All studio versions + studio evolutions of Surf's Up

[JK]

I dislike Carl's overdubs in the 1971 version. Particularly the organ.

Of the officially released versions, Surf's Up from TSS is my favorite.

However my all time favorite version is the bruiteaur mix of the 1966 recording with the 2004 BWPS version.

https://youtu.be/XVENkH7s1eQ

That's amazing!  Thank you for sharing that.  Pay attention at 1:31 as the young Brian is actually harmonizing with himself nearly 40 years later.

That is sensational. That said,  I remain a sucker for the 1971 version...

[Vega-Table Man]

However my all time favorite version is the bruiteaur mix of the 1966 recording with the 2004 BWPS version.

https://youtu.be/XVENkH7s1eQ

Absolutely phenomenal. Wanted to add my "thanks" for posting this!

[filledeplage]

However my all time favorite version is the bruiteaur mix of the 1966 recording with the 2004 BWPS version.

https://youtu.be/XVENkH7s1eQ

Absolutely phenomenal. Wanted to add my "thanks" for posting this!

That was extraordinary! Thanks!  Bravo!

Love Brian's solo from 1966!

And Carl on Surf's Up...

But I cannot find a live version of Carl on lead...any leads?   

[KDS]

I'm sticking with the touched up 1971 album version.  That's the version I feel in love with, and still my favorite. 

[Jonathan Blum]

I don't think anything's topped Anne Wallace's mix of the '66 demo with the Part 1 backing track and the '71 coda...  That was the moment when the song crystallized for me.

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[Rocky Raccoon]

But I cannot find a live version of Carl on lead...any leads?   

https://youtube.com/watch?v=q8bTemM60hg

[filledeplage]

But I cannot find a live version of Carl on lead...any leads?   

https://youtube.com/watch?v=q8bTemM60hg

Just listened...phenomenal!

Carl does real justice to that song!

You're a doll!

Thanks for finding that...

A frosty for you...

[guitarfool2002]

Boston Commons, Boston, MA - August 23, 1972

Beach Boys present:
Mike Love
Dennis Wilson
Carl Wilson
Ricky Fataar
Blondie Chaplin
Al Jardine

Backup band included:
Charles Lloyd
Billy Hinsche
Daryl Dragon
Toni Tenille
Boston Philharmonic Orchestra (after intermission)

SETLIST:
01 Marcella
02 Wouldn't it be nice
03 Long promised road
04 Here she comes
05 Heroes and villains
06 Only with you
07 Wild Honey (Blondie on lead)
08 Surfin' U.S.A.
09 Student demonstration time
-Intermission-
10 God only knows
11 Let the wind blow
12 Cuddle up
13 Wonderful / Don't worry Bill
14 Surf's up
15 Do it again
16 Sloop John B.
17 Good vibrations
-Encore-
18 I get around
19 Fun, fun, fun
20 Jumpin' Jack Flash

[guitarfool2002]

I'll take any of the 1966-67 Brian Wilson sung versions over any of them. The composer singing the song when it was still brand new and full of potential. That's the real deal, and hearing them in succession up to the Fall 1967 version that appeared on the Smile session box is overwhelming when put into context. The potential and energy takes on a melancholy feeling as well by the time that last recording was done in '67.

[filledeplage]

Boston Commons, Boston, MA - August 23, 1972

Beach Boys present:
Mike Love
Dennis Wilson
Carl Wilson
Ricky Fataar
Blondie Chaplin
Al Jardine

Backup band included:
Charles Lloyd
Billy Hinsche
Daryl Dragon
Toni Tenille
Boston Philharmonic Orchestra (after intermission)

SETLIST:
01 Marcella
02 Wouldn't it be nice
03 Long promised road
04 Here she comes
05 Heroes and villains
06 Only with you
07 Wild Honey (Blondie on lead)
08 Surfin' U.S.A.
09 Student demonstration time
-Intermission-
10 God only knows
11 Let the wind blow
12 Cuddle up
13 Wonderful / Don't worry Bill
14 Surf's up
15 Do it again
16 Sloop John B.
17 Good vibrations
-Encore-
18 I get around
19 Fun, fun, fun
20 Jumpin' Jack Flash

GF - Is there a recording of this show? (I was there!)    Boston Common!

