Dennis Credits on POB

[NateRuvin]

Are the instrumental credits given to Dennis on POB true?
Did he really play lap steel guitar and tuba?

[BJL]

I suspect someone more knowledgeable than me will answer this more specifically, but I do recall that there was a specific story about Dennis playing the Tuba, as well as a general opinion from someone involved in the sessions - I can't remember who, maybe Earle Mankey? - that he could pick up just about any instrument and get some kind of interesting sound out of it, even if he was no expert. And that he played the bass harmonica himself but had to sit down on the floor to get enough air in his lungs! The impression I've gotten is that Dennis was not at all selfish with his production style - that he would gladly throw a part to anyone who happened to be around if he thought they could play something good, whether or not they were a pro or an expert, or he'd just do it himself if that was easier. I take it as being similar in spirit to Brian's openness to the contributions of session musicians, combined with a penchant to be very, very specific and demanding when he knew what he wanted.

Edit: just remembered my source: it was Craig Slowinski's riveting and comprehensive sessionography of Pacific Ocean Blue which I believe is available on the internet with some googling! It will answer all of your questions.

[mikeddonn]

I don't think Dennis was the type to make up his credits.  More than likely he would probably not be shy in giving others the credit (You Are So Beautiful springs to mind).  It was about the music with him, not the royalties.

[c-man]

Hmmm, Dennis is only credited with Keyboards and Drums on the official release of POB...but it's been confirmed by various sources that he did way more.

[c-man]

Edit: just remembered my source: it was Craig Slowinski's riveting and comprehensive sessionography of Pacific Ocean Blue which I believe is available on the internet with some googling! It will answer all of your questions.

Expect an update to the POB sessionography, with a few corrections, soon.
www.beachboysarchives.com

[Fall Breaks]

Sounds great! But will it be before or after the MiC credits? 

Really looking forward to both!

[Andrew G. Doe]

And that he played the bass harmonica himself but had to sit down on the floor to get enough air in his lungs!

... and stunned all present by saying offhandedly "This is how Charlie used to play it".

[adamghost]

And that he played the bass harmonica himself but had to sit down on the floor to get enough air in his lungs!

... and stunned all present by saying offhandedly "This is how Charlie used to play it".

...Morgan, I assume...

[adamghost]

I suspect someone more knowledgeable than me will answer this more specifically, but I do recall that there was a specific story about Dennis playing the Tuba, as well as a general opinion from someone involved in the sessions - I can't remember who, maybe Earle Mankey? - that he could pick up just about any instrument and get some kind of interesting sound out of it, even if he was no expert.

Ed Roach once described Dennis' skills (all the Wilsons, in fact) in pretty much exactly the same way to me.

[Andrew G. Doe]

And that he played the bass harmonica himself but had to sit down on the floor to get enough air in his lungs!

... and stunned all present by saying offhandedly "This is how Charlie used to play it".

...Morgan, I assume...

Close. Began with M...  You mean Tommy Morgan ?

[adamghost]

Well, maybe Dennis made the same mistake I did.  Let's hope.

[JasonK]

SO I was reading the POB credits again (for about the 10th times, although it has been several years, and Van Morrison's name popped up as being a friend of Dennis.  Forgive the ignorance, but that's THE Van Morrison, right?  How cool would that have been if he had sang backup on a song.

[c-man]

SO I was reading the POB credits again (for about the 10th times, although it has been several years, and Van Morrison's name popped up as being a friend of Dennis.  Forgive the ignorance, but that's THE Van Morrison, right?  How cool would that have been if he had sang backup on a song.

By "reading the credits", I assume you mean the liner notes to the 2008 Legacy edition, as there's no mention of Van Morrison in the actual album credits?

Same with NateRuvin, as Dennis is not credited with tuba or lap steel in the actual album credits...

Or are you guys getting this from my POB essay at www.beachboysarchives.com ? (which, if you are, is totally cool!)