All I can offer (that I had saved from c-man’s original post(s) is that Dennis Budimir (guitar) and Mike Meros (keyboards) played on these sessions.

Is this probably the last time (and maybe the first since 1971-ish) that Carl played lead guitar on Barbara Ann (since Ed Carter, Blondie, Jeff Foskett, etc aren’t there)?

There's no way Brian is personally talking to people on Twitter.

Agreed, as much as I would love it. Ask “Brian” about playing some crazy guitar solos or something; I’d love to see what “he” would say.

I enjoy some of the album but I just can’t get into some of the real 80’s stuff, it just doesn’t sound like the BB’s. And I’m not saying it had to had a surf sound or a Pet Sounds or SMiLE sound, but I’ve never been able to get into Carl’s songs and a couple others for that reason.

I am disappointed reading about Al's behavior at one point during the sessions. That just doesn't go with the image I've always had of Al. Thinking of Al making Levine CRY with his behavior would be like if I saw Brian Wilson slam dancing in a mosh pit at a punk rock concert. It just defies nature.

Agreed on that point. With the exception of this incident and the 1977 tarmac incident, it seems like Al was a good guy who tended to get a bit stubborn on certain things (Gary Usher; plus walking offstage once in the ‘90’s?, but maybe this was ‘97/‘98 and if so that would make sense).

Upbeat tunes:

"Marilyn Rovell"
"Lana"
"Surfer Jam"
"Sail On Sailor"
"Deirdre" (is she redhead?)
"Cabinessence"
"Sunshine" (KTSA song)

Um... Cabinessence?
I mean, thats an absolutely incredible track, but it doesn’t really scream wedding.

Agreed about Cabinessence and its role in a wedding, guessing it was a joke.

My wedding will be nothing but ShorteninBred on a 10 hour loop

I eagerly await my invitation in the mail.

Oh man, I'd love to see more footage of the 2012 happening. Although there was the Sirius Radio interview, 2012 almost certainly is the last time the Beach Boys made music together.

Sadly.  I remember when it was announced we were all speculating maybe if we were liucky we'd get an acoustic "Surfer Girl."  Would have been nice and have needed only one extra singer at the most (Matt Jardiine or maybe Jeff Foskett).  Has the complete Sirius interview made the rounds?

Are you aware of their acoustic performance for Rolling Stone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu-bXvuPm7c

I thought I had only heard their acoustic version of “Surfin’ USA” but YouTube claims I’ve watched this before and clicked like. Well, I guess I’m watching it again. Thanks for the link!!

When this came out, a friend of ours said, "So, have you listened to The Beach Boys Through a Vocoder yet?" I thought she meant there was another silly Beach Boys video on YouTube with the same idea of "The Beach Boys shred 'I Get Around'" -- like, someone piped the Beach Boys through a vocoder or something...I didn't know she was talking about the Autotune festival that is this CD. After I listened, I totally understood.

I still contest that McCartney's Good Evening New York City sounds way worse than this. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTay8qCDybrNpgvmMFNDQ-jVQwEjl84WP

Not only does poor Sir Paul sound even more so like a robot, but the mix is garbage too.  The mix on the Beach Boys' 50th is at least clean. 

Never listened to that one. Paul has so many live albums out, I've lost count.

I heard samples of that Paul live album after I had bought it but before I listened to it...so I started to regret buying it. Still haven’t listened to it because of the Auto-Tune...guess I’ll listen soon.

[Party!]

SaltyMarshmallow, thanks for responding quickly and sorry for the doubting tone of my question. It’s just so shocking for me that Al can go from being the studio bassist to barely playing on anything unless he brought it the band or sang lead on it. But then again, this is The Beach Boys, and all sorts of crazy stuff has happened and continues to. Thanks again!!

No problem! Hey, it's still totally possible that Al played bass on Do It Again since there's no way to know for sure with most overdubs, it'd just be an odd kick in the trend at the time! It could've been Brian for all we know.

SaltyMarshmallow, do you have any clue about who played bass on the various Party! songs? I’m going to guess Bruce on Barbara Ann because he seems to play the same bassline at Knebworth. Not like we can use Brian in 2012 as a judge since he stays on the roots of the chords. Also, is You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away the only one on that album with Carl on bass? Bruce does make a joke about Carl grabbing “his bass,” but it sounds like a joke.

It is strange that Al was such a prominent instrumentalist from Surfer Girl through Summer Days, and then drops out. Of course, he plays here and there, but sparingly. And like others have pointed off, when he does play, it's on something he's singing or co-wrote like Crack At Your Love, Island Girl, It's About Time...

Given the fact that much KTSA was recorded at his studio, I wonder if he played on that album more than one would think?

C-man said that he thinks it’s because Al’s very hard on his own playing, I don’t think Al plays on Crack At Your Love, but he does (rhythm, I’m assuming) on California Calling. I remember c-man says that Al plays on Santa Ana Winds and Endless Harmony, plus at least one or two outtakes: Goin’ To The Beach (and maybe Johnny B. Goode, but I can’t remember.) I’m guessing School Days could be a possibility too?

