Jeff Foskett Interview

[Espressomattic]

… Foskett has been correctly and/or incorrectly referred to as a "musical director" or "band leader" for Brian for years, probably simply because he appears at the front of the band and appears as Brian's right hand man, etc.

Now does my memory fail me, but didn't Jeff tell the audience at a Jeff & Billy gig in the basement of an Edinburgh hotel back in 2003 that he had been asked by Brian to start sifting through the vaults for SMiLE sessions material for a live performance?  Turned out to be Darian who had that job.  Someone will have taped the night, I'm sure, and will be able to confirm/correct my memory.

He did, but it was the gig in Lutterworth, not one in Edinburgh, and I think he said Melinda, rather than Brian had asked him. (I was there, but it was nine years ago so my own memory is a bit shaky).
He did, however, say that he'd only spoken to Melinda about it that day, so he may well have either got the wrong end of the stick at the time, or possibly Melinda did ask him to do it before it was decided that Darian would be better for it.

Thats as I recall it too.  I think it went on the lines that Melinda had called him and said brian wanted him/wanted to help him sift through the smile material for a live performace.  I also recall the totally jaw dropping moment when he announced that.  It was like a huge crowd gasp of air.

Talking of that gig, what was that 'new' track that Jeff played of Brians?  I cannot recall for the life of me what it was. 

A personal highlight was sining Sloop John B with Jeff, Billy and the backing group.  Heaps of fun and both Jeff and Billy were great guests that day and very friendly to fans. 

Another memory highlight was Jeffs rendition of Warmth of the Sun...and is great nasel impression of Mike on Fun Fun Fun.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'm pretty sure the track was "Desert Drive" - the version that turned up on GIOMH.

[AndrewHickey]

I'm pretty sure the track was "Desert Drive" - the version that turned up on GIOMH.

He played three 'new' tracks that he thought we wouldn't have heard -- Desert Drive, Rodney On The ROQ, and Brian's solo (and already-released) version of California Feeling.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'm pretty sure the track was "Desert Drive" - the version that turned up on GIOMH.

He played three 'new' tracks that he thought we wouldn't have heard -- Desert Drive, Rodney On The ROQ, and Brian's solo (and already-released) version of California Feeling.

He don't know we very well, do he ? 

[Heysaboda]

I will just say one thing about Jeff Foskett and that is: he is 100% totally a class act.

And a damn fine musician.

Okay that was two things.

[HeyJude]

Not to argue too much Sheriff-but is a medley ever a good thing?  Personally-I feel that if a song is worth doing-than its worth doing the full song.  Doing a medley is really Vegas cheesy...Just my opinion of course

Well, they do play the entire songs in the medleys, don't they? I think the main reason the medleys work is because of the relatively short length of BB songs. The way they connect them is IMO better than playing two minutes, stopping, starting a new two minute song, stopping, etc. Plus, the condensing of the subject matter (cars and surfing) allows them to address it and move on, instead of coming back to it sporadically throughout the shows. It kinda allows them to coordinate the setlist better if you will.

I know there are several people here who don't like the medleys (mainly because they don't like Mike Love), but at every Beach Boys' concert I've ever attended (about 30), judging by the audience applause, they've been highlights.

I would say my preference is that  medleys are much more problematic when the songs are truncated. Those types of medleys are really frustrating. If the songs are strung together but played in full, it's less annoying most definitely. I think a car songs medley wasn't too bad of an idea. I've never been a fan of the Sloop/WIBN medley. I like hearing that ending to "Sloop" that they did earlier in the 80's (e.g. Knebworth and DC in 1980), it gives the song more finality. I suppose technically the medley version does truncate the very ending of "Sloop."

[AndrewHickey]

I'm pretty sure the track was "Desert Drive" - the version that turned up on GIOMH.

He played three 'new' tracks that he thought we wouldn't have heard -- Desert Drive, Rodney On The ROQ, and Brian's solo (and already-released) version of California Feeling.

He don't know we very well, do he ? 

No -- although when I mentioned it at the time on a (now-defunct) mailing list devoted to unofficial releases, and said "it's all stuff we've already heard", it turned out that almost none of them had heard Rodney.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Not to argue too much Sheriff-but is a medley ever a good thing?  Personally-I feel that if a song is worth doing-than its worth doing the full song.  Doing a medley is really Vegas cheesy...Just my opinion of course

Well, they do play the entire songs in the medleys, don't they? I think the main reason the medleys work is because of the relatively short length of BB songs. The way they connect them is IMO better than playing two minutes, stopping, starting a new two minute song, stopping, etc. Plus, the condensing of the subject matter (cars and surfing) allows them to address it and move on, instead of coming back to it sporadically throughout the shows. It kinda allows them to coordinate the setlist better if you will.

I know there are several people here who don't like the medleys (mainly because they don't like Mike Love), but at every Beach Boys' concert I've ever attended (about 30), judging by the audience applause, they've been highlights.

