The Definitive Vocal Credits Thread...

[Andrew G. Doe]

Primo evidence - the hidden track on The Best Of Bruce & Terry. 

[Ian]

Has Our Team been discussed?- a silly song, but I was always curious who sang all the parts- I know Al sang a big part-but Brian took a verse too or am I wrong?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Best I can recall, Alan took the verses, and Brian the "with the girls in the stands/and all of our fans" bit. Think the chorus was mob-handed.

[John]

I'll add some of those changes to Knebworth, but meanwhile, I need some help:

I own BB85 and Still Cruisin, but not a lot of other stuff from that time. Can some give me the info as regards vocals on Happy Endings, the original California Dreamin' and anything else recorded and OFFICIALLY released between 1981 and 1985?

[Beach Boy]

California Dreamin' and Happy Endings aren't from 1981-1985.

[c-man]

California Dreamin' and Happy Endings aren't from 1981-1985.

"California Dremain'" is...  It was recorded in 1982, and officially released (by Radio Shack) in 1983.  It was remixed and partially rereorded for rerelase in '86, but I believe all the vocals are from the originall '82/'83 version.

"Happy Endings", on the other hand, was recorded & released in '87.

[donutbandit]

Best I can recall, Alan took the verses, and Brian the "with the girls in the stands/and all of our fans" bit. Think the chorus was mob-handed.

Are you sure that's Brian? The voice sounds way too deep for Brian to me. My money's on Denny.

[pixletwin]

Best I can recall, Alan took the verses, and Brian the "with the girls in the stands/and all of our fans" bit. Think the chorus was mob-handed.

Are you sure that's Brian? The voice sounds way too deep for Brian to me. My money's on Denny.

Its Brian.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Best I can recall, Alan took the verses, and Brian the "with the girls in the stands/and all of our fans" bit. Think the chorus was mob-handed.

Are you sure that's Brian? The voice sounds way too deep for Brian to me. My money's on Denny.

Small problem - Denny almost certainly never made the trip to MIU. Plus, the session footage makes it pretty clear it's Brian.

[c-man]

Best I can recall, Alan took the verses, and Brian the "with the girls in the stands/and all of our fans" bit. Think the chorus was mob-handed.

Are you sure that's Brian? The voice sounds way too deep for Brian to me. My money's on Denny.

Small problem - Denny almost certainly never made the trip to MIU. Plus, the session footage makes it pretty clear it's Brian.

I have it on good authority (actually multiple authorities) that Denny was at MIU, albeit very briefly.
Still, he did not sing on "Our Team".  In fact he may not have done much at all while he was there, except maybe remix "San Miguel" for possible inclusion.

If I remember right...CARL actually played the drums on "Our Team"...just thinking back to that unaired TV special/video, which I haven't watched for a couple of years...but I seem to recall that...

[Jay]

California Dreamin' and Happy Endings aren't from 1981-1985.

"California Dremain'" is...  It was recorded in 1982, and officially released (by Radio Shack) in 1983.  It was remixed and partially rereorded for rerelase in '86, but I believe all the vocals are from the originall '82/'83 version.

Was Dennis included in this session?

[MBE]

It's doubtful but I think Brian was there.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Dennis wasn't, and neither was Brian, according to Bruce, although I've seen it stated elsewhere that he was. October 1982, I recall.

The difference in leads is that in 1982 the verse vocals were 1- Alan/2 - Carl/3 - Mike, whereas in 1986 they flew in Alan's first verse for the third as well.

[Andrew G. Doe]

New material released between KTSA and The Beach Boys credited to The Beach Boys on the label are:

  7/81 - The Beach Boys Medley 45
  9/81 - Brian Wilson/Beach Boys Rarities (Australia - includes "What I Say" live)
10/81 - Ten Years Of Harmony (includes "Sea Cruise" & "San Miguel")
  3/83 - Rock & Roll City (includes "California Dreamin' version 1)
  8/83 - Rarities
  4/84 - Up The Creek (includes "Chasin' the Sky")
  9/84 - East Meets West 45

[c-man]

Dennis wasn't, and neither was Brian, according to Bruce, although I've seen it stated elsewhere that he was. October 1982, I recall.

The difference in leads is that in 1982 the verse vocals were 1- Alan/2 - Carl/3 - Mike, whereas in 1986 they flew in Alan's first verse for the third as well.

It was early May 1982 at Rumbo Recorders.  The report in "Add Some Music" said "The track, recorded with session musicians, featured the entire Beach Boy vocal ensemble - including Carl and Brian".  They pointed out Carl's presence because he'd just returned to the band.  Personally, I prefer the '82 version myself.

