I ordered all 4 sets because, as my wife likes to remind me, I have a problem when it comes to The Beach Boys.  I have been very excited about this release as it has been a favourite era of the band for me for a long time.  Only 3 of the sets showed up (the 5 cd set should be delivered in a week says amazon) which makes me sad as it was the one I wanted most but patience is good for the soul they say.  But loving what I have heard so far.  I haven't opened the vinyl sets and have been devouring the 2 cd set right now.  Damn.  So good.  An embarrassment of riches.  Some preliminary thoughts:

The bonus tracks alone on the 2 cd set are worth the wait, and worth their weight in gold.
These bonus tracks SOUND so good. I'm hearing so many fresh ingredients in these mixes.  Makes me appreciate each and every song even more.  Thanks Mark and Alan.
The guitar in this version of Soulful Old Man Sunshine is a revelation.  Who is playing that?  Must be a session guy?
Best version of Suzie Cincinnati ever.  It Rocks - HARD.
Love hearing more Brian vocals from this era.  So pure.  So much emotion. All the boys are singing like angels here.  No other band has singers this good.  Harmony arrangments this good.
As always the vocals only versions are beautiful revelations and are my favourite part of these sets.
Dennis material.  Wow.  And this was his greatest era for vocals which makes it even better.

And I haven't even finished the 2 cd set, because I keep hitting the back button to listen the the previous track multiple times.  These sets will keep me out of trouble for a long time.  So happy.

Big thanks to Desper for capturing so much of this magic so many years ago.  Big thanks to Howie, Alan and Mark for making this project a reality.  So many obstacles and delays but here we are.  You should feel proud.  Magnificent work here gents!  For so long this era has felt like a carefully guarded secret by many.  A hidden badge of honour among fans.  But this material deserves better.  Now is the time, and this team has done so much work to shine a light on it.  Thanks.

Biggest thanks to Brian, Mike, Carl, Dennis, Al, and Bruce who all shine here.  The sum is truly greater than the parts.  I love The Beach Boys.  This has been a tough time for so many, but this music has healing properties.  Gotta go listen some more!  Thanks!

Fantastic video!  I am so happy to see a great light shining on this, often, far too overlooked period in the boys' history.  I know most of here are the choir being preached to, and of course we are all so excited about the unreleased stuff, the a cappella stuff (my personal fave), the session stuff, pictures, promo etc.  But I am really hoping that this Feel Flows project helps educate the greater music world about the maturity, complexity and the sheer beauty that The Beach Boys gave birth to in this period.  It fell on mostly deaf ears in 1970.  It deserves better.  And this great team is doing God's work.  Lol!  Sincerely, a big thanks to Howie, Mark, Alan (and all the other unsung heroes) behind this project.  But mostly to Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, Alan and Bruce for creating this material.  It has brought me such joy and more people should be invited to the party!

I just bought and am currently devouring Big Sur on iTunes.  Sounds heavenly!  What a sweet appetizer!  Can't wait for the main course.

Damn, am I the only one literally drooling over the tastiness of this set!  So excited.  I have always loved this underappreciated (by the general music buying public) era of the band's work.  This beautiful set seems like a wonderful in depth exploration of the work and an embarrassment of riches.

Many thanks to Howie (I really enjoyed your posts and teasers leading up to this announcement), Mark and Alan, and everyone else involved in what is clearly a labour of love.  I had the opportunity to exchange messages (and provide concert tickets) with/to Mark several years back and Alan Boyd was kind enough to invite me over to his place to talk Beach Boys and listen to some wonderful audio treats.  Top Gents. My limited experience with these folks behind these projects is that they are knowledgeable, passionate professionals who know and love the music. They work hard.  We all know how difficult it is to please all parties involved with this band that we love so much.  Your work is appreciated.  Thanks for keeping the legacy alive and vital!

As others have said, this has been a very trying last year and a half.  This promise of this set has been a carrot that has kept me going and holding out hope for the future.  Perhaps that sounds overly dramatic but it is the truth.  

Roll on July 23.  And if anyone can find a listing to preorder on Amazon Canada send me a link.  Doesn't seem available for preorder yet.  I know I will be purchasing every variation possible because I am a geek like that and that is just what I do.  If loving The Beach Boys is wrong, I don't wanna be right!

