Surfs Up (Live)

[mikeyj]

Ok, let's leave Leaf off for this one, though 'Leafian' is a good (if somewhat unfair) label for the 'Smile wasn't released because the band couldn't play it live' myth. The guys played 3 or 4 songs from Pet Sounds when it was a new release and took care of business. Smile would just be a new album and the same amount of singles and album tracks would be added to the set list. Nothing new.

This is sort of related. I've always felt that a lot of the more "progressive" songs (Good Vibes, GOK) sounded better live than some of the earlier songs (I Get Around in particular). I'm sure there are others who feel that way.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I think The Beach Boys get a bum rap when it comes to integrating new material or more obscure songs into their setlists. Even going back to the post-Endless Summer/Brian's Back period, they played their share of new songs/non-hits. It's just that they play SO MANY hits, it overshadows the rest. Not to oversimplify, but it might have to do the the fact that their songs are so short, that, numberwise, they easily overpower the non-hits.

Somebody who has access to the exact setlists can correct me if I'm wrong, but look at the number of "new" songs they actually performed, starting with their "back to the oldies" period:

15 Big Ones
- Rock And Roll Music
- It's OK
- That Same Song (on TV)
- TM Song (on TV)
- Susie Cincinnatti
- A Casual Look
- Back Home
- You Are So Beautiful (around that time)

Love You
- Roller Skating Child
- Honkin' Down The Highway
- Airplane
- Love Is A Woman

MIU
- Come Go With Me
- Peggy Sue
- Country Pie (from around that time)
- Almost Summer (related)
- Cruisin' (related)

L.A. (Light Album)
- Good Timin'
- Lady Lynda
- Angel Come Home (on National TV)
- Sumahama
- Here Comes The Night
- Shortenin' Bread

Keepin' The Summer Alive
- Keepin' The Summer Alive
- Some Of Your Love
- School Days
- Livin' With A Heartache
- Goin' On

This doesn't include some of the album cuts from the Surf's Up, Carl & Passions, and Holland that they sprinkled in there...
 

[Fall Breaks]

Check this setlist:

Carnegie Hall, New York City
September 24, 1971

1. GOOD VIBRATIONS
2. TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR FEET
3. DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER
4. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE
5. DARLIN'
6. STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME
7. COOL COOL WATER
8. LONG PROMISED ROAD
9. GOD ONLY KNOWS
10. SLOOP JOHN B.
11. IT'S ABOUT TIME
12. MIKE'S TM POEM
13. FEEL FLOWS
14. DISNEY GIRLS
15. LOOKIN' AT TOMORROW
16. CAROLINE, NO
17. BARBARA
18. SURF'S UP
19. HEROES AND VILLAINS

-Encore-
20. DO IT AGAIN

That's 8 out of 10 songs from their latest album. Impressive.

[Jon Stebbins]

Ok, let's leave Leaf off for this one, though 'Leafian' is a good (if somewhat unfair) label for the 'Smile wasn't released because the band couldn't play it live' myth. The guys played 3 or 4 songs from Pet Sounds when it was a new release and took care of business. Smile would just be a new album and the same amount of singles and album tracks would be added to the set list. Nothing new.

This is sort of related. I've always felt that a lot of the more "progressive" songs (Good Vibes, GOK) sounded better live than some of the earlier songs (I Get Around in particular). I'm sure there are others who feel that way.

They played I Get Around GREAT in '64(see TAMI show)when it was a new song. But it never really worked later with Ricky(or anybody but Dennis) on drums. Most of the surf/hot rod period songs were better with Dennis playing drums live...the more sophisticated stuff worked well with Ricky...although Dennis was great on Wouldn't It Be Nice too.

[Sheriff John Stone]

One of Dennis's best performances of a Pet Sounds' song, or any song for that matter, is "Sloop John B" from the 1976 It's OK NBC-TV Special.

[Dancing Bear]

This is sort of related. I've always felt that a lot of the more "progressive" songs (Good Vibes, GOK) sounded better live than some of the earlier songs (I Get Around in particular). I'm sure there are others who feel that way.

