Despite having two hit singles, Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) doesn't seem to appear in many discussions of the best Beach Boys albums. While musically it is a step forward, some of the lyrics have been criticized as being a return to the simpler themes found on their early records. It is true the album isn't as introspective asToday!, but Summer Days is a strong and very fun album with a lot to offer.
The Girl From New York City(Brian Wilson/Mike Love) Not many songs lead off a Beach Boys album and then totally fade into obscurity like this one. It's an exciting production with great energy and an incredibly catchy chorus: "The California guys all got their eyes on that girl from New York City / The L.A. boys all heard the noise about the girl from New York City." Mike's bass notes, Brian's soaring harmonies, the piano, saxophone, and twangy lead guitar all surround a very strong vocal performance. A deep-cut album opener that does the job in less than two minutes.
Amusement Parks U.S.A. (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) Lyrically, this song is similar to something like "County Fair" back on their debut album. The music is also very carnivallike to match. It could be a little embarrassing to the uninitiated you are trying to convince of the Beach Boys' coolness. However, there are two things I love about this song. First is the sound of Brian's vocals the three times he comes in at the end of the verses. Second is the line, "watching girls in the air can really get you bad." I don't know who wrote this line, but it's so Brian. I can totally understand it and it saves the song for me.
Then I Kissed Her(Phil Spector/Ellie Greenwich/Jeff Barry) Brian gives the Beach Boys' treatment to "Then He Kissed Me," originally produced by Phil Spector for the Crystals. He retains the castanets, but this production has a more acoustic, less aggressive sound compared to the original. Al gets his first of two lead vocals on the album and does a great job on it.
Salt Lake City(Brian Wilson/Mike Love) This song used to fly past me as a simple throwback, but then I heard the session highlights on the 2001 Hawthorne, CA compilation and I realized what a creative track this is. That saxophone is back, some lively piano, great drumming by Hal Blaine, and those flawless harmonies at the end. Like "Amusement Parks U.S.A.," we have Mike and Brian sharing the lead vocal.
Girl Don't Tell Me(Brian Wilson) This song has often been compared to "Ticket To Ride" due to the guitar breaks and Carl's phrasing, particularly on the words "you'll write" in the chorus. It is also unique in that the Beach Boys are playing their own instruments, there are no backing vocals, and it's one of Carl's first leads. He was only 18 years old, but this was the 9th Beach Boys album. It's amazing to think it took Brian so long to use him in this capacity. This song is a highlight of the album for me and it really got my attention when I was first discovering the catalog.
Help Me, Rhonda(Brian Wilson/Mike Love) Al's second lead vocal and the second time this song was released. It first showed up on Beach Boys Today! under the spelling "Help Me, Ronda," but Brian gave it another look and turned it into a #1 single. Carol Kaye's bass and Hal Blaine's drums sound incredible. Mike's bass notes are another highlight on a track full of highlights. This catchy sing-along would be a concert staple for many decades.
California Girls(Brian Wilson/Mike Love) Speaking of concert staples, here's another monster song. The aforementioned Carol Kaye is owning that bass line again and the gorgeous intro is out of this world. In a previous post, I linked to a recording of the track that only featured the vocals. The arrangement Brian came up with for those backing vocals is one of my favorite things ever. This and "Rhonda" are songs I used to think were cheesy when I was younger, but once I became a Beach Boys fan and gave them proper listens, I learned how magnificent they are and that they deserve all the love they get.
Let Him Run Wild(Brian Wilson/Mike Love) Ahh you're killing me, Brian. This is so good! We're this far into the album and we finally get Brian's first unshared lead vocal. What a great arrangement! Listen to the backing track on 1968's Stack-o-Tracks. These are some of Brian's best lyrics. I feel I'm being redundant by pointing out the great harmonies throughout this album, but I can't ignore what the backing vocals do for this record. Gotta love that vibraphone. Frank Capp RIP.
You're So Good To Me(Brian Wilson/Mike Love) Another infectious track. I used to think Al sang this one. There are times Al and Brian can sound identical. I also thought it was Al because Brian comes in so strong, and with a different style, on the "and I love it" part. It is Brian, however, and this is another song with the guys playing their own instruments. That lead guitar riff throughout the verses is an earworm and those "la-la-la-la" backing vocals are the icing on the cake.
