New Al Jardine Song Samples

[phirnis]

What about Crack At Your Love as a bonus track? I know the real Al fans can't get enough of that song.

[Aegir]

I wonder if California Saga is "California Saga: California (On My Way to Sunny Cali-forn-i-aye)" or whatever or if it's the whole shebang with Big Sur and Beaks of Eagles. I'm hoping for the latter.

[Rocker]

I wonder if California Saga is "California Saga: California (On My Way to Sunny Cali-forn-i-aye)" or whatever or if it's the whole shebang with Big Sur and Beaks of Eagles. I'm hoping for the latter.

I guess it's the recording he did around '96 as a demo for Merle Haggard, which has appeared on one of the ESQ-CDs I believe. So just the last part of the trilogy.
Or maybe it's a new one with "Song of the whale" "Lookin' down the coast" and "Santa Ana winds"  Call it "California Saga Episode 1,2, and 3"

[Rich E P]

It is NOT the demo for Merle version, and yes it is the On My Way version from the California Saga.  It has been completely re-recorded with Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Matt Jardine singing on it.  It will have David Crosby too but he hasn't recorded his part yet (Neil and Stills have though).  It has a different style to it fitting of the CSY contributions.  How do I know?  I had a decent chat with Al (over two days in Las Vegas) about it.  I will be posting about the two Al shows that I saw as well as about the not yet released Al Jardine songs (not posted on his website) and the Dennis Wilson songs from the new 2 cd Dennis comp that I had the pleasure of hearing while I was there.  I heard more of the Al cd that hasn't been posted on the site yet.  Though the cd is not yet finished and some of the mixes I heard are not yet finalized I am pretty excited about it.  If for no other reason than Al clearly has the strongest voice of the surviving Beach Boys.

[donald]

I really enjoyed this.  Sitting at Nepenthe looking down the coast.  Been there, done that!  Looks like some of the photos were taken near Al's Big Sur ranch.  Does he still live there?  Beautiful country.  Same stretch of Big Sur where Boby Darin spent a little quiet time.

And Brian does sound relaxed and tuneful here.  Too bad this flurry of recording from them all in recent years couldn't have been a BeachBoys album.

[Jonas]

Yes, that's Flea.

Very cool!

[Rocker]

It is NOT the demo for Merle version, and yes it is the On My Way version from the California Saga.  It has been completely re-recorded with Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Matt Jardine singing on it.  It will have David Crosby too but he hasn't recorded his part yet (Neil and Stills have though).  It has a different style to it fitting of the CSY contributions.  How do I know?  I had a decent chat with Al (over two days in Las Vegas) about it.  I will be posting about the two Al shows that I saw as well as about the not yet released Al Jardine songs (not posted on his website) and the Dennis Wilson songs from the new 2 cd Dennis comp that I had the pleasure of hearing while I was there.  I heard more of the Al cd that hasn't been posted on the site yet.  Though the cd is not yet finished and some of the mixes I heard are not yet finalized I am pretty excited about it.  If for no other reason than Al clearly has the strongest voice of the surviving Beach Boys.

Thanks for the info ! I'm looking forward to read your story

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Rich - a request.  Next time you talk to Al, can you pass on the we'd all like some bonus tracks?  Demos, whatever???  A CD under 40 minutes would be disappointing ( though I will buy it in any event).

Overall, I love what I've heard and Al sounds great!  And can you please ask him to come play in Hawaii!

[the captain]

Rich - a request.  Next time you talk to Al, can you pass on the we'd all like some bonus tracks?  Demos, whatever???  A CD under 40 minutes would be disappointing ( though I will buy it in any event).

I'd like to go on record diametrically opposed to that--at least the last sentence. Too many musicians put out albums loaded up either with too-long songs, too many songs (some of which suck) or unnecessary "bonus" material just to make people think they're getting some kind of value. But you know what I think is good value? The best music possible. Check the running times of Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper. That's value.

[mikeyj]

unnecessary "bonus" material just to make people think they're getting some kind of value.

But Luther, surely you would love the original demo tapes (pretending that they existed) of just Brian and a piano demoing all of the Pet Sounds material?

[phirnis]

Couldn't agree more, Luther. If an artist really has something to say, they don't need to make you sit through hours and hours of music. Of course I like the occasional bonus track, yet a short, complete artistic statement I just find so much more rewarding.

