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?

I have the CD (on top of the original download and CD-R) and the new itunes download of Waves of Love and I agree with your assessment!  I might prefer the new version (2012 download) but I also believe the new CD version sounds more complete in the harmonies/arrangement/etc, that is, of course, underneath the synthesized typical beach boys 80's/early 90's sound.  I think Carl's more prominent vocal on the chorus of the download was never intended to be so 'naked' and fits comfortably in the CD version surrounded by other vocal lines/harmonies.  Again, I do still prefer the newly recorded version.  I just wish a little more harmonies and instrumental ramps in the chorus were used on the new version.  Just my 2 cents.

Agreed, especially on this little nugget

What was the reason for Brian and Al being in it? I suppose they wanted to lend support, but they are the only white people there really.

Who the hell in 2012 (save maybe Rick Santorum)  gives a flying sh*t what race they are?!

Not to get political, but I totally agree with this. Can't believe this joker is from my home state. And I'm sure a lot of people on both sides of the isle would agree!

Not everyone.  I like Rick.  Solid morals, solid ethics and strives for fairness.  I'm a fellow Pennsylvanian.   Hoping all have a happy easter weekend!

01.   Beach Boys including solo work - Started with the 93 boxset, WTF when the smile songs first played, realized greatness, obsession since...

02.   Billy Joel – 70’s - started with the greatest hits 80's cds, great catchy melodies, now I have everything...


RUNNER UP'S
03.   Weezer – my son’s name is Rivers. (not obsessed, just liked the name!)
04.   Barenaked Ladies including solo work
05.   Blondie
06.   Cake
07.   Carpenters
08.   Cars
09.   ELO
10.   Elton John – 70’s
11.   Hanson
12.   Kenny Rogers – 70’s, early 80’s - current obsession, some of his early records may surprise!
13.   Los Lonely Boys
14.   No Doubt
15.   Paul McCartney – including Beatles
16.   Shakira
17.   She and Him
18.   Queen

I listen to vinyl versions of albums whenever possible.  Huge vinyl and cd collection.   

Honorabe Mentions: Buddy Holly, Chicago, Elvis, Four Seasons, Lily Allen, Michael Jackson, Maroon 5, okay I need to stop....

Everyone’s comments…extremely interesting.  Many of them, very well thought out.  Some of them, comforting in once again reasoning with the un-release of smile.  But, at times, I can’t help think how strange it is to be trying to psychologically pick apart and make sense of a several month period that now dates back 45 years.  FORTY-FIVE FRIGGIN YEARS AGO!! Yes, I’m yelling this to myself and not belittling others with the importance of this period or quality of music.  It’s just amusing at times to think of the length of time and what’s happened in between.  I truly appreciate Van Dyke’s words when he makes reference to it being such a small period of time in his busy life.  The passing of time also makes it that much more difficult to place yourself in the participants mindset for 1966-67 and not 2011.  What a different world with different ethics and tolerance for things in general. 

Someone help me find the connection to POB here...

Well, lets see.  Its a promotion film done fairly well of Dennis Wilson mostly featuring his solo works of Pacific Ocean Blue.  Could it be any more related?!?  He states to go to Amazon.com.  Its right on the main page for the album, not hard to find.   Is that enough help?

I visit this site a couple of times every week or so to find up to date insider Beach Boys/Brian Wilson news.   Whenever I find it, though,  I then find multiple pages of posts by what seems to be manic depressives hanging on individual seconds of music comparing and arguing with the engineer of the track as well as what BW should or shouldn't be doing.  I know you guys are here by choice and its my choice to even flip through the pages of posts, but.....gosh....It really gets thick was some of you guys.  New cd with a BW track on it,  cool.  Sounds neat.  Maybe I'll pick it up.  End of conversation.  

I'm happy to agree with the statement from Brian's camp which is to say that Brian did most of the work but it would NOT have happened without Darian and his trusty computer.   They haven't ever denied Darian's enormous contributions and I personally believe that once again, Peter had a nice summation of the general events above.  I feel lucky that SMiLE 04 happened and appreciate the many pieces of the puzzle that happened to fall into place to make it happen like Brian meeting Darian and the rest of his ensemble along with the Stockholm strings to having Van Dyke agree to rejoin etc etc.  Its seems too difficult to really happen, but it did. And to Brian's credit, everything that happened didn't fall on their front porch step. Melinda and Brian worked and pushed for these things to happen and the result was very good.

Peter.  Thanks again for your time in posting. You sum it all up very well.  For people with the never ending need to find more info regarding how much input Brian really had in BWPS, I feel we've never hit hard enough on Darian instead of Brian.  We can try tirelessly to contact Brian and his friends about the 2004 project, but isn't there more in depth talk with Darian to see what he has to say.  I wonder if time will permit him to speak total truth on what happened.  He's an intelligent guy who I'd not have a problem believing if asked the right questions.  Maybe he was told not to indulge too much info to outside sources on how much Brian did, but maybe down the road it will be easiler.

