Beach Boys documentary by Billy Hinsche

1974

On The Road With The Beach Boys

Documentary by Billy Hisnche

Hard to describe how cool this really is. Having the opportunity to do special themed editions of ESQ through the years, this DVD is really my kind of bag. No matter how many interviews you can do, there is no substitute for being there, and thankfully, Billy Hinsche was.

This was a true labor of love for Billy, so much in fact, that he had very real concerns about sharing his very first film project with the public, particularly one that is so near and dear to his heart.

In a sense, Hinsche tested the waters over the last several years with his "One In A Million" tribute recording and video of Dennis Wilson from this footage, and the very enjoyable "The Match" (both appearing on Billy's "The Road Well Travelled" DVD). Both gave us brief insight into the 1974 tour, but hardly scratched the surface. The film quality, because of the transpiring years, suffers at times, but the insight and testimonials given by Jim Guercio, Ed Carter, Bobby Figueroa, Ricky Fataar, Carli Munoz, road manager Rick Nelson, Steve Moffitt, and Billy add the needed depth to this documentary.

Billy closes the set with an in-depth explanation of the type of film he used in 1974, and several nice touches are included that add very nice historical nuances. Hinsche's film project is an invaluable resource, as well as true keepsake for any Beach Boys and film restoration fan. Watching the Beach Boys on tour during a time when they were rediscovering themselves and slowly gaining recognition from a second generation of fans allows for a fascinating look into a otherwise forgotten era, and it's great to see Dennis and Carl Wilson captured on film.

This is a film that we'll be talking about for the rest of our lives, and for generations to come.

www.billyhinsche.com/1974/index.html

Mike Love Appears on JRDF's Hope For The Holidays

JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Hope For The Holidays
Various Artists

This collection is one of the most inspired Christmas collections of artists to be released in decades simply because of the variety of artists and their individual takes on otherwise over recorded Christmas standards. One example, Axton’s recording of “Joy To The World,” begins traditionally and then vamps to the version made famous by Three Dog Night… Very cool. Beach Boys’ fans will find this collection interesting for a few reasons: 1) Mike & Christian Love sing on two new tracks, “Closing of the Year” and “Peace and Love”; 2) Beach Boys band member Randell Kirsch offers the beautiful “California Love”; 3) John Cowsill and family offer "Christmastime," and; 4) Mike’s 2006 resurrection of the “Kokomo” theme with the smaltzy “Santa’s Goin’ To Kokomo” by “The Beach Boys" all appear here. In 2006, when I first heard, “Santa’s Goin’ To Kokomo” I cringed. but now, in this format (and for a children's cause), the song feels extremely appropriate.

www.jdrf.org

The Beach Boys — Christmas Harmonies

THE BEACH BOYS

Christmas Harmonies
Capitol Records

For the Beach Boys completist who must have everything, this Beach Boys Christmas collection comes highly recommended, if not for any other reason than the interior packaging and the previously unearthed images of the Beach Boys with Brian dressed up as Santa Clause inside the CD booklet. Musically speaking there’s nothing new here with the exception of which the songs appear. This release compiles the very best of the two combined holiday albums that were initially packaged together in 1998 as Ultimate Christmas.
www.thebeachboys.com

20 Years Ago Still Cruisin' Stalled

THE BEACH BOYS

Still Cruisin'

Capitol Records

This hodgepodge of an album still bemuses me after 20 years, because, as good as Side 1 is, Side 2 falls flat. Most longtime Beach Boy fans simply dismiss this album, which is a mistake. If this album had been released in 1991 it would have faired much better (with the addition of "Problem Child" and "Crocodile Rock"). The inclusion of "I Get Around" (mono), "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "California Girls" (stereo) on the tail end of side 2 watered the album down to such an extent that it's almost unlistenable. A consistency missing from this album: An individual track contribution from Bruce Johnston.

Side 1 had the group being compared by some critics to Fleetwood Mac and U2; not exactly bad company. I won't be reviewing "Wipe Out," as it is a dismissive recording.

"Still Cruisin'" (T. Melcher/M. Love): Mike Love is in prime Beach Boys Adult-Contemporary form with the album's title track; a sort of "Do It Again" for the "Kokomo" generation. Not exactly a song that I would choose to play while watching Mel Gibson's trailer get shot up on the beach in Lethal Weapon 2… But what do I know? It was the only "beach" scene in the movie, so I guess they had to squeeze it in somewhere.

"Somewhere Near Japan" (Phillips/Melcher/Love/Johnston): This song, along with the music video, features the Beach Boys at their Adult-Contemporary best. The vocal structuring is top drawer and enables each member an intertwining moment seamlessly bouncing off of one another. Great mix, and great execution, and a true group effort.

