I've been wanting to compile an edit of Lei'd In Hawaii since the official recordings were released, but never have. The only attempt I've made was a project a few years ago where I added applause to the studio tracks, but I never finished that.
Today I started from scratch and decided to only use the live tracks and see how good of an album I could come up with. Most of the tracks I used were full performances from the respective night, but a few were spliced from both nights. For the most part, the editing and splicing is very clean, but at the same time, I wanted it to sound like an album produced in 1968 so it isn't completely perfect.
There was one moment in particular when Brian missteps the final verse of Sloop John B. At first I edited this out (and the edit sounded fine), but then Brian's off-mike commentary right after that remained, so I decided to just leave the mistake in. It doesn't sound too bad anyway.
The splice in Surfer Girl turned out so well that I dare someone to point out where it is...
Overall this album isn't so bad, and I don't think too many people would have turned up their noses at it if it had actually been released. To me, the unpolished live tracks are more enjoyable than the studio recordings. Not to mention the studio tracks probably wouldn't have fooled too many people if they had been on the album.
The Letter
You're So Good To Me
Help Me, Rhonda
Surfin'
California Girls
Surfer Girl
Sloop John B
Heroes and Villains
Gettin' Hungry
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Barbara Ann
https://we.tl/t-yAXocIWeGKEnjoy, and let me know what you think!
Author
