Can I do a Maharishi Lecture? I got the beard for it

Only if you eat your yoghurt

I still think it's weird that both he and Al continue to deny ever taking heavy drugs when we have the original session for "Our Prayer" released on TSS.  

Well, Mike said a couple of times in recent interviews that he did his share of drugs before he met Maharishi, then he stopped. I believe he also said, that Al was the only Beach Boy who never did drugs. Don't know about Bruce though, as his not being at the '67 Hawaii shows sometimes gets connected to him not being happy about the drug situation.

"Walkin'" became "Morning beat" from "That lucky old sun", right?

Well, Elvis' first Christmas album is great and a classic (the second one is ok, but not great).

When I was first getting into Elvis it was recommended that I pick up Christmas Peace. Since then, it's probably my most listened to Christmas album. There are only a few songs/albums that I've come to listen to every year - without exception. Christmas Peace is one of those.

I just had a look on the tracklist. Certainly a very good compilation for Christmas. It features both albums (though the first one not in correct running order) and a second disc with some of his gospel recordings throughout his career. Really nice.

Well, Elvis' first Christmas album is great and a classic (the second one is ok, but not great). Also Phil Spector's "A Christmas git for you" and "In the Christmas spirit" by Booker T & The MG's. Then there's of course "The Dean Martin Christmas album". The Everly Brothers' album would be pretty good if the recording was better, but as it is unfortunately it falls short imo. Johnny Cash recorded a couple of Christmas albums that were not too bad. His last one, "Country Christmas" from 1993, features the classic holiday songs while his first one features original material IIRC.

C-Man, this is a little off topic, but do you know if session tapes for the single version of "Cottonfields" still exist?

-  is Denny actually doing an impersonation of any celebrities of the time here and there within this track? He might just be making random voices.

First thing that came to my mind is that it sounds like Dennis trying his hand at a Manson-monologue. Only that I can't believe that Dennis' speech would impress anyone, even if on drugs.

I haven’t read through the whole thread so I don’t know if anyone else has said it but man, Dennis’s vocal on “All I Want to Do” is far superior to Mike.  Should have put this version on the original album! https://youtu.be/5OK0rEvqHDQ

I'm curious to know the reasoning why Mike was chosen as the lead vocalist over the original Dennis vocal.  Mike's is sorta interesting, unlike anything else he's ever done, but objectively I just don't think it's as strong as Denny's, and I wonder if Denny just didn't have the self confidence to release that type of vocal for himself at that point, or what the reason was.

Well, actually Dennis is struggling to get this song right. Mike's voice (or technique) in that range is much fuller and strong, so I can see why he got the lead on that. While I like Dennis', it is certainly not as direct and in-your-face as Mike's.

Here are the first five songs from Cleveland from a different source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpCUc48yBLs


I must say the stage setup is very nice


EDIT:

And Blondie dedicating "O holy night" to Dennis because of the latter's birthday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvEXQ0M4qaE

Incredible, this guy, incredible 

Is "Well you know I knew" a Manson composition? Sounds like what I would imagine that would sound like. Beautiful though

Just listned to the samples on amazon. Even these little snippets blow my mind. Great stuff. Thanks to everyone involved in bringing this to daylight. Freaking incredible what this band has in it's vaults.

[Brian Wilson on 'The Beach Boys' Christmas Album' — the best Christmas record ever? — before Sarasota show]

Brian Wilson on 'The Beach Boys' Christmas Album' — the best Christmas record ever? — before Sarasota show


https://www.heraldtribune.com/entertainmentlife/20181206/brian-wilson-on-the-beach-boys-christmas-album---best-christmas-record-ever---before-sarasota-show

[‘Elvis All-Star Tribute’ Gets NBC Premiere Date; Marks ‘Comeback Special’ 50th Anniversary]

Here's more about the tribute show:

‘Elvis All-Star Tribute’ Gets NBC Premiere Date; Marks ‘Comeback Special’ 50th Anniversary

https://deadline.com/2018/12/elvis-all-star-tribute-premiere-date-68-comeback-special-anniversary-nbc-blake-shelton-1202513073/




Oh well.... 

