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Post by karmafrog on Mar 23, 2024 7:13:48 GMT -5
PET SQUARES: A GEEK'S GUIDE TO THE BEACH BOYS Episode #20 is now up: Part 2 of our 7-part closeup on the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson's classic PET SOUNDS album. PET SQUARES #20 "Pet Sounds Part 2: Actions & Reactions" focuses on the timeline of events surrounding the release of PET SOUNDS, deep diving into the Beach Boys' reactions, the mysterious release of a Brian Wilson solo single, evidence that Capitol Records sabotaged the album, Al's goat vendetta, and the undertold story of how Bruce Johnston started an avalanche of success for the album and the Beach Boys in England. PET SQUARES #21 "Pet Sounds Part 3: Why It's Special" will be coming soon and focus on the musical innovations and influences of the album. Enjoy this series of episodes and as always, thanks to the patrons and donors to the show and subscribers to the channel. Also (nothing to do with the Beach Boys but hey), my other series, the adventure/travel show ADAM WALKS AROUND will be returning for a new season in May. |
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Post by AGD on Mar 23, 2024 10:03:35 GMT -5
Just watched this, and it's superb. You need to see this, and part #1, and parts #3-#7. One mild correction: Pet Sounds was certified gold in the US February 2000, and platinum two months later... and that was when they discovered that it had in fact sold enough to go gold by summer 1967. Had Capitol asked for an audit. |
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Post by karmafrog on Mar 23, 2024 13:17:16 GMT -5
Just watched this, and it's superb. You need to see this, and part #1, and parts #3-#7. One mild correction: Pet Sounds was certified gold in the US February 2000, and platinum two months later... and that was when they discovered that it had in fact sold enough to go gold by summer 1967. Had Capitol asked for an audit. Yep, I messed that up, a couple of other little things too. Errors, no matter how small, pain me. But one thing that came up in the comments that's important and I honestly didn't know the answer, and I should know. It was this: "I thought that in 1964 or even earlier the BBs made a deal with Capitol that they would produce (and pay for) their own recordings. Is that wrong? Why did Capitol have to pay for the album under this agreement?"Is this in fact the case? It wouldn't surprise me if this was the case, in fact it would explain a few things, but it would alter my take on things somewhat. I'd really like to know the details here. I'm sure someone can enlighten me, and I'd like to know, because there's a lot about what transpires after PET SOUNDS is released that I'm scratching my head over. Who was paying the bills (and how they were being recouped) is important for me to understand. |
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Post by AGD on Mar 23, 2024 13:52:07 GMT -5
I've always understood that part of the deal with Capitol was that they funded the sessions, and that this was SOP in the industry back then, the costs being deducted from the sales. Certainly on the AFM contracts the employer is, until late 1967, listed as Capitol and not, say, The Beach Boys.
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Post by karmafrog on Mar 23, 2024 14:01:24 GMT -5
I've always understood that part of the deal with Capitol was that they funded the sessions, and that this was SOP in the industry back then, the costs being deducted from the sales. Certainly on the AFM contracts the employer is, until late 1967, listed as Capitol and not, say, The Beach Boys. Yeah, and that's how it still was in my era too, so I assumed that's how it was for them. But Brian's production arrangement was unique, so if he had some kind of weird funding structure in place it would explain how he got away with the extravagant sessions for PET SOUNDS and SMILE. But I admit I know nothing about this at all (other than the lawsuit over the breakage clause in '67). I just assumed it was the usual recoupable deal you refer to. |
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Post by AGD on Mar 23, 2024 14:08:41 GMT -5
I've always understood that part of the deal with Capitol was that they funded the sessions, and that this was SOP in the industry back then, the costs being deducted from the sales. Certainly on the AFM contracts the employer is, until late 1967, listed as Capitol and not, say, The Beach Boys. Yeah, and that's how it still was in my era too, so I assumed that's how it was for them. But Brian's production arrangement was unique, so if he had some kind of weird funding structure in place it would explain how he got away with the extravagant sessions for PET SOUNDS and SMILE. But I admit I know nothing about this at all (other than the lawsuit over the breakage clause in '67). I just assumed it was the usual recoupable deal you refer to. Or maybe, he'd gotten serious brownie points for delivering a truckload of hits for Capitol 1962-65? |
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Post by karmafrog on Mar 23, 2024 14:46:49 GMT -5
Yeah, and that's how it still was in my era too, so I assumed that's how it was for them. But Brian's production arrangement was unique, so if he had some kind of weird funding structure in place it would explain how he got away with the extravagant sessions for PET SOUNDS and SMILE. But I admit I know nothing about this at all (other than the lawsuit over the breakage clause in '67). I just assumed it was the usual recoupable deal you refer to. Or maybe, he'd gotten serious brownie points for delivering a truckload of hits for Capitol 1962-65? Well for certain yeah, but...I can't get my mind around the supposed fact that Brian spent $70,000 of Capitol's money on PET SOUNDS and then Capitol (if Carl is to be believed) was ready to scrap it when they heard it. If it wasn't their money, that would make a lot more sense/be more believable to me. |
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Post by AGD on Mar 23, 2024 15:40:41 GMT -5
I'd have to question the figure of $70,000. For one thing, the sole source seems to be Steve Gaines. It's commonly stated that "Good Vibrations" cost about $50,000 (although Brian as also said it was half that) for 17 sessions, or just under £3000 per session. There were 32 sessions for Pet Sounds, which comes out at just over $2000 each. Even allowing for such variables as length and number of musicians, that's a considerable disparity.
As for the Carl quote... eeehhh...
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Post by karmafrog on Mar 24, 2024 0:25:46 GMT -5
I'd have to question the figure of $70,000. For one thing, the sole source seems to be Steve Gaines. It's commonly stated that "Good Vibrations" cost about $50,000 (although Brian as also said it was half that) for 17 sessions, or just under £3000 per session. There were 32 sessions for Pet Sounds, which comes out at just over $2000 each. Even allowing for such variables as length and number of musicians, that's a considerable disparity.
As for the Carl quote... eeehhh...
Yeah, that's a good point. I probably should have sourced that better. But it certainly must have run into some change with the number of musicians at the sessions and Brian's la-de-da attitude about overtime. |
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Post by jk on Mar 27, 2024 5:28:51 GMT -5
Another fascinating and insightful episode. I'd say this mini-series is essential watching for every Beach Boys fan and indeed for anyone with an interest in the development of popular music in the 20th century.
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