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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Feb 15, 2020 2:07:48 GMT
15 Big Ones...one of the most controversial albums in the Beach Boys' catalogue. Dennis and Carl didn't want the oldies. Brian, Mike, and Al did. So, with a 3-2 vote, oldies were going to play a big part in the album. There was talk of a separate oldies album (to get Brian re-acclimated with the studio), followed by an album of all original material. Somewhere along the way it was decided to combine oldies and newies on one album, an album titled after both the age of the group and the number of tracks. So, on July 5, 1976, 15 Big Ones was released to an audience waiting with open arms. It was only three years since the band's last studio album (Holland), but, in those days it felt like an eternity, and, oh, how things had changed in three short years.
Was 15 Big Ones the beginning of the end or THE end? Or, was it a success? Did it accomplish what the group set out to do which was getting Brian Wilson back writing and producing, getting the group back on the radio and the charts, and fulfilling the need for a successful follow-up to Endless Summer and Spirit Of America? As far as the first two goals, yes it did provide an outlet for Brian Wilson to produce (and write and arrange), and it most definitely got the group back on the radio ("Rock And Roll Music" #5, "It's OK" #29) and on the charts (15 Big Ones #8). But, was it a successful follow-up to Endless Summer and Spirit Of America? I guess it depends how the listener defines "successful".
In assembling an alternate 15 Big Ones, I had to first decide if I wanted to think like The Beach Boys originally thought in 1976. Do I want an album of all oldies and an album of all new material? No, I don't think there was enough quality material for two albums. I mean, you COULD assemble two albums, but individually, they probably would've been weaker than what was ultimately decided on - an album of both oldies and new material. It was a strange choice, no question about it. And, it is hard to believe that the group couldn't have come up with an album of 13-14-15 new songs of quality material. But, if you look at the archives, they just weren't there.
In order to "improve" 15 Big Ones, I did two things. First, I substituted what I think are the two weakest oldies ("Talk To Me" and "A Casual Look") with two alternate, in my opinion, stronger oldies ("Sea Cruise" and "Come Go With Me"). I didn't delete or substitute any of the original songs. Keeping "TM Song" was the toughest decision. I considered "Good Timin'" even though it wasn't finished. It would've fit, but I left it for L.A. Light Album. I also considered "River Song", but I don't think that song would've fit, and I'm not sure Dennis would've even handed over some of the songs he was planning to use on his upcoming solo album.
Second, I resequenced the album. 15 Big Ones isn't poorly sequenced though there were glaring mistakes and missed opportunities. I think going with "Rock And Roll Music" then "Palisades Park" is a better opening to the album. "It's OK" never sounded right after "Rock And Roll Music". I think following "It's OK" (Find a ride, find a ride...) with "Susie Cincinnati" is a nice fit. I especially like ending Side 1 with "In The Still Of The Night" and opening Side 2 with "Blueberry Hill". I think the newly-added oldies work with "Come Go With Me" followed by "Sea Cruise"; they add some much-needed rock and roll. Lyrically, the sequencing of "In The Still Of The Night" - "Blueberry Hill" - "Back Home" - ""Had To Phone" - "It's OK" - tells a story of losing someone and getting them back. I tried to close with the couple ultimately deciding to get married ("Chapel Of Love") after an impassioned plea ("Just Once In My Life"). "Chapel Of Love" isn't the greatest closer but I wanted to end on a positive, happy note.
The album title of 15 Big Ones was also a questionable choice, not so much for the age of the group (which was worth noting/celebrating), but for the songs that, well, weren't that big. I also think the album cover could've been improved. I kind of liked the Olympics insignia, but the individual photos were a disaster. So, dig out the Ten Years Of Harmony CD and find "Come Go With Me" and "Sea Cruise". Give the new lineup and sequencing below a shot. If you like it, burn a copy for the car. Spring is right around the corner. Pick ya up at 8!
