We’re entering the time period The Beach Boys started owning their own recordings (as opposed to Capitol). I wonder if this will affect the copyright extension releases in any way?

Good question.  I've been wondering about this from day 1 of the CE releases.  Is the whole CE phenom really more of a Capitol thing?  I sure hope not, but I wouldn't be surprised if we've seen the end of this annual end-of-year treat.  Of course, I hope I'm dead wrong.

Sorry to hear that.  I thought Brian was much better at the show I saw last Thursday, in comparison to the videos I saw from the European leg of the tour.  Not great - they need to bring God Only Knows & Good Vibrations to a lower key, or something.  But still better than I expected.  Maybe 1 week of touring has already taken it's toll on him.

Here’s video of Rob Bonfiglio singing Wouldn’t It Be Nice last night with Brian and the band. https://youtu.be/zhIJschyKP4

I was there last night for Rob's 2nd show with the band.  I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed when the curtain went up & Matt was no where to be seen.  But Rob grew on me as the show went on.  He's very talented.  Not quite as strong a falsetto as Matt, but pretty close.  Thanks for the clip!

Summer of Love scares the crap out of me.

Absolutely.

Very surprised to see that the metadata wasn't in the CDDB yet, at least through iTunes.  Also, some of the tracks came in with disc errors, so it looks like I'll be returning my set to Universal Music.

The dichotomy between the hopeful optimism of WIBN to start the album and the mournful bitterness of Caroline, No as the end to the album is masterful and underscores the theme of the album - be cautious, don't get your hopes up, look over your shoulder because heartbreak and darkness are always ready to pounce.

So, I wouldn't change a thing.

Amen, sir.  This is one of the best things I've read on this board in a long time.

gotta say... dennis is sounding pretty great in this show.

That's the first thing that struck me. Dennis' best live drumming was probably 1969 & the Brian is Back / 15 Big Ones era.  Thanks Stephen!  Loved reading your notes. Great insight.

May 1 1963 the BBs played at the Sports Center Roller Rink, Wichita, KS on their first tour of the Midwest.  May 1 1966 the BBs returned to the Memorial Auditorium in Worcester, MA for a show with opening act Vermont band the Lost.  May 1 1967-while the BBs flew to Europe to prepare for a tour, Carl was in court over his draft status (He’d been arrested on Apr 26 before the Commack show in NY and ordered to appear in court in LA). May 1 1971 the BBs played at the anti-war May Day Rally in Washington DC-part of Rieley’s attempts to ingratiate them with the counter-culture.  Silent footage of this exists and a short bit was used in the 1980s American Band documentary. May 1 1975 to warm up before their big tour with Chicago, the BBs played a show at Municipal Auditorium in Austin, TX.  May 1 1978 Dennis worked on Baby Blue and Mexico at the soon to be sold Brother Studios. May 1 1981 the BBs played the first of two nights at Valley Forge Music Fair, Devon, PA without Carl.  May 1 1990 the BBs played at the Sports Arena in San Diego with Three Dog Night and America. May 1 1993 the BBs performed at Boonesfield College of the Desert in Palm Springs, CA and at the Marriot Hotel in Palm Desert, CA. May 1 1998 Mike appeared at the Nascar Night in Hollywood awards Show on TV.  On same day Brian taped his interview for the Endless Harmony documentary at home in St Charles, IL

Now, we can expect you to do this everyday for the rest of the year, right? 

I was thinking the same thing!
Really enjoyed your post, Ian.  Thanks!

A bit of a weird topic, but I can throw in a quick story.  I saw the band on Labor Day weekend in 1983 & they came on stage very late.  Mike announced that their charter plane had trouble & had to return to (I think Allentown, PA) shortly after take off.  He said they had to borrow Willie Nelson's private jet in order to make the gig.  He mentioned they were pretty scared & were thankful to be alive.  Strange thing is, Mike said there wasn't enough room on the jet for Brian or Dennis, but I don't think either of them were touring with the band at the time anyway.

That would have been...

3 - State Fair, Allentown, PA [2 shows]
4 - Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel NJ

No Brian or Dennis at either of those two venues.

Yes, the show I saw was in Holmdel, NJ.  And according to Ian & Jon's book, Brian & Dennis stopped touring a few weeks before this show.

Wait, the drive from Allentown to Holmdel is like an hour and a half.

Something like that.  And I'm guessing the drive from where ever the jet landed to Holmdel was at least a half hour.

