Lost 1972-1974 BW Songs: Just An Imitation, Rooftop Harry, etc

[Bedroom Tapes]

Which begs the questions, why are there no Brian Wilson compilations of demos, odds and sods? Is it just not profitable enough nowadays to release records?

Apparently not, given that I think the Hawthorne compilation (or the Endless Harmony soundtrack, I forget which) was deleted from the catalog.

Uh both are still pretty widely available.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Damn...I remember this thread!


Well, we obviously now know there WAS a 1967 Surf's Up, only it wasn't what we thought

Oh, and Lucy Jones is sung by Stephen Kalinich.

And that song I was referring to on page one was the THIRD  (technically first recorded, but most recently 'distributed') version of Out in the Country.

Ugh...some of the stuff I posted back then is embarrassing. lol By the way, is it just me, or is Out In The Country creepy as hell? 

I love the organ on it, but i can see why it never made it onto an album as the fade is just the Cool Cool Water chant but sung slowly.

[runnersdialzero]

Which begs the questions, why are there no Brian Wilson compilations of demos, odds and sods? Is it just not profitable enough nowadays to release records?

Apparently not, given that I think the Hawthorne compilation (or the Endless Harmony soundtrack, I forget which) was deleted from the catalog.

Uh both are still pretty widely available.

That'd be why Hawthorne is selling for $51.48 new on Amazon? Pretty sure it's out of print and was said to be taken out of print for money reasons.

[Jim V.]

Which begs the questions, why are there no Brian Wilson compilations of demos, odds and sods? Is it just not profitable enough nowadays to release records?

Apparently not, given that I think the Hawthorne compilation (or the Endless Harmony soundtrack, I forget which) was deleted from the catalog.

Uh both are still pretty widely available.

That'd be why Hawthorne is selling for $51.48 new on Amazon? Pretty sure it's out of print and was said to be taken out of print for money reasons.

Whatchu mean, runners? Money reasons? I never heard this. Explain...

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I think the fact it didn't sell well.

[Jim V.]

Well, yeah...understood. I may have behooved them to put more actual unreleased songs on the album, as opposed to instrumentals and stereo remixes and other stuff. I don't know what they expected was going to happen. There isn't that much of a crowd out there that is going to buy just for a few random curiosities. Besides me, of course

[MBE]

Yeah I think remixes should be on seperate albums. It should have just collected alt takes and unreleased titles.

[runnersdialzero]

Which begs the questions, why are there no Brian Wilson compilations of demos, odds and sods? Is it just not profitable enough nowadays to release records?

Apparently not, given that I think the Hawthorne compilation (or the Endless Harmony soundtrack, I forget which) was deleted from the catalog.

Uh both are still pretty widely available.

That'd be why Hawthorne is selling for $51.48 new on Amazon? Pretty sure it's out of print and was said to be taken out of print for money reasons.

Aha! Confirmation - check it out:

EMI has deleted Hawthorne along with several other BB's titles due to poor sales and the overall demise of the CD........... get em while you can

[Les P]

Aha! Confirmation - check it out:

EMI has deleted Hawthorne along with several other BB's titles due to poor sales and the overall demise of the CD........... get em while you can

This does not bode well for additional rarities collections or expanded reissues of albums.  If only there were something called Beach Boys Central where this stuff could be sold online...

[The Shift]

Bump

[KittyKat]

2012 must have been a very good year for threads. They keep bringing them up from the cellar lately.

[The Shift]

This one won the poll for Smilers to vote for their favourite 2012 thread that wasn't a polling thread.

[Jim V.]

Oh, I started this thread in 2010! Wow.

Anyways, seems like we haven't learned much since then about this stuff. However, according to the recent Chidester article, "Rooftop Harry" sounds like "schizophrenia on tape" or something, and there's also a small article online about the recording of the song, which apparently included Michael Clarke, former member of The Byrds. Still no word on whether it has a lead vocal though.

I'm beginning to think "Funky Fever" possibly isn't (co-)written by Brian, since I mentioned earlier in the thread that David Sandler says he wrote it and recorded at Ike Turner's studio. Who knows though. Maybe it was a Wilson/Sandler co-write. Anybody got any info on this? AGD? Aeijtzsche?

The medley of "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" was definitely recorded too, but who knows if that exists on tape still. David Sandler did say it was probably the best thing he and Brian did together though. It's quite possible that it doesn't have a lead vocal though. Maybe it does though, who knows?

"Lucy Jones" was apparently in contention for Made In California, but if descriptions are correct, I can probably understand why it didn't make it. Supposedly Steve Kalinich sings most of it. I'm not sure how much Brian is vocally featured on that one. And "You're Riding High on the Music", well I've never really heard much about that at all. I'm pretty sure it's from the same session as "California Feelin'" and "Lucy Jones" as it is also a Wilson/Kalinich composition, but who knows? Anyways, to anyone who knows, is "You're Riding High..." on tape?

And lastly, I'd be surprised to learn that stuff like "Pattycake" actually exist on tape. Along with "Just an Imitation". Although, who knows?

