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Post by andrewhickey on Apr 25, 2023 8:57:46 GMT -5
Yeah. Scott *paid attention*. To everything. The man has an unbelievable ear and an even more unbelievable dedication to getting the details right. One of the best things I've *ever* seen was a talk he gave on the cruise last year, basically explaining the job of a musical director and what he did on a day-to-day basis for a crowd who mostly don't know about this stuff. He was *riveting* even though I knew most of what he was saying, and did things like play us the multitrack recording he made of "Let Him Run Wild" where he sang all the parts so the band members could learn theirs. He talked about how he would OOPS stereo recordings to extract parts, that sort of thing, and you could clearly tell he was absolutely, totally, dedicated to the music and to getting it right. So Scott basically took on the role that used to be Carl's, correct? The role that Carl had early on, yes. I think (though I may be wrong) in the later years there was a backing band member (I can't for the life of me remember which one) who took on the day-to-day MD role, though Carl would still pay more attention than the other principals on stage. Basically the job of a musical director is to lead the band in rehearsals, to come up with arrangements and assign parts, to work with (in this case) Mike to put together the setlist for each show, to listen on stage (and to recordings afterwards) to what the band are doing and make sure it's working and make changes if it isn't, to do things like come up with transitions between songs in a medley, teach new band members their parts... all that kind of stuff. Basically the musical director is in charge of everything the band sing or play on stage, and if the show is musically good or bad, that's on the MD (though the MD doesn't get to make hiring and firing decisions).
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Post by monolithic on Apr 25, 2023 17:26:49 GMT -5
So Scott basically took on the role that used to be Carl's, correct? The role that Carl had early on, yes. I think (though I may be wrong) in the later years there was a backing band member (I can't for the life of me remember which one) who took on the day-to-day MD role, though Carl would still pay more attention than the other principals on stage. Basically the job of a musical director is to lead the band in rehearsals, to come up with arrangements and assign parts, to work with (in this case) Mike to put together the setlist for each show, to listen on stage (and to recordings afterwards) to what the band are doing and make sure it's working and make changes if it isn't, to do things like come up with transitions between songs in a medley, teach new band members their parts... all that kind of stuff. Basically the musical director is in charge of everything the band sing or play on stage, and if the show is musically good or bad, that's on the MD (though the MD doesn't get to make hiring and firing decisions). Was Billy Hinsche the MD for a long period of time? Certainly, I remember he mentioned putting together the setlists with the rule of 3 minutes per song (eg. "It's a 90 minute show, which 30 songs are we going to play?"). I don't know who took over in 1996/7, but maybe Chris Farmer or Mike Meros?
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1gus1
Grommet
Posts: 2
Likes: 6
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Post by 1gus1 on Apr 25, 2023 22:10:32 GMT -5
Chris Farmer took over in 96 / 97
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Post by esqeditor on Apr 26, 2023 0:17:17 GMT -5
When I was working on The Beach Boys Official Good Vibrations Tour Program I ended up interviewing most of the band members about their love of Pet Sounds and "Good Vibrations." I think we were in Knoxville, TN, and Scott was telling me about the first time he heard Pet Sounds and the impact it had on him. As he told me that he had to sit on the floor to listen to it during his initial discovery, he actually sat on the floor to illustrate the relevance the album had to him.
I'm glad we had Scott for 23 years. He cared.
As for John Cowsill … I'll miss that steady Dennis Wilson-like downbeat that he provided … he looked a bit more like Animal from the Muppets with his hair (lol) but he gave Mike's touring ensemble the bedrock it needed.
Thank you, Scott and John. For everything. We have a lot to be grateful for.
A lot of fans don't go to Mike and Bruce's shows, but they really should … they're fun! As far as I'm concerned the world needs a bit of fun. It's an honest-to-goodness distraction that celebrates The Beach Boys. Brian Eichenberger is a stellar vocalist, and if he's been handed the keys to be the music director, I know the shows won't disappoint. My gut tells me we're in for a few more cool surprises with the new touring unit.
The main thing is Mike is 82 and kickin' ass! I mean, when I get to 82 I might be sittin' on my ass, but thats about it.
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Post by rschwertley on Apr 26, 2023 12:23:39 GMT -5
My gut tells me we're in for a few more cool surprises with the new touring unit. I suspect you are correct!