Historical notes: Co-written by the late "Papa" John Phillips, this song was purportedly written about his daughter Mackenzie during her drug addiction to heroin. The lyric, "Now she's trippin' on some Chinese junk…" was sung by Al Jardine, who upon the discovery of the lyric's meaning (post recording) stated he wouldn't have sung it if he had known what the song was about. The alternate radio edit version omitted the gong sound effect beginning.

"Island Girl" (Alan Jardine): Opening with the stellar trio blend of Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson and Al Jardine, this recording does not let up for one second, and is, for my money, Al Jardine's finest moment as a composer and writer of an original Beach Boys recording. This track also features seamless cross-vocal mixing. Carl's wonderful vamp vocal, "Every now and then I get this silly grin when I'm out in her company… " Not exactly the best lyrics, but it's still worth repeated listens.

"In My Car" (Wilson/Landy/Morgan): Primarily a recording overseen by Landy and his crew, Brian brought this song to the table to fill out the album. His vocals with younger brother Carl are excellent, but this would have been a far better recording with vocals from Al, Mike and Bruce complimenting the overall sound.

"Kokomo" (Phillips/Melcher/Love/McKenzie): Beach Boys fans of old dismiss this song without blinking, but the truth is this is a very good song. In fact, if not for "Kokomo," "Papa" John Phillips would not have enjoyed post Mama & Papas hit success. Perhaps the problem lies in the reality that this song outsold Brian's beautiful "Love & Mercy." In a perfect world Brian would have been a Beach Boy at the time, and both recordings would have had the Beach Boys name on it. Either way, the summer of 1988 was a great time for Beach Boys and Brian Wilson fans.

"Make It Big" (Melcher/House/Love): The track features some interesting breaks, and the lyrical message is nice, but that's about it. Considering Troop Beverly Hills is a children's film, the song fits… One of the nicer moments is the break where Mike Love aptly sings: "Baby you're a superstar, lookin' like you're goin' far… Do what ya' wanna. C'mon and do what you wanna… Be my little beauty queen up there on the Silver Screen, c'mon and do what you wanna… "

Here's a stronger lineup for a 14-track Still Cruisin' (combining the idea of soundtrack recordings with new material, released from 1984-1991):

SIDE 1: Soundtrack recordings

"Still Cruisin'" (T. Melcher/M. Love) — Lethal Weapon 2

"Kokomo" (Phillips/Melcher/Love/McKenzie) — Cocktail

"Chasin' The Sky" (Randy Bishop) — Up The Creek

"Make It Big" (Melcher/House/Love) — Troop Beverly Hills

"Problem Child" (Melcher) — Problem Child

"Wipe Out" (The Surfaris) — The Fat Boys (with the Beach Boys)

"Happy Endings" (Johnston/Melcher) — (with Little Richard) — The Telephone

SIDE 2: Other songs

"Crocodile Rock" (Elton John/Bernie Taupin)

"Somewhere Near Japan" (Phillips/Melcher/Love/Johnston)

"Island Girl" (Alan Jardine)

"Lady Liberty" (Alan Jardine/Ron Altbach)

"In My Car" (Wilson/Landy/Morgan)

"Rock n Roll To The Rescue" (Love/Melcher)

"California Dreamin'" (Phillips/Gilliam)

Bonus cuts:

"Kokomo" [Spanish Version]

Among the really cool releases that hasn't happened yet, outside of a few other mythically dangling projects, is a true "Beach Boys At The Movies" compilation. This is something that I've researched in detail (to the point of submitting a complete lineup to EMI in 2008). I'll write more on this in a future blog.

Bruce Johnston's Pet Project

Symphonic Sounds — Music Of The Beach Boys

In 1998 Bruce went into the Abbey Road studios and produced "Symphonic Sounds: Music of the Beach Boys," creating a vastly overlooked collection. Mike Love is joined by Terry Melcher on "Kokomo," and Johnston succinctly recreates all the dynamic and subtle nuances of his 1971 classic, "Disney Girls." This collection also includes the debut of Matt Jardine on "Darlin'," and Adrian Baker's performance on "Warmth of the Sun."

The album's most endearing and enduring moments are the opening four-minute overture and the beautiful "The Water Planet Suite"; consisting of "Heroes And Villains," "Help Me Rhonda," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "God Only Knows," "Surfer Girl," "In My Room," "The Warmth Of The Sun," "All Summer Long," "You Still Believe In Me," "Caroline, No" and "Good Vibrations." Both pieces speak directly to Johnston's love of Classical music. If you don't own this, buy it. If you own it, get it back out and revisit it today!