Sea Of Tunes

(Beach Boys in the 60s)

Sea of Tunes was a music publishing company, founded in 1962 by Murry Wilson, father to three of the Beach Boys (Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson), and uncle of another member (Mike Love), to publish and promote the original songs written by Brian and Mike. After being fired as their manager by Brian in 1964, Murry continued to serve as their publisher, until he sold Sea of Tunes to A&M Records in 1969 for $750,000. Murry believed that the band's days had peaked, and that he was doing them a favour by selling out when the band was at its low point in the late 1960s. Instead the band was furious, and Mike and Brian (who was having enough problems, in the throes of mental illness and increasing drug intake) were especially heartbroken. Years after Murry's death, a recovered Brian Wilson sued for the return of his song copyrights. While he failed to recover them in court, he was awarded $25 million in damages, including unpaid and underpaid royalties. Mike Love had also discovered he'd never been credited by Murry for many of the songs (like "California Girls") he'd co-written with Brian, and thus had also lost out on royalties. Unable to come to a settlement on their own, and with no supposed malice toward each other, Mike sued Brian for a share of his award, and won $13 million.

1

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 1 (1962) The Alternate Surfin' Safari Album; Sea of Tunes C9703

All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono. 1. Summertime Blues (inst. takes 1 and 2) 1:39 2. Summertime Blues (inst. take 3) 2:32 * 3. Summertime Blues (inst. take 4) 2:36 * 4. Summertime Blues (overdub 1, takes 5/6) 3:03 * 5. Summertime Blues (overdub 1, takes 6/7) 3:07 * 6. Summertime Blues (overdub 1, take 8) 2:18 * 7. Summertime Blues (overdub 1, take 9) 1:09 * 8. Summertime Blues (overdub 1, take 10) 1:16 9. Summertime Blues (overdub 1, take 11) 1:22 10. Summertime Blues (overdub 1, take 12) 2:19 * 11. Heads You Win, Tails I Lose (overdub 1, take 13) 1:55 12. Heads You Win, Tails I Lose (overdub 1, take 14) 1:57 13. Heads You Win, Tails I Lose (overdub 1, take 17) 2:30 * 14. Land Ahoy (inst. take 1) 1:53 * 15. Land Ahoy (overdub 1, takes 2/3) 1:47 * 16. Land Ahoy (overdub 1, take 4) 1:50 * 17. Land Ahoy (overdub 1, take 5) 1:49 18. Little Girl (You're My Miss America) (inst. takes 1-2) 1:46 19. Little Girl (You're My Miss America) (inst. takes 3-8) 2:34 20. Little Girl (You're My Miss America) (inst. takes 9-11) 1:23 21. Little Girl (You're My Miss America) (inst. takes 9-11) 0:50 22. Little Girl (You're My Miss America) (inst. take 15) 2:12 23. County Fair (inst.) 2:24 24. County Fair (overdub 2, take13) 2:31 25. Cuckoo Clock (inst.) 2:15 26. Cuckoo Clock (overdub 2, take12) 2:20 27. The Surfer Moon (inst. take 1) 2:59 9/13/62 28. The Surfer Moon (inst. take 2) 0:44 29. The Surfer Moon (inst. take 3) 2:46 30. Cindy, Oh Cindy (inst. take 1) 0:44 31. Cindy, Oh Cindy (inst. takes 2-4) 1:58 32. Cindy, Oh Cindy (inst. take 5-7) 2:36 *

2

33. Cindy, Oh Cindy (inst. take 8) 1:00 34. Cindy, Oh Cindy (vocal take) 2:04

This "Sea Of Tunes" release, which deals exclusively with the studio out-takes of the Beach Boys' first album, "Surfin' Safari," is a welcome addition to die-hard fans collections. The sound is truly remarkable, although the revelations are few. Multiple takes of "Summertime Blues" reveal the fresh-faced young men not able to play the backing track unless they're singing along, during "Land Ahoy" they get reprimanded by a testy studio technician for talking during a vocal take, and already Brian is doing all of the countoffs and vocal direction. It's all very energized and ragged. Overall, this series will appeal to those fans who love to "peek" inside the studio while the Beach Boys are working, but will turn off any casual fan who thinks listening to take after blown take is a dull way to spend an hour.

3

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 2 (1963) The Alternate Surfin' USA Album; Sea of Tunes C9704

All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono. 1. Surfin' U.S.A. (inst.) 2:33 * 2. Surfin' U.S.A. (vocal overdub) 2:33 3. Surfin' U.S.A. (definitive mix) 2:33 4. Shut Down (1st stereo mix) 1:53 5. Shut Down (2nd stereo mix) 1:53 6. Lana (vocal take 11) 1:54 7. Lana (vocal overdubs take 11) 1:49 8. Farmer's Daughter (1st stereo mix, overdub take 9) 9. Farmer's Daughter (2nd stereo mix, overdub 2 take 9) 10. Misirlou (take 12) 2:13 11. Honky Tonk (take 9) 2:06 12. Noble Surfer (vocal take 39) 1:56 * 13. Noble Surfer (1st stereo mix) 1:57 14. Noble Surfer (2nd stereo mix) 1:56 15. Finders Keepers (1st stereo mix) 1:51 16. Finders Keepers (2nd stereo mix) 1:42 17. Stoked (take 16) 2:11 18. Surf Jam (take 8) 2:14 19. Let's Go Trippin' (take 8) 2:05 2/11/63 20. The Ballad Of Ole' Betsy (inst. takes 1-3) 1:24 * 2/9/63 21. The Ballad Of Ole' Betsy (inst. take 4) 3:07 * 22. The Baker Man (inst. takes 1-2) 2:37 * 3/7/63 23. The Baker Man (vocal take) 2:43 24. Side Two (inst. take 1) 1:23 * 3/7/63 25. Side Two (inst. take ?) 2:32 *

4

The second in the "Unsurpassed Masters" series tackles the Beach Boys sophmore "Surfin' USA" sessions, and in my opinion is more enjoyable than the first disc, due to the increased confidence of the Beach Boys, the greater variety and quality of songs, and the continued excellence of the sonics (listening over digital headphones is great). "Vol. 2" contains multiple stereo mixes of "Surfin' USA," "Lana," "Shut Down," "Farmer's Daughter," "Finder's Keepers," "Miserlou," and "Noble Surfer," and and one take each of "Stoked," "Surf Jam," and "Let's Go Trippin'." The disc also includes bonus tracks of "Ballad of Ole' Betsy," "The Baker Man," and the previously unreleased instrumental "Take Two."

5

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 3 (1963) The Alternate Surfer Girl Album; Sea of Tunes C9705

All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono. 1. Surfer Girl (end mix? not fade out) 2:29 2. Surfers Rule (inst. take 1) 1:22 * 3. Surfers Rule (inst. take 4) 1:19 * 4. Surfers Rule (inst. take 5) 1:27 * 5. Surfers Rule (inst. take 6 - 7) 2:45 * 6. Surfers Rule (inst. take 8 - 9) 2:28 * 7. Surfers Rule (inst. take 10) 2:37 * 8. Surfers Rule (vocal take) 2:11 9. Surfers Rule (vocal take) 2:11 10. South Bay Surfer (inst. take 1) 0:50 * 11. South Bay Surfer (inst. take ?) 2:13 12. South Bay Surfer (vocal take 2) 2:08 13. Boogie Woodie (inst. take 1) 1:54 * 14. Boogie Woodie (inst. takes 2 & 3) 2:09 * 15. Boogie Woodie (inst. take 4) 1:11 * 16. Boogie Woodie (inst. takes 5 & 6) 2:59 * 17. Boogie Woodie (inst. take + piano overdub) 2:02 18. Boogie Woodie (inst. take + piano/organ overdub) 2:02 19. Our Car Club (vocal take 1st stereo mix) 2:39 20. Our Car Club (vocal take 2nd stereo mix) 2:39 21. The Surfer Moon (vocal take 1st stereo mix) 2:19 22. The Surfer Moon (vocal take 2nd stereo mix) 2:20 23. Hawaii (vocal overdub separated) 2:10 24. Hawaii (vocal overdub) 2:09 25. Your Summer Dream (vocal overdub separated) 2:48 26. Your Summer Dream (vocal overdub) 2:54 27. The Rocking Surfer 2:15 28. Catch A Wave 2:21 29. Catch A Wave (end mix?) 2:21 30. In My Room (take 13) 2:26 31. In My Room (take ?) 2:26

6

32. Run Around Lover - Sharon Marie - (inst. take) 2:11 * 33. Run Around Lover - Sharon Marie - (vocal take) 2:24

The "Surfer Girl" sessions disc was a disappointment to me, due to one main reason: I consider "Surfer Girl" to be the first great album in the Beach Boys' canon, and the out-takes presented here don't reflect that. The out-takes give weight to the lesser tracks; eight tracks devoted to "Surfer's Rule," three to "South Bay Surfer" (ugh), six for "Boogie Woodie," and only one for "Surfer Girl," and two each for "Our Car Club," "The Surfer Moon," "Hawaii," "Your Summer Dream," "Catch A Wave," and "In My Room." The album finishes with the non-Beach Boy, Brian Wilson production: "Run Around Lover." Listening made me very curious whether this was all that was on the master, or whether the "Sea Of Tunes" producers held some back... I wanted much more.

7

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 4 (1963) Miscellaneous Trax; Sea of Tunes C9706/7

Disc 1 (All tracks are mono, except * indicated are stereo). 1. The One You Can't Have (inst. take) 2:05 * 2. The One You Can't Have (vocal take) 2:06 * 3. Pamela Jean (inst. take 1) 3:06 * 4. Pamela Jean (inst. take 4) 1:29 * 5. Pamela Jean (inst. take 6) 1:21 * 6. Pamela Jean (inst. take 7) 1:32 * 7. Pamela Jean (inst. take 8) 3:36 * 8. Pamela Jean (inst. take 1 + sax solo) 3:16 9. Pamela Jean (inst. take 2 + sax solo) 2:11 10. Pamela Jean (inst. take 3 + sax solo) 1:44 11. Pamela Jean (inst. take 8 + sax solo) 3:21 12. Bobby Left Me (takes 1-4) 2:16 * 13. Bobby Left Me (take 5) 2:52 * 14. Bobby Left Me (introduction take 1 - 6) 1:45 * 15. (I Can See Right Through You) Go Away Boy (inst. take 2) 3:02 16. (I Can See Right Through You) Go Away Boy (inst. take 5) 2:41 17. (I Can See Right Through You) Go Away Boy (inst. take 6) 2:52 18. I Do (inst. take 1) 1:09 19. I Do (inst. takes 2 & 3) 1:12 20. I Do (inst. takes 4 & 5) 2:18 21. I Do (vocal overdub takes 1 & 2) 2:04 22. I Do (vocal overdub take 3) 1:01 23. I Do (vocal overdub take 4) 2:30 24. I Do (vocal overdub take 5) 1:59 Disc 2 (All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono). 1. If It Can't Be You (vocal take 1) 2:27 * 2. If It Can't Be You (vocal take 3) 1:02 * 3. If It Can't Be You (vocal take 4) 2:37 * 4. The One You Can't Have (vocal takes 1 & 2) 1:48 5. The One You Can't Have (vocal take 3) 2:14 6. The One You Can't Have (1st vocal overdub take 1) 0:35 7. The One You Can't Have (2nd vocal overdub take 2) 2:17

8

8. Pamela Jean (vocal take 1) 3:17 9. Pamela Jean (vocal take 4) 3:25 10. Pamela Jean (vocal take 6) 2:14 11. Pamela Jean (vocal take 7) 3:00 12. Pamela Jean (vocal take 11) 3:13 13. Pamela Jean (1st vocal mix take 11?) 3:07 14. Pamela Jean (2nd vocal mix take 11?) 3:13 15. Pamela Jean (3rd vocal mix take 11?) 3:14 16. Endless Sleep (inst. take 2) 3:03 * 17. Endless Sleep (inst. take 3) 1:14 * 18. Endless Sleep (2nd track take 1) 2:36 19. Endless Sleep (2nd track take 2) 2:28 20. Endless Sleep (2nd track take 3) 1:23 21. Endless Sleep (3rd track take 1) 1:47 22. Endless Sleep (3rd track take 2) 2:36 23. I Do (inst. takes 2 & 3) 2:32 * 24. I Do (inst. take 6) 1:58 25. I Do (inst. take 7) 2:16 26. I Do (vocal take ?) 2:18 27. I Do (vocal take ?) 2:14 28. I Do (vocal take 1) 2:08 29. I Do (vocal take 2) 2:05

This two CD set collects various Brian Wilson Productions, from the Honeys to the Castells, and is a fascinating collection of "Girl Group"-type songs, and rarities. Again mastered with perfect, clear sound, these sessions record instrumental and vocal takes for the Honeys "The One You Can't Have," "Bobby Left Me," "I Can See Right Trough[sp] You (Go Away Boy)," the (Brian Wilson-helmed) Survivors "Pamela Jean," and the marvelous "I Do" that was first tried by the Beach Boys, then given to the Castells, who are featured on the last two takes. Other takes included are from "If It Can't Be You," and "Endless Sleep." One of my favorite sets in the "Sea Of Tunes" series so far.

