[W A Y]

I wonder what I'd look like if I hadn't passed away from acute 'boringitis'?  Probably 45 pounds overweight with a lot of white hair around the temples and chin/upper lip badly in need of some heavy duty colouring.  By the way...Elvis would have been  W A Y  fatter than that.

It must be entirely freaky to see someone you knew in terms of what they would look like if they were still inhaling.  Did I mention that Elvis would have been a whole lot fatter?  He'd have to wear polyester leisure suits.  [and an extra large bib]

I don't think attacking Elvis was necessary.

On topic, I think it kinda looks like Dennis.

[Elvis Presley, The King In The Ring]

As you know, Record Store Day is not far away. There will be a fabulous Presley release. If it is what it promises, this is a good way to start your Elvis collection.





Elvis Presley, The King In The Ring (2LP – Individually Numbered – Red Vinyl – First Time on Vinyl)

Elvis Presley re-established himself as The King of Rock and Roll with ELVIS, the widely-seen “comeback special” broadcast on NBC at the end of 1968. The show’s many highlights included laid-back live performances recorded in the round before a small audience and featuring a powerful ensemble—including guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana, both part of Elvis’ original, classic backing band. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of ELVIS, both electrifying, intimate “sit-down” sets will be released on vinyl for the first time in an individually numbered 2LP package with a newly created gatefold sleeve, pressed on red vinyl. The history of Presley’s amazing “comeback special” is told in Elvis Presley: The Searcher, the new documentary premiering April 14 on HBO.


http://www.elvisthemusic.com/elvis-presley-king-in-the-ring-2lp-released-record-store-day/

Rocker, I can't wait for this album.  I just wonder if there's a mistake in the 'article.'  How can they fit both shows on 2 LP's?

[RANDELL]

Just to help future board searches and whatnot, I'd like to mention that his name is spelled RANDELL Kirsche.

As for his membership, unless Mike plans on finding another different permanent replacement on bass, I would guess Kirsche is back full-time. Brian E. has seemingly permanently left the road.

As for Christian Love, I'm not sure what's going on. As previously mentioned, it's ironic that Mike complained about the size of the C50 band in relation to his "lean" touring operation, because it has now ballooned to a 9-piece band compared to the 7-piece of most the last decade or so (going to 8-piece when the sax guy was added a couple years ago).

I suppose the possibilities include Mike simply deciding to spring for a 9-piece band, or Christian just sitting in for shows for a few months, or indeed Christian essentially warming up into coming back to replace someone else.

I can't fathom Foskett leaving; he's essentially Mike's right-hand man of recent years, making public appearances with him, etc. His jumping to Mike's band was the most "political" move in the BB orb in quite some time, so I can't imagine he'd do all that only to spend a few years in the band.

I guess we'll find out.

Thanks Hey Jude about Randell's name, I had seen it spelled different ways on different websites. The reason I asked a few times was that I'm surprised he would come back after (I'm assuming, correct me if I'm wrong) Mike canned him to bring in Brian Eichenberger.

I've said it before; I have no doubt that John Stamos is a true, huge fan of the Beach Boys.

There are a million ways he could do something good with that. A (relatively) famous person who is a huge BB fan? Awesome. He shouldn't be on stage (whether with Mike's band or C50). What people like him should be doing is helping the cause *as a high profile fan.* He should be helping to fund a documentary on the band (though don't give him any editorial control), he should be egging Mike and the other guys on to open up the archives. He could be championing a DVD boxed set of old concerts; Stamos could even tape a video opening introduction piece or something.

So many ways he could use his celebrity and wealth for good for BB fans. Instead, he indulges himself and his passing interest in being a weekend rock star.

He could also work for another C50?   

Ok I know it's impossible but at least he tries to show his love of the band, even if he might do it the wrong way.

In other news, are Randall and Christian back permanently?

The Oak Ridge Boys.

Mostly the Bobbie Sue album (and even then mostly the title track and "So Fine"), but also "Y'all Come Back Saloon," "Elvira,"  "American Made," and "Dream On."

