May I ask a question or two, without any aggression attached (of course) but rather with a mind filled with a certain amount of frustration?  
 
This is regarding an observation John Manning made earlier in this thread.

Why, oh why do so many topics on this board end up turning ugly?  I completely understand that there are very knowledgeable individuals here who may have dealt with Beach Boys material for a number of years and therefore hold themselves in rather high esteem but I have to point out that after going through a number of topics through the years, whenever someone perhaps less knowledgeable comments, or indeed further enquires as to how or why something was recorded or what was said by whom at certain sessions, then why do some of those highly knowledgeable members take great offense and turn nasty?  Perhaps those board members should reconsider this approach and choose to either address the comment or enquiry in a less hoity manner or simply settle on a "no comment".  Indeed if you feel you are completely satisfied with the information you hold then why make a point of name-calling if someone debates your point?  I understand the annoyance of having someone less informed as it were going on and on about something and never reading what is being said to them but instead continues to jab and cause upheaval, but if someone simply asks along the lines, "Are you sure?" or "Is that REALLY how it happened?" then why not answer them in a decent manner instead of reverting to nastiness? Yes, you're knowledgeable and I for one am grateful to have members on this board like yourselves who take time out to give of their valuable information, etc. but when topics so often end up leaving a bitter taste in your mouth then why should anyone want to continue asking questions, posting their views, or indeed even continue visiting this board?  

Again, I am not trying to cause any problems here with this post.  These are just observations I have made which is why I have posted these questions.  I usually keep pretty much to myself 'round here but let's try to be just a little friendlier on this board, please?  

Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone has a decent copy of a photograph shown in the "Brian Wilson - Songwriter" documentary.  It is a photo of Brian (I'm guessing early 1970s) SORT of smiling with two cherubs on either side of him which have obviously been illustrated in to the photo.  Anyone know of this picture? 
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! 

I had read somewhere (I think in ESQ's excellent LA LIGHT issue) that Full Sail was written by Carl and Geoffrey Cushing-Murray one day while out on Dennis' boat.  And that Geoffrey sings on Full Sail, during the middle 8 ("...adventures on the high seas...")

I wonder if that's just speculation about Geoffrey singing, or if that's indeed confirmed? It doesn't sound quite like a BB member, so it probably is true, and if so, Geoffrey would join the very small group people who are non-BB bandmembers that sang lead vocal portions of a BB song.

It's Geoffrey & Carl combined. Notation on track sheet confirms it.

Very interesting... Thanks for the confirmation, c-man!

Wow, I didn't know that.  I tell ya, I learn something new about them every single day.  

Thanks for the tip CenturyDeprived.  I'll have to give that one a listen for sure.  Like you say, the band certainly were able to take their own melodies and make use of them a few times over if required.  With regards to the bridge section, I was actually wondering the same thing.  When I first heard it it sort of reminded me of a Hall and Oates kind of melody and vocal delivery.  Anyway, it's a shame that the song isn't included on "Best Of" collections.  

Lonely Summer:  Yes, Carl's songwriting was really something special. 

Not at all. 

Quite frankly, I think LA is underrated.  Take away the overly long disco version of Here Comes the Night, and I think you have a pretty decent album, especially when you take into account the LPs that would follow. 

Very true KDS.  In actual fact, I'm having a listen to the entire album now and it's a good place for me to stop in terms of their output.  I'm afraid I don't like any of their albums from the 80s and don't ever seem to listen to albums "Stars and Stripes" and "That's Why God Made The Radio".

Besides including songs "Good Timin', Angel Come Home" and "Baby Blue", I had had the impression that albums like "L.A" were better left placed on the shelf.  There really only to appease my appetite for having a complete discography but I have to admit the more I listen to Carl's "Full Sail" (and I've had it on repeat for a better part of the evening) I am almost possessed by its beauty.  I forgot about this one.  I heard his voice come on and I thought, "Lovely, good ol' Carl."  But then that string arrangement comes in on the second verse and it absolutely blew my mind, along with those backing harmonies.  Really, really a beautiful piece of music.  It has that ability to take me far, far away.  Just had to share that little thought.  Hope you all don't mind.  

Just because I've always loved the song and seeing as it was released in early 1970, I would love to have heard the guys cover the Johnny Mandel/Mike Altman composition"Suicide Is Painless".  I think a 1970 Carl Wilson lead vocal with backings from Brian and the rest would have sounded just wonderful...  add to that, Stephen Desper on the board with Carl and himself doing the final mix...  A sad song, I know but somehow I can already hear their young voices soaring in the chorus. 

