The Pacific Ocean Blue reissue

[Jason]

We've been spoiled the last decade or so when it comes to archival and new releases. Knebworth, Songs from Here and Back, The U.S. Singles Collection (sort of), The Smile Sessions, Made in California, and myriad stereo remixes and random tracks thrown around various compilations. Brian has released six albums and maybe a dozen or so separate tracks under his name, Michael recorded Mike Love, Not War, Al FINALLY got A Postcard From California out and David has had a somewhat steady stream of stuff coming out over the last decade. Of course, the 50th Anniversary gave us a new Beach Boys studio album and live album. Life's been good.

Lost in the mix is the reissue of Pacific Ocean Blue. I think when it comes to material that really deserved larger exposure, Pacific Ocean Blue beats Smile IF ONLY for the fact that Smile had been pretty much close to the mainstream as far as exposure is concerned, while Pacific Ocean Blue was almost like a secret, except to fans.

The reissue is just amazing. I haven't tired of it since it came out.

Tug of Love needs to be taught in school. That track is just on a (Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again level of greatness. Dennis was the fucking man.

[bluesno1fann]

I 100% agree that it should get much, much more attention to the general public.
Other than the hardcore Beach Boys fans and Dennis Wilson fans who hold it in very high regard, it remains possibly one of the most underrated and forgotten masterpieces of all-time

[metal flake paint]

Very much in agreement.

A good friend of mine who works at an independent record store in Melbourne, Victoria (one of the last ones left, sadly) is a very big champion of Dennis's work, Cuddle Up and Pacific Ocean Blue in particular. Apparently, POB was a big seller at his store, largely due to his enthusiastic promoting of it. He was also responsible for introducing me to a vinyl copy of the album back in 1990; a great day, indeed!

[bluesno1fann]

Very much in agreement.

A good friend of mine who works at an independent record store in Melbourne, Victoria (one of the last ones left, sadly) is a very big champion of Dennis's work, Cuddle Up and Pacific Ocean Blue in particular. Apparently, POB was a big seller at his store, largely due to his enthusiastic promoting of it. He was also responsible for introducing me to a vinyl copy of the album back in 1990; a great day, indeed!

Which store is it? Because whenever I go into the city, I always look for record stores to go to

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I think it was a substantially successful release, making year-end best-of lists and such.

[Jason]

Oh, it was a successful release, no doubt. But it's not like Smile in the sense that the "most (in)famous lost album in history" basically sells Smile to neophytes. Pacific Ocean Blue never had that kind of mystique, and neither did the Bambu material short of us diehards.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Oh, it was a successful release, no doubt. But it's not like Smile in the sense that the "most (in)famous lost album in history" basically sells Smile to neophytes. Pacific Ocean Blue never had that kind of mystique, and neither did the Bambu material short of us diehards.

Especially impressive for Dennis being primarily known (even at that time) as a guy who's main talent was getting laid and who didn't play on any of The Beach Boys records.... I can only imagine (with a bit of envy even) what it was like hearing POB for the first time by folks not thinking/knowing Dennis was capable of much at all.

Big kudos to Jon and Jim Guercio.

[Jason]

Don't forget Alan Boyd and John Hanlon as well.

[jimmy1949]

I was in the retail record biz when POB was originally released. I still have my promo vinyl copy and the blue promotional button.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Don't forget Alan Boyd and John Hanlon as well.

I think a special kudos goes out to Bobby F, and Dennis, but especially Bobby for providing killer, unusual drum work than helps the album date much much less than it could have.

[c-man]

I think it was a bit better received than you remember...below is the concluding paragraph of my in-depth POB/Bambu essay, still up on my website:  www.beachboysarchives.com

The Pacific Ocean Blue/Bambu Legacy Edition was finally released on June 17th of 2008, to glowing reviews and, encouraged by a brilliant Sony Music promotional campaign, worldwide sales that exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations:  the set debuted at Number 4 on Amazon.com's Rock chart, Number 8 on Billboard's U.S. Catalog Album chart, and Number 16 on the U.K. Album Chart.  It was the Number 2 Best Seller at the Los Angeles store of popular independent west coast chain Ameoba Records.  Other global placings include Number 71 in Ireland, Number 67 in Holland, and an astonishing Number 5 in Norway.  Rolling Stone, Mojo, Uncut, and the London Observer all voted it the best reissue of the year, while Time Out New York ranked it 2008's third best album overall.  "Everything that I am or will ever be is in the music.  If you want to know me, just listen", Dennis Wilson once said.  It's gratifying to know that in 2008, so many people have come to know this long-lost Beach Boy and music man.

[Mikie]

The POB reissue wasn't "lost in the mix" with me. Far from it. When it came out a few years ago, it was a new revelation with all the new outtakes on it, in addition to the Bambu tracks in pristine condition compared to the boots that I'd listened to all those years before. To me it was equivalent to the Smile box release to all the Smile-o-philes here. Played the original to death after the day I bought it in August, 1977. I still pull the reisssue out on occasion and fire it up. I'd love to here a re-mix of the album one day but I don't think it'll ever happen.