SaltyMarshmallow, thanks for responding quickly and sorry for the doubting tone of my question. It’s just so shocking for me that Al can go from being the studio bassist to barely playing on anything unless he brought it the band or sang lead on it. But then again, this is The Beach Boys, and all sorts of crazy stuff has happened and continues to. Thanks again!!

I think the trajectory for the Boys continues relatively the same as it did go down.

Blondie and Rickey definitely added some spice, and their songs were good contributions for sure. But I don't count them as such a force internally and politically (band-wise) to have much of power to swing things in a direction. Do we really think they were given 'voting rights' to the inner band politics? No way.

They WERE Beach Boys at the time, but I doubt they had much power. Essentially, glorified backing band members.

Do you really think that they'd have kept both of them into the 90's? 2000's? I think from the start they were going to be used and dropped. I'm sure they knew that, too.

Ricky could have stayed until Carl died, especially after losing Dennis in 1983 assuming that still happens. Was there ever a debate about what to do after Dennis died, as in possibly bringing back Ricky?

Don’t know enough about this really to comment - but just want to say I definitely see a connection between Cabin Essence and the Hughes poem.

wow never knew carl played so much studio bass.  of course he did, but wow, had no idea......for the pre pet sounds stuff what did Al play bass on?  im sorry i was born during the keepin the summer alive tour and dont have all those abbreviations hardwired- huge fan of all eras though

Before Today is not my personnel wheelhouse, but here's what I've got for Today, SDSN, and PS:

Today:

Al plays bass on: DHMLS, WIGU(TBAM), SKMTW and is the only BB to play bass on that record.

Uh...Brian is on bass for "Dance, Dance, Dance", and likely overdubbed a 6-string Dano part on "I'm So Young".

Al:
DHMLS - Don’t My Little Sister
WIGU(TBAM) - When I Grow Up To Be A Man
SKMTW - She Knows Me Too Well
GfNYC - The Girl from New York City
YSGTM - You’re So Good To Me

Brian:
TIKH - Then I Kissed Her
GDTM - Girl Don’t Tell Me
TNM - That’s Not Me

I thought Al also played on I’m So Young too (Al on Fender, Carl on Dano, and Brian on an overdubbed Dano).
The Dano on That’s Not Me could be Brian or Al, according to c-man and Joshilyn.


On an another related topic, SaltyMarshmallow, you definitely think Carl is on that much? Crazy, especially Do It Again, which a I thought would’ve leaned towards Al.

I'll have to dig out my SOT disc and listen to the full session for "Surfer's Rule", but my recollection is that Carl definitley played bass on "South Bay Surfer" and overdubbed the lead guitar.

And, while not bootlegged, I've heard the full session tape for "Little Deuce Coupe", and that one definitely has Carl on bass, Brian on piano, and David playing the only guitar. Which is interesting, since it was cut at the same session as "Surfer Girl" (Brian on bass), and the basic track for "Catch A Wave" (Al on bass). Three songs in three hours, each with a different Beach Boy playing bass.
Probably the only time THAT ever happened!

Although, there was the Party! session at which Carl overdubbed bass on "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" - if Brian and Bruce both played bass that particular day, that would count. And, of course there's there were the Lei'd In Hawaii concerts at which Carl, Al, and Brian each took turns on the bass (professionally recorded, therefore counting as a recording session).

c-man, is that the only Party! song that Carl plays bass on? I know during the sessions, Bruce comments for Carl to go get his bass, but I assumed it was a joke.

And, regarding the Surfer Girl album, does that mean that the idea of marathon sessions with Al alternating between playing bass on some songs and sitting around doing nothing on others is possible?

The only way Mike might do concerts any time soon is something like this (which probably won't happen on schedule either) :

https://www.pollstar.com/article/arkansas-theatre-reduces-capacity-sets-up-fan-pods-to-host-may-15-concert-144495

I don't think Mike can afford to go to 20% capacity at shows.  It would reduce his average attendance to 250-350 or so. And it's still arguably an absurd way to conduct a concert, with enjoyment reduced,  and still with plenty of risk.  And unlike the guy trying this concert,  Mike is almost 80 years old and at far more risk himself (Bruce as well obviously).

It’s funny how he thinks he’ll be able to do shows some time this year, according to the RS interview.

Jimmy Bond is on more of the late '60s/early '70s Beach Boys records than you might think...from Friends, he's on the title track and the outtake "Our Happy Home". From 20/20, he's on "Be With Me" and "I Went To Sleep" (as well as "Cabinessence", cut two years earlier). From Sunflower, he's on "Deirdre", "It's About Time", "All I Wanna Do", and "Forever". He's also on "Break Away", "Celebrate The News", and "Loop de Loop". And years later, he turns up as part of the string section on Pacific Ocean Blue!

There’s a double bass in It’s About Time? I learn something new every day on this board.

Game of Love has Mike and Brian (and then I think Mike and Carl on the bridge).

Somewhere Near Japan is a great song  IMHO

Easily the best thing they did at the time. I have a soft spot for Terry Melcher's 80s production style with the BB. It's somewhat cheesy but in an enjoyable way.