9

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 5 (1964) Miscellaneous Trax Vol.2; Sea of Tunes C9811

All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono. 1. Fun, Fun, Fun (rehearsal) 0:56 2. Fun, Fun, Fun (instrumental insert takes 1-4) 6:02 3. Fun, Fun, Fun (instrumental insert take 5) 2:29 4. Fun, Fun, Fun (instrumental insert take 6) 2:36 5. Fun, Fun, Fun (vocal overdub takes 4 and 5) 2:45 6. Fun, Fun, Fun (vocal overdub take 8) 2:29 7. Fun, Fun, Fun (vocal overdub takes 9-11) 4:08 7. Fun, Fun, Fun (vocal overdub takes 12-14) 3:42 8. Fun, Fun, Fun -alternate version- (vocal overdub) 2:13 9. Fun, Fun, Fun (vocal overdub) 2:10 10. Ganz Allein (In My Room - German Version) (1st vocal overdub take 13) 2:29 11. Ganz Allein (In My Room - German Version) (2nd vocal overdub take 13) 2:21 12. He's A Doll (The Honeys) (take 1) 2:23 13. He's A Doll (take 2) 2:19 * 14. He's A Doll (take 6) 1:07 * 15. He's A Doll (take 7) 2:14 * 16. He's A Doll (take 8) 2:35 * 17. He's A Doll (vocal overdub) 2:16 * 18. He's A Doll (instrumental insert) 2:20 19. Thinkin’ ‘Bout You, Baby (Sharon Marie) (vocal overdub) 3:25 20. Thinkin’ ‘Bout You, Baby (2nd track overdub take 1) 3:25 21. Thinkin’ ‘Bout You, Baby (2nd track overdub take 2) 1:12 22. Thinkin’ ‘Bout You, Baby (2nd track overdub take 3) 2:06 23. Thinkin’ ‘Bout You, Baby (2nd track overdub take 4) 3:05 24. Thinkin’ ‘Bout You, Baby (2nd track overdub take 5) 3:08 25. Thinkin’ ‘Bout You, Baby (3rd track overdub take 1) 3:09 26. Thinkin’ ‘Bout You, Baby (4th track overdub takes 1 and 2) 2:33

10

A single disc, chronicling various and sundry sessions, i.e.; "Fun, Fun Fun," from Shut Down, Vol. 2, "Ganz Allein" (German language In My Room), the Honey's "He's a Doll," and Sharon Marie's "Thinkin' 'Bout You, Baby" (which is the very first incarnation of "Darlin'" and is an excellent girl-group-like number.) A singular difference in this release is the inclusion of liner notes, written in somewhat stilted english, ("In My Room is one of the classic Beach Boys songs. Even with German vocals it is still outstanding") but adding little to one's understanding of these tracking dates. An odd collection, apparently trying to fill in the gap of "Shut Down Vol. 2," but still enjoyable, especially the super-charged takes of "Fun, Fun, Fun" (which begins as a slow blues jam, with Mike growling out the vocals!)

11

Christmas Sessions The Alternate Beach Boys Christmas Album ; Sea of Tunes C9708/9/10

Disc 1 (All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono). 1. Little Saint Nick (vocal take) 2:09 2. The Man With All The Toys (inst. take) 1:37 * 3. The Man With All The Toys (inst. overdub previous take) 1:37 4. Santa's Beard (inst. try-outs 1-13) 7:18 * 5. Santa's Beard (inst. try-outs 14-15) 2:59 * 6. Santa's Beard (inst. try-outs 16-21) 3:12 * 7. Santa's Beard (inst. take) 2:14 * 8. Santa's Beard (vocal overdub) 2:14 9. Merry Christmas, Baby (inst. takes 1-6) 5:31 * 10. Merry Christmas, Baby (inst. takes 7-9) 3:29 * 11. Merry Christmas, Baby (inst. takes 10) 2:50 * 12. Merry Christmas, Baby (vocal overdubs) 2:42 * 13. Christmas Day (inst. takes 1-2) 2:26 * 14. Christmas Day (inst. takes 3-8) 3:22 * 15. Christmas Day (try-out takes 12-18) 4:40 * 16. Christmas Day (try-out takes 19-24) 2:22 * 17. Christmas Day (inst. take 1) 2:13 * 18. Christmas Day (inst. takes 2-6) 2:12 * 19. Christmas Day (inst. takes 7) 2:38 * 20. Christmas Day (overdub take 7) 2:20 21. Christmas Day (vocal overdub take 7) 2:16 22. Christmas Day (vocal overdub 1a take 7) 2:03 23. Christmas Day (vocal overdub 3a take 7) 1:54 24. Christmas Day (vocal overdub 4a take 7) 1:49 Disc 2 (All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono). 1. Christmas Day (vocal overdub 6a take 7) 2:05 2. Christmas Day (vocal overdub 8a take 7) 1:56 3. Christmas Day (vocal overdub 9a take 7) 1:15 4. Christmas Day (vocal overdub 8a take 7) 2:12 5. Frosty The Snowman (vocal take 4) 2:04

12

6. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (vocal overdub takes 1-3) 4:40 7. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (vocal overdub takes 6) 4:06 8. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (vocal overdub takes 1a-4a) 5:30 9. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (vocal inner cut 1) 1:55 10. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (vocal inner cut 2 take 4) 1:06 11. Blue Christmas (inst. takes 2-3) 1:03 * 12. Blue Christmas (vocal overdub take 4a) 1:25 13. Blue Christmas (vocal overdub take 5a-7a) 1:56 14. Blue Christmas (vocal overdub take 8a) 1:04 15. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (vocal only intro take 1) 0:50 * 16. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (vocal only intro takes 4-5) 0:47 * 17. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (diff. vocal only intro takes 1-7) 2:56 * 18. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (diff. vocal only intro takes 10-18) 4:47 * 19. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (diff. vocal only intro takes 20-24) 2:08 * 20. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (vocal overdub 3a) 1:10 * 21. White Christmas (inst. takes 2-3) 3:21 22. White Christmas (vocal overdub 1 take 3) 3:29 23. White Christmas (vocal overdub 2 take 3) 2:07 24. White Christmas (vocal overdub 3 take 3) 1:40 25. Auld Lang Syne 2:17 * 26. Auld Lang Syne 1:21 * 27. Auld Lang Syne (Christmas messages overdub) 1:18 28. The Lords Prayer 2:33 * 29. Little Saint Nick's Drive In (vocal take 1b) 1:14 30. Little Saint Nick's Drive In (vocal take 3b) 1.59 Disc 3 (All tracks stereo). 1. Little Saint Nick (vocal take stereo mix) 2:10 2. The Man With All The Toys (vocal overdub) 1:37 3. Santa's Beard (stereo mix) 2:14 4. Merry Christmas, Baby (vocal overdub mix) 2:42 5. Christmas Day (vocal mix?) 1:55 6. Frosty The Snowman (vocal overdub 2a take 4) 1:53 7. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (vocal inner cut takes 5/6) 1:17 8. Jingle Bells (inst. take 4) 2:25 9. Jingle Bells (inner cuts 1 / 2 take 4) 1:26 10. Blue Christmas (vocal overdub take 8b) 1:29 11. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (vocal overdub 4a) 1:28 12. White Christmas (vocal mix) 2:28 13. I'll Be Home For Christmas (vocal take) 2:44 14. Auld Lang Syne (vocal stereo mix) 1:18 15. Little Saint Nick (45 stereo version) 2:07 16. The Lord's Prayer 2:30 17. Little Saint Nick's Drive In (vocal take 4b) 2:03

13

I thought I would enjoy this 3-CD box set far less than I did. After all, THREE CD's of the 1964 Christmas album? It's not exactly screaming for a retrospective treatment. However, there are some very interesting revelations here. For example, Brian Wilson gets fed up during the countless instrumental takes of "Christmas Day" and calls the song "a f****** piece of s***!" (That's right, a flaming piece of salami):) then on disc two, the engineers and band begin mocking Brian's Father, Murry Wilson, imitating his sledgehammer approach to producing, with hilarious accuracy. (Sing out men! Get north!) (He's not at that particular session). Also included are some of the lush, dynamic symphonic orchestral takes, (which is a big reason the album is so good, and are very welcome), including the previously-unheard track to "Jingle Bells" (recorded by a full orchestra, with no vocals, and never used) plus several vocal takes and lots of stereo (INCLUDING the sparkling stereo rare single mix of "Little Saint Nick!") Wunnerful, wunnerful.

14

The Beach Boys Live In Sacramento, 1964 First Show and Rehearsal ; Sea of Tunes C9701

(All tracks are stereo). 1. Introduction 0:31 2. Little Honda 2:11 3. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow 2:06 4. The Little Old Lady From Pasadena 3:04 5. Hushabye 3:26 6. Hawaii 2:40 7. Let's Go Trippin' 2:11 8. The Wanderer 2:25 9. Surfer Girl 2:25 10. Monster Mash 3:37 11. Graduation Day 2:05 12. Be True To Your School 3:28 13. Surfin' U.S.A. 2:06 14. Don't Back Down 2:09 15. Don't Worry Baby 2:50 16. Wendy 2:36 17. I Get Around 2:12 18. Fun, Fun, Fun 2:12 19. Louie Louie 3:03 20. Little Honda 3:11 21. Surfin' U.S.A. 2:28 22. Wendy 1:44 23. Wendy 2:30 24. Wendy 3:17 25. Don't Worry Baby 1:23 26. Little Honda 1:50 27. Little Honda 2:01 28. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow 2:35 29. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow 2:39 30. The Little Old Lady From Pasadena / Don't Back Down 1:32

15

The Beach Boys Live In Sacramento, 1964 Second Show and Vocal Overdubs ; Sea of Tunes C9702

(All tracks are stereo). 1. Introduction 1:17 2. Little Honda 2:01 3. Fun, Fun, Fun 2:13 4. The Little Old Lady From Pasadena 3:04 5. Hushabye 2:55 6. Hawaii 2:56 7. Let's Go Trippin' 2:21 8. The Wanderer 2:27 9. Wendy 2:24 10. Monster Mash 3:35 11. Surfer Girl 3:18

16

12. Be True To Your School 2:49 13. Graduation Day 2:55 14. Surfin' U.S.A. 3:18 15. Don't Back Down 1:59 16. Don't Worry Baby 3:20 17. I Get Around 2:26 18. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow 1:56 19. Fun, Fun, Fun (vocal rehearsals) 2:00 20. I Get Around (vocal overdub) 2:00 21. The Little Old Lady From Pasadena (vocal overdub) 2:55 22. The Little Old Lady From Pasadena (vocal overdub) 2:57 23. Fun, Fun, Fun (vocal overdub) 1:56 24. Hawaii (vocal overdub) 0:58 25. Johnny B Goode (vocal overdub) 1:10 26. Johnny B Goode (vocal overdub) 1:41 27. Honda "55" (vocal rehearsal) 1:19 28. Honda "55" (vocal rehearsal) 0:24

The first and second shows are on separate CD's [C 9701 and C 9702, respectively], and, being the first releases on the new "Sea Of Tunes" label, announced to Beach Boys collectors around the world that these CD's were going to rock their world. Apparently taken directly from master tape sources, the sound and completeness are staggering. The concerts themselves are clumsy and rather badly played, but the boys are extremely enthusiastic, and the crowd (seeming to consist of LOTS of screaming girls) is forgiving. The bonus tracks on both sets are interesting; on the first show CD, a pre-concert rehersal shows the band struggling with rhythm and doing a little familial ribbing (Brian seems rather impatient), and on the second show's CD, the vocal overdubs in the studio are documented, as well as rehearsals for the previously unreleased (radio jingle?) "Honda "55"," which is a wonderful acapella harmony tag to the set.

