Something I do find interesting is that however Brian felt about it later on (and lets note, he has never included in his solo act as far as I can tell) he felt strongly enough in '63 to record not just one, but two versions. So this wasn't just some toss-off tune.

I'm betting that the single version is what Brian *intended*, but because the LDC album was done in such a rush, he just had the guys whip up a quick version just to get something recorded on the album that fit with the theme of cars ("When I cruise around the other parts of town I've got my decal in back"). And then for the single he did what he *wanted* to do with the song.

It should bother you as it's a very bad song; for me, it's far and away the worst Beach Boys song from their classic era.

Well...it's no "The Shift" or "Cuckoo Clock," but wow! Never heard it put so harshly before! Chacun a son goût, I s'pose.

But I gotta admit...my favorite time stretch of The Beach Boys' music is from 1965 to 1973 (peaking at Sunflower), but...at the 50th anniversary reunion show, "Be True to Your School" was probably my favorite part of the concert! It totally caught me by surprise -- not the song itself, but that I LOVED IT SO MUCH, because it's not one I listen to very much! Just the way it was presented that day. Never mind that none of the schools projected onto my screens were where I went (had to travel out of state to see the show), but man, it just really unexpectedly knocked me on my ass!

By that logic, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" would have had the same effect on The Beatles, who, as The Beach Boys did with "Be True to Your School" after about a year, completely abandoned it concertwise. (And yeah, they brought it back, but only after they became a mostly-oldies act.)

Episode 17: You invite me to pick up my award.

In this long-overdue episode, Lisa and Sean discuss the recent GRAMMY Salute to The Beach Boys aired this spring in celebration of the band's 60th anniversary, and the baffling ignorance shown by the Recording Academy's shortsightedness in recognizing The Beach Boys and other bands over the years. And while we're at it, we take a look at 25 Years Together: A Celebration in Waikiki.

https://banana-and-louie.org/2023/08/02/episode-17-you-invite-me-to-pick-up-my-award/

Patiently waiting for AI fix the vocal flub in Soulful Old Man Shunshine...

There's an unflubbed version on the Feel Flows set. Personally I prefer the Endless Harmony version (the vocals are delivered in a different timbre), but I'm sure with proper editing the two can be combined seamlessly.

Yep, down to three left Dae's channel. Grabbing 'em while I can!

Episode 16: I'm pickin' up good vibrations.

A little over a year ago, we discussed some of the, well…not great…moves and decisions that The Beach Boys made over the years. This time, however, we're going in the opposite direction. What did they get right? Drop in on our conversation in which we discuss just a handful of the good things that The Beach Boys have done. Some you may disagree with, but we're sure you'll find some common ground!

banana-and-louie.org/2023/04/07/episode-16-im-pickin-up-good-vibrations/

Episode 15: The way the kids talk so cool is an out of sight thing!

After a brief winter hiatus, we are back with a deep dive into The Beach Boys’ 1965. And not just 1965, but also earlier events and circumstances that shaped that year that proved to be a turning point in both the lives and the sound of the group.

https://banana-and-louie.org/2023/02/27/episode-15-the-way-the-kids-talk-so-cool-is-an-out-of-sight-thing/

Did anyone who purchased this set directly from the Beach Boys' store receive it yet?  And if you have, did they send you a shipping confirmation email from them prior to delivery?  I've received neither the box set nor any email informing me that it's on its way.  This is so frustrating.   

A friend of mine got neither from his order from The Beach Boys' store.

Episode 14: Pretty soon I'll be blown away

Hey, friends, we have a new episode out! (Oops, forgot to post about episode 13!) Last time, your hosts talked about the new version of David Leaf's book about The Beach Boys. This time, they talk to the author himself! David, Sean, and Lisa talk Brian, fandom, and…southern California cuisine??

banana-and-louie.org/2022/11/30/episode-14-pretty-soon-ill-be-blown-away/

In episode 12, Lisa and Sean discuss their adventures in visiting various Beach Boys-related locations, particularly in Southern California.

https://banana-and-louie.org/2022/09/12/episode-12-i-get-around-from-town-to-town/

I think more likely what affected Brian this year was just...the tour itself. It's just *not* what he's used to. So many dates, large venues, outdoor venues...last year he was great, almost like 2001 all over again. But this year, yeah, he was just not comfy.