Yeah, I agree. In the seventies, they performed often I Get Around. Technicaly everything was there, Mike could still reach those notes without going nasal, but they just pale compared to the performance in Ready Steady Go, for example.

[Emdeeh]

what do you recall about the onstage configuration for "Surf's Up"?  Carl on piano or electric piano, I assume...was Dennis upfront for that one, or toward the back on keyboards?

I don't recall specifically, but Carl was on keyboards for some songs at the Tech show, probably SU as well. Dennis wasn't there -- the reason given was that he had a sick child at home. Even without Dennis, it was a sizable lineup of BBs -- Mike, Carl, Al, Bruce, Blondie, and Ricky. Bruce played bass for most of the show.

[KokoMoses]

I have a live Surf's Up from an unknown date/place that is most certainly in front of a large live audience. It sounds like an audience recording. People keep talking through the song and some guy starts yelling at them to shut up and Carl chuckles and everyone cheers!

Anyone know where/when this was recorded?

[MBE]

I think The Beach Boys get a bum rap when it comes to integrating new material or more obscure songs into their setlists. Even going back to the post-Endless Summer/Brian's Back period, they played their share of new songs/non-hits. It's just that they play SO MANY hits, it overshadows the rest. Not to oversimplify, but it might have to do the the fact that their songs are so short, that, numberwise, they easily overpower the non-hits.

Somebody who has access to the exact setlists can correct me if I'm wrong, but look at the number of "new" songs they actually performed, starting with their "back to the oldies" period:

15 Big Ones
- Rock And Roll Music
- It's OK
- That Same Song (on TV)
- TM Song (on TV)
- Susie Cincinnatti
- A Casual Look
- Back Home
- You Are So Beautiful (around that time)

Love You
- Roller Skating Child
- Honkin' Down The Highway
- Airplane
- Love Is A Woman

MIU
- Come Go With Me
- Peggy Sue
- Country Pie (from around that time)
- Almost Summer (related)
- Cruisin' (related)

L.A. (Light Album)
- Good Timin'
- Lady Lynda
- Angel Come Home (on National TV)
- Sumahama
- Here Comes The Night
- Shortenin' Bread

Keepin' The Summer Alive
- Keepin' The Summer Alive
- Some Of Your Love
- School Days
- Livin' With A Heartache
- Goin' On

This doesn't include some of the album cuts from the Surf's Up, Carl & Passions, and Holland that they sprinkled in there...
 

Good point and they played the 85, Still Crusin, SIP, and S&S stuff too. It's just that starting roughly in 1975 the show was an oldies show for the most part. Maybe we can say the Beacago or the 1993 are the exceptions, but even though they still did new stuff the old songs became the theme. Through 1980 there was some restraint, but after the surf and car medleys with non Beach Boys songs included started it was over.

[c-man]

I have a live Surf's Up from an unknown date/place that is most certainly in front of a large live audience. It sounds like an audience recording. People keep talking through the song and some guy starts yelling at them to shut up and Carl chuckles and everyone cheers!

Anyone know where/when this was recorded?

Sounds like St. John's University, March of '72.  One of my favorite shows.  During "Wodnerbill", Carl stops the song to tell some guys in the audience to quit fighting.  Mike says "Anyone who wants to fight can go to Madison Square Garden and get paid for it". 

[KokoMoses]

wow!

where can I get my hands on the whole recording?

[smile-holland]

Good point and they played the 85, Still Crusin, SIP, and S&S stuff too. It's just that starting roughly in 1975 the show was an oldies show for the most part. Maybe we can say the Beacago or the 1993 are the exceptions, but even though they still did new stuff the old songs became the theme. Through 1980 there was some restraint, but after the surf and carl medleys with non Beach Boys songs included started it was over.

Carl medleys?... now that would've been interesting... 

[MBE]

OK maybe it was a subconscious wish?

