The Definitive Vocal Credits Thread...

[Andrew G. Doe]

Some say it's Brian, some not. 

[adamghost]

I actually went as far as looking at the LIVE AID video to see who sang that line in absence of Brian and the answer is...pretty much everyone.  Which does weigh slightly in favor of there being more than one band member on that line, although it honestly doesn't sound like it to me.

How about just saying "Brian and/or Al."  That covers it all.  I don't think it's resolvable without more information (e.g. an early rough mix, first-hand information, voice of God)

[adamghost]

Hey, Boyd!  I see you up there lurking and reading this thread.  Don't be a puss, tell us.  Who is it, Brian, Al, or Maurice Gibb?

[southbay]

So it's Brian?

Is there a link anywhere so I an hear it? I tried Youtube but couldn't seem to find it...

Yes, it IS on youtube.  I mentioned this way earlier in the thread to bolster my argument that it is Brian.  Go to youtube and search "Beach Boys Medley".  You will get a few choices, including BB Medley & R&R to the rescue from Solid Gold in 1986.  When you click on that selection, a related link will be the actual music video.  So, you can hear it/see it two different places. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

I actually went as far as looking at the LIVE AID video to see who sang that line in absence of Brian and the answer is...pretty much everyone. 

Um, Adam... not sure what you mean with this. 1) Brian was at Live Aid... and 2) "R&RTTR" wasn't recorded then, much less performed.

Confused in the UK.

[Wilsonista]

I think he meant Farm Aid.

[Alan Boyd]

I don't know for certain who's singing those lines.  But it sure sounds like Brian to me....

Lemme check the documentation in the database..... Hmmm... tracks 14 & 15 on the 2" master are both listed as "AL AND BRIAN CHORUSES 2"....

Maybe they're BOTH singing that part - twice?

[Wilsonista]

I just listened to the track (as releasd on Made in USA)  and I would definitely buy a Brian/Al unison. It definitely bears the vocal traits of both men.

[southbay]

I just listened to the track (as releasd on Made in USA)  and I would definitely buy a Brian/Al unison. It definitely bears the vocal traits of both men.

I could be pursuaded to go along with this, esp. after Alan Boyd's input and as long as Brian is given equal vocal credit...

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

[SloopJohnB]

I'd buy the "Al + Brian" theory!  During my first attentive listen to that part, it was obvious that there were two different voices at the same time. I was thinking "Al and Mike", but "Al and Brian" seems to work as well, considering Brian's voice circa 1986!

[Andrew G. Doe]

Works for me.

[John]

Sounds like Brian to me, but you guys have heard it more than once, so I'll go along.
I'll put this one up soonest.

[adamghost]

I think he meant Farm Aid.

I did, sorry.  (Speaking of Brian/Al unison, I love the LIVE AID version of "Wouldn't It Be Nice," with them both singing the lead (Al mixed a little higher).  One of the best live versions I've heard)

I don't personally really hear Al in that section to the degree everyone else does BUT I think, on the balance, Alan's tracksheet evidence tips the balance in favor of the Brian/Al unison theory.  And Al has proved time and again he can double Brian like almost nobody else in the band (despite being the only non-family member), so I think we've solved this mystery.  Yay!

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

And Al has proved time and again he can double Brian like almost nobody else in the band (despite being the only non-family member other than Bruce)

fixed that quote for ya!

Glad I was right on Brian/Al unison, although I thought it was just that one verse.

[John]

Played it safe on R' N' R for now. (And just how is the title actually rendered correctly - Rock n' , Rock And, or what?)
Also, there's a live California Girls on the B-Side of Happy Endings I'd like to add, who does Brian's parts on it?

Thanks folks...

[southbay]

Hang on...you need to add Mike to RRTTR ("hey now, hey now") and his bass part to Wipeout; also, Brian and Carl's accapella intro to Island Girl...

[John]

Done.

[Wilsonista]

I think he meant Farm Aid.

I did, sorry.  (Speaking of Brian/Al unison, I love the LIVE AID version of "Wouldn't It Be Nice," with them both singing the lead (Al mixed a little higher).  One of the best live versions I've heard)

I always thought that sounded more like Foskett to me. Or it could be Maurice Gibb for all I know.

[Wilsonista]

I actually went as far as looking at the LIVE AID video to see who sang that line in absence of Brian and the answer is...pretty much everyone.  Which does weigh slightly in favor of there being more than one band member on that line, although it honestly doesn't sound like it to me.

How about just saying "Brian and/or Al."  That covers it all.  I don't think it's resolvable without more information (e.g. an early rough mix, first-hand information, voice of God)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZloEJ8fVxYQ

Pretty damn good, if you ask me.

[adamghost]

I think he meant Farm Aid.

I did, sorry.  (Speaking of Brian/Al unison, I love the LIVE AID version of "Wouldn't It Be Nice," with them both singing the lead (Al mixed a little higher).  One of the best live versions I've heard)

I always thought that sounded more like Foskett to me. Or it could be Maurice Gibb for all I know.

Brian's on camera singing it, as is Al.  Aurally, it sounds to me like a 60-40 double with Al dominating.  Foskett could be in there too for all I know, I don't remember seeing him on that clip though.

Hey, true story, last night I had a weird dream about "Make It Big."  The dream was that about midway through it turned into a good song.

It's kind of interesting how on almost all of their later stuff, every member of the band gets a piece of the lead vocal (or something close to that).  I have to think politics played a role there.

[the captain]

Hey, true story, last night I had a weird dream about "Make It Big."  The dream was that about midway through it turned into a good song.

That is hilarious.

[Wilsonista]

I think he meant Farm Aid.

I did, sorry.  (Speaking of Brian/Al unison, I love the LIVE AID version of "Wouldn't It Be Nice," with them both singing the lead (Al mixed a little higher).  One of the best live versions I've heard)

Brian's on camera singing it, as is Al.  Aurally, it sounds to me like a 60-40 double with Al dominating.  Foskett could be in there too for all I know, I don't remember seeing him on that clip though.

Jeff doesn't get any face time. I guess I do hear Al in there, but Jeff can be heard too. Listen to the way "wouldn't" is sung - that's Foskett through and through. Ironically I can't hear Brian in there at all and right before the bridge, Brian walks away from the mic before he is actually finished singing the line (where you can still hear Al/Jeff. )

Ugh. Listen to how awful Mike sounds on the ritard at the end.

Hey, true story, last night I had a weird dream about "Make It Big."  The dream was that about midway through it turned into a good song.

Haha, smartass.    That is one of the few Mlcher/Love tunes that I find tolerable. The movie was an utter piece of merda though.

It's kind of interesting how on almost all of their later stuff, every member of the band gets a piece of the lead vocal (or something close to that).  I have to think politics played a role there.

Maybe done so to disguise the fact that by this time, the BB on record had become The Mike Love Show.

[Andrew G. Doe]

"Wipe Out" bass vocal - I really don't think it's Mike. I hear many voices on that song, but only one Beach Boy - Brian. Those who scoff at Brian doing a credible bass vocal, I refer you to the 1973 version of "Shortenin' Bread"

[adamghost]

I concur with AGD on this, although I'm less sure that the bass part isn't Mike (but I'm not going to go listen because...well...I don't want to dream about bad '80s Beach Boys songs two nights in a row).  Here's a question, though...how is it that Brian is the only BB on the song when there's a detailed description of the vocal session -- with all the guys there (or all except Carl, I can't remember) -- for "Wipe Out" described in McFarlane's "Wilson Project" book?  I agree that's what it sounds like, I just don't understand how it's possible.