17

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 6 (1964) The Alternate All Summer Long Album; Sea of Tunes C9812/3/4

Disk 1 (All tracks are mono, except * indicated are stereo). 1. I Get Around (rehearsals) 4:02 2. I Get Around (rehearsals) 2:55 3. I Get Around (takes 4-6) 2:51 4. I Get Around (take 7) 2:22 5. I Get Around (takes 8 & 9) 4:32 6. I Get Around (take 10) 2:43 7. I Get Around (take 11) 1:46 8. I Get Around (takes 12-14) 2:43 9. I Get Around (track only) 2:16 10. I Get Around (vocal overdub) 2:15 * 11. I Get Around (instrumental insert) 2:16 * 12. I Get Around (stereo mix) 2:17 * 13. All Summer Long (takes 1-15) 6:41 14. All Summer Long (takes 16-19) 2:40 15. All Summer Long (takes 20-42) 10:24 16. All Summer Long (take 43) 2:16 17. All Summer Long (instrumental insert) 2:16 * 18. All Summer Long (1st vocal overdub) 2:17 * 19. All Summer Long (vocal overdub takes 1a & 2a) 1:51 * 20. All Summer Long (vocal overdub takes 5a-10a) 4:31 * 21. All Summer Long (stereo mix) 2:11 *

18

Disk 2 (All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono). 1. Hushabye (1st vocal overdub) 2:41 2. Hushabye (2nd vocal overdub) 2:41 3. Little Honda (track only) 1:54 4. Little Honda (vocal track) 1:54 5. We’ll Run Away (rehearsal) 1:16 * 6. We’ll Run Away (takes 1 & 2) 4:03 * 7. We’ll Run Away (instrumental insert) 2:01 8. We’ll Run Away (1st vocal overdub) 2:04 9. We’ll Run Away (vocal overdub takes 1a-4a) 1:52 10. We’ll Run Away (vocal overdub take 5a) 2:02 11. We’ll Run Away (stereo mix) 2:00 12. Memphis Beach (takes 1-12) 5:31 13. Memphis Beach (take 13) 2:27 14. Memphis Beach (instrumental insert) 2:30 15. Wendy (vocal overdub takes 1a-3a) 3:54 16. Wendy (vocal overdub take 4a) 2:21 17. Wendy (vocal overdub takes 5a & 6a) 2:27 18. Wendy (vocal overdub take 7a) 2:25 19. Do You Remember? (takes 1-3) 2:55 * 20. Do You Remember? (take 4) 1:44 * 21. Do You Remember? (takes 5-8) 2:51 * 22. Do You Remember? (take 10) 1:46 * 23. Do You Remember? (instrumental insert) 1:42 24. Do You Remember? (1st vocal overdub) 1:46 25. Do You Remember? (vocal overdub takes 1a & 2a) 2:10 26. Do You Remember? (vocal overdub take 3a) 1:49 27. Do You Remember? (vocal overdub takes 4a-9a) 4:37 28. Do You Remember? (stereo mix) 1:39

19

Disk 3 (All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono). 1. Girls On The Beach (vocal overdub takes 1a-6a) 5:38 2. Girls On The Beach (vocal overdub take 8a) 2:00 3. Girls On The Beach (vocal overdub take 9a) 2:31 4. Girls On The Beach (vocal overdub take 10a) 2:31 5. Girls On The Beach (vocal overdub takes 1b-8b) 6:00 6. Girls On The Beach (vocal overdub take 9b) 2:04 7. Girls On The Beach (1st vocal overdub) 2:32 8. Girls On The Beach (2nd vocal overdub) 2:32 9. Drive-In (track only & vocal track) 3:39 10. Drive-In (1st vocal overdub) 1:51 11. Drive-In (2nd vocal overdub) 1:51 12. Don’t Back Down (rehearsals) 2:22 * 13. Don’t Back Down (takes 1-3) 3:48 * 14. Don’t Back Down (instrumental insert) 2:06 15. Don’t Back Down (vocal overdub) 2:07 16. Don’t Back Down (vocal overdub takes 1a-3a) 3:01 17. Don’t Back Down (additional vocal overdub take 1) 1:18 18. Don’t Back Down (additional vocal overdub take 2) 1:53 19. Little Honda -alternate version- (vocal overdubs) 2:54 20. Little Honda -alternate version- (vocal overdubs) 2:31 21. Little Honda -alternate version- (vocal overdubs) 2:20 22. Little Honda -alternate version- (stereo mix) 1:56 23. Don’t Back Down -alternate version- (vocal overdub takes 4a-6a) 4:04

20

A three-CD box of "All Summer Long?" Al-righty! Mike Love unveils his biting sarcasm from the recording booth during the tracking sessions of "I Get Around" ("Take 41. ...I mean 14.") and then screws around during vocal sessions for "Wendy" (thereby getting replaced on lead vocal by Brian.) There is a ripping version of "Do You Remember," Mike breaks out his operatic voice during the first run through of "Girls On The Beach," (and later, there are some wonderful, tentative vocal moments with the Boys working out their harmonies.) The sessions reveal that Brian was a hard worker, and the rest of the band had a hard time getting serious, constantly cracking up and goofing off. (Although Brian himself was sometimes the impetus for the joking.) Also contains multiple takes of "All Summer Long," "Hushabye," "We'll Run Away," "Memphis Beach," "Drive-In," "Don't Back Down," and "Little Honda." Lots of fun to listen to.

21

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 7 (1964) The Alternate Beach Boys Today Album Vol. 1; Sea of Tunes C9815/16/17/18 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 1. She Knows Me Too Well (rehearsals) 2:12 * 2. She Knows Me Too Well (takes 1-3) 3:43 * 3. She Knows Me Too Well (take 16) 2:50 * 4. She Knows Me Too Well (1st vocal overdub) 2:45 5. She Knows Me Too Well (2nd vocal overdub) 2:43 6. She Knows Me Too Well (lead vocal overdub) 2:40 7. She Knows Me Too Well (stereo mix) 2:33 8. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (take 1) 2:23 * 9. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (take 1) 2:13 * 10. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (take 3) 1:41 * 11. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (takes 4-8) 5:05 * 12. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (take 10) 2:07 * 13. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (takes 11-13) 3:20 * 14. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (takes 14-17) 4:04 * 15. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (take 18) 2:33 * 16. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (stereo mix) 2:28 17. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (1st vocal overdub) 2:33 18. Don't Hurt My Little Sister (2nd vocal overdub) 2:33 Disc 2 1. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (rehearsals) 2:12 * 2. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (takes 1-9) 5:36 * 3. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (takes 10-18) 7:40 * 4. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (takes 19-36) 10:58 * 5. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (take 37 + outro rehearsals) 5:13 * 6. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (instrumental insert) 2:26 7. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (1st vocal overdub) 2:26 8. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (2nd vocal overdub takes 1-12) 11:09 9. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (2nd vocal overdub take 13) 2:14 10. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (2nd vocal overdub take 14) 2:24

22

11. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (instrumental insert take 1) 2:55 12. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (instrumental insert takes 2 and 3) 4:13 13. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (instrumental insert take 4) 1:12 14. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (instrumental insert take 5) 2:01 Disc 3 1. I'm So Young (alternate take) (rehearsal and takes 1-5) 4:39 * 2. I'm So Young (alternate take) (take 6) 2:42 * 3. I'm So Young (alternate take) (takes 7-11) 7:31 * 4. I'm So Young (alternate take) (take 12) * 2:34 5. I'm So Young (alternate take) (1st vocal overdub) 2:37 6. I'm So Young (alternate take) (2nd vocal overdub) 2:38 7. Guess I'm Dumb (takes 1 and 2) 3:23 8. Guess I'm Dumb (unknown takes) 4:06 9. Guess I'm Dumb (take 22) 3:25 10. Guess I'm Dumb (take 23) 3:11 11. Guess I'm Dumb (1st vocal overdub) 3:04 12. Guess I'm Dumb (2nd vocal overdub) 3:04 13. All Dressed Up For School (takes 1-4) 3:52 14. All Dressed Up For School (take 5) 2:08 15. All Dressed Up For School (takes 6-8) 1:46 16. All Dressed Up For School (take 9) 2:40 17. All Dressed Up For School (1st vocal overdub) 2:40 18. All Dressed Up For School (2nd overdub takes 1 and 2) 3:44 19. All Dressed Up For School (2nd overdub takes 6 and 7) 3:44 20. Dance, Dance, Dance (alternate version) (takes 1 and 2) 2:18 21. Dance, Dance, Dance (alternate version) (instrumental insert) 2:05 22. Dance, Dance, Dance (alternate version) (vocal overdub) 2:06 23. Dance, Dance, Dance (alternate version) (stereo mix) 2:10 Disk 4 1. Dance, Dance, Dance (takes 1-12) 6:47 * 2. Dance, Dance, Dance (take 14) 2:10 * 3. Dance, Dance, Dance (take 15) 2:07 * 4. Dance, Dance, Dance (takes 16 and 17) 2:34 * 5. Dance, Dance, Dance (vocal overdub) 2:17 6. Dance, Dance, Dance (instrumental insert) 2:13 7. Dance, Dance, Dance (vocal overdub take 1a) 1:19 8. Dance, Dance, Dance (vocal overdub takes 2a and 3a) 2:11 9. Dance, Dance, Dance (vocal overdub takes 4a-7a) 3:15 10. Dance, Dance, Dance (vocal overdub takes 8a and 9a) 4:25 11. Dance, Dance, Dance (vocal overdub take 10a) 2:34 12. Dance, Dance, Dance (vocal overdub take 11a-14a) 3:51 13. Dance, Dance, Dance (stereo mix) 2:04 14. Kiss Me, Baby (takes 1-6) 4:09 15. Kiss Me, Baby (take 7) 1:55 16. Kiss Me, Baby (take 8) 2:30 17. (Talk between sessions) 2:05 18. Kiss Me, Baby (take 9) 3:05 19. Kiss Me, Baby (1st vocal overdub) 2:59 20. Kiss Me, Baby (2nd vocal overdub) 2:59

23

Oh my. Four CD's, the first of two box sets for the "Today" album. Is this overkill or what? Somebody pinch me. A whole disc devoted to "When I Grow Up To Be A Man" sessions (with a very tired, and uptight group trying to lay down the track at 11:00 pm), including outtakes of "I'm Dumb" (a fabulous "lost" song of Brian's, given away to Glen Campbell), large chunks of outtakes for "Dance, Dance, Dance," (including tense, argumentative vocal sessions) "She Knows Me Too Well," " Don't Hurt My Little Sister," "All Dressed Up For School," and the heavenly "Kiss Me Baby." Have I mentioned that these tracks are almost ALL in true stereo? Whoops! I'm drooling all over my keyboard... but again, a reminder that these are, for the most part, studio outtakes, and your enjoyment of them depends entirely on whether you like listening to rough, unfinished, works-in-progress. In particular, you can hear how Brian constructed the recordings, layering the basic tracks with vocal and instrumental overdubs with astonishing skill and foresight. This set is simply being able to hear Brian Wilson in his prime, constructing timeless, heartfelt music. Unmissable.

24

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 8 (1965) The Alternate Beach Boys Today Album Vol. 2; Sea of Tunes C9819/20/21/22 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 1. Please Let Me Wonder (rehearsals) 5:27 * 2. Please Let Me Wonder (rehearsal) 3:35 3. Please Let Me Wonder (takes 1-3) 2:22 4. Please Let Me Wonder (take 4) 3:55 5. Please Let Me Wonder (takes 5-10) 4:14 6. Please Let Me Wonder (take 11) 4:04 7. Please Let Me Wonder (takes 12-17) 4:21 8. Please Let Me Wonder (take 18) 2:08 9. Please Let Me Wonder (takes 19-21) 3:01 10. Please Let Me Wonder (take 22) 3:31 11. Please Let Me Wonder (takes 23-25) 4:21 * 12. Please Let Me Wonder (1st vocal overdub) 3:41 13. Please Let Me Wonder (2nd vocal overdub takes 1-8) 9:27 * 14. Please Let Me Wonder (2nd vocal overdub take 9) 2:01 * 15. Please Let Me Wonder (track only) 3:19 16. Please Let Me Wonder (vocal track) 3:18

25

Disc 2 1. Help Me, Ronda (takes 1-4) 3:42 * 2. Help Me, Ronda (takes 14-19) 3:29 * 3. Help Me, Ronda (take 20) 2:30 * 4. Help Me, Ronda (takes 21-30) 3:59 * 5. Help Me, Ronda (take 31) 3:42 * 6. Help Me, Ronda (stereo mix) 3:40 7. Help Me, Ronda (1st vocal overdub) 3:42 8. Help Me, Ronda (2nd vocal overdub takes 1 and 2) 4:27 9. Good To My Baby (takes 1-4) 2:26 10. Good To My Baby (take 5) 2:03 11. Good To My Baby (takes 6-13) 5:36 12. Good To My Baby (take 14) 2:07 13. Good To My Baby (takes 16 and 17) 3:06 14. Good To My Baby (vocal overdub takes 1a-3a) 3:34 15. Good To My Baby (vocal overdub take 4a) 2:33

