Well I've completed my project and I have locked in my fantasy 1970-71 Beach Boys twofer. As I stated in my previous post I am focusing more on what hangs together as album lineups (for my personal taste anyway), then strict chronology. I'm sure every aspect of this project is debatable, right down to my choice of album titles, but in the end it's just for fun.
I'm going to post only the first "album" for now, which in this alternate universe could have been released a few months after the excellent
SUNFLOWER (which we'll assume was widely received and did incredibly well in sales!)
THE FADING ROCK GROUP REVIVAL (late 1970)
Side One
1. Soulful Old Man Sunshine
As I've stated before, this tune has almost a Motown sound to it. Very 1969-70 sounding. I think it makes a perfect lead off to this album and could've easily been a single. My edit is similar to the homemade YouTube video someone created awhile back. I used the slow intro from the
Endless Harmony cd version and then the verses from the
Feel Flows track. I also used the
EH version for the group tags, eliminating Carl's out of synch lead in those parts. And then once again like the video, I finished up with the
EH track with its layers of backing vocals, sadly missing on the
FF mix. Then I applied a bit of EQ to the whole track to tame the somewhat shrill highs.
2. San Miguel
I went with the
FF version of course, as it has way more of a stereo spread to it. I EQed the lows to take some of the boomy-ness out of it, and adjusted the volume. Sequencing this right after SOMS gives this album a strong one-two punch. Another potential single (a or b-side).
3. Won't You Tell Me
I know this wasn't recorded until the
Surf's Up era, but to me it has such a 1969-70 vibe it just feels more at home with these earlier tunes. By 1971 the style seemed to be changing, with more synth and a more progressive sound.
4. Sound of Free
Ok, time to get a Dennis lead in there! Not much I can comment on with this song; it's just a great rockin' tune. I just wish there was a stereo mix to put here.
5. Cotton Fields
Continuing a very strong Side One of this album with an offering from Al. I utilized the
Hawthorne mix because the odd synching on the intro of the
FF version just doesn't work for me. Also, there seems to be a bit more of a stereo spread on the older mix.
6. I'm Going Your Way
The last track on Side One keeps the momentum going with this soulful Dennis rocker. I trimmed the chatter off the beginning, as humorous as it is.
Side Two
1. Loop De Loop
Side Two kicks off with what I interpret as a "vintage sounding novelty tune". On this one I again mined the
EH soundtrack for the mix I prefer (even if it wasn't the "original" mix). There's just something about Al's falsetto in the vintage mix that doesn't set right with me.
2. Carnival (Over the Waves)
Since this track has a similar vibe to Loop De Loop, I have cross faded it onto the ending. This has created sort of a mini-suite on this part of the album, and I don't know if there was ever was a concept to do that or something similar, but I'm taking a liberty here once again just for fun.
3. When Girls Get Together
This song continues the mini-suite, as it has a similar vintage sounding vibe to the previous two songs. I didn't cross fade this one with Carnival because it just didn't sound right to me.
4. My Solution
Completes the mini-suite with this darkly humorous tune that reminds me of the old classic black and white horror movies. I know it wasn't intended to be on an album, but I had to put it somewhere! I trimmed Brian's "play it!" off the end because I like the idea of fading out with his maniacal laughter.
5. Susie Cincinnati
Back on track with the classic Beach Boys rock sound. I used the
FF mix which seems to be the most satisfying to me.
6. Lady (Fallin' in Love)
As the album starts to wind down, one of the few mellow songs on the set.
7. Back Home
This seems to be a good way to end the album. A song that has its roots in the earlier classic era of the Beach Boys with a bit of a nostalgic sound. I trimmed off the false start.
Well there's the first half. I will post my 1971 album lineup soon...