Funny, I was just about to start a thread about this song. I'd love to hear a fan-mix with Carl's vocals at the slowed down "natural" speed. I imagine the whole song would have to be slowed down. I've never listened to the 1966 Caroline No since the PS box set was released. I know originally released versions are the definitive versions as determined by the band at the time, but I prefer hearing their natural voices. (Be here in the morning excepted, for some reason that works for me as a nice effect).

I'll try to shut up after this...

The version with the background harmonies seems to be (with a little listening on my part) the full gorgeous instrumental
track--but with much of it mixed down.   Sadly, because the instrumental track alone is so polished, so complete when up front.

 

 

Yes, the pedal steel is mixed wayyy down on the version with background harmonies  unfortunately. The instrumental is a bit "thinner" but you can hear each instrument much more clearly.

Would also love to hear a fan mix of vocals on the alt version...

I have been wanting to make a thread on this topic for a while now. For a long time I thought the same thing about Brian's "shrill" falsetto on the Sunflower tracks. But over time I've come to believe that what I'm hearing is actually just the way that they recorded Brian's voice on certain tracks, an aesthetic decision, combined with different equipment at the home studio. I think it's something that should be asked in the Desper thread. The warm reverb of the past is replaced with a drier sound, and it almost seems as if they were letting those higher (probably louder) notes go to tape "hot". Possibly also EQed so that they would sit in the mix in a new way.

http://www.laweekly.com/2014-01-30/music/brian-wilsons-secret-bedroom-tapes/

Re-up or PM of bruiteur's mix pls. Thanks!

Just because I feel this is probably our last chance to get any of this stuff, I have to chime in... These are my picks for criminally excluded tracks...

1 - Thank Him - even if it was deemed to lo-fi, can't believe its not here
2 - Carry Me Home - just assumed it would be on here! have been dying to hear a high quality mix!!! (is it confirmed that a master could not be found?)
3 - Stevie
4 - I've Got A Friend (instrumental) - we're getting Transcendental Meditation and not this?!?!? Also would have preferred this over Mona Kana....
5 - Ecology - only from PongHit's mention of it.  Sounded very cool.... And I just can't get behind the mentality of "we have x amount of space designated for Dennis tracks, therefore we can't use everything although it is of higher quality than other included tracks"   Was really hoping for an all Dennis CD after POB's reissue... We'll most likely never get these after this.

Honorable Mentions:
* - Looking Down The Coast - would love a clean copy...
* - Santa Ana Winds (original)
* - Tricia - I know we're getting Sherry, but I'm still a sucker for this take on it....

Thats it really.... so I guess I can't really complain.... the unreleased stuff that IS on the boxset is actually really cool, but I just flat out assumed 1-3 would be on there!!!! And I could definitely live without:
Sail Plane Song (2012 Stereo Mix)
Brian’s Back (Alternate Mix) - really??!!!
and obviously a few others....

Also, I'm surprised by some people's disappointment about a few other tracks that have been left off.... the early version of Big Sur isn't great, the Holland version is wayyy better, and its out there in listenable quality. This goes for most of the Adult Child material as well, at least in my book.... I lovvve It's Trying To Say, but I'm not going to die if I can't hear it in better quality. And Walkin? Someone actually cares that we're not getting it? Its not that great! The tracks above realllllly should be out there for people to hear (me!!!).

That was awesome.... I could read these posts all day.  Anxiously awaiting the next edition of your book Stephen!

That actually would have been great..

Imagine Brian's facebook updates..

"Writing in the sandbox"

"Eating Steak"

"Mike's not loving the new album, thinking of calling it off"

Like

Anyone have any more info on "Tricia"? Is it just a Mike track? Cowritten with Brian? And speaking of KTSA, I've always wanted to know which track/s Ricky played on....

This one... final.. time.

Jesus, the vocals at 21:28..... Holy moly.... This section of vocals sounds like it was eventually buried correct? So many other beautiful vocal parts... Probably going to watch this Study Video a thousand times in the next few weeks.  Just when you think you've heard it all.....

Wow............ That was seriously awesome. Thank you sooo much!!!!! You have no idea how cool it is to be able to hear this like THIS!!!!!!!!!! Stephen, you are the man!!!!!!!!!!!! Unbelievable.  Feel like I'm living out a dream listening to this song and dissecting it in real time with Stephen Desper!! And through the Matrix!!!!!!!! Hell yes!

That's a shame if it's true. I know I've seen old posts by Desper here where he said he had a version done in 1971.

Right, which he played over the phone to somebody, who said it was just Blondie.

I was the guy who heard it over the phone courtesy of Mr. Desper. The tape he played me was definitely a different mix from what was released and featured more elaborate backing vocals that kind of simulated the rolling of waves. Mr. Desper believed the tape dated back to 1971 (just before his tenure with the band ended) and was under the impression the lead vocal was Carl. I could not distinguish any difference in the lead vocal at all from the released version - it still sounded like the same Blondie vocal we've heard all these years (even though I wanted to hear a difference). Again, it was over a phone so I can't say with certainty.

However, there is no question that the backing vocals were completely different. I was reminded of how early takes of "Help Me Rhonda" and "Little Honda" featured more complicated backing vocals that were scaled back for the release versions - the same thing with this mix of "Sailor". It would make a nice rarity on any upcoming box sets.

What doesn't make sense is how Desper wound up with a working mix for a song recorded in mid-late '72. If they took a stab at it when Desper was employed by the group, it wouldn't have Blondie on the vocal. Even if Blondie were around to sing the vocal, why would they try Dennis, then Carl, then decide on Blondie for the final if they already knew he was going to sing it?

