. An absolute professional. Akin to Mccartney or Jagger. That may not be what went on the 98-99 let's say when it was a free for all, but in the time I've been seeing BB shows (2014-today) Mike has always had great energy and voice. But this most recent show, and to an extent, some of the shows leading up to it, Mike's voice sounds so shaky. Makes me wonder what's going on. I guess its pretty similar to McCartney's shaky live tone of the last few years.

Mike sounded fine when I saw the guys last year; all that time off probably did him no favors.
The deterioration of Paul's voice is much sadder to him; he once had a beautiful voice.

Agreed on both points. I saw M&B in August 2019 and can’t remember his voice being particularly bad.

EDIT: I honestly can’t remember much about August 2019 because it honestly feels like so long ago - probably a little weaker than April 2015, the first time I saw them.

How anyone in their right mind could be interested in this fake, watered down sham of what is called The Beach Boys is beyond any logical type of reasoning. It absolutely displays how dutifully stupid and naive the general public can be.

In defense of the general public, The touring Beach Boys have had some shady marketing over the years (pictures of the original line-up, video promotions with Brian and Al, there have even been times where the venue has to assure the ticket-holders/buyers that "this isn't a reunion show with Brian Wilson" if memory serves me correctly). And on top of that, just the name itself says flatly "The Beach Boys" - so if you're not like us on this website (where everyone has 15+ copies of Pet Sounds each), I don't really blame you if you don't know that "The Beach Boys" don't really mean "The Beach Boys" when it comes to the touring group.

When I was younger, before I really got into The Beach Boys, I saw an ad in the local paper for a Beach Boys concert in my local city. I was sooo close to buying tickets but didn't because I was short on money and had no one to go with. But those were my only reasons for not going. I had no idea who the original line-up was, had no idea that only two original Beach Boys were apart of the touring group. I just saw a nice looking ad and thought it would be great fun to see The Beach Boys and hear some great music.

And that's what this band is to most people: they just love hearing those original harmonies at a July 4th barbecue (or a Beach Boys concert after a few beers). They don't care about the history, they don't care about the feuds/squabbling. It is just about the music to them...and honestly I rather envy those people anymore because they don't know all the garbage we know about this band (which can and does at times affect my enjoyment of the music - just being honest).

Spot on.

Mike's touring license could be revoked at any time if the other principals objected to how he is using the name.

I don't see that happening.

I'm not so sure it's anywhere near as easy as that. Just keep in mind how litigious Mike is.

I have a suspicion that Mike has made maneuvers behind the scenes with BRI to perhaps change the power structure, so that he never loses the license under any circumstances. Or at minimum, he could create all sorts of legal blockades and threats where anybody who would even think of challenging it would know they be in for an uphill legal battle that would be prolonged, costly, and who has the emotional energy for that when approaching 80?

Of course Brian and Al like to get checks for doing nothing, I'm not denying that's the case. But I really do think that stripping Mike of the license would not at all be some sort of "easy" thing to do at this point.

Plus, just think about how mad Mike would be if that happened to him. That's literally all he's got going for him at this time, is the adulation from low information fans at shows. It would literally be the most emasculating, detrimental thing to him, and if it were to actually happen, he would probably lash out in all sorts of ways, perhaps causing other releases beyond FF to be completely blocked and who knows what else, solely out of pure spite. I mean, I don't think the guy has shown anywhere near what he is really capable of if he were actually deprived of that one thing. He would unleash WWIII in BBs world.

Like it or not, Brian knows that he's stuck with having to deal with Mike. It's just like having fathered a child with somebody who you found out was a massive narcissist later on, you are tied to that person for life. Be careful who you create offspring with, and who you create bands with.

I just don't think Brian or Al or Carl's kids want to unleash the type of holy hell that could come out of rocking the boat in that severe a manner. But that said, I do think that Brian and Al probably would *like* to do it and reclaim the name for themselves, if it were an easy thing to do at this point. But they aren't fighters in that type of way, especially when it would be an excruciating and ugly fight.

Sadly agreed. With regards to liking to do it, there’s a Rolling Stone article from 2013 where Brian mentioned wanting to go out with Al and David Marks as The Original Beach Boys. But that would probably be so difficult to do. Somewhat off topic, but do we know why David Marks really hasn’t done any gigs with any of his BB bandmates between 2015 and his health scare?