A few rarities...Cuddle Up, Let The Wind Blow, (EH has Wonderful/Don't Worry Bill) Here She Comes, Only With You, Long Promised Road...SDT (it charted in Boston!) (Here is where I put on my flack jacket!)  

[guitarfool2002]

There are recordings of it.

[filledeplage]

There are recordings of it.

OK  ~ but, are they "available?"

Maybe on iTunes?

[guitarfool2002]

No iTunes, but search the web and find things like this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj2TZ9_Cki0

[filledeplage]

No iTunes, but search the web and find things like this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj2TZ9_Cki0

Thanks! Too bad it was an outdoor show.

Would have been outstanding at Boston Symphony Hall with the Boston Philharmonic. 

And wonder if they had a live recording of this that could have gone on POB?

Maybe MIC 2? 

Thanks, again! 

[Cool Cool Water]

Mine would have to be from TSS, disc three. That being the "Surf's Up: Piano Demo-Master Take". It's just out of this world like the CBS News special, 1967 which blew everyone away.

[SenorPotatoHead]

I really liked the combo of the '66 demo with the BWPS backing, though I prefer the '71 "Child" tag to the BWPS tag - may have to try making my own Frankensmile version 

[Cool Cool Water]

may have to try making my own Frankensmile version 

Go for it! 

[Big Daddy]

Related question: Has the stereo version of Surf's Up from Side 4 of the vinyl in the Smile Sessions Box Set been released on CD anywhere? I just got the MiC set in the mail and found from the track listing that it appears stereo versions from Side 4 of the vinyl for Vega-Tables and Wind Chimes made it on. I find it odd that some of the stereo versions on Side 4 of the vinyl didn't make it on to the CDs in the Smile Sessions Box Set and that the Surf's Up on Side 4 in particular didn't make it on the MiC box.

[Generation42]

I agree with those who feel Brian ought to be singing this classic.

So for me, it's the TSS version all the way.

The Mono is of course glorious, but "Surf's Up" works really, really well in Stereo, I think.  So that's usually the version I spin.

Full disclosure time: It did take me a while to get over the way the lyric "Domino" slightly lags (well, not "lags," exactly) versus every other version of the song.  It works, it just took me some time to get used to the effect.

Now I just cherish that version.

-------------------------

But this "Bruiteur Mix"?  Boy, that's really something!  Me likey.  I'd like to ask if anyone who has a lossless copy of this 1966/2004 mix, and would be willing to share, might post a link.

As it's a fan mix, I think it's in the realm of what is allowable here.  If not, please disregard with my apologies in advance.

[Sound of Free]

I lived with the '71 version for so long before hearing any other that it's got to be that version.

Same for me.

[NateRuvin]

Has anyone heard the Millennium Smile one? I really like that one.

[TonyW]

But I cannot find a live version of Carl on lead...any leads?   

https://youtube.com/watch?v=q8bTemM60hg

A far higher quality version of a live Surfs Up exists and is in circulation than that one.

[TonyW]

I don't think anything's topped Anne Wallace's mix of the '66 demo with the Part 1 backing track and the '71 coda...  That was the moment when the song crystallized for me.

Cheers,
Jon Blum

I'm with Jonathan ... its the Anne Wallace mix for me.

[Phoenix]

I asked in the "Revisiting the catalog" thread, where I discussed losing my digital collection (again) but got no response.  So speaking of "Surf's Up",  can anyone tell me where to look for a copy of "Surf's Up" WITHOUT the "children's song" tag?  I'm pretty sure I got it from Youtube before so if someone could give me a hint of what to type into the search bar I should be OK.

[kwebb]

how'd they even do this?! howd they get the instrumental from bwps?

I'm pretty sure there's an instrumental version on a limited edition promo cd for Beautiful Dreamer