I saw the band last night in Thousand Oaks, CA.  Quick background on me: Never saw the BBs in their heyday live, but have seen all different touring versions of BBs, BW and Al's bands since the late '80s.  Up until 2016, I could take or leave Mike's band.  I was happy that he continued to tour and bring the music to so many fans, but (especially compared to Brian's band) I thought the concerts themselves were quite forgettable.  I would still see them when I could (for me hearing this music live performed by ANYONE is a treat), but never left eager to see them again.  That all changed in 2016 when I saw Mike and his band at this same venue in Thousand Oaks.  The band was tight, the harmonies were killer, the setlist had some unexpected deep cuts and the vibe was excellent.  It felt like Mike and Co. had upped their game.  Still a very different concert experience than seeing Brian and his band, but awesome in its own way.  Seeing Jeff taking some great leads, along with Scott and Brian E to me felt like the spirit of what the Beach Boys music is and can be moving forward. I was unable to make their show last year at same venue, but was thrilled to see them again last night.  It was, however, quite a letdown.

Highlights-
Christian Love performed the whole set with the band and sounded fantastic on God Only Knows and Good Vibrations.  I wish he would've sung more leads.
Bruce's falsetto at the end of Fun Fun Fun was quite impressive and he wasn't doubled by anyone else.  He also had a couple of other great stand out falsetto vocal moments.
Scott sounded lovely on Betsy, and his lead playing is top notch.
Jeff sounded great on Darlin'.

Lowlights-
Backing vocals- I'm not sure what is going on, but Jeff selectively sings falsetto now.  Sometimes someone else is on top of the stack, but other times it's just empty (or the sound mixer is asleep at the wheel, which is quite possible based on how terrible the mix was last night).  When Jeff did sing falsetto, it sounded pretty weak (though he sounded great full voice on Darlin').  A friend saw them in October last year and Jeff didn't sing at all, so I wonder if he is having voice issues.
Mike's schtick- which had toned way down the last time I saw them-- last night felt like we were back to the circus with all the dumb tired jokes and banter
Hearing so many songs from Mike's album- they are just terrible.
Stamos- He played most of show with them.  I don't mind him on 4th guitar, but when he drums instead of Cowsill, everything falls flat.  He has no sense of meter and is more concerned about twirling a drum stick in between tom hits than keeping solid time. 
Do It Again- I already mentioned Mike's album cuts, but this gets its own mention. Just...no.  Please.  Play the real version.  No one in the crowd knows or cares who Mark McGrath is.  Some people around me were quite confused.
No Brian E- Nothing against Randall who is great, but Brian's vocals on I Can Hear Music and Then I Kissed Her in 2016 elevated the whole show.  His absence is felt, even though during his entire run with band, his vocals were criminally underutilized.
The theremin substitute sounds on Good Vibrations-  Horrendous.  Sounded like a child's toy.  Clearly a choice to make it sound like this instead of what I've heard previously.  Inexplicable.  I hope someone posts a video online.
THE SOUND MIX- was the worst I've heard at a BB related show.  Ever. 
The videos played during about half the songs are of teenagers in bikinis, with no sense of irony.  It's pretty icky.

DC310, did Mike say if Randall and Christian are back in the touring band for good?

Weird Al Yankovic's "Trigger Happy" is a Beach Boys parody (surf-rock era).
And his song "Pancreas" is a parody of Brian's production style and the many types of instruments he used.

Goin' To The Beach is a decent, fun song and should've definitely been on KTSA. Could've worked as better closer than Endless Harmony does.

I've never listened to all of KTSA, but I love Goin' To The Beach.  First heard it when I saw M&B in 2015 and I've loved it since then.

Now for these next unpopular opinion, I expect to be run off the board...:
I probably like the disco version of Here Comes the Night more than the original.  The original's growing on me, but I think it's the flat chord in the chorus that turns me off from it.  Plus, I love Carl's lead vocal and the bass part in the disco version.

The best part of When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) is the coda ("won't last forever..."); the rest isn't outstanding, but I love that part.

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=9187.0

That thread (^^^), made well before I joined the forum, is about Brian's shows with the band after Dennis' death and before C50. What isn't mentioned is how many shows where Brian actually plays the full shows (other than the times he serves a sub for Al). Do we have any of these confirmed?

Cool thread! Thanks, everybody. Wiki lists Brian as bass & Al as rhythm guitar in DWB. But yrplace says Al, in fact, played bass which means Brian played rhythm guitar. Interesting.

Brian played piano on DWB (definitely not rhythm guitar).

Yeah - Carl played the rhythm guitar on the "DWB" basic track. The lead guitar was overdubbed - possibly by David Marks, according to him - even though he was officially out of the band by then (this was discussed on an earlier thread).

How likely is it that David Marks played it? I know we're not entirely sure, and I'm not sure which thread it was (and the search function isn't always helpful).

Is that Long Island concert on YouTube? I'm interested in seeing it.

