If I was "Posessive" of unreleased material, then I wouldn't have shared every rarity I've got with the world. I DID want the "Smile" box to be released, but with a minimum of game-playing with the fans who had eagerly awaited it for decades. The Beach Boys' past history of arguing with each other over archival projects, gave me reason to worry during Capitol's 5 month Wall of Secrecy which followed the initial announcement.

And, be careful what you wish for in wanting artists to "follow their muse" and "release certain material at a certain time", because, when taken to its extreme, the result is the mentality of Crosby,Stills, Nash & Young", who repeatedly float possible vault tapes projects in interviews, then, invariably never deliver the goods.

Is your name Lewis Digges.

Ha.

[SMiLE]

Really ?  From here: http://bigozine2.com/roio/?p=702

"This two-CD “Smile” set is one of my greatest CD creations."

Your being a 'legger doesn't concern me, but the hypocrisy does.

This comment floored me... "As it turns out, Al Jardine started a hoax, which he has now retracted. “Smile” is not going to be released officially. The “Smile” that you get on Big O is the best “Smile” you’ll ever get." - By Philip Cohen on Feb 15, 2011

 

At that point Jardine HAD retracted his announcement of an official "Smile" set. All of this is now a moot point. It's 2012, and an official "Smile" box is now here and (hopefully) we are all now enjoying it.

Yes but the rest of us thought/knew that he had been told to retract it because he'd jumped the gun with his announcement whereas you being the doom merchant you are labelled his announcement a hoax. The hoax part was the bit that floored me not that Al had retracted his statement.

It's quite obvious Phil is a legend in his own mind. He *wanted* SMiLE's release to be cancelled so he could remain "on top" (in his own mind). He also is quite possessive of unreleased material. He seems to think these artists owe us new albums and archive material.

The way I look at it, is this new Beach Boys album is just a cherry on top. And the zinepak CD, thats great too. And when the box set comes out, that'll be great too. And if certain songs that I was looking forward happen to be on it, I'll be even happier. But I won't die of depression if they aren't, because The Beach Boys don't owe me anything. Nor do any of the other artists. We choose to follow them, and they should follow their muse, and if they decide it is appropriate to release certain material at a certain time, then that is fine with me. I'm not going to get mad at them having a schedule or whatnot, and follow it.

B.S.  Jeff was canned because he messed around and the wives didn't like it. 'Nuff said.  Done. Over.

Messed around with whom exactly?

Ron is a capitalist. Those who make more money than us obviously work harder than us. He loves Amurricuh. And he and Bruce Johnston are down at the country club complaining how that socialist Obama wants to tax their capital gains.

/end political rant.

Am I the only one that thinks the "prominent Carl" version sounds like the demo? That version has Al singing way out of his range. It sounds like it was recorded at a soundcheck, and therefore is the demo.

Whereas the version on the CD is lower key and is better produced with better harmonies. Could somebody find the official word on which is which?

[The SMiLE Sessions]

Yeah they are Phil. Because the reunion is something I've wanted for a long time, and to have them releasing a brand new studio album around seven months after the release of The SMiLE Sessions is mindblowing. Brian with The Beach Boys is always something I will listen intently for, and if the new "Do It Again" is the only good thing that comes from it, that is ok. Because that was awesome, and I'm sure there will be other great new songs. Maybe not an album packed full of great songs, but I think we're gonna get some more Beach Boys classics from Brian.

And on the archival front, "Where Is She", Brian's 1974 "California Feelin'" recording, and "(Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again" are likely coming soon, I hope. That is worth it to me. If just those three songs came out, that would be enough for me. I love this band, and I'm sure I'll get some spiritual satisfaction from hearing more music from Brian and the guys. So yes, its worth it, Phil.

And Ron, we get it, BRI is paying you to not rock the boat. People can have fucking opinions. Don't just dismiss them because you don't agree.

Somebody should press the "button" that lets him back on the board.

I love how he thought that was a button to click. Funny.

[Summer in Paradise]

Interestingly, before we've heard anything about the new album and it's songs, say at the beginning of the reunion talk I'd have said that Mike and Bruce will go the nostalgia, oldie, re-record way. Don't get me wrong, I think Bruce seems like a nice guy but I'm not surprised that he wants to go that route. I'm much more surprised Mike doesn't.