I wish we could have "Just An Imitation", the Brian "California Feeling" demo,  "Where Is She", and the 1967 "Surf's Up" (if it exists)....then I think I, as a Beach Boys fan, would finally be somewhat content.

Funny that I wrote this. Because now that Brian's "California Feelin'" demo and "Where Is She?" are now released, along with "Surf's Up 1967" (although not the 1967 version of "Surf's Up" that I imagined), it seems that I should almost be contented as a Beach Boys fan. Because the only thing left on my list is "Just an Imitation" which I'm not sure even exists in a recorded version.

[The Shift]

Many thanks for that Sweetdudejim, appreciate the update and overview.

I'm looking forward to the next part of the LA Weekly saga and to learning how much more of this material there is that we haven't already heard or heard of.  Find it hard to believe here can be much more than listed at Andrew's site but this is Planet Beach Boys and I'm prepared for anything!

[c-man]

<<I actually was talking to David Sandler and he told me that he didn't know anything about "Rooftop Harry", but that he wrote "Funky Fever" and it was recorded at Ike Turner's studio but that he didn't remember much of it.>> 
<<I'm beginning to think "Funky Fever" possibly isn't (co-)written by Brian, since I mentioned earlier in the thread that David Sandler says he wrote it and recorded at Ike Turner's studio. Who knows though. Maybe it was a Wilson/Sandler co-write. Anybody got any info on this? AGD? Aeijtzsche?>>

There is an AFM sheet for "Funky Fever" which dates the session to February 28, 1972. The listed location is "Bolec" (aka Bolic Sound, Ike Turner's studio in Inglewood). Brian's name is listed among the musicians (along with David Sandler and others), so I would imagine that he actually WAS there. But, as you say..."who knows".

[Jim V.]

<<I actually was talking to David Sandler and he told me that he didn't know anything about "Rooftop Harry", but that he wrote "Funky Fever" and it was recorded at Ike Turner's studio but that he didn't remember much of it.>> 
<<I'm beginning to think "Funky Fever" possibly isn't (co-)written by Brian, since I mentioned earlier in the thread that David Sandler says he wrote it and recorded at Ike Turner's studio. Who knows though. Maybe it was a Wilson/Sandler co-write. Anybody got any info on this? AGD? Aeijtzsche?>>

There is an AFM sheet for "Funky Fever" which dates the session to February 28, 1972. The listed location is "Bolec" (aka Bolic Sound, Ike Turner's studio in Inglewood). Brian's name is listed among the musicians (along with David Sandler and others), so I would imagine that he actually WAS there. But, as you say..."who knows".

Ah, very interesting c-man. If you don't mind answering, could you say who the "artist" is listed as? Is it "Brian Wilson", "Brian Wilson and David Sandler" or "The Beach Boys"?

[c-man]

<<I actually was talking to David Sandler and he told me that he didn't know anything about "Rooftop Harry", but that he wrote "Funky Fever" and it was recorded at Ike Turner's studio but that he didn't remember much of it.>> 
<<I'm beginning to think "Funky Fever" possibly isn't (co-)written by Brian, since I mentioned earlier in the thread that David Sandler says he wrote it and recorded at Ike Turner's studio. Who knows though. Maybe it was a Wilson/Sandler co-write. Anybody got any info on this? AGD? Aeijtzsche?>>

There is an AFM sheet for "Funky Fever" which dates the session to February 28, 1972. The listed location is "Bolec" (aka Bolic Sound, Ike Turner's studio in Inglewood). Brian's name is listed among the musicians (along with David Sandler and others), so I would imagine that he actually WAS there. But, as you say..."who knows".

Ah, very interesting c-man. If you don't mind answering, could you say who the "artist" is listed as? Is it "Brian Wilson", "Brian Wilson and David Sandler" or "The Beach Boys"?

"Beachboys", same as the other early '72 contracts. Other musicians include guitarist Al Vescovo and drummer Edward Greene, whose name I recognize from one of the cuts on Steely Dan's "Aja" album, released five years later.

[Jim V.]

<<I actually was talking to David Sandler and he told me that he didn't know anything about "Rooftop Harry", but that he wrote "Funky Fever" and it was recorded at Ike Turner's studio but that he didn't remember much of it.>> 
<<I'm beginning to think "Funky Fever" possibly isn't (co-)written by Brian, since I mentioned earlier in the thread that David Sandler says he wrote it and recorded at Ike Turner's studio. Who knows though. Maybe it was a Wilson/Sandler co-write. Anybody got any info on this? AGD? Aeijtzsche?>>

There is an AFM sheet for "Funky Fever" which dates the session to February 28, 1972. The listed location is "Bolec" (aka Bolic Sound, Ike Turner's studio in Inglewood). Brian's name is listed among the musicians (along with David Sandler and others), so I would imagine that he actually WAS there. But, as you say..."who knows".

Ah, very interesting c-man. If you don't mind answering, could you say who the "artist" is listed as? Is it "Brian Wilson", "Brian Wilson and David Sandler" or "The Beach Boys"?