Summer Means New Love(Brian Wilson) This instrumental has never done much for me. I could listen to the Pet Sounds instrumentals every day, but this one seems a bit dated. I think it's the lead guitar that make it sound like it belongs in the back of some beach scene in a 1950's teen movie. The strings really help it and you can hear the experimentation that would lead to Pet Sounds.
I'm Bugged At My Ol' Man(Brian Wilson) This song gets mixed reactions. It's a tossed-off tune that doesn't fit the production quality of the rest of the album. We essentially have a humorous (to us) window into the relationship the Wilson brothers had with their overbearing father. The lyrics are pretty weak. The backing vocals are intentionally flat. The bridge is the best part, where Brian sings "they gave me some breadcrumbs and a little glass of water / and they're out there eating steak."
And Your Dream Comes True(Brian Wilson/Mike Love) This 63-second a cappella song is easily a better way to end the album than "Bull Session with the 'Big Daddy'." There's not a lot to say about this one other than it's a pretty little lullaby that shows the listeners what the guys can do, especially after "I'm Bugged." The next time we would get a track like this would be "Mama Says" on the Wild Honey album.
On June 3, 2021, The Beach Boys finally announced the box set that had been rumored as far back as December 2019. Feel Flows: The Sunflower & Surf's Up Sessions 1969-1971 will be released July 30th as a 5CD box set, 4LP edition, 4LP limited colored vinyl package, 2LP set and 2CD set. The box set includes 108 previously unreleased tracks, the majority of which are session highlights and new or alternate mixes (including instrumental and a cappella mixes), as well as live performances, radio promos, and outtakes not originally included on either album.
At the end of 2018, fans were treated to three rarities collections: On Tour: 1968, Wake the World: The Friends Sessions, and I Can Hear Music: The 20/20 Sessions. As 2019 was coming to a close, we were anxiously awaiting releases featuring tracks from the Sunflower and Surf's Up albums. But it was not to be. What came out was a 3-track digital EP called 1969: I’m Going Your Way. There was speculation nearly immediately that a bigger set was in the works and hope that this EP was a mere taste of goodies to come. All throughout 2020, there was talk that the collection was completed and simply waiting on a release date from the label. Then it was said to have been shelved completely for undisclosed reasons. Fans even started a online petition to get Feel Flows released. For whatever reason, the project came back from the dead and started picking up steam. Finally, here we are! It is a joyous day for Beach Boys fans as an embarrassment of riches is coming our way.
Because no reason for the delay has been given, it allows rumor and speculation to run rampant on the Internet. Fans will take sides and point fingers at who they believe must be the culprit. It makes sense that insiders would want to be professional and not share what they know, though many supposed insiders have hinted that they know more than they are willing to say. Because Mike Love is naming "The Beach Boys" summer tour after this release, I wonder if he simply wanted the box out to tie in with a tour that was understandably delayed a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. To me that doesn't seem like the worst reason. I'm only guessing, of course. The real reason, if we ever find out, could be as ridiculous as some speculate. I think come July 30th, all will be forgiven. We were worried this set would never come and it's coming. The long bootlegged original version of "Big Sur" was released to wet our appetites and pre-orders are now being taken! Aren't you glad? It's a great time to be a Beach Boys fan.
The cover art comes courtesy of Dillon Carson, who celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sunflower last September by posting his version of an alternate album cover inspired by Sunflower's gatefold. The Beach Boys camp became aware of it and utilized it with some changes. Al Jardine lost his hat and Brian and Mike were completely redone. You can see this earlier version to the side here.
Here are the contents of the 5CDs coming our way. I'm not going to post the track listings for every edition as the 5-disc box is where you can acquire everything. The contents of the other packages are easily found on Wikipedia or The Beach Boys official website. There are about 16 tracks that are longer on the box compared to the 2CD and/or vinyl versions. These are likely tracks trimmed of studio dialogue, etc., in the interest of space.