While I'm probably a bigger champion than most anyone of the idea of Al as a stronger musician than people tend to think, it's worth noting that a lot of his latter-day brief bits playing bass (or doing percussion, etc.) on a song or two here and there was really just more of a novelty and/or out of necessity because whomever was normally playing bass had moved to some other instrument for a song (and/or Al just messing around and switching to bass for a song).

You'll notice that Ed Carter would switch over to lead guitar for "Barbara Ann" and "Help Me Rhonda" in the 80s and Brian or Mike Meros would move to Bruce's keyboard while Bruce moved over onto bass.

In later years, Ed Carter would switch to lead guitar for "Summer In Paradise" and Billy Hinsche would switch to bass.

I think Al was just filling a similar role when he did the same.

Weirdest on-stage Al bit: It might just be Al singing *without* an instrument for "Buzz Buzz Buzz" in 1984. Much like Carl with "What You Do To Me" in 1983, these guys both don't do well without a guitar strapped on. It's just weird. Same goes for Brian when did the same.

Could Billy Hinsche play everything?

[SO]

Interesting... wonder if it is Blondie guesting on Brian’s record, or the other way around...

The cynic in me says it’s the other way around. And by cynic, I’m more than stoked to hear a new song by Blondie, but honestly I’d rather this be the start of a BW album.

But I think it more likely that Waddy Wachtel would be working with Blondie rather than Brian. But I hope someone can prove that wrong.

Start of C50 + Blondie and Ricky?

Ok terrible joke I know (even though I want it SO badly  )

I'll see myself out.

Why is David Marks no longer considered a member, while Brian and Al are?

The only other definition we can use is the legal/corporate definition. By this definition, Mike, Brian, and Al are and have always been "Beach Boys" by virtue of being shareholders in their BRI corporation. In contrast, Bruce (and David when he has been with the band) has always been more or less "salaried."

So Bruce is still a member of "The Beach Boys" because he is a salaried member of the touring band, and David is not because he does not tour with the group (aside from the seldom special occasion)?
On Wiki Brian, Mike, Al, and Bruce are listed as the current members of the band, David having apparently left in 2012. This all seems very arbitrary to me. As you said, The Beach Boys (really) are no longer together.

Gabo, I agree with you. On Wikipedia, David was listed as a current member until a couple months ago. I tried to argue (not in a fight-type way) that he be listed as current because he had been in C50 and there wasn't any band work going on anyway, not to mention the occasional dates/appearances he did with Mike and Bruce in 2014 and 2015. I think the other editor mentioned the corporate status as a reason; I'll have to come back and then update you. But he said that he thinks the article should be updated as mentioning the group broke up in 1998 (with the 2011-2012 reunion).

Hey Jude, do you think David could technically argue for his right for a share in BRI because (correct me if I'm wrong) Murry Wilson eliminated his share (I think)?

Thanks for the heads-up!
While browsing through 1963, I stopped at the show from September 21, 1963. There's a picture of Carl, Dennis, Mike and Al. You write that Brian wasn't there. Do we know if David therefor took over the drums while Dennis was upfront, just like Brian did?

Yes, he did. I have a photo from a 1963 show with David on drums. We'll likely put that in the updated edition of Davids book.

Thanks Jon! Very interesting. If I'm not mistaken that makes that in the early years (before they added other musicians) it was either Brian or David playing drums when Dennis came upfront to sing his song. After Brian left the touring group in late '64 Dennis played sang and played drums at the same time ("Do you wanna dance") or came upfront and no one played drums ("You've got to hide your love away"). Or did Carl or Bruce take over the drums as well sometimes?

Actually I saw a photo of Mike Love with the mike along Dennis in 1966.

Carl Wilson mimed drums in tv apparitions

I'm assuming this was after he died, and ghost Carl just felt like stopping by and sitting in with the other guys. Unfortunately, no one in person at the TV studio could see him, but the cameras picked him up fine, and TV watchers around the world got to see Carl's apparition fake playing the drums during Mike and Bruce's epic rendition of "Santa's Going to Kokomo".

Segueing into "Pisces Brothers"

Should we maybe make a list of the songs where Al played bass?

Will Mike be appearing with any live ostriches to promote his upcoming ostrich farmer festival gig? Will Mike autograph a live ostrich if someone brings one to the meet n greet?

Dancing cheerleader ostriches for "Be True to Your School"

"Whhhheennnnnn..."

5

Across the Universe.  I hate it

The Beatles.

