Album Review 332: The Beach Boys - Best of the Beach Boys Vol 1

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2 жыл бұрын

In today's video, we chat about the first greatest hits album from the Beach Boys, and their overall 1966! Are you a fan of this release?
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@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 2 жыл бұрын

“You’re So Good to Me” is actually on “Summer Days (and Summer Nights) so they didn’t skip that album. 😃

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Ahhh you are right! Thank you!

@joelgoldenberg1100 2 жыл бұрын

Yup, the "Surfin' Doris Days" quote came from Bruce Johnston in terms of perceptions of the group circa 1969-70. Wonder what Bruce's pal Terry Melcher (Doris's son) thought of that quote.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Good point!

@impalaman9707 2 жыл бұрын

I was always curious about the album cover. The sad irony, to me, is that the boys look like they were in the studio recording Pet Sounds or Smile, but the music on the album is light years behind what is actually going on in those photos. Here they are, recording some of the best music of their careers, and for Capitol records to make it look like they're in there recording "Louie, Louie" was a slap in the face!

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Well said, that's exactly it!

@jonathanruehle3501 Жыл бұрын

This was the album that interdicted me to the Beach Boys my parents had it and played it for me when I was between 1 and 2 years old and I loved it my second time listening I had it playing in my room one day when i was taking a nap on repeat then I got two more Beach Boys CDs shortly after that period and hade mor songs with a few oldies from album one and then I slowly wanted more and when I was in Third grade they where my favorite band as well as the Beatles I was listening to them all the time and new all the hits and the Today and Sommer days Sommer nights and Pet Sounds albums and all the songs from Smil then the next year I had all the albums from the 60s and new every song from them

@TallPaulInKy 8 ай бұрын

Just a comment. A lot of people consider "Best Of" to mean biggest hits or even Greatest Hits. But I consider a collection with a title of Best of simply means best performances. They could be hit singles, album tracks..and yes in the case of Louie Louie a live track. I think it was included because of the success of the Concert album.. a big success. They could have used Long Tall Texan.. but I'd rather have Louie Louie. So on that loose definition. This is a really great album, and charted well.

@retronostalgiafan8635 2 жыл бұрын

Also when you reviewed best the beach boys volume three reviewed both Versions of the album which I thought was really cool

@joelgoldenberg1100 2 жыл бұрын

Regarding the Duophonic designation, that surprises me too as only Kiss Me Baby and You're So Good To Me were not true stereo.

@arthurhenderson2188 2 жыл бұрын

Capitol had earlier issued the Little Deuce Coupe album just 6 weeks after putting out Surfer Girl LP and then later in '66 they released Revolver a mere 8 weeks after Yesterday and Today so I'm not sure it was entirely a vindictive move on their part. Also, other groups like the Animals, the Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits, the Rolling Stones and the Kinks were all having Best of/Greatest hits LPs released at around this time so it was appropriate to issue a Best of the Beach Boys in mid-66 .

@daddybog7189 2 жыл бұрын

Up to that point in their career there would be at least 50 songs better than Louie Louie . California Girls will always be my # 1 song of all time. Hearing that organ intro fill the air at the beginning of the concert will always be a great memory.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

It's an amazing intro!

@chrisfreeman9960 2 жыл бұрын

One thing I like about this album is that they included what I believe is the most beautiful song Brian ever wrote..."The Warmth Of The Sun." It was an overlooked gem that first appeared on "Shut Down, Vol. II." Not one their biggest-selling earlier albums, nor one of their best earlier albums either. (It also had the dreaded "Louie, Louie" on it). It was also released just as Beatlemania was hitting the U.S., which explains why so many teenagers may have been distracted away from it. "The Warmth Of The Sun" was also given a second exposure, when it was the flip side to "Dance, Dance, Dance", a solid hit for the Boys. But it's simply a fact that in those days, many kids simply didn't turn the record over, and play the flip side. So this song was a lost beauty, until it was released by Capital and the "Best Of...", and was heard by millions. A gem in an album meant to distract the public from the more contemplative side of Brian's work.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Such an incredible song!

@chrisfreeman9960 2 жыл бұрын

@@Giggens One more thing, Giggens, if you read my response to yours. The first time I heard "The Warmth Of The Sun" was actually when I was listening to "Best of the Beach Boys, Vol. 1." It was early in my new found enthusiasm for the Boys, and I hadn't yet realized the whole issue of "Best of..." being used to divert the public's attention away from the just-released "Pet Sounds " I was at a friend's home, who had a huge album collection, and who knew I liked the Beach Boys, and so he put the album on. I'd never heard "The Warmth Of The Sun" before, and I was just floored! Although I consider myself a true Beach Boys fan, (not a casual listener, or someone only familiar with their hits...and fine for those who are), I have to admit that I first heard this song on Vol. 1, just like the people who rushed out to buy it when it came out. Again, the suits at Capital may have had a commercial intention, not appreciating what Brian was all about, but they made an overlooked/hidden gem available to so many more fans in the process.

