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680599 Posts in 27601 Topics by 4068 Members - Latest Member: Dae Lims March 29, 2024, 12:04:30 AM
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1  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Stephen J. McParland on: August 14, 2017, 06:50:55 PM
Stephen has lived in Sydney Australia all his life. From a very young age he was a surfer and got  into The Beach Boys, Jan And Dean and the California culture and life style.

In the late 70s and going forward he did magazines, California Music, Beach Boys Australia and Gonna Hustle You (Jan & Dean) over a period 20 years.  Most of this pre Internet  Those were the days.
During this period he interviewed many, many associated with the California Music scene of the 60s. Many of those interviewed are no longer with us. I believe he has more knowledge of the surf music scene and culture than the researchers that actually live in the US and had easier access to interview the people.

He became friends with Gary Usher during this period and became Gary's official biographer writing "The California Sound, An Insiders Story, The Musical Biographer of Gary Lee Usher". He also has written over 30 books on the West Coast scene with books on P F Sloan, The Walker Brothers, Bobby Fuller Four, Beach Party movies, Gidget, Beach Street And Strip (a discography of surf and hot rod music), The Wilson Project (Brian's time with Gary Usher 1986-1987) and his biggest effort Waltzing The Plank (a history of Australian surf music from 1963 to 2013) as well as Heads You Win - Tails I Lose (The joint musical collaborations of Brian Wilson (& the Beach Boys) and Gary Usher 1962-1970) and Inception and Conception The Beach Boys 1961-1963 “from Hite Morgan to Nick  Venet”. This book was first published in 2011 and now is currently available in it's 4th edition. That book's genesis was the earlier Heads You Win book from several years earlier.

Stephen fills his book with more information than maybe is necessary and sometimes it comes off like an encyclopaedia.

I must mention as I feel he doesn't get the credit he deserves. He does actually interview the people and if he uses others people's interviews he fully credits them as his source. Much of his Inception book was used in James Murphy's book with virtually no credit as to how much of Stephen's work was actually in that book. I must stress that both books are must haves as there is plenty of information in James' book as well. There have been more recent books on PF Sloan, Bobby Fuller and Beach Party Movies. Stephen published his books on these subjects years before and again very little credit or none given to the work of Stephen used in those books.

I guess another issue for him is that he no longer publishes hard copy books and makes all of his books available via the internet and PDF files at very reasonable prices. Shipping books from Australia to overseas makes it impossible as that cost added to the cost of the book makes it prohibitive.

To find out more about Stephen just google Stephen J McParland. There is a lot out there.

Chris



2  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: What are the top books/resources ever written/produced about the Beach Boys? on: August 10, 2017, 10:18:11 PM
If you like "Becoming The Beach Boys 1961-1963" by James B. Murphy, then as an addition to that book which is equally as good and detailed is "INCEPTION AND CONCEPTION (FOURTH EDITION) 1961-1963 " By Stephen J McParland.
This fourth edition contain much new material and the detail within both of those books is a must for anyone wanting to know about the very early BBs. This fourth edition is part of Stephen's continuous upgrading since the first edition in 2011.

As an addition to Stephen's book comes INCEPTION AND CONCEPTION: THE (PHOTO) ALBUM

This 24 page PHOTO ALBUM is exactly that, pages and pages of photos, AFM contracts, record labels, picture sleeves and record album jackets; some of which can be found in THE BEACH BOYS 1961-1963: INCEPTION AND CONCEPTION - "From Hite Morgan To Nick Venet" and quite a few that can not.

This is simply an adjunct to the main book , supplying some extra images that I thought will add a little more information to those interested.

Both of Stephen's book are downloadable PDF file. The main book at $4.95 and the photo one at $1.

you can find them here   https://payhip.com/cmusicbooks

3  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: God Only Knows - Worst Record of Year on: December 27, 2016, 05:53:14 PM
Wasn't meant to be fake news. It was just a recollection I had from way back. Obviously not Rolling Stone and maybe no where else.  I guess I will go with my mind letting me down.
4  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / God Only Knows - Worst Record of Year on: December 25, 2016, 05:12:46 PM
We continually read about how this track is thought of today always placing high on all time greatest singles lists.

I have it in my mind that back in 1966 God Only Knows was rated as the worst single of the year. My recollection it was Rolling Stone magazine. It may well have been some other magazine.
Does any of our members recall that or is it just my mind playing tricks on me?

For me it has always been one of my personal favourite Beach Boys track so that recollection has bugged my for a long time.

Can anyone put this to rest for me?
5  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: THE BEACH BOYS 1961-1963 INCEPTION AND CONCEPTION on: September 28, 2016, 02:55:06 AM
Anyone read this and have any comments.
6  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / THE BEACH BOYS 1961-1963 INCEPTION AND CONCEPTION on: September 19, 2016, 09:41:04 PM
This is the fourth edition of Stephen McParland's BB book. For a short time is is available as a download I believe for $1 for a limited time. How could you go wrong.
Read the Blurb below.