[Dove Nested Towers]

Check this setlist:

Carnegie Hall, New York City
September 24, 1971

1. GOOD VIBRATIONS
2. TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR FEET
3. DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER
4. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE
5. DARLIN'
6. STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME
7. COOL COOL WATER
8. LONG PROMISED ROAD
9. GOD ONLY KNOWS
10. SLOOP JOHN B.
11. IT'S ABOUT TIME
12. MIKE'S TM POEM
13. FEEL FLOWS
14. DISNEY GIRLS
15. LOOKIN' AT TOMORROW
16. CAROLINE, NO
17. BARBARA
18. SURF'S UP
19. HEROES AND VILLAINS

-Encore-
20. DO IT AGAIN

Wow, what a set!

Seeing that concert (and hearing Mike's poem) would have been truly "transcendental".

Seriously, contemplating seeing that and similar shows from that era is one of the few
things that actually make me wish that I was even OLDER than I already am.

Thanks for posting that, AGD (Whew, time for me to meditate....)

[Sheriff John Stone]

Check this setlist:

Carnegie Hall, New York City
September 24, 1971

1. GOOD VIBRATIONS
2. TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR FEET
3. DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER
4. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE
5. DARLIN'
6. STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME
7. COOL COOL WATER
8. LONG PROMISED ROAD
9. GOD ONLY KNOWS
10. SLOOP JOHN B.
11. IT'S ABOUT TIME
12. MIKE'S TM POEM
13. FEEL FLOWS
14. DISNEY GIRLS
15. LOOKIN' AT TOMORROW
16. CAROLINE, NO
17. BARBARA
18. SURF'S UP
19. HEROES AND VILLAINS

-Encore-
20. DO IT AGAIN

Wow, what a set!

My post isn't to DISAGREE  with you, muted (it's your opinion), but to state mine....That's the WORST Beach Boys' setlist I ever saw. If I was a Beach Boys' fan, either casual or diehard, I would've walked away from that show extremely disappointed. With songs performed like "Take A Load Off Your Feet", "Student Demonstration Time", "It's About Time", "Lookin' At Tomorrow", and finishing with "Heroes And Villians" and a single encore of "Do It Again", I can see why thet went to the oldies-laden setlist. The Beach Boys chose that route because the fans would've demanded it. They could not have continued with setlists like the above one. From "Good Vibrations" to "Take A Load Off Your Feet"?

[MBE]

Sheriff John Stone I agree with much of what you post but that's a great set. It's only because the Beach Boys were unfairly turned into surfing charichatures in the public's mind that it wouldn't fly. Take the Stones in 1972 they did very little hit wise, but they were accepted warmly. The Beach Boys had the same right to do a modern 1972 show, and for those who couldn't dig it well I consider it their loss. I know you enjoyed the later shows for what they were, a lot of people did, but as long as they were prolificly putting out solid new music they had no obligation to play old songs. Sadly the solid new music didn't last beyond a year, but it could have. At the very least they never should have made the balance of their shows oldies, too many of which weren't even theirs.
I do respect your view but I strongly feel the 1972 Beach Boys were doing something very right.

[mikeyj]

My post isn't to DISAGREE  with you, muted (it's your opinion), but to state mine....That's the WORST Beach Boys' setlist I ever saw. If I was a Beach Boys' fan, either casual or diehard, I would've walked away from that show extremely disappointed. With songs performed like "Take A Load Off Your Feet", "Student Demonstration Time", "It's About Time", "Lookin' At Tomorrow", and finishing with "Heroes And Villians" and a single encore of "Do It Again", I can see why thet went to the oldies-laden setlist. The Beach Boys chose that route because the fans would've demanded it. They could not have continued with setlists like the above one. From "Good Vibrations" to "Take A Load Off Your Feet"?

I honestly don't see why that is such a bad set list? So okay Mike's TM Poem would've been REALLY lame I reckon but still excluding that it's not a bad set list at all:

Top 20 Hits (6 out of 19)
Current Album (8 out of 19)

So that leaves "God Only Knows" (can't argue with that), "Caroline, No", "It's About Time", "Cool, Cool Water" and "Barbara"

Hmm certainly doesn't seem all that bad to me.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Sadly the solid new music didn't last beyond a year, but it could have.

