And he has an interesting critical perspective on it.
"Come down a bit on the reverb and vocals and turn up the bass, guitar and drums a tad higher, and what you have here may be one of the very first power pop songs. I've listened to 'Wendy' countless times, but it was always a fly-over tune, never a Beach Boys destination for me. Now suddenly, I actually hear it and I can't stop. The magic of music."Obviously, I agree, although I've had a thing for this song since forever. In any case, as some of you may have already guessed, I'm mostly posting this as a big "I lurve you!" to a certain shady dame of my acquaintance.
UPDATE: I just found this live version from the Ed Sullivan show -- which I'd never seen before -- and the word "awesome" is inadequate.
18 comments:
Good job on the guitar solo, cameraman. The cameramen or directors were clueless in the 60's.
The sound guys weren't too swift either. Brian's bass and Jardine's Rickenbacker are all but inaudible.
But oh my god, the singing....
:-)
Damn! "Wendy" is my new favorite everything.
i'm covered with goosebumps. Terrific.
"All Summer Long" is a great album even with the goofy filler they put on those back then. My copy said "Don't Break Down" instead of "Don't Back Down," Capitol's error and an eerie premonition.
It has one of my favorite 60s album covers as well.
i've always thought the descendents were onto something with their version. they may have gone too far and too punk but there's always been something about it that i enjoy.
here's a studio version and a live version.
http://youtu.be/sTdN8sAhvw0
http://youtu.be/3_cjscRpS7Q
Love that Sullivan version -- the drums have more snap and I like the drier vocals.
As to the camera work, I bet the director was sitting in the booth going, Damn, "those guys up front aren't doing anything! Cut to the drummer, at least he's moving!"
One of my faves growing up..for me it was Beatles and Beach Boys, took a lot of flack back then for my love of Surfer Girl,409, Little Deuce Coupe and all the other early albums. I had all those lp's until i got "too hip", and let them slip out of my hands...
In the Ed Sullivan performance, I think they wanted to keep showing Dennis so that he'd show up on the monitors and the girls would scream!
I don't know if teenage girls scream at concerts much any more...non-Bieber concerts, that is.
All I can say is:
:-)
Imagine it a lot bigger!
Wow, that was great -- Alice Crimmins, Simels!
When the camera is on Brian at one point, there's a bit of a scream from the girls in the audience and you can see him smiling at it, albeit slyly and shyly.
You may or may not know this but, Capitol released two compilations over the last 5 years that look like standard rehashings. (that may not be a word.) They are NOT. Each has at least 7 "new stereo mixes," including "Wendy," that are just sensational. I recommend both.
http://www.amazon.com/Warmth-Sun-Beach-Boys/dp/B000FC2FUG/ref=sr_1_19?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1317835739&sr=1-19
http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Love-Songs-Beach-Boys/dp/B001XJNZ7M/ref=sr_1_12?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1317835906&sr=1-12
both versions, gorgeous. Is it me or does Mike Love have a voice that naturally sounds double-tracked?
AP
Is it me or does Mike Love have a voice that naturally sounds double-tracked?
Ha! For me, the deal-maker in Wendy was the organ solo: The majestic confidence behind those simple notes.
can't believe I forgot to mention the audible cough on the studio version, during the organ solo (1:19)
WoW! that was really incredible.=D
I love seeing those live Beach Boys clips on YouTube. Those five guys sounded better than any future (larger) lineup of the band in my book. Carl's guitar goof at the start is great. They sound so good, it is goofs like this that prove they were actually live.
There is a clip of them on the BBC where they break down trying to start "When I Grow Up", then they nail it. Magical.
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