26

Disc 3 1. Do You Wanna Dance? (take 1) 2:47 * 2. Do You Wanna Dance? (takes 2 and 3) 3:55 * 3. Do You Wanna Dance? (vocal overdub) 2:42 4. Do You Wanna Dance? (instrumental insert) 2:29 5. In The Back Of My Mind (takes 1 and 2) 3:45 6. In The Back Of My Mind (takes 3 and 4) 2:37 7. In The Back Of My Mind (takes 5-10) 3:52 8. In The Back Of My Mind (takes 11-21) 8:08 9. In The Back Of My Mind (take 22) 2:15 10. In The Back Of My Mind (takes 23-27) 4:48 11. In The Back Of My Mind (take 28) 2:33 12. In The Back Of My Mind (take 31) 2:13 13. In The Back Of My Mind (instrumental insert) 2:13 14. In The Back Of My Mind (1st vocal overdub) 2:11 15. In The Back Of My Mind (2nd vocal overdub takes 1-5) 2:52 16. In The Back Of My Mind (2nd vocal overdub take 6) 2:13 17. In The Back Of My Mind (2nd vocal overdub takes 7-11) 3:23 18. In The Back Of My Mind (2nd vocal overdub take 12) 2:18

Disc 4 1. I'm So Young (rehearsals) 14:32 * 2. I'm So Young (take 1) 1:55 * 3. I'm So Young (instrumental insert) 2:28 4. I'm So Young (vocal intro session) 4:37 5. I'm So Young (1st vocal overdub) 2:30 6. I'm So Young (2nd vocal overdub takes 1 and 2) 1:31 7. I'm So Young (2nd vocal overdub take 3) 1:33 8. I'm So Young (2nd vocal overdub takes 4 and 5) 3:31 9. Bull Session With Big Daddy (20 minute long version) 20:12

27

The second set of four CD's (!) dedicated to the "Beach Boys Today!" album, this box containins tracking and vocal sessions for "Please Let Me Wonder" (filling a whole disc), "Help Me, Ronda," (the album version, not the single version, which is why you won't find the infamous "Murray/Brian argument here) the superlative (and very listenable) backing tracks to "Good To My Baby," sessions for "Do You Wanna Dance?" [needed more vocal sessions], "In The Back Of My Mind," and "I'm So Young," and to top it all off... a 20-minute "Bull Session with Big Daddy." This in-studio interview with well-known biographer-to-the-stars Earl Leaf, is completely different from what eventually got put out (not surprising--this first interview seems experimental, with the boys not quite sure how the interview will be edited) and contains rather candid remarks from the band about the Beach Boys recent European tour; (re: Brian: "I don't like France. I like their bread, though." and an embarrased Mike Love's run-in with the law in Germany) and of course, there's LOTS of first-time stereo for ardent fans.

28

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 9 (1965) The Alternate Summer Days (And Summer Nights!) Album ; Sea of Tunes C9705 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 1. Help Me Rhonda (take 1) 4:45 2. Help Me Rhonda (takes 2-5) 2:08 3. Help Me Rhonda (take 6) 3:34 4. Help Me Rhonda (1st vocal overdub) 3:36 * 5. Help Me Rhonda (2nd vocal overdub) 3:09 6. Sandy (rehearsals) 2:48 * 7. Sandy (track only) 3:07 * 8. Sandy (rehearsals) 2:40 * 9. Sandy (instrumental insert) 2:51 * 10. Sandy (chorus rehearsal) 0:48 * 11. Sandy (instrumental insert) 2:46 12. Sandy (1st vocal overdub) 2:46 13. Sandy (2nd vocal overdub) 2:48 14. Let Him Run Wild (take 16) 2:54 * 15. Let Him Run Wild (instrumental insert) 2:48 16. Let Him Run Wild (1st vocal overdub 1-2) 2:24 * 17. Let Him Run Wild (1st vocal overdub 3) 2:22 * 18. Let Him Run Wild (2nd vocal overdub 1-8) 8:49 * 19. Let Him Run Wild (mono mix) 2:18 * Disc 2 1. Salt Lake City (rehearsals) 10:47 2. Salt Lake City (takes 1-3) 3:59 3. Salt Lake City (take 4-8) 4:13 4. Salt Lake City (intro rehearsals) 4:41 5. Salt Lake City (take 9) 2:17 6. California Girls (We Don't Know) (takes 5-6) 1:44 7. California Girls (We Don't Know) (take 7) 3:06 8. California Girls (We Don't Know) (rehearsals) 3:29 9. California Girls (We Don't Know) (takes 8-14) 3:13 10. California Girls (We Don't Know) (take 15) 2:58

29

11. California Girls (We Don't Know) (takes 16-38) 17:00 12. California Girls (We Don't Know) (takes 39-40) 3:06 13. California Girls (We Don't Know) (take 41) 3:20 14. California Girls (We Don't Know) (takes 42-44) 4:03

Disc 3 1. Girl Don't Tell Me (rehearsals) 3:59 * 2. Girl Don't Tell Me (takes 1-6) 7:18 * 3. Girl Don't Tell Me (take 7) 3:20 * 4. Girl Don't Tell Me (takes 8-10) 4:06 * 5. Girl Don't Tell Me (takes 11-16) 4:40 * 6. Girl Don't Tell Me (take 16) 3:19 * 7. Girl Don't Tell Me (instrumental insert) 2:53 8. Girl Don't Tell Me (vocal overdub) 2:57 9. Then I Kissed Her (rehearsals) 3:22 * 10. Then I Kissed Her (takes 1-2) 2:43 * 11. Then I Kissed Her (take 3-12) 8:46 * 12. Then I Kissed Her (takes 13-15) 2:07 * 13. Then I Kissed Her (take 16) 2:29 * 14. Then I Kissed Her (1st instrumental insert) 2:29 15. Then I Kissed Her (2nd instrumental insert) 2:29 16. Then I Kissed Her (1st vocal overdub) 2:35 17. Then I Kissed Her (2nd vocal overdub) 2:31 Disc 4 1. Graduation Day (vocal rehearsals) 7:11 2. Graduation Day (vocal take) 3:11 3. Graduation Day (vocal take) 2:17 4. Graduation Day (vocal overdubs) 2:21 5. Amusement Parks USA (Alternate Lyrics) (take 9) 3:02 * 6. Amusement Parks USA (Alternate Lyrics) (1st vocal overdub) 3:01 7. Amusement Parks USA (Alternate Lyrics) (2nd vocal overdub) 3:01 8. You're So Good To Me (rehearsals) 2:34 * 9. You're So Good To Me (takes 1-6) 5:07 * 10. You're So Good To Me (take 7a) 1:04 * 11. You're So Good To Me (take 7b) 0:59 * 12. You're So Good To Me (takes 8-16) 4:14 *

30

13. You're So Good To Me (take 17) 3:30 * 14. You're So Good To Me (takes 18-23) 1:55 * 15. You're So Good To Me (take 24) 2:23 * 16. You're So Good To Me (instrumental insert) 2:25 17. The Girl From New York City (take 1) 1:33 * 18. The Girl From New York City (take 2) 1:00 * 19. The Girl From New York City (take 3-13) 7:05 * 20. The Girl From New York City (take 15) 1:30 * 21. The Girl From New York City (take 16) 2:37 * 22. The Girl From New York City (take 17) 2:34 * 23. The Girl From New York City (vocal overdub) 2:26 24. The Girl From New York City (vocal overdub) 2:24

This four disc box set devoted to outtakes from SD(ASN) was a disappointment to me, but others may enjoy it. There is actually very little of the Beach Boys on these discs, since apparently most of the vocal sessions were not in Capitols vaults when these copies were made, so often there is only one or two "finalized" vocal sessions (and sometimes no vocals at all) leaving many of the tracks with only Brian and the studio band slugging out the backing tracks. Perhaps this collection should have been called "The Wrecking Crew -- Unsurpassed Masters", since there is far more of them than there is of the Beach Boys. Another gripe is that although the front of the box prominently says "Stereo," over half of the tracks are actually in mono, a bit of a letdown after past Sea of Tunes stereo masters. But there are some nice moments as well; during the vocal rehearsals for "Graduation Day", Dennis (who is not singing, but is listening from the booth) comes on tape just gushing over how wonderful the track is, and you can hear his absolute wonder and awe at what he is hearing... and there are a couple of moments where you can hear Brian singing out the parts to the Wrecking Crew, directing them in his unique, commanding style. There is also the rare backing track (with very different backing vocals) to "Sandy" (the original version of "Sherry She Needs Me" aka "She Says That She Needs Me") which is plodding and under-tempo -- it seems like Brian hadn't quite gotten the "feel" for the arrangement yet. An OK, but not great entry in the SOT canon.

31

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 10 (1965) The Alternate Beach Boys Party Album; Sea of Tunes C98027/28/29/30 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 Beach Boys Party! Sessions Vol. 1 1. Tuning Up 1:47 2. I Should Have Known Better #1 2:30 3. Ruby Baby #1 2:14 4. Satisfaction #1 2:16 5. Hully Gully #1 2:03 6. Blowin' In The Wind 3:12 7. Talk Between Sessions #1 4:44 8. Little Deuce Coupe #1 3:19 9. Mountain Of Love #1 3:52 10. Little Deuce Coupe #1 2:37 11. Mountain Of Love #1 5:26 12. Mountain Of Love #2 2:30 13. Talk Between Sessions #3 1:03 14. Ticket To Ride 1:33 15. Riot In The Cell Block No.9 #2 4:56 16. Bob Dylan Parody #1 (Laugh At Me) 2:34 17. One Kiss Led To Another 3:44 18. Bob Dylan Parody #2 (She Belongs To Me / I Got You Babe) 2:50 19. Talk Between Sessions #4 1:27 20. Riot In The Cell Block No.9 #3 1:29 21. Talk Between Sessions #5 1:42 22. Diary 2:19 23. Unknown Piano Piece 1:13 24. Alley Oop #1 4:56 25. Alley Oop #2 2:47 26. Talk Between Sessions #6 1:38 27. Hully Gully #2 3:28 Disc 2 Beach Boys Party! Sessions Vol. 2 1. Satisfaction #2 2:12

32

2. Ruby Baby #2 2:35 3. Hully Gully #3 3:16 4. Satisfaction #3 2:06 5. Talk Between Sessions #7 1:19 6. Ruby Baby #3 3:27 7. Talk Between Sessions #8 1:09 8. Ruby Baby #4 3:16 9. I Should Have Known Better 2:46 10. Tell Me Why 1:23 11. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away 2:57 12. Talk Between Sessions #9 0:59 13. Little Deuce Coupe #2) 1:48 14. California Girls 2:26 15. Talk Between Sessions #10 2:05 16. Tell Me Why #2 1:38 17. I Should Have Known Better #3 1:54 18. Talk Between Sessions #11 1:07 19. Mountain Of Love #3 2:56 20. Devoted To You #1 1:29 21. Talk Between Sessions #12 1:41 22. Devoted To You #2 1:30 23. Devoted To You #3 1:31 24. Talk Between Sessions #13 2:10 25. Mountain Of Love #4 2:20 26. Talk Between Sessions #14 3:50 27. Mountain Of Love #5 2:49 28. Talk Between Sessions #15 1:06 29. Devoted To You #4 1:45 30. Devoted To You #5 3:00 31. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away #3 4:25 *

Disc 3 Beach Boys Party! Sessions Vol. 3 1. Alley Oop #3 6:53 2. There's No Other (Like My Baby) 5:02 3. Devoted To You #6 4:21 4. Talk Between Sessions #16 1:46

33

5. Hully Gully #4 2:20 6. Ruby Baby #5 2:11 7. Talk Between Sessions #17 2:32 8. Hully Gully #5 3:09 9. Ruby Baby #6 2:23 10. Talk Between Sessions #18 2:49 11. Hully Gully #6 3:31 12. Talk Between Sessions #19 2:26 13. Hully Gully #7 1:57 14. Hully Gully #8 2:25 15. Talk Between Sessions #20 1:30 16. Hully Gully #9 3:31 17. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away #4 5:20 18. The Times They're A-Changin' #1 3:49 19. Heart And Soul 0:49 20. Talk Between Sessions #21 1:32 21. The Times They're A-Changin' #2 1:55 22. Heart And Soul / Long Tall Sally 1:20 23. Smokey Joe's Cafe #1 2:26 24. Smokey Joe's Cafe #2 1:26 25. Barbara Ann 5:36 Disc 4 Beach Boys Party! Sessions Stereo Mix 1. Hully Gully 2:35 2. I Should Have Known Better 1:40 3. Tell Me Why 1:47 4. Papa-Oom-Mow-Wow 2:18 5. Mountain Of Love 2:51 6. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away 2:51 7. Devoted To You 2:18 8. Alley Oop 2:56 9. There's No Other (Like My Baby) 2:58 10. I Get Around 2:12 11. Little Deuce Coupe 1:06 12. The Times They Are A-Changin'/Heart And Soul 3:09 13. Barbara Ann 3:12

34

In direct contrast to the absence of the Beach Boys in the Summer Days sessions, here comes Vol. 10, which documents the easy-going "Party!" album and contains nothing BUT the Beach Boys in all their familial glory. Call this set: "All Beach Boys -- All The Time." And also, unlike the previous album, every single track here is in stereo, including a first-time EVER stereo mix of the entire album, which comprises the fourth disc. Now, granted, the "Party!" album is never going to make anyone's top ten list of great albums, but it sure is fun to strip away the later-overdubbed "chit-chat" and hear the Beach Boys just trying out song after song in the studio, bantering back and forth, being themselves. Even more than the original album, this is the real party where I would like to be. Additionally, there are several songs attempted that never made it onto the final album, including a fine version of the Rolling Stones "Satisfaction," (!) Al Jardine tackling a soft, guitar-accompanied version of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind," Mike mumbling through Leiber/Stoller's "One Kiss Led To Another," Neil Sedaka's "The Diary" makes a brief appearance, (in which Bruce Johnston wails out an extremely tasteless ad-lib) and more. Also included is lots of studio chatter, and huge chunks of time when the tape was just left running, so every snort, cough, whistle, laugh and jibe is captured. There isn't much progressive studio-craft going on here, but with all the band in such a good mood, it's nice to just hang out with them for a while.