I really do not know what to make of this, and it's making me a little unnerved. If we still get a 5CD set in 2021, I don't care how much they throw at us, but I don't want them to skimp, and then we get nothing. I'm happy for the Track and Background Vocals mixes to be digital only if they were never part of the 5CD set, as these are arguably 'filler', but are still a nice listen.

Fingers crossed for some info soon.

Agreed.

[FREE FEEL FLOWS!]

I would say all bets are off right now, as the political thing points up the fact that Mike is operating as if he is completely independent of the group.

The problem is, in terms of the history of the band as even the "mob wife" contingent over at "the nearest faraway place" sees it--hell, they actually had a very good thread there about the Holland years, which at least by implication suggests that the 67-73 period is highly regarded by a majority of "embedded" BB fans--if this set doesn't come out, it becomes a victory for those who want to push the pre-'66 material as the only thing that matters.

That's why the full track list needs to be leaked NOW, in order to capitalize on what is now once again in the public eye--the ongoing fracture in the band regarding its own identity. It's a perfect story for this moment in 20/20.

As much as I sympathize with those who suffered through the process of creating the set, I think the chances of creating a big enough public cause celebre about the situation will be squandered without someone stepping up to the plate and handing over that track list to the media.

FREE FEEL FLOWS!

+1

+2

+3

He’s going to sing “Got to Know the Woman,” mention it was written by his cousin, and announce the release of Feel Flows.  


EDIT: In all seriousness, I am pretty excited for the entire show.

Didn't someone post here once that when Carl lived in Colorado he sometimes played with a blues band at a bar or something to that effect?

Yes, I think it was either c-man or Ian; I also remember reading that here.

Thanks for that list, All Summer Long. Some combination of any of these would be incredible! I'll be gutted if this doesn't come out.

For the record, I wouldn’t have been able to compile without jackjachman’s thread:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,25249.0.html

I should have posted that a while ago.

Thank you Howie (and Jon) for the updates and additional info. Hope we get to hear it all.

Is Wild Honey better than Smiley Smile?

Hell yes. I haven’t listened to it yet, but I bet even SIP is better than Smiley Smile.

Thanks for the support Don Malcolm!! As a younger/newer fan, I haven’t heard a lot of what has already surfaced on older releases and boots so I’m eagerly supporting, hoping for, and awaiting this box set for many reasons.

So considering what we know exists, there are 20 masters from the original albums plus:

