Bruce Johnston talks reunion idea.

[?]

If, in some magical way, you could ask Carl Wilson if he thought The Beach Boys should reunite - with a line-up of Brian, Mike, Al, David, and Bruce - what do you think he would say? If you don't want to answer, no problem.

I'm sure they'd have his blessing if that's the direction they wanted to take but I can't really say beyond that.  I suspect Luther is right.  What I can say is that I don't believe that's what Brian wants to do.  I saw him in Nashville last month and during the hits set he really looked rather bored, like he was just going through the motions - for the fans.  It was only when it came time for TLOS that he absolutely came alive and became completely immersed in his performance.  It was really remarkable to see the change come over him.  You could tell his heart was in it 100% and to me that says it all.  I think at this point he just wants to be in an environment where he's free to create and collaborate with a supportive group that he feels comfortable with.  Could that be the Beach Boys?  Possibly, but 40+ years of history say otherwise.  I don't see where he would fit into a current incarnation of the Beach Boys either, since he and Mike are essentially in the same vocal range now and he can't do all his old parts.  I know not everybody is a fan of Brian's solo stuff but in my mind he's still moving forward and a Beach Boys reunion would be a big step back.  I understand why some want to see it happen but it's just not for me. 

[Aegir]

Your argument is self-contradictory. You say Brian does the hits sets at his solo shows for the fans and doesn't appear to enjoy it, but he does it anyway "for the fans".

So if it's clear he's not enjoying himself anyway, would you rather see him not enjoying himself with his current band, or with his old band? I vote old band.

[The Heartical Don]

Your argument is self-contradictory. You say Brian does the hits sets at his solo shows for the fans and doesn't appear to enjoy it, but he does it anyway "for the fans".

So if it's clear he's not enjoying himself anyway, would you rather see him not enjoying himself with his current band, or with his old band? I vote old band.

Hm. I take AvanTodd's argument to be that in the TLOS programme BW is at least happy for the 40 minutes of that work, whereas he wouldn't be really well at any point during a BBs reunion recital. Plus, I think that Darian, Taylor & co. revitalize him, make him feel youngish, and I don't see Mike doing that ever again in this life.

[Amy B.]

I remember reading that during the 2006 Capitol rooftop event, "Don't Talk" was playing in the background and Mike asked Brian if he could still sound like that.  Brian laughed before telling him he couldn't. Either Mike is kidding himself about Brian's voice, or he still likes to goad Brian. It could be that Brian then turned to Mike and started making fun of his nasal voice-- I don't know. But even though they apparently had a brief discussion about working together again, nothing came of it. I think if Brian were really excited about it, it would have happened, or at least he would have mentioned it in an interview. Melinda's not always there to control what he says.

If--and that's a big if-- everyone is into it and really wants to do it (I still say Brian is doing pretty well now and has no reason to want a reunion unless it's for personal reasons), then maybe the thing to do would be to have Brian make a surprise appearance at a Beach Boys gig. If everyone feels comfortable after that, they can explore the possibility of a reunion event.

[the captain]

Actually David Marks has a fine singing voice that's really mellow,and laid-back. He did a great job singing "You And I" in Hawthorne at the dedication ceremony.  To say he wasn't ever a great singer is wrong, IMHO.

I don't like his voice at all. (Sorry if you're reading, Carrie. Just being honest.) But "wrong' is the wrong word, considering it's a subjective matter, I suppose.

[the captain]

Your argument is self-contradictory. You say Brian does the hits sets at his solo shows for the fans and doesn't appear to enjoy it, but he does it anyway "for the fans".

There isn't anything contradictory about that. The argument is that fans want Brian to do his old songs, so he does them (despite not enjoying it himself). That isn't a contradiction. So then it becomes a matter of whether he could not-enjoy himself with his new band (with whom he also gets to play his own, new music and presumably has a good time on a personal level) or not-enjoy himself with his old band (with whom he presumably would do less new music and has a checkered history on a personal level). Again, no contradiction involved. I don't know what he likes and doesn't like, in that I've never so much as met the guy. But AvanTodd's argument isn't self contradictory.

[The Heartical Don]

Your argument is self-contradictory. You say Brian does the hits sets at his solo shows for the fans and doesn't appear to enjoy it, but he does it anyway "for the fans".

There isn't anything contradictory about that. The argument is that fans want Brian to do his old songs, so he does them (despite not enjoying it himself). That isn't a contradiction. So then it becomes a matter of whether he could not-enjoy himself with his new band (with whom he also gets to play his own, new music and presumably has a good time on a personal level) or not-enjoy himself with his old band (with whom he presumably would do less new music and has a checkered history on a personal level). Again, no contradiction involved. I don't know what he likes and doesn't like, in that I've never so much as met the guy. But AvanTodd's argument isn't self contradictory.