35

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 11 (1965) Miscellaneous Trax Vol. 3 ; Sea of Tunes C9831/32 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 1. Unknown instrumental 0:52 2. The Little Girl I Once Knew (intro rehearsals) 2:44 3. The Little Girl I Once Knew (rehearsals) 2:57 4. The Little Girl I Once Knew (rehearsals) 2:00 5. The Little Girl I Once Knew (take 1) 1:37 6. The Little Girl I Once Knew (take 2) 2:32 7. The Little Girl I Once Knew (takes 3-6) 4:09 8. The Little Girl I Once Knew (takes 7-10) 3:44 9. The Little Girl I Once Knew (takes 11-15) 4:41 10. The Little Girl I Once Knew (insert vocal rehearsal) 2:10 * 11. The Little Girl I Once Knew (insert vocal rehearsal) 1:34 * 12. The Little Girl I Once Knew (insert vocal rehearsal) 1:41 * 13. The Little Girl I Once Knew (insert vocal rehearsal) 1:10 * 14. The Little Girl I Once Knew (insert vocal rehearsal) 1:24 * 15. The Little Girl I Once Knew (insert vocal rehearsal) 2:30 * 16. Stella By Starlight (vocals by Dick Reynolds) (take 1) 3:17 17. Stella By Starlight (vocals by Dick Reynolds) (takes 2-3) 3:46 18. Stella By Starlight (vocals by Dick Reynolds) (takes 4-5) 3:38 Disc 2 1. How Deep Is The Ocean (vocals by Dick Reynolds) 2:52 2. How Deep Is The Ocean (vocals by Dick Reynolds) (takes 1-3) 1:09 3. How Deep Is The Ocean (vocals by Dick Reynolds) (take 4-8) 2:56 4. How Deep Is The Ocean (vocals by Dick Reynolds) (intro rehearsals) 3:00 5. Three Blind Mice (rehearsals) 12:17 6. Let’s Live Before We Die (rehearsals) 2:15 7. Let’s Live Before We Die (takes 1-2) 2:51 8. Let’s Live Before We Die (take 3) 1:46 9. Let’s Live Before We Die (4-11) 7:29 10. Let’s Live Before We Die (take 12) 4:35 11. Let’s Live Before We Die (take 13) 3:02

36

12. Let’s Live Before We Die (take 14) 2:09

The first truly missable entry in the Sea Of Tunes canon, Miscellaneous Trax vol. 3 contains several rare titles that collectors have heard about, including "Stella By Starlight," "How Deep Is the Ocean?," "Three Blind Mice," and "Let's Live Before We Die" as well as the sessions for "The Little Girl I Once Knew". With the exception of "Little Girl" nothing else on here is worth searching out. "Stella..." and "How Deep..." are particularly cringe-worthy, neither of them featuring the Beach Boys, but rather the fingernails on a chalkboard voice of Dick Reynolds (who arranged the Four Freshman's voices, and also did the orchestral arrangements on the Beach Boys Christmas album). Apparently, Brian oversaw the vocal sessions of these heavily-orchestrated clunkers, and didn't have the nerve to tell Mr. Reynolds that his voice sounds like a warbling parody of Nelson Eddy. "Three Blind Mice" is interesting only because it sounds vaguely "Smile"-ish in it's composition, but otherwise, it's droning and unfinished. The final tracks are devoted to the instrumental backing track "Let's Live Before We Die" and are nowhere near the inventiveness of Brian's best efforts of this period. And a warning... the only vocal work found on "Little Girl" is a finished group vocal with Mike trying to overdub his spoken parts, and continually screwing up. Let this one pass you by.

37

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 12 (1965) Sloop John B Sessions + Radio Spots ; Sea of Tunes C9833/34 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 Sloop John B Sessions 1. Sloop John B (takes 1-2) 0:52 2. Sloop John B (takes 3-5) 2:44 3. Sloop John B (take 6) 2:57 4. Sloop John B (takes 7-8) 2:00 5. Sloop John B (take 9) 1:37 6. Sloop John B (takes 10-13) 2:32 7. Sloop John B (take 14) 4:09 8. Sloop John B (1st vocal overdub by Brian) 3:44 * 9. Sloop John B (2nd vocal overdub by Brian) 4:40 10. Sloop John B (3rd vocal overdub by Brian) 2:10 * 11. Sloop John B (1st vocal overdub by Carl, Mike and Brian) 1:34 12. Sloop John B (2nd vocal overdub by Carl, Mike and Brian) 1:41 13. Sloop John B (instr. inserts takes1a-2a) * 14. Sloop John B (instr. inserts takes 3a-4a) 1:10 * 15. Sloop John B (instr. insert take 5a) 2:30 16. Sloop John B (1st vocal overdub) 3:17 17. Sloop John B (2nd vocal overdub) 3:46 18. Sloop John B (3rd vocal overdub) 3:38 19. Sloop John B (4th vocal overdub with acapella tag insert) 3:38

38

Disc 2 Radio Spots 1-24 (KDWB, KFWB, KLIV, WKBW, KNAK, KROY, KJR, WMCA, KYA, KOYL, KDEO, WLS, WIL, KMAK, KAFY, KMEN, KLIF, KORL, KPOI, KROY, KXOE, WIFE, KJR, WKBW) 68:33

Another "iffy" entry in the SOT lineup, I recommend this only if you enjoy "Sloop John B" as much as I do. A whole disc devoted to the backing and vocal tracks to this song, it adds up to over 62 minutes of quality "Sloopy" time. The second disc is the big disappointment. I was hoping for a collected works disc, with spoken and sung radio spots intertwined, but this recording is taken from a single days session, all spoken, with just Brian, Mike and Al running through a series of spots, all of them very similar in tone and style, occasionally trying to be funny, (and occasionally succeeding) but after a few minutes, they get bored and begin to run through the spots quickly, trying to get this promotional chore over with. Most of this CD is Mike and Brian and Chuck Britz (who's in the booth), and very little of Al Jardine. There is some interest in how they try and tailor-make each spot for certain disc jockeys (including a tortuous run of over 25 takes for friend and former writing partner Roger Christian), and at how well Mike and Brian are interacting with each other in the studio, but it's not enough to recommend this disc.

39

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 13 (1966) The Alternate Pet Sounds Album Vol.1 ; Sea of Tunes C9835/36/37/38 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 1. Wouldn't It Be Nice (take21/master take) 2:37 2. Wouldn't It Be Nice (mono mix) 2:25 * 3. You Still Believe In Me (take23/master take) 2:36 4. You Still Believe In Me (stereo mix) 2:35 5. That's Not Me (take15/master take) 2:53 * 6. That's Not Me (harmony vocal overdub) 2:38 7. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (take# unknown/master take) 3:08 * 8. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (string overdub) 3:10 9. I'm Waiting For The Day (take14/master take) 3:17 10. I'm Waiting For The Day (3rd vocal insert) 3:14 11. Let's Go Away For A While (take18/master take) 3:07 12. God Only Knows (take20/master take) 3:40 13. God Only Knows (alternate mix) 2:37 * 14. Hang On To Your Ego (take12/ master take) 3:41 15. I Know There's An Answer (vocal overdub) 3:27 16. Here Today (take 11/master take) 3:30 17. Here Today (vocal overdub by the band) 3:30 18. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (take 6/master take) 3:57 19. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (vocal stereo mix) 3:24 20. Pet Sounds (take 3/master take) 2:48 21. Pet Sounds (2nd mono mix) 2:54 * 22. Caroline No (take 17/master take) 3:05 23. Caroline No (vocal overdub) 2:52 24. Trombone Dixie (takes 10/11) 5:12 Disc 2 1. Trombone Dixie (takes 1-6) 4:09 2. Trombone Dixie (take 7) 2:39 3. Trombone Dixie (takes 8-9) 5:22 4. Talking and tuning before session 0:57 5. Pet Sounds (takes1-2) 4:25

40

6. Pet Sounds (1st instrumental insert) 2:53 7. Pet Sounds (2nd instrumental insert) 2:53 8. Pet Sounds (1st Mono Mix) 2:48 * 9. Wouldn't It Be Nice (takes 1-6) 4:09 10. Wouldn't It Be Nice (take 7) 2:45 11. Wouldn't It Be Nice (take 8) 1:24 12. Wouldn't It Be Nice (takes 9-10) 1:51 13. Wouldn't It Be Nice (take 11) 2:35 14. Wouldn't It Be Nice (takes 12-15) 3:34 15. Wouldn't It Be Nice (take 16) 2:57 16. Wouldn't It Be Nice (takes 17-20) 2:57 17. Wouldn't It Be Nice (1st vocal overdub) 2:43 18. Wouldn't It Be Nice (2nd vocal overdub) 2:43 19. Wouldn't It Be Nice (3rd vocal overdub) 2:43 20. Wouldn't It Be Nice (alternate vocal mix) 2:38 21. Wouldn't It Be Nice (alternate vocal mix) 2:38 22. Wouldn't It Be Nice (alternate vocal mix) 2:37 23. Wouldn't It Be Nice (alternate vocal mix) 2:38

Disc 3 1. You Still Believe In Me (rehearsal by Brian) 14:20 2. You Still Believe In Me (take 7) 2:53 3. You Still Believe In Me (take 8) 2:50 4. You Still Believe In Me (takes 9-22) 12:24 5. You Still Believe In Me (intro rehearsals) 0:48 6. You Still Believe In Me (1st vocal overdub) 2:35 7. You Still Believe In Me (2nd vocal overdub) 2:36 8. Caroline, No (takes 1-2) 5:07 9. Caroline, No (take 3) 3:17 10. Talking and tuning during sessions 1:53 11. Caroline, No (takes 4-5) 3:15 12. Caroline, No (takes 6/16) 8:46

41

13. Caroline, No (instrumental insert) 2:51

Disc 4 1. Hang On To Your Ego (take 1) 2:19 2. Hang On To Your Ego (take 2) 3:00 3. Hang On To Your Ego (mono mix) 3:10 * 4. Hang On To Your Ego (mono mix alternate version) 3:00 * 5. Hang On To Your Ego (vocal overdub by Brian) 3:41 * 6. I Know There's An Answer (vocal insert attempts by Mike) 6:46 * 7. I Know There's An Answer (1st vocal insert attempts by Al) 9:24 * 8. I Know There's An Answer (2nd vocal insert attempts by Al) 11:05 * 9. I Know There's An Answer (vocal insert attempts) 11:44 * 10. I Know There's An Answer (vocal insert attempts) 9:13 * 11. I Know There's An Answer (vocal overdub) 3:27 12. I Know There's An Answer (vocal overdub) 3:23

42

The first of two box sets for the Pet Sounds sessions, Vol. 13 continues in the fine tradition of previous Sea of Tunes sets in sound and content. For those who bought the Grammy-nominated 3-cd Capitol set, and were left craving more, this box is for you. With this set, it's easy to see that the producers have judiciously edited these sessions, offering complete tracking sets up to a point, then switching to vocal sessions, so that a more complete portrait of each song in development is offered than was possible with the "Sessions" box. Disc One contains an alternate version of the album, with stereo and mono master takes, overdubs, and alternate mixes, missing only the "Sloop John B" sessions, (which were anthologized on the last issue) but presented in clear, wide sonics. Disc Two contains nine takes of "Trombone Dixie," tracking sessions for "Pet Sounds" and twenty instrumental and additional vocal inserts and mixes of "Wouldn't It Be Nice." Disc Three chronicles the "You Still Believe in Me" sessions and also "Caroline, No" (although there are no vocal tracks for the latter). The fourth disc is interesting, with first "Hang On To Your Ego" being cut, then Mike and Al alternating tries at the vocal inserts to the re-write of that song: "I Know There's An Answer." Throughout the sessions, Brian is in complete control, searching for the "feel" of the backing tracks and the vocals until he's satisfied. A wonderful, filling aural document of a seminal rock album.