The Beach Boys - Pick Ya Up At 8!
Side 1 1. Rock And Roll Music 2. Palisades Park 3. Everyone's In Love With You 4. Come Go With Me (Ten Years Of Harmony version)
5. Sea Cruise 6. TM Song 7. That Same Song 8. In The Still Of The Night
Side 2 1. Blueberry Hill 2. Back Home 3. Had To Phone Ya 4. It's OK 5. Susie Cincinnati 6. Just Once In My Life 7. Chapel Of Love
Pick Ya Up At 8 album cover (look at Brian):
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Feb 22, 2020 1:03:51 GMT
This playlist was inspired by the Brian's Best Covers thread. On that thread, we discussed some of our favorite Brian Wilson cover songs that he recorded throughout his solo career. A few months ago, I compiled a rough list of my favorite BW covers. Since then, I tweaked the song list and the sequencing. I really like this new lineup, both the variety of tracks and the flow. It would be a licensing nightmare to compile and release a compilation like this, but I think it has a lot of musical and historical merit, and I think it would be an appealing album for both serious and casual fans of Brian Wilson.
Brian Wilson - I'm Into Something Good...Covers!
01 When You Wish Upon A Star 02 California Sun 03 Someone To Watch Over Me 04 I'm Into Something Good (with Carole King) 05 Kiss The Girl 06 You Are So Beautiful (with Carnie Wilson) 07 Be My Baby (from Live At The Roxy) 08 Baby Mine 09 Listen To Me 10 Colors Of The Wind 11 Heaven 12 'S Wonderful 13 They Can't take That Away From Me 14 Keep An Eye On Summer 15 Peace On Earth 16 The First Noel 17 Joy To The World
18 Wanderlust 19 My Sweet Lord (from George Fest) 20 Can You Feel The Love Tonight 21 God Only Knows (from New Music From An Old Friend) 22 Stay Awake 23 Heigh-Ho / Whistle Why You Work
Notes: - I considered "This Could Be The Night" because I really like the song, but I found both the quality of the recording and the performance to be subpar. - I went with two Christmas songs, "The First Noel" and "Joy To The World", to give a more complete picture of Brian's solo catalogue. If you choose to exclude the Christmas song(s), you could then substitute "This Could Be The Night" and/or other covers from Gershwin and Disney. - I decided to go with two Beach Boys' covers, "Keep An Eye On Summer" and "God Only Knows", because I thought the versions and Brian's vocals were very strong, many fans were not as familiar with them (these versions), and frankly, covering Beach Boys' songs was a big part of Brian's solo career.
Album cover for the album:
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 19, 2020 14:38:57 GMT
I was thinking about putting together a Beach Boys single album, not quite a best-of, not quite a favorites, but maybe best described as the Beach Boys album I'd put together to please myself (or introduce the band as I see it to someone else). Probably about a dozen songs spanning eras with the track list order / flow receiving substantial attention. (SJS and I aren't so different in that necessity! Though his tend to be more about the subject matter than mine do.)
So today I'll be fiddling with that, hopefully to post later. Then again, in the general music section, I think I promised a Scottish-band playlist, too...and that's probably been like a month.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 19, 2020 15:40:05 GMT
I was thinking about putting together a Beach Boys single album, not quite a best-of, not quite a favorites, but maybe best described as the Beach Boys album I'd put together to please myself (or introduce the band as I see it to someone else). Probably about a dozen songs spanning eras with the track list order / flow receiving substantial attention. (SJS and I aren't so different in that necessity! Though his tend to be more about the subject matter than mine do.)
So today I'll be fiddling with that, hopefully to post later. Then again, in the general music section, I think I promised a Scottish-band playlist, too...and that's probably been like a month.
