John Cale: Baker's Dozen for The Quietus

John Cale picked his favourite 13 tracks for The Quietus for their Baker's Dozen series. He started off with long time favourites The Beach Boys, with the superb I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times from their Pet Sounds album:

It’s no secret, my admiration for all things Brian Wilson. Of course I wrote Mr Wilson as an ode to him, not so much his famous band. Pet Sounds is arguably their most disparate suite of songs – masterful in the orchestrations, lyrically introspective. [It was] the point of knowing I was right all along when I thought Brian was the dark horse genius decipherable to anyone listening beyond the pretty stuff. This demonstrated that pop doesn’t always come from a happy place. Case in point here!

Steven Wilson & Tim Bowness: The Album Years 1968 Part #1

English musicians and music geeks extraordinaire Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness have posted a new episode of their podcast The Album Years. They talk about 1968, discussing albums by Jimi Hendrix, The Zombies, The Small Faces, The Beach Boys, and a whole lot more. This is part #1 about this year. Also: the pair can be watched on YouTube now as well.

Steven Wilson & Tim Bowness: The Album Years 1977 Part #3A

English musicians and music geeks extraordinaire Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness have posted a new episode of their podcast The Album Years. They talk about 1977, discussing albums by The Beach Boys, Roy Harper, Randy Newman, and a whole lot more. This is part #3A of what will be 8 episodes about this year.

Cover Me: I Can Hear Music

Watch The Beach Boys promo video for their version of I Can Hear Music. Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector the single was not a success for The Ronettes in 1969. Nowadays lots of people think it is a Beach Boys original. It can be found on their 20/20 album and countless "best of" albums.

» thebeachboys.com

Brian Wilson: "Pet Sounds" 50th anniversary tour

Brian Wilson has announced a massive world tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Beach Boys classic album Pet Sounds. Mainland Europe gets screwed, save for an appearance at the Primavera Festival in Barcelona on June 1st.

Ticket pre-sale starts January 27, official on-sale is January 29.

Live dates:

• 03/26 Auckland, New Zealand @ The Civic
• 03/27 Byron Bay, Australia @ Bluesfest
• 03/28 Byron Bay, Australia @ Bluesfest
• 03/29 Sydney, Australia @ Sydney Opera House
• 03/31 Sydney, Australia @ Sydney Opera House
• 04/03 St Kilda, Australia @ Palais Theatre
• 04/05 Hindmarsh, Australia @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre
• 04/07 Perth Australia @ Riverside Theatre
• 04/12 Tokyo, Japan @ Tokyo International Forum
• 04/13 Tokyo, Japan @ Tokyo International Forum
• 04/15 Osaka, Japan @ Orin Theatre
• 04/30 Austin, TX @ Carson Creek Ranch
• 05/15 Bristol, England @ Colston Hall
• 05/17 Birmingham, England @ Symphony Hall
• 05/18 Cardiff, Wales @ St David's Hall
• 05/20 London, England @ Palladium
• 05/21 London, England @ Palladium
• 05/24 Manchester, England @ O2 Apollo
• 05/26 Edinburgh, Scotland Usher Hall
• 05/27 Glasgow, Scotland @ Royal Concert Hall
• 05/29 Gateshead, England @ Sage
• 05/31 Liverpool, England @ Philharmonic Hall
• 06/01 Nottingham, England @ Royal Concert Hall
• 06/01 Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Festival
• 06/14 Burlington, VT @ Flynn Main Stage
• 06/15 Portland, ME @ Merrill Auditorium
• 06/17 Boston, MA @ Symphony Hall *
• 06/18 Boston, MA @ Symphony Hall *
• 06/19 Lenox, MA @ Tanglewood Koussevitzky Music Shed
• 07/01 Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Casino
• 07/09 Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
• 07/15 Elizabeth, IN @ Horseshoe Casino
• 07/17 Council Bluffs, IA @ Horseshoe Casino
• 07/20 Kansas City, MO @ Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• 07/21 St Charles, MO @ Family Arena
• 07/22 Tunica, MS @ Horseshoe Casino
• 07/23 Bossier City, LA @ Horseshoe Casino #
• 09/13 St Petersburg, FL @ Mahaffey Theatre
• 09/14 Hollywood, FL @ Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
• 09/17 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
• 09/19 Charlotte, NC @ Blumenthal PAC
• 09/20 Washington, DC @ The Music Center at Strathmore
• 09/21 Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre
• 09/23 Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theater
• 09/25 Easton, PA @ State Theatre
• 09/27 Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Presents at Oakdale
• 09/28 Buffalo, NY @ University of Buffalo Center for the Arts
• 09/30 Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
• 10/02 Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
• 10/04 Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
• 10/07 Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
• 10/08 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
• 10/10 Arcata, CA @ Van Duzer Theatre at Humboldt State University
• 10/13 San Francisco, CA @ Masonic
• 10/14 Bijou, CA @ Harrah's Casino

