Analysis of the Live 50th Anniversary Tour CD

[the professor]

It's funny. In catch a wave Carlin talks about the emotional moment when BW plays HV on the piano at a party, which no one had heard him do and which begins the long process of revisiting Smile. Now we have too many HM: "they grow like hydra's heads" to put it into Shakespearean terms. As long as this version doe snot come from a solo album of Brian's I am OK with it.

This is not the album review thread, but it will serve for a couple of quick notes:

Getcha back is the best track on the CD for several reasons: the performance, arrangement and production of the song is just stellar. It's a much better song in this live incarnation than on the album. I am not just saying this because Dave is my fav. BB.

TLGIWK is the big disaster for me--too much Jeff. . . . . . .

The failing of the album is that it's too tied to early performances and could not draw from some later miraculous performances. I wonder how many cuts are the same as on the two DVDs, in which case we already have live versions of those songs. I think DIA is from the live DVD, as Dave's solo, which he varied often, is the same.

We all would be a lot less anxious if we didn't fear that this will be the only live album and that no full show will be released and that the BB will never make another album nor perform together. . . . . .

[Dave Modny]

I'm sure someone will do a more in-depth comparison, but "When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)" on the new CD appears to be all, or mostly, from Chiba as well (assuming "Chiba" is actually from Chiba). The tracks don't stay in sync from start to finish, so either there was an edit in the song at some point, or some kind of speed (not pitch) manipulation.

[Dave Modny]

I'm sure someone will do a more in-depth comparison, but "When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)" on the new CD appears to be all, or mostly, from Chiba as well (assuming "Chiba" is actually from Chiba). The tracks don't stay in sync from start to finish, so either there was an edit in the song at some point, or some kind of speed (not pitch) manipulation.

As a follow-up, something I just remembered, my version of the Chiba "When I Grow Up" has a small skip in it (my recording was simply sourced from that Soundcloud stream that someone put up), so that might explain the falling out-of-sync issue. Maybe, maybe not. Frankly, I'm too lazy to do a "before and after the skip point" sync comparison, so hopefully, someone who has a better, skip-free recording might be able to do just that.

[Dave Modny]

Also, no real surprise here, as it's obvious that the track is faked-up from the original studio elements, but TWGMTR is the same "version" as was originally aired during that Sirius/XM Artist Confidential concert...way back when this whole shebang started. Though, the AC version is somewhat faster. I'm sure AlFall can do a more exact analysis of what that time discrepancy is. There's also a few mixing differences in terms of elements used (mostly at the end) -- no real surprise again.

Thus, I suppose for the source of this one, we simply list is as "Ocean Way"...lol?


Sirius/XM Version:


http://www.lukpac.org/~dave/That%27s%20Why%20God%20Made%20The%20Radio%20-%20SiriusXM%20-%20Artist%20Confidential.mp3

Also note: My Sirius recording leans a bit to the left in terms of balance. I never got around to correcting that.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Outstanding thread (the usual suspects excepted, of course): I'm enthralled. This is what we do so well here.

[oldsurferdude]

SHIT FROM A DOG'S ASS

Is this a clue about an unreleased song from the upcoming MIC box set???

Yes! Brooth has taken mYke's " Daybreak Over The Ocean" to new and great heights. Of course we're talking about the disco version with 11 outtakes and luHv trying to explain what TM is all about in a never been seen before video.  

[SMiLE Brian]

 

[Micha]

This thread isn't actually making me regret I didn't buy this...

[southbay]

I'm wondering if "Sail On, Sailor" is the same performance that was included in that iTunes EP Isn't It Time single. There are parts of it that sound identical.

I know I mentioned this before, but the NPR and Front Row Center versions of SOS were absolutely identical from start to finish. The iTunes version was identical with both of those other airings up *until* the latter part of the song, where it started to veer (e.g. Brian's growling "damn the thunder" on the latter is different).

Thus, I'm not home today and near my new CD, but one might be able to use the above as a rough guide in terms of a comparison and what they may have done, or how it compares to those others.

Sounds like the NPR version to me.  Definitely NOT from the IIT EP, since, as Mr. Modny correctly points out, no Brian growl present...

[southbay]

I reckon (and Rab overlaid the performances in Logic and came to the same conclusion) that Brian's Heroes & Villains vocal, for the most part - verses, chorus, and Children Were Raised at least - are taken from his studio performance on BWPS. As to what date the rest of the Beach Boys came from, I can't help you out there sadly.

I mean, a few people here think so, but maybe I am just going crazy. The tenor and rhythm, if not sped up sound exactly the same - and you have the Mermaid BBC performance to show you what an actual performance of H&V from the tour sounds like.

Also, Bruce gives away what state the performance of Cali Girls was in during the fade, and there's something similar in another song on the CD.

I've heard the two performances synced, and I'd bet that not only the lead vocal, but a good chunk of the backing vocals and instrumental tracks come from the 2004 version, too. You play them one version in each channel and it practically sounds like a mono mix.