I would say my preference is that  medleys are much more problematic when the songs are truncated. Those types of medleys are really frustrating. If the songs are strung together but played in full, it's less annoying most definitely. I think a car songs medley wasn't too bad of an idea. I've never been a fan of the Sloop/WIBN medley. I like hearing that ending to "Sloop" that they did earlier in the 80's (e.g. Knebworth and DC in 1980), it gives the song more finality. I suppose technically the medley version does truncate the very ending of "Sloop."

I once fabricated - entirely with the pause key on my tape deck - a 'medley' of "Fun, Fun, Fun": 1st line of 1st verse, 2nd line of 2nd verse... you get the idea. It was pretty damn good, if acutely truncated. 

[The Shift]

Not to argue too much Sheriff-but is a medley ever a good thing?  Personally-I feel that if a song is worth doing-than its worth doing the full song.  Doing a medley is really Vegas cheesy...Just my opinion of course

Well, they do play the entire songs in the medleys, don't they? I think the main reason the medleys work is because of the relatively short length of BB songs. The way they connect them is IMO better than playing two minutes, stopping, starting a new two minute song, stopping, etc. Plus, the condensing of the subject matter (cars and surfing) allows them to address it and move on, instead of coming back to it sporadically throughout the shows. It kinda allows them to coordinate the setlist better if you will.

I know there are several people here who don't like the medleys (mainly because they don't like Mike Love), but at every Beach Boys' concert I've ever attended (about 30), judging by the audience applause, they've been highlights.

I would say my preference is that  medleys are much more problematic when the songs are truncated. Those types of medleys are really frustrating. If the songs are strung together but played in full, it's less annoying most definitely. I think a car songs medley wasn't too bad of an idea. I've never been a fan of the Sloop/WIBN medley. I like hearing that ending to "Sloop" that they did earlier in the 80's (e.g. Knebworth and DC in 1980), it gives the song more finality. I suppose technically the medley version does truncate the very ending of "Sloop."

I once fabricated - entirely with the pause key on my tape deck - a 'medley' of "Fun, Fun, Fun": 1st line of 1st verse, 2nd line of 2nd verse... you get the idea. It was pretty damn good, if acutely truncated. 

Must help that so many lines begins with "Well…" and ends with "… Now". Solves any problem with rhyming!

[harrisonjon]

Not to argue too much Sheriff-but is a medley ever a good thing?  Personally-I feel that if a song is worth doing-than its worth doing the full song.  Doing a medley is really Vegas cheesy...Just my opinion of course

Bill Medley was pretty good.

[Rocky Raccoon]

Whenever I hear Beach Boys and medley in the same sentence, I think of this depressing sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX3rKMHYy4

[Quzi]

Whenever I hear Beach Boys and medley in the same sentence, I think of this depressing sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX3rKMHYy4

Holy sh*t, it's so weird seeing Brian mime to his younger voice.

[Jim V.]

Whenever I hear Beach Boys and medley in the same sentence, I think of this depressing sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX3rKMHYy4

Holy sh*t, it's so weird seeing Brian mime to his younger voice.

Errrrr.....Carl's voice.

[Quzi]

Whenever I hear Beach Boys and medley in the same sentence, I think of this depressing sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX3rKMHYy4

Holy sh*t, it's so weird seeing Brian mime to his younger voice.

Errrrr.....Carl's voice.

Well that too, but as I learned a few weeks ago, Brian sings the "I hear the sound of a" lyric.

[The Shift]

Bizarre. Would rather see them mime to 79 HCTN!

[bgas]

Bizarre. Would rather see them mime to 79 HCTN!

I'd rather see them attempt 79 HCTN LIVE! 

[harrisonjon]

What was Jeff doing in the 80s that would upset a family ambiance?

[Pretty Funky]

If you are referring to my post earlier in the thread, lets just say Jeff said he was married at the time and his wife was not on the tour.

Hmmm....I wonder what it could be?

[Micha]

I will just say one thing about Jeff Foskett and that is: he is 100% totally a class act.

And a damn fine musician.

Okay that was two things.

I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition!

[Andrew G. Doe]

I will just say one thing about Jeff Foskett and that is: he is 100% totally a class act.

And a damn fine musician.

Okay that was two things.

I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition!

No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition !

[Eric Aniversario]

Whenever I hear Beach Boys and medley in the same sentence, I think of this depressing sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX3rKMHYy4

We've all witnessed the band's low points over the past 5 decades, and there have been many, but this probably ranks among the "top" ten low points in their career.  No shame at all!

[harrisonjon]

Brian opens his mouth way too early on the "I hear.." part, like a dog anticipating a treat.

[Pretty Funky]

The show I remember was 'Solid Gold' about the same time. Song unknown but Dennis soooo far back and out of shot he may as well have been in the car park!  He was that out of time with the beat shall we say:(

[The Shift]

Anyone recall which Edinburgh (Leith) hotel it was in 2003 where Jeff & Billy played please?

[Phoenix]

What's with the Jeff hate?

I'll never know.  It was there long before his recent "defection to the other side".