Tongal Contests: California Feelin' & Goin' to the Beach

[Micha]

Hey, I would never have expected this Rocky guy to sing that good!

Oh, and i don’t see in what universe this could’ve been a hit.

Imagine a universe with most people being like me.

[runnersdialzero]

I hate to bring up the "A" word, but there's some obvious digital tuning on Brian's vocal in two spots. I have no idea why doing the same to Carl's vocals would flat the entire thing, but I've heard it happen before and accidentally did so myself a couple times when I was less experienced with the software.

The flat vocal is one of the most subtle examples I've ever heard (but is indeed there) and likely sounded just fine to whoever mixed it. Everyone's ears are slightly different and occasionally what sounds too sharp or too flat to one person will sound just fine to another (and vice versa, too). Still, it's kind of odd.

Glad I'm not the only one who hears how flat it is! It's night and day to me.. just listen to the boot version, Carl's pitch is on point. Here's its... flat. Almost a half pitch at times, feels like. Though it's probably closer to a quarter pitch off.

And I agree, sometimes when you're the one at the controls, you miss things like this. It's easy to have an objective ear after someone else put in a ton of work on the project.

On another note.. I didn't catch the autotune! Where at?

It's especially apparent on "San Onofre", but Brian's vocal in the beginning kind of has that watery, wavery kind of quality to it throughout. "San Onofre" sounds kind of gnarly, but it's not terrible otherwise.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I hate to bring up the "A" word, but there's some obvious digital tuning on Brian's vocal in two spots. I have no idea why doing the same to Carl's vocals would flat the entire thing, but I've heard it happen before and accidentally did so myself a couple times when I was less experienced with the software.

The flat vocal is one of the most subtle examples I've ever heard (but is indeed there) and likely sounded just fine to whoever mixed it. Everyone's ears are slightly different and occasionally what sounds too sharp or too flat to one person will sound just fine to another (and vice versa, too). Still, it's kind of odd.

Glad I'm not the only one who hears how flat it is! It's night and day to me.. just listen to the boot version, Carl's pitch is on point. Here's its... flat. Almost a half pitch at times, feels like. Though it's probably closer to a quarter pitch off.

And I agree, sometimes when you're the one at the controls, you miss things like this. It's easy to have an objective ear after someone else put in a ton of work on the project.

On another note.. I didn't catch the autotune! Where at?

It's especially apparent on "San Onofre", but Brian's vocal in the beginning kind of has that watery, wavery kind of quality to it throughout. "San Onofre" sounds kind of gnarly, but it's not terrible otherwise.

It's just his voice wavering. Trust me, there's no autotune on  Brian's voice.

[seltaeb1012002]

I hate to bring up the "A" word, but there's some obvious digital tuning on Brian's vocal in two spots. I have no idea why doing the same to Carl's vocals would flat the entire thing, but I've heard it happen before and accidentally did so myself a couple times when I was less experienced with the software.

The flat vocal is one of the most subtle examples I've ever heard (but is indeed there) and likely sounded just fine to whoever mixed it. Everyone's ears are slightly different and occasionally what sounds too sharp or too flat to one person will sound just fine to another (and vice versa, too). Still, it's kind of odd.

Glad I'm not the only one who hears how flat it is! It's night and day to me.. just listen to the boot version, Carl's pitch is on point. Here's its... flat. Almost a half pitch at times, feels like. Though it's probably closer to a quarter pitch off.

And I agree, sometimes when you're the one at the controls, you miss things like this. It's easy to have an objective ear after someone else put in a ton of work on the project.

On another note.. I didn't catch the autotune! Where at?

It's especially apparent on "San Onofre", but Brian's vocal in the beginning kind of has that watery, wavery kind of quality to it throughout. "San Onofre" sounds kind of gnarly, but it's not terrible otherwise.

It's just his voice wavering. Trust me, there's no autotune on  Brian's voice.

Agreed.

[monicker]

I also say there's no A-T on Brian. With such a naked vocal like that (the opening section is almost a cappella) it would be really obvious. There's nothing there.

[runnersdialzero]

FINE.

[Stegibo]

This version of California feeling is absolutely beautiful! The harmonies are stunning, definitely one of their best work. I love this song!
They should release it as a single!!

[Generation42]

I should preface all of my remarks by saying that I've not listened over high quality speakers, or even a nice set of headphones yet, but personally, I don't hear any outrageous pitch-iness with Brian on the word "beach," and Carl generally sounds okay to me.  Maybe a little druggy (the type of effect heard from slowing down the tape), but then, I've never heard the boot version to compare Carls.

runners, are you listening to the mp3 version?  Maybe this is the reason behind a 'watery' sound?  Just a thought.  I went straight for the aiff file, so I couldn't say for sure.

Anyway, I do quite enjoy this rendition of "California Feelin'."  It's certainly gone straight to the top of versions of the song I've listened to and enjoyed.  Naturally, this has only served to heighten my eagerness to hear the solo Brian take.

[runnersdialzero]

teh AIF file., of course The mp3 wouldn't have created the effect heard on the vocal, though. It doesn't sound like a natural wavering of the voice to me (especially from Brian in 1978), and I'm not one of those people who hears autot00n on everything just because I want to criticize it. Music is a special thing to me, I don't want to dislike or criticize any of it. I could very well be wrong, though. Either way, like I said, the effect sounds fine except on "San Onofre", and even then, yeah.