[matt-zeus]

I dislike bonus tracks on new albums, I think if there are additional tracks on there they should be integrated into the rest of the album otherwise stick them on a B-side.
As far as demos go, I don't think I have much interest in hearing demos of new material as my familiarity with the material is too recent to get nostalgic and think I want to hear a demo.
If I hear old Brian, Macca or Queen demos of familiar material then that is often an interesting and at times exciting experience but only because i've spent years hearing certain songs only in one configuration.
I like Al and some of his stuff over the years (His version of Back Home, Susie Cincinatti, Loop de loop etc) but am not sure about this album but will certainly give it a listen, I just don't care that much for the covers of songs he's already sung before.
He's been recording it for years, it's almost the 'Chinese Democracy' of Beach Boys related albums!

[SurfRiderHawaii]

3) Honkin Down the Highway - Why bother?

Apparently because Alan is convinced the song was never released. 

Wow, some interesting information out there if 'someone' puts in a little effort.

http://www.aljardine.com/articles.html

see - Beach Boys Fan Club Interview

[the captain]

unnecessary "bonus" material just to make people think they're getting some kind of value.

But Luther, surely you would love the original demo tapes (pretending that they existed) of just Brian and a piano demoing all of the Pet Sounds material?

I sure would. And still I can recognize the difference between such tapes and some Jardine demos of run-of-the-mill tunes. There is a difference between wanting to hear the origins of classics and wanting to hear everybody's work tapes.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Couldn't agree more, Luther. If an artist really has something to say, they don't need to make you sit through hours and hours of music. Of course I like the occasional bonus track, yet a short, complete artistic statement I just find so much more rewarding.

Well I guess phirnis and Luther are just going to hate the upcoming rerelease of ''Pacific Ocean Blue'  Those 20 some unreleased bonus tracks are going to make for the worst BB release ever.  How dare they dip into the vaults and put out those Bambu tracks!

So the experience isn't ruined, just hit your stop button when track 13 finishes    (just yanking your chain guys).  I agree that bonus tracks, say, at the end of 'Pet Sounds', diminish the experience).  I thinks Al's album will be no 'Pet Sounds'. and, say, the inclusion of the unreleased "A Pirate Looks at 50" would make the album more interesting.

[phirnis]

Talking about P.O.B./Bambu, I could certainly do without a bonus track by that fucking Foo Fighters drummer. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

3) Honkin Down the Highway - Why bother?

Apparently because Alan is convinced the song was never released. 

Wow, some interesting information out there if 'someone' puts in a little effort.

http://www.aljardine.com/articles.html

see - Beach Boys Fan Club Interview

Interesting - in another interview maybe a year ago, he clearly stated that they'd never released it. 

[Jon Stebbins]

Talking about P.O.B./Bambu, I could certainly do without a bonus track by that fodaing Foo Fighters drummer. 

Its not a track by the Foo Fighters drummer. Its a Dennis Wilson recording that never had a lead vocal added to it, Taylor nicely filled in the lead using DW's melody...very tasteful...very Dennis-like...but if you can't stand to hear it that way then the pure version with no vocal added is on disc one...so calm down. Personally i think both versions are great.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Interesting - in another interview maybe a year ago, he clearly stated that they'd never released it. 

Aloha AGD - You probably know better than anyone how often band members are completely misquoted by writers/editors who know little to nothing about the history of the Beach Boys. How many press releases have I read, this year alone, about Beach Boys band appearances featuring Al, Brian, Bruce and Mike.  They even use old pictures.

Clearly, this article indicates Al has vivid memories of the "Love You' sessions.

"Alan:  And, "Honkin' Down the Highway," did I mention that?
 
"Honkin'" and "Drivin'" are kind of a pair. Ritchie Canata is playing a big old Baritone Saxophone on "Honkin'." That's finished. That's a killer. It's similar to the original, only better. I'm using the original Moog synthesizer we used on the original recording on the Beach Boys Love You album. The Bari sax is my favorite; he has a little solo on it. So, we've got "Honkin'" and "Drivin'."  (from article on Al's website)

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Talking about P.O.B./Bambu, I could certainly do without a bonus track by that fodaing Foo Fighters drummer. 

