Would "I've Got a Friend" count?

Here's the group plus John Stamos rehearsing "Forever" with Carl on acoustic guitar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL2_OyJfnCo

If you get the chance, check out some early stuff from The Brian Jonestown Massacre. A wonderful band that truly captures the mid-60's psychedelic sound. Also a shoegazing group (not so much in their recent stuff, but it's all still good).

Comedy Bang! Bang! anyone?

What's up with the fade on "Transcendental Meditation"? It jumps from loud to soft to silence in a matter of seconds. Was this always intended or was it a mistake made during mixing?

The Byrds are definitely one of my top 10 favorite musical groups, and all of their phases/lineups seem great to me. No matter what they did: Rock, Folk, Psychedelia, Country, Roots Rock, It's all fantastic. This isn't necessarily a "favorite track" thread, but when you're discussing any band, it almost seems natural.

1. Goin' Back
2. Have You Seen Her Face
3. Lady Friend
4. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
5. Mr. Tambourine Man
6. Hickory Wind
7. Chestnut Mare
8. Draft Morning
9. It's All Over Now Baby Blue
10. Ballad of Easy Rider

A lot of these are covers, but the Byrds might as well have written them. If you talk to someone about "Turn, Turn, Turn", which one will yo talk about? The Byrds version or Mary Hopkin's? The Byrds had the ability to take a cover and make it their own, especially with those wonderful Dylan tunes. They're just great.

P.S: Their harmonies were some of the best at the time (second only to the Beach Boys, of course).

Personally, I am a fan of the potato (or "Potatoe" to a certain Mr. Q). However i also enjoy a nice bit of green bean if i'm feeling frisky.

Are there any known recordings of the Wiskey A-Go-Go gigs with Brian?

1.Marcella: Just an all around great song.
2.All This Is That: It was this song that got me into the album. It's oh-so nice and melodic. I'm glad they still do it live.
3.Cuddle Up: One of Dennis' finest moments on record. Absolutely fantastic.
4.Here She Comes: One of many great rockers on this album, and probably the best Fataar/Chaplin composition on a Beach Boys record.

5.He Come Down: Probably tied for fourth with Here She Comes, but the latter is just a bit better. This is probably the most fun sounding songs on the album, and I like that a lot.
6.You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone : This ones alright. The vocals I think could be better, but it still works.

7.Make It Good: I used to really like this song, but upon more recent listens, it just seems a bit too free form (if those are the right words). There isn't much real structure to it. There's no denying its power though.
8.Hold On Dear Brother: Never has been a favorite of mine. Just sorta drags along. Not the best start to side 2.

From what I've read, Bruce was originally brought on for bass playing duties. I haven't seen anything that says he was the official falsetto voice of the Beach Boys during this time. I know that Glen Campbell was, but I think after that Brian's parts were assigned to whoever's voice sounded best. Then again, I could be wrong.

Who does the chorus falsetto on the final version?

For the 15BO version? That's Brian.

This album is great! I love it when bands perform "deeper" tracks, especially The Beach Boys. The songs on here are absolutely fantastic! Even the ones that seem a little sub-par are great. Like others, I agree that Marcella and Heroes and Villains really rock, and the slower tunes like Surfer Girl and Caroline, No are lovely. Plus, the only official place to find We Got Love. I would've liked to see some other songs on here (It's About Time, Wild Honey, Long Promised Road, etc), but hey, like I said, the album is great just how it is. Probably one of the best live releases I've heard from a band (with the possible exception of "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!"). Nobody can do it quite like the Beach Boys.

[Don't Go Near The Water]

Don't Go Near The Water: That mandolin/vocal tag at the end is wonderful.

Wind Chimes (Smiley Smile): The a capella section towards the end is great.

I'm So Young: Probably my most favorite cover in their whole catalogue.

Surfer Girl (Early Version): This may be the Candix version (If there is such a thing), but with its echo drenched vocals and slower, more mellow feel, it's almost better than the officially released take.

Break Away: The final tag, starting with the "oh boy, you'll jump for joy..." is fantastic. The a capella bit online is even better.

Time To Get Alone: The version on "Hawthorne" with the a capella tag. The original is great as well.

Really, anytime there's an a capella bit in a Beach Boys song, you know it's gonna be awesome.

