A couple comments...

I believe that some neighbors like Dave Marks have said that Audree could play almost anything by ear on the piano.

In his autobiography, Mike Love says that his mother (Murry's sister Glee) said that Audree was the most musically talented person she ever met.

Once-in-a-generation talent like that of Brian and his brothers doesn't just appear out of thin air.

Absolutely true.

Am I the only one who was (and remains) emotionally floored by this track from the '68-'69 "I Can Hear Music" sessions?  

From the very first time I heard it, and continuing until now whenever I play it, I get a bit emotional hearing how amazing Audree was at singing.

I'm just surprised it hasn't been talked about more on this board.

I mean, there's nothing in her voice that whatsoever indicates (to my ears, at least) that Audree was anything less than a completely professional level singer on this recording. Her voice was *that* good, and it's perhaps shocking that she hardly recorded anything other than a few backing vocals on some very early BW tunes, and this lovely gem. Maybe she was just a private person and didn't have the desire to put herself out there, the way Murry did for his lone so-so album. But she was SO good, dare I say too good, to have never done any proper professional recordings. Yet I'm sure she had her reasons. The stress of her family being in the spotlight and dealing with what they dealt with must have been unimaginable.

I think the thing that gets me emotional and brings a tear to my eye when hearing it, is that there is an unmistakable kindness and sweetness to her voice, which is evident to me just during the brief studio chatter of her talking. And it tells me that the incredible kindness the Wilson brothers all had/have must have come in no small part from her.

Anyway, everyone should give this a listen. I can only imagine the Wilson family's reaction when they first were made aware of the existence of this tape, I'm sure tears were shed when hearing it. It's remarkable, perhaps one of the most remarkable items in the ENTIRE catalog as far as I'm concerned.

For those who haven't heard it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLWS6T5Gax8

Two of the funniest moments of the box, both during My Solution :

Brian rolling/annunciating the letter "r" during the word "pRoduced" at 0:23 (was this an attempt at a Boris Karloff impersonation?)

Brian comically speeding up his spoken word lyric "...to all mankind" so that he gets to *barely* squeeze in all the awkward verbose words just before the chorus comes in at 1:10

I played this song for my mom who could not stop laughing. I guess this could be considered the spiritual sequel to Monster Mash?

Fantastic listen! Thanks for sharing.

I completely agree with you with this. Not only on your words on how under-appreciated (such a good word instead of underrated!) it is, but also your feelings about the outro. The outro didn't get its kind of "roaring" feeling to it on the remix (almost Phil Spector-ish?). It almost became an entirely different song there.

Listen to the boys loud and clear!

Thanks! Yes there's something very magical about that outro. Definitely a Spector-esque vibe, but also it's got somewhat of a sinister and extremely rocking vibe. It's just a very special moment that I just want to go on forever, sort of like that Til I Die outro where I could just listen to it on a loop and get hypnotized.

Also - this is one of the only songs in the catalog where the band members are partially referred to by the band name, "The Boys". The only other examples I can think of are Smart Girls "I'm the original Beach Boy", and the song title "For The Boys". Maybe there's another example or two I'm missing.

In any case it's such a great song that deserves more ears on it, and I really hope if there's a digital only FF sequel, that this song could get another version - it most certainly is worthy of one!

Firstly, I just wanted to say that the FF set is utterly amazing, and once again all the wonderful folks involved deserve a HUGE standing ovation for their hard work and dedication.

Now, for some selfish fan groveling:

Celebrate The News is one of my absolute favorite songs from that era (MOST especially the hard rocking psychedelic outro on the originally-released non-FF box set version), so honestly I was disappointed that there wasn't a proper remaster/remix that included that outro. If I'm not mistaken, the original mix of Celebrate The News must be one of the only originally released BBs songs in the catalog (up until the '70/'71 era) that hasn't yet been properly remastered and re-released since its original CD release, no? (Update : after rechecking, actually I guess it was re-released on MIC in 2012, but I still think this song of all songs deserves an updated mix with the full outro, because the other updated mixes that Mark and Alan have done have been fantastic!)