43

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 14 (1966) The Alternate Pet Sounds Album Vol.2 ; Sea of Tunes C9839/40/41/42 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 1. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (take 1) 2:51 2. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (takes 2/3) 3:46 3. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (take 4) 3:28 4. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (take 5) 1:49 5. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (1st lead vocal overdub) 3:30 6. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (2nd lead vocal overdub) 3:25 7. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (vocal insert attempts) 3:25 8. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (vocal insert attempts) 3:28 9. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (1st backing vocal overdub) 3:27 10. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (2nd backing vocal overdub) 3:25 11. That's Not Me (1st instrumental insert) 2:45 12. That's Not Me (2nd instrumental insert) 2:47 13. That's Not Me (3rd instrumental insert) 2:46 14. That's Not Me (1st lead vocal overdub) 2:44 15. That's Not Me (2nd lead vocal overdub) 2:40 Disc 2 1. I'm Waiting For The Day (rehearsal) 1:06 2. I'm Waiting For The Day (take 1) 2:48 3. I'm Waiting For The Day (takes 9-12) 1:55 4. I'm Waiting For The Day (string insert) 3:13 5. I'm Waiting For The Day (instrumental insert) 3:32 6. I'm Waiting For The Day (1st vocal overdub) 3:19 7. I'm Waiting For The Day (2nd vocal overdub) 3:17 8. I'm Waiting For The Day (3rd vocal overdub) 3:16 9. I'm Waiting For The Day (1st vocal insert) 3:17 10. I'm Waiting For The Day (2nd vocal insert) 3:19 11. Here Today (takes 1-3) 1:53 12. Here Today (takes 4-6) 3:10 13. Here Today (take 7) 2:12 14. Here Today (takes 8-10) 1:10

44

15. Here Today (insert takes 1-4) 2:50 16. Here Today (insert takes 11-20) 5:43 17. Here Today (1st vocal overdub by Brian) 3:26 18. Here Today (2nd vocal overdub by Brian) 3:25 19. Here Today (vocal overdub by the band) 3:30 20. Here Today (vocal overdub by the band) 3:30

Disc 3 1. God Only Knows (early rehearsal) 0.41 * 2. God Only Knows (rehearsals) 6:24 3. God Only Knows (rehearsal) 5:00 * 4. God Only Knows (takes 1-3) 2:28 5. God Only Knows (take 4) 2:31 * 6. God Only Knows (takes 5-8) 6:08 * 7. God Only Knows (take 9) 2:39 * 8. God Only Knows (takes 10-16) 8:11 9. God Only Knows (takes 18-19) 3:53 10. God Only Knows (lead vocal 1st overdub) 3:04 11. God Only Knows (lead vocal 2nd overdub) 3:03 12. God Only Knows (harmony vocals overdub) 3:05 13. God Only Knows (1st vocal insert) 3:04 14. God Only Knows (2nd vocal insert) 3:04 15. God Only Knows (3rd vocal insert) 3:06 16. God Only Knows (4th vocal insert) 3:07 17. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (rehearsal) 2:18 18. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (vocal insert rehearsal) 0.57 * 19. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (overdubs vocal insert) 2:20 20. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (vocal insert) 0.28 21. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (1st lead vocal overdub) 3:08 22. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (2nd lead vocal overdub) 3:09

45

Disc 4 1. Unknown piano intermezzo 1:25 2-7. Radio promo; Wonderful K.O.M.A 1:14 8-17. Caroline, No; radio promo by Brian, Mike, Carl, Bruce 8:51 18. Row Row Row Your Boat (Brian & The Honeys) 7.51 19. Jokes and laughter 14:10 20. Psychedelic talk 17:07

The second set of tracks for the Pet Sounds sessions continues with the tracking sessions for "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" and "That's Not Me" on Disc One, "I'm Waiting For The Day" and "Here Today" on Disc Two, "God Only Knows" and "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" filling up Disc Three. Disc Four is the kicker, however: beginning with an "Unknown Piano Intermezzo" (by Brian), its a slow, beautiful, rolling piece (incomplete) that is reminiscent of "The Lonely Sea" but with some surprising key changes that Brian is still working out at this point. Following this, we are treated to a pulled apart, then put together full-harmony radio ad for "Wonderful K.O.M.A." then Mike, Carl, and Brian variously run through several radio spots promoting Brian's single "Caroline, No". From here on, things get seriously weird. First, Brian leads the Honeys through a multi-tracked vocal runthrough of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" with Brian inserting a low, droning hum at the last. nearly eight minutes of this song, repeated over and over. Perhaps Brian was planning to tack it onto part of another song, but here, the effect is sheer stupor. Next is the most curious section (for me): Brian leads some friends through some taped joke-and-response routines, beginning with a dirty joke that Brian thought up, (not funny) and then 'directing' each participant how they should laugh, much like he directs musicians how to play a line in a song. Brian actually demonstrates to each person how he wants them to laugh, seemingly trying to create a palette of sound using laughter. I am curious whether this was an off-the-cuff experiment, or whether Brian was beginning his "humor" album that has been mentioned in various biographies. Finally, we are given seventeen minutes of a recorded snack party with Brian leading word-association games. Although it's interesting listening for a glimpse of his life, once is about all you'll ever want to hear it.

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 15 (1966) Good Vibrations; Sea of Tunes C9946/47/48 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono. Disc 1 Session # 1 1. (Take 1) 0:52 2. (Take 2) 2:13 3. (Takes 3 & 4) 3:12 4. (Takes 5-22) 13:18 5. (Take 23) 2:10 6. (Takes 24 & 25) 0:40 7. (Take 26) 3:45 8. (Stereo mix take 26) 3:42 Disc 1 Session # 2 9. (Takes 1-14) 13:44 10. (Take 15) 2:04 11. (Take 16) 3:09 12. (Takes 17-23) 3:53 13. (Take 24) 2:21 14. (Insert rehearsals) 4:36 15. (Takes 25-27) 1:05 16. (Take 28) 3:18 Disc 2 Session # 3 1. (Insert rehearsals) 5:38 2. (Insert rehearsals) 8:11 3. (Insert rehearsals) 5:24 4. (Insert rehearsals) 5:51 5. (Insert rehearsal take 27) 2:01 Disc 2 Session # 4 6. (Part 1 rehearsals) 2:24 7. (Part 1 takes 1-14) 5:43 8. (Part 1 take 15) 1:46 9. (Part 2 take 1) 1:28 10. (Part 2 takes 2-7) 6:09 11. (Part 3 rehearsals) links 2:30 12. (Part 3 takes 5-7) links 1:07 13. (Part 3 take 8) 2:12 14. (Part 3 rehearsals) 1:312 15. (Part 3 rehearsals) 3:21 16. (Part 3 takes 15-17) 1:41 17. (Part 4 takes 1-8) 2:37 18. (Part 4 take 9) 1:00 19. (Part 3 rehearsals) 2:04 20. (Part 3 takes 1 & 2) 1:24 21. (Part 3 fuzz bass rehearsal) 1:04 22. (Part 3 fuzz bass rehearsal) 0:49 23. (Part 4 rehearsals) 0:59 24. (Part 4 takes 1 & 2) 0:54 Disc 3 Session # 5 1. (New track takes 1 & 2) 2:50 2. (New track take 3) 1:24 3. (New track take 4) 1:01 4. (New track take 5) 0:48

61

5. (New track take 6) 0:54 6. (New track takes 7 & 8) stereo/mono 1:12 7. (New track harmonica overdub) 0:49 8. (New track 1st vocal overdub) 0:48 9. (New track 2nd vocal overdub) 0:49

Disc 3 Session # 6 10. (Free jazz improvisation) 0:55 11. (Part 2 rehearsals) 2:34 12. (Part 2 rehearsals) 2:33 13. (Part 2 rehearsals) 3:48 14. (Part 2 take 1) 2:04 15. (Part 2 takes 2-4) 4:00 16. (Part 2 take 5) 1:28 17. (Part 2 take 6) 1:26 18. (Part 2 take 7) 1:42 19. (Insert rehearsals) 3:17 Disc 3 Session # 7 20. (Part 3 takes 1-5) 2:37 21. (Part 3 takes 18-21) 1:35 22. (Part 2 1st overdub takes 1 & 2) 1:47 23. (Part 2 1st overdub take 8) 0:55 24. (Part 2 2nd overdub takes 1-3) 1:20 25. (Bass track rehearsals) 5:05 26. (Bass track takes 1-5) 3:18 27. (Bass track takes 6-15) 6:50 28. (Take 28 1st verse overdub Brian) 3:53 * 29. (Take 28 2nd verse overdub Brian) 3:52 * 30. (Take 28 overdub take 21) 1:33 * 31. (Take 28 overdub take 1A) 2:43 * 32. (Take 28 chorus overdub Brian) 2:21

62

Spanning seventy-two tracks and running over three and a half hours, this is undoubtedly the most agonizingly complete anthology devoted to a single song ever put out. But hey! It's for "Good Vibrations" which is probably the most agonizingly produced single ever, so it's kind of fitting, eh? Over the three discs you have take after take of what Brian was obviously trying to beat out of his brain, and having a hard time figuring out what this song was supposed to be. One can imagine that whatever Brian first heard in his head (probably just a snippet of song) was not complete, which may be why it took six months to eventually pound out onto tape. The album is divided up into nine "sessions" including rehearsals, improvisations, various and sundry overdubs, and bits and pieces. Since we know the actual sessions ran for over sixty hours, this is still just a small piece of the GV puzzle, and it's impossible to get a clear picture of how the song actually progressed, but it's nice to hear Brian still in control and trying new things in the studio. Whether you should spend seventy-five dollars or more for this set is entirely debatable. Most fans will find themselves listening just once to it all, then hocking it on EBAY for a tidy profit.

63

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 16 (1966-1967) Smile; Sea of Tunes C9949 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

1. Prayer 1:05 2. Heroes And Villains 2:55 * 3. Barnyard fake stereo 0:54 4. Do You Like Worms 4:04 5. The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine 1:10 6. He Gives Speeches 0:54 7. Wonderful 2:05 8. Child Is Father Of The Man 1:52 9. Cabin Essence 3:30 10. Look 2:39 11. Good Vibrations 3:39 * 12. I Wanna Be Around / Friday Night 1:35 13. Vega-Tables 3:27 * 14. Wind Chimes stereo/mono 2:26 15. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow 2:34 16. I Love To Say Da Da (part 1) stereo/mono 2:24 17. You're Welcome 1:05 * 18. Surf's Up stereo/mono 5:15

64

No, you didn't read my stars wrong, I've only given "Smile" (the infamous 'lost' Beach Boys album) three out of five. Before the flames begin, I will explain. Listening to "Smile," either on the 30 minutes of out-takes on the "Good Vibrations" box set, or on the numerous bootleg copies floating around is like trying to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle with half of the pieces missing. Brian became discouraged with "Smile" long before it had achieved cohesion, and therefore what we get is a few complete songs (an ethereal "Surf's Up," a divine "Our Prayer," or a baffling "Cabinessence"), or, more often, brief snippets of orchestral or vocal excercises which were to be fitted in to the final songs somewhere. Many fans have attempted, with various degrees of success to rebuild "Smile" but I take off a star for Brian failing to finish what he began. Plus, several of the tracks don't connect with me on an emotional level. Brian was attempting something esoteric and brilliant, and he tried to drag an unwilling band with him. For any Beach Boys fan this album should be marked as essential listening. Tracks such as "Our Prayer", "Cabinessence," "Surf's Up," "Heroes and Villains" and "Wonderful" are dense, sophisticated mini-cantatas, light years beyond what usually passes as pop/rock music. And Brian Wilson's peculiar sense of humor on tracks like "Mama Says" (part of "Vega-tables"), "George Fell Into His French Horn" and "Do You Like Worms" give deeper glimpses into one of rock music's greatest impressarios than any half-baked biography. "Smile" was the pivotal point in the history of America's Band, and everyone needs to make their own judgement.