A bit of a weird topic, but I can throw in a quick story.  I saw the band on Labor Day weekend in 1983 & they came on stage very late.  Mike announced that their charter plane had trouble & had to return to (I think Allentown, PA) shortly after take off.  He said they had to borrow Willie Nelson's private jet in order to make the gig.  He mentioned they were pretty scared & were thankful to be alive.  Strange thing is, Mike said there wasn't enough room on the jet for Brian or Dennis, but I don't think either of them were touring with the band at the time anyway.

That would have been...

3 - State Fair, Allentown, PA [2 shows]
4 - Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel NJ

No Brian or Dennis at either of those two venues.

Yes, the show I saw was in Holmdel, NJ.  And according to Ian & Jon's book, Brian & Dennis stopped touring a few weeks before this show.

A bit of a weird topic, but I can throw in a quick story.  I saw the band on Labor Day weekend in 1983 & they came on stage very late.  Mike announced that their charter plane had trouble & had to return to (I think Allentown, PA) shortly after take off.  He said they had to borrow Willie Nelson's private jet in order to make the gig.  He mentioned they were pretty scared & were thankful to be alive.  Strange thing is, Mike said there wasn't enough room on the jet for Brian or Dennis, but I don't think either of them were touring with the band at the time anyway.

OK - In the interest of having everyone's ears listening to the same thing, and getting more ears on the case and letting those ears be the judge, here are the two most prominent examples of the sounds Mike M. has been posting about. I did some quick edits and repeated each segment 5 times, then put them up on YouTube.

First one is "LGA", the pitch-bending/vibrato heard at 1:22 on the original:

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

Second is "LGA 2", from approx. 1:54 on the original

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPcPw20AEZE




Commentary: I'm doubting my own ears on the first LGA. There is a pitch bend or waver up and down that a flute or most double or single reed woodwinds would not do quite that way, but which that pitch-bent vibes technique could produce. There is a specific modulation and waver in that sound which is unique and unusual. I just don't know at this point.

LGA2: I hear a combination of woodwinds playing in unison, several instruments combining to create that "new" timbre...I hear what could be an alto flute combined with a clarinet played in its lower register, or even an upper register of a bass clarinet. (The reason I put that photo of Jay Migliori in the video is because in that same film, he's shown with a bass clarinet at that particular GV session)

Let your ears be the judge.

My ears have judged that  a flute cannot play in that register, but an alto flute can.

Could it be plucked strings maybe combined with woodwind..?  All playing unison..?

I think this may be the case. And as mentioned, the echo on the track is creating the effect we're hearing.

I hear it.  And I always assumed it was a female singer.

Uh, oh. 

Sorry to scare you, Phoenix...they'll be a sessionography, no worries. But solving the dilemma of the live "Rhonda" guitar solo may prove a bit daunting...we'll see.

C-man, since you're probably the most respected "who-played-what" guy here, can you at least give your unofficial opinion of who does the "Rhonda" guitar solo on BBIC?  Thanks!

So this is an official release?

I think it's one of those that somehow slips around all the legalities so while it remains unauthorised it's not technically illegal. Someone's likely recorded it live from the radio when it was originally broadcast (or might even have somehow obtained a digital copy of the Wolfgang's Vault soundboard recording).

While its good to hear these shows I'd much rather hear them properly mixed and mastered by Linett & Boyd Inc. I hope it's appearance doesn't sully the ground for a fully authorised release, maybe as part of a 12,000-disc early '70s live box.

I remember the Wolfgang Vault version having a bit less punch than the boots that have been circulating.  Same mix, but just not as punchy, as if the WV source was pre FM & the boots are post.  Or maybe it was just my imagination.  I have the WV files some where, but haven't listened to them in a while.  I'm curious how this "new" release may sound.

I would guess there's a good chance that this new "release" is sourced either from circulating tapes/boots, or from the Wolfgang's Vault source.

A few months back I downloaded the three 1980 shows that Wolfgang's Vault has on the BBs, and they sound very much raw. Missing segments, feedback, etc. The Philly 1980 show sounds the best (no doubt due to Mr. Steve Desper being there to mix it for a multi-market radio broadcast), DC 1980 sounds good but a little thin, and the 7/3/80 Hampton show sounds okay for a radio/soundboard, but rather rough.

