The Smiley Smile Message Board

As a long time member of this board, I cannot recall seeing a dedicated thread discussing the 1973 In Concert album.  I grew up with this album as a kid, and it still holds up after all these [40+] years.  The band sounds loose and contemporary for the time, and the arrangements are great.  I would love to know more about this album from what shows were recorded during that tour, what were some of the tracks left off as well as any other interesting facts.  Is there an appreciation thread for this album that you can point me to?  Thanks!

I don't know the answer to this but I would love to know more too. It's an amazing album - the band sounds so good and it's a great mix of deep cuts and hits. I know the CD version's liner notes say the rough time period during which it was recorded, but I don't think it has the locations.

Alan Boyd posted a lot of information about which shows were recorded iirc. But I couldn't find the thread unfortunately.
Maybe this is a start:

Breaking down "In Concert"

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,18195.0.html


The Beach Boys Live IN Concert 1973

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,23547.0.html

The second link above takes you to a list I posted of all the dates & venues (except "FFF", for which we aren't certain).

That is such a great album. They rocked really hard, but also played the ballads with great sensitivity. I love You Still Believe In Me, Caroline No, Funky Pretty, Surfin USA, Heroes And Villains and Don't Worry Baby. The only downside is I don't like the arrangement of Help Me Rhonda. I'd take the classic hit arrangement over the bluesy version any day.

Speaking of the ballads here - don't forget "Let The Wind Blow"!  :) Incredible performance of a terrific song.

Craig, would it be correct to assume that the recordings of the entire concerts from which the BBs in Concert tracks were taken (and perhaps more concert dates from that era as well) still exist in the vaults?

To date, its my favorite Beach Boys related live album.

I happened to attend  a number of the shows that the recordings came from( dumb luck) . It was a great time to be a Beach Boy fan. From 1971 through 1976, each year just seemed to get better and better.

Yes! Spectacularly gorgeous version. The guitar solo is so good.

An outstanding album.  Stands up even now.  Their best live collection.  One of the best by anybody...all time.   4 discs would have been even better than the 2 we did get.  I agree with Gerry.  '71 to '75 was the BEST era for the LIVE Boys.  '63 to '73 for the recorded Boys.  AND...it's oh-so easy to compare and hear it all.

Psyched that I started this thread!  The Ricky and Blondie live-era stuff is my favorite.  The release of Sunshine Tomorrow got me thinking whether they ever played I Was Made to Love Her live when Ricky and Blondie were in the band?  I would love to hear that. 

I also love what they did with Help Me Rhonda during this era, every fun and funky.  I agree that In Concert would be great as a 4 disc set!

Beautiful album! My only complaint is that it could've used a little more Dennis. Since We Got Love made the cut being a song not released on any of their studio albums, it would've been nice if they had included something like I've Got a Friend which I understand was performed a couple of times during that time frame. But we can't change history and the record is still brilliant the way it is. As a side note, I love all the pictures of the band on the back cover and in the gatefold sleeve. The vinyl engraving with the little dedication to Brian is very sweet and quite touching.

The best sounding BB live album for me, especially Ricky's drum sound. Carl at his best singing the chorus to 'Don't Worry Baby' a special highlight to my ears.

I received this album via USPS Special Delivery at 7PM on New Year's Eve(1973) from a friend. Totally out of the blue. I've never recovered from the incredible impact this stamped on my soul.

The Sloop bass line is one of my all time favorites.

"We got love" is so good.

I got kicked out of my apartment after playing MARCELLA at a way loud level. Probably deserved it. Was worth it. Got back in soon thereafter. Again, New Year's Eve 1973.

yes the only way to play that live Marcella is LOUD

that album sounds bestest on the old pre-recorded open reel tape format (7-1/2 IPS speed) it got issued at the time (discs spliced into one continuous tape reel)

HI again - I was listening to In Concert again last night and it got me thinking whether there is any live version from this era of Do It Again?  If so, I would love to hear it!

1973

13.59

https://youtu.be/lbcgS-8pPo4

Also here from 1972:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpmYn0Ahgb8

Thank you  - great to hear these!

One of the greatest live albums of all time, and easily their best one! I wore this out on Vinyl for years, and still play if often on CD. Like others, I use to crank it!