Cal Girls has "Colorado Girls" (Red Rocks), Bruce says "We must be in Texas!" after the introductory medley (Grand Prairie), Mike thanks "my people the car people of Arizona" (I think probably from Tucson, but maybe Phoenix).

The "We must be in Texas" quote from Bruce is not on the cd, but is on the NPR concert.  Bruce does make a Texas reference on the cd, however, during "Disney Girls"..."with a local girl from a smaller Texas town..."

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Then that wasnt from the Woodlands concert as Bruce said 'Houston' in that one. What other shows were in Texas last year?

[southbay]

just two Texas dates... April 26 Grand Prarie
                                     June 8 Woodlands

[Andrew G. Doe]

Verizon Theatre,  Grand Prairie 4/26 (gig #2)

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Okay...so now we know DG comes from the Grand Prairie show. Wish they would have included 8 June for selfish reasons

[Pretty Funky]

From the brit site.

Re(1): Re: the new live Disney Girls
Posted on May 23, 2013 at 09:27:27 PM by Bruce Johnston

hwysaboda:
The live "Disney Girls" was recorded early on the BB 50th tour and it's from the Grand Prairie, Texas/Verizon Theatre concert (April 26, 2012). I think it's the second best "Disney Girls" performance of the tour but I have to pick the Royal Albert Hall "Disney Girls" as the best of all (September 27, 2012).
Thanks for your kind words.....

Bruce Johnston
Montecito
May 23, 2013

[MBE]

No vinyl either and the CD mix of TWGMTR was awful next to the record.

[Wirestone]

Pretty sure the mix was the same. The mastering, on the other hand, was almost certainly different.

[Dave Modny]

I'm wondering if "Sail On, Sailor" is the same performance that was included in that iTunes EP Isn't It Time single. There are parts of it that sound identical.

I know I mentioned this before, but the NPR and Front Row Center versions of SOS were absolutely identical from start to finish. The iTunes version was identical with both of those other airings up *until* the latter part of the song, where it started to veer (e.g. Brian's growling "damn the thunder" on the latter is different).

Thus, I'm not home today and near my new CD, but one might be able to use the above as a rough guide in terms of a comparison and what they may have done, or how it compares to those others.

Sounds like the NPR version to me.  Definitely NOT from the IIT EP, since, as Mr. Modny correctly points out, no Brian growl present...

I haven't done an in-depth comparison yet of SOS, but I think this one might be a tricky track to pin down, exactly, in terms of the CD source.

Even more perplexing is where those original, identical NPR and Front Row Center versions came from in the first place. It's definitely NOT Grand Prairie, TX:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wss7x3_Px38

And...even though I was under the impression that the bulk of that FRC video footage was shot in St. Augustine, FL., the audio portion's not from there either:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NigU3HeKKI


Which, of course, leaves the "Live In Chicago" designation on iTunes. Problem is, as we already know, the ITunes version veers slightly at the end from the other, identical-up-to-that-point versions, and, I thought that NPR concert aired before they even played in Chicago (though, I could be very, very wrong on that)? In any event, I don't think I have audience recordings of either of the Chicago shows for comparison, but looking at this brief YouTube snippet from one of those Chicago shows, and comparing it to the NPR/FRC/iTunes and CD versions, the first stanza does seem like it could possibly be from here. Though, the second stanza is phrased different, and thus, doesn't:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPukTM4QugI



Were both shows in Chicago shot and recorded as well (which is, of course, Joe Thomas's home turf)? Maybe the song uses elements from both of those shows...or even other shows? Maybe, it's from somewhere completely different? I honestly have no clue at this point. Anyone else have any ideas?


Thus, I'd reckon, as is sometimes the case where there's a heavy "Brian factor," vocally, I think things might be slightly complex...as we're already finding out.

[Dave Modny]

Which, of course, leaves the "Live In Chicago" designation on iTunes. Problem is, as we already know, the ITunes version veers slightly at the end from the other, identical-up-to-that-point versions, and, I thought that NPR concert aired before they even played in Chicago (though, I could be very, very wrong on that)? In any event, I don't think I have audience recordings of either of the Chicago shows for comparison, but looking at this brief YouTube snippet from one of those Chicago shows, and comparing it to the NPR/FRC/iTunes and CD versions, the first stanza does seem like it could possibly be from here. Though, the second stanza is phrased different, and thus, doesn't:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPukTM4QugI



Were both shows in Chicago shot and recorded as well (which is, of course, Joe Thomas's home turf)? Maybe the song uses elements from both of those shows...or even other shows? Maybe, it's from somewhere completely different? I honestly have no clue at this point. Anyone else have any ideas?

Just as a short follow-up, I just checked and that NPR show was first posted online on 6/12/2012. Thus, it is possible that SOS could've been cobbled from the 5/21and 5/22 Chicago shows (or parts flown-in from others of course). I'd be interested if anyone can figure this pesky bugger out.