- I’m Going Your Way - As others have mentioned in this thread (I just can’t rememner who), the 2019 EP says this is alternate version, so perhaps there is a more final (faded or otherdubbed or with a final vocal) version in the vaults. The Brother Rarities set indicates a version with a running time of 1:53 exists; maybe this is a master because the 2019 “alternate vocal [(OD?)] take” runs to 2:36 including a session dialogue intro and breakdown at the end of the Take.
- Carnival (Over the Waves) - obviously the “master” was officially released almost a year ago, but it’s possible that there may also be some vocal WIP takes, complete and/or incomplete.
- Slip On Through - An early version was released on the EP, but there’s likely to be alternate takes from the final version. I believe the Sunflower ESQ said that the final master was re-recorded at a later session from this early EP version? Maybe Mark Linett and Alan Boyd have some alternate mixes that show Dennis’ guitar overdub on the master?
- San Miguel - At least the remix that Mark Linett already premiered in that 2-hour interview on YouTube.
- Cotton Fields (single version) - At least the remix that Mark Linett already premiered in that interview.
- possibly at least one of the songs Fred Vail and Brian cut for Cows in the Pasture.
-  Susie Cincinnati - original 1970 single mix according to the shelved Brother Rarities set. Aejitzsche and/or c-man have also discussed hearing the backing track for both versions recorded, of which the second was overdubbbed and became the master. At least 3 possible tracks there.
- Loop de Loop (Flip Flop Flyin’ In An Aeroplane) - original 1969/1970 version with Al’s falsetto (that he replaced in 1998 with a lower vocal) if he didn’t object to its release now.
- Take A Lead Off Your Feet - original mix
- Lady (Fallin’ In Love) - “previously unreleased stereo mix” mentioned on the Brother Rarities set, unless this was the version used for Summer Love Songs.
- Sound of Free - from the original masters, if it has been discovered since 2013.
- I Just Got My Pay - “original mix” from the Brother Rarities set.
- When Girls Get Together - original 1970 mix, plus the instrumental version slated for Reverberation
- Add Some Music To Your Day - with alternate lyrics and vocals from the Rarities set.
- This Whole World - long version with alternate vocals from the Rarities set. Maybe some vocal-only alternate takes/mixes? Maybe some of the original session that aejitzsche recreated the guitars from for us a few months ago. Supposedly full Eastern Airlines version.
- Tears in the Morning - alternate lyrics/vocals version from the Rarities set.
- Got to Know the Woman - at least maybe the mono mix slated for Reverberation. Maybe a new mix showing Dennis’ guitar overdub? Maybe a version including Doug Dragon’s organ that was removed?
- It’s About Time - maybe instrumental only mix or drums and percussion only mix?
- All I Wanna Do - possibilities are endless. At least Backing track and/or a cappella mixes.
- Forever - Again, possibilities endless. At least backing track and/or a cappella mixes. Maybe the original version before Mike’s vocals were added.
- Cool, Cool Water - possibilities are endless. Alternate a cappella and/or instrumental alternate mixes showing pre- and post-overdubs, the more organic and more water-synth versions. Coca-Cola version?
- Break Away - a cappella and/or instrumental. Maybe without the acoustics to show the dueling lead guitars?
- Celebrate the News - a cappella and/or instrumental.
- Back Home 1970 - alternate takes?
- My Solution
- Seasons in the Sun
- Soulful Old Man Sunshine - maybe more has been found?
- Games Two Can Play - original pre-Adult Child mix if one exists?
- Maybe the recordings from Dennis’ first solo album? Discussed elsewhere but I can’t find the full list at the moment, but I’ll look later and edit again.
- Barnyard Blues - Backing track? Supposedly there’s also a piano demo?
- Good Time - original mix.
- You Never Give Me Your Money - Piano jam after a Good Time take.
- Big Sur - 4/4 version.
- ‘Til I Die - piano demo plus alternate positive lyrics version. Vocals only?
- WIBNTLA - maybe backing track only?
- Don’t Go Near the Water - a cappella mix?
- Long Promised Road - alternate mixes? Maybe whatever started the basic track (Carl on acoustic guitar or keys?)
- Disney Girls - a cappella mix?
- Student Demonstration Time - Instrumental only? Maybe the master without the Moog siren and/or bullhorn vocal effects?
- Feel Flows - did someone say the master runs longer or did I just invent that? Regardless, instrumental only or a cappella mixes?
- Lookin’ At Tomorrow - The Rarities set mentions an original unphased mix. Maybe also some Al vocal/guitar basic track takes?
 - A Day in the Life of a Tree - Jack Reilly’s vocal only? Maybe an instrumental only mix that switches to vocals-only in the coda?
- Surf’s Up - Vocals only from the Rarities set. Maybe the 1971 track?
- Ol’ Movie - from the Rarities set.
- Awake - “Brian demo” from the Rarities set.
- Fourth of July - “original mix” and “alternate version” from the Rarities set.
- Happy Birthday Brian - from the Rarities set.
- Hawaii Song - from the Rarities set.
- Won’t You Tell Me - written by Murry and Rick Henn. Brian and Carl duet. (If it still exists)
- Sail On, Sailor - Brian piano demo and/or “songwriting tape with Van Dyke.” Maybe a 1971 version with a Carl vocal if it (still) exists?
- Telephone Backgrounds (On A Clear Day) - Carl Moog demo(?) if I recall correctly
- I’ve Got A Friend - Backing track
- Maybe some recordings for CATP? I feel like that would be too late for this project and be a 1971/2021 CE release, but that’s just my opinion. I have NO inside sources or info.

Live?
Maybe the 1969 Paris show remixed and remastered by Mark Linett and Alan Boyd? Maybe Brian with the band standing in for Mike in February? Maybe a tape from the Whisky - apparently Bruce says he has one? Maybe the show where Ricky Fataar joined the backing band before joining as a full member? (though this would probably be better as a 2021 CE or part of a CATP release/box or an In Concert release/box)

EDIT: Apologies for how visually ugly this looks.

To get this somewhat back on-topic, isn't it interesting to think about how much more fun and interesting and exciting it would be if, say, a set and track listing had been announced by now and we were having fun speculating about the contents of the set?

Could your source reveal any small details about track listing? E.g. I think it was Adam Marsland who, in the run up to Smile Sessions, revealed that Alan Boyd had let him know of a then unrevealed "woah" inclusion in that set. It turned out to be the Wild Honey era Surf's Up recording if I recall.

