Backstage at the Cuthbert Amphitheatre "UPDATE"

[Sheriff John Stone]

The problem here is that the Beach Boys equivalent, if it is 50 tracks, could essentially consist of the ones on Sounds Of Summer, 15 or so tracks that were featured on this tour, and maybe something like WIBNTLA, or some '60s song in its first true stereo mix, thrown in. Which would not be all that thrilling.  

True, it wouldn't be all that thrilling to us diehards.

But, as a compilation for casual or new fans, I think a 2 CD "best of" has a lot of potential. If it is done right - meaning the right songs are selected - a 50 song, 2 CD comp in a single jewel case with a budget price would be a great buy.

Can anyone think of any other major group like The Beach Boys who could fit 50 songs on 2 CD's and have them all be quality. There's only a couple. I know I'm biased but that could be the greatest 2 CD comp ever issued. I'd love a shot at compiling it. Hey, Capitol Records, I'll even work for free!

[Bean Bag]

50 Big Ones is the name of the 50th reunion's (tour/album/etc...) production company, and has been for at least six months if not a year. Surprised nobody here knows that.

This title - if it is the title of the upcoming release -  naturally brings to mind the 2 CD Stones compilation of 2002, Forty Licks. The release of FL was timed for the start of a year-long Stones tour and thanks partly to that - and thanks to the fact it was full of mostly classic Stones tracks (first time their pre-1971 hits were on an album with their post-1971 ones) instead of boring new stuff, it was a huge success, going to #2 on the US and UK charts and #1 on some of the European charts. The Capitol brass may have it in mind.

The problem here is that the Beach Boys equivalent, if it is 50 tracks, could essentially consist of the ones on Sounds Of Summer, 15 or so tracks that were featured on this tour, and maybe something like WIBNTLA, or some '60s song in its first true stereo mix, thrown in. Which would not be all that thrilling. 

I hear ya.  When you do the math...what are we really talking about here.  50 tracks is really about two CDs.  90% hits.  Maybe a few "obscure" tracks.  Then one bone for the fans, like WIBNTLA.  Probably a few new stereo mixes (which are always welcome).  But nothing earth shattering.  No entirely new concerts, or great swaths of previously unreleased stuff.  No adult child.  And certainly nothing we haven't heard of.

[Bean Bag]

I'd love a shot at compling it. Hey, Capitol Records, I'll even work for free!

Can you imagine though?  Oh, the pressure.  "Dude...how can you leave off Fairy Tale music!?!?! Such a missed opportunity!!!"

That would be my complaint.   

[AndrewHickey]

This title - if it is the title of the upcoming release -  naturally brings to mind the 2 CD Stones compilation of 2002, Forty Licks. The release of FL was timed for the start of a year-long Stones tour and thanks partly to that - and thanks to the fact it was full of mostly classic Stones tracks (first time their pre-1971 hits were on an album with their post-1971 ones) instead of boring new stuff, it was a huge success, going to #2 on the US and UK charts and #1 on some of the European charts. The Capitol brass may have it in mind.

The problem here is that the Beach Boys equivalent, if it is 50 tracks, could essentially consist of the ones on Sounds Of Summer, 15 or so tracks that were featured on this tour, and maybe something like WIBNTLA, or some '60s song in its first true stereo mix, thrown in. Which would not be all that thrilling. 

Two CDs wouldn't be a box set, though, would it? A new best-of *and* a new box set was what was announced, I think -- I could easily see a 50-song double-CD best of being the latest compilation, but I don't see the new box set being only 50 tracks.

[Margarita]

Who said that "50 Big Ones" would be only 50 tracks?  Wouldn't the '50' indicate the number of years?  Sure, the '15' in "15 Big Ones" was both for years and individual tracks, but that was a new album and not an overall career retrospective. 

My guess is that we'll see a release along the lines of what we saw with TSS: a comprehensive box set and a smaller 2-CD set.  Except this time, the special offer with the surfboard would actually make more sense...

As for the cause of this thread...in the past, there were times I was privy to juicy news in another fan community.  I either posted it right away or kept my yap shut.  I've known of people who were offline who called another fan and relayed the info for that person to post.  It's not nice to tease, ever, even if you genuinely do not have the time to means to post.  Just sayin'. 

[the professor]

stop chasing this smoke screen; this thread has provided zero information--someone wake me if real information appears here, please.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Who said that "50 Big Ones" would be only 50 tracks?  Wouldn't the '50' indicate the number of years? 

That's why no one knows if it's gonna be a best of or all the albums or something else title doesn't say much this time.