[Dave Modny]

One more to add to the list, if anyone is actually still interested in this stuff...


"Why Do Fools Fall In Love" on the new CD is also from Chiba.

[Dave Modny]

And...one more before I go to bed...

"Then I Kissed Her" is from Chiba as well. Though, on the new CD, there's some individual hand claps -- at the beginning and clapping in time -- that are mixed out compared to the original Chiba airing.

[AlFall]

GOOD VIBRATIONS

Arguably the greatest studio recording of all time,  the 1966 single recording of Good Vibrations is about as perfect as it could be.   This presents a considerable challenge for a live performing band. The good news is that, if you can ignore the bizarre female backing vocals at the end of the track, this recording is almost entirely from the CVC Marine Stadium in Chiba, Japan.  Fortunately, I was able to find a YouTube video taken live at the show of this song. (cleverly, if I say so myself, by copying Japanese characters into the search box)  The video is useless (taken too far away and bouncing up and down), but the audio is of sufficient quality.  The other bit of good news is that it appears that the streaming soundboard recording of the Chiba performance available on the internet is actually from Chiba with minimal if any overdubs ... but considerable electronic tempo changes.

Unlike Heroes and Villains, which is a slowed-down Chiba performance, Good Vibrations is sped up by about 2% without changing the pitch.  I am not sure why this decision was made, as there is very little difference in the sound that occurs by such a small tempo change.  Brian's lead vocal is identical on the video and on the CD, so what we are hearing is 100% pure Brian from Chiba.  If there was any autotune applied, it was done live at the show. 


1:14: I thought it was an interesting addition to the lyric "She goes with me to a blossom world ... we find", with Jeff singing "we find". This is heard on both the Chiba video and the Chiba streaming recording, but omitted from the CD.   Well, I guess it's something special that only those of us who attended the live shows heard.

1:18 - 1:22, There is some editing in this section, as the drum part is different.

1:26 - The tenor "yeah" is heard on the CD, but not on the video. It could have been a live mixing issue at the show or a studio overdub. It's heard on
          other recordings, particularly the Red Rocks bootleg, so I assume that it was sung at this show.

1:57 The flute part, very prominent on the video,  isn't audible on the CD. This is a strange mixing decision, as I think it is quite beautiful.

2:20 Brian's "clap clap clap" is omitted from the CD. He did this at other shows, and I actually agree with the engineers on this one - it sounds odd and was justifiably omitted.

2:24 Oh my goodness, what is this?  A studio overdub of Mr. Love, with a mic right next to his lips?  That's what I thought originally. Upon hearing the YouTube video, I realize that  it's just an autotuned vocal from the show, as the words "Gotta keep" are sung badly out of tune by somebody.

2:29 This may be the strangest edit on the album. Female backing vocals are heard starting here and solo at 2:46, making it sound like an audience singalong.  It isn't really loud enough to sound like a singalong. What the engineer was thinking here is beyond me.   No female vocalists were part of the  Beach Boys touring band in 2012 . So what in the world is this?  I do not know. It is not audible on the Chiba video. The video and the CD do not match in this section, so I assume it is from another show.

Some group of females overdubbed this in the studio. I have one theory that is purely a guess: It's Wendy and Carnie Wilson.  I of course have no evidence to back this up, other than it sounds a little like them. 

In any case, with the exception of the female vocals at the end, this is a good recording overall, and it's true to the Chiba performance.

[Dave Modny]

 The other bit of good news is that it appears that the streaming soundboard recording of the Chiba performance available on the internet is actually from Chiba with minimal if any overdubs ... but considerable electronic tempo changes.

Just curious, but do you happen to have an audience recording of "Isn't It Time" from Chiba as well? The a capella vocal bit at the beginning of the "soundboard" recording is clearly lifted directly from the studio single version. So, unless they sampled/lip-synced that bit live (looking at an audience show from Singapore, 6 days later, they didn't there), that's one bit of studio audio that was laid in afterward. Al's vocal is also manually double-tracked (w/ studio vocal?) in most places to boot -- with a "nice" clash at 2:06.  

"Isn't It Time" - Chiba, Japan:

http://www.lukpac.org/~dave/Isn%27t%20It%20Time%20-%20Chiba,%20Japan.mp3

[Pretty Funky]

GOOD VIBRATIONS

2:20 Brian's "clap clap clap" is omitted from the CD. He did this at other shows, and I actually agree with the engineers on this one - it sounds odd and was justifiably omitted.

I have to disagree AlFall, but to each his own.

That part on the Chiba download reminds me of the 'In Concert' album. The same song 40 years earlier and the band wants the crowd involved. I love it!

One of the few occasions during the C50 where Brian interacts with the audience and its cut. A real shame IMO.

[The Heartical Don]

This thread isn't actually making me regret I didn't buy this...

Same here, Micha. I have yet to decide whether I will purchase it, but I am not really thinking of running to my retailer.

I am sad to say this.