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Great list, especially since I am a huge Beach Boys fan. Although I consider "Sunflower" maybe my favorite album of theirs next to "Pet Sounds," so I obviously have eclectic tastes.

Here's my selection for the oddest song with a vague Beach Boys connection. After Bachman-Turner Overdrive broke up, Randy Bachman formed Iron Horse, which released two albums.

"What's Your Hurry Darlin'" was the lead-off single from the second album and it was co-written by Bachman and Beach Boy Carl Wilson. My recollection is that Wilson might have contributed some background vocals, but I could be wrong.

A really cool song, very much a synthesis of BTO and some BB vocals, as odd as that sounds.

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Thanks, Rick, but the entire post came together once you reminded me of "She Did It"---I had and knew well the song and album; I had just forgotten about it! Once I played it again after some 4 decades, a lightbulb went off! I could build an entire (and, likely more!) post around it!

I vaguely remember that Carl/Bachman collab, just from the rock mags of the day. I never had any BTO or solo Randy/IH album. I'll go look for them now to listen to. IH had two album....1979 and '80, both on Scotti Bros, distributed by Atlantic. Ironically enough, Scotti Bros. was the only label I interviewed at (to do anything...I was 25, gimme a break!) in '80, just after I moved to L.A. from Houston! I noticed their offices were on Sunset Blvd., so I made an app't,!

Carl co-wrote a song on the second album, but I'm not seeing that he sang. It's not on Spotify. I noticed that, within the last decade, Randy obtained the rights to the IH albums.

"As odd as that sounds"? BTO and Beach Boys merging sounds no more odd than Styx and Brian!!! I'd just like to know how the meeting of Carl and Randy happened in the first place.

For me, I'd have to add "Surf's Up" to my BB triumvirate, which includes your two faves. And, I reckon I'd have to add "Holland" to it, as well! Right in that sweet pocket of '67-ish to '71 or '72-ish!

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I think the reason I love "Sunflower" is that it's the best representation of the band as a whole. Some great tunes from Dennis Wilson and it doesn't rely as much on "Smile"-era snippets as some of the later albums.

I like about 75% of "Surf's Up" a lot. The title track and 'Til I Die" might have been reworked older tracks, but they are Brian Wilson at his finest. But there's also "A Day In The Life Of A Tree, which is Brian at his worst. Carl Wilson contributes two really strong songs - "Long Promised Road" and "Fee Flows" - and Al Jardine co-wrote "Lookin' At Tomorrow." And "Disney Girls" might be Brian Johnston's best moment as Beach Boy. But man, is Mike Love out of sync with the rest of the group. His reworking of "Student Demonstration Time" screams "lame guy trying to be hip". He co-wrote the album's lead track ("Don't Go Near The Water") with Al Jardine and it's not one of their best moments.

Okay, I'll stop now.

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Thanks, Rick! Great synopsis! Back then, I wish there had been some way to excise "Student Demonstration Time" off the record! Is THAT why I hate Mike Love (although the reasons are legion)! "Surf's Up" and "Til I Die" I've always considered and played together as one song....one always followed by the other.

I guess it's all about tone, emotion, and each and both always brings me to tears, and as I'm well-known for ignoring lyrics, so much of that is simply the melodies and Brian's stunning chord progressions, and emotional delivery (and his words)....somehow, I'm drawn to dissecting (or, at least, discovering) Brian's.....I'll leave Dylan's meanderings to others!

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November 26, 2023
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The BBs were good friends with the Chicago bunch; in fact, they both recorded a lot at Caribou Ranch/CO. And, you're right, certainly well-known. Those Janelle and Jimmy turns are unknown to me. I think I dropped a needle on the Webb version a couple weeks ago, and didn't know or recognize Brian on it! The list of Brian guest-shots is a long one! Thanks for that....I'll dig a bit!

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November 27, 2023
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Melinda's been gettin' him outta the house!

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