I read somewhere that the Van Dyke character was so far from the truth that they had to change his name to something else. Is this true? Or am I thinking about a different character?

What would a setlist for a Beach Boys/Kinks tour look like? Do you think they'd stick to the hits (Good Vibrations/You Really Got Me) or toss in some rarities (Shangri-La/ Marcella), or do a little of both? That would be interesting to see.

This is a pretty good live album from the group.  You've got some fun classics, some rarities and the all around great Beach Boys sound. However, with the possible exception of Good Vibrations, the whole album seems pretty rushed. Their Hearts Were Full of Spring really suffers from this. While that's really my only complaint with the album, it's pretty significant (to me at least). 6/10.

Back in my Junior High School Days, I was a huge Beatles fan. However, I was ready for something new to have on my iPod. At the time, I was only aware of the Beach Boys' surf/summer-fun music, but I was still willing to give them a chance. Then one night, while listening to "Good Vibrations" on YouTube, I noticed an interesting looking song in the suggestion box: "Vegetables". One listen and I was immediately hooked. After that, I looked up the album it was on. Something called "Smiley Smile". Then I learned the whole "Smile" story. I was intrigued. Then I started listening to other cuts, such as "Wonderful", "Gettin' Hungry" and "She's Goin' Bald". My friends thought I was going crazy when I showed them "With Me Tonight" and told them It was one of my favorite Beach Boy songs.

Even after the release of "The Smile Sessions", the album still holds up. There's hardly any comparison between the two albums. I have to be in a mood to listen to "Smile", but I can listen to "Smiley Smile" whenever I feel like it. You get a sense of intimacy when listening to the album, something that's lacking from "Smile". There's more charm to the record, as well. The underproduced sound that runs through most of the album is a refreshing change after the over-the-top production values of the mid sixties. This album stands alone as one of the prime examples of why i like The Beach Boys. It's hard to explain why I like it so much, but then again, a lot of the Beach Boys story is hard to explain.

To me there is a direct line from Smiley Smile to Vampire Weekend.

Most definitely.

Back in my Junior High School Days, I was a huge Beatles fan. However, I was ready for something new to have on my iPod. At the time, I was only aware of the Beach Boys' surf/summer-fun music, but I was still willing to give them a chance. Then one night, while listening to "Good Vibrations" on YouTube, I noticed an interesting looking song in the suggestion box: "Vegetables". One listen and I was immediately hooked. After that, I looked up the album it was on. Something called "Smiley Smile". Then I learned the whole "Smile" story. I was intrigued. Then I started listening to other cuts, such as "Wonderful", "Gettin' Hungry" and "She's Goin' Bald". My friends thought I was going crazy when I showed them "With Me Tonight" and told them It was one of my favorite Beach Boy songs.

Even after the release of "The Smile Sessions", the album still holds up. There's hardly any comparison between the two albums. I have to be in a mood to listen to "Smile", but I can listen to "Smiley Smile" whenever I feel like it. You get a sense of intimacy when listening to the album, something that's lacking from "Smile". There's more charm to the record, as well. The underproduced sound that runs through most of the album is a refreshing change after the over-the-top production values of the mid sixties. This album stands alone as one of the prime examples of why i like The Beach Boys. It's hard to explain why I like it so much, but then again, a lot of the Beach Boys story is hard to explain.

Catch A Wave, Be With Me and The Trader are the three biggest favorites that i tend to stay away from. I know that I should like them, but I just... don't. Catch A Wave is too hokey (I hope that's a word) to me, and the other two come off as slightly pretentious. Hey, what can I say? To quote Gary Usher, "That's just the way i feel".

I don't like The Trader either. Never got why people like it so much.

It's something to do with the incredible moog bass, the stunning backing vocals, the killer melodic first half and the gorgeous second, the career-best Rieley lyrics and Carl delivering one of his best, most heart-felt vocals ever... At least that's why I like it.

I wish I were hearing the same song you are, Friend.

It's THE best song on Holland, by a mile. And I love all of Holland. What about Long Promised Road and Feel Flows - you dislike them too? Curious how some people just do not like Carl's song-writing, period. Whereas to me, when he was really on form he equalled his brothers.

On the contrary, Long Promised Road happens to be one of my favorite Beach Boy songs, and Feel Flows is great as well. The Trader however has never really appealed to me. I understand that it's a great artistic achievement, but it just isn't to my taste. The first half is fine, and the second half is good enough, but it goes on just a bit too long for me. Don't get me wrong, I think Carl is a great songwriter, I just think he's got better things to offer than The Trader.

