Not into doing alternative track orders but I wish Calendar Girl and California Feelin' would've been included.
I've always wondered why California Feelin' was not included here or elsewhere. Soulful Ole' Man Sunshine, Sherry She Needs Me... nice tunes. I never understood how this group found themselves hurting for material.
Why California Feelin' was not included on the LA album must be the single most questionable decision in the BB's career.
Absolutely! Imagine if they could've come up with a rendition similar to the cut-and-paste version we got on MiC, I mean with Brian singing the opening lines. That song would have been an instant classic. So, do we know why it didn't appear on L.A. (or any other late-70s album)? Did Bruce not approve its inclusion (for whatever reason)? Did Brian pull it back? Who thought it might be a better idea to close the album with a largely lifeless (compared to earlier versions) rendition of Shortenin' Bread?
I'm gonna piggyback on this, too. While it probably wouldn't have affected sales very much, but it might've improved the reviews/critical reception of the album a little, I believe that just by adding ONE SINGLE SONG - and subtracting one song - some of The Beach Boys' albums would be better by one grade.
Surf's Up - add "(Wouldn't It Be Nice) To Live Again" and subtract "Take A Load Off Your Feet" or "Student Demonstration Time"
15 Big Ones - add "Sea Cruise" and subtract "Talk To Me" or "A Casual Look"
M.I.U. - just add "Our Team", maybe close with it right after "Winds Of Change"
L.A. Light Album - add/close with "California Feeling" and subtract "Shortenin' Bread"
Keepin' The Summer Alive" - start Side B with "It's A Beautiful Day"