* with Boston Pops Orchestra
# with Blondie Chaplin

» brianwilson.com

Al Jardine: the Guitar World interview

Beach Boys singer and guitarist Al Jardine on recording with Brian Wilson in an interview with Guitar World:

He was hearing the pattern, the melodies. He knew what he wanted, and that was great. It’s wonderful to have that energy, to have someone in charge. Otherwise, it would be a train wreck. Later on I played bass on a couple of the albums, so it gave Brian the opportunity to be behind the window in the control room. It must’ve been wonderful for him; otherwise he’d have to go back and forth between the studio and the control room. He usually had a little chart made up for us each day. I was impressed with his ability to impart that to the rest of us, even though we didn’t have musical training. Brian and I took music classes, but I think he dropped out, and I got an F.

Jardine joins Brian Wilson on the No Pier Pressure tour.

USA dates:

• 06/18 The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
• 06/19 Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay, San Diego, CA
• 06/20 The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
• 06/23 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX
• 06/24 Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie, Dallas, TX
• 06/26 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
• 06/27 Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater, Nashville, TN
• 06/29 The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA
• 06/30 Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, NY
• 07/01 PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
• 07/02 Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, Boston, MA
• 07/04 Sony Center, Toronto, ONT
• 07/05 Fox Theatre, Detroit, MI
• 07/06 Ravinia Festival, Chicago, IL
• 07/08 1STBANK Center, Denver, CO
• 07/10 Chelsea Theater at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, NV
• 07/12 Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA

UK dates:

• 09/18 Echo Arena, Liverpool
• 09/19 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
• 09/20 O2 Arena, London
• 09/22 BCA, Birmingham
• 09/23 Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
• 09/25 First Direct Arena, Leeds
• 09/26 Arena, Manchester
• 09/27 Hydro, Glasgow

» aljardine.com

The Beach Boys: London show 09/28

UnCut reports that The Beach Boys will perform in London on September 28th:

The Beach Boys have announced a one-off UK show for later this year.

The band, who announced that they had reformed to celebrate their 50th anniversary last December, will play London's Wembley Arena on September 28. It is part of a full European tour.

» thebeachboys.com

The Beach Boys: 50th Anniversary tour dates

The Beach Boys celebrate their 50th Anniversary with a massive USA tour and a handful of dates in Europe.

USA tour dates:

• 04/24 Tucson, AZ @ Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
• 04/26 Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre
• 04/27 New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
• 04/28 Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheater
• 04/29 Raleigh, NC @ Raleigh Amphitheater
• 05/02 St Augustine, FL @ St. Augustine Amphitheater
• 05/04 Hollywood, FL @ Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
• 05/05 Tampa, FL @ Stratz Center For The Performing Arts
• 05/08 New York, NY @ Beacon Theater
• 05/09 New York, NY @ Beacon Theater
• 05/11 Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Hall
• 05/12 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
• 05/13 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
• 05/15 White Plains, NY @ Westchester County Center
• 05/17 Bethlehem PA @ Sands Bethlehem Events Center
• 05/19 Atlantic City, NJ @ The Borgata Hotel Casino
• 05/21 Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
• 05/27 Las Vegas, NV @ Red Rock Casino
• 06/01 Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre
• 06/02 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
• 06/08 The Woodlands, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
• 06/10 Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
• 06/13 Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
• 06/15 Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
• 06/16 Camden, NJ @ Susquahanna Bank Center
• 06/17 Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
• 06/19 Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheatre
• 06/20 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
• 06/22 Bangor, ME @ Waterfront Park
• 06/23 Saratoga Springs, NY vSaratoga Performing Arts Center
• 06/26 Boston, MA @ Bank Of America Pavilion
• 06/29 Darien Lakes, NY @ Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center
• 06/30 Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
• 07/01 Milwaukee, WI @ Marcus Amphitheater
• 07/03 Virginia Beach, VA @ Farm Bureau Live At Virginia Beach
• 07/10 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• 07/13 Woodinville, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
• 07/14 Eugene, OR @ Cuthbert Amphitheater
• 07/15 Stateline, NV @ Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Amphitheater

European tour dates:

• 07/26 Rome, Italy @ Capannelle
• 07/27 Milan, Italy @ Civic Arena
• 07/29 Gothenburg, Sweden @ Tradgaardsforeningen
• 07/31 Oslo, Norway @ Spektrum
• 08/01 Aarhus, Denmark @ Amfiscenen
• 08/03 Berlin, Germany @ 02 Arena
• 08/04 Stuttgart, Germany @ Schleyerhalle
• 08/05 Monchengladbach, Germany @ Hockey Park
• 08/07 Lokeren, Belgium @ Lokerse Festival

» thebeachboys.com

The Beach Boys: 50th Anniversary Reunion, New Album and Tour

The Beach Boys will hit the road celebrating their 50th anniversary. Their back catalog get another outing and there will be a new album, too.

