Out today (June 17th) is the Beach Boys deluxe and expanded release of its 2003 Sounds Of Summer: The Very Best Of The Beach Boys collection. The set — which originally peaked at Number 16 on the Billboard 200 and has sold nearly 4.4 million copies to date — has now been expanded to include two additional discs boasting 50 additional tracks — many of which have been completely remixed and/or featured in stereo mixes for the first time.
Additionally, all 30 songs on Disc One of Sounds Of Summer have been mixed in immersive Dolby Atmos.
According to the press release:
The expanded edition of Sounds Of Summer will be available in a variety of formats, including digitally, a triple-CD softpack, and as a “Super Deluxe Edition” six-LP vinyl boxed set on 180-gram black vinyl in two options: a standard set or a numbered, limited edition version featuring a rainbow foil slipcase and four collectible lithographs.
Both versions will feature color printed sleeves that replicate the original “Capitol Catalog” sleeves that highlight the entire Beach Boys discography, and all formats will include a booklet with new liner notes and updated photos.
The original 30-track version will also be available in its newly remastered and upgraded form on single CD or double gatefold LP on standard weight vinyl or as a higher-end limited edition numbered version pressed on 180-gram vinyl with a tip-on jacket and a lithograph.
Among the legendary tunes included on Sounds Of Summer are: “Surfin' U.S.A,” “In My Room,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Don't Worry Baby,” “Shut Down,” “Forever,” “I Can Hear Music,” “Disney Girls” “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” “God Only Knows,” “When I Grow Up (To Be A Man),” “Cotton Fields,” “California Girls,” “Darlin,'” “Sloop John B.,” “Surf's Up,” “Long Promised Road,” “All This Is That,” “Barbara Ann,” “It's O.K.,” “Wouldn't It Be Nice,” “Come Go With Me,” “Kokomo,” “Feel Flows,” “The Warmth Of The Sun,” “Good Vibrations,” “Sail On Sailor,” and many more.
We asked fromtman Mike Love if he attributes the group's legendary harmonies to he and his cousins — Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson — all sharing a bloodline: “Well, that, that is responsible for the vocal blend, except Alan Jardine is a great singer. He's able to blend and sing with the best of them. And that was always the search for that fourth part; 'cause Brian was obsessed with four-part harmony, y'know, vis-a-vis the Four Freshman. But the Beach Boys have been distinguished by their incredible harmonies and that's due in large part to Brian's obsession or penchant for structuring, y'know, great chord progressions and great harmonies and he's a master at that.”
Brian Wilson is a man who has literally logged thousands of hours in the recording studio. When asked to name his favorite Beach Boys track — he didn't hesitate: “Ah, 'California Girls.' That's my favorite, 'cause of Mike (Love's) singing. My biggest memories are working with the voices. Giving the guys chords to sing and parts to sing. That's my favorite.”
The Beach Boys' Al Jardine told us that the most enduring and beloved tracks on Pet Sounds — such as “Wouldn't It Be Nice,” “Sloop John B,” and “God Only Knows” — have always held a special place in his heart: “It's some of the most touching music that Brian has ever produced. And how can you not feel the depth and breath of it, y'know and feel it, in your heart? It just touches me deeply.”
Brian Wilson with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin perform on Saturday (June 18th) in Maryland Heights, Missouri at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.
The Beach Boys – featuring Mike Love and Bruce Johnston — perform on Saturday (June 18th) in Lillestrom, Norway at NOVA Spektrum.