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Post by Sam_BFC on Apr 26, 2023 12:56:14 GMT -5
Sounds like a teaser.
Mikie will be asking rschwertley to introduce himself no doubt...what do(es) they(/he/she) know?
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Post by Mikie on Apr 26, 2023 14:02:03 GMT -5
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nater
Kahuna
Posts: 188
Likes: 352
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Post by nater on Apr 28, 2023 9:21:58 GMT -5
I can recall that there have once again been some rumours spreading around the community that Mike has a fourth BMG solo album on the way.
Cowsill and particularly Totten were EXTREMELY involved in the last three ML albums.
Do you guys think this current predicament would have any of effect on that in any way?
If he does release new music, do you think it'll have JC drumming/singing and Totten arranging/production/playing?
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Post by #JusticeForDonGoldberg on Apr 28, 2023 10:22:56 GMT -5
I can recall that there have once again been some rumours spreading around the community that Mike has a fourth BMG solo album on the way. it’s not exactly a rumor, it’s what people have been told they’ll be getting with their ticket purchases. The album has the title “Mike Love Not War”, but the question is is this just an official release of the 2000s era album that floats around the Internet or is this something totally new? “A digital download of Mike Love's Mike Love Not War is included with every ticket for this show. You will receive an email with more details about this offer approximately 7 days after your ticket purchase. US/Canadian residents only. Offer not valid on resale tickets.”
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Post by andrewhickey on Apr 28, 2023 10:45:48 GMT -5
I can recall that there have once again been some rumours spreading around the community that Mike has a fourth BMG solo album on the way. it’s not exactly a rumor, it’s what people have been told they’ll be getting with their ticket purchases. The album has the title “Mike Love Not War”, but the question is is this just an official release of the 2000s era album that floats around the Internet or is this something totally new? “A digital download of Mike Love's Mike Love Not War is included with every ticket for this show. You will receive an email with more details about this offer approximately 7 days after your ticket purchase. US/Canadian residents only. Offer not valid on resale tickets.” Seems very unlikely that it would be the 2000s recording, as a big chunk of that was repurposed as Unleash The Love. And if the album has already been recorded I would be astonished if Scott and John were *not* on at least some tracks.
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Post by #JusticeForDonGoldberg on Apr 28, 2023 11:08:34 GMT -5
it’s not exactly a rumor, it’s what people have been told they’ll be getting with their ticket purchases. The album has the title “Mike Love Not War”, but the question is is this just an official release of the 2000s era album that floats around the Internet or is this something totally new? “A digital download of Mike Love's Mike Love Not War is included with every ticket for this show. You will receive an email with more details about this offer approximately 7 days after your ticket purchase. US/Canadian residents only. Offer not valid on resale tickets.” Seems very unlikely that it would be the 2000s recording, as a big chunk of that was repurposed as Unleash The Love. And if the album has already been recorded I would be astonished if Scott and John were *not* on at least some tracks. Agree, but also much weirder things have happened.
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Post by lonelysummer on Apr 28, 2023 20:26:37 GMT -5
A new album will partially make up for not being able to see the group this year. Unless I want to drive 400 miles to Walla Walla, WA.
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Post by lastofmykind on Apr 29, 2023 18:48:35 GMT -5
I have it on very very good authority the new lead guitarist of The Beach Boys will be John Wedemeyer, previously a guitarist for the Righteous Brothers and Zepplin USA.
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nater
Kahuna
Posts: 188
Likes: 352
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Post by nater on Apr 29, 2023 19:33:24 GMT -5
Interesting news regarding the probable new guitarist! I expect he'll be great, because Bill Medley is a great producer/bandleader so I know anyone playing with him is of a high caliber. I haven't had the fortune of seeing The RB in concert yet, but the clips I've seen online and the re-record album they released recently are great.
Also I recall someone saying that when they talked to Scott and John on the cruise it seemed like they had no intentions of leaving the group. The Righteous Brothers were on the cruise. Coincidence or not?
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Post by andrewhickey on Apr 29, 2023 21:29:45 GMT -5
Interesting news regarding the probable new guitarist! I expect he'll be great, because Bill Medley is a great producer/bandleader so I know anyone playing with him is of a high caliber. I haven't had the fortune of seeing The RB in concert yet, but the clips I've seen online and the re-record album they released recently are great.