When i first got into The Beach Boys about two years ago, this was the third album of theirs that i bought (right after Pet Sounds and Smile). For the longest time, it was my favorite of the three. I liked the three lead off tunes, most of Dennis' contributions, the Smile tracks and a few other songs here and there. It felt like a Beatles album, what with all its varying styles. And since the Beatles were my favorite group at the time, it was only natural that i dug it.

However, upon more recent listens, I've realized how odd it really is. I still like it, but I wouldn't call it my favorite. For example, two years ago, "I Went To Sleep" was a song that i could listen to for hours on end. But now, in the year of our good lord 2013, i'd probably skip over it. The album looks good from afar, with its hits and (at the time of its release) unheard Smile tracks. I mean, you'd think it'd be a smash! But once up close, and after you've finished all of the previously mentioned tracks, you just have to sit back and think: "What a strange album".

Still, a good album nonetheless. Just a bit off-putting is all.

Catch A Wave, Be With Me and The Trader are the three biggest favorites that i tend to stay away from. I know that I should like them, but I just... don't. Catch A Wave is too hokey (I hope that's a word) to me, and the other two come off as slightly pretentious. Hey, what can I say? To quote Gary Usher, "That's just the way i feel".

I find this album fascinating. I find it hard to describe/rate, but I can try, can't I?

1. "Pitter Patter": My favorite song on the album.
2. "Hey Little Tomboy": The best original song on the album. It would have been interesting to see what people thought of it had they left the spoken bits in       
3. "Peggy Sue": A very good cover. I can see why they chose that for the single.
4. "Winds of Change": A great album closer. Surprised that none of the Boys were involved with the writing.


5. "Come Go With Me": A decent enough cover. It could use a bit ore energy though IMO.
6. "Match Point of Our Love": Such a cheesy song, but enjoyable nonetheless. Brian sounds great on it.
7. "Kona Coast": An interesting song. I enjoy listening to it after i hear "Kona Christmas", then laughing at all the trite word changes.
8. "Sweet Sunday Kinda Love": Carl's showcase on the album. Another song that lacks energy.

9. "My Diane": A greatly produced/sung song, but it just never seems to grab me like it seems it should. Great Dennis lead though.
10. "Wontcha Come Out  Tonight": Another good Brian lead, but the song is just strange to me. I don't know what it's trying to accomplish. It sounds like they were poking fun at 50's style songs in the chorus, but then it sounds like a relatively serious attempt at a song (vocal-wise at least) during the verses. It's just confusing.
11. "She's Got Rhythm" : Brian's falsetto is positively cringe educing. If i could take one song off this album, it would either be this, or...

12. "Belles of Paris": Obviously trying to achieve a certain "Michelle" quality, but the song ultimately falls flat. I'll try to listen to it, but i can never make it past the first verse. It's just too much to handle.


Overall, I think that Al, Ron and Brian did the best they could with the album considering the situation. I would have enjoyed a few more contributions from Carl and Dennis, but you can't have everything I suppose. However, the group hadn't sounded this good vocal-wise since "Sunflower", Brian especially. Sure, i enjoy listening to it more than most people, but i wouldn't play it too often. One listen too many in one sitting can ruin it immediately. Still, a pretty good album overall.

It's been said before, but i'll say it again, It is difficult to choose just 5 songs, but i think i"ve narrowed it down.

"Life Is For The Living": Most likely my favorite "Adult/Child" song out there (with the possible exception of the original "Hey Little Tomboy").

"Out In The Country": The version with just Al and the Organ. Would make a great addition to anyone's collection.

"Big Sur (Acoustic Version)": The only song that i think should have been on the box itself. Why keep such a great version of this song locked up?

"Stevie": What a fun little slice of quirkiness from Brian Wilson. The fact that it's from the 80's (I think) is pretty cool to me.

"Michael Row The Boat Ashore": Not only is this a fascinating recording, but it's a darn fine one as well! I really dig it, man.


Live Stuff:

"How She Boogalooed It"
"You Need A Mess of Help to Stand Alone"
"Cuddle Up"
"Student Demonstration Time
"Here Comes The Night (Disco Version)"