I do think at least *some* if not most of the WV stuff is pre-broadcast, because in some cases they have multiple shows from multiple nights including shows before or after broadcast dates that were never broadcast (e.g. the 7/3/80 Hampton show the night before the DC show; and I think for awhile they also had two back-to-back 1979 shows including one that wasn't broadcast).

I think you're probably right.  I bought the WV Byrds live from the Filmore & it's REALLY thin.  You can barely hear the bass / drums.  Very disappointing.  I also bought JD Souther live from the Bottom Line (1979?) & it's also pretty thin.  I actually recorded that show live at home onto cassette & my cassette sounds better.

Just a guess, but rather than have to finish up "(WIBNT)LA", maybe Dennis elected to offer two finished tracks from the solo album he was then recording.

Wasn't WIBNTLA already finished in time for Surf's Up?

The track we have seems to be missing a solo in the instrumental break -- certainly that guitar part doesn't sound like it was intended to be the actual solo for a finished version.

I've never felt that the song needed a guitar solo-- the flute provides that element, in my opinion. And I feel what you and others have labelled a "placeholder"guitar solo -- the repeated three note motif--  is there as texture, and doesn't require elaboration.

I certainly agree that it works as is, but it's quite subtle and minimalist -- two things no-one has ever accused Dennis of being -- and so I think some form of instrumental solo would have gone on top. Possibly -- probably -- not a guitar, but something.

All good points.  I still wish the mix we got on MIC had that minimalist guitar solo  more up front.

So this is an official release?

I think it's one of those that somehow slips around all the legalities so while it remains unauthorised it's not technically illegal. Someone's likely recorded it live from the radio when it was originally broadcast (or might even have somehow obtained a digital copy of the Wolfgang's Vault soundboard recording).

While its good to hear these shows I'd much rather hear them properly mixed and mastered by Linett & Boyd Inc. I hope it's appearance doesn't sully the ground for a fully authorised release, maybe as part of a 12,000-disc early '70s live box.

I remember the Wolfgang Vault version having a bit less punch than the boots that have been circulating.  Same mix, but just not as punchy, as if the WV source was pre FM & the boots are post.  Or maybe it was just my imagination.  I have the WV files some where, but haven't listened to them in a while.  I'm curious how this "new" release may sound.

I remember a discussion here a while back...basically she's full of it.

That's a harsh thing to say.

I think it's entirely possible she sang on Nancy Sinatra's IN MY ROOM (not the same song) and for whatever reason  the Beach Boys name was attached to it.
Listen to that track.

Claims she sang on BBs "In My Room".

She didn't. There is a girl called Love on that track, but she's not singing.

Did Mike's sister play the harp?

I don't post as often as I should, and as often as others do, but I've been a faithful devotee to this board, its previous incarnation, and other BB message boards dating back to 1998 or so.  With all that being said, I'd say everyone should respect the line that Billy drew and, as a whole, let's just move on.  Let bygones be bygones, and let's get this place back to being awesome with great discussions and input on the subject we're all here for.  We're extremely fortunate to have the Honored Guests, and others closely associated with the BB community, that visit and post here and we should not take that for granted.  We should all just let the trivial baloney go, and if it warrants further discussion, have it done behind closed doors.  In one way, active members of SmileySmile are like a big family (as the BB are).  It's understandable that disagreements come up from time to time.  Just look at all the litigation and disagreements the BB have been through throughout the years.  But, at the end of the day, we're here for the music and the appreciation of same.

Well said!
I'm on the AGD-train.  Uptown.

Thanks for this, Stephen!  In addition to listening to a great mix of the show, I really enjoyed reading your notes on the show in the preface.  Very much appreciated!

If I recall correctly (& maybe I don't), Del Shannon was actually named as Roy Orbison's official replacement in the Wilbury's & even rehearsed a few tracks with some (probably sans Dylan) of them in the studio.  Shannon's suicide also becoming the death of the Wilburys.  Jeff Lynne was also producing solo tracks for Shannon. The solo album was then released posthumously.

But the notion of Carl being a Wilbury is certainly a fun one.

I saw the band perform live with Ricky twice & for a few songs, there was a vocal boom mic at the drum kit for him, but that mic was usually out of his reach, purposely placed away from him.  There were also a few songs where he came down from the kit & played guitar & sang up front, but I think that was mainly for lead vocals on "We Got Love."

Yes.  And Billy Hinsche too.  And for a short time, Toni Tennille & Jim Guercio.  Although the latter not concurrently.