[Beach Boys Legend Brian Wilson Being Chronicled in New, ‘Definitive’ Documentary]

Beach Boys Legend Brian Wilson Being Chronicled in New, ‘Definitive’ Documentary

https://variety.com/2018/music/news/brian-wilson-documentary-bruce-springsteen-elton-john-1203078116/?fbclid=IwAR0jAAViF4KI_Cepug6F_Ttlsc6bWCj4KRry2ZYZi02pXnVUrXiT7BS4d1M

So, today marks the 50th anniversary of the origina brodcast of Elvis' '68 Comeback Special, called "Elvis". Since it's only fitting, here's "Blue Christmas" from the second sit down show:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwdI-gbm5kE&fbclid=IwAR2utTYSMynF22zn1TG6vjrFXJl1mtd4-2HCAnMpzbtiAW7ywzV1HV6C1W8

[New Documentary Dives Deep Into Life of Brian Wilson]

Seen through Brian's Facebook account:


New Documentary Dives Deep Into Life of Brian Wilson

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/brian-wilson-documentary-761952/?fbclid=IwAR3dTBKTcnv_C24SMO6NY-mECB_rmyIV4nFWtT1Jw3y3tv9prDICzgkRcYw

Lots of clips (full show, I think) from the Cleveland show on this channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGpWYJHMw5ha1Ndk3lTRYoA

Thanks for that link!

Man, Brian really doesn't look too well. Is there something with his mouth? He constantly is doing something with the right corner of his mouth.  I hope he is fine/getting better soon.

How about that  new recording of "Love and Mercy" with The Miraculous Love Kids. That would be a great album closer.

Well, that's not a Christmas song

No it's not, but quite often songs that were not written for the Holiday Season are appropriated by artists for their Christmas albums if the song is in the right spirit. 'My Favorite Things' used by Barbra Streisand for example. 'Love and Mercy' in this context very much reminds me of John Lennon's 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)'. Thanks for the all the links you provided. I had not heard many of those.

You're welcome!
Yeah, sometimes such things are done for albums. But this list is not an album as such (as in: one project) but just a salmagundi of different Christmas-themed songs by the Beach Boys.

How about that  new recording of "Love and Mercy" with The Miraculous Love Kids. That would be a great album closer.

Well, that's not a Christmas song

[Director Steve Binder Recalls How Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special Came to Be]

Director Steve Binder Recalls How Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special Came to Be
By Ken Sharp on November 30, 2018

https://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2018/11/30/elvis-presley-68-comeback-special-steve-binder-interview-anniversary/

Since it's that time again, I thought I'd put up this thread in case anybody missed it or would like to re-visit it.
I haven't checked if the links still funtion

The Beach Boys' version of "Peggy Sue" is great imo. But "Christmas time is here again" rightfully didn't get a release. This live performance also doesn't make it a good song.

"Merry christmas, baby" was always my favorite of the original songs on the album. Great to hear it live. Blondie does a good job but I think it will get better after a couple of shows to warm up.
A couple of weeks - even days - ago I didn't think I was gonna be much interested in those shows but now I really am looking forward to hear more. Christmas spirit setting in, I guess.

Here's something I've been looking for, for quite a while; a live version of Forever from 1973. You can already hear a difference in Dennis's voice. I always thought it wasn't until 1974 that his voice changed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0L35TG7Kf4

Thanks! I've been wanting to hear this for a long, long time!

BTW Eric's site mentions that Brian was at this show:
http://members.tripod.com/~fun_fun_fun/12-1-73.html

1stly, many posters commented Christian sounds like Carl. To my ears, he doesn't.

I agree with you, Christian sounds like he's related to Carl, but he doesn't sound just like him. In fact, I'd go even further and say that Christian's sister Hayleigh sounds more like Carl, in terms of intonation and emotion. She is an excellent singer, in my book.

"Jingle Bell Rock" is best by Randy Travis, no contest.

Yes, ma'am -- I agree 100% with that assessment!

Only two more days before I can finally give the album a listen. I am patient.  

Wow, you know Randy Travis? I didn't see anybody here mention him, thus figured he isn't famous country singer in the States. Really cool that smb. - you - appreciates this singer except I & especially his (best) version of the best Christmas classic to boot. Respect.

Randy Travis is quite famous in country circles I believe, isn't he? Not my cup of country, but definitely not a nobody in my mind.