Do we know what the orange juice cups looked like? or a modern equivalent? These cups were played with drum sticks? Seems too heavy. I always assumed xylophone sticks, chop sticks, etc - something lighter.

Yeah who is doing the bass scat vocal? I always go back and forth. I lean toward it being Dennis … but he never sounded like that again.  It sounds unique for Mike as well.

Looks like it is called: Dead Man’s Curve: The Rock ’n’ Roll Life of Jan Berry. I need to pick this up soon!

Just posting this because Mark has written another book entitled: 'The Jan & Dean Record: A Chronology of Studio Sessions, Live Performances and Chart Positions'.

Are there more rakes of ‘let’s live before we die’? Or was it completed? Why would the band leave this one unreleased? Even as an instrumental it is stellar.

I've read before and I was just reminded watching a video that Billy Hinsche was asked to replace Bruce around 1969 and he turned it down. Is this true? If Bruce was sacked - how much do you think that would have altered the history of the Boys? It seems Bruce was always kind of on the verge of being kicked out....

What is how deep is the ocean from 65?

Big talk to a guy who was better at being a beach boy knock off before becoming a beach boy. Then hardly contributing songs. Him and Al have got to be some of the luckiest musicians of all time.

I was looking up Sunflower on Wikipedia... I'm hype for the box set, leave me alone! And I saw that All I Wanna Do lead vocals are credited to 'Love with Johnston'. Yes I know it's Wikipedia and my neighbors dog can edit it, but is this taken from anything... 'official'? I can hear almost everyone singing on the track (except Dennis, is he on it?) but I don't specifically hear Bruce.

Am I missing something? Is this an 'official' credit from somewhere? I hear clear Mike lead with some delay on his voice, and definitely Carl and Brian. I'm sure Al is there but this period is harder to distinguish Al and Brian. I don't specifically hear Bruce.

Historians?

Can anyone translate some of them?

Hmmm, I wonder when this set is coming out

Okay - now you're talking. If it was before mid-May we'd probably have some solid info by now.

I was hoping for June which would be early Summer - plus I just want this asap.

The 22 July date, although not a Friday is the best lead we have - just thinking outside the square here for a mo - that date is a Thursday, which if this box was to be released on the Friday morning in New Zealand, Australia  etc. - that would still be Thursday in the U.S. - what do you guys think of that logic?

My money is on 23 July for the time being (until I change my mind . . . again).

Just couldn't resist an "I called it!"

Unless you changed your mind . . . Again.

Just wish we’d get some real definitive answer. Little ridiculous. Only the losers like us are going to buy it. What’s the big deal in letting us know definitively? John Doe who knows Kokomo doesn’t care about this. The nerds on the forums do.

It's coming.
It's major.

The machine is at full speed.

Hopefully this means the machine printing the box/discs!

Absolute genius himself. Song Cycle is a masterpiece. What an incredibly talented man. I saw another poster say Song Cycle stereo or remix was being pitched but no takers. I asked for a link but no avail.

Speaking of unreleased surround-related material, Van Dyke Parks has revelaed on Twitter that a surround mix of his Song Cycle LP was created, but no one wants to release it.

Do you have a link? I can’t find it on Twitter.

Speaking of unreleased surround-related material, Van Dyke Parks has revelaed on Twitter that a surround mix of his Song Cycle LP was created, but no one wants to release it.

Oh my GOD. I’d kill for that. Where did he say that? Any way we can help? A go fund me?

Definitely Dave. He talks about it in his book. He does that killer glissando toward the end of the track and says Murry was glaring at him in the control booth. The glissando was a nod to Dick Dale. I love it and listen to it every time toward the end. Nice little ‘street cred’ flair. Once ya hear it, you can’t unhear it.

While there was probably more to it like talent and personality, I never thought that Bruce was the right one to replace Brian on the road. His vocals sounded unusually tinny and weak and didn't resonate well with the others. When he sang both on tracks and live it was always easy to identify as Bruce and not an integral part of the blend. I would have liked to have seen Flo and Eddie, who's harmony was akin to the boys, join the group. They could have handled Brian's parts and after Carl passed pick up his parts as well. I think both of those guys who ended up with Zappa would have complimented the boys vocals both on record and the stage as well far better than Bruce.

I wish they would have scooped up Dean. By all accounts a swell guy and was friends with the band. I even wish they would have persuaded David Marks to come back. His song writing would have helped considering Bruce barely ever pitched songs. He was better at imitating The Beach Boys than being an actual Beach Boy. Where’s a ‘don’t run away’ when they needed it?

Definitely all dressed up for school. Surprised no one did that. He kills the bass vocals and the tag.

Cool! I hope there are A Christmas Gift for You sessions out there.

Imagine being so petty and bitter that you trash talk a guy on a message board who will never see this. Nor care. Like him or not  - he’s part of the reason we’re all here. And he will go down in history longer than any of us.

Happy birthday Mike. I don’t always agree with you, but you’ll never see this so who cares!

Yeah I got 50 on it. Anyone got a line to ask the man to get a GoFundMe going?

Probably he was buying time, as it wasn’t complete. Only several days later, Taylor announced the abandonment of Smile to the press.

Yes it appears that Derek is flubbing... but at the same time, depending how privy he was to the Boys sessions ... he could have very well believed it was nearing the end. He could be lying to buy some time... but I see it as equally possible that either he heard enough, session wise; or he had been told by Brian himself that he was close.

You have to remember that saying it was close to completion would help Derek, too.
Going on, regardless of Derek’s input.

They get him and Marks as the neighbor guys. This time when Audrey forces Dennis in, it would be as a singer. He would be freed up from drumming and could sing lead and harmony as he had done since the first album (in the studio.) The live harmony would be huge with an extra voice on each song. Sorta on a different note, isn't it strange that on most of The Beach Boys albums, Dennis doesn't drum a whole lot, but he sings lead and harmony on every album. Then on stage, he mostly drummed and didn't sing a whole lot. How I miss Dennis Wilson!!!!!

Oh, come now. “Dennis didn’t drum a lot”. He drummed more than most realize. Especially in the early days. Then after the band become more of a self contained unit.

We need a list of every confirmed song Dennis plays drums on. I think it would shock a lot of people.

I just don’t get why there is literally zero marketing or word of mouth. This is realistically aimed at the hardcore fans. Why be so in the dark about it? Hopefully the new entity buying the group will be better - because this is pathetic. Who cares if we are lucky/privileged enough to know the release date or track listing ‘early’. Not like anyone but US will buy it.

Good stuff is coming folks. Nothing is ever certain until we have the thing in our hands/ears, but as much as one can possibly ascertain, good things are coming.

Translation: “no word, hints, teasers, or marketing. But uh eventually .. the set will come out. So uh it’s coming.. good things coming. Any day now. Any day I’ll be right. It’s gonna happen. Just wait. You’ll see. Any day now.... “