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Post by Kapitan on Jul 26, 2023 11:22:56 GMT
If Carl had sung Angel Come Home, it might have sounded more like this. Well, Carl wrote it, not Dennis, so it was a little odd that Carl didn't sing it. Carl already sang lead on 6 of the 10 songs on L.A. (Light Album) and maybe Carl/Bruce/the group thought that 6 was enough. 7 might've put it over the top and made it sound more like a CW solo album. Keepin' The Summer Alive has a similar feel in this area. I think it just sounds more like a song for Dennis to sing, just like "Baby Blue" (on the same album) was written by Dennis but features Carl singing much of the lead. Sometimes a song just sounds like somebody.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 26, 2023 11:28:06 GMT
Well, Carl wrote it, not Dennis, so it was a little odd that Carl didn't sing it. Carl already sang lead on 6 of the 10 songs on L.A. (Light Album) and maybe Carl/Bruce/the group thought that 6 was enough. 7 might've put it over the top and made it sound more like a CW solo album. Keepin' The Summer Alive has a similar feel in this area. Just curious if there are any recordings of Carl singing the lead for "Angel Come Home"? Andrew might know... We have a member on this board, cman, who is a well-known Beach Boys' sessionographer. He has yet to post here. Maybe The Cincinnati Kid could...alert him.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 29, 2023 12:27:09 GMT
Spotlight on "Lady Lynda":
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Post by B.E. on Jul 29, 2023 17:40:40 GMT
I've always been a fan of "Winds of Change". I know it's somewhat polarizing (with a decent amount of fans not liking it at all), but I think it's a tasteful, mature track, that works well as a closer (particularly of MIU). I've also always thought of it as well-sung, with most of the credit going to Al and with Brian's falsetto at the end being a bonus. But in relistening to these tracks earlier this week I was really impressed with the quality of Mike's lead. It's very well sung. It actually had me pondering if it was Mike's best lead vocal of the era (or since). I think, to its credit, it might not have attracted my attention earlier because it fits so seamlessly. It's a delicate...and warm performance. Which is notable for Mike, particularly post- Holland. I tend to think of that as a break-off point for Mike where the quality of his vocals dip dramatically, with his approach being largely to blame. In other words, he would have been better off singing more parts like this than... 6. It's A Beautiful Day - I wish it would've been on the KTSA album; it's a good song and vocal performance if a bit slick production-wise. I've probably only listened to this track a dozen times. Each time I seek it out, I end up feeling like I want to like it more than I actually do. I think, ultimately, the lyrics do as much damage as anything, but Mike's lead is about as uncool (and, even, impotent) as it gets. To me, he sounds about as far away from a rock frontman as you can get. Again, the lyrics don't help in this regard, but that's part of his style. Again, just uncool, IMO. I don't feel this way about him pre- 15 Big Ones. In his youth he pulled it off (granted, with better material), but later on, and as his voice declined, I think the only avenue where he finds notable success as a lead singer is in softer, (often lower register) passages such as in "Winds of Change" or the bridge of "Oh Darlin'" and in "Kokomo". Beyond Mike's lead, though, I'm hesitant to say the rest of the vocals are all that good either. I think the combination of "ooooohs" and Carl's two-line lead on the refrain is good, but Al's lead is middle of the road for him (and, again, hampered by uncool lyrics) and the dit-dits are more than a bit obnoxious, though not necessarily badly sung. I have mixed feelings on that...which is hardly an ideal reaction. Lastly, while I can see how it could fit on KTSA, I just wanted to mention that I was actually getting more of an MIU vibe from the track the closer I listened to it. Once you get past that electric guitar intro, it's a pretty basic backing track built on pounding out the chords on piano, Brian-style, and with a very prominent, driving, bass guitar part reminiscent of a track like "Peggy Sue". The playing is actually quite similar, too. Anyway, clearly, I'm not a big fan of "It's A Beautiful Day" even if it is a largely competent track and an interesting/intriguing one considering it was a non-album track that potentially could have been included on an album of that era. But even if it had been on MIU, LA, or KTSA, I would've ranked it bottom half regardless. So, yeah, I am a little surprised to see it perform so well this week (it's in the top ten), although I know fans tend to like it (though, not love it). I noticed Kapitan and Emdeeh also voted as SJS did, including "It's A Beautiful Day" and omitting "Winds of Change".
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 29, 2023 18:09:05 GMT
I've always been a fan of "Winds of Change". I know it's somewhat polarizing (with a decent amount of fans not liking it at all), but I think it's a tasteful, mature track, that works well as a closer (particularly of MIU). I've also always thought of it as well-sung, with most of the credit going to Al and with Brian's falsetto at the end being a bonus. But in relistening to these tracks earlier this week I was really impressed with the quality of Mike's lead. It's very well sung. It actually had me pondering if it was Mike's best lead vocal of the era (or since). I think, to its credit, it might not have attracted my attention earlier because it fits so seamlessly. It's a delicate...and warm performance. Which is notable for Mike, particularly post- Holland. I tend to think of that as a break-off point for Mike where the quality of his vocals dip dramatically, with his approach being largely to blame. In other words, he would have been better off singing more parts like this than... I like "Winds Of Change" but, frankly, it wasn't close to contending for a Top Ten spot. I do appreciate that the guys tried something different, and it took guts to go outside the group for a song instead of going with songs from the group. "Winds Of Change" starts out fine and I like the lyrics/concept. The bridge does bring the song down, though they come out of it strong. Brian's falsetto vocal - and words - at the end is not only great, but it's one of the two/three highlights of the entire album! Also, Winds Of Change would've made a much better album title than M.I.U. Album, one of the worst in the band's history.