It will be interesting to see how the In Concert album is treated over the next 2 years. The album used a mix of tracks recorded in 72 & 73. I'd like to think we see a 72 copyright extension using the rejected single album disk plus other tracks recorded at the 72 shows then something more substantial in 2023 with the full In Concert covered - or maybe next year we get a couple of full shows, then a respectful In Concert release in 2023 - it will be interesting.

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It will be interesting to see how the In Concert album is treated over the next 2 years. The album used a mix of tracks recorded in 72 & 73. I'd like to think we see a 72 copyright extension using the rejected single album disk plus other tracks recorded at the 72 shows then something more substantial in 2023 with the full In Concert covered - or maybe next year we get a couple of full shows, then a respectful In Concert release in 2023 - it will be interesting.

I hope you are correct - I would love an extended In Concert including Wild Honey, Do It Again, Jumpin Jack Flash, etc.

The first, rejected version of the album would be one of my first wishes for a "In Concert" archive release, too. "Heroes & Viallains" on the "Endless Harmony"-soundtrack sounds incredible (both playing and sound-wise). Plus it would give us songs we have no official live release of yet, like - IIRC - "You need a Mess of Help" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash".

I think You Need a Mess of Help is one of their most underrated tunes - it's super catchy and has great swagger.  I've also been trying to find a live version of that tune as well, but all I've found so far are voice overs from European TV shows.  I knew that Jumpin' Jack Flash was to be the last track when it was planned to be a single disc - does anyone have the full track listing for the proposed single disc In Concert?

I believe it was this (I stand to be corrected)

Side A:
1. Wouldn't it Be Nice
2. Leaving This Town
3. Heroes and Villains
4. Marcella
5. You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone

Side B:
1. Let the Wind Blow
2. Do it Again
3. Wild Honey
4. Fun, Fun, Fun
5. Jumpin' Jack Flash

Its possible that Marcella, Let The Wind Blow, Wouldn't It Be Nice and Don't Worry Baby could be the same recordings as the 73 In Concert release as it used 72 recordings of those tracks.

Here's a thought: The Carnegie Hall show from 1972 exists in full in the BB archive (as per Howie Edelson http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=7795.20 ) as such unless they do something with this show before the end of 2022 the "half a show" in wide bootleg circulation will fall into the hands of the grey market/bootleggers - of course "do something" could include a 10 or 15 second snippet of each tracks done as a teaser for something substantial in 2023.

i had a test pressing of the single lp version of in concert. It was warped and would skip when played. that version of the lp was not very good overall. be thankful they had to redo the lp as a double lp. some of the songs were great. esp wild honey (much better than the one on mic) and jumpin’ jack flash those two rocked. mess of help was good also. releasing it as the single disc would have been a big mistake.

Wow - I wonder how many test pressings they let out.  I recall seeing a photo somewhere of it as a single disc. 

I agree that with that song lineup it would have not been as popular without more hits.  How was the version of Do It Again?  

That's interesting! Just by looking at the tracklist from above, the released version beats the original just by the amounts of songs, obviously. "Heroes & Viallains" was released on the "Endless Harmony" soundtrack and sounded fantastic - and still does. Another interesting point to note: Looks like Sunflower and In Concert both show that the Boys sometimes had to be told by "outsiders" to go back and do it again (no pun!) for them to come up with something great instead of something good.
That said, should there be a In Concert deluxe edition or something similar, I think the original version should be included (that is only the songs that were not used on the released version obviously) along with other "live" bonus tracks that were recorded during this periode, and then on another disc a complete show - possibly the Carnegie Hall concert as TonyW mentioned.