[c-man]

New material released between KTSA and The Beach Boys credited to The Beach Boys on the label are:

  7/81 - The Beach Boys Medley 45
  9/81 - Brian Wilson/Beach Boys Rarities (Australia - includes "What I Say" live)
10/81 - Ten Years Of Harmony (includes "Sea Cruise" & "San Miguel")
  3/83 - Rock & Roll City (includes "California Dreamin' version 1)
  8/83 - Rarities
  4/84 - Up The Creek (includes "Chasin' the Sky")
  9/84 - East Meets West 45

There was also a version by Julio Inglesias of "The Air That I Breathe" with the Beach Boys guesting on backing vocals, released on one of his albums in late '84.  The main thing I remember about this was a  photo in Rolling Stone of Julio and the Boys (including Brian), wearing headphones and holding a surboard in the studio.  Probably one of the last things you'd ever expect to see in life.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I would assume 'vocal ensemble' excludes Dennis at that point in time.

[c-man]

I would assume 'vocal ensemble' excludes Dennis at that point in time.

My thoughts exactly.  By '82, the poor guy could barely speak, let alone sing.

[Andrew G. Doe]

New material released between KTSA and The Beach Boys credited to The Beach Boys on the label are:

  7/81 - The Beach Boys Medley 45
  9/81 - Brian Wilson/Beach Boys Rarities (Australia - includes "What I Say" live)
10/81 - Ten Years Of Harmony (includes "Sea Cruise" & "San Miguel")
  3/83 - Rock & Roll City (includes "California Dreamin' version 1)
  8/83 - Rarities
  4/84 - Up The Creek (includes "Chasin' the Sky")
  9/84 - East Meets West 45

There was also a version by Julio Inglesias of "The Air That I Breathe" with the Beach Boys guesting on backing vocals, released on one of his albums in late '84.  The main thing I remember about this was a  photo in Rolling Stone of Julio and the Boys (including Brian), wearing headphones and holding a surboard in the studio.  Probably one of the last things you'd ever expect to see in life.

There are several BB guest appearences at this time, hence my stipulation "credited to The Beach Boys on the label". We're talking BB releases here.

[c-man]

New material released between KTSA and The Beach Boys credited to The Beach Boys on the label are:

  7/81 - The Beach Boys Medley 45
  9/81 - Brian Wilson/Beach Boys Rarities (Australia - includes "What I Say" live)
10/81 - Ten Years Of Harmony (includes "Sea Cruise" & "San Miguel")
  3/83 - Rock & Roll City (includes "California Dreamin' version 1)
  8/83 - Rarities
  4/84 - Up The Creek (includes "Chasin' the Sky")
  9/84 - East Meets West 45

There was also a version by Julio Inglesias of "The Air That I Breathe" with the Beach Boys guesting on backing vocals, released on one of his albums in late '84.  The main thing I remember about this was a  photo in Rolling Stone of Julio and the Boys (including Brian), wearing headphones and holding a surboard in the studio.  Probably one of the last things you'd ever expect to see in life.

There are several BB guest appearences at this time, hence my stipulation "credited to The Beach Boys on the label". We're talking BB releases here.

Yeah I realize that, but still felt the obligation to point out the Inglesias appearance, for sheer shock value if nothing else (assuming some of the newer readers were unaware of it). 

[Andrew G. Doe]

The report in "Add Some Music" said "The track, recorded with session musicians, featured the entire Beach Boy vocal ensemble - including Carl and Brian". 

Yeah, that is confusing because a few years ago I asked Bruce if a certain high part of the chorus was Brian and he was adamant that Brian wasn't at the session.

[c-man]

The report in "Add Some Music" said "The track, recorded with session musicians, featured the entire Beach Boy vocal ensemble - including Carl and Brian". 

Yeah, that is confusing because a few years ago I asked Bruce if a certain high part of the chorus was Brian and he was adamant that Brian wasn't at the session.

Did he say who did that high part?  I wonder if Foskett was there...

[Andrew G. Doe]

Bullseye. 

[SloopJohnB]

The report in "Add Some Music" said "The track, recorded with session musicians, featured the entire Beach Boy vocal ensemble - including Carl and Brian". 

Yeah, that is confusing because a few years ago I asked Bruce if a certain high part of the chorus was Brian and he was adamant that Brian wasn't at the session.

That's funny, because for years I could have sworn that I could hear Brian in the choruses... I also remember reading at least twice (different sources) that Brian was involved indeed. And then Brian said he hadn't been involved in California Dreamin' (in the WOTS podcast). So what's the final word on this one? Did Brian sing on it or not?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Well, fwiw, Bruce, who was there, says not. Brian says he wasn't there but that has to be taken in context, and in 1982 I think he'd have had a hard time telling you what planet he was on. I'd lean towards not, but will readily revise my stance if definitive evidence is forthcoming.