Somebody here recently did a fan mix, combining the '73 and '77 versions of River Song. Had that thing turned up loud last night after a coupla beers and rocked the joint. I never get tired of POB and especially River Song! Thankfully, Dennis was well represented in the MIC box set. Kudos to the compilers for that.

Did you know that River Song was started in late 1970? I always thought it was 1973 (when the Beach Boys played it live) but I guess it was even earlier than that.

[Jason]

You can hear a formative version of what became River Song in one of the "quad instrumentals".

Steve Desper also made the comment that a lot of Pacific Ocean Blue had its origin in the 1971-72 Poops/Hubba Hubba sessions, for what that's worth.

[Mikie]

You can hear a formative version of what became River Song in one of the "quad instrumentals".

I was in the room with Desper when he talked about recording Dennis and he played that tape. It was at a Beach Boys convention in Oakland, Cali. back in the early 80's.

[Moz from Oz]

Very much in agreement.

A good friend of mine who works at an independent record store in Melbourne, Victoria (one of the last ones left, sadly) is a very big champion of Dennis's work, Cuddle Up and Pacific Ocean Blue in particular. Apparently, POB was a big seller at his store, largely due to his enthusiastic promoting of it. He was also responsible for introducing me to a vinyl copy of the album back in 1990; a great day, indeed!

Which store is it? Because whenever I go into the city, I always look for record stores to go to

I'm tipping its Greville Records in Greville St Prahan. The owners name is Warwick and he loves the BB's. When the SMiLE box came out, he put a sticker on a display box saying "greatest boxed set ever"

[metal flake paint]

Very much in agreement.

A good friend of mine who works at an independent record store in Melbourne, Victoria (one of the last ones left, sadly) is a very big champion of Dennis's work, Cuddle Up and Pacific Ocean Blue in particular. Apparently, POB was a big seller at his store, largely due to his enthusiastic promoting of it. He was also responsible for introducing me to a vinyl copy of the album back in 1990; a great day, indeed!

Which store is it? Because whenever I go into the city, I always look for record stores to go to

I'm tipping its Greville Records in Greville St Prahan. The owners name is Warwick and he loves the BB's. When the SMiLE box came out, he put a sticker on a display box saying "greatest boxed set ever"

[Andrew G. Doe]

I think it was a bit better received than you remember...below is the concluding paragraph of my in-depth POB/Bambu essay, still up on my website:  www.beachboysarchives.com

The Pacific Ocean Blue/Bambu Legacy Edition was finally released on June 17th of 2008, to glowing reviews and, encouraged by a brilliant Sony Music promotional campaign, worldwide sales that exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations:  the set debuted at Number 4 on Amazon.com's Rock chart, Number 8 on Billboard's U.S. Catalog Album chart, and Number 16 on the U.K. Album Chart.  It was the Number 2 Best Seller at the Los Angeles store of popular independent west coast chain Ameoba Records.  Other global placings include Number 71 in Ireland, Number 67 in Holland, and an astonishing Number 5 in Norway.  Rolling Stone, Mojo, Uncut, and the London Observer all voted it the best reissue of the year, while Time Out New York ranked it 2008's third best album overall.  "Everything that I am or will ever be is in the music.  If you want to know me, just listen", Dennis Wilson once said.  It's gratifying to know that in 2008, so many people have come to know this long-lost Beach Boy and music man.

Just so - if the release had been permitted to enter the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, it would have pretty much equaled its original 1977 placing of #96... and when I emailed Jon with the news it was a #16 hit in the main UK chart, he initially didn't believe me. 

[Jay]

I love the POB/Bambu set. It's one of the highlights of my music collection. I really wish there were a way to somehow release the POB tour rehearsal tapes. I can see in my mind a box set like the TSS set. Two cd's of the original POB/Bambu set, a cd(or two, or three, or...) of alternate takes(or even session excerpts!) from POB/Bambu, a cd or two of the POB tour rehearsal tapes, a dvd of the making of the POB/Bambu set, a t-shirt of the POB album cover, a replica of the t-shirt that Dennis wore on the album cover, a HUGE coffee table sized hardback book of photos of the POB/Bambu sessions and other photos of Dennis from the general era, along with new quotes and interviews with everybody involved in the original sessions, a figurine of Dennis in the POB album cover pose(complete with original clothes as pictured on the album cover), and a 1:18 scale replica of Dennis's boat. 

[Disney Boy (1985)]

We've been spoiled the last decade or so when it comes to archival and new releases. Knebworth, Songs from Here and Back, The U.S. Singles Collection (sort of), The Smile Sessions, Made in California, and myriad stereo remixes and random tracks thrown around various compilations. Brian has released six albums and maybe a dozen or so separate tracks under his name, Michael recorded Mike Love, Not War, Al FINALLY got A Postcard From California out and David has had a somewhat steady stream of stuff coming out over the last decade. Of course, the 50th Anniversary gave us a new Beach Boys studio album and live album. Life's been good.

