Jeffrey Foskett (1956–2023)
A man for all seasons, and a key figure among the musicians who brought Brian Wilson back from, well, the wasteland.
California fail
As the Mike Love–John McLaughlin–Charles Lloyd version ran through my head yesterday, I realized that I’ve always misunderstood “California Girls.”
Dream chords
I was showing my friend Rob Zseleczky a beautiful set of chord changes: the chorus of “California Girls.” It’s a simple pattern up and down the neck of the guitar. I like the first chord for each vocal line as a major seventh. It’s not that way in the original. I don’t care.
Los Beach Boys
Los Lobos cover “Sail On, Sailor” — and other songs from Los Angeles.
“God Only Knows”
The BBC Radio 4 show Soul Music now has an episode devoted to Brian Wilson and Tony Asher’s “God Only Knows.” There will be tears.
Paul Williams (1948–2013)
He founded Crawdaddy!, the first magazine of rock music criticism, and wrote frequently about the music of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys.
Paul Tanner (1917–2013)
He played on “Good Vibrations.”
The Beach Boys in Newsweek
A member of Brian Wilson’s band speaks.
More on “Kokomo”
Arkhonia dislikes it.
A musical analogy
“Kokomo” : The Beach Boys :: “What a Wonderful World” : Louis Armstrong.
Beach Boys reunion dream
During an instrumental break, Mike leaned close to Brian to say “This doesn’t work anymore.” Brian nodded. It all took place in a dream.
Arkhonia on the Beach Boys
Arkhonia cares about the Beach Boys’ musical legacy and writes about that legacy at length.
Brian Wilsons
Two takes on a Beach Boys reunion.
Beach Boys in the NYT crossword
Five song titles divided among nine clues.
A cappella Beach Boys covers
Robert Gotshall covers “Our Prayer,” “Gee,” and “Heroes and Villains.” Thirty-three voices, and just about perfect.
ALJARDINE
New York Times crossword error.
The Smile Sessions, forthcoming
To be released this year.
Pet Sounds cover, reimagined
Art by Andrew Kolb, from 33.3 Art Show of redesigned album covers
"California Gurls," "California Girls"
Brian Wilson comments on Katy Perry's song, and ten things to listen for in the Beach Boys song
No Beach Boys reunion
Mike Love takes it back
Brian Wilson, getting through high school
The music that got him through high school
The Beach Boys’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, 1988
One of Mike Love's more embarrassing moments
Easy-listening "Heroes and Villains"
Like it says.
Peculiar Beach Boys songs
A list
Early Beach Boys Hit Song Topics
In a Venn diagram
"Auld Lang Syne"
The Beach Boys, channeling the Four Freshmen
Three records
Beach Boys, Miles Davis, Glenn Gould