"Beachboys", same as the other early '72 contracts. Other musicians include guitarist Al Vescovo and drummer Edward Greene, whose name I recognize from one of the cuts on Steely Dan's "Aja" album, released five years later.

C-man, if you don't mind, does that mean "Rooftop Harry" also listed as a "Beachboys" session?

And lastly, is there any paperwork for the medley of "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Baby I Need Your Lovin'"?

[clack]

<<I actually was talking to David Sandler and he told me that he didn't know anything about "Rooftop Harry", but that he wrote "Funky Fever" and it was recorded at Ike Turner's studio but that he didn't remember much of it.>> 
<<I'm beginning to think "Funky Fever" possibly isn't (co-)written by Brian, since I mentioned earlier in the thread that David Sandler says he wrote it and recorded at Ike Turner's studio. Who knows though. Maybe it was a Wilson/Sandler co-write. Anybody got any info on this? AGD? Aeijtzsche?>>

There is an AFM sheet for "Funky Fever" which dates the session to February 28, 1972. The listed location is "Bolec" (aka Bolic Sound, Ike Turner's studio in Inglewood). Brian's name is listed among the musicians (along with David Sandler and others), so I would imagine that he actually WAS there. But, as you say..."who knows".

Ah, very interesting c-man. If you don't mind answering, could you say who the "artist" is listed as? Is it "Brian Wilson", "Brian Wilson and David Sandler" or "The Beach Boys"?

"Beachboys", same as the other early '72 contracts. Other musicians include guitarist Al Vescovo and drummer Edward Greene, whose name I recognize from one of the cuts on Steely Dan's "Aja" album, released five years later.

Yeah, that's Ed Greene, Barry White's main drummer, a top laid-back funk groove guy. Not the 1st drummer who would come to mind for a Brian session...

[c-man]

<<I actually was talking to David Sandler and he told me that he didn't know anything about "Rooftop Harry", but that he wrote "Funky Fever" and it was recorded at Ike Turner's studio but that he didn't remember much of it.>> 
<<I'm beginning to think "Funky Fever" possibly isn't (co-)written by Brian, since I mentioned earlier in the thread that David Sandler says he wrote it and recorded at Ike Turner's studio. Who knows though. Maybe it was a Wilson/Sandler co-write. Anybody got any info on this? AGD? Aeijtzsche?>>

There is an AFM sheet for "Funky Fever" which dates the session to February 28, 1972. The listed location is "Bolec" (aka Bolic Sound, Ike Turner's studio in Inglewood). Brian's name is listed among the musicians (along with David Sandler and others), so I would imagine that he actually WAS there. But, as you say..."who knows".

Ah, very interesting c-man. If you don't mind answering, could you say who the "artist" is listed as? Is it "Brian Wilson", "Brian Wilson and David Sandler" or "The Beach Boys"?

"Beachboys", same as the other early '72 contracts. Other musicians include guitarist Al Vescovo and drummer Edward Greene, whose name I recognize from one of the cuts on Steely Dan's "Aja" album, released five years later.

C-man, if you don't mind, does that mean "Rooftop Harry" also listed as a "Beachboys" session?

And lastly, is there any paperwork for the medley of "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Baby I Need Your Lovin'"?

No AFM documentation apparently exists for "Rooftop Harry", so I can't say. There's a contract for "Gimme, gimme, good lovin" (sic) dated April 4, 1972. The "Name of Artist or Group" line on that one is left blank, but "Brian Wilson" is listed as the session leader and "Brother Records" is listed as the employer. three musicians are listed on that one: Brian Wilson, Tommy Morgan, and David Sandler.

Interestingly, there are a handful of AFM contracts for untitled songs dating from the "Sunflower" era (late '69 and early '70) recorded at "BeachBoys Studio" (aka Brian's Bellagio house), where the employer is "Brian Wilson Productions" rather than "Brother Records". These sessions appear to be separate from known Beach Boys sessions of the same time (like "When Girls Get Together", "Raspberries, Strawberries", and "This Whole World"), where the employer is always listed as as either Brother Records or "BeachBoys".

[The Shift]

Interestingly, there are a handful of AFM contracts for untitled songs dating from the "Sunflower" era (late '69 and early '70) recorded at "BeachBoys Studio" (aka Brian's Bellagio house), where the employer is "Brian Wilson Productions" rather than "Brother Records". These sessions appear to be separate from known Beach Boys sessions of the same time …

Now you're talkin'!  That is intriguing.

[adamghost]

Could those be the rewritten versions of old Beach Boys hits recorded around that time?  (or FRIENDS, or whatever?)

[c-man]

Could those be the rewritten versions of old Beach Boys hits recorded around that time?  (or FRIENDS, or whatever?)

That's an interesting theory...hopefully those tapes either have been examined or will be in the near future!

[Peter Reum]

Last time I heard Rooftop Harry, it was discordant with vibes and horns playing abrasively against each other. It is a simple track and where Brian was going with it is hard to discern.

[Jim V.]

Last time I heard Rooftop Harry, it was discordant with vibes and horns playing abrasively against each other. It is a simple track and where Brian was going with it is hard to discern.

Any vocals Peter?