DISC ONE SUNFLOWER - Original Album 1. Slip On Through (2019 master) (2:19) 2. This Whole World (2019 master) (1:58) 3. Add Some Music To Your Day (2019 master) (3:36) 4. Got To Know The Woman (2019 master) (2:43) 5. Deirdre (2019 master) (3:30) 6. It’s About Time (2019 master) (2:57) 7. Tears In The Morning (2019 master) (4:07) 8. All I Wanna Do (2019 master) (2:36) 9. Forever (2019 master) (2:42) 10. Our Sweet Love (2019 master) (2:41) 11. At My Window (2019 master) (2:32) 12. Cool, Cool Water (2019 master) (5:03) 13. Sunflower Promo 1 (previously unreleased) (0:59)
SUNFLOWER - LIVE
14. This Whole World (Live 1988) (2:10)
15. Add Some Music To Your Day (Live 1993) (3:23)
16. Susie Cincinnati (Live 1976) (2:46)
17. Back Home (Live 1976) (3:15)
18. It’s About Time (Live 1971) (3:45)
19. Riot In Cell Block 9 (Live 1970) (3:34)
SUNFLOWER - BONUS TRACKS
20. Break Away (original 1969 single mix) (2:55)
21. Celebrate The News (previously unreleased 2020 mix) (2:37)
22. Loop De Loop (previously unreleased 1969 mix) (2:59)
23. San Miguel (previously unreleased 2020 mix) (2:33)
DISC TWO SURF’S UP - Original Album 1. Don’t Go Near The Water (2019 master) (2:41) 2. Long Promised Road (2019 master) (3:32) 3. Take A Load Off Your Feet (2019 master) (2:32) 4. Disney Girls (1957) (2019 master) (4:08) 5. Student Demonstration Time (2019 master) (3:59) 6. Feel Flows (2019 master) (4:44) 7. Lookin’ At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song) (2019 master) (1:57) 8. A Day In The Life Of A Tree (2019 master) (3:09) 9. Til I Die (2019 master) (2:32) 10. Surf’s Up (2019 master) (4:14) 11. Surf’s Up Promo (previously unreleased) (1:02)
SURF’S UP - LIVE
12. Take A Load Off Your Feet (Live 1993) (2:35)
13. Long Promised Road (Live 1972) (4:14)
14. Disney Girls (Live 1982) (4:23)
15. Surf’s Up (Live 1973) (4:58)
16. Student Demonstration Time (Live 1971) (4:42)
SURF'S UP - BONUS TRACKS 17. Big Sur (previously unreleased) (2:35) 18. H.E.L.P. Is On The Way (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (2:31) 19. Sweet And Bitter (previously unreleased) (2:33) 20. My Solution (previously unreleased) (3:44) 21. 4th of July (2019 mix – previously unreleased) (3:11) 22. Sound of Free (1970 single mix, 2019 master) (2:22) 23. Lady (Fallin’ In Love) (1970 stereo mix – previously unreleased) (2:21) 24. Seasons In The Sun (previously unreleased) (3:27) DISC THREE SUNFLOWER SESSIONS 1. Sunflower Promo 2 (previously unreleased) (0:59) 2. Slip On Through (track and backing vocals – previously unreleased) (2:47) 3. This Whole World (long version track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:10) 4. Add Some Music To Your Day (track and backing vocals – previously unreleased) (4:35) 5. Deirdre (track – previously unreleased) (3:34) 6. It’s About Time (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (2:53) 7. Tears In The Morning (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (4:08) 8. All I Wanna Do (session intro, track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:46)
14. San Miguel (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (2:57)
15. Loop De Loop (track – previously unreleased) (2:49) 16. Good Time (session intro, track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (4:27) 17. When Girls Get Together (track – previously unreleased) (1:47) 18. Slip On Through (alternate 1969 mix with session intro – previously unreleased) (3:25) 19. Our Sweet Love (string section – previously unreleased) (1:00)
1969-1970 a Cappella 20. San Miguel (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (1:00) 21. Break Away (Tag) (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (0:18) 22. Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (2:44) 23. Good Time (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (0:19) 24. This Whole World (backing vocals section – previously unreleased) (1:05) 25. Add Some Music To Your Day (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (3:30) 26. Got To Know The Woman (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (2:52) 27. It’s About Time (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (0:50) 28. All I Wanna Do (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (2:58) 29. Forever (previously unreleased 2019 a Cappella mix) (2:52) DISC FOUR SURF’S UP SESSIONS 1. Don’t Go Near The Water (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:45)