I have tried this kind of comp several times, and I found that it was difficult to accomplish. I struggled with the aspect of choosing songs that please myself (a longtime diehard) and at the same time wanting to please, or as you said, introduce someone else to the band. Oh, I'm sure that the songs I choose to please myself would also please a prospective fan; those songs would be great ones for sure. But then I thought that I was being too cute, and maybe omitting some tried and true hits, songs which might be better to "attract" new fans. In the end, the comp usually turns out to be a "greatest hits" package, and I usually fill an entire CD. It ultimately becomes a comp for others; I have enough other ones to please myself. But I'm gonna give this one some thought. I'm also intrigued by your criteria of making it album length, or about a dozen songs. I might have to stretch to fourteen.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 19, 2020 16:10:29 GMT
I know what you mean, which is why I am definitely doing this as a "this Beach Boys album is your introduction to MY Beach Boys fandom" kind of thing. Very self-centered, not the usual "how would you get someone else to be a fan" kind of thing.
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Post by B.E. on Mar 19, 2020 17:58:12 GMT
I know what you mean, which is why I am definitely doing this as a "this Beach Boys album is your introduction to MY Beach Boys fandom" kind of thing. Very self-centered, not the usual "how would you get someone else to be a fan" kind of thing. Sold. Sounds fun.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 19, 2020 18:23:17 GMT
I know what you mean, which is why I am definitely doing this as a "this Beach Boys album is your introduction to MY Beach Boys fandom" kind of thing. Very self-centered, not the usual "how would you get someone else to be a fan" kind of thing. Sold. Sounds fun. Sold? Sweet! That'll be either $49.95 or one roll of toilet paper!
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 19, 2020 19:25:28 GMT
Yes, this was a fun one. Here's what I came up with:
The Beach Boys - In My Room
01 California Girls 02 Good Vibrations 03 Wouldn't It Be Nice 04 Cabinessence 05 God Only Knows 06 Lonely Sea 07 Til I Die 08 Sloop John B 09 Caroline, No
10 Do It Again 11 This Whole World 12 In My Room 13 Our Prayer 14 Surf's Up
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 19, 2020 19:48:06 GMT
The Beach Boys - In My Room
Love the title
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 19, 2020 22:52:16 GMT
I think this is mine, subject to (endless) revision.
1. Wouldn't It Be Nice 2. This Whole World 3. I'd Love Just Once to See You 4. Time to Get Alone (1967 Sunshine Tomorrow alt version) 5. In My Room 6. Break Away
7. I Get Around 8. Don't Worry, Baby 9. Fun, Fun, Fun 10. Our Prayer 11. Surf's Up (The Smile Sessions) 12. God Only Knows
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 19, 2020 23:07:00 GMT
I think this is mine, subject to (endless) revision.
7. I Get Around 8. Don't Worry, Baby 9. Fun, Fun, Fun I originally had those three on my comp but removed them. Seriously. But I thought I had too many hits so took 'em off. Can I put them back on? It's surprising (I think) how similar our comps are, especially if I would've included the those three.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 19, 2020 23:08:42 GMT
It's surprising (I think) how similar our comps are, especially if I would've included the those three. When I saw you had Our Prayer going into Surf's Up, I worried that my antagonist persona was in trouble.
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Mar 20, 2020 0:12:19 GMT
Here's mine:
1. In My Room 2. Don't Worry Baby 3. Break Away (alternate) 4. God Only Knows 5. Good Vibrations 6. Do It Again 7. Wouldn't It Be Nice
8. California Girls 9. Ballad of Ole' Betsy 10. All I Wanna Do 11. I Get Around 12. Surfin' Safari 13. From There to Back Again 14. Cool, Cool Water
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 20, 2020 0:33:23 GMT
Here's mine: 9. Ballad of Ole' Betsy
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Mar 20, 2020 0:56:27 GMT
Here's mine: 9. Ballad of Ole' Betsy I'm a car guy and I loved my first car. After the transmission went out and I had to sell it, I played this quite a bit. Pretty sappy, I know, but I've always had a soft spot for this song ever since.
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