This is a great addition to Jim Murphy's book and the two go hand in hand.


THE BEACH BOYS 1961-1963
INCEPTION AND CONCEPTION
“FROM HITE MORGAN TO NICK VENET”
FOURTH EDITION (EBOOK)
UNPUBLISHED AS A HARD COPY
158 PAGES
As is evident by FOURTH EDITION, this is the fourth time this book has been made available. This new
edition includes an extra 2 pages (than EDITION THREE) which contain a wealth of new information and
graphics not previously available anywhere else.
In this FOURTH EDITION you will find the story of the birth of the Beach Boys and the answers to many
questions, plus revelations that will change the established and accepted early history of the group.
Were The Beach Boys ever called The Pendletons/Pendletones?
What was the name of the group when they went to Candix Records?
Which was first: X-301, Candix 301 or Candix 331?
What has Richie Podolor to do with the Beach Boys?
Did Nick Venet really produce the Beach Boys?
Why did Alan Jardine leave the Beach Boys and then rejoin the group?
Were Alan Jardine and David Marks in the Beach Boys at the same time?
Were Danny Hamilton, Paul Johnson and Gary Usher ever earmarked as members of the Beach Boys?
Where were the September and October 1961 and February 1962 recording sessions undertaken by the
band recorded? At the Morgan’s Mayberry Street studio, the Morgan’s Melrose Avenue studio and/or
World Pacific’s studio?
When was the Surfin’ b/w Luau single really released?
Where did the CAN part of Candix REALLY come from; Candix Enterprises, Inc. being the first record label
to release a Beach Boys single?
Was there to be a follow-up “Beach Boys” single on Candix?
Or was it to be on Joe Saraceno’s Union record label?
Answers to these questions and more will be found in THE BEACH BOYS 1961-1963: INCEPTION &
CONCEPTION.
For the first time, the truth behind the birth of the Beach Boys will be revealed, largely by those who
WERE THERE.
Since its publication in 2011, this book has become the benchmark for all other books pertaining to the
Beach Boys, and the basis for more recently published books on the band.
You will not find any regurgitated “facts” in this book, only what really happened based on FACTUAL
DETAILS.
Includes 14 pages of photos (11 in colour), a full colour front and back cover, a DISCOGRAPHY,
BIBLIOGRAPHY, NOTES & REFERENCES (containing additional color graphics, photos, over 60 record labels,
plus record album covers, etc), plus a thorough INDEX.
DIRECT URL TO E-BOOK
https://payhip.com/b/uoya
100% off INCEPTION AND CONCEPTION (FOURTH EDITION)
7  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: The Complete Hite Morgan Sessions Will Be Released on: September 18, 2016, 05:21:50 PM
With the release of Becoming The Beach Boys, the two CD set by Omnivore Recordings, we finally have what is referred to as “The Complete Hite & Dorinda Morgan Sessions”, something all fans of the Beach Boys have been waiting for since Brad Elliott’s ill-fated First Wave project from 2000. Unlike Elliott’s project, the arrangement of tracks on Becoming The Beach Boys has all the recordings of the same songs titles grouped together. My preference would have been to present them in their historical order, that is September 1961 and the October recordings as separate sets. That to me is a better way of presenting this in a more historical way.

I like the packaging but do have a couple of question relating to how it is presented seeing as this is being presented as an historical item. I don’t understand why a 1964 photo of the group is included with the package. Surely there was access to more period relevant photos.  Even a better idea would have been to include the three issues of the Beach Boys’ Surfin’ single - Candix 331, X 301 and Candix 301 from left to right when the packaging is laid out flat. I realise the missing one is included in the booklet (page 5).

I am puzzled a bit about the photo of the tape box on page 13. This can’t be the original box from February 1962 as it has a zip code in the bottom left hand corner. Zip codes were not introduced until July 1963! So this tape box must at least date from after that. It has “Beach Boys Candix 1962” written on it, but this box could date from any time after mid 1963.

I don’t understand why a copy of the April 1962 session tape box is included when it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the music contained within this set.

Why not include tape boxes of some importance, like the boxes referred to in the Becoming the Beach Boys, 1961-1963 book, such as the World Pacific session with the group name “The Surfers” on it and/or the tape box reputedly featuring the wording in Dorinda Morgan’s hand of “Pendeltons Surfing Song.”
Do these actually exist is the question! That would most certainly confirm if Pendeltons as a name was being used at that time.

Where are the “missing” takes. If they no longer exist, it would have been nice for us to be informed of this. I do see in Jim Murphy’s response about this that explains it well but maybe that should have been in the booklet as well.

