Monday, March 27, 2017

The Beach Boys cover California Dreamin' (1986)

I didn't know how much I needed the Beach Boys to give me a literalist interpretation of California Dreamin' in video. The only reason I am aware of this track was that Lenny Kaye did a nice write up of the Beach Boys catalog here including some odds and ends collections which referred to a Roger McGuinn guest spot on a cover of California Dreamin'. This era is a gap in my knowledge and even predates the Stamos/Kokomo lineup. Have the Beach Boys ever looked more serio - not a smile to be had. However, this video includes McGuinn, Papa John Philips as a vaguely occultist priest (with candelabra)/saxophonist and Michelle Phillips going to a white wedding and has a great all around 1980's vibe. Dig the Beach Boys wearing some serious Unforgiven western black dusters/trenchcoats or are they getting ready for an Opryland residency? Carl, Al and Bruce in top form here no doubt:

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Sandy Bull: Live Public Access TV in Marina del Rey October 23 1989

Wow. After listening to Sandy Bull for several decades at this point (and cursing myself from missing him play in Southern California around the time of the Jukebox School of Music lp), I have often wondered what he was like live. That ended until I came across this public access footage last night. Just jump to the 7:50 mark. How did I not know about this? Just Sandy in excellent form solo and with Senegalese drummer and percussionist Aiyb Dieng. Just as good as you thought it would be, and having seen Xylouris White a couple of weeks ago, my quest continues. I have some screen grabs for ya as well.