Luther! I wrote words to that extent already! Why didn't you credit me for that? I love you man!

[the captain]

Luther! I wrote words to that extent already! Why didn't you credit me for that? I love you man!

Because I didn't get to (and thus read) your post. Got to Aegir's and clicked "quote." But I'll credit you now. Everyone, the Heartical Don already said something apparently similar to what I said. I don't know this for a fact because I have not yet read the post in question. But I have no reason to believe he'd make such a stupid thing up. Therefore, let's all believe him and offer him a hearty thanks for being so damn swell besides. Thank you. That is all. Good?  (Oh, and by the way, it's blizzarding here. There is one thing for me to do. And at 10:05 a.m., I'd say that's a good time to begin. My posts will become increasingly sarcastic, stupid and typo-ridden from here on out.)

[Carrie Marks]

Actually David Marks has a fine singing voice that's really mellow,and laid-back. He did a great job singing "You And I" in Hawthorne at the dedication ceremony.  To say he wasn't ever a great singer is wrong, IMHO.

I don't like his voice at all. (Sorry if you're reading, Carrie. Just being honest.) But "wrong' is the wrong word, considering it's a subjective matter, I suppose.

No offense taken...it is subjective. A lot of people don't consider Dennis a great singer, either. I also know that David's voice wouldn't be the strongest of the five....but I disagree that his voice would not add authenticity to the Beach Boys vocals should there be a reunion. 

Al Jardine said David sounds like Mike Love and Mike Love said David sounds like Dennis Wison.  Paul Schaeffer didn't think David was a singer (based on myth) until he heard him sing with Al - and after that he raved about how David's voice sounded like "a Beach Boys record" - he even made a point of telling Mike and Bruce what a great singer David was when we saw him at a BB show the following year.  Lastly, as an example of recently recorded voices, I think David and Al's voice blend beautifully on I Sail Away, which was on the ESQ Dennis tribute CD and is also on David's MYSpace Page...it makes my ear crave hearing Mike and Carl's voice on there with them! 

I also disagree with you that they all would have trouble with their vocals today in a reunion-type situation.  The Beach Boys have always been bigger and better than the sum of their parts...I've seen first hand how adding just one extra Beach Boy to a current configuration exponentially increases the authenticity factor, whether that be Al on Brian's Pet Sounds tour or David on Mike's UK tour or a hundred other examples over the last nearly 50 years.  None of them are solo artists, but together they have put out one of the greatest catalogs in music history...so don't discount the power of 1+1+1+1+1  equaling more than 5! 

Now, whether it happens or not is not up to anyone responding on this thread, and it may or may not happen in any number of different scenarios...but I don't think lack of talent (or voice) among the 5 surviving Beach Boys is one of the reasons  it won't (or shouldn't) happen.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

[quoteI remember reading that during the 2006 Capitol rooftop event, "Don't Talk" was playing in the background and Mike asked Brian if he could still sound like that.  Brian laughed before telling him he couldn't. Either Mike is kidding himself about Brian's voice, or he still likes to goad Brian.[/quote]

Ever thought he was just kidding with him?

Thanks for that informative post, Carrie. In all honesty, I've never heard David sing, nor heard any of his solo work. Now I know I need to check him out!

[the captain]

I don't think I said David's voice wouldn't add authenticity, and if I did, I'd take that back. No question about that part. The primary point of my complaint about the guys' voices was actually more intended as a question about Brian's voice (and then the unstated lack of Carl). Mike's voice seems to me diminished. Al's is diminished less than the others, but it clearly is. So it comes down for me to Brian being incapable of doing his "real" parts, and then the guys who would traditionally cover for that absence being either losing some capability (Al) or dead (Carl). That's my issue. Anyway, I'm well aware that my opinion is moot. If the guys want to get together, go for it. If they don't, go for (not) it. It's not my thing: the albums are.

[Sheriff John Stone]

If the guys want to get together, go for it. If they don't, go for (not) it. It's not my thing: the albums are.

Being as passionate as you are about The Beach Boys (even covering some of their songs), I can't believe that, if a reunited Beach Boys came your way, you wouldn't buy a ticket.

As far as Brian singing "live", I know it's a no-brainer", but the first guy I would sign up would be Jeff Foskett. Just stand Jeff on stage next to Brian, and have Jeff cover for him, double him, talk to him, dress him, whatever. Basically, what he's doing now....