It definitely works with some things. R&RTTR and California Dreamin’ sound fine, and so does some of the Still Cruisin’ stuff. Haven’t listened to most of SIP yet, and I definitely don’t like the production on Problem Child.

On the Still Cruisin’ topic, I think In My Car is underrated, probably because Brian and Landy (or should I say Landy) overproduced it. The chord changes in that are crazy and classic Brian.

I’ll try to rank these once I listen to the few albums I haven’t gotten around to yet. Unless I should do a WIP list? Not sure yet.

Considering Billy Hinsche is probably sitting at home with time on his hands and has been active with his Facebook gigs, has anyone with an account (never been interested myself) actually thought of just asking him?

Finally got a response from Billy Hinsche: “I can’t tell you definitively if I sang on Marcella but it’s certainly a possibility. I’m working on my next show which should be a lot of fun so hope you can tune in Saturday night at 7 PM Pacific. Bye for now, Billy”

Still one of the weirdest facts I have read on this board 

That wasn’t a joke???

Some fans have complained that Brian's vocals were "shouty" on this album. I don't know what they're talking about. I think his vocal are amazing on  this album - I'm not talking just lead vocals, but those harmonies. And those harmony stacks scream out to be BRIAN WILSON.

Though I guess I understand what they mean by "shouty" (Brian's voice during that era was kinda strange - maybe too much smoking?), I think whatever it is, he uses his voice to great effect on OCA. The soundtrack to IJWMFTT is a little harder for me to listen to, but that may be because the Beach Boys versions of those songs are just so good. But his singing on OCA is very inspired and as I mentioned before even soulful. He's not just singing the melodies, he's actually phrasing words around etc. And his sound at that time definitely fits with the songs. Just listen to the outro in "sAIIlll awaayyyy" and the wordless part in "Summer in Monterey". All in all, I love Brian's work on the leads but also on the backgrounds (where he got help by Danny Hutton and others on a couple of tracks). Plus I think this may be the last album we got with a full, though worn falsetto by Brian. Not that he didn't sing those high parts on "Imagination" but he sounds more smooth there, not as in-your-face. That could also come from the medical treatment he got, but also the shock of Carl's death.
And again, the feeling and joy he puts into his singing was only heard again starting with "That lucky old sun" imo, even BWPS wasn't THAT good. But others may disagree, which is their prerogative.
Great album and definitely worth a re-release.

I just want to say I agree with everything in this post.
Why don't we have a 'like' button on this board? A lot of times I see a post I agree with, but I don't have anything to add to what was said, so I just move on to the next one.

I would also love a “like” button.

What instrument would Mike write on? Not aware of him ever playing any chordophones :-)

He does play a little guitar, I believe.  There's a video of him with an acoustic playing one of his solo songs(from UTL?), but I can't remember which one.

EDIT: Just listened.  I know he means well, but this wasn't that good (at least lyrically).  The music is all right but it sounds like a pale imitation of a rocker than a real one.  Enjoyed Scott Totten's slide guitar work though, it'd be nice to see him do more of that with Mike's band.  Did he play any slide during the reunion tour?  This is the first time I've seen him do that.  But as much as the "Fun, Fun, Fun" reference is stupid, the damn thing is stuck in my head.

SECOND EDIT: The comments are turned off. 

I seem to recall reading that Dennis was also going to give a stab at the vocal but I may be misremembering

I read that this was true but supposedly he only did one take and left to go surfing. 

After Mike's most recent actions I wish Brian to never work with him again. I'd love to see a a big tour with Brian, Al, Blondie and add in David and Ricky too if they can make it. Mike's voice has been going downhill fast the last few years and Bruce doesn't do much on stage. There's really no point in my mind to collide those two bands anymore. Mike's band really has no assets for that matter.

The ultimately greatest thing would be if Brian and Al would take The Beach Boys name away from Mike and do a tour without him, with the name and all. They have Matt and Brian's great band. They don't need Mike and Bruce for anything.

Well they have Scott Totten and John Cowsill; it'd be nice if they jumped ship if such a tour happened. Not that I think it'd happen, but didn't part of Mike's band attend Brian and Al's Beacon show?  I thought it was funny that Bruce attended too; the man claimed back in 2007(?) that he missed Brian and Al, but then he stays with Mike after everything broke down in September 2012.

I think as soon as things got as ugly as they did, with Mike sitting idly by while Don Jr publicly humiliated his cousin without saying a word to pushback, it polluted the waters in ways that can't be quantified.

When did Trump the Lesser (which is saying something as Trump Sr. is —- oh, nevermind) publicly humiliate Brian? I must’ve missed that.

This is (at least part of) it.  https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/481350-beach-boys-brian-wilson-asks-fans-to-boycott-concert-at-hunting

I don't know if this article ever found its way here...but I grabbed this off one of the BB FB groups I'm on (can't remember which one):

https://kixi.com/the-beach-boys-mike-love-says-hes-open-to-a-60th-anniversary-reunion-tour-with-brian-wilson-al-jardine/?fbclid=IwAR3bkXVsh3s7L4G-mrnXsIlK7L_WKjqWYEELO40NfmptfrRBXNj--541MnI