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Emdeeh
Pacific Coast Highway
Posts: 520
Likes: 532
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Post by Emdeeh on Jul 29, 2023 20:12:37 GMT
I noticed Kapitan and Emdeeh also voted as SJS did, including "It's A Beautiful Day" and omitting "Winds of Change". My reasons are simple -- I like "It's a Beautiful Day" a lot, but I am not a fan of "Winds of Change." YMMV
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2023 20:18:01 GMT
"Winds of Change" is just so, so schmaltzy for my taste. It's like a Broadway ballad. I won't say it doesn't have its moments--it does--but it's not something I want to listen to.
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Post by B.E. on Jul 29, 2023 21:03:30 GMT
"Winds of Change" is just so, so schmaltzy for my taste. It's like a Broadway ballad. I won't say it doesn't have its moments--it does--but it's not something I want to listen to. I appreciate that. I'm usually on that side of it, but sometimes "schmaltz" works for us...then it's "tasteful" and "mature". I'm also the guy who ranked "Tears in the Morning" #4 two weeks ago. I wonder if it helps that "Winds of Change" is on the same album as "Hey Little Tomboy"? By comparison, it certainly feels more appropriate. Like, it's some much needed class or something. It also isn't trying to recreate the early days like "Kona Coast" nor is it a cover of a '50s hit. (Just thinking out loud...)
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Post by B.E. on Jul 29, 2023 21:16:03 GMT
I noticed Kapitan and Emdeeh also voted as SJS did, including "It's A Beautiful Day" and omitting "Winds of Change". My reasons are simple -- I like "It's a Beautiful Day" a lot, but I am not a fan of "Winds of Change." YMMV Considering it's a song that is not often the topic of conversation, I'd be interested to know what fans like about "It's A Beauiful Day". I imagine the appeal is that it's a driving song, with tight production, and a sunny, positive feel (which the Beach Boys are obviously mostly/generally known for). I also suspect that the context surrounding it, as a relatively high-quality track that sort of slipped through the cracks, props it up. But that's just my perception on limited discussions. I'd love to hear more from the fans who voted for it.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2023 21:26:35 GMT
My reasons are simple -- I like "It's a Beautiful Day" a lot, but I am not a fan of "Winds of Change." YMMV Considering it's a song that is not often the topic of conversation, I'd be interested to know what fans like about "It's A Beauiful Day". I imagine the appeal is that it's a driving song, with tight production, and a sunny, positive feel (which the Beach Boys are obviously mostly/generally known for). I also suspect that the context surrounding it, as a relatively high-quality track that sort of slipped through the cracks, props it up. But that's just my perception on limited discussions. I'd love to hear more from the fans who voted for it. Honestly for me, that's just about it. It's also catchy. That's more or less it. I don't think it's an especially good song, but I enjoy it--especially in comparison to much of what was going on in that era. Oh, and I'm a big fan of "dit-dits" and the like, so while you find them obnoxious, I find them a welcome bit of background harmonies.
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Post by B.E. on Jul 29, 2023 21:34:05 GMT
For the record, I'm a big fan of "dit-dits" too, but I just don't really like how they're utilized/presented in this track.
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Post by B.E. on Jul 29, 2023 21:38:06 GMT
Also, I know "It's A Beautiful Day" was on Ten Years of Harmony and Made in California. Is that it? Or did it appear on any other compilations?
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2023 22:19:58 GMT
Also, I know "It's A Beautiful Day" was on Ten Years of Harmony and Made in California. Is that it? Or did it appear on any other compilations? As far as I know, that's it (other than its original release on the Americathon soundtrack, if you count that as a compilation). I think it's: soundtrack, single, comp, long wait, another comp.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 29, 2023 22:26:21 GMT
B.E., regarding "It's A Beautiful Day", I don't agree with your opinion about the vocals. I think they are all - Mike's, Al's, Carl's and the harmonies are perfectly fine. Same with the lyrics. Except for Mike's "fun, fun, fun" reference, it's not your typical getting around/cruisin'/racing kind of song. Was it written especially for the movie? I ask that because I think the lyrics reflect more of a modern day, beginning of the 80s, cool L.A. feel - not retro.
I do agree with your speculation (and Kapitan's agreement) as to why the song is popular with Beach Boys' fans. Personally, I think most BB fans are always going to welcome car-related, outdoorsy, positive music - basically rock & roll - no matter what the era or the age of the members. They, most, will also welcome more of Mike's familiar nasal tone, the crystal-clear Al, and Carl's incredible voice. And those are the highlights of "It's A Beautiful Day".
As I mentioned above, I think the song suffers a bit from Bruce's production. Like a lot of his productions from 1979-80, the tracks lack some grit, they're a bit slick, and they're not Brian Wilson productions. Also, personally, the fact that "It's A Beautiful Day" slipped through the cracks doesn't affect my rating or opinion of the song, though I still wish it would've been included on Keepin' The Summer Alive. I can hear it as the perfect opener for Side 2.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2023 22:38:53 GMT
I think the only part that really sounds particularly retro is Mike's section; I don't think either Al's verses or the refrain sound like an attempt at an oldie at all. But the vibe is definitely there overall, just because it would be almost impossible for a Beach Boys summer-in-LA song to not conjure up ideas of the early to mid '60s ... unless it was death metal or something.
As for vocal performances, I think Carl is great on it, Al is good on it, and Mike is fine on it (not at his most annoyingly nasal by a long shot).
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