Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Dec 11, 2004 0:04:51 GMT -5
It's been SO long since anyone did a review and this is one I wanted to do since last year!
Beach Boys-Ultimate Christmas
1998
As I have mentioned a couple times on these boards, this is a collection of their original album, single mix of Little Saint Nick, alternate versions, plus their aborted 70's album.
1. Little Saint Nick-We all know this one. A basic rewrite of Little Deuce Coupe!
2. The Man With All the Toys-The Boys put this out as their Christmas single in 64, but it didn't have the effect that Little Saint Nick had. Still a great song and classic to my ears. Just reading the liners here, it DID reach number 3 on the "Top Christmas Sellers" chart that year!
3. Santa's Beard-Although never a single, this single seems to have a following. It was on a Time Life Treasury which I always thought was weird. I could never imagine how a song with that title could sound, but it's one of the best on the original album.
4. Merry Christmas, Baby-Not the bluesy Christmas classic, but a Brian original. The Boys trademark harmonies are in full swing on this midtempo number.
5. Christmas Day-A bit slower of a tempo on this one, but no less good. These are all short numbers, but so good to hear many times each holiday.
6. Frosty the Snowman-Once again those trademark harmonies come through and the music on this is very "pre-rock".
7. We Three Kings of Orient-Side 1 was more fun songs and side 2 was mostly a more "serious" side. This is evident here as I know of no other rock group to attempt this slowie.
8. Blue Christmas-Brian's take on the King's classic is very slowed down. Picture an even slower Surfer Girl.
9. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town-the one "fun" song on this side. The retro insturmental backing is once again in full effect.
10. White Christmas-More beautiful harmonies. It sounds just like you are picturing it.
11. I'll Be Home For Christmas-Brian pointed out the Four Freshman influence on here and it is obvious.
12. Auld Lang Syne-A great way to end the original record, with this beautiful accapela rendition, complete with a spoken message from Dennis over the ending.
13. Little Saint Nick (Single Version)-This is the way we heard the song in 1963, a year before the album. More jingle bells on this version.
14. Auld Lang Syne (Alternate Mix)-Same as number 12, but no spoken part from Dennis, so you just hear those smooth harmonies.
15. Little Saint Nick (Alternate Version)-It's the lyrics to the song, but song of the instrumental of Drive in from their All Summer Long album. Cool concept!
16. Child of Winter (Christmas Song)-This WASN'T scheduled to be part of their 70's holiday album. Instead it was recorded in November of 74 and put out 2 days before Christmas. Bad idea. Luckily for us, it's a good song. There is a bizarre spoken part by Brian in the middle. Really cool.
17. Santa's Got an Airplane-In 1977, the group had material for a second Christmas album. It seems like it was spearheaded more by Alan than Brian. In any case, basically every song was one of their regular songs with new Christmas lyrics. This was Loop De Loop (Flip Flop Flyin' in an Aeroplane). But instead of the Little Saint Nick, now Santa is in a plane!
18. Christmas Time is Here Again-Covers weren't safe either! The Boys had covered Peggy Sue, and so they decided to take the music and use new lyrics. (Picture "pretty, pretty, pretty" as "Christmas, Christmas, Christmas", etc)
19. Winter Symphony-Probably the least Christmas song of all because it's just a general winter song. Brian even said it didn't start out as a Christmas song. I think it's one of their best, but I only listen to it at Christmas myself. You can actually picture "Cuddle(ing) in a cozy nook, with a warm drink and a book".
20. (I Saw Santa) Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree-Sung by Al, this is every bit as cute as I Saw Mommy....Al's two sons, Matt and Adam have little dialogue between each chorus. Apparently the instrumental is from an unfinished Brian song, Hey There Momma.
21. Melekalikimaka-NOT the song by Der Bingle, and apparently, Al did not know such a song existed. This was taken from their earlier song, Kona Coast. This is SO cool-it's about spending Christmas surfing! And while they sing the title, in the background you hear Brian singing "Go to Hawaii!"
22. Bells of Christmas-A very somber song, sung by Mike. This was Belles of Paris previously. Didn't get into this originally, but it's really a pretty tune.
23. Morning Christmas-Another very somber piece. This was Dennis' contribution and it says it was very much in the style of his solo album.
24. Toy Drive Public Announcement-Very muffled sounding, but it's just there for historical significance. It's Little Saint Nick, once again, but lyrics asking people to make toy donations.
25. Dennis Wilson Christmas Message-Another one included for historical significance. A brief public service piece, it begins with Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, and then Dennis comes in asking for donations again for a toy drive.
26. Brian Wilson Christmas Interview-This is from a radio promo copy version of the original album-bits of interviews with Brian that was placed in between each song.