I gotta say though, in Bruce's defense, rerecording "She Believes in Love Again" is probably more of an artistic decision, seeing as though its not like its a big hit. He probably just thought he could get it "right" this time. And he has the right to do that, if the rest of the band thinks that's ok too. Would one assume that in the nearly 20 years since Summer in Paradise and now he would have a new song to offer? Sure. But if he wants to rerecord a song from their 1985 album, then that's his prerogative. We have to remember, that this is the same guy whose album, Goin' Public consisted of quite a bit of redone material. And his track on Keepin' the Summer Alive was a song from like 1971 or 1972. So it seems to be pretty obvious the guy either doesn't compose enough material that stands up to his own standards or he just doesn't really compose much at all.

On the other hand, if they were rerecording "Help Me Rhonda", "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Surfer Girl", then it would be obviously just be them trying to appeal to a nostalgic, oldies audience. Which I don't think "She Believes in Love Again" will do.

[AGAIN]

I was kinda excited to hear a new Bruce Johnston song, and we get "She Believes In Love Again" AGAIN! Eh, whatever, I don't hate that song, but I'm not a fan of it. I guess we'll see.

Seriously, I'd pay a pretty penny to read your book, Mike. Each post you add on this subject intrigues me even more.

[SMiLE]

"I Can Hear Music" is the title because, apart from the biography, it is my critical review of the music. The thing I did to make it more than that is interview a lot of people, research some areas I felt needed looking into, and also try to give air to the general consensus on any given thing.  I made a point to give everyone their due, and also to get the facts correct. It isn't a rose colored view, or a dismissive one, I went for balance.  I also think "I" can apply to you or anyone who listens to The Beach Boys music. Besides it's a good song and from the era I think needs more attention by the general public.

The Sandler interview is good, and backed up all my other info about Brian at that time.  There is a lot on the post Smile pre 15 Big Ones period because I felt it deserved far more attention than most have given it.

Honestly Mike, your focus on the 1967 to 1974 era is why I'm so looking forward to your book. I feel like that era gets a lot of respect in Beach Boys hardcore fan circles, but hasn't really gotten its fair share of attention in books and whatnot, since many people (like Phil Cohen for example) seem to think that after SMiLE Brian didn't write any new material for the band, and that even if he did, he wasn't really "active" as a Beach Boy. And albums like Wild Honey, Friends and Sunflower make that plainly obvious that this was not the case. Even albums like 20/20 and Surf's Up feature a pretty decent amount of contribution from him.

Because several people have asked for it here is the latest on my Beach Boys book. When I finished it last year I thought I would be able to sell it aggressively, but my writing career took off in other areas quite unexpectedly. This is something I am of course happy about, but it meant a change of plans. I have an Elvis project I am contracted for that takes most of my time right now. Before that I had a good offer to do some Presley projects out of Norway that I couldn't turn down. It's the funniest thing that these jobs came in days after The Beach Boys project was finished! I love doing all my work, but because of how busy I now am its not possible to work on selling "I Can Hear Music" full time. The only way I can get The Beach Boys book out in the next year or so is if I get an agent. Hopefully there will be some good news on that end soon, but as I am getting married in June I can't even look until then. As it was finished early last year, I will need to now write a new chapter about The Smile Sessions box and the reunion. I also recently did an interview with David Sandler that I think everyone will want to read that needs to be added. I do promise to make it happen, but without some help it won't be for a long while. I wish I had better news to share but I will keep all of you informed.

Man, I'd really like to read that David Sandler interview. Brian's era collaborating with him is so overlooked, and it would be interesting to hear more about Brian's work during that era, since we have only heard dribs and drabs.

this is what i thought of.  granted, i don't own SIP or KTSA so my thoughts on "islandy songs" are skewed to little pad. 

Of course, there are no "islandy songs" on KTSA.

Is that a joke? Surely, "Sunshine" more than qualifies as a piece of faux-island tripe.

[Pet Sounds]

Gotta get this off my chest. The reunion really seems a bit crap now, doesn't it?

Car songs.

Surfin' songs.

Surfboards in promo pics.

"Beaches in Mind."

Not a single Pet Sounds song in the mini-set -- no WIBN, no GOK.