Maybe the new music wasn't as "solid" as you think, and I mean no disrespect. As I have pointed out (too many times for some), we on this board make up less than 1% of Beach Boys' fans. I think it's a stretch to call "Take A Load Off Your Feet", "Student Demonstration Time", "Lookin' At Tomorrow", and, to some extent, "It's About Time", solid songs. AS album cuts, OK, but as songs chosen to "carry" a live show, I don't know. Yes, they performed them well and the band was getting good, but they left out too many gems. I praise the band for trying the new stuff, but I wonder how many fans were waiting patiently for the next song, and you know the songs I'm talking about. And I don't think a fan should have to wait patiently at a concert. Just my opinion.

[phirnis]

Check this setlist:

Carnegie Hall, New York City
September 24, 1971

1. GOOD VIBRATIONS
2. TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR FEET
3. DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER
4. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE
5. DARLIN'
6. STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME
7. COOL COOL WATER
8. LONG PROMISED ROAD
9. GOD ONLY KNOWS
10. SLOOP JOHN B.
11. IT'S ABOUT TIME
12. MIKE'S TM POEM
13. FEEL FLOWS
14. DISNEY GIRLS
15. LOOKIN' AT TOMORROW
16. CAROLINE, NO
17. BARBARA
18. SURF'S UP
19. HEROES AND VILLAINS

-Encore-
20. DO IT AGAIN

That's 8 out of 10 songs from their latest album. Impressive.

How many shows did they play that didn't even feature California Girls? That's kind of weird actually and I agree this might've been a bit of a disappointment to some, but still it qualifies as an impressive and most of all gutsy setlist. The Beach Boys after Friends and Sunflower could have given up on believing in their current records easily and still this probably didn't happen until after Keepin' The Summer Alive.

[Steve Mayo]

i have an old cash box magazine (kinda like billboard...their charts were more on sales and not sales/airplay like billboard) that reviewed the sept 24th 1971 show. the reviewer loved the show. said the audience did also. rave review. said it "was like an old book. leaf thru the pages often, it feels good". so that show went over well.

[Ian]

I like that set  list myself...but I will say that having collected reviews (if they exist) for almost every show that we list on Bellagio from that period-the BBs encountered hostility often.  One glaring example-The BBs played a show at the University of Virginia with the Byrds in 1971.  The audience was extremely hostile-refused to listen to the new songs- the band engaged in hostile banter with them-which is in the review..Audience came alive when the oldies were played at the end. This was quite common at shows in 1971-73.  I have a lot of reviews that describe disgruntled (and drunk) college audiences showing a lack of patience with "Lookin at Tomorrow" and other album cuts..  To the BB's credit they really resisted the "oldies act" tag for many years

[Bicyclerider]

Part of the Beach Boys reason for touring was to expose audiences to their "new music" so they would buy the new albums.  They had lucrative recording contracts but they knew if the albums didn't sell, they wouldn't be renewed and it would be difficult to get a new recording deal.  So touring the "new album" was a tried and true method to promote sales, along with trying to get radio airtime.  So it's hardly surprising that through the 70's and into the '80s they continued to introduce new songs into the live act.  The amount of live material in the Carnegie Hall set is a little atypical though.  How I wished I could have seen that set!

[MBE]

I like that set  list myself...but I will say that having collected reviews (if they exist) for almost every show that we list on Bellagio from that period-the BBs encountered hostility often.  One glaring example-The BBs played a show at the University of Virginia with the Byrds in 1971.  The audience was extremely hostile-refused to listen to the new songs- the band engaged in hostile banter with them-which is in the review..Audience came alive when the oldies were played at the end. This was quite common at shows in 1971-73.  I have a lot of reviews that describe disgruntled (and drunk) college audiences showing a lack of patience with "Lookin at Tomorrow" and other album cuts..  To the BB's credit they really resisted the "oldies act" tag for many years

Despite this they somehow managed to get things back on track during that time. Some may have resisted the Beach Boys growth, they built up a whole new following and got their reputations back. It's again simply unfair that US audiences wanted to trap them in 1964. Can you imagine the Beatles having that put on them? I think Dennis had a great quote about jumping around in Beatle suits. Ok Feet is no Help Me Rhonda, but the majority of what they cut from 67-72 was fantastic. Besides I bet the tape just ended short and they did more then Do It Again for an encore. All in all had the Beach Boys not looked back people would have had to accept them for who they were not who they used to be.