Also I recall someone saying that when they talked to Scott and John on the cruise it seemed like they had no intentions of leaving the group. The Righteous Brothers were on the cruise. Coincidence or not?
Yeah, that was me -- although to be clear, I didn't *ask* them if they were leaving the group and they didn't say "I definitely plan still to be doing this in two months time" or anything like that, and I didn't have any massively in-depth chats with them (this time -- last year I had a very long conversation with John). But I got the general impression that at that point they were not thinking of going anywhere (Cowsill was a bit disgruntled, but that seemed to be more about doing the cruise than about the band). But it would be far from the first time I'd misread a situation. As for Wedermeyer -- the Righteous Brothers' band was a little too Vegas for my personal tastes (though to be clear they put on a great show) but the guitarist (I assume Wedermeyer though I don't remember for sure) was very good, as were all the musicians. Oddly though I don't remember him singing at all, and googling Wedermeyer doesn't seem to throw up any videos of him doing any vocals. Given how important Scott was to the vocal blend, that seems an odd choice. Maybe he's a very good singer who just hasn't had the opportunity to show what he can do, or maybe he's just filling in until a permanent replacement can be found?
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Post by lonelysummer on Apr 29, 2023 21:40:01 GMT -5
Interesting news regarding the probable new guitarist! I expect he'll be great, because Bill Medley is a great producer/bandleader so I know anyone playing with him is of a high caliber. I haven't had the fortune of seeing The RB in concert yet, but the clips I've seen online and the re-record album they released recently are great.
Also I recall someone saying that when they talked to Scott and John on the cruise it seemed like they had no intentions of leaving the group. The Righteous Brothers were on the cruise. Coincidence or not?
Yeah, that was me -- although to be clear, I didn't *ask* them if they were leaving the group and they didn't say "I definitely plan still to be doing this in two months time" or anything like that, and I didn't have any massively in-depth chats with them (this time -- last year I had a very long conversation with John). But I got the general impression that at that point they were not thinking of going anywhere (Cowsill was a bit disgruntled, but that seemed to be more about doing the cruise than about the band). But it would be far from the first time I'd misread a situation. As for Wedermeyer -- the Righteous Brothers' band was a little too Vegas for my personal tastes (though to be clear they put on a great show) but the guitarist (I assume Wedermeyer though I don't remember for sure) was very good, as were all the musicians. Oddly though I don't remember him singing at all, and googling Wedermeyer doesn't seem to throw up any videos of him doing any vocals. Given how important Scott was to the vocal blend, that seems an odd choice. Maybe he's a very good singer who just hasn't had the opportunity to show what he can do, or maybe he's just filling in until a permanent replacement can be found? Wait a minute...what year is this? I thought Bobby Hatfield died back in 2004?
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Post by monolithic on Apr 29, 2023 23:45:54 GMT -5
Yeah, that was me -- although to be clear, I didn't *ask* them if they were leaving the group and they didn't say "I definitely plan still to be doing this in two months time" or anything like that, and I didn't have any massively in-depth chats with them (this time -- last year I had a very long conversation with John). But I got the general impression that at that point they were not thinking of going anywhere (Cowsill was a bit disgruntled, but that seemed to be more about doing the cruise than about the band). But it would be far from the first time I'd misread a situation. As for Wedermeyer -- the Righteous Brothers' band was a little too Vegas for my personal tastes (though to be clear they put on a great show) but the guitarist (I assume Wedermeyer though I don't remember for sure) was very good, as were all the musicians. Oddly though I don't remember him singing at all, and googling Wedermeyer doesn't seem to throw up any videos of him doing any vocals. Given how important Scott was to the vocal blend, that seems an odd choice. Maybe he's a very good singer who just hasn't had the opportunity to show what he can do, or maybe he's just filling in until a permanent replacement can be found? Wait a minute...what year is this? I thought Bobby Hatfield died back in 2004? Bands from the 1960s are not going to let a little thing like death stop them from going on tour!