"Kokomo."

That hideous single cover.

Wal-Mart.

Jim Peterik writing the lead-off single.

Underwhelming, poorly mixed live appearances.

Utterly disengaged Brian.

I remember saying that I would expect the worst and hope for the best from this reunion. My expectations have been richly fulfilled.

All of you hepping yourselves up over this should calm down. It's not going to be the worst ever, but it seems like it will be richly embarrassing for anyone expecting anything with a smidgen of artistic integrity. Brian was on a winning streak with TLOS and BWRG. He's now singing songs from by Peterik and being produced by Joe Thomas.

How are you all blind to this? I have been trying so hard to think this will be good. But I've given up trying to defend the indefensible. These guys are cashing in, pure and simple. The album is likely going to have a couple of nice new BW things, some recycled stuff, and oodles of dross. No one is interested in pushing themselves -- only using Brian's band as a giant security blanket as they go through the motions of a coast-to-coast cash grab.

Depressing beyond belief.

EDIT: I would love to be proved wrong. I would so love to be proved wrong. But every step of this process has only increased my doubts, rather than assuaging them.

I applaud this post Wirestone. I don't entirely agree with you, but on most of the points you are spot on.

Not having any Pet Sounds songs in that set? That is ridiculous. Yes, I understand it was a "meat and potatoes" thing, but lets be honest, "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Sloop John B", and "God Only Knows" are meat and potatoes. Even "Caroline No" coulda worked.

And "Beaches in Mind". As I said in another thread, I find it appalling that Mike Love thinks, that because The Beach Boys are a recording entity once again, that his lyrics need to be beachy, summery tropical island goop. That recent batch of songs he did for what he was hoping to be his new solo album didn't contain ANY beach, summer, or island themes. The songs themselves weren't that great, but the lyrics were pretty decent. So it's obvious Mike can still write a decent lyric. So why "Beaches in Mind"? Or "Summer's Gone"? It probably just goes to the fact that Mike thinks it's commercial, and he's probably hoping for some kind of beachy novelty hit one last time, which I feel is kinda slimey. But oh well. However, how funny would it be if we end up seeing the writing credits for those songs and all they say is "B. Wilson"!

And I totally understand that if The Beach Boys play a show, they are gonna do the surf and car songs. And that is great. I'll enjoy it. However, do we really need "409" and "Shut Down" at the expense of say, a "Caroline No" or a "This Whole World" or a "Good Timin'"? It just seems kinda like these guys talk a great game about mixing it up, but at the end of the day are scared they might not succeed if they don't load up on the super early material. I'm not saying that they should come out and play the whole Holland album or pull out "A Thing or Two" as a surprise track, but it would be nice for them to at least fucking acknowledge masterworks like "This Whole World", "Good Timin'", "Cool, Cool Water" or even something like "You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone". But we'll probably end up with "California Dreamin'" so those confused people who thought The Beach Boys originally did that one in the 1960s will be happy.

But at the end of the day I'm happy with how things are going. Brian Wilson is back with The Beach Boys! He's producing a brand new album for them and he's been sounding better than he has in nearly 40 years! I'm sure at the least, we'll get a few new B. Wilson Beach Boys classics. We are also getting a new box set which I'm sure will have some awesome surprises for us. And I'm sure the setlists will end up being pretty good at the end of the day. Maybe not perfect for our tastes, but I think they'll pull out a few surprises. So yeah, I feel Wirestone has a right to complain, as do all of us, but realistically this is all just awesome that they are even together. I really never thought it would happen again, and I feel lucky to witness The Beach Boys back in action in 2012!

[Still Cruisin']

Well I guess the last promo shots featuring Brian with the group would probably be 1988/1989, Still Cruisin' era.





I gotta say Brian looks pretty cool in the first pic, almost somewhat Lindsey Buckingham-esque. He looks good in the second one too, but the Hawaiian shirt look does the group no favors.

Seeing as the 2nd shot is a promo for the 25th anniversary TV (not so-)special shot in Hawaii, I'd say your point is mooter than a moot thing.

Ah. Well that would explain the change in their looks.

Btw, is the 3rd pic from the Summer in Paradise era? That was the only formal promo shot I've been able to find for that era, as far as I know.