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 17 (1966-1967) Smile Sessions; Sea of Tunes C9950/51/52 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 1. Heroes And Villains Theme (take 14) 0:51 * 2. Heroes And Villains Theme (take unknown) 1:06 * 3. Heroes And Villains (part 1 - 1st vocal overdub) 0:52 4. Heroes And Villains (part 1 - 2nd vocal overdub) 0:46 5. Heroes And Villains (part 1 - 3rd vocal overdub) 0:46 6. Heroes And Villains (part 1 - 4th vocal overdub) 0:47 7. Heroes And Villains (part 1 - 5th vocal overdub) 0:47 8. "In The Cantina" (vocal overdub take unknown) 0:38 * 9. "My Children Were Raised" (vocal overdub take unknown) 0:18 * 10. "How I Love My Girl" (vocal overdub take 10) 1:59 11. Heroes And Villains (last part - mono mix) 1:13 * 12. Heroes And Villains (last part - stereo mix) 0:40 13. Heroes And Villains (last part - stereo mix) 1:09 14. Heroes And Villains (mono mix attempt) 1:55 * 15. Heroes And Villains (mono mix attempt) 0:52 * 16. Heroes And Villains (mono mix attempt) 1:21 * 17. Heroes And Villains Part 2 (takes 1 & 2) 1:40 18. Heroes And Villains Part 2 (takes 4-8) 2:35 19. Heroes And Villains Part 2 (takes 14 & 15) 1:45 20. Bicycle Rider (1st vocal overdub) 0:33 21. Bicycle Rider (2nd vocal overdub) 0:32 22. Bicycle Rider (3rd vocal overdub) 0:36 23. Do You Like Worms (part 1 - takes 23 & 24) 1:09 24. Do You Like Worms (part 1 - 1st vocal overdub) 1:19 25. Do You Like Worms (part 1 - 2nd vocal overdub) 1:19 26. Do You Like Worms (part 2 - rehearsal final part) 1:04 27. Do You Like Worms (part 2 - 1st vocal overdub) 2:56 28. Do You Like Worms (part 2 - 2nd vocal overdub) 2:55 29. The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine (takes 1 & 2) 1:41 30. The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine (take 4) 1:27 31. The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine (takes 6 & 7) 2:47 32. The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine (takes 10 & 11) 1:11

75

33. The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine (mono mix) 1:07 * 34. He Gives Speeches (take unknown) 1:04 * 35. He Gives Speeches (lead vocal overdub) 1:09 36. He Gives Speeches (backing vocal overdub) 1:12 37. Wonderful (takes 1-3) 2:52 * 38. Wonderful (takes 6-8) 2:48 * 39. Wonderful (takes 16-18) 0:51 * 40. Wonderful (take unknown) 2:14 * 41. Wonderful (instrumental overdub) 2:13 42. Wonderful (1st vocal overdub) 2:13 43. Wonderful (vocal insert rehearsals) 6:27 * 44. Wonderful (1st vocal insert) 0:56 45. Wonderful (2nd vocal insert) 0:55 46. Wonderful (vocal insert stereo mix) 1:05

Disc 2 1. Child Is Father Of The Man (part 1 - takes 1-4) 4:51 2. Child Is Father Of The Man (part 1 - take 8) 0:40 3. Child Is Father Of The Man (verse - takes 1-10) 1:36 4. Child Is Father Of The Man (take unknown) 0:59 * 5. Look (takes 1 & 2) 1:22 6. Look (takes 4 & 5) 1:08 7. Look (takes 6-13) 2:10 8. Look (takes 14-19) 1:06 9. Look (take 20) 2:49 10. Vega-Tables (part 1 - piano track) 1:29 *

76

11. Vega-Tables (part 1 - vocal overdub) 1:31 12. Vega-Tables (part 1 - vocal overdub attempt) 1:28 13. Vega-Tables stereo (part 1 - instrumental & vocal overdub attempts) 1:30 14. Vega-Tables stereo (part 1 - instrumental & vocal overdub attempts) 1:30 15. Vega-Tables stereo (part 1 - instrumental & vocal overdub attempts) 1:30 16. Vega-Tables (part 1 - vocal overdub attempts) 1:35 17. Vega-Tables (part 1 - vocal overdub attempts) 1:35 18. Vega-Tables (part 1 - vocal overdub attempts) 1:33 19. Vega-Tables (part 1 - vocal overdub attempts) 1:34 20. Vega-Tables (part 1 - instrumental insert takes 1-8) 5:13 * 21. Vega-Tables (part 1 - vocal insert rehearsals) 1:08 * 22. Vega-Tables (part 1 - mono mix rehearsals) 2:33 * 23. Vega-Tables (part 2 - take unknown) 1:22 24. Vega-Tables (part 2 - 1st vocal overdub) 1:30 25. Vega-Tables (part 2 - 2nd vocal overdub) 1:25 26. Vega-Tables (part 2 - track rehearsal) 2:18 * 27. Vega-Tables (part 2 - 1st vocal overdub) 1:27 28. Vega-Tables (part 2 - 2nd vocal overdub) 1:28 29. Vega-Tables (part 2 - 3rd vocal overdub) 1:29 30. Vega-Tables (part 2 - 4th vocal overdub) 1:28 31. Vega-Tables (part 2 - mono mix) 1:20 * 32. Vega-Tables (part 3 - take 12) 1:44 33. Vega-Tables (part 3 - 1st vocal overdub) 1:46 34. Vega-Tables (part 3 - 2nd vocal overdub) 1:49 35. Vega-Tables (part 3 - mono mix) 1:15 * 36. Vega-Tables (various mix rehearsals) 1:53 * Disc 3 1. Wind Chimes (takes 1-3) 2:43 2. Wind Chimes (take 4) 1:45 3. Wind Chimes (take 5) 3:19 4. Wind Chimes (takes 6 & 7) 1:32 5. Wind Chimes (pick-up takes 1-5) 4:04 6. Wind Chimes (takes 8 & 9) 1:59 7. Wind Chimes (track) 3:01 8. Wind Chimes (1st vocal overdub) 2:58 9. Wind Chimes (last part take 3) 0:35 10. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (part 1 - take unknown) 0:56 11. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (take 1) 0:53 12. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (take 2) 2:21 13. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (takes 3-7) 3:14 14. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (takes 11 & 12) 1:28 15. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (takes 15-18) 2:11 16. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (overdub take 1) 1:45 17. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (mono mix) 1:37 * 18. Friday Night (take 1) 2:17 19. Friday Night (take 2) 1:22 * 20. Friday Night (takes 6-10) 2:24 21. Water (take unknown) 0:59 * 22. Water (1st vocal overdub) 0:58 23. Water (2nd vocal overdub) 0:57 24. Water (3rd vocal overdub) 0:59 25. Water (4th vocal overdub) 0:57 26. Water (stereo mix) 0:59 27. Vega-Tables radio spot rehearsals 22:43 *

77

The only complaint for this set is what's not here. A three-CD box that covers 13 tracks, the most noticable absences are "Surf's Up," "Our Prayer," and "Cabinessence," none of which are represented. Also, Heroes and Villains gets short-shrifted in it's representation, with parts one and two getting some coverage, but much, much more is simply AWOL. But enough complaining. Giving the fans far more SMiLE than has ever been available before, and in such good sound and layout (forget the booklet, it's filled with errors and sloppy writing), this is a collectors dream. Containing tracks for "H&V", "Bicycle Rider," "Do You Like Worms," "The Old Master Painter," "You Are My Sunshine," "He Gives Speeches," "Wonderful," "Child is Father of the Man," "Look," "Vege-Tables" (the track with the most representation), "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow," "Friday Night," and "Water," there are no 'lost' songs here, meaning that all of the tracks have at least in part been on other boots, but this collection simply has more of the sessions that has ever been previously available. There are no overt signs that Brian is near a state of collapse, (although compared with previous sessions, he appears more impatient, and more prone to change his mind) and the sheer musical invention found here is worth the cost of acquisition.

78

Beach Boys Live Box (1966) Two shows at University Of Michigan, 10/22/66

Disc 1 1. Intro 2. Help Me, Rhonda 3. I Get Around 4. Surfin' Safari/Fun, Fun, Fun/Shut Down/Little Deuce Coupe/Surfin' USA 5. Mike's talking #1 6. Surfer Girl 7. Mike's talking #2 8. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow 9. You're So Good To Me 10. Mike's talking #3 11. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away 12. Mike's talking #4 13. California Girls 14. Mike's talking #5 15. Sloop John B 16. Wouldn't It Be Nice 17. Mike's talking #6 18. God Only Knows 19. Mike's talking #7 20. Good Vibrations (incomplete) 21. Mike's talking #8 22. Graduation Day 23. Mike's talking #9 24. Barbara Ann 25- 33.1966 Radio promo spots

79

Disc 2 1. Intro 2. Help Me, Rhonda 3. I Get Around 4. Surfin' Safari/Fun, Fun, Fun/Shut Down/Little Deuce Coupe/Surfin' USA 5. Mike's talking #1 6. Surfer Girl 7. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow 8. Mike's talking #2 9. You're So Good To Me (with false start) 10. Mike's talking #3 11. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away 12. Mike's talking #4 13. California Girls 14. Mike's talking #5 15. God Only Knows 16. Mike's talking #6 17. Good Vibrations 18. Mike's talking #7 19. Graduation Day 20. Mike's talking #8 21. Barbara Ann 22. Introduction of Brian Wilson 23. Johnny B. Goode 24. Talking and tuning up 25. God Only Knows 26. Good Vibrations

80

Disc 3 1. Don't Worry Baby 2. I Get Around 3. Johnny B Goode 4. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow 5. Fun Fun Fun 6. I Get Around 7. Johnny B Goode 8. Outro 9. You're So Good To Me 10. Help Me, Rhonda 11. Surfer Girl (rehearsal) 12. Surfer Girl 13. California Girls (rehearsal) 14. California Girls 15. Surfin' (rehearsal) 16. God Only Knows (rehearsal) 17. God Only Knows (takes 1-6) 18. God Only Knows 19. Good Vibrations (rehearsal) 20. Heroes And Villains (rehearsal) A superb box set, documenting two fine shows at Michigan State on October 22nd, 1966 (one of which was previously booted with poorer sound on Mike Love, Not War), plus rehearsals for the 1968 London show, vocal overdubs for a 1965 concert in Chicago, and the faux-performance rehearsals for "Lei'd In Hawaii," which took place in Wally Heider's Studio, in September of 1967. The two Michigan shows are fine showcases for the band, with everyone is good voice, Mike filling in the spaces between songs with jokes and audience-pleasing chatter. Following the show on Disc One, the producers have added several fun radio spots, including both that have shown up on the "Endless Harmony" disc of 1998, and an extended recording of Mike Love and Derek Taylor bantering back and forth. The second show takes up most of disc two, and tagged on the end are two wonderful run-throughs ("God Only Knows", with Carl in fine voice, and a confident "Good Vibrations"), from London. Disc three is the real find, with Brian and the band doing vocal overdubs for a Chicago concert that contains the best playing I've ever heard from the band. They rip through five songs (with repeats of Johnny B Goode and I Get Around) with high enthusiasm and ferocious playing. Honestly, it's the best early live set I've heard, putting their

81

1964 Concert album to shame. Finally, at the end of disc three, we have the 1967 "Concert rehearsals" which were to make up the "Lei'd In Hawaii" album. These rehearsals, with all six members of the band, are extremely laconic, with Brian messing around a bit with tempos (all of them slow, much to the engineers dismay), and even experimenting on the vocal line of "Surfer Girl." There is little chatter, and not much fun here. Everyone seems pensive, (or more likely stoned) and it gives the sessions an eerie, dark feeling. A haunting end to a otherwise joyous set.