Ah, Carmen Dragon also composed the music for one of my favorite 50s sci-fi films "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"...  I just never put two and two together until you mentioned his name, Stephen!  

 COMMENT to silodweller:

You may be interested to know that a new CD of the "Invasion" sound track is available - only 2000 copies made.

Limited Edition >>> http://www.lalalandrecords.com/Site/IOTBS.html

The samples sound clean and clear, good dynamics for that era, mono of course.

~swd

Thanks for the heads up, Stephen.  I actually came across an article about the soundtrack a few weeks ago.  The samples sound great.  Still some copies available so I will be going for that. 

I've managed to pick up a copy of this release and it really is clear, clean and with great dynamics!  I love these mono releases.  The guys there have a done a sterling job with this release of such a great score.  Sorry to go off the topic of The Beach Boys here...  Just thought I had to rave about it.

It's hidden and buried somewhere underground in Hawthorne, CA.  We need Geraldo Rivera to uncover it.

Hahaha!...  But all joking aside, the vaults are probably located in Linett's basement by the sounds of it...  *cough*

I've always loved Brian's vocal on this one.  I tend to play the demo version from the 30 Years of The Beach Boys box set more often than any other version but if I want to be swept away in total harmonic bliss I put on the 1971 group effort.  The whole song is a stand out.  I can't choose any one section. 

Ah, Carmen Dragon also composed the music for one of my favorite 50s sci-fi films "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"...  I just never put two and two together until you mentioned his name, Stephen!  

 COMMENT to silodweller:

You may be interested to know that a new CD of the "Invasion" sound track is available - only 2000 copies made.

Limited Edition >>> http://www.lalalandrecords.com/Site/IOTBS.html

The samples sound clean and clear, good dynamics for that era, mono of course.

~swd

Thanks for the heads up, Stephen.  I actually came across an article about the soundtrack a few weeks ago.  The samples sound great.  Still some copies available so I will be going for that. 

Ah, Carmen Dragon also composed the music for one of my favourite 50s sci-fi films "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"...  I just never put two and two together until you mentioned his name, Stephen! 

Hey Bonnie,

Welcome to the board!  It's always wonderful to read about a person's first experience hearing The Beach Boys.  I'll have to admit that what I experienced when I first heard them was pretty much as awe-inspiring as your own.  I like to tell people that The Beatles made me want to pick up a guitar and learn how to play.  I never had chord books or anything, just a good ear.  But when I speak of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, that's when I say I really learned about music and what it can do to a person's soul.  It was only after I discovered Pet Sounds in my Dad's vinyl collection and playing it for the first time that I suddenly realized that I could hear all those harmony parts, break them down into their separate voices.  Oddly enough, I had never thought much about it when listening to other music.  I guess I've always heard music playing in my head but Brian Wilson actually got me thinking that I should sit at a piano or guitar and actually work out those melodies and harmonies I was hearing.  It's what continues to inspire me to write, write, write.  Thank you again for sharing your story with us and I truly hope you will find many interesting tidbits and maybe even a revelation or two as you continue to explore this message board!   

Okay, I'm not a fan of this album.  A rather awful attempt at trying to recapture those "vibes" that put them on the map in the first place.  Seriously, there comes a time when MEN should stop trying to sing about young girls, beaches, making out in cars, sum-sum-summertime, etc. etc.  Besides some good harmonies here and there it really doesn't do much for me.  What is that terrible overpowering bass drum they added to "When Girls Get Together" for?  It really adds nothing to the song. "Santa Ana Winds" is probably the only track besides "Goin' On" I enjoyed.

I'd like to hear The Beach Boys tackle "Two Of Us" and The Beatles take on "Student Demonstration Time".  Yep, that's what I'd like... 

[oomph]

Hm, for all the buzz around the box set and for the work put into Disc One, I still prefer listening to the version of "Do You Like Worms" found on the 30 Years of The Beach Boys box set.  Yes, the "Bicycle Rider, just see what you've done..." bit hadn't been inserted and the "bend" in the vocals during the second verse is in your face, but you know what?  I think it's awesome!  The bass guitar just after the Hawaiian "chant" sounds great.  Somehow the oomph of the bass during that little section is lacking low end on the Smile Sessions. 