@Nathan: Do you remember what they said about the rooftop-reunion? I am such a freak for hearing that stuff.

Mike just rehashed that SOS had recently topped the 2 million mark in sales and that they were presented an award at which all surviving BB's attended.  No, there wasn't any new info or anything leaked from Mike.  Sorry to dissappoint, but I'm with you...I wish we'd know something!

Yes, I attended the concert and had a great time. We got there around 4pm and set up chairs with decent seats. The weather was great, albeit a little warm in the 90's. They came on and played from 6-8:30 with several 10 straight sets. They had plenty of talk and banter between tracks, the crowd was pretty into it, esp when Bruce did his solo, "I Write the Songs" bit which went over VERY well and sounded very sweet. Also, from previous times, I thought Bruce's vocal on GOK was improved. Also, Mike's vocals were normal which is to say generally pretty good, but the leads his band members took were better yet. It made me really miss Carl and Al's leads. Because of the extra long set we heard songs that atleast I hadn't heard them play in the past including Cool Head, Warm Heart, Good to My Baby, You're So Good To Me, Good Timin', Still Cruisin', Summer In Paradise, a great version of Its OK, and so on. They played all of the songs they started doing recently too like When I Grow Up. Really, I should have kept a setlist because it was extensive. The crowd was estimated at 15,000 and twenty minutes after the concert were the main events fireworks overlooking the river on Harrisburg's City Island parallel to the stage. Mike again spoke favorably to Brian's talent and reminded the audience of Carl/Dennis' input. (Bruce remembered Carl during GOK, and Mike sang Do You Wanna Dance in memory of Dennis.) They also talked about their new release from Hallmark and SOS and mentioned their recent reunion at the Crapitol Tower. Overall, a great night in the city and thank god the weather held out the entire night. They seemed to have a great time.

Well, I live near Harrisburg, PA and our Hallmark Store did sell me a copy.  I asked for one and one older lady did make the effort to go to the stock room and pull one out for me while noting they are not for sel yet.  Its enjoyable for one or two listens but not much else.  The live songs are nice.  Dance, Dance, Dance is alright. Wouldn't It be Nice is pretty tight and I really like Al's lead from '73.  Kokomo is not as good as the original and Mike's batter is old.  LDC is taken too slow and IGA is in its normal live version. Good Vibs is also nice from '73. Its funny to hear IGA with the same falsetto of Jeffrey Foskett as on Live at Roxy.  At first I had to make sure Live at Roxy wasn't playing.  Now, I had purchased Al's PT Cruiser single as soon as it was released several years ago, so that wasn't new to me.  It is still a nice tune, but has already worn on me. Mike's new cut is pretty catchy and does have nice vocals.  I have his album via the internet and the only unfortunate thing is that it is one of the 'highlight' tracks.  Brian's new track is however a 'bit' of a disappointment.  I mean, I DO like it, but I may still like the Sweet Insanity version better.  'Not that either version is magnificent'   The song sounds like it would have fit perfectly on GIOMH.  The song would have benefited from more studio time to develop an all around better backing track, but Brian seems these days less and less interested in doing that.  Overall, its a nice little release, but maybe not something to quite get your hopes up for.  Sorry if that sounds negative.

Agreed.  Believe it or not, I'm REALLY digging Mike's new version of Brian is Back.  His voice really sounds aged in it, no winey winey, but hey it sounds really sweet. 

Yeah, I love them all, but have to admit that I get grossed out everytime Mike talks about him taking his clothes off and hoping in bed in, "I Just Got My Pay".   I mean, yes, its not gross within itself, but I just don't care to hear him sing about it!!! 

I listen to the music, not the equipment.

Don't quite understand where that came from.  I do enjoy the 5.1 surround the most on a JBL Northridge Series speaker setup closely followed by the remastered stereo edition Pet Sounds cd via Grado SR-80 headphones.  What a difference equipment makes in the music you listen to.

I haven't seen much talk on Beach Boys' boards about Ringo Starr which kind of surprises me.  I think his couple of 90's and 00's albums are very good albums which are always in heavy rotation in my life.  His last three, "Choose Love", "Ringorama", and "Vertical Man" are easily the best of his career and have so many hooks packed into each song its crazy and GREAT!!  Very similiar to Beach Boys and Beatles great tunes and the records sound tight and raw.  Try to track down his Ringorama CD with the bonus DVD.  Its a BLAST to see behind the scenes of recording the album and how much fun they have.  You can see clips of Van Dyke Parks recording  his layered accordion sound for one of the tunes.  As much as people were pleased with Brian Wilson's contribution to Neil Diamonds latest single, I thought people would really like Ringo's tunes recently which feature Brian's backup.  One is from the early ninties album, "Time Takes Time" and the song is "In A Heartbeat".  The other is from 1998's, "Vertical Man", and its called, "Without understanding".   These tunes are greatly complimented by Brian's Beach Boys style harmonies.  My favorite of his LP's is Ringorama, though, because songs like "I think, therefore, I rock 'n' roll" will never get out of your head!!!