I happen think Celebrate's outro section (on the original 1969 mix) is one of THE greatest moments in the entire catalog, and it just rocks out SO damn hard in a head-banging way, unlike anything the band ever did. It's almost like The Beach Boys' answer to the proto-metal head banging of The Beatles' Helter Skelter.

That said, I do also certainly dig the alternate mix that was done for the FF box where the backing track fades out and it becomes a capella -  a very cool different way to hear the song.

However... in the event that there's ever a digital-only sequel release to the FF box, in case the powers that be might want to consider adding another track, what I'd absolutely LOVE to hear is an instrumental version of the backing track, and/or a new fresh mix of the full song with the full/elongated outro backing track restored (along with vocals), or full backing track with backing vocals... or something of that nature.

I realize that the wonderful folks behind the box set aren't exactly taking "requests", but in the event this puts that idea out into the universe, it would be a true musical gift to the world. As I said, this song is incredibly under-appreciated (especially the hard rocking outro bed of music), and the song as a whole quite simply deserves far more ears on it than have ever heard it.

(Now I'll carry on and go back to gratefully listening to all the wonderful music we've been gifted with on the FF box set proper  ).

California Saga would also be a good simple but appropriate title.

This actually seems quite likely to be what it winds up being called

"4th of July" (2019 Mix):

The beautiful meditative instrumental moment from 2:03 until 2:14 sounds like the Twin Peaks theme music, recorded 20 years earlier.

Does anyone else hear the similarity?

Greetings all,
While waiting on my sets to arrive, I'm hoping that someone can confirm or deny claims that these sets contain different mixes between them.
I read somewhere back in June that a specific mix of this or that was exclusive to the 2CD set and not the 5 CD set itself, and vise versa. Does anyone else recall this tidbit/news in regards to them?

Tidal has both sets available for streaming:

- San Miguel is 14 seconds shorter in the 2 CD set, it fades out sooner.
- Susie Cincinnati has car engine noises at the beginning in the 2 CD set. These sounds are missing in the 5 CD set.
- I'm Going Your Way starts with 14 seconds of studio chatter in the 5 CD set. This is missing in the 2 CD set.
- Soulful Old Man Sunshine is 13 seconds shorter in the 2 CD set, it fades out sooner.
- All I Wanna Do (A Capella) is 16 seconds shorter in the 2 CD set, it fades out while they are still singing. In the 5 CD set it continues until they stop singing.
- (Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again lasts 4:37 in the 2 CD set versus 6:50 in the 5 CD set.
- Behold The Night has a slightly shorter intro and a slightly shorter ending in the 2 CD set, it's 5 seconds shorter in total.
- All Of My Love/Ecology has a 30 second rehearsal at the beginning which is missing from the 2 CD set. Also, in the 5 CD set the "run run river run" section is twice as long. It's a 50 second difference in total.
- Awake begins with 30 seconds of studio chatter which are missing from the 2 CD set.
- Disney Girls (Live 1982) ends with Al saying "thank you, Bruce" in the 5 CD set. The track fades out before this in the 2 CD set.
- Disney Girls (Backing Vocals Excerpt) is 16 seconds shorter in the 2 CD set, it's missing half the track.

There may be more stuff that I missed.

As much as I am an advocate for physical media continuing to exist, and I very much am, it's obvious that the space limitations of physical media came into play here which is unfortunate, but at least they have a longer versions available for streaming which most people easily have access to. It's nobody's fault; a disc in only hold so much content.

And in doing a cursory check I believe all of those lengthened tracks are that way as well on Spotify.

This release of "Awake" is everything I always wished it would be. So beautiful. My jaw is on the floor.

Ditto X10000

Nice touch of placing "(Wouldn't It Be Nice) to Live Again" after "Til I Die" and "Surf's Up", thus restoring the intention of that song being last in the sequence of SU songs, which Denny was denied.

