The recordings of The Beach Boys that are regarded as their best work are their sun, surf, and hot rod California hits of the early 1960s and the Brian Wilson artistic pinnacles of Pet Sounds and “Good Vibrations.” However, after Brian Wilson’s role in the group diminished, they made some excellent music in the late-’60s and early-’70s.
In 2021, Feel Flows – The Sunflower & Surf’s Up Sessions 1969-1971 was issued, which began the chronicling of these sometimes underrated albums from The Beach Boys. That heralded set is now followed by Sail on Sailor — 1972. This 5-LP/EP box set focuses on their Carl and the Passions/So Tough and Holland albums. While there were recent reissues that expanded on the Wild Honey, Friends, and 20/20 albums which preceded the Sunflower, Surf’s Up, Carl and the Passions/So Tough and Holland albums, those reissues were not released as bespoke box sets.
These Carl and the Passions/So Tough and Holland album sessions were also significant in that they included two new members, Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar. Fataar would become a part of another group, namely The Rutles. The two were part of a South African group called The Flame, which was the only signing by The Beach Boys’ record label Brother Records. Bruce Johnston, who had joined the group after the founding membership of the group, briefly left the group at this time.
Carl and the Passions/So Tough, released in 1972 is the group taking tentative steps to forging a new musical identity that was more in line with the laid-back California sound of the early 1970s; in many ways, a seemingly natural progression. The album opens with the only Brian Wilson production contribution to the album, “You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone,” which he co-wrote. He also co-wrote “He Come Down” and “Marcella.”
“He Come Down” is marred by Carl Wilson uncharacteristically struggling with the lead vocals. “Here She Comes” is an excellent Chaplin/Fataar co-write illustrating that the two were more than just part of the backing band. “He Come Down” has an unfinished quality that surprisingly works and has some lyrics reflecting the emerging California lifestyles of the time. “Marcella” is very much in the mold of the kind of sound one expects from the group and is one of those hidden gems from their vast, post-’60s catalog, along with tracks released prior to this album such as “Darlin’,” “Do It Again,” “I Can Hear Music,” “Add Some Music To Your Day” and “Cool, Cool Water.”
“Hold On Dear Brother” is another Chaplin/Fataar co-write. There are two Chaplin/Fataar co-writes and the rest of the songs feature contributions in various configurations from all the members of the group, along with their then manager Jack Rieley, Daryl Dragon of Captain & Tennille, and most notably Tandyn Almer on “Marcella.” There are only eight songs on the album, perhaps the reason why it was initially only available later as part of a double-album that included a reissue of Pet Sounds.
The album was almost treated as a throwaway at the time. It has a somewhat tentative feel and lacks some of the cohesiveness that makes some of The Beach Boys music work through the meshing of all the members of the group’s talents. This recording was the result of three different factions of the group working in three different studios. Carl, Mike, and Al worked in one, Dennis worked with Daryl Dragon in another, and new members Chaplin and Fataar worked in another. Of the four albums the group recorded that appear on these two recent box sets, it is the weakest, but still, especially listening to it now in retrospect, it is a more-than-worthy addition to the group’s catalog.
Holland, released in 1973, may be the best post-Pet Sounds album from The Beach Boys, other than Sunflower, and in fact it was one of the best American albums of that very good year for music of 1973. Much of the album was recorded over six months in a makeshift studio near a farm, not far from Amsterdam in Holland, while the group was on tour in Europe; thus the title of the album.
The album kicks off with “Sail On Sailor,” with a lead vocal by Blondie Chaplin, yet another one of those post-Pet Sounds songs that rank as one of the best tracks the group ever cut in this period. The album also includes another post-Pet Sounds gem, “Funky Pretty.” The centerpiece of the album is the most conceptual grouping of songs the group had ever done, the three-part “California Saga.”
This reissue package also includes the long-out-of-print “Mount Vernon and Fairway (A Fairytale)” six-song, mostly spoken word, 7-inch vinyl EP with narration by their then manager Jack Reiley. It is a Brian Wilson conceptional piece inspired by his childhood home that was a nice bonus for fans of the time and very much a product of the era, but in retrospect it has an innocent, childlike approach that is heartwarming.
The box also includes The Beach Boys Live at Carnegie Hall a concert the group performed on Thanksgiving night 1972, spread over five sides. The concert is the last date of their ‘72 American tour and includes surf favorites, classics from the Pet Sounds period, recent tracks from their Holland album, and some rarities including songs they hadn’t performed in years.
The material on the fifth side comprised the end of the concert when the group was taking requests from the audience, some of their earliest hits and a blistering cover of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” For such a spirited performance and boasting superior sound—not something always easily achieved by electric rock bands at Carnegie Hall—it’s surprising this concert hasn’t been released until now.
There’s a massive 38-page vinyl album-sized book filled with glorious period photos, record sleeves, studio session memorabilia, detailed liner notes and more. The second side of the last Carnegie Hall disc includes four bonus tracks.
This is now the second major box set of material from a period in the group’s career when they were shaking off the preppy surf image of the early ’60s and grappling with forging ahead without the leadership and full participation of their resident genius and the architect of their most popular and critically acclaimed music, Brian Wilson.
While some of this music had some popular appeal or did receive fair critical praise at the time, the passing of the years and listening with fresh ears show that there is a great deal of truly excellent music here. Despite the personal upheavals, career confusion and musical challenges of the time, there are some classic Beach Boys music and some truly beautiful and inspired sounds here.
It is recommended to listen to both of these two recent boxes as they were in intended, on vinyl. Allowing listeners to dig deep, the companion deluxe CD boxes also offer a rich trove of previously unreleased music and various mixes. On this new set, there are 53 tracks on the 5-LP set and 103 tracks on the 6-CD set.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
B+