And I think my point would still stand, saying that there were promo shots after the 1985 album. But thanks Andrew, it feels good feeling the wrath of the might AGD, haha.

[Still Cruisin']

Well I guess the last promo shots featuring Brian with the group would probably be 1988/1989, Still Cruisin' era.





I gotta say Brian looks pretty cool in the first pic, almost somewhat Lindsey Buckingham-esque. He looks good in the second one too, but the Hawaiian shirt look does the group no favors. Brian did seem to age quite quickly in the beginning of the '90s and I'm sure it had a bit to do with the work of Gene Landy. However, recently its seemed he kinda has a bit of that refined look back, especially in these newer photos with the other boys.



This photo however, yuck. Nice hair, Al? And what is up with Bruce's scrunchface smile? It seems to get worse as the years go by. Its super annoying, and it always bothers me when I see photos with him looking like that, cuz it makes him look older, and the group look cheesier, in my opinion.

[Postcard]

Assuming the album is twelve tracks it looks like we've gotten half of the titles so far:

* Waves of Love
* That's Why God Made the Radio
* Beaches in Mind
* Islands In the Sun
* Shelter
* The Private Life of Bill and Sue

I'm guessing there's a track called "Summer's Gone" too.

So I'd assume "Summer's Gone" is a title, as I doubt Andrew would say that without a very good reason for doing so. So that leads me to believe we will have at least two "Al" titles. That is enough for me. I think "Waves of Love" from Postcard is awesome, and if "Islands in the Sun" measures up to that, then that is cool with me. But I think two songs from Al will do. That is as much as he's ever contributed as far as I know and that's fine here.

Then we have "Shelter" and "The Private Life of Bill and Sue" which is nearly certainly Brian-written songs, possibly with Scott Bennett or Joe Thomas. I'm pretty sure they were mentioned when it was still referred to as Brian's new solo album with his friend Jeff helping out. "Shelter" sounds quite interesting, and the title sounds very "Brian" to me.

And judging by the titles, I'm going to say "Beaches in Mind" and "Summer's Gone" are Brian/Mike co-writes. And for all I know, they might be the best songs on the album. But I have to say, if indeed Mike wrote the lyrics to these, it is a shame this man feels that he can't write a lyric for The Beach Boys that doesn't relate to the beach or the summer. The group of songs that appeared online around 2005 or so didn't have many "summery" topics and that was ok. The music wasn't great, but the lyrics weren't bad. Why does he feel the need to make every Beach Boys song these days about summer and the beach?!?

And "That's Why God Made the Radio"? Well, we shall see soon. I predict that it will have a "B. Wilson" writing credit, but regardless, hopefully it's a good song.

I don't think "I Went to Sleep" is about coke at all. Mostly because of all the things coke makes you do, none of them is sleep.

Hopefully we'll be getting to hear Jeff sing that in the coming months!

Some of us hope not. Jeff doesn't even sound half as good as he did many years ago.  It's also not that impressive that he can parse the vocal parts of the song, I'm sure any competent musician could do that.

Ah, here it comes. I wondered when the forces on guard against Jeff's many evils (which now include his irritating decision to chronologically age and mere competence as a musician ) would appear. Thank goodness!

Especially seeing as Brian and Mike are actually in the group The Beach Boys, whereas Jeff is a hired hand to perform a certain task, which, honestly he doesn't do as good a job at as he used to.
People say Brian and Mike sound weak or bad all the time and not many people defend them when they get criticized for having declining vocal ability.  Jeff should be no different. 

Glen Campbell, aside from being pretty much retired at this point due to his Alzheimer's, was never an official Beach Boy.

Neither was Hal Blaine, but I'd rather have those two playing on a new album recording than have a new song by the flame on there

I agree that having new Blondie and/or Ricky songs on the new BB album would be kinda lame. Especially after all this time. But then again I don't really see how a new David Marks composition would really make sense on this album either, seeing as how he has written 0.00 percent of The Beach Boys material. I know Jon Stebbins will get mad at me for this, as David is actually better than Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Jimi Hendrix combined, and had he stayed with the BB, he'd have brought world peace.

But yeah, and I know this brings this thread back to "that place", but I don't get why David is featured and Blondie and Ricky continue to be looked at as footnotes to the BB story.