And, then recruit Matt Jardine for percussion and the high parts....

[the captain]

I can't believe that, if a reunited Beach Boys came your way, you wouldn't buy a ticket.

I'm not a big fan of live shows in general, actually. While I used to get out a couple times a week, I've probably seen half a dozen shows in the past year. And I'm all but certain the TLOS show was my last Brian Wilson show. So I wouldn't be too sure, if I were you, what I'd be inclined to do. (But hey, who knows. My mind could change. It's just that usually those mind-changes lean toward inaction.)

[MBE]

[quoteI remember reading that during the 2006 Capitol rooftop event, "Don't Talk" was playing in the background and Mike asked Brian if he could still sound like that.  Brian laughed before telling him he couldn't. Either Mike is kidding himself about Brian's voice, or he still likes to goad Brian.

Ever thought he was just kidding with him?

Thanks for that informative post, Carrie. In all honesty, I've never heard David sing, nor heard any of his solo work. Now I know I need to check him out!
[/quote]

Billy start with the first Moon LP he sounds like he would be right at home on Smiley Smile.

[MBE]

I can't believe that, if a reunited Beach Boys came your way, you wouldn't buy a ticket.

I'm not a big fan of live shows in general, actually. While I used to get out a couple times a week, I've probably seen half a dozen shows in the past year. And I'm all but certain the TLOS show was my last Brian Wilson show. So I wouldn't be too sure, if I were you, what I'd be inclined to do. (But hey, who knows. My mind could change. It's just that usually those mind-changes lean toward inaction.)

I don't think anybody as they enter their sixties can claim to sound exactly the same, but it's only Brian that sounds totally different. Mike can still do bass vocals very well, his front range is a little shaky but he did do Here Today perfectly when I saw him. Bruce is fairly hoarse compared to his youth, but he still does sound like Bruce. Al sounds almost the same if not able to hit the higher part of his range. Dave sounds older then his 1960's self but has a very nice tonal quality. Blondie really sounds good. So I think you get Matt and Jeff to do the high notes and the rest is covered. Personally if it happens as long as it's done with class I would be happy. If it doesn't happen we do have the records.

[Carrie Marks]

Billy:  just check out David's MySpace page (MySpace.com/DavidMarks) - I've got mostly covers up there now (his versions of BB songs) but you get an idea about his voice....there is also a you tube clip of him singing Forever with the Beach Boys if anyone cares to look for it. 

Luther:  I'm curious when the last time you heard Mike Love sing live was?  Because, one of the highlights of the whole spring '08 UK tour was his bass parts on Kiss Me Baby - he demonstrated that he still has his vocal chops, especially when singing that low harmony...it was GREAT!!! And Al, I don't see  this deterioration you talk about him having (even if noted as being less than the others) I have seen him do at least a dozen shows in the last few years and he sings every bit as good as he did 40 years ago...maybe better!   Brian half as good as he was in his prime is still better than most...and Matt Jardine and Christian Love can fill any holes while still keeping it in the family.   So again, there are lots of reasons why a reunion may or may not ever happen, but lack of vocal chops is just not one of them, in my opinion! 

[Carrie Marks]

MBE - looks like we were thinking the same thing but your post beat mine!

[John]

Dave sounds like early-ish Dennis to me. Ergo, his voice in the blend would be most welcome.

[the captain]

I don't want to sound like I'm criticizing anyone, here. But as MBE says, nobody in their mid-60s sounds like he did in his 20s. I'm not saying the guys lost the ability to hear or blend or sing in tune. But their ranges are reduced, especially on the upper end. I don't think that's me being particularly revelatory. And the voices--Brian in particular, but Al, too--lack the clarity and purity they once had. They don't suck. They aren't awful. That isn't (and wasn't) what I was saying. And if anyone else doesn't hear any changes in their voices (which I doubt), or likes the changes, that's cool. Some of you are more invested emotionally than me, I think, in seeing some live reunion. Cool. If it happens, enjoy it. I think I mostly agree 100% with MBE, at least, except for the end result of our own particular interest.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I think the debate about how a reunited Beach Boys would "sound", either live or in the studio, is getting into the area of relativity. Which is fine, that's part of the fun of the discussion.

Would a 2009 version of The Beach Boys sound like the original records? No. Would they sound like Live In London '69? No. Would they sound like In Concert 1972-73? No. Would they sound like Knebworth 1980? Now we're getting into some serious discussion.