Hello there,

I don't know if this has been asked before but I'm willing to post this question anyway.  "Busy Doin' Nothin'" has always been a favourite of mine, from the sound of Brian's voice, the instrumentation (is that an Electra Piano or Rocksichord playing along with the guitar?) and the great chord changes.  Also, upon first hearing the track I heard what sounds a lot like a vocal humming during the verses (the second verse has a humming in a higher register too) but sort of goes off key as it moves downwards on the scale.  It's pretty buried in the mix but I've always wondered what it might be.  Was it Brian simply humming along or was it another instrument?  Like I mentioned earlier, the reason I felt it was humming is because it goes slightly off key in places.  Deliberately, I would imagine.  

Kind regards

COMMENT:  Could it be the humming you refer to is the sax and trombone overdub in the background?  ~swd

Hm, it could well be a sax or trombone.  More likely a trombone just by the sound of it.  Still, it seems to be placed "alone" or apart from the rest of the instruments, if you understand my meaning?  Interesting.  Thanks for the reply, Stephen.  

Hello there,

I don't know if this has been asked before but I'm willing to post this question anyway.  "Busy Doin' Nothin'" has always been a favourite of mine, from the sound of Brian's voice, the instrumentation (is that an Electra Piano or Rocksichord playing along with the guitar?) and the great chord changes.  Also, upon first hearing the track I heard what sounds a lot like a vocal humming during the verses (the second verse has a humming in a higher register too) but sort of goes off key as it moves downwards on the scale.  It's pretty buried in the mix but I've always wondered what it might be.  Was it Brian simply humming along or was it another instrument?  Like I mentioned earlier, the reason I felt it was humming is because it goes slightly off key in places.  Deliberately, I would imagine. 

Kind regards

There is also some footage of Brian in the studio in the Wrecking Crew documentary. including a short snippet of him seated at the piano with the other musicians at their various posts. 

... okay, okay I'm really bringing a topic back from the dead here but I have to say, YES, there is definitely "static" on that particular release (the mono version included in the Pet Sounds Sessions box set) but not there on both the original vinyl copy or the 1990 CD release. 

Once again, sorry about the raising the dead bit but it is clearly audible. 

Actually saw this last week for the first time.  I thought it was pretty good too.  Funnily enough I was wondering the same thing while watching it...  What did the other guys think of it, did they even bother seeing it?  Or was Brian still recovering from his unhappy cinematic experience with the film "Seconds" a number of years earlier? 

Love these.  Especially Jayne Mansfield...  *ho-hum*

Hi-Def?  Nah, no thanks. 

*Ah, sorry for the lack of enthusiasm but these re-releases just become thinner and thinner sounding to me*

*strumming guitar* "I'm thinkin' 'bout-a this whole world" *into drums*

That moment ALWAYS gets me. 

Hello there Stephen,

I wanted to write to say how much I've been enjoying your study videos, especially the ones concerning the recording of "Sunflower".  The album has been a favourite of mine for many years. 
To hear the needle drop section of your study video is really quite something.  I don't think I've ever heard the album sound as beautiful as that. 
My introduction to the music of The Beach Boys came when I was in my early teens (at which point I was already a die-hard Beatles fan) when I was digging through my Dad's collection of vinyl.  He had bought a mono copy of "Pet Sounds" when it was released in 1966.  That was the way I first heard it and it was an experience I obviously won't ever forget.  Through the years I've bought the various releases that have been forthcoming, including other editions of "Pet Sounds" but I have to say, I will often go back to the original vinyl and it will bring out an entirely different set of emotions.  Perhaps it has something to do with memories, I'm not sure. 
I have never really believed in the remastering thing, myself and am always slightly disheartened when I listen to what is considered worthy of a release these days.  The box set which came out in 2013 had some nice things on it but otherwise I found myself skipping tracks, cringing and even becoming upset by what I was hearing.  I don't have a shoddy Hi-Fi so I figure it can't be my system but honestly, I can't understand why there is this constant tampering with The Beach Boys' catalog.  I find it terribly hypocritical too to splash comments in booklets provided with these releases about what an amazing producer Brian Wilson was when all these people are doing is destroying the original intent of each track.  Perhaps I will stand alone in my opinions on this matter but I wish the catalog of such wonderfully uplifting and beautiful music would at last be put into the hands of someone who is more interested in maintaining the integrity of the music as it was recorded back in the day (perhaps someone as musically and sonically discerning as yourself).  After all, isn't that why we fell in love with this music in the first place? 
Again, I thank you for all your effort in presenting the music to us in the way it was meant to be heard (or as close as dammit!) and I hope for many more hours of your study videos.