We're Together Again (alternate version)

[silodweller]

Hey all,
I was wondering if anyone had any information on the alternate version of "We're Together Again".  The one that has the pedal steel, acoustic slide, and that awesome sounding overdriven instrument which comes in right at the end (I still can't figure out what it is, to be honest!) Who are the musicians?  I'm thinking Brian is most likely on keyboard. I believe it was on Get The Boot but I might be wrong!   

[buddhahat]

If this is the version I'm thinking of it's one of my favourite unreleased tracks. It's like an early 70s George Harrison outtake. I wish they'd done more in this country vein. When they got it right it had real potential.

Sorry, can't help with the info but would also love to hear more.

[Cabinessenceking]

deleted.

[Cabinessenceking]

Thanks for reminding me of this unreleased gem of an instrumental!

I agree it falls very neatly into the 1973-1975 country/folk rock vibe the Boys were attempting. With some touches it would work well with tracks such as Barnyard Blues, Back Home (1970) and Out In The Country.

1974 album:

Side A:

River Song
Hard Times
Out In The Country
Barnyard Blues
We're Together Again (instrumental with different title)
Back Home (1970)


Side B:

California Feelin'
Good Timin'
Had To Phone Ya
It's OK
Pacific Ocean Blues
Holy Man
Carry Me Home



Just something remotly similar to this would be far better than 15BO

[buddhahat]

Thanks for reminding me of this unreleased gem of an instrumental!

I agree it falls very neatly into the 1973-1975 country/folk rock vibe the Boys were attempting. With some touches it would work well with tracks such as Barnyard Blues, Back Home (1970) and Out In The Country.

1974 album:

Side A:

River Song
Hard Times
Out In The Country
Barnyard Blues
We're Together Again (instrumental with different title)
Back Home (1970)


Side B:

California Feelin'
Good Timin'
Had To Phone Ya
It's OK
Pacific Ocean Blues
Holy Man
Carry Me Home



Just something remotly similar to this would be far better than 15BO

Yeah love it!

What is Hard Times? I can't place that one.

Was there ever such a band that squandered so much great unreleased stuff in favour of poorly put together albums?

[silodweller]

Uhm, correction.  I believe it is on the Alternate Dumb Angel boot. 
And yes, it is possibly one of my favourite unreleased recordings.  Lovely, lovely, lovely...

[Steve Latshaw]

I've never heard this alternate version... does someone have a link to it?

[bossaroo]

the overdrive is on the pedal steel. the acoustic slide is a dobro, also known as an acoustic lap steel or resophonic guitar.

I'd also like to know who the musicians are. I want to say it's Red Rhodes on steel. Brian used James Burton on dobro for Cabin Essence so maybe he's on there too.

has this version ever been synced with vocals? I've only ever heard it as an instrumental backing track.

[startBBtoday]

I really want to hear this.

[superunison]

Would also love to hear a fan mix of vocals on the alt version...

[c-man]

Per the AFM contracts, the musicians on this ALTERNATE (NOT the Beach Boys original as heard on MIC) are:

Jim Ackley (who played keyboards on the "Friends" album)
Jim Burton (paid for guitar & dobro)
Alan Estes (percussionist)
John Guerin (paid for drums, blocks, and percussion)
Mike Rubini (keyboardist)
Al Vescovo (guitarist)
Carl Wilson (by default, I guess he's playing bass)
plus an overdub session or two, mostly for strings, but which also included Orville "Red" Rhodes (pedal steel guitarist) and James Burton, once again paid for guitar & dobro

[Jason Penick]

Can you link to a YouTube clip of this version? I'm trying to ascertain if it's the Pro Tools mix we did of the original version with the unreleased backing track we did back in the pre-Get the Boot days.

As far as I know, there's the Friends/ 20-20 bonus track, the unreleased backing track with the steel and the version on MIC. Could be something else is "out there". I've sort of lost track! 

