"Help Me Rhonda" from the box-set - Preview

[scooby1970]

This popped up on my Facebook page, a great little article and the full "Help Me Rhonda" from New Jersey 1972.

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/08/14/listen-to-an-unreleased-track-of-help-me-rhonda-by-the-beach-boys/

I rather like this version of the song too!

Mark

[Cabinessenceking]

Great perfromance! Now we just need this in context with the rest of that NJ concert! 

[buddhahat]

S**t that's good!!

Thanks for sharing.

Is the rest of the show in circulation and can anyone comment on how it compares to this one track because they sound like they were on it that night?

[Lowbacca]

Excellent quality! Performance itself is quite similar to the Carnegie Hall 1972 version, naturally. That's how they performed it with Dennis on lead in those days.

"Rhonda" is one of my very favourite BBs tunes and although I like almost any version of it, I've never quite warmed to the laid-back approach since I feel it sacrifices much of what the melody can do.


It needs to be performed like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUxMupNEno4

or like this:

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

[humanoidboogie]

Wow, that sounds pretty amazing. It does indeed sound a lot like Carnegie Hall '72, but this seems to sport a better recording and mix than that concert... Can't wait to hear "Wild Honey" from this show on the box!

[filledeplage]

This popped up on my Facebook page, a great little article and the full "Help Me Rhonda" from New Jersey 1972.

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/08/14/listen-to-an-unreleased-track-of-help-me-rhonda-by-the-beach-boys/

I rather like this version of the song too!

Mark

Wow! That is so cool! Rhonda is such a great song, no matter who does lead! Whether it is Dennis, Al, Carl, Brian or John Cowsill! Everyone gets that song! Thanks so much for the link. 

Great to wake up to new BB stuff! Love this forum! 

[Nicko1234]

This is an interesting recording and a sensible inclusion for the box set.

I think that this arrangement loses a lot of energy though and Dennis doesn't suit the song as much as Al did (and he screws up some of the words).

[petzounds29]

love it

[Ziggy Stardust]

Sorry, Al, i love you, but this is hands down the best live version i've heard in my life of this song, wow Dennis! and that rock'n'roll instrumental, yes! pure joy

[phirnis]

Nothing beats the original studio arrangement (single version) but this rendition is great in its own right, mostly due to DW's fabulous lead vocal. The instrumental backing is very much "of its time" but in this case it works really well.

[Wrightfan]

Didn't want to listen to all of it but damn that's a cool version.

[PaulTMA]

Damn, I can't get it with Soundcloud downloader.

[mikeddonn]

I always felt it was gracious of Al to 'let' Dennis sing one of the few hit leads he sang on.  Good team player.  It was after all, and still is, one of Al's signature lead vocals.  Wembley bouncing last year to this one was one of the many highlights of a great show.

[Generation42]

I agree it's a cool rendition, and very much in sync with the time period it was being performed, but as has been said, the 45 arrangement is the arrangement.  The song is perfectly suited for Al's voice and the more up-tempo, rock 'n' roll renditions get the most out of the tune.

But again, this country rock/roots rock version is definitely a cool take on the number and I'm awfully glad to have heard it.  Now let's hear the rest of the show!

[PongHit]

Damn, I can't get it with Soundcloud downloader.

You can download the MP3 here:

http://www.wikiupload.com/ZGH8353V8NHC28I

[PongHit]

I always felt it was gracious of Al to 'let' Dennis sing one of the few hit leads he sang on.

Do we know that's how it happened? Maybe Al wasn't happy about it(?)

[mikeddonn]

Quite possibly!  He probably didn't have much choice!  Would Carl, as live band leader, make that decision? I prefer Al's versions but it was good that the band were trying new ideas to keep the shows fresh.  Also good to have Dennis more prominent during this era.

[Shady]

How great does Dennis sound here, I seriously love this version.

I'm so excited for MIC, what a treat this is going to be.

[Nicko1234]

Do we know that's how it happened? Maybe Al wasn't happy about it(?)

I doubt that. I've always assumed Al was maybe bored of singing it so they decided to change. For the same reason presumably Al later stopped singing Wouldn't it be Nice both pre and post 1998.

[runnersdialzero]

Is "Rhonda" possibly the only Beach Boys song in which we've heard every single "core" member sing lead on? I don't know if there's a Mike lead out there, but I'm certain Al, Dennis, Brian and Carl all have sang it.

Someone should make a list of all this crap some time, just fer fun. Obviously the list would have a lot of redundant Brians listed given his solo shows, but then there are neat things like this to be found, or Bruce singing "Wendy" etc.

[The Shift]

I always felt it was gracious of Al to 'let' Dennis sing one of the few hit leads he sang on.

Do we know that's how it happened? Maybe Al wasn't happy about it(?)

Chances are he couldn't remember the words that night

[SonicVolcano]

I always felt it was gracious of Al to 'let' Dennis sing one of the few hit leads he sang on.

Do we know that's how it happened? Maybe Al wasn't happy about it(?)

Don't forget that Dennis was a true leader at that point. Well, together with Carl. He didn't play drums. Instead he sang and played piano. He was quite talkative, too. I think it was quite fair to give him a lead vocal now and then. Al already had quite a few leads, songs like You Still Believe In Me, Heroes and Villains, Wouldn't It Be Nice, Funky Pretty (shared lead), Don't Worry Baby.

 

[Gertie J.]

Is "Rhonda" possibly the only Beach Boys song in which we've heard every single "core" member sing lead on? I don't know if there's a Mike lead out there, but I'm certain Al, Dennis, Brian and Carl all have sang it.

Someone should make a list of all this crap some time, just fer fun. Obviously the list would have a lot of redundant Brians listed given his solo shows, but then there are neat things like this to be found, or Bruce singing "Wendy" etc.

good timin'?

[Nicko1234]

I always felt it was gracious of Al to 'let' Dennis sing one of the few hit leads he sang on.

Do we know that's how it happened? Maybe Al wasn't happy about it(?)

Chances are he couldn't remember the words that night

Neither could Dennis it seems. 

[Cliff1000uk]

Damn, I can't get it with Soundcloud downloader.

You can download the MP3 here:

http://www.wikiupload.com/ZGH8353V8NHC28I

Thanks for this. I love this version-the different arrangement really suits Dennis' voice and delivery. I can't wait for Wild Honey