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Post by andrewhickey on Apr 30, 2023 6:15:21 GMT -5
Yeah, that was me -- although to be clear, I didn't *ask* them if they were leaving the group and they didn't say "I definitely plan still to be doing this in two months time" or anything like that, and I didn't have any massively in-depth chats with them (this time -- last year I had a very long conversation with John). But I got the general impression that at that point they were not thinking of going anywhere (Cowsill was a bit disgruntled, but that seemed to be more about doing the cruise than about the band). But it would be far from the first time I'd misread a situation. As for Wedermeyer -- the Righteous Brothers' band was a little too Vegas for my personal tastes (though to be clear they put on a great show) but the guitarist (I assume Wedermeyer though I don't remember for sure) was very good, as were all the musicians. Oddly though I don't remember him singing at all, and googling Wedermeyer doesn't seem to throw up any videos of him doing any vocals. Given how important Scott was to the vocal blend, that seems an odd choice. Maybe he's a very good singer who just hasn't had the opportunity to show what he can do, or maybe he's just filling in until a permanent replacement can be found? Wait a minute...what year is this? I thought Bobby Hatfield died back in 2004? He did. Bill Medley now tours as "the Righteous Brothers" with another singer, Bucky Heard, and that 50%-Righteous-Brothers group were on the Beach Boys Cruise last month with the 20%-or-33%-depending-on-how-you-count-Bruce Beach Boys and the 20% Temptations (and the 100% Jimmy Webb, luckily for him all things considered).
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Post by Micha on Apr 30, 2023 9:47:06 GMT -5
A new album will partially make up for not being able to see the group this year. Unless I want to drive 400 miles to Walla Walla, WA. While "Walla Walla, WA" sounds quite Australian to me, "Wedemeyer" and "Eichenberger" sounds like they're trying to establish the Bavarian Beach Boys.
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Post by #JusticeForDonGoldberg on Apr 30, 2023 10:40:43 GMT -5
I know this has a chance in hell of ever happening, but it would be cool if the new album was some sort of compilation of Mike’s 70s and 80s unreleased stuff… First Love has some great recordings that have been ignored for over 40 years.
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Post by Chuck's rewind on Apr 30, 2023 13:46:15 GMT -5
I know this has a chance in hell of ever happening, but it would be cool if the new album was some sort of compilation of Mike’s 70s and 80s unreleased stuff… First Love has some great recordings that have been ignored for over 40 years. Agreed !
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Post by #JusticeForDonGoldberg on May 9, 2023 7:32:31 GMT -5
First video of new lineup…
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nater
Kahuna
Posts: 188
Likes: 352
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Post by nater on May 9, 2023 15:23:39 GMT -5
I'm pleasantly surprised by how integrated and great the band is sounding with these new members!
That drummer, Bolton, plays with a lot of energy!
I'm happy that The BBs are 'still cruisin after all of these years' with the new additions!
I think the energy and overall sound in that video is quite promising. Of course, as diehard fans we will miss ST & JC forever. They're insanely talented dudes. But to me, it looks like the band is in good hands under Ike's direction, and these new members sound excellent.
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Post by andrewhickey on May 9, 2023 15:55:48 GMT -5
Hard to tell if the new drummer is any good because the sound mix is so dominated by the hand percussion Mike and Randy are playing in most of the clips, though he can at least keep time which puts him ahead of Kowalski. The harmonies sound off to me -- all muddy middle and nothing at the top -- but that again might be the mix. Scott's voice is *definitely* missed though. Very difficult to tell from such a short video, and I was always going to miss Scott and John no matter what, but... it seems to be lacking a bit of character. Scott and John were so *expressive* on stage, and that's not something I'm getting from this. I'll give them a fair shot when I next have an opportunity to see them, and they're clearly at least competent from the clips, but my gut is telling me the band has lost something
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Post by andrewhickey on May 18, 2023 8:41:02 GMT -5
Somebody posted this video of nearly an hour of a show with the new lineup. It's... not good. I mean, it's only from the first few days of the new people settling in, so *maybe* it'll get better, but it just sounds *bad* a lot of the time. Stiff and awkward drumming -- not Kowalski-bad but not good either -- and dodgy harmonies. Everyone has a bad gig now and then, and a mobile-phone capture of a gig is not going to be the best representation, but... I mean, it's not as embarrassingly bad as the shows from the late nineties or early 00s, but it's not good either.
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