Its possible to put together a “Deluxe” In Concert using available soundboard recording (well mostly soundboard). Here’s my Deluxe In Concert with the source/comments in parenthesise. It’s a great listen and pretty reflective of many of the set lists from the time – Ladies and gentlemen for your listening pleasure:

1.   Sail On Sailor (In Concert ‘73)
2.   Sloop John B (In Concert ‘73
3.   The Trader (In Concert ’73)
4.   You Still Believe In Me (In Concert ’73)
5.   California Girls (In Concert ’73)
6.   Darlin’ (In Concert ’73)
7.   Marcella (In Concert ’73)
8.   Caroline No (In Concert ’73)
9.   Leaving This Town (In Concert ’73)
10.   Heroes & Villains (Endless Harmony Soundtrack / From rejected ’72 album)
11.   Funky Pretty (In Concert ’73)
12.   Long Promised Road (Endless Harmony Soundtrack / Carnegie Hall ’72)
13.   Surf’s Up (You Tube rip from Dutch radio broadcast ’72? / Slightly low sound quality but pretty good – does not spoil the audio flow)
14.   God Only Knows (Carnegie Hall ’72)
15.   California (Carnegie Hall ’72)
16.   Only With You (Carnegie Hall ’72)
17.   Let The Wind Blow (In Concert ’73)
18.   Help Me Rhonda (Made In California / New Jersey ’72- finally get Dennis on In Concert!)
19.   Surfer Girl (In Concert ’73)
20.   Wouldn’t It Be Nice (In Concert ’73)
21.   We Got Love (In Concert ’73)
22.   It’s About Time (Made In California / Chicago ’73)
23.   Wonderful/Don’t Worry Bill (Endless Harmony Soundtrack / Carnegie Hall ’72)
24.   Don’t Worry Baby (In Concert ’73)
25.   Surfin’ USA (In Concert ’73)
26.   Wild Honey (Made In California / New Jersey ’72)
27.   Good Vibrations (In Concert ’73)
28.   Fun Fun Fun (In Concert ’73)
29.   Bonus: I’ve Got A Friend (Dutch Radio Broadcast / Low Sound Quality)

Obviously after Feel Flow release an upgraded and official Surf’s Up will be welcome addition.

edit: never mind

1.   Sail On Sailor (In Concert ‘73)
2.   Sloop John B (In Concert ‘73
3.   The Trader (In Concert ’73)
4.   You Still Believe In Me (In Concert ’73)
5.   California Girls (In Concert ’73)
6.   Darlin’ (In Concert ’73)
7.   Marcella (In Concert ’73)
8.   Caroline No (In Concert ’73)
9.   Leaving This Town (In Concert ’73)
10.   Heroes & Villains (Endless Harmony Soundtrack / From rejected ’72 album)
11.   Funky Pretty (In Concert ’73)
12.   Long Promised Road (Endless Harmony Soundtrack / Carnegie Hall ’72)
13.   Surf’s Up (You Tube rip from Dutch radio broadcast ’72? / Slightly low sound quality but pretty good – does not spoil the audio flow)
14.   God Only Knows (Carnegie Hall ’72)
15.   California (Carnegie Hall ’72)
16.   Only With You (Carnegie Hall ’72)
17.   Let The Wind Blow (In Concert ’73)
18.   Help Me Rhonda (Made In California / New Jersey ’72- finally get Dennis on In Concert!)
19.   Surfer Girl (In Concert ’73)
20.   Wouldn’t It Be Nice (In Concert ’73)
21.   We Got Love (In Concert ’73)
22.   It’s About Time (Made In California / Chicago ’73)
23.   Wonderful/Don’t Worry Bill (Endless Harmony Soundtrack / Carnegie Hall ’72)
24.   Don’t Worry Baby (In Concert ’73)
25.   Surfin’ USA (In Concert ’73)
26.   Wild Honey (Made In California / New Jersey ’72)
27.   Good Vibrations (In Concert ’73)
28.   Fun Fun Fun (In Concert ’73)
29.   Bonus: I’ve Got A Friend (Dutch Radio Broadcast / Low Sound Quality)
30.   You Need A Mess Of Help to Stand Alone [from original single disc In Concert -73]
31.   Do It Again [from original single disc In Concert - 73]
32.   Jumpin' Jack Flash [from original single disc In Concert -73]

Thank you for putting this list together!  I've added some of the tunes originally slated for the single disc In Concert.  Are there any other stand out tracks or deep cuts from that era that could also be included?  Thanks for Keepin' This Thread Alive!

Speaking of the live tracks from this periode on "Made in California", does anyone know why they sound so strange? IIRC there's so much echo and basically they sound like they were heavily re-done in the studio (not saying that this is the case, they just don't sound like real 'live' recordings to me).

The IN CONCERT of "Funky Pretty" is one of my favorites.