Search This Blog

Sunday, August 25, 2013

TOP TEN MOMENTS FROM BEACH BOYS' MADE IN CALIFORNIA



Made In California is the long-awaited six-cd boxset by The Beach Boys. Covering all aspects of the band’s 50+ year long career in depth, the discs take you from their first release, “Surfin’”, all the way up to tracks from their 2012 album, “That’s Why God Made The Radio”. Along the way, the listener is treated to a complete catalog overview – including hit singles, album tracks, alternate versions, and a wealth of truly unreleased material.



Packaged as a hard-bound yearbook featuring many rare photos and informative quotes from the band, Made In California is an essential purchase for Beach Boys fans. Among the many outstanding highlights, I have picked ten tracks that perked my ears up and continued to pique my interest:

10) Meant For You (Alternate Version – Disc 3, Track 3): A tantalizingly short intro to the album Friends is almost triple the length in this never before released, extended version. Featuring a set of verse lyrics sung by Brian – he didn’t forget to name check ponies AND puppies. Chalk it up to 1968!

9) Sound Of Free (Disc 3, Track 29): A wonderful Dennis Wilson single (released under the name Dennis Wilson & Rumbo) from 1970. It has never previously been released on legitimate cd, possibly because a tape source wasn’t located until this box. A feel-good track co-written with Mike Love and Carl Wilson vocal involvement.

8) Soul Searchin’ (Disc 5, Track 7): Recorded during the Andy-Paley/Don Was produced album sessions (that ultimately never turned into an album), this gem of a song was resurrected by Brian and released in his own solo version on the 2004 release “Gettin’ In Over My Head”. This version features a backing track with some mid 60s charm elements. Carl’s vocal is passionate and heartfelt and the group sound is evident in the prominent background vocals.

7) Don’t Worry Baby (Alternate Vocal Take – Disc 6, Track 3): Thanks to a recently discovered tape, an early vocal attempt by Brian of “Don’t Worry Baby” has surfaced. The vocal is single-tracked, and really shows the influence of Ronnie Spector’s vocals on Brian. Keep listening until the last seconds and you’ll hear Brian riffing on a familiar vocal refrain as used on “Hawaii” and “Little St. Nick”.

6) Sherry, She Needs Me (Disc 6, Track 6): Started in 1965, lead vocal overdubs weren’t attempted until 1977 during the “Love You” sessions. Somewhat rough, but impassioned, the song languished in the vaults until Brian released a modified version (with lyrical content help from Carole Bayer-Sager) on his 1998 solo release, “Imagination”.

5) Do It Again (Stereo Mix – Disc 3, Track 10): All previous releases of “Do It Again” in it’s single version have been presented in mono or rechanneled versions. This fresh new mix finally provides some stereo separation and a good chance to hear the individual elements of the late sixties hit.

4) You’re Still A Mystery (Disc 5, Track 8): Another tune from the Paley-Wilson sessions. This one features a thoughtful Brian vocal (which may or may not have been recorded recently), with clear contributions from Mike and Al. A nice attempt at the “Pet Sounds” style.

3) California Feelin’ (Disc 4, Track 19): The first release of a Beach Boys version of this oft-attempted track. Notable for it’s inclusion of three lead vocalists…Brian on the intro, Carl on the main lines, and Bruce on the innocent refrain.

2) Where Is She? (Disc 6, Track 9): It’s not often you get to hear a totally unreleased, new-but-old Brian Wilson tune. Featuring a sparse arrangement of keyboard, Rhythm-King percussion, and a multi-tracked vocal, this is a classic Brian Wilson song that has never seen the light of a day. One could only imagine how magnificent it could have turned out if the group had polished it and worked on it during the Sunflower era, in which it was recorded.

1) (Wouldn’t It Be Nice To) Live Again (Disc 4, Track 4): A Dennis Wilson track of mythical proportions,  this Surf’s Up outtake has been long rumored to contain some of Dennis’ best musical, lyrical, and vocal content. It doesn’t disappoint. This mid-tempo ballad features a heartbreaking lyric (co-written with Stan Shapiro) that ranks close to the heights of “Forever”. Dennis sings it smooth and takes his time with the vocal, while his brothers Carl and Brian back him up with Mike doing a classic bass vocal near the end.

Made In California is a fitting-tribute to the continuing legacy of one of America’s most iconic bands.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

DEBUT OF THE BAMBOO TRADING COMPANY



Waiting for the upcoming “Made In California” 6CD Beach Boys box? Anxious to hear some summer sounds before the end of August? Look no further – The Bamboo Trading Company is here.



This isn’t your standard California "tribute" type album - nothing of the sort. First of all, let’s clear the mystery up. The Bamboo Trading Company features:

Gary Griffin
Matt Jardine
Phillip Bardowell
Randell Kirsch
Chris English
Miami Dan Yoe

If you’re a Beach Boys fan, you’re likely to recognize most of the above names. And, yeah…Matt Jardine is indeed the son of Al. As if that wasn’t enough, the album, the self-titled album featured guest spots by THE David Marks, Dean Torrence, Beach Boys archivist Alan Boyd, and Brian Wilson Band/Wondermint member Probyn Gregory.

With a line-up like that, how could you go wrong? There’s plenty of wonderful things about this record. What I really like about it, though, is that it’s joyous. It’s forty minutes of fun.



Highlights include:

“Kitty Hawk” – a nice, laid back medium-tempo pop tune which features some tasty sitar/zither-like playing. Recalls the old B.J Thomas records of the late 60s.

“Tweet (Don’t Talk Anymore)” – a funny ode to the Twitter generation, bathed in glorious stacked harmonies and Wilson-esque percussion touches. The tempo changes a few times and the harmonies that swell around the bridge are phenomenal. “I’ll shoot you an IM to settle the score….”

“Drinkin’ In The Sunshine” brings to mind Friends-era BBs. The simple feeling of laying in the sun, perhaps on the beach with an ice cold drink? Nothing better.

Listen to “Star of The Beach” (which, according to the sleevenotes, was featured in the movie “Return of The Killer Shrews” - hmm) and you’ll hear some really nice guitar work by David Marks.

Matt Jardine turns in an impressive vocal on “I’ve Always Loved The Ocean”, with a reflective lyric about a hit maker’s younger days.

Those are only a select few – there’s half a dozen songs I haven’t even mentioned. Check them out for yourself. You can find out even more about The Bamboo Trading Company at https://www.facebook.com/TheBambooTradingCompany.