Also, wanted to say that my "FINE" was meant in teh jokingly but then I seemingly killed the thread

[Generation42]

The mp3 wouldn't have created the effect heard on the vocal, though.

Fair enough.  Personally, I wouldn't know, as I don't hear anything "watery" to begin with (but again, I haven't given the song a truly close examination yet), so I was really just taking a stab in the dark.

"Music is a special thing to me, I don't want to dislike or criticize any of it."  Hey, I'm with you.  In fact, I think most of us here would agree that music is something we hold sacred in our lives (even if I do sometimes think some people here kind of revel in making disparaging remarks).   

[Cabinessenceking]

Goin' To The Beach got a bigger thread than Cal Feelin?

I hope this is due to the controversial nature of the former...

[runnersdialzero]

Goin' To The Beach got a bigger thread than Cal Feelin?

I hope this is due to the controversial nature of the former...

It was the first new track we heard from Made In California, so yeah.

[Jim V.]

Goin' To The Beach got a bigger thread than Cal Feelin?

I hope this is due to the controversial nature of the former...

It was the first new track we heard from Made In California, so yeah.

Not gonna lie, I'm kinda surprised at that fact. But combining the fact that "Goin' To The Beach" is probably the most classic stupid cheesy Mike type thing that could come out, coupled with the fact that "California Feelin'" has been out there for quite a few years (albeit minus Brian's lead vocal and a few other changes) probably meant that conversation on "Goin' To The Beach" went on a bit longer.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Also, wanted to say that my "FINE" was meant in teh jokingly but then I seemingly killed the thread

I took it how you meant it, don't worries Runners. Regarding the pitch correction though, even the voices in my head sound autotuned these days, but I really don't hear it on this track.

[RangeRoverA1]

Goin' to the Beach is a summer song. It's not a lost classic, but it's fun.

Lyrically - yes, it's a summer song. But there's absolutely nothing summery about its melody. I don't hear "fun", either. Generally, summer songs don't sound so boring & repetitive, not mentioning they're usually joyful & catchy. F.ex. the likes of "Sunshine" (KTSA), "Island Girl", "Isn't It Time", "Dance Dance Dance" & even "She's Got Rhythm". In short, I only agree that GTTB isn't a lost classic.

here's the Brian piano/vocal version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7YSzHqvSeY

Had me going for the first few seconds...

Me too. I only was tricked by the intro, then it immediately became recognizable that the lead is not Brian. Anyway, it's a nice version & without comparison, Rocky did rather good performance. However, it doesn't mean we should discuss him, because simply he's not a Beach Boy or any of their musicians - just some outsider - plus he left an unpleasant mark in the band's history. I don't respect him & surely no one else does.

[Autotune]

CF is lovely. A sort of California gospel song, like Timothy White put it. Brian's vocal is remarkable, full of personality, beautifully delivered.

Gowever, I don't think Carl would have approved its release as he sings a number of bum notes and half-assed adlibs. There is a seal of quality to practically all of Carl's released leads, and I don't think this (working vocal) meets such standard. For a guy that was reluctant to show Soulful Ol Man Sunshine to the world because of his vocal in it, it seems unlikely that he would have approved the release of CF.

[drbeachboy]

CF is lovely. A sort of California gospel song, like Timothy White put it. Brian's vocal is remarkable, full of personality, beautifully delivered.

Gowever, I don't think Carl would have approved its release as he sings a number of bum notes and half-assed adlibs. There is a seal of quality to practically all of Carl's released leads, and I don't think this (working vocal) meets such standard. For a guy that was reluctant to show Soulful Ol Man Sunshine to the world because of his vocal in it, it seems unlikely that he would have approved the release of CF.

Play it 2% faster and the bum notes seem to disappear. As discussed earlier, there was some monkeying around going on when this was put together.

[Niko]

So who's entering this contest? The deadline is in 3 weeks, and I've been working on my submission for a while. I would love to win that stratocaster.

[punkinhead]

How are they releasing Goin' to the Beach with the new guitar solo?

[Niko]

How are they releasing Goin' to the Beach with the new guitar solo?

I think it'll be something you can listen to from the Beach Boys website. That's how they make it sound anyway.

I want that guitar.

[Freddie French-Pounce]

Can we add a drum solo instead...

[Iron Horse-Apples]

How about a little finger poppin' ?

[Niko]

Can we add a drum solo instead...

I was hoping a lot of people would be submitting joke solos. You should do some scat singing over the entire thing.

[Niko]

How about a little finger poppin' ?

That's only done through overdubs

No overdubbing allowed

[runnersdialzero]

CF is lovely. A sort of California gospel song, like Timothy White put it. Brian's vocal is remarkable, full of personality, beautifully delivered.

Gowever, I don't think Carl would have approved its release as he sings a number of bum notes and half-assed adlibs. There is a seal of quality to practically all of Carl's released leads, and I don't think this (working vocal) meets such standard. For a guy that was reluctant to show Soulful Ol Man Sunshine to the world because of his vocal in it, it seems unlikely that he would have approved the release of CF.

I don't think it was ever said to be a scratch vocal or anything, I really don't think it is. Several of the guy's leads from this period have the quality they have here, so yeah. He sounds just fine to me considering the era. I don't hear any "half-assed adlibs" in his vocal, either.

Also, the only reason he was against "Soulful Old Man Sunshine" is because he sang "shunshine" once, that's all.