I have a hunch there are gonna be a bunch of little sweet heartstring-tugging touches like that, just waiting to be discovered in the set (be it sequencing, and many other deliberate choices that were made during mixing or choosing of takes), thanks to tasteful and well-thought-out work by the box's compilers. Great, great work, fellas.

"A Day in the Life of a Tree" track & backing vocals


MIND ABSOLUTELY BLOWN

For those who like a good VDPs quote. He mentions the FF period for the group in today’s LA Times.

: “These guys couldn’t get laid in a women’s penitentiary with a fistful of pardons.”

 

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-08-27/beach-boys-surfs-up-sunflower-feel-flows

 

(except Denny)

Anyone else getting "don't talk put your head on my shoulder" vibes from the bridge of  "long promised road" at 1:22 on the track & background vocals mix?

Damn this set is TOOOOO good.

Some highlights so far:

- Add Some Music - Track & Backing Vocals mix... that intro section sounds almost like the 2nd coming of Sloop John B.
So beautiful and Brian at the top of his game, it recalls Pet Sounds backing tracks.

- Forever - Track & Backing Vocals mix... DAMNNNNNNN

- 4th of July ... the section directly before the flute outro, and the flute outro itself - wow. This mix is astonishing.

- My Solution - mindblowing.

There better be Grammy awards for this.

+1

I'm listening now and wiping away tears. So f*cking good, no words can express.

SAN MIGUEL.

Holy hell awwwesome

Thank the music gods above, the band, and Howie, Mark, and Alan.

That teaser of 'behold the night" is just beautiful

Where is this teaser that you speak of?

David Beards latest "good vibrations" podcast

Around 40 or 42 minutes in

Wow wow wow. Thank you for sharing that. Just wow.

If I didn't have "Beach Boys" in a news feed I never would have noticed it, but there seems to be a different marketing strategy in play for Mike's shows, all published in the past week. Whatever the reasons, whatever the implications, if it's for a small cluster of tour dates or more overreaching in scope, it was hard to miss.

Check these links and headlines, and it literally jumps off the screen:

John Stamos to Join The Beach Boys For Free Concert at Indiana State Fair
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/john-stamos-to-join-the-beach-boys-for-free-concert-at-indiana-state-fair/2584536/

John Stamos of 'Full House' fame to join Beach Boys for Iowa State Fair concert
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/iowa-state-fair/2021/08/04/iowa-state-fair-2021-grandstand-beach-boys-concert-adds-john-stamos-hanson/5477552001/

MO State Fair: John Stamos to perform with The Beach Boys
https://www.koamnewsnow.com/mo-state-fair-john-stamos-to-perform-with-the-beach-boys/

John Stamos added to the Beach Boys' concert at the Factory
https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/john-stamos-added-to-the-beach-boys-concert-at-the-factory/article_8960a6c1-5016-5463-b8a5-60e50bc9361e.html


The special guest seems to be getting a bigger billing than the headline act.

Wow… Some marketing person crunched the numbers and realized that more people  attend the shows if they bill John Stamos in that way.

As ridiculous as it is, I can understand if it actually packs more people into the venue why they would do it.

But shameless to be so relentless in the marketing about Uncle Jesse.

Matchpoint of Our Love

"Love is still the only game in town" is totally stating the obvious, it's plain to see that Mike is the one who was and will always be pre-ordained to have the god-given right to cowrite all the songs with Brian Wilson, he's the only game in town after guys like Van have been rightly chased away

To be serious for a moment, horrible lyrics aside, this song is utterly great in every way. I'm absolutely convinced if it had decent lyrics written by somebody else, it would be known as a minor BBs classic. It somehow bridges both yacht rock and disco in a brilliant way.

I can stomach the bad lyrics and it's still a classic in my book, but I just mean with non embarrassing lyrics this song would have some public respect because musically and vocally it's absolutely outtasight.