82

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 18 (1967) The Alternate Smiley Smile Album; Sea of Tunes C9953

All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono. 1. Wonderful (take 1) 2:25 * 2. Wonderful (takes 4 & 5) 2:30 * 3. Wonderful (vocal overdub attempts) 1:05 4. Wonderful (vocal & instrumental overdub) 2:24 5. Wonderful (1st vocal overdub) 2:24 6. Wonderful (2nd vocal overdub) 2:23 7. Wind Chimes (takes 1 & 2) 2:30 * 8. Wind Chimes (vocal overdub attempt) 1:37 9. Wind Chimes (vocal overdub attempt) 1:35 10. Wind Chimes (instrumental insert) 2:34 11. Wind Chimes (instrumental insert) 1:38 12. Wind Chimes (insert take 2) 2:17 13. Wind Chimes (vocal inserts) 1:46 14. Wind Chimes (vocal rehearsals fade sequence) 2:34 15. Wind Chimes (vocal rehearsals fade sequence) mono/stereo 5:37 16. Wind Chimes (fade sequence takes 1-3) 2:34 * 17. Wind Chimes (fade sequence take 11) 0:53 * 18. Vegetables (bass rehearsal) 0:56 * 19. Vegetables (bass track) 2:17 * 20. Vegetables (bass & piano track) 2:38 21. Vegetables (1st vocal overdub) 2:20 22. Vegetables (2nd vocal overdub) 2:17 23. Vegetables (instrumental insert) 2:18 24. She's Goin' Bald (section 1 - take 1) 0:51 25. She's Goin' Bald (section 1 - backing track) 0:58 26. She's Goin' Bald (section 1 - 1st vocal overdub) 1:36 27. She's Goin' Bald (section 1 - 2nd vocal overdub) 1:36 28. She's Goin' Bald (section 1 - studio mix) 1:36 29. She's Goin' Bald (section 2 - take 1) 0:24 * 30. She's Goin' Bald (section 2 - take 2) 0:44 31. She's Goin' Bald (section 3 - takes 1 & 2) 0:49 * 32. She's Goin' Bald (section 3 - backing track) 0:55

83

33. She's Goin' Bald (section 3 - 1st vocal overdub) 0:54 34. She's Goin' Bald (section 3 - 2nd vocal overdub) 0:55 35. Getting Hungry (rehearsals) 4:32 36. Getting Hungry (takes 1 & 2) 1:21 37. Getting Hungry (vocal overdubs) 0:59 38. With Me Tonight (vocal rehearsals intro) 1:55 * 39. With Me Tonight (vocal overdub intro) 0:43

This album only reinforces what I've thought all along about "Smiley Smile"; namely, that this is the real acid-casualty rock album in the Beach Boys canon. You can hear it in the opening instrumental tracking for "Wonderful" which has brilliant key changes and progressions; in its original incarnation it had a sweet flow and wistfulness; but now, in its spare piano form, it feels stripped of any joy, or feeling whatsoever. It's numb. It's very hard to hear the Beach Boys in the studio here (at Brian's home) all sounding completely stoned, lacking any energy in their singing, or caring how the songs are put together. Mistakes are left in, no attempts to polish or put any finesse into the music; perhaps they felt that they were being funny, or avant-garde when they were recording this, but the only sensation left with the listener is an all-pervasive stupor. There are some beautiful moments - they spring out at you like diamonds in the mud: On track twelve, there is an instrumental backing track that sounds lovely, in a baroque sort of way, and on a vocal rehearsal fade, the Beach Boys fleetingly recapture their tight, unmatchable harmonies, but even these tracks are hamstrung by a lack of focus, and at one disc, this Sea Of Tunes release barely scratches the surface of documenting these morbidly fascinating sessions.

84

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 19 (1967) The Alternate Wild Honey Album; Sea of Tunes C9954/55 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 1. Cool, Cool Water (track) 1:14 * 2. Cool, Cool Water (instrumental insert) 1:15 3. Cool, Cool Water (1st vocal overdub) 1:16 4. Cool, Cool Water (2nd vocal overdub) 1:19 5. Cool, Cool Water (3rd vocal overdub) 1:18 6. Cool, Cool Water (track) 1:15 * 7. Cool, Cool Water (1st vocal overdub) 1:17 8. Cool, Cool Water (2nd vocal overdub) 1:20 9. Cool, Cool Water (rehearsal) 2:37 10. Cool, Cool Water (track) 1:18 11. Cool, Cool Water (1st vocal overdub) 1:16 12. Cool, Cool Water (2nd vocal overdub) 1:19 13. Cool, Cool Water (3rd vocal overdub) 1:19 14. Cool, Cool Water (1st vocal overdub) 1:21 15. Cool, Cool Water (2nd vocal overdub) 1:23 16. Cool, Cool Water (3rd vocal overdub) 1:14 17. Cool, Cool Water (4th vocal overdub) 1:16 18. Cool, Cool Water (1st vocal overdub) 1:19 19. Cool, Cool Water (2nd vocal overdub) 1:20 20. Cool, Cool Water (3rd vocal overdub) 1:23 21. Cool, Cool Water (stereo mix) 1:14 22. Can't Wait Too Long (take 1) 1:13 * 23. Can't Wait Too Long (take 2) 2:57 * 24. Can't Wait Too Long (instrumental insert) 2:57 25. Can't Wait Too Long (vocal overdub) 2:56 26. Can't Wait Too Long (vocal overdub) 3:58 27. Can't Wait Too Long (vocal overdub) 3:53 28. Can't Wait Too Long (rehearsal) 1:47 29. Can't Wait Too Long (rehearsal) 4:27 30. I Was Made To Love Her (backing track) 2:16 31. I Was Made To Love Her (vocal rehearsals) 5:04 *

85

32. I Was Made To Love Her (vocal rehearsals) 2:54 * 33. I Was Made To Love Her (lead vocal rehearsal) 0:15 34. I Was Made To Love Her (vocal overdub attempt) 2:10 35. I Was Made To Love Her (vocal overdub) 2:07

Disc 2: 1. Here Comes The Night (section 1 - 1st vocal insert) 1:09 2. Here Comes The Night (section 1 - 2nd vocal insert) 1:08 3. Here Comes The Night (section 2 - 1st vocal insert) 1:06 4. Here Comes The Night (section 2 - 2nd vocal insert) 1:06 5. Here Comes The Night (section 3 - 1st vocal insert) 1:16 6. Here Comes The Night (section 3 - 2nd vocal insert) 1:15 7. Here Comes The Night (section 4 - 1st vocal insert) 1:08 8. Here Comes The Night (section 4 - 2nd vocal insert) 1:08 9. Here Comes The Night (section 5 - 1st vocal insert) 1:10 10. Here Comes The Night (section 5 - 2nd vocal insert) 1:10 11. A Thing Or Two (various inserts) 4:53 12. The Letter (take 1) 1:45 13. The Letter (take 2) 1:28 14. The Letter (track & vocal) 1:55 15. Darlin' (track) 2:17 16. Darlin' (lead vocal overdub) 2:17 17. Darlin' (instrumental insert) 2:17 18. Darlin' (instrumental insert) 2:13 19. Darlin' (backing vocals overdub) 2:17 20. Darlin' (instrumental insert attempt) 2:56 21. Wild Honey (track) 2:49 22. Wild Honey (lead vocal overdub) 2:49 23. Wild Honey (instrumental insert) 2:46 24. Wild Honey (backing vocals overdub) 2:48 25. Wild Honey (instrumental insert) 2:50

86

This is a fine double-disc retrospective of the "Wild Honey" sessions. The song selection is interesting: "Cool, Cool Water" (which didn't appear on a Beach Boys album until "Sunflower") starts out the set with the Beach Boys amazing harmonies (and after listening to the "Smiley Smile" sessions, it's good to hear the band sounding lucid once more), and then continuing on with a few takes of "Can't Wait Too Long" before Carl takes over with some ragged covers of "I Was Made To Love Her." What becomes increasingly apparent as the set moves into disc two is Brian's growing distance from the group,and the Beach Boys inability to fully compensate yet for his unwillingness to take the reigns again. Three of the tracks on the CD were worked on, then laid aside (the other being "The Letter"), which, as far as I know, hadn't been done with a Beach Boys album before. The second disc is fine listening as well, with ten takes of "Here Comes The Night,""A Thing Or Two" getting one track, and finishing with multiple takes for "The Letter," "Darlin'" and "Wild Honey." An interesting snapshot of a slowly deteriorating situation.

87

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 20 (1968-1969) Friends, 20/20 and Odds & Ends Alternates ; Sea of Tunes C9956/57 All tracks are stereo, except * indicated are mono.

Disc 1 1. Friends (takes 1 & 2) 1:09 2. Friends (take unknown) 2:35 3. Friends (1st vocal overdub) 2:35 4. Friends (2nd vocal overdub) 2:35 5. Friends (3rd vocal overdub) 2:36 6. Friends (alternate version) 2:36 7. Do It Again (track & vocals) 2:35 8. Do It Again (backing vocals overdub) 2:33 9. Do It Again (stereo mix) 2:34 10. Do It Again (track & vocals) 2:29 11. Do It Again (vocal overdub) 2:29 12. Do It Again (instrumental insert) 2:50 13. Do It Again (backing vocals overdub) 2:38 14. Do It Again (instrumental insert) 2:37 15. We're Together Again (tracking session) 3:08 * 16. We're Together Again (track & vocals) 2:12 17. We're Together Again (vocal overdub) 2:14 18. We're Together Again (string overdub) 2:11 19. We're Together Again (overdub attempt) 2:13 20. Walk On By (rehearsals) 2:22 * 21. Walk On By (rehearsals) 1:39 * 22. Walk On By (track & vocals) 1:01 23. Walk On By (1st vocal overdub) 1:04 24. Walk On By (2nd vocal overdub) 1:04

88

Disc 2: 1. I Can Hear Music (track & vocals) 2:46 2. I Can Hear Music (instrumental insert) 2:21 3. I Can Hear Music (overdub attempts) 2:25 4. I Can Hear Music (track & vocals) 2:46 5. I Can Hear Music (vocal overdub) 2:46 6. I Can Hear Music (vocal overdub) 2:44 7. I Can Hear Music (vocal overdub) 2:43 8. I Can Hear Music (insert rehearsals) 4:15 9. Unknown instrumental (rehearsals) 2:24 * 10. Unknown instrumental (rehearsals) 0:28 11. Time To Get Alone (rehearsal) 1:14 12. Time To Get Alone (vocal overdub) 2:54 13. Time To Get Alone (vocal overdub) 2:55 14. Sherry, She Needs Me 2:42 15. Break Away (track & vocals) 3:15 16. Break Away (vocal overdub) 3:10 17. Break Away (instrumental insert) 3:14 18. Break Away (alternate mono mix) 2:38 * 19. Ode To Betty Joe 3:41 20. It's Time (takes 1 & 2) 1:17 21. It's Time (take 8) 0:29 22. It's Time (instrumental insert) 1:02 23. It's Time (vocal overdub) 3:01 24. It's Time (instrumental insert) 1:37 25. It's Time (instrumental insert) 1:06 26. It's Time (instrumental insert) 1:41 27. America, I Know You (take 1) 1:39 * 28. America, I Know You 4:09

89

The final discs from Sea of Tunes (reportedly, all CD's after this one are compilations of previously released material) find the Beach Boys struggling to hold together. And although this double-CD is pretty much the bottom of the barrel from the Sea Of Tunes vaults, there are some interesting cuts here. Disc One has five tracking sessions of "Friends" (the only song represented from that album), seven takes of "Do It Again" from 20/20, and two tracks that were worked on, but never completed, apparently due to Brian's indifference. A gorgeous "We're Together Again" has five tracks of outtakes, and the stunning "Walk On By" is shelved after five takes as well. Brian sounds clearly bored here, and by disc two, his brother Carl has taken over with an authoritative "I Can Hear Music." Also included are the "rough vocal" version of "Sherry She Needs Me," the demo version of "Break Away" (four takes), and then, some true curiosities end the series. Mike Love (!) produced two tracks from a comedy group called "The Pickle Brothers" and their songs, "Ode to Betty Joe" and "It's Time" reveal a dated, ascerbic wit that's worth hearing once. Finally, one track, entitled "America, I Know You" from the Steve Kalinich/Brian Wilson collaboration poetry album (which is just as awful as could be imagined) finishes up this bizarre set.

90

Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 21 (1965) Today & Summer Days And Summer Nights Stereo version with bonus tracks (All tracks are stereo).

1. Do You Wanna Dance? (2:24) 2. Good To My Baby (2:22) 3. Don’t Hurt My Little Sister (2:09) 4. When I Grow Up To Be A Man (2:01) 5. Help Me, Rhonda (album version) (3:09) 6. Dance, Dance, Dance (2:00) 7. Please Let Me Wonder (3:05) 8. I’m So Young (2:33) 9. Kiss Me Baby (2:44) 10. She Knows Me Too Well (2:32) 11. In The Back Of My Mind (2:09) 12. All Dressed Up For School (2:20) 13. Dance, Dance, Dance (alternate version) (1:59) 14. I’m So Young (alternate version) (2:25) 15. Guess I’m Dumb (track) (2:58) 16. The Girl From New York City (2:14) 17. Amusement Parks, USA (2:51) 18. Then I Kissed Her (2:18) 19. Salt Lake City (track) (2:08) 20. Girl Don’t Tell Me (2:45) 21. Help Me, Rhonda (single version) (3:03) 22. California Girls (2:44) 23. Let Him Run Wild (track) (2:35) 24. You’re So Good To Me (track) (2:16) 25. Sandy (2:37) 26. Graduation Day (2:16) 27. California Girls (track) (2:57) 28. Sloop John B (track) (3:11) 29. The Little Girl I Once Knew (track) (2:45) 30. Three Blind Mice (0:57)

91