Heaven: Iconoclassic Reissues Carl Wilson’s Solo Debut, Analogue Continues Beach Boys On SACD
Summer may now be over, but a number of Beach Boys-related releases aim to keep the summer alive. Our very own Second Disc Records label teamed with Real Gone Music in September for a newly remastered and expanded reissue of Ricci Martin’s Beached, the all-star album recorded by Dean Martin’s son Ricci with co-producers Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche. Now, Iconoclassic Records has announced next week’s first-ever U.S. CD reissue of Carl’s 1981 eponymous solo debut. And if that’s not enough, Analogue Productions has recently gotten its second wave of SACD releases from The Beach Boys in stock!
In 1981, reportedly frustrated with what he perceived as the band’s creative stagnation, Carl Wilson made the drastic step of leaving The Beach Boys. But he didn’t intend on leaving music. Instead, the singer-songwriter-guitarist signed with the Boys’ then-label Caribou Records (James William Guercio’s CBS-distributed imprint) for his very first solo album. Guercio produced the self-titled Carl Wilson album, released on March 27, 1981. Carl, long an accomplished writer with such memorable Beach Boys tracks as “Long Promised Road,” “Feel Flows,” “The Trader” and “Angel Come Home” under his belt, penned every track on the album himself. Every song was co-written with Myrna Smith of The Sweet Inspirations (and the wife of Carl’s then-manager Jerry Schilling) with one song – the album’s gorgeous standout ballad “Heaven” – adding Michael Sun as a co-writer. Carl welcomed musicians including John Daly (guitar), Gerald Johnson (bass), James Stroud (drums/percussion), Randy McCormick (keyboards), Joel Peskin (saxophone) and Alan Krigger (tambourine) to support him. Carl, of course, played guitar on the LP, as did James William Guercio; Myrna Smith joined him on background vocals.
Carl promoted the album – featuring a slick, contemporary blend of rockers and ballads emphasizing his unmistakable, versatile voice – with a number of small club appearances at venues including New York’s Bottom Line. At these intimate concerts, he eschewed his Beach Boys history, only nodding to his band with a performance of “Long Promised Road” from 1971’s Surf’s Up. Alas, Carl Wilson only cracked the Billboard 200 with a No. 185 placement, and it failed to yield any hit singles. He returned to the Beach Boys’ ranks in May 1982 after some fourteen months away, and in 1983 released his second and final solo LP on Caribou, Youngblood.
Iconoclassic Records reissued Youngblood on CD in 2010 featuring a new essay by longtime Beach Boys sideman (and Carl’s friend and onetime brother-in-law) Billy Hinsche and remastering by Vic Anesini. Both Hinsche and Anesini are back for the first-ever U.S. CD debut of Carl Wilson, which arrives in stores on Tuesday, September 29 from the label.
In addition, Carl can be heard with Brian, Dennis, Mike and Al on the second group of five Beach Boys reissues in the Hybrid Stereo SACD format from Analogue Productions. (The total reissue campaign will encompass 14 titles.) The following five releases (playable on all CD players) are now available for order from Acoustic Sounds:
All Summer Long (1964) – Mono and Stereo Mixes
The Beach Boys Today! (1965) – Mono and Stereo Mixes
Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) (1965) – Mono and Stereo Mixes
Beach Boys’ Party! (1965) – Mono and Stereo Mixes
Pet Sounds (1966) – Mono and Stereo Mixes
You can order Wave Two of Analogue Productions’ Beach Boys titles at the links above, and you can peruse the track listing and pre-order links for Carl Wilson just below! And don’t forget to check out Ricci Martin’s Beached at Amazon U.S. or Amazon U.K., co-produced and featuring vocals by Carl Wilson, of whom Ricci shares warm memories in the liner notes!
Carl Wilson, Carl Wilson (Caribou NJZ 37010, 1981 – reissued Iconoclassic, 2015) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
- Hold Me
- Bright Lights
- What You Gonna Do About Me?
- The Right Lane
- Hurry Love
- Heaven
- The Grammy
- Seems So Long
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12 thoughts on “Heaven: Iconoclassic Reissues Carl Wilson’s Solo Debut, Analogue Continues Beach Boys On SACD”
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What happened to the Pet Sounds Blu-ray? Wasn’t that supposed to be released by now?
Unfortunately, it appears to be on indefinite hold, Ethan. Stay tuned for more details when they become available.
A Beach Boys CD/DVD delayed? Now that is unusual!!! Has someone dotted an i that’s not to Mike Love’s liking?
I’m waiting for the 200g AP vinyl. If that is cancelled I will get the SACD. This must be one of the most reissued albums ever!!! (I still have the Steve Hoffman gold CDs)
Most reissued indeed. Pet Sounds is one of those albums that certain persons, including myself, are ever afraid to admit that they don’t like. I have just never understood the praise. Another one is Sgt. Pepper. I think Rubber Soul and Revolver are much better Beatles albums than Sgt. Pepper yet it is the album heralded by most critics as their best.
I love every second of Pet Sounds. Funny thing is, when I first bought it on CD I found it unlistenable. I ended up selling the CD. Many years later I decided to give it another chance. Somewhere along the way I’d found out how to listen to music for what it was and not what was expected. I’ve cried listening to Pet Sounds. It’s that incredible.
I’ve cried many times over Pet Sounds. It really needs to be a full album, start to finish, experience.
I cry when I hear “Sloop John B,” a tune that ruins the album much in the way “Yellow Submarine” mars Revolver.
I had to agree with David. I bought the Pet Sounds LP when I was in my teens. At the time, I really was an “Endless Summer” fan. I could not understand or get into Pet Sounds. When the Beach Boy 2fers hit in the early 1990’s. When I listened to Pet Sounds, I ‘got it’. I believe Pet Sounds is music for adults. The fact that Brian Wilson was still in his early 20’s makes it even more amazing.
I have this preordered on Amazon, but am a bit confused. I thought Friday was now the new standard for new music releases. Also Amazon still doesn’t have an estimate of when the Carl Wilson CD will be shipped, usually when you preorder and have 2 day shipping you get the album on release day.
Do you have any idea if the release date is correct or any info at all would be appreciated.
Both Iconoclassic’s website and Amazon are still showing the Tuesday release date of September 29, though you are correct that Friday is the new standard. Hopefully the album will arrive as scheduled next week!
Carl’s “Heaven” is a stone cold CLASSIC. It’s an angel singing from above. Pure beauty.