I signed the petition.  I love The Beach Boys.  The sound of those boys around a microphone singing together is my very favourite sound on earth.  It truly is. 

I am certain that this Feel Flows set contains more moments that the world needs right now.  Harmony of the purest kind.  Carl Wilson said, "The music does have a spiritual a spiritual quality to it.  Just an indescribable thing it did to the environment."  I agree.  The world could really use more of these moments.  I urge those with any sway to help make this wonderful and often criminally over-looked period of the boys history help heal, educate and bring more recognition to a band that deserves it.  My thanks to Mark Linett and Alan Boyd who have worked very hard for many years to protect and grow the legacy of The Beach Boys.  Stay safe folks and Add Some Music To Your Day!

I can't be the only guy checking iTunes everyday waiting for what will no doubt be the best Christmas present I will receive this year!  Bring it on!  I love The Beach Boys!

I agree Captain.  These names make the cynical part of me think that maybe Joe is coordinating the sessions again.  Brian's band are incredibly talented musicians and more than capable of laying down great bed tracks, but on the other hand, sometimes major labels often feel more confident in finished tracks with grizzled studio rat vets like Aronoff, Wachtel, Don Was, Jim Keltner, Mark Isham, Dean Parks, Michael Rhodes, Eddie Bayers etc as the instrumental foundation.  Many believe that it makes the recordings easier to sell.  Whether or not that is true is debatable.  But regardless if Brian uses his incredible band or these studio vets, there is no doubt that Brian gets great players on his recordings.

Also, drummer for hire Kenny Aronoff stated that he had some studio time booked working for Brian Wilson very recently.  Fingers crossed.  Kenny did some work on No Pier Pressure as well.  I'd way rather have a new record than Brian sluggishly half singing through another Pet Sounds tour.  I love going to see Brian Wilson live but after seeing 3 shows on the last PS tour it just seems Brian is least interested when singing the PS album and comes to life more during the other non PS songs.  At any rate the thought of new recordings from Brian (and hopefully Al and Blondie) is very exciting.

Thanks Big Daddy!  I only ask as there was that one year where there was a huge variation in pricing in the Beatles and Beach Boys copy write extension sets and then the price was changed and I was just curious how standardized the prices were.

Are the prices the same in each country for this?  Just curious.  In Canada it is $15 for the Sunshine Tomorrow and $55 for Live Sunshine.  Can't complain as it is an embarrassment of riches.  Just wanted to also add my thanks to those involved.  So wonderful to hear all of this material.  This will be my favourite Christmas gift.  The vocals only stuff just reduces me to jello in the best way possible.

Thanks for chiming in Howie.  Your teaser post has me drooling.  Wild Honey has always been a big fave in my house!

I saw the Vancouver show on Saturday (flew in from Calgary) and am seeing the Calgary show tonight!  I also saw the Hollywood Bowl show this past summer earlier in the Pet Sounds tour.  The Vancouver show was great.  Brian was in good humour, voice and form for the first set.

They started with a clip of River Deep Mountain High with Mertens and then Gregory handling the vocals then went right into Cal Girls.  Highlights for me were Brian on The Night Was So Young, Blondie on Feel Flows, Wild Honey and Sail On Sailor (man that guy has the rock swagger thang going on), Matt Jardine on Don't Worry Baby and Let Him Run Wild (he is my fave falsetto next to Brian's classic era and perhaps Frankie Valli), and damn near everything that comes from Al Jardine's vocal cords!

To be honest Brian didn't seem very into Pet Sounds and his vocals and phrasing really took a downturn during this set.  He did deliver on God Only Knows and Sloop John B but the other tracks suffered.

Brian seemed to kick back into gear during the encore.  I really enjoyed the show overall.  The band is UNBELIEVABLE.  I have seen them over 30 times and they do not disappoint.  Always worth the time and expense of traveling to see them.  I got a copy of the setlist thanks to fellow Canadian Clint (Big thanks!), and I had a nice chat with Brian's first wife Marilyn and her equally charming husband Daniel who Brian dedicated the show to.  Always a privilege to see the master Brian.  Go see him now folks as the song goes, "Won't last forever...it's kinda sad".

