Classic Rock Musings, Rants & Raves

This is truly shaping up to be the summer of Dennis Wilson and the Beach Boys.

Wilson’s long out-of-print 1977 solo album Pacific Ocean Blue, the first solo album by any Beach Boy, is returning to circulation in commemoration of its 30th anniversary, as well the 25th anniversary of the Beach Boy drummer’s untimely death in 1983. The two-CD Legacy Edition features the original 12-song album along with four unreleased bonus tracks, as well a second disc of 17 tunes from the aborted follow-up album, Bambu.

Meanwhile, the marketing wizards at Capitol Records have issued The Beach Boys: U.S. Singles Collection – The Capitol Years (1962-1965) in a highly-collectible, limited edition boxed set of 16 CDs (it’s also available digitally without the elaborate packaging). Each CD, complete with faithfully reproduced original single artwork, includes the original single’s A and B-sides, plus other versions of most tracks, from additional mono and stereo mixes to live recordings. Eight previously unreleased mixes are among the new collection’s 66 tracks.

While I work out the kinks and immerse myself into the contents of these fine discs, it’s nice to know it’s safe to go back out in the water and frolic in the summer fun of some great Beach Boys music, whilst Dennis Wilson’s highly personal masterpiece pulls at the old heart strings.

Now, if only Mike Love can get a grip and realize he needs Brian Wilson and Al Jardine to really call the band he presently tours with “The Beach Boys,” maybe that perfect set of waves will bring in a reunion well past its due date.

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