Al Jardine Appreciation

[Pacific Ocean Blue]

When the Beach boys split into two camps "Dennis and Carl", "Al and Mike".  When and why did the relationship between Mike and Al deteriorate?

[Brians Sandbox]

I don't know but you have to keep it clean with Al Jardine.

[RangeRoverA1]

Mr. Hickey, that was great post! I too think he sings better than Carl did. And OSD, you're right, M&B would benefit from having Al in the band (I like the line-up as it is, mind you).

The TWGMTR album would have been even better if there had been more Al leads. I absolutely love "Susie Cincinnati", "Santa Ana Winds" and "Waves Of Love (saxophone version)".

Add "California Energy Blues" & "Out in the Country".

Al Jardine elevated No Pier Pressure from a good album to a very good album, bordering on great.

Having Al singing on the album with Brian was something special, and I hope Al continues to work with Brian for the rest of their careers. 

Yes & yes.

[AndrewHickey]

Mr. Hickey, that was great post! I too think he sings better than Carl did. And OSD, you're right, M&B would benefit from having Al in the band (I like the line-up as it is, mind you).

Thank you. And yes, Al would definitely be an asset to the current touring band. It's a shame that when Christian left the band, there was too much bad blood between the various members to have Al replace him.
That said, I've enjoyed seeing Al play with Brian's band, and I actually think he adds *more* to Brian's band, in his co-frontman role, than he would to Mike's -- but Brian's band play far fewer shows than Mike and Bruce, which means I've only been able to see them once since the reunion tour, while I've seen Mike and Bruce five times in the same period. So from a performance point of view I'm glad he's where he is, but from a purely selfish perspective I'd rather he be with Mike & Bruce.

[mabewa]

I've often suspected that Al had a large role in the unique sound that the band had in the early 70s -- that combination of folky instruments like banjo and pedal steel, with Moogs, which I find absolutely wonderful and which no-one else seems to have done.

Certainly not disagreeing with your overall thesis, but fans of rootsy instruments jutting up against Moog synthesiser really aren't going to go far wrong with The Notorious Byrd Brothers (produced by Gary Usher).

IMHO, a credible candidate for best album of all time!  Anyway, anybody who loves any of the BB's stuff from the Pet Sounds through Holland needs to hear Notorious...  massive studio creativity coupled with the Byrds' usual brilliant harmonies (even tho Crosby is only on about half of it, McGuinn, Crosby and (allegedly in a few places) Clark's harmonies still shine.