Looking forward to Calgary tonight.  Hope the band makes it safely through the snowstorm!  I'd love to hear Wake The World (I have seen the band play that yet), or Honkin Down The Highway.  Fingers crossed!

I am going to the Vancouver and Calgary show early in the tour.  Looking forward to it.  I saw the Hollywood Bowl show this past summer and really enjoyed it.  Matt Jardine on the high parts really does it for me.

I also have 4 great seats for sale at face value for the Vancouver show if anyone wants some great close orchestra seats for a sweet price.  PM me if interested.

Hey John Manning,

I did exactly the same thing as you.  I was told the same thing.  Have heard nothing since as well.  I am sceptical but holding onto hope.  I was at this concert (sitting beside BGas funnily enough) and really want to have this in my collection.  If is see pics of BGas with a new tan or some new rare vinyl, I might start to get more suspicious though.  ;-)

Just ordered the IJWMFTT vinyl.  Can you tell me where the crease was so that I can inspect before I open it and return it if need be.  Thanks in advance.

In my dream world, this song would be in a big movie soundtrack in an integral scene, would be released as a single and would receive much support form the record company and be a hit.  I love Brian Wilson and have really enjoyed his solo work but have never believed that much of his earlier work would be hit single type of material.  As much as I have enjoyed earlier stuff it seemed unrealistic that it could be big hit radio material.  But this song has serious potential, I think.  Perhaps that has been Brian's hope too.  I am a junior high teacher and have been grooving to this song all morning long and when the kids come in they have asked about it and are really diggin' it.  I told kids the album and release date and many are going to drop the $1.29 on itunes and make it happen.  This is the best song of 2015 for me and it will be the soundtrack of my summer.

Far and away my favourite song that has leaked out thus far (and I am really enjoying the others).  Takes me back to the Vegas show.  Nate was the standout guest.  Wait until you hear the full Hold On, Dear Brother.  You will pee your pants or cry or whatever it is you do when you are completely blown away.  This song could be a hit.  Love the banjo.  Killer production.  Backing vocals on the chorus is the sound of the summer waves washing the wax out of your ears.  Brian, you are gift that just keeps on giving!  Thanks for bringing such joy at a time when I really need it!

Just wanted to express my thanks to Ray Lawlor for coming in and sharing his great insight.  I love to know how songs are birthed.  I always enjoying hearing stories of demos and how songs morph into their final versions.  A great look into an artist's process.  Thanks again, Ray, for helping to make this board a great place to visit.

The big question is who is singing the lead guide vocal?  It doesn't sound anything like Brian or Nate.  Enquiring minds want to know...

TV Forces,
I said nothing about Mp3s.  I am one of those silly completist collector types.  I ordered both versions of the cd and the vinyl.

Thanks for the Elton John recommendation.  I have never heard the full Tumbleweed Connection album.  Just bought the SACD and really enjoying it!  Sub topic for Elton fans - What are your top 3 Elton records? 

Loved The Four Seasons and Frankie Valli.  Bob Crewe's contributions were a large part of the records' charm.  Great productions.  Inventive percussion.  Aggressive vocals.  My absolute fave is Rag Doll.  Out "wall-of-sound's" Phil Spector's work IMHO.  Everything about that record is sheer perfection.  Lyrics, Instrumental track, harmonies, lead vocal.  The intro and the fade are glorious.  Melodramatic, almost operatic and religious but just perfect pop music really.  Listen to it again.  It does not disappoint.

 http://youtu.be/kJY83Ehuq1Y

RIP Bob.  Your music will live on for generations.

Thanks for the reports!  Must see this soon.  I was so worried that it would be a disaster or let down like some of the previous attempts.  Seems like all reviews thus far (from attendees and pro critics) are quite positive.

Now I want to know what will be on the soundtrack!!!

This Song Wants To Sleep With You Tonight.  Love this one.  Should have been on the very short soundtrack and would have made it much better as a result.

Different strokes for different folks Shady.   Have you ever heard Matt perform live?  He is the real deal.  Always a highlight of seeing Al's band live.  Best news I have heard all day!  I like Foskett and really appreciate the critical role he seems to plays as a support for Brian, but in the world of Beach Boy Falsettists (sp?) Matt just seems to get closest to that sweet 1960's Brian like whine.  Really excited to hear the results!!!!