In the late 1960s to the early 1970s, before The Beach Boys became essentially an oldies act, they went through an interesting period of exploration where they tried releasing more contemporary music. Yes, they would have spurts of new music every so often in the future, but they were a legacy band as record sellers and concert performers.
On a lark, I bought the album, Carl and the Passions ‘So Fine,’ on vinyl back in the mid-1970s. It came as a two-fer, along with Pet Sounds. That was an unusual pairing, but I didn’t own a copy of Pet Sounds so it was okay with me. I still have that vinyl in my collection.
From Wild Honey (1967) through Surf’s Up (1971), new recordings were a mixed bag. Brian Wilson was in and out of the group, generally his songwriting output was unpredictable. The result was Carl, Al, Bruce and even Dennis contributed songs. Others, like manager Jack Rieley, Van Dyke Parks, Gary Winfrey, Gregg Jackobson were listed as co-writers. Thankfully, none of Charles Manson’s songs never made it onto Beach Boy vinyl, although Dennis Wilson entertained some of Manson’s songs.
Starting with Surf’s Up, The Beach Boys entered a creative period. Songs about the surf were not about teen beach parties, rather environmental themes and spirituality. This brief, early 1970s period, would give the band some credibility and free them from the weight of their earlier success. More on that later.
After Surf’s Up, Bruce Johnston (who replaced Brian Wilson) left the band, not returning till 1979. Blondie Chaplin and Rikki Fattar were recruited by Carl, who assumed the role of band leader, and main producer for what became Carl and the Passions “So Tough” (1972). The album was not so much a change of direction, it was a direction.
This direction was described by some as “earthy” or “roots rock” given that it reflected grittier music of the times. Chaplin and Fattar brought that vibe. Two unreleased songs, “We Got Love” and “ Hard Time” written by Chaplin/Fataar, now available on the new box set Sail On Sailor (2022) show their influence.
Carl and the Passions “So Tough” (1972) and Holland (1973) are the core of the new Sail On Sailor set. Is this set only for hardcore fans? Probably. It’s not packed with hits, but it was a restart for the band after an unfocused drift across the late 1960s music scene.
Sadly, the band did not continue on this path and Chaplin and Fataar left the band. If you heard the band in concert during this time frame, you heard a rocking, soulful version of The Beach Boys. I was fortunate to do so. Several live tracks are on the Sail On Sailer set.
If you are interested in this period of Beach Boys creativity, Sail On Sailer is a place to look.
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Disc one: Carl and the Passions “So Tough” and bonus tracks
“You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone” – Written by Brian and manager Jack Rieley, sung by Carl. A rocker, it has some interesting moments, but doesn’t seem to go anywhere.
“Here She Comes” – An uptempo piano rocker, written and sung by Ricky and Blondie. More of this would have been great, but the vocals are a bit weak. Very early 1970s rock.
“He Comes Down” – Al, Brian and Mike. A Beach Boys gospel song. A little too much preaching, but decent musically.
“Marcella” – Written by Brian and others. Sung and produced by Carl. A minor Beach Boys hit, sounds too much like their other songs. Brian had a template that he used a lot in writing.
“Hold On Dear Brother” – Ricky and Blondie again, with production help from Carl. The brothers got a bit of California country-rock from Blonde and Ricky.
“Make it Good” – Dennis co-wrote, produced and sang this orchestral-backed dirge. It sounds nothing like anything else on the album.
“All This is That” – Al, Carl and Mike wrote this brilliant song. Beautiful melody and stacked vocals. One of their finest adult songs. Produced by Al and Carl.
“Cuddle Up” – Co-written, produced and sang by Dennis. His best effort on the album set. A bit schmaltzy, but that was Dennis.
Bonus Tracks:
“The Road Not Taken” an unreleased Al Jardine song. A cappella versions of the gorgeous “All This is That” and “Marcella.” New mixes of “He Comes Down,” “Cuddle Up,” “Make It Good” and “You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone.” Different takes on the songs and freshened sound. Not better, just different.
Live versions: “You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone,” “Marcella,” “Only With You,” “California Saga Big Sur,” and “Funky Pretty.” During the early 1970s period, The Beach Boys might have been the best live version of themselves. They rocked, were funky and soulful. They had not become an oldies band and still have street cred as contemporary rockers. Later on, they became caricatures of themselves with an orchestral of musicians backing them. In these years they played their own songs.
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Disc two: Holland and bonus tracks
Warner Bros. rejected the album because there wasn’t an obvious single. “Sail On Sailor” was added. The album was released on January 8, 1973. It peaked at number 37 on the Billboard chart.
“Sail On Sailor” – The classic, with lead vocals by Chaplin.
“Steamboat” – Co-Written and produced by Dennis Wilson. Not one of Dennis’ best, average effort.
“California Saga Big Sur” – Written by Mike Love, produced by Al and Carl. A very good song, folksy and great melody.
“California Saga The Beaks of Eagles” – Spoken word with singing. Ecology, a bit on the silly side, but harmless.
“California Saga California” – Al Jardine wrote and produced what sounds like parts of other Beach Boy songs. Not wholly original, but delivers a prototype Beach Boy song.
“The Trader” – Written and produced by Carl Wilson. Not a bad effort, clearly influenced by brother Brian. This had the making of a hit.
“Leaving This Town” – Mainly written and produced by Chaplin and Fataar, both providing vocals. A little punchier and this could have been a standout song. The synth solo might have benefited from some guitar.
“Only With You” – Dennis and Mike Love song, produced by Dennis and sung by Carl. Earnest effort, but rather lightweight.
“Funky Pretty” – Written by Brian and Mike Love. Vocals by Carl, Al, Mike and Blondie. Too much synth, but the vocals are fine. The song has moments.
“Mount Vernon and Fairway (A Fairy Tale)” A suite of song fragments blended together. Mainly a Brian and Carl production.
“We Got Love” – Ricky and Blondie effort. This is an unreleased 2022 remix of the song. It certainly sounds like it was written in 1972, maybe even submitted to The Partridge Family.
“Hard Time” – Another unreleased Ricky and Blondie song. Decent rocker. The Beach Boys should have done more songs in this heavier vibe.
“Carry Me Home” – A Dennis song, vocals by Dennis and Blondie. Sounds a bit like the Eagles, if they were jamming, and drunk.
Unreleased mixes of “California Saga The Beaks of Eagles” “California Saga California” Not much different from the album versions.
“Sail On Sailor” – Two versions, a 2022 remix without vocals, and a live version from 1975, produced by Phil Ramone.
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