I find the Stereo Masters tape box on page 14 of the booklet very interesting. It indicates the recordings on this tape were 3 track recording and mentions what is on the left, centre and right of the recording. Mostly all the right contains the original track (I guess the music backing track) and on some of the tracks it indicates what is on the other 2 tracks. Would I be correct it assuming that the backing tracks were recorded first and vocals and other instruments mostly bass were overdubbed onto these other “tracks”. Would that mean that we could have had some of the original tracks without vocals made available to us.

I must say I am glad for this release and overall the release is most welcome. The audio is superb but the booklet just opened up to me a couple of questions.
8  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Sunflower on SACD on: August 07, 2016, 05:39:25 PM
And God blessed me with the set of ears I got.
Can't tell the differences but I know if I enjoy what I am listening to.
9  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Sunflower on SACD on: August 01, 2016, 08:29:37 PM
There may not have been a quad mix of Sunflower or Surfs Up but my OPPO player with the SACD set to multi channel sure pulls out a lot of rear channel information.
10  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Beach Boys \ on: March 02, 2016, 03:32:21 PM
Thanks everyone for your input.
I have heard them, a friend has those sets. He feels they are the originals.
Sound matters to me and I don't think I can download wav files of the CDs.
I guess I have to weigh up the cost against importance to have the tracks.
I like the way they show the progression of the construction of the tracks
Thanks again
11  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Found Shut Down (vol 1 of course) on: March 02, 2016, 03:24:23 PM
Yeah, is identical to the LP.
12  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Found Shut Down (vol 1 of course) on: March 01, 2016, 07:26:08 PM
I have a Japanese CD of the Shut Down LP (it wasn't ever Shut Down Vol 1) issued in 2012. It is the mono version of the album but the sound is slightly left of centre. If does have the Mitchum track but it also includes 4 Super Stocks featuring Gary Usher. 
13  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Beach Boys \ on: March 01, 2016, 07:12:39 PM
Are they worth $400 each? That's about $US 300 each. That is a real big layout of money.
14  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Beach Boys "Today" Seas Of Tunes on: February 29, 2016, 11:41:08 PM
Don't know if I can ask this on this forum but here goes anyway.
One of my local 2nd hand stores has 2 box sets of the Today album on a label called Sea Of Tunes (Volume 1 & 2). My guess is that they are bootlegs. They are numbered   815 & 774  of 1000.  Are these likely to be the original pressings? They are asking a hefty price and before I lay out the dollars I thought I would get some expert advice. The Today LP is one of my favorite BBs LPs.
Any help/advice would be appreciated.
15  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Becoming the Beach Boys, 1961-1963 -- Available Now! on: October 06, 2015, 09:57:49 PM
Hope this is not stepping on any ones toes, but after reading this book I have to comment on what appears to be a large amount of information in this book that I have read in the 4 year old book/E book written by Stephen McParland.
No mention of his book in this forum subject.
If anyone is interested in going back and reading McParland's book now in it's 3rd edition. This new edition contains an addition 18 pages, also has a lot of information not in Murphy's new book.

Go to this site https://payhip.com/CMusicBooks to check out how to purchase a copy of this book. It is pretty cheap.
That site lists all the book Stephen has done over the years that are all available for download. I think all are reasonably priced.


16  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Beach Boys Books on: July 16, 2014, 05:48:57 PM
Came across a great site today that has many downloadable books on The Beach Boys and surf music in general. Prices seemed pretty reasonable as well.
https://payhip.com/CMusicBooks
Cheers
17  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Lei'd In Hawaii - What's officially released? on: January 05, 2014, 01:18:23 AM
I have a boot called Aloha from Hawaii ( and Hollywood)
without listing all the tracks the information re the tracks reads:
Tracks 1-21: Live at the Honolulu International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, 25 August 1967 Tracks 22-34: 'Live-in-the-studio' rehearsals, 11 September 1967, Wally Heider's Studio, Hollywood, CA.

You never really know how accurate the information is on the sleeves of boots so this information could be way out. Several of the tracks in the first 21 are actually just introductions of the track about to be performed.
18  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Burton Cummings doesnt like TWGMTR! on: November 06, 2013, 02:50:20 AM
'scuse my ignorance but how do you distinguish/recognise what has been auto tuned?
19  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: '5 Classic Albums' release on: September 25, 2013, 08:03:38 PM
All pretty easy. The first 5 albums.
20  Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Song Database on: September 15, 2013, 08:15:53 PM
Has anyone put together a database of the different mixes (remixes)of songs in the CD era? As an example California Girls has a stereo remix on Endles Harmony Soundtrack, a different mix on classics Selected by BW. There is a 2002 remix and a 2012 remix. Has someone done this kind of database?
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