@robertzastrow4648 2 жыл бұрын

This Best Of Collection was just another example of how Capitol Records damaged the Beach Boys career, thinking of them mostly as a money-making machine for the record label. While the group recorded and released albums like Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, Friends and finally 20/20 in 1969, Capitol was still promoting the band as a Surfing music group. From 1966 through at least 1973, the band tried changing and developing its songwriting and music. How did Capitol react to the group leaving the label after 1969? It went back through the group's catalog, putting together another Greatest Hits album, Endless Summer in 1974, further damaging the band's career in terms of developing new music, laying the groundwork for the band to become basically an Oldies act, when performing. There's a photo from 1974 showing some Capitol Execs presenting some band members with Gold Records for Endless Summer. Mike, Carl and Al are smiling. Dennis, holding his Gold Record, is glaring at the camera (knowing what it meant for the group).

@gdawg1585 2 жыл бұрын

After John and Paul listened to Pet Sounds they went back to Abbey Road and recorded the beginning part to Here There And Everywhere and the vocal harmonies in the song the (oooooooo) parts were inspired by Pet Sounds

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

That's true!

@terryowen6432 2 жыл бұрын

Have you done a review of the Endless Harmony soundtrack? Apologies if you have and I've missed it. Some fascinating tracks there, love the alternate take of Help Me Rhonda.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Haven't made a video for that one yet!

@betamaxblocker 2 жыл бұрын

This is such a quirky one! I can't help but think Louie, Louie was included mainly because it was in their live set at the time. And my fan theory is that Catch a Wave was only included to capitalize on the huge success of Jan & Dean's rewrite, Sidewalk Surfin'. The UK version's tracklist could easily pass for a greatest hits package even today.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent points!

@ManzaMediaTV 2 жыл бұрын

Makes me appreciate the copy of this I’ve got, not only because it on the Capitol Starline series which I like a lot, but because of the history. Love your work, Giggens. I want to talk about The Beach Boys with you!!

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

We will make a chat soon, man!

@Vinyl_guy 2 жыл бұрын

payed a whole 6$ for this at my local record store, still has the shrink wrap

@jasonotoole1982 2 жыл бұрын

I’m thinking maybe Capital were saving California girls, I get around, and some of those other hits for Vol 2, which came out the following year.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Very true!

@retronostalgiafan8635 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Giggens! Great video as always man! Also what if you reviewed the uk and us versions of best of The Beach Boys volume 2 in the future?

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah, Im totally going to do those at some point!

@retronostalgiafan8635 2 жыл бұрын

@@Giggens sweet! I’m excited to hear your knowledge on volume 2 of best of beach boys. !

@davidcornejo7957 2 жыл бұрын

I bought this one in the 90s and for some years it was the only Beach Boys album I had. I didn´t know then the whole story of this album, probably knowing what Capitol did to Pet Sounds change the perception of the album, kind of feeling guilty of like this record, I don´t know) , anyway, I still I enjoy this album a lot, it makes me happy and it sounds great ; mine its a mid 60s chilean copy, it seems mono, and says in spanish "una sensacional colección de los mayores éxitos de The Beach Boys", seleccionados y compilados por los propios Beach Boys y dedicados a sus miles de admiradoras" (compiled by the beach boys themselves? really?, I wonder if this is a lie or maybe Mike did something here); also this was the first time I heard Warmth of the sun and it blew my mind, what it´s this music? those harmonies, wow

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

That is awesome! Oh man yeah, Warmth of the Sun is incredible!

@shiftys790 Жыл бұрын

Don't be ragging on "Louie Louie". Capital Records knew what they were doing. "Louie" was part of the Beach Boys 'Live' repertoire. David Marks used to sing lead on it, but when he left the BBs, Mike Love took over the vocal. "Louie Louie" was still a popular garage song in '66. The Troggs recorded it in '66. It was also recorded by of course The Kingsman, Paul Revere & the Raiders, The Sonics, The Ventures, The Standells, Jan & Dean, The Kinks, Don & the Good times, Jack Ely and the Courtmen, Frank Zappa and the Mothers, The Beau Brummels (1966), The Surfaris, The Fabulous Wailers, and 1,432 other bands around that time. The Beach Boys did it great, and it respectfully fits on that album ...... even if it was "filler' ...to save "I Get Around", " Barbara Ann", and "409" for the next BB "Best Of Vol.2" album.