[Endless Harmony]

Just spotted that a download-only remastered version of the Surfin' Safari album is scheduled to become available at Amazon Uk on April 19. Don't think this is legit in the usual way and wonder if it's down to a copyright expiry? Is Capitol in danger of dropping a ball? (I somehow doubt it...)

No bonus tracks

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007KT5V76/

Hmm that looks very bootleg-esque.

But anyways, since there hasn't been much in the way of news lately, what does everybody think we will get as far as the "commemorative releases" besides the box set. I would love for another compilation like Endless Harmony to come out with a bunch of totally previously unreleased songs, but I somewhat get the feeling that they will probably just use the best unreleased material that is still in the can on the box set.

I also think there is the possibility that maybe we get new special editions of certain albums, most likely Sunflower and Surf's Up, as I'm pretty sure it was mentioned in a Linnett/Boyd interview as a possibility. And if they had to choose albums to do two-disc special editions, those are likely the ones I would pick, as there is supposedly some prime material to choose from, with things like "I'm Going Your Way" and "Where Is She" from Sunflower and stuff like "(Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again" and probably some other cool stuff for Surf's Up.

Therefore, I gotta say that either a rarities compilation or deluxe editions of a few classic albums is within reason.

Then less realistically, I kinda was hoping that they would reissue the groups entire discography on standalone CDs. However as over a quarter of the year has gone by since the announcement, I just kinda get the feeling that they won't do that, especially as non "hits" albums by The Beach Boys besides Pet Sounds and SMiLE probably won't shift that many copies, especially compared to other Capitol/EMI artists like The Beatles and Pink Floyd. However, if they actually did re-release all the albums on their own with bonus tracks, that would probably be the best thing we could wish for. I doubt it though.

It's fun to dream at least. Hopefully we'll hear some news on the tracklist and title of the new studio album soon, and also some updates on the catalog releases, so we will be able to more realistically assess what might be coming our way.

Well then I'm officially excited about a Bruce Johnston song.  I think the guy's very talented and still has the potential for greatness in him.  I've always liked Bruce, I hope he gets an opportunity to shine again.  Maybe even *gasp* a lead from him? 

Seriously. Bruce is severely wasted in the history of the group. He's no genius like Brian, sure, but he knows exactly what's up with the way Brian writes his songs and can imitate that effortlessly. What's a shame is that he has barely done that in his career, because he loves the cheese... But I have no reason to doubt that he could knock something out of the park on this record given the right prompting.

I understand what you are saying, but why would you want Bruce to imitate Brian's style? I'd rather hear Bruce being Bruce, even if that means "She Believes in Love Again" or "Tears in the Morning" (aka schlocky schlock). However, a Brian/Bruce composition might be quite interesting.

The only thing that scares me is Bruce's current affinity for shitty modern day country music. I personally have no problem with country music, but most of the modern stuff in that genre is just bad overproduced '90/'00s chart pop with the occasional steel guitar added. But yeah, I doubt his new song would be country, and I'm kinda interested which direction he would go in. Cuz I couldn't imagine his usual quiet overwrought "Bruce and electric piano" type thing being on this album. So it'll be interesting. Probably a faux doo-wop little thing, as he along with Mike doesn't seem to care about much other than maintaining The Beach Boys image as sock-hop, hamburger stand, "Duke of Earl" singing '50s relics, despite the fact that they started in the '60s.

Still waiting to hear back from the editor for ESQ, but anyways, does anybody how much it costs for just this one issue? And if I send it via paypal? Or if you have to subscribe? Cuz I'd like to buy just the one and I've messaged him, but alas, nothing!

So which is which? I know everybody is saying they prefer the download version, but I gotta say I prefer the physical release version. It has a more subtle feeling, not trying as hard to sound like the '60s Beach Boys. And Al's vocal on the actual CD is nicely restrained whereas on the download he kinda sounds unrestrained and out of his range. And I kinda feel like I hear a "wall of Al's" on the CD version, which would lead me to believe it was a studio recording and not a soundcheck. It's nice to hear Carl so clearly on the download version, but it kinda just sounds like a background part pushed way up front. Whereas, where he in the harmony stack on the CD makes sense. Just my take...