I am not native in English, which is propably the reason I've always LOVED this tune. I don't mind the lyrics, I see why a lot of people find them horrible, but I listen more the music and everything about this tune just is so classic to me (though obviosluy not the lyrics, they are just OK to me). Brian sings so damn well on it, the production is great clean late 70s style and the melody is so beautiful.

Agreed completely

So cool to hear Brian's inimitable detuned piano still in use buried in this mix of Slip On Through!   

Wow. Oh man this is such an amazingly cool version.

It's one of those revelations where as soon as I heard it isolated on this track it was like I somehow knew it was there all along, that Brian Wilson piano vibe that you hear on the wild honey album, but in the Sunflower final album mix it's buried and not as prominent so it comes as a wonderful surprise to hear it like this.

I'm looking forward to hearing so many more wonderful surprises like that throughout the set, I am pumped!

Matchpoint of Our Love

"Love is still the only game in town" is totally stating the obvious, it's plain to see that Mike is the one who was and will always be pre-ordained to have the god-given right to cowrite all the songs with Brian Wilson, he's the only game in town after guys like Van have been rightly chased away

To be serious for a moment, horrible lyrics aside, this song is utterly great in every way. I'm absolutely convinced if it had decent lyrics written by somebody else, it would be known as a minor BBs classic. It somehow bridges both yacht rock and disco in a brilliant way.

I can stomach the bad lyrics and it's still a classic in my book, but I just mean with non embarrassing lyrics this song would have some public respect because musically and vocally it's absolutely outtasight.

I love David Marks, but yes without Dave leaving I question whether Al would have rejoined (although possibly he might have anyway, eventually)...

He... did. Al rejoined the band a good while before Dave left.

This is true, I was getting my history discombobulated although I did know that. Still one has to wonder whether both Al and Dave would have stayed on as full-time members,  and if Brian wouldn't have been back on the road and Bruce wouldn't have joined.

I love David Marks, but yes without Dave leaving I question whether Al would have rejoined (although possibly he might have anyway, eventually)... but Al really did become a truly essential component of the vocal blend. Really quite underrated in that respect, Al almost was like the secret special sauce ingredient. So I am emotionally attached to the BBs vocal blend sound with Al, and I would hate to lose that aspect.

But... with Dave present there could certainly have been any number of other roads the band could've gone down. I do wonder if Dave and Dennis would've been double trouble, so to speak, as Dave grew older and more in a similar peer group as Dennis. In reality of course Dave quit the band when he was still a 15-year-old kid, but if he stayed in the band until he was 20+ , into the later '60s, then Dave and Dennis might have become party animals together, potentially.

 I have a hunch the two of them would eventually have aligned somewhat as a political force within the band, because it seems like Dave had that rebellious streak like Dennis. And perhaps the two of them would've gravitated towards more similar musical exploration - and it's always nice when there's somebody else in the band to back you up in that respect.

To be honest I think Dave staying does change the outcome of the band quite a bit in any number of ways. Maybe it's Dave and not Ed Carter doing those wailing licks on songs like Bluebirds, etc., and the band may have delved more deeply into the All I Want to Do type of sound.

But again I think a lot of it is contingent on if Dave staying caused more of a power dynamic shift where he and Dennis for example would have become more of a unified presence within the band. I just feel like Denny didn't really seem to have anyone in the band in terms of a musical collaborator (not talking about lyrics) other than his brother Brian occasionally who helped him out uncredited on several songs like Little Bird. Maybe Dave would've been another collaborative foil in that way. Shrug.

The alternate This Whole World is up on YouTube. It is absolutely terrific, has an easygoing, relaxed lead vocal with different phrasing and a couple of different lyrics, different-style backing vocals near the end and the close is pure '60s Sunshine Pop gold. The best FF nugget yet released!

'the close is pure '60s Sunshine Pop gold'   SPOT ON!!   

Agreed completely