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Post by B.E. on Aug 8, 2021 1:31:19 GMT
Initially, years ago, it was a very tough call for me to decide which version of "Cottonfields" I preferred. I felt like they both had their strengths and weaknesses. But, I did ultimately choose the album version, even then. In recent years, I've taken to seeking out the album version to listen to, as it's really grown on me. The single version? Not so much. I'm actually starting to dislike it, and I very rarely listen to it. The only reason I think I'll listen to it again (other than in response to topics like this) is to hear Brian and Mike's harmonies at the 1:56-2:04 mark. Actually, I suppose I'd have use for a 'vocals only' version. Does one exist, I can't recall? Anyway, pretty much all the things you guys are pointing to as positives are negatives for me. The pedal steel and jew's harp throughout is too "country" for my tastes. As in, it sounds like the Beach Boys hired a bunch of country musicians to do their thing and the boys just slapped vocals on top; whereas, the album version actually sounds like a "Beach Boys" adaptation of a folk song (albeit a '68-BBs, not a '65-BBs). Then you've got stuff like Mike's 'down-down-down-down dit-it-it dit-it-it's which sounds like it was taken from "Loop De Loop" or something and his 'bow bow bow's and the group 'WAH-ooo's and it all kind of clashes for me. There's too many ideas and genres going on. It's like doing a rendition of "John Henry" with some "Hawaii"-esque falsetto parts on top. The playing might be fantastic and the singing otherworldly, but it just won't work for me. Have Elvis or Roy Orbison or the Everly Brothers sing over the backing track and you'd never suspect it was a Beach Boys production. As for the B-side, I'm no hater, but in what universe is it a strong pairing with "Cottonfields"? Bizarre. We already had it on 20/20. That was plenty. I can't go higher than a '6' here. This is my first '6', and therefore my least favorite single to-date. (I'm honestly surprised by this, as I hadn't realized how much it had fallen out of favor for me...)
Edit: I'm also not a fan of the drum sound on the single version of "Cottonfields".
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Post by lonelysummer on Aug 8, 2021 6:52:36 GMT
Initially, years ago, it was a very tough call for me to decide which version of "Cottonfields" I preferred. I felt like they both had their strengths and weaknesses. But, I did ultimately choose the album version, even then. In recent years, I've taken to seeking out the album version to listen to, as it's really grown on me. The single version? Not so much. I'm actually starting to dislike it, and I very rarely listen to it. The only reason I think I'll listen to it again (other than in response to topics like this) is to hear Brian and Mike's harmonies at the 1:56-2:04 mark. Actually, I suppose I'd have use for a 'vocals only' version. Does one exist, I can't recall? Anyway, pretty much all the things you guys are pointing to as positives are negatives for me. The pedal steel and jew's harp throughout is too "country" for my tastes. As in, it sounds like the Beach Boys hired a bunch of country musicians to do their thing and the boys just slapped vocals on top; whereas, the album version actually sounds like a "Beach Boys" adaptation of a folk song (albeit a '68-BBs, not a '65-BBs). Then you've got stuff like Mike's 'down-down-down-down dit-it-it dit-it-it's which sounds like it was taken from "Loop De Loop" or something and his 'bow bow bow's and the group 'WAH-ooo's and it all kind of clashes for me. There's too many ideas and genres going on. It's like doing a rendition of "John Henry" with some "Hawaii"-esque falsetto parts on top. The playing might be fantastic and the singing otherworldly, but it just won't work for me. Have Elvis or Roy Orbison or the Everly Brothers sing over the backing track and you'd never suspect it was a Beach Boys production. As for the B-side, I'm no hater, but in what universe is it a strong pairing with "Cottonfields"? Bizarre. We already had it on 20/20. That was plenty. I can't go higher than a '6' here. This is my first '6', and therefore my least favorite single to-date. (I'm honestly surprised by this, as I hadn't realized how much it had fallen out of favor for me...) Edit: I'm also not a fan of the drum sound on the single version of "Cottonfields". Had no idea this single would get such a strong reaction. It's certainly not one of their classics. I Can Hear Music, sure. Do it Again, yes. Even Breakaway IMO deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the greatest hits. Cottonfields is just okay.
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Post by Kapitan on Aug 8, 2021 11:40:50 GMT
As in, it sounds like the Beach Boys hired a bunch of country musicians to do their thing and the boys just slapped vocals on top; whereas, the album version actually sounds like a "Beach Boys" adaptation of a folk song (albeit a '68-BBs, not a '65-BBs). I get what you're saying. But what's funny is, there are more Beach Boys on the instrumental track of the single version than on the album version. At least according to the wiki entry (based on Craig S), the album version has just Brian on keyboards; the single version has Al and Carl on guitars, Bruce on keyboards, and Dennis on drums (as well as session guys on keyboards, bass, percussion, horns, and pedal steel).
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Post by lonelysummer on Aug 8, 2021 20:04:33 GMT
I have to say, Dennis' drumming is one of the selling points of this single, really drives it along.
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Post by B.E. on Aug 8, 2021 20:25:23 GMT
I have to say, Dennis' drumming is one of the selling points of this single, really drives it along. The playing is inspired, but the drum sound is very trebly. It's almost hard to distinguish between the hi hat and snare. And, not sure I hear the bass drum. The cymbals are washing everything out. I do appreciate the driving energy of the recording, though. (I had forgot to mention that there's also that lone bass note (?) in the beginning that almost feels like a false start. Reminds me of "Kona Coast"...and not in a good way.)
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