Its not a track by the Foo Fighters drummer. Its a Dennis Wilson recording that never had a lead vocal added to it, Taylor nicely filled in the lead using DW's melody...very tasteful...very Dennis-like...but if you can't stand to hear it that way then the pure version with no vocal added is on disc one...so calm down. Personally i think both versions are great.

Jon - Was any thought given to David Marks (or Brian) singing this?  Guess it would lessen the appeal of POB to Foo Fighter fans but, to me, would be so much more appropriate!  That said, I am giddy with excitement to hear it!

[Jon Stebbins]

Talking about P.O.B./Bambu, I could certainly do without a bonus track by that fodaing Foo Fighters drummer. 

Its not a track by the Foo Fighters drummer. Its a Dennis Wilson recording that never had a lead vocal added to it, Taylor nicely filled in the lead using DW's melody...very tasteful...very Dennis-like...but if you can't stand to hear it that way then the pure version with no vocal added is on disc one...so calm down. Personally i think both versions are great.

Jon - Was any thought given to David Marks (or Brian) singing this?  Guess it would lessen the appeal of POB to Foo Fighter fans but, to me, would be so much more appropriate!  That said, I am giddy with excitement to hear it!

Thought was given to a few options, but the bottom line is that Jim Guercio didn't want anything but Dennis' orig. recordings on this release, he wanted them mixed properly and wanted the puzzle pieced together as best we could...but no extra Beach Boys vocals, no added instruments or vocal parts etc... The Taylor Hawkins thing happened purely on a whim, it was thought of as an experiment...it was never thought of as a strategy. Gregg Jakobson is friends with Taylor who is a big fan of Pacific Ocean Blue. He played him the track and said well if you want to take a crack at putting on a vocal maybe we'll try it. But the no vocal version was always intended for the package no matter, Hanlon was in love with the track for 30 years and insisted it be included. The Taylor vocal version is on there too because it shows off the beautiful melody, and its really tasteful in its presentation. Jimmy liked it, and Sony was happy to have an extra marketing angle...maybe some new blood will listen to Dennis, or maybe it will get a little extra ink. It was Gregg's idea and it ended up working, and its only one track...the other 32 are purely as Dennis recorded them. I'm sure once people hear it they'll say...hmmm that doesn't stand out like a sore thumb...it just kind of fits in.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Mahalo Jon!  I do like the idea of putting a vocal on it/hearing the melody!  Appreciate the story re: Gregg's efforts on the track.

Besides, anyone named Gregg can do no wrong

Best, Gregg G - Honolulu, HI

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Thought was given to a few options, but the bottom line is that Jim Guercio didn't want anything but Dennis' orig. recordings on this release, he wanted them mixed properly and wanted the puzzle pieced together as best we could...but no extra Beach Boys vocals, no added instruments or vocal parts etc... The Taylor Hawkins thing happened purely on a whim, it was thought of as an experiment...it was never thought of as a strategy. Gregg Jakobson is friends with Taylor who is a big fan of Pacific Ocean Blue. He played him the track and said well if you want to take a crack at putting on a vocal maybe we'll try it. But the no vocal version was always intended for the package no matter, Hanlon was in love with the track for 30 years and insisted it be included. The Taylor vocal version is on there too because it shows off the beautiful melody, and its really tasteful in its presentation. Jimmy liked it, and Sony was happy to have an extra marketing angle...maybe some new blood will listen to Dennis, or maybe it will get a little extra ink. It was Gregg's idea and it ended up working, and its only one track...the other 32 are purely as Dennis recorded them. I'm sure once people hear it they'll say...hmmm that doesn't stand out like a sore thumb...it just kind of fits in.

My wife's a big Foo Fighters fan and Dennis is her favorite BB... works for me! It'd be like how I'd feel if  Scott Weiland sang "California Feeling".

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Glen Campbell's lead vocals are now on an updated version of "Postcard from California" on the 'track samples' page.

I like it alot better! It's 'Wichita Lineman'/'Rhinestone Cowboy' meets the Beach Boys.  Jimmy Webb anybody?

[Mr. Cohen]

Covering up the bass line of "Honkin Down the Highway" like that should be a crime. That moog bass (or whatever it is) on the original makes the damn song. I'll be sending Al a postcard, and he's not going to like it.