Overall, just a really cool collection every Beach Boys fan should have!
Beach Boys-Ultimate Christmas
1998
As I have mentioned a couple times on these boards, this is a collection of their original album, single mix of Little Saint Nick, alternate versions, plus their aborted 70's album.
1. Little Saint Nick-We all know this one. A basic rewrite of Little Deuce Coupe!
2. The Man With All the Toys-The Boys put this out as their Christmas single in 64, but it didn't have the effect that Little Saint Nick had. Still a great song and classic to my ears. Just reading the liners here, it DID reach number 3 on the "Top Christmas Sellers" chart that year!
3. Santa's Beard-Although never a single, this single seems to have a following. It was on a Time Life Treasury which I always thought was weird. I could never imagine how a song with that title could sound, but it's one of the best on the original album.
4. Merry Christmas, Baby-Not the bluesy Christmas classic, but a Brian original. The Boys trademark harmonies are in full swing on this midtempo number.
5. Christmas Day-A bit slower of a tempo on this one, but no less good. These are all short numbers, but so good to hear many times each holiday.
6. Frosty the Snowman-Once again those trademark harmonies come through and the music on this is very "pre-rock".
7. We Three Kings of Orient-Side 1 was more fun songs and side 2 was mostly a more "serious" side. This is evident here as I know of no other rock group to attempt this slowie.
8. Blue Christmas-Brian's take on the King's classic is very slowed down. Picture an even slower Surfer Girl.
9. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town-the one "fun" song on this side. The retro insturmental backing is once again in full effect.
10. White Christmas-More beautiful harmonies. It sounds just like you are picturing it.
11. I'll Be Home For Christmas-Brian pointed out the Four Freshman influence on here and it is obvious.
12. Auld Lang Syne-A great way to end the original record, with this beautiful accapela rendition, complete with a spoken message from Dennis over the ending.
13. Little Saint Nick (Single Version)-This is the way we heard the song in 1963, a year before the album. More jingle bells on this version.
14. Auld Lang Syne (Alternate Mix)-Same as number 12, but no spoken part from Dennis, so you just hear those smooth harmonies.
15. Little Saint Nick (Alternate Version)-It's the lyrics to the song, but song of the instrumental of Drive in from their All Summer Long album. Cool concept!
16. Child of Winter (Christmas Song)-This WASN'T scheduled to be part of their 70's holiday album. Instead it was recorded in November of 74 and put out 2 days before Christmas. Bad idea. Luckily for us, it's a good song. There is a bizarre spoken part by Brian in the middle. Really cool.
17. Santa's Got an Airplane-In 1977, the group had material for a second Christmas album. It seems like it was spearheaded more by Alan than Brian. In any case, basically every song was one of their regular songs with new Christmas lyrics. This was Loop De Loop (Flip Flop Flyin' in an Aeroplane). But instead of the Little Saint Nick, now Santa is in a plane!
18. Christmas Time is Here Again-Covers weren't safe either! The Boys had covered Peggy Sue, and so they decided to take the music and use new lyrics. (Picture "pretty, pretty, pretty" as "Christmas, Christmas, Christmas", etc)
19. Winter Symphony-Probably the least Christmas song of all because it's just a general winter song. Brian even said it didn't start out as a Christmas song. I think it's one of their best, but I only listen to it at Christmas myself. You can actually picture "Cuddle(ing) in a cozy nook, with a warm drink and a book".
20. (I Saw Santa) Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree-Sung by Al, this is every bit as cute as I Saw Mommy....Al's two sons, Matt and Adam have little dialogue between each chorus. Apparently the instrumental is from an unfinished Brian song, Hey There Momma.
21. Melekalikimaka-NOT the song by Der Bingle, and apparently, Al did not know such a song existed. This was taken from their earlier song, Kona Coast. This is SO cool-it's about spending Christmas surfing! And while they sing the title, in the background you hear Brian singing "Go to Hawaii!"
22. Bells of Christmas-A very somber song, sung by Mike. This was Belles of Paris previously. Didn't get into this originally, but it's really a pretty tune.
23. Morning Christmas-Another very somber piece. This was Dennis' contribution and it says it was very much in the style of his solo album.
24. Toy Drive Public Announcement-Very muffled sounding, but it's just there for historical significance. It's Little Saint Nick, once again, but lyrics asking people to make toy donations.
25. Dennis Wilson Christmas Message-Another one included for historical significance. A brief public service piece, it begins with Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, and then Dennis comes in asking for donations again for a toy drive.
26. Brian Wilson Christmas Interview-This is from a radio promo copy version of the original album-bits of interviews with Brian that was placed in between each song.
Overall, just a really cool collection every Beach Boys fan should have!