Of course they've lost some speed off their fastballs, that's not the issue. The issue is how much. I think there's two different perspectives to consider. First, I'll bet most of us are harking back to the ragged days of 1981, without Carl Wilson. Are you picturing Brian ruining those songs, and a backing band - vocally - that was nowhere near what they could come up with today. I mean, basically, all you could hear was Mike, Al, and Bruce.

Are you picturing The Beach Boys in the 1990's, coasting through Kokomo, with not much passion? Are you picturing them going through the motions, with arrangements that didn't really highlight their voices?

If you think a reunited Beach Boys would be a repeat of those past days, yes, it would be a disaster. But, from what I've heard (and read), they've cleaned up their respective acts, and not only just "get through" the songs, but impress. I've mentioned it before, but don't you think they would realize the "last chance" opportunity, and being in the spotlight, under a microscope, rise to the occasion? Don't you think they could raise the level of their game, in much the same way Brian did with BWPS, and, in much the same way Mike & Bruce have been doing lately.

Because Mike and Bruce haven't recorded in awhile, it's hard to tell exactly what their best would sound like. Yeah, they'd sound older, but still good, I think. I hope... 

[MBE]

MBE - looks like we were thinking the same thing but your post beat mine!

Yeah I think we are on the same page here.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I think David's voice is fantastic!!!!  One can only imagine what would have gone down if he had stayed in the BB  and what leads he would have sung.

I wish they had gotten David to do the 'Holy Man' vocal (nothing against TH).

If they do get together for a show, David should sing a couple Dennis songs.  Be great to hear him on 'Steamboat'.
And of course, with David there, the lead guitar is covered.

Carrie, I don't see the 'The Lost Years' 3 CD set in your online store (except in the package with the the book, which I've read and own), is that the only package available right now?

[Amy B.]

[quoteI remember reading that during the 2006 Capitol rooftop event, "Don't Talk" was playing in the background and Mike asked Brian if he could still sound like that.  Brian laughed before telling him he couldn't. Either Mike is kidding himself about Brian's voice, or he still likes to goad Brian.

Ever thought he was just kidding with him?

Thanks for that informative post, Carrie. In all honesty, I've never heard David sing, nor heard any of his solo work. Now I know I need to check him out!
[/quote]

Goading, kidding...there's a fine line, particularly where we're talking about a sensitive relationship. When Brian had Al hold his nose to imitate Mike, a similar thing. "Oh, he's gonna LOVE that."
I've never heard David sing either. If there were a reunion I think it would be a must for him to take some leads, particularly with the number of casual fans who are unaware of him. That said, I still agree with Adam on this issue.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

[quoteI
Thanks for that informative post, Carrie. In all honesty, I've never heard David sing, nor heard any of his solo work. Now I know I need to check him out!

[quoteI remember reading that during the 2006 Capitol rooftop event, "Don't Talk" was playing in the background and Mike asked Brian if he could still sound like that.  Brian laughed before telling him he couldn't. Either Mike is kidding himself about Brian's voice, or he still likes to goad Brian.

Ever thought he was just kidding with him?

Thanks for that informative post, Carrie. In all honesty, I've never heard David sing, nor heard any of his solo work. Now I know I need to check him out!

Goading, kidding...there's a fine line, particularly where we're talking about a sensitive relationship. When Brian had Al hold his nose to imitate Mike, a similar thing. "Oh, he's gonna LOVE that."
I've never heard David sing either. If there were a reunion I think it would be a must for him to take some leads, particularly with the number of casual fans who are unaware of him. That said, I still agree with Adam on this issue.

[/quote]

Kinda amazing to me that  'hard core' Beach Boy fans have never heard David sing.  David is not a beautiful singer in the 'classic 65-73 Brian Wilson' vein but  his voice is extremely expressive.  Think of the cool/hip BB of 'Surf's Up thru 'Holland' and David would fit right in.

[Amy B.]

Kinda amazing to me that  'hard core' Beach Boy fans have never heard David sing.  David is not a beautiful singer in the 'classic 65-73 Brian Wilson' vein but  his voice is extremely expressive.  Think of the cool/hip BB of 'Surf's Up thru 'Holland' and David would fit right in.

I'm sure Billy is a hard core fan, being a moderator, but I'm really not. I have most of the albums, but no real ancillary stuff and am not a musician or anything like that. From your description, though, it does sound like David would sound great on Dennis's stuff. And if there _were_ a reunion, it would be great if they packed fans in and then sprung a whole bunch of late 60s/early 70s stuff on them. Traveling jukebox? Not here! I don't think that would happen, though.