Beach Boys Songs I Like from 1969 (soon to be edited because I haven't heard Break Away or Celebrate the News yet):
Do It Again
I Can Hear Music
Bluebirds Over the Mountain
All I Want to Do
Cottonfields
Our Prayer
Cabinessence (sometimes I like part of it)

Beatles Songs I Like from 1969:
Get Back
Don't Let Me Down
The Ballad of John and Yoko
Come Together
Something
Here Comes the Sun
You Never Give Me Your Money/Sun King/Mean Mr. Mustard
Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End
Oh Darling
Octopus' Garden
Her Majesty (sure it's kinda stupid but it's only 23 seconds)
Polythene Pam/She Came In Through the Bathroom Wndow (sometimes)  
Because (sometimes)
I Want You (She's So Heavy) (very rarely)

- Id suggest stopping the "Beach Boys" gigs at 1997 and picking up only for C50 in 2012 when they reunited, the lines won't be blurred that way unless you set up a separate section for Mike. I doubt there are many people who would be interested in a page with the 180 shows Mike played in 2015 or whatever the case would be, unless there is the time and energy to enter all those into the page and take up the bandwidth.

While not as essential as their prime touring years, I think the Mike and Bruce era is still a part of BB history, and much like the SIP album, shouldn't be ignored.  

Especially if you factor in how the setlists were changed up with the addition of Scott Totten in 2007.

SIP isn't really analogous to Mike's touring band, as SIP wasn't recorded by a separate unit under license.

I don't think Mike's licensed BB shows should be included simply as a continuation of the 1961-1998 "Beach Boys" shows.

Much as I believe the "In Concert" book does, I think after Carl and Al are gone in 1998, the "Beach Boys" section of any database should stop (with the exception of C50 in 2012), and then it should branch off into off-shoot/solo shows. Mike's licensed "Beach Boys" shows should be in a section alongside Brian's solo shows, Al's "Family & Friends" and other shows, etc.

I have to respectfully disagree.  

To me, wanted to reclassify post 1997 post Beach Boys as something different is pretty much the same as the thread about whether or not Summer in Paradise is a Beach Boys album.

Summer in Paradise is a Beach Boys album.  

Concerts from 1998-2018 are Beach Boys concerts.  

These are facts.  

Logistically and legally, "Beach Boys" concerts from 1998 to the present are NOT the same.

It's absolutely *not* analogous to "Summer in Paradise."

And indeed, Ian and Jon's "In Concert" book does just that, sectioning off those post-Al/Carl shows into a separate section. It's well documented in such books and other sources that the shows are billed as "The Beach Boys", but it's with an understanding that both in terms of fan perception/feelings *AND* legal/procedural terms, those "Beach Boys" shows are most certainly an entirely different animal. It's part of the reason why not one single live track from Mike's 1998-present "Beach Boys" shows have ever been pulled for a "Beach Boys" boxed set or other release.

Just wondering, how are Al's shows with Mike and Bruce in 1998 and 2011 grouped in the book?  With The Beach Boys 1961-1998 or the "M&B" section?  And is the tour with David Marks in 2008 part of the "M&B" section.  Don't have the book but want to get it soon.

Five.

Photos from the January 29 show in Phoenix.

https://richardshattuck.smugmug.com/Al-Jardine-in-concert-at-the-Musical-Instrument-Museum-Jan/

(Is the monster that dwarfs Al in the third photo known as anything other than an acoustic bass (if that's what it is)?

There's many names for it.

Acoustic bass, double bass, upright bass, string bass, standup bass, contrabass.

I think double bass and upright bass are the two most common names. 

I Me Mine

California Saga: California
Bruce Springsteen: You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch) (Both original and rockabilly versions)
Elvis Presley: I Beg of You (alternate version)

The Beatles.  I really can't get Smiley Smile other than GV and Vegetables and only get some of Wild Honey so The Beatles (mainly off their singles and a few album/EP tracks) win.

Good Songs from The Beatles in 1967:
Strawberry Fields Forever
Penny Lane
Good Morning, Good Morning
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
With A Little Help From My Friends
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Getting Better (kinda)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
Magical Mystery Tour
Your Mother Should Know
Hello, Goodbye
All You Need Is Love
I Am the Walrus (sometimes I like it, other times I don't)
Baby You're A Rich Man (sometimes I like it, other times I don't)

Good Songs from The Beach Boys in 1967:
Heroes and Villains (kinda)
Vegetables
Good Vibrations (yes I know the single was 1966 - but it was released on an album in 1967)
Wild Honey
Aren't You Glad
Darlin'
I Was Made to Love Her
Let the Wind Blow (kinda)
I'd Love Just Once to See You (kinda)