I would generally agree with Donny that I prefer threads to follow an organic path and flow freely into any related tangents, unless things go way off topic, rather than separating those out into  separate threads, but it looks like we might be in a minority. But if the function of this thread is just to keep the Feel Flows release on the agenda, until there is new news, what more can we do here than go round in circles with the same group of voices just saying we would like to see it released?

My own fan knowledge/scholarship tells me you could probably look at that old "Brother Rarities Proposed Bonus Tracks" set of discs from 2000 to get just an inkling of an idea of some of the stuff that could be on the set.

I'd wager we'd get one or more iteration of "This Whole World" including that extra long backing track on that "Brother Rarities" test disc. The demo and alternate of "'Til I Die" would seem likely. The alternate "Add Some Music To Your Day."

I know, these are all obvious.

I was going to say we should use that to create a bare minimum list/discussion of what could come out. And I plan to edit that into this post in a second. EDIT: See three posts down.

The effort to release Feel Flows has been mentioned on Wikipedia. My article is their source. Word being spread!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feel_Flows

Thanks Joel!! Your article is also used as a source for this info on Wiki’s (main) BB article/page as well!!

We'll be lucky if we even have Mike and Bruce onstage next year. By the time a vaccine for covid-19 has been found, all of the guys could be in assisted living.

Yeah, it's great to be cautiously optimistic but the pandemic is projected to last until late 2021. Then after that it'll still be a gradual process as travel bans are lifted and industries reopen..

If they are to do a second reunion then I feel it ought to be in the studio, and sooner rather than later. There's still a chance they could make a cool rock and roll album (like Brian's wanted for ages) if they really got their sh!t together and all started writing again. When did Bruce last even try writing a song? He wrote great stuff in the early-mid 60's and would surely still be capable of doing so with the urging of the right producer. Four capable songwriters if you include Mike - they should be writing, and a proper group recording project with a fun/lighthearted rock'n'roll approach would be the perfect impetus.

And maybe Brian, Al, David, and Bruce could actually play more on the record (not that David Marks didn't the last time); it's a little strange with TWGTMR being a rare exception (SIP, S&S) where only one member plays on the record. 

[Bruce Johnston]

I was just wondering if there are any sources on the personnel for the Smiley Smile album? I've noticed on Wikipedia in particular that information on who plays on the album is woefully under-detailed - there's zero detail as to what instruments each member played, and even Bruce Johnston is omitted from the personnel list. I've also noticed that on many of the other, more detailed personnel sections of Beach Boys albums on Wikipedia, credited sources came from Craig Slowinski, while the same isn't the case for Smiley Smile.

That’s been my personal project. I’ve been using whatever I can of Craig Slowinski’s credits to update Wikipedia. I was told by other editors I was only allowed to do something with a source that covered most or all of the album. I couldn’t just list the known credits (I.e. Carl - Vocals, Bass, Guitar on “Good Vibrations” and “Gettin’ Hungry”, Percussion on “Good Vibrations”, etc) for a couple random tracks. I did try to do that using the GV and H&V credits from Wiki, but that was reverted as well. I’ve been using c-man’s ESQ sessionographies but I’ve had to buy backorders and I haven’t bought Smiley Smile’s issue yet (partially because its my least favorite BB album so far).

That's pretty ridiculous that they won't take most sources, particularly since for many other bands they specify which tracks a particular member played a certain instrument on - case in point Let It Bleed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Bleed. Perhaps a system like that could possibly be implemented? Surely for them to arbitrarily delete credits when it has been proved to be accurate for the reason you stated would be akin to treating dandruff with decapitation, as Frank Zappa would put it.

Sorry I worded that terribly. What I meant to say was let’s just say we’re in a world where only credits for GV and H&V existed for Smiley Smile (lost AFMs for the rest, no Sea of Tunes/other outtakes) I couldn’t just write Carl - vocals; guitar and percussion on GV; Brian - vocals, keyboards on GV and H&V; Dennis - vocals; organ on GV; etc.

[Bruce Johnston]

I was just wondering if there are any sources on the personnel for the Smiley Smile album? I've noticed on Wikipedia in particular that information on who plays on the album is woefully under-detailed - there's zero detail as to what instruments each member played, and even Bruce Johnston is omitted from the personnel list. I've also noticed that on many of the other, more detailed personnel sections of Beach Boys albums on Wikipedia, credited sources came from Craig Slowinski, while the same isn't the case for Smiley Smile.

