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Elly Roberts reviews
Sights And Sounds Of Summer
Capitol
- Released: July 2006
- Rating: CD 10/10, DVD 10/10
- Format: CD & DVD
As soon as the temperature rises, its time to reach for The Beach Boys collection, and there are plenty of them to choose from these days.
Most of this CD tracklisting is familiar territory, though its always greatto hear these songs 30-40 years on.
The Beach Boys were arguably the greatest early 60s group to emerge from theUSA. To most, including me, they remain so. Their songs are still influencingwriters and singers today. Only when you get back-to-back hits like these doyou fully appreciate their incredible writing, and singing talents.
Not only did they highlight the surfer trend, but they seem to embellisheverything Californian the cars, the chicks, the lifestyle 60s teenagersaspired towards.
Choosing an all-time favourite song is difficult for most fans. In therunning are Do It Again, Little Deuce Coupe, Heroes And Villains, I CanHear Music, Good Vibrations and Dont Worry Baby. Their greatestmoment is surely God Only Knows (as I listen, the hairs are standingon end, and Im filling up it still gets to me 40 years on). It was aUK number 2 in summer 1966.
Incredibly, with original releases and re-issues between August 1963 andMarch 1996, they charted 32 times with singles, and only achieved two numberones Good Vibrations and Do It Again. Nevertheless, theyveproved to be as popular in the 21 century as in the previous, and still tourregularly in some shape or fashion.
The real bonus of this release is the DVD. Ten songs: 4 live appearances fromthe T.A.M.I. Show (Teen-Age Music International Show) where 2,600 screamingfans packed out the Santa Monica Civic Centre to see their idols nevercommercially available in the UK until now.
Two incredible live songs from the historic Ed Sullivan Show October 13,1968, black and white promo-video for Sloop John B as the band larksaround a swimming pool, and a Pet Sounds promo-film. There are many highlightshere, but best of all is the colour montage (Hawaii, August 67 / FinsburyPark Astoria London December 1 1968), making it one of the most magicalmoments in pop history.
Must have collection, for EVERYONE!!
The full list of tracks included are :
CD:
1. California Girls
2. I Get Around
3. Surfin’ Safari
4. Surfin’ U.S.A.
5. Fun, Fun, Fun
6. Surfer Girl
7. Don’t Worry Baby
8. Little Deuce Coupe
9. Shut Down
10. Help Me, Rhonda
11. Be True to Your School
12. When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)
13. In My Room
14. God Only Knows
15. Sloop John B
16. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
17. Getcha Back
18. Come Go with Me
19. Rock and Roll Music
20. Dance, Dance, Dance
21. Barbara Ann
22. Do You Wanna Dance
23. Heroes and Villains
24. Good Timin’
25. Kokomo
26. Do It Again
27. Wild Honey
28. Darlin’
29. I Can Hear Music
30. Good Vibrations
DVD:
1. Surfin’ U.S.A.
2. I Get Around
3. Surfer Girl
4. Dance, Dance, Dance
5. Little Deuce Coupe
6. Sloop John B
7. Pet Sounds Promotional Film
8. God Only Knows
9. Good Vibrations
10. Do It Again
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.