 ... am I missing something ?

COMMENT:  If you are missing something, maybe I can fill in the blanks.

Brian has been playing SOS far longer than you realize. It’s been in his head for decades. Parks helped to solidify Brian’s ideas. I do remember the day Brian announced that he wanted to “put something down on tape for Sail-On, Sailor,” which started a series of versions of SOS to be recorded. Looking back, it went on for months.

SOS was recorded at first as a series of sections. Kind of, a working it out or rehearsing on tape and then listening. Recording. Listening. Making changes. Re-recording the changes by erasing what was before by recording over with the newest version. This may all unfold over a day’s time or take a week, or longer.

After a few basic tracks were laid, Brian was anxious to record a working vocal track. He was good at singing SOS, but wanted someone else to sing lead. He was insistent. Dennis went first, but only a few lines, giving up soon. If I recall, Bruce gave it a try, but when everyone heard Carl, the contest was over. He laid down several leads over several months. These were done at Carl’s request. Replacing one attempt after another as Carl worked out the pacing. Carl was never completely happy with his vocal, always trying it a new way. The song was developed to the point that ruff mixes were being done. The Background Vocals were being developed and adding up to moving melodies. All through the time of recording Surf’s Up this song was being recorded as part of the Warner offering. Eventually the song was mixed down, but release was delayed by Warner A&R so now Carl could really work on his vocal to his delight. I don’t know were the master mix tape is now or that it even exists. I have a copy somewhere in storage.

After that delay the multi-track was moved to Holland where Moffet and the Boys again took to making some changes to the recording, including substituting Blondie for Carl at Carl’s insistence. It was finally released on Holland, but it was mostly Made in The USA.

Both vocalists are excellent in their own rights as I’ve worked with both men recording in many vocal settings. I’m too close to the many vocals I recorded of Carl singing SOS to be objective. Also mixing dozens of concert performances featuring Carl’s vocal of this song fixes it in your mind. For me, it will always be Carl’s song.

~swd

Thank you for your insight Mr. Desper!!!! This is suuuuper interesting, but I have to say, the first thought that comes to mind is WHY is something as cool as this in storage??? I had always assumed that all of the Desper recordings/outtakes/alternate versions had been archived (and subsequently up for review for later archival release)..................

On the version that I don't have there is a bonus track which sounds like a demo of Your imagination with someone scatting over the instrumental verses.  It doesn't sound like Brian.  Is this Joe Thomas writing the verse melody? Any info would be much appreciated. Always hate the idea of anyone but BW writing a melody in a BW song.....

Seriously, is anyone else finding it impossible to lock down any info on when this is going to be on? There's no centralized website for the show, I can't tell what station it will even be on in my area, time etc.... The aptonline site is not helping me at all really.  The where to watch function is not bringing up anything, not even a "not available in your area" result....If anyone can help, I live in Los Angeles CA! Home of The Beach Boys! Well, Glendale actually... A heads up would be much appreciated.  KCET? KOCE?

OK so I bought the album this morning, but have had the sh*ts all day and didn't want to listen while my guts were like this because I thought it might compromise my first listen.  Watched the Queen's jubilee concert instead, but roll on tomorrow, I hope I feel better then.

Saw this the other day, logged on today to find it again to make sure it wasn't just something I dreamt.  Post of the year. Cool story bro.

The chords are total Bruce styled schmaltz. Not surprised that a few other people have pointed that out.  Would have been a nice B-side to a Do It Again 2012 single, but as an album opener, I'm going to skip it every time.  Just don't like the chords, they're just not Brian at all.  He could whip out something better in his sleep. Intro to The Like In I Love You blows this out of the water.  Surprised he went with this one...

This link is posted on another thread.  Great article that explains the whole "My Life Suite" thing:

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/may/24/the-beach-boys-are-making-radio-waves/

This link is posted on another thread.  Great article that explains the whole "My Life Suite" thing:

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/may/24/the-beach-boys-are-making-radio-waves/

Pretty much answers everyone's questions.  Wow.

Who's doubling Al on the WIBN lead? Doesn't sound as distinctly Al as the Fallon performance.

Needs to be on a new archival release......... To hear this with some fidelity would be a dream come true. Love this song. What are the odds this could be on one of the new archival releases?

Would love to hear your take on Holidays... considering that we now know the lyrics are vintage! (even if we can't be sure that the melody is as well)

I just wonder if the vocals were meant to go on top of the sax line or somewhere else. It's a damn shame we don't have any official vocals for IIGS, Look, etc.

FWIW the lost I'm In Great Shape vocal session was recorded 10 days *before* the short 'eggs & grits' backing track takes. Whatever was recorded at that vocal session it most likely it wasn't intended to go on top of the 'eggs & grits' instrumental.

Wow, didn't know that...... Surprised this hasn't been brought up more. Also, does it drive anyone else crazy that they looped that first phrase on the saxophone before the vocal fly-ins on Great Shape???

whoa...

Here's the essay by photographer David Dalton I was thinking of:

http://www.gadflyonline.com/05-06-02/ftr-epiphany.html

here's the part about the tapes (I guess no demos haha)

Brian is deep. He really is. A little like Andy Warhol, he affected a sort of feeble-minded precociousness that acted as a protection. Once, when Brian and Marilyn were away I stayed in his house. In the bedroom I found a box full of tapes. I assumed they were studio demos or reference tracks and threw one on the tape machine. It was the strangest thing. All the tapes were of Brian talking into a tape recorder. Hour after hour of stoned ramblings on the meaning of life, color vibrations, fate, death, vegetarianism and Phil Spector.