[Banana]

Break open the vaults, man!  Not many bands make it to 50 years.  Let's get all the rarities out there.  A two-disc best-of for the "Endless Summer" folks who just want to rock out to "I Get Around" and "Kokomo" and then a decently sized boxed set of outtakes, unreleased tracks new stereo mixes and all sorts of odds and sods.  It'll never happen...but one can hope, right!

[DonnyL]

remember, the original box was called '30 years ...'

it had more than 50 songs, remember?

do we all believe that '50 Big Ones' is the title ?

[Banana]

The original set wasn't half bad at the time for the amount of rare and unreleased music that it included.  If the same folks are in charge of compiling the new releases (and I hope they are) I have faith we'll have some good stuff to talk about and listen to!  I thought the Holy Grail would be WIBNTLA...but on another thread Desper claims that the band had a version of Sail On, Sailor recorded BEFORE the band left for Holland with Carl on lead vox.  He doesn't know what happened to the band's copy (his is in storage) but I would be BLOWN AWAY to hear that.  If you haven't followed that thread find it.  Fascinating discussion on that song and its genesis.

[DonnyL]

The original set wasn't half bad at the time for the amount of rare and unreleased music that it included.  If the same folks are in charge of compiling the new releases (and I hope they are) I have faith we'll have some good stuff to talk about and listen to!  I thought the Holy Grail would be WIBNTLA...but on another thread Desper claims that the band had a version of Sail On, Sailor recorded BEFORE the band left for Holland with Carl on lead vox.  He doesn't know what happened to the band's copy (his is in storage) but I would be BLOWN AWAY to hear that.  If you haven't followed that thread find it.  Fascinating discussion on that song and its genesis.

not half bad !??!

it was like a dream come true at the time. SMiLE for the first time, all those outtakes ...

[Banana]

I guess time has blunted my excitement slightly!  Yes, it deserved more than just a "not half bad".  I stand corrected.

[Ron]

Well.  So far the best thing I've learned from this thread, is that Mike Love was hanging out with Jessica Simpson on the set of her "Boots" video back in the day apparently. 

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Original post updated

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

#1 really has me down now. I guess I'll never know what WIBNTLA and California Feelin' 1974 sound like. That...sucks.

[Rocker]

Thank you SurfRiderHawaii !

Doesn't sound liek a very interesting box set for sure... Wel, let's wait

[SloopJohnnyB]

Thanks for the update. Maybe Al doesn't have all the info on the new box set? Maybe things are still being put together? Hey, we never thought there would be a SMILE box. Look at the love and care that was put into that!

Let's keep our hopes up that we'll get a real surprise with the new box set. It's time for me to meditate...

[EgoHanger1966]

Just because Al doesn't know the song, It doesn't mean WIBNTLA won't be on the box set. Remember, the guys who are compiling it know the song and how badly we want it. Fingers crossed.

[Wrightfan]

Al also said that Do You Like Worms wasn't the song people were telling him it was

Let's wait and see 

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Just because Al doesn't know the song, It doesn't mean WIBNTLA won't be on the box set. Remember, the guys who are compiling it know the song and how badly we want it. Fingers crossed.

Iʻm just sayin ʻAl said it isnʻt on thereʻ.  Obviously, I REALLY hope it is!!!!!!!  Hope Al is wrong too.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Thanks for the update. Maybe Al doesn't have all the info on the new box set? Maybe things are still being put together? Hey, we never thought there would be a SMILE box. Look at the love and care that was put into that!

Let's keep our hopes up that we'll get a real surprise with the new box set. It's time for me to meditate...

Yeah, Brian obviously doesnʻt like "Waves of Love".  Dump it for "WIBNTLA"?

[18thofMay]

Al also said that Do You Like Worms wasn't the song people were telling him it was

Let's wait and see 

And Al also said it was HIM he sang Daddy Dear!!!

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Al also said that Do You Like Worms wasn't the song people were telling him it was

Let's wait and see 

And Al also said it was HIM he sang Daddy Dear!!!

Because he did. Of course, there are two voices on there...

[DonnyL]

uh ... 50 songs isn't a box set, so I'd say that cannot be correct. i'm sure there's some kind of confusion there.

interesting stuff, but i'm taking it all as rumor really.

[Wirestone]

I think listening to Al for definitive details on this sort of thing is probably silly.

We were promised a comprehensive, career-spanning box. And a new hits collection. 50 Big Ones, a 2-CD set (at most) would clearly not be the former. It could well be the latter.