[D Cunningham]

Thank you, C-man!  Boy, it pays to check in here occasionally.  Like OP, I've always wondered about this track...
figured it had players other than the Beach Boys.  I remember now ... a cd called "Lei'd in Hawaii Rehearsal"
(Vigotone 133).  At least that's what I recall from the distant past. Before throwing the cd away.

I believe OP is talking about tracks 11 and 12 on that cd.  Especially track 12.  The instrumental is gorgeous,
such a light touch and expert arrangement.  A remarkable build, leading to that instrument near the end, which
OP mentions.  It almost sounds like a kazoo.

Track 11 is mostly instrumental (a little thinner) but with some backing vocal harmony.

More info please!

 

[bossaroo]

the instrument near the end is the pedal steel with fuzz tone (but a kazoo would have been kazool  )

i'm working on a mix. should have it up soon

[Disney Boy (1985)]

There's definitely a mix with vocals (albeit just the backing/chorus harmonies) - I'm listening to it right now. Sounds like an original recording too, not a fan mix.

[c-man]

There's definitely a mix with vocals (albeit just the backing/chorus harmonies) - I'm listening to it right now. Sounds like an original recording too, not a fan mix.

Yep, I think it's on the SOT U.M. boot "Alternate 20/20" (don't have it with my right now, so can't say for sure).

[D Cunningham]

CM and DB...yes, and it would seem to be track 11 on the Vigotone cd that I mentioned.

[D Cunningham]

I'll try to shut up after this...

The version with the background harmonies seems to be (with a little listening on my part) the full gorgeous instrumental
track--but with much of it mixed down.   Sadly, because the instrumental track alone is so polished, so complete when up front.

 

 

[superunison]

I'll try to shut up after this...

The version with the background harmonies seems to be (with a little listening on my part) the full gorgeous instrumental
track--but with much of it mixed down.   Sadly, because the instrumental track alone is so polished, so complete when up front.

 

 

Yes, the pedal steel is mixed wayyy down on the version with background harmonies  unfortunately. The instrumental is a bit "thinner" but you can hear each instrument much more clearly.

[bossaroo]

here's the track mixed with lead vocals (not perfect but it gives you an idea): https://soundcloud.com/bossaroo/wta-mix

[silodweller]

wow, thanks everyone for the information!  Pedal steel with a fuzz tone.  That's awesome.  And I was thinking that was a dobro!  I remember hearing it on the "Lei'd in Hawaii" boot as well but it seems to have appeared on a few others.  Thanks again!!

[The Shift]

here's the alternate instrumental track: https://soundcloud.com/bossaroo/wta-track

here's the same track with background vocals: https://soundcloud.com/bossaroo/wta-track-backgrounds

and here's the track mixed with lead vocals (not perfect but it gives you an idea): https://soundcloud.com/bossaroo/wta-mix

Many thanks for that mix. Not perfect as you say but gives fine idea of what we migh hav reasonably expected… I hope we get that, perfected of course, officially some day (soon)

[silodweller]

Hey all,
I took Bossaroo's lead and created a version of "We're Together Again" using the released vocals and syncing them up with the alternate version of the backing track, just to give us an idea of what it may have sounded like.   Anyway, here is the link:

http://jmp.sh/934GIH3

Hope you enjoy!

[Ram4]

First off - I love We're Together Again, it's one of my favorites from the late 60's Brian period.  Second, for any of your who haven't heard a pedal steel with fuzz, it wasn't that uncommon - for example Sneaky Pete Kleinow of the Flying Burrito Brothers used it all the time. 

I'm a huge country rock fan of the late 60's/early 70's LA scene and I have to say this countrified version of We're Together Again doesn't touch the original.   

[silodweller]

Thanks for the info Ram4.  I must've heard fuzz pedal steel many times before but didn't know what I was actually hearing 'til now!  I agree, the released version of "We're Together Again" is my favourite version.  I like the gentleness of the production and the string addition found on the MIC boxset is wonderful.  Still, there is something about this countrified version that appeals to me.