That’s been my personal project. I’ve been using whatever I can of Craig Slowinski’s credits to update Wikipedia. I was told by other editors I was only allowed to do something with a source that covered most or all of the album. I couldn’t just list the known credits (I.e. Carl - Vocals, Bass, Guitar on “Good Vibrations” and “Gettin’ Hungry”, Percussion on “Good Vibrations”, etc) for a couple random tracks. I did try to do that using the GV and H&V credits from Wiki, but that was reverted as well. I’ve been using c-man’s ESQ sessionographies but I’ve had to buy backorders and I haven’t bought Smiley Smile’s issue yet (partially because its my least favorite BB album so far). Bruce was omitted because they feel we can’t prove him on GV and maybe Vegetables since he was gone for the recording of most of the album.

I think I’ve cracked the code. Some of us have mentioned someone holding out for some future release...Mike wants a 50th box set of SIP coming out in 2043, and that’s the only way he’ll let this go out. 

So I made a comment on ESQ's facebook post regarding the 10th anniversary of Al Jardine's 'Postcard from California' expressing my disappointment at the lack of coverage regarding this box set, and received a PERSONAL MESSAGE, asking why I was taking "unnecessary shots" at ESQ and inquiring what behind-the-scenes disaster I was referring to in my comment (you can decide for yourself if anything I said was out of line, mine is the long post including the link to the change.org petition: https://www.facebook.com/ESQEditor/photos/a.345125747486/10158487201832487/?comment_id=10158495305522487&notif_id=1599151752100968&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif).

Including in my response a statement of surprise and appreciation that they would take the time to personally respond to me, I asked again why there is silence regarding this previously openly acknowledged set. And mentioned that again, 1,000+ fans are eager to spend their hard-earned money on it. The response(s) were basically of the message that they are not the one with the answers, and that there are "more important" things going on, encouraging me to "put this in perspective" with the global pandemic and all.

Among all the articulate and superficially respectful comments, one in particular did not sit right with me; in reference to the change.org petition, they outright said to me that 1,000 fans is "not a large number" to sign this petition. That's the attitude these people are taking.

Unfortunately your comment has been deleted. Nice to know ESQ is on the fans’ side   

Happy Belated Birthday Al Jardine!!

One of the biggest misfires of their career. They put it together at a time when many of the cool younger indie artists had just (re-)discovered the Beach Boys, with bands like the High Llamas or Saint Etienne being huge fans. The Beach Boys, however, did not care. Instead they released this album made for an older conservative audience that wasn't interested in this project at all.

If they'd thought of it a couple years earlier, they could have had Nirvana covering "In My Room".

Thank God that never happened.

What is the largest Brian/BB arrangement in terms of sheer number of instruments? Counting overdubs and all.

I’ve been thinking about it and Three Blind Mice is probably up there.

Like a masochist, I did the maths.

There are 30 musicians playing on the Good Vibrations single, not including Beach Boys who only sang, but the track has 65 individually performed instruments across all sections and overdubs. This isn't counting anything that isn't in the final single mix.

Then a fan’s work is never done. I’d keep editing Wikipedia to add the correct info, but some editors say this board and historians like c-man (and JH and yourself) aren’t good enough sources. Another reason to look forward to c-man’s future MiC sessionography!!

[Levey played the drums, as if left-handed]

An interesting footnote to the photo involves the one player not shown—Bob Levey, the son of legendary jazz drummer Stan Levey.  After his parents divorced, Levey moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Hawthorne in the late 1950s.  Levey pitched, played third base, and was a strong pinch hitter.  “Brian was a fabulous guy,” Levey recalled.  “Just a real good person.  He was always out there cracking jokes.”


Now on Wikipedia I found this about Steve:

Levey's crisp, melodic style continued to have more in common with bop than cool, and he inspired every group he ever played in. A right-handed person, Levey played the drums, as if left-handed. Levey has played on thousands of recordings, ...
So, I don't know if the timing fits or if they had any contact, but do you think that Dennis' style of playing was influenced by Levey, maybe through his son showing Dennis some stuff? Dennis did play like he was left-handed, too.

Stan Levey does play on “At My Window,” although that would likely be too late for him to show Dennis anything.