@johnhammond1572 2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately every word in this video is true. At the end you ask did it hurt them?, again unfortunately yes "Pet Sounds" did hurt them. I remember how I felt when I first heard it. I couldn't understand what the music press and the music celebrities was hearing. But after about 3/4 weeks I eventually got it and I'm proud to say I did stay faithful to The Beach Boys, but thousands of BBs fans didn't get it and never bought another BBs record again. As you rightly say the UK version of this album was so different to the US and was a massive success here and stayed in the top 40 for nearly two years. "Pet Sound" made it to no 2 and was kept from the no 1 spot by " The Sound of Music" Soundtrack. Another great video Mr Giggens.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

It's so crazy to think of fans giving up on them because of one album, unreal!

@pauldaniels2019 2 жыл бұрын

Ya, I agree, that they knew that they were going to put out another greatest hits album. I think that's why such great songs like California Girls, Don't Worry Baby, I Get Around, and Help Me Rhonda were held back from Vol 1., so that they could be on Vol. 2. I actually like Vol 2 better. How many times have you seen it that a second greatest hits album by a band aren't nearly as good as the first one? - I think this strategy avoided that. Thanks for the great video.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Very good point man!

@robf6105 Жыл бұрын

Yes, the second volume of a greatest hits usually pales in comparison. The only time this is usually avoided is when a band puts out a volume 1 and 2 simultaneously. Then, there is a more even representation of hits and lesser-known tunes.

@danerd8978 2 жыл бұрын

Well not known at the time but, David Marks was on some of these tracks and the boys played on every one of these songs except Kiss Me, Baby. Kiss Me, Baby I think has Brian playing piano on it and Carl on guitar. Best of The Beach Boys Vol.2 is where some more Wrecking Crew heavy songs come in. Best of The Beach Boys Vol.3 is a hodge podge. It's the left overs.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly!

@cazgerald9471 2 жыл бұрын

The mid-60s were a time of change - "Judas!" -"Highway 61 Revisited" released 1965

@ronfowlermusic 2 жыл бұрын

Can you imagine Columbia putting out Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits 2 months later?

@cazgerald9471 2 жыл бұрын

Great job putting this into perspective

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

I try!

@ChromeDestiny 2 жыл бұрын

At the same point Japan issued some quite good Beach Boys comps with some eye catching cover art to boot. I mostly agree about Louie Louie but I do like Zappa and The Mother's live cover where they used (abused?) the Royal Albert Hall organ and Black Flag's cover from the early 80's too.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

I'll have to look for Black Flag's cover!

@ChromeDestiny 2 жыл бұрын

@@Giggens It's on the compilation The First Four Years.

@chrisrainbow2393 2 жыл бұрын

All i know is here in the UK i swapped my Elton Johns Greatest Hits for this with a girl friend in 1975 and have never regretted it.......she dumped me a week later.....but HEY, i had the Best of the Beach Boys vol 1 and no regrets

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha!

@joelgoldenberg1100 2 жыл бұрын

The out of place track on Best Of Vol. 2 is even more out there than Louie, Louie on this record.

@user-pm8nj3mb6q 9 ай бұрын

Platinum! Pet Sounds reached RIAA Platinum in 2000! It also has 2 BPI platinum disks. The British version of Best of the Beach Boys was not hampered by Louie, Louie. In stead, it had California Girls! OK; so on Vol 2, the American version got California Girls as well. LL, In fact, never got on any of the Best of the Beach Boys albums in Great Britain. Regarding the influence of Best of the Beach Boys 1/2/3 over actually promoting your artist ... I probably should leave that to more diplomatic people.

@berlinka 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe California Girls was a bit too 'sophisticated' for this lighthearted album. I mean the intro alone really sounds Pet Sounds-ish. So probably Capitol thought let's give people a simple party stomper like Louie Louie instead (terrible song, I agree). Thanks for the video!

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Good point!

@jameswatson5370 2 жыл бұрын

Who needs stupid Petsounds when we have BotBB Vol. 1?

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly!

@ronfowlermusic 2 жыл бұрын

Louie Louie? Guess you never heard the Richard Berry original. The Beach Boys combine that arrangement with the Wailers/Raiders version. Very clever. And I never bought the "Pet Sounds" was a flop legend. Smiley Smile was a flop. Friends was a flop. Sunflower was a flop. Great albums that nobody bought.

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah, Pet Sounds is no flop by any stretch, but by how they had been selling at that point, I think Capitol got scared that it wasnt an instant massive hit. Even tho it was a #10 album!

@johnvelchoff1933 2 жыл бұрын

Any "Best of" album is something thrown together by the record label. It's not a "creative" project from the artist. What is there to review except the fact that most of the tracks were already hit singles.

@davidcacopardo8218 2 жыл бұрын

What I want to know is, who on earth was that foolish to choose LL. And to call it one of their *best*? I laughed so hard when you mentioned that because I always *hated* their version. "Three nights (Mike....sooo off key there) and days". Just terrible!!!

@Giggens 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly! Literally any other song would have done!