Search - Beach Boys :: Classics: Selections By Brian Wilson

California Feelin'

Darrell R. Hahn | Carmel, IN | 07/11/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most people who buy this will probably have an appreciation of Brian Wilson, so they don't necessarily fall into the "I saw the Beach Boys live in 1998 at the XYZ Fair" crowd. That said, the hardcore fans will buy this for the newly-recorded version of "California Feelin."The overall song selection was interesting. "Wonderful" is the Smiley-Smile version, not the Smile version. I belive the same is true of "Heroes And Villains" (so it's not the pumped-up version that was a bonus track on the two-fer CD's). "Surf's Up" is the 1971 version from the album of the same title (which did combine 1967 Brian with 1971 Beach Boys), but is placed on the CD as though it were a 1967 version.As for "California Feelin," I'd have to say it was a disappointment. Brian can sound good, single-tracked, when he tries, but at times it sounds like he's quadruple-tracked, with each voice ending a held-over note at different times. Sounds kinda sloppy. I was hoping this would be an official release of the 70's version with Carl on vocals, but no luck. The song seems to drag a bit, too, although it's been a while since I heard the original.Overall, not a bad purchase, it's great to listen to in the car, and for hardcore fans probably worth purchasing for "California Feelin," even though it is somewhat of a disappointment."

This CD made me a die-hard Beach Boys fan!

todd vittum | 03/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! A year ago before I bought this album I thought the Beach Boys were a pretty decent oldies act. I had one of their cheap ten song greatest hits cds. I always heard people talk about the Beach Boys being on the same level of greatness as the Beatles are. Well, I took a chance a bought this cd hoping to get more insight into the more obscure Beach Boys stuff. In a word I was "amazed" at what I heard! There is a perfect mix of some of there classic radio hits and essential album tracks and even a rare,deep cut. You really get to hear the Beach Boys evolve into a mature band. They did surfer pop, psycldia, folk, R&B, new wave, disco and progressive rock. Needless to say, I now love the Beach Boys more than the Beatles (that's a pretty big statement cause I love them alot too). The only real flaw is the closing track "California Feeling" they should have put on it a track from Wild Honey, Love You, M.I.U. or L.A. Well buy this cd then submerge yourself in their studio albums I espicially love their 70s albums and their mid to late 60s albums."

Aptly titled!

todd vittum | North Palm Beach, Florida | 07/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Classics" The word has been overused but not this time. Some familiar material, a slice of SMiLe, some early 70's nuggets, and a freshly minted one. True classics hold up over time, these have, and will continue to do so. "This Whole World" rivals other "pocket symphonies". "Marcella" could have been a grown up "Surfer Girl" 10 years later. Now it is 40 years later and "Don't Worry Baby" was just a featured song in the film "Never been Kissed". All these make this release well worth seeking out, but it is the semi legendary song that The Beach Boys never officially recorded "California Feeling" (written circa '76)that sets this apart. This drive down the coast with The Wondermints as The Wrecking Crew, and Jeffery Foskett as Carl, and Brian as...well Brian! is a new classic. Brian Wilson picked these, and thought them to be classics. It is evident that this disc is aptly titled. "Classics" a word not overused but a disc that might be overplayed."