The music over that is definitely that part of "Do You Like Worms," but what is he *really* playing? I don't think it's possible to tell. Pretty sure the audio was played by someone on Malcolm Leo's staff just to provide a musical backing there. Like, the same source whence we get the piano versions of "Friends" and "Girl Don't Tell Me" and that piano-plus-vocal "Summer Means New Love."

I never bought that "pianist looked at what he was doing" thing...I mean, I don't think it's possible to tell; we never do get a long enough look at the keyboard itself.

A little late, but man, how can people forget THIS picture of Brian with a hat?

Wasn't sure where to bring this up, but for the past few months I've noticed that about 23 out of 24 hours a day, the board took literally several minutes per click to load. Turns out it was the Smile theme. I switched to the default theme (I totally forgot that I was using an alternate theme -- I set everything up many years ago and never thought about it other than I wondered why people refer to this as the "black board" sometimes!) and that solved the issue. So if anybody's experiencing weird slowness here, try switching the theme. (Any chance the Smile theme will be fixed?)

Episode 11 is live for all to hear -- that is, if we can tear you away from the Sirius XM Beach Boys channel! Lisa and Sean share their observations of this tragically temporary all-Beach Boys option on satellite radio, and they tune right in everywhere they go.

banana-and-louie.org/2022/07/28/episode-11-i-hit-the-radio-dial-and-turn-it-up-all-the-way/

Episode 10: We’re on safari to stay!

We swear, we did not intend to time the release of this episode so that it lands on Brian Wilson’s birthday; we recorded this in late May and just…got hung up in post production. But here we are now, as summer is about to begin, as we discuss not one, not two, but eight records’ worth of music: four classic double-album Beach Boys compilations that arguably may have paved the way for the reissue of Sounds of Summer. Ninety-six songs covering the best of a mere eighteen-year period!

https://banana-and-louie.org/2022/06/21/episode-10-were-on-safari-to-stay/

"Video not available" on both.

My favorite track changes constantly. This week it's "Hawaiian Dream." Last week it was the a cappella "Marcella." But I promise you...I PROMISE you...my favorite track will NEVER be "Seasons in the Sun." Bleaeacacchghhghg...

From what I understand, Denny lived in fear of Manson for the rest of his life. As Ian sez, Dennis liked to party, so I imagine he would have had a problem regardless, but I'm sure the whole Manson thing pushed him much deeper than he ever would have gone at such a young age. He undoubtedly had a lot of other issues -- couldn't hold down a marriage to save his life, probably worried about Brian, probably concerned that Brian was getting all the attention, and just plain living a rock'n'roll lifestyle.

The kiddie wallpaper is also interesting... and consistent with the childhood themes that seemed to have Brian's attention in the Pet Sounds/Smile era.

Curtain, not wallpaper. Here's Marilyn's explanation:

"He had a runner along the ceiling, like a curtain rod, and he wanted to close off the sandbox like a room. A lady from a yardage shop came to the house, and he picked out the material...the pattern he wanted was little children playing, so it would be like little babies playing in the sand. Toddlers sitting with their buckets. It was a drawing. The idea was that he would pull the curtains closed, and it would feel like you were at the beach."

Whatever the reason for this album, I'm glad it exists. It's truly fantastic. It's got everything a die-hard fan would want: some hits, some deep cuts, newer stuff, and an otherwise unreleased (sorta) song. For me, there are three problems with it:

1) No Dennis-composed or Dennis-sung songs.

2) No "God Only Knows." But from what I understand, the band didn't do that song during those tours because instead, after the show was over, LSO's version of GOK was piped in over the PA.

3) There's some noticeable flutter and wow on some of the tracks -- definitely noticeable on "You Still Believe in Me" and "Funky Pretty." I hope that gets fixed at some point.

It sure seems like it. The curtain definitely matches the detailed description someone (Marilyn?) once made.

I had a recording of them doing this one with Blondie on the lead.  It was quite nice.  Sadly the hard drive I had it on died and it would cost over a grand to extract all my old files off of it.  🤷‍♂️

Zissit?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-AQEPe0Kag

I am curious about the remix to compensate for Moffitt's engineering. A couple of days ago I pulled out my vinyl So Tough, and...man, it sounds kind of hollow. Plays through flawlessly, no pops or clicks or nothin', but...it just doesn't have much life to it.