[Dove Nested Towers]

Check this setlist:

Carnegie Hall, New York City
September 24, 1971

1. GOOD VIBRATIONS
2. TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR FEET
3. DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER
4. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE
5. DARLIN'
6. STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME
7. COOL COOL WATER
8. LONG PROMISED ROAD
9. GOD ONLY KNOWS
10. SLOOP JOHN B.
11. IT'S ABOUT TIME
12. MIKE'S TM POEM
13. FEEL FLOWS
14. DISNEY GIRLS
15. LOOKIN' AT TOMORROW
16. CAROLINE, NO
17. BARBARA
18. SURF'S UP
19. HEROES AND VILLAINS

-Encore-
20. DO IT AGAIN

Wow, what a set!

My post isn't to DISAGREE  with you, muted (it's your opinion), but to state mine....That's the WORST Beach Boys' setlist I ever saw. If I was a Beach Boys' fan, either casual or diehard, I would've walked away from that show extremely disappointed. With songs performed like "Take A Load Off Your Feet", "Student Demonstration Time", "It's About Time", "Lookin' At Tomorrow", and finishing with "Heroes And Villians" and a single encore of "Do It Again", I can see why thet went to the oldies-laden setlist. The Beach Boys chose that route because the fans would've demanded it. They could not have continued with setlists like the above one. From "Good Vibrations" to "Take A Load Off Your Feet"?

I respect your opinion as well, Sheriff, but I would LOVE to have seen "It's About Time" and "Lookin' at
Tomorrow" (O.K., not quite as much, although in the laid-back context of the overall set it would have been mellow) live. And "Barbara", "Feel Flows", "Disney Girls", "SURF"S UP", come on! Worst ever?

I would admittedly have gone to use the facilities during"Student Demonstration Time" and am ambivalent about "Take a Load off Your Feet", and yes, it is a short set and a few more choice classics would have been desirable, but that was a rare, delicate and unique live era for them and those who were there are very fortunate, IMO. I would've given my eyeteeth (OUCH!) for the privilege.

[Dove Nested Towers]

Check this setlist:

Carnegie Hall, New York City
September 24, 1971

1. GOOD VIBRATIONS
2. TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR FEET
3. DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER
4. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE
5. DARLIN'
6. STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME
7. COOL COOL WATER
8. LONG PROMISED ROAD
9. GOD ONLY KNOWS
10. SLOOP JOHN B.
11. IT'S ABOUT TIME
12. MIKE'S TM POEM
13. FEEL FLOWS
14. DISNEY GIRLS
15. LOOKIN' AT TOMORROW
16. CAROLINE, NO
17. BARBARA
18. SURF'S UP
19. HEROES AND VILLAINS

-Encore-
20. DO IT AGAIN

Wow, what a set!

My post isn't to DISAGREE  with you, muted (it's your opinion), but to state mine....That's the WORST Beach Boys' setlist I ever saw. If I was a Beach Boys' fan, either casual or diehard, I would've walked away from that show extremely disappointed. With songs performed like "Take A Load Off Your Feet", "Student Demonstration Time", "It's About Time", "Lookin' At Tomorrow", and finishing with "Heroes And Villians" and a single encore of "Do It Again", I can see why thet went to the oldies-laden setlist. The Beach Boys chose that route because the fans would've demanded it. They could not have continued with setlists like the above one. From "Good Vibrations" to "Take A Load Off Your Feet"?

I forgot to mention Mike's TM poem. I might have stayed and listened to that out of morbid fascination,
but more likely would have developed (or invented) an urgent need to avail myself of the rest room
facilities again.