Start saving - tickets prize will skyrocket.

Hollywood, California – December 16, 2011 – The founding members of The Beach Boys, one of the world's most legendary bands in popular music history, will reunite for a global 50th Anniversary CELEBRATION in 2012. Beach Boys Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks will come together for a new studio album and commemorative catalog releases with Capitol/EMI and a 50-date international tour to begin in April with a headlining performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ("Jazz Fest") as well as other exciting events to be announced.

Brian Wilson says, "This anniversary is special to me because I miss the boys and it will be a thrill for me to make a new record and be on stage with them again."

Mike Love says, "We got together at Capitol Records and re-recorded 'Do It Again.' Brian and I wrote that song which went to number 1 in Great Britain, Australia and elsewhere some 44 years ago. Brian paid me a compliment saying, 'How can a guy sound that great so many years later?' Later on, while working out some harmonies on a new song Brian had written, I got a chance to return the compliment. It was a thrill to be around a piano again with Brian, Alan and Bruce and experience firsthand the brilliance of Cousin Brian's gift for vocal arrangements. I am very much looking forward to David Marks joining us and thrilling with his surf guitar licks. Music has been the unifying and harmonizing fact of life in our family since childhood. It has been a huge blessing that we have been able to share with the world. Wouldn't It Be Nice to Do It Again? Absolutely!"

Al Jardine says, "The Beach Boys were recently inducted into the California Hall of Fame. From our humble beginnings as brothers, cousins and friends, we have been honored to sing the praises of California, and I'm really excited for our fans to be able to see us again in concert on the world stage, and to celebrate our 50th anniversary together with a new studio album."

Bruce Johnston says, "I will be looking forward to singing Brian Wilson's melodies and Mike Love's lyrics once again in concert with many of the original band members, but imagine what we all could come up with vocally in a recording studio atmosphere under Brian's musical direction."

David Marks says, "I'm really looking forward to celebrating this important milestone in The Beach Boys' history with the other guys, and with Capitol Records - where it all began 50 years ago. It means a lot to me that we can all reunite and pay tribute to the fans who have kept the music alive."

The Beach Boys have already recorded several songs for their new album, to be released in 2012 by Capitol/EMI, with more tracks to be recorded before its completion. The as-yet-untitled album, the first to feature all of the band's surviving original members in decades, is being produced by Brian Wilson and executive produced by Mike Love.

The Beach Boys and Capitol/EMI have also teamed up for a 50th Anniversary campaign spotlighting the band's entire catalog, with several new commemorative releases planned for 2012, including a new hits collection and a career-spanning box set.

Roger Faxon, CEO of EMI Group commented: "It's no exaggeration to say that The Beach Boys are one of the greatest and most loved bands that the world has ever produced, and true American icons. We are incredibly proud to take this next step with them as our partnership enters its fiftieth year, and I can't wait to see the band back together doing what they do better than anyone else."

Colin Finkelstein, COO of EMI Music North America said: "We're honored to continue Capitol/EMI's historic partnership with The Beach Boys as they celebrate their fiftieth anniversary. The Beach Boys bring the best of California's sun and surf culture to people all over the world with their music, and we're really looking forward to working with the band on the new album and commemorative catalog releases - a real CELEBRATION of fifty years!"

Quint Davis, producer/director, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival says, "It's an honor to present the original Beach Boys reunion at Jazz Fest 2012. Hosting the greatest artists of our era has always been the primary mission of Jazz Fest, and certainly The Beach Boys are unsurpassed as an iconic American musical and cultural institution. Every spring Jazz Fest is the number-one destination for good vibrations and fun, fun, fun; on April 27th, when The Beach Boys reunite on our biggest stage, it's going to feel like a thrilling homecoming for everyone lucky enough to be there. We're all looking forward to experiencing the magic and the joy."

Video: The Beach Boys: 50th Anniversary Reunion, New Album and Tour

» thebeachboys.com

The Beach Boys: "The SMiLE Sessions" box set 11/01

The Beach Boys album The SMiLE Sessions comes in a big box set on November 1st (October 31 in the UK): the main SMiLE album tracks, plus four CDs of additional audio from the legendary sessions, a double vinyl LP set, and two 7' vinyl singles. The 60-page hardbound book that is part of the deal has rare and previously unseen photos and memorabilia from The Beach Boys' archive and newly-written essays by Beach Boys Al Jardine, Mike Love, Brian Wilson, and Bruce Johnston, as well as by Beach Boys historian and author Domenic Priore and many other inner-circle participants. Finally challenged fans can opt for The SMiLE Sessions' 2CD lift-top box, double vinyl LP, digital album, and iTunes LP.

Video: The Beach Boys "SMiLE" Animated Unboxing

» thebeachboys.com