Lost in the mix is the reissue of Pacific Ocean Blue. I think when it comes to material that really deserved larger exposure, Pacific Ocean Blue beats Smile IF ONLY for the fact that Smile had been pretty much close to the mainstream as far as exposure is concerned, while Pacific Ocean Blue was almost like a secret, except to fans.

The reissue is just amazing. I haven't tired of it since it came out.

Tug of Love needs to be taught in school. That track is just on a (Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again level of greatness. Dennis was the fucking man.

Er, yeah... POB really got "lost in the mix". While the record-buying public were busy raving over A Postcard From California and Brian's Disney album POB just slipped quietly away with nothing but a few ecstatic reviews and impressive Top 20 sales to its name...   

[Mikie]

Er, yeah... POB really got "lost in the mix". While the record-buying public were busy raving over A Postcard From California and Brian's Disney album POB just slipped quietly away with nothing but a few ecstatic reviews and impressive Top 20 sales to its name... 

I must have missed something in your logic. POB had almost 3 years to "quietly slip away after estatic reviews and being in the Top 20" before Brian's and Al's CD's came out. Was there suppose to be some sarcasm there or..........'cause I don't see any conflict there or POB getting overlooked because of the other releases.

Postcard From California - Released March 20, 2011
Key of Disney - October 25, 2011 -
Pacific Ocean Blue reissue - Released June 17, 2008

[rab2591]

I love the POB/Bambu set. It's one of the highlights of my music collection. I really wish there were a way to somehow release the POB tour rehearsal tapes. I can see in my mind a box set like the TSS set. Two cd's of the original POB/Bambu set, a cd(or two, or three, or...) of alternate takes(or even session excerpts!) from POB/Bambu, a cd or two of the POB tour rehearsal tapes, a dvd of the making of the POB/Bambu set, a t-shirt of the POB album cover, a replica of the t-shirt that Dennis wore on the album cover, a HUGE coffee table sized hardback book of photos of the POB/Bambu sessions and other photos of Dennis from the general era, along with new quotes and interviews with everybody involved in the original sessions, a figurine of Dennis in the POB album cover pose(complete with original clothes as pictured on the album cover), and a 1:18 scale replica of Dennis's boat. 

I'm salivating thinking about this. Also included in the boxset, I'd love the BBC documentary 'The Real Beach Boy'.

Does anyone know when Jon Stebbin's reissue of 'The Real Beach Boy' is coming out? He probably mentioned it somewhere on this board, but I can't find it.

[Mikie]

I love the POB/Bambu set. It's one of the highlights of my music collection. I really wish there were a way to somehow release the POB tour rehearsal tapes. I can see in my mind a box set like the TSS set. Two cd's of the original POB/Bambu set, a cd(or two, or three, or...) of alternate takes(or even session excerpts!) from POB/Bambu, a cd or two of the POB tour rehearsal tapes, a dvd of the making of the POB/Bambu set, a t-shirt of the POB album cover, a replica of the t-shirt that Dennis wore on the album cover, a HUGE coffee table sized hardback book of photos of the POB/Bambu sessions and other photos of Dennis from the general era, along with new quotes and interviews with everybody involved in the original sessions, a figurine of Dennis in the POB album cover pose(complete with original clothes as pictured on the album cover), and a 1:18 scale replica of Dennis's boat. 

I'm salivating thinking about this. Also included in the boxset, I'd love the BBC documentary 'The Real Beach Boy'.

Does anyone know when Jon Stebbin's reissue of 'The Real Beach Boy' is coming out? He probably mentioned it somewhere on this board, but I can't find it.

Update of "The Real Beach Boy" is tentitively scheduled for release before the end of this year.

[rab2591]

Thanks! Can't wait to get it.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Er, yeah... POB really got "lost in the mix". While the record-buying public were busy raving over A Postcard From California and Brian's Disney album POB just slipped quietly away with nothing but a few ecstatic reviews and impressive Top 20 sales to its name... 

I must have missed something in your logic. POB had almost 3 years to "quietly slip away after estatic reviews and being in the Top 20" before Brian's and Al's CD's came out. Was there suppose to be some sarcasm there or..........'cause I don't see any conflict there or POB getting overlooked because of the other releases.

Postcard From California - Released March 20, 2011
Key of Disney - October 25, 2011 -
Pacific Ocean Blue reissue - Released June 17, 2008

Here's what was posted at the commencement of the thread:

"We've been spoiled the last decade or so when it comes to archival and new releases. Knebworth, Songs from Here and Back, The U.S. Singles Collection (sort of), The Smile Sessions, Made in California, and myriad stereo remixes and random tracks thrown around various compilations. Brian has released six albums and maybe a dozen or so separate tracks under his name, Michael recorded Mike Love, Not War, Al FINALLY got A Postcard From California out and David has had a somewhat steady stream of stuff coming out over the last decade. Of course, the 50th Anniversary gave us a new Beach Boys studio album and live album. Life's been good.

Lost in the mix is the reissue of Pacific Ocean Blue".

Hence my post.

[Jason]

To be honest, I was referring more to the fanbase in general, or at least my own perception of the situation. Such is hastily typing out a new post...