Similar Albums:
- Artist: The Beach Boys
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1998
- Type: Bootleg
- Genre: Rock
Review
Unsurpassed Masters, Vol. 5 is the second entry to be subtitled "Miscellaneous Trax." This single-disc compiles the making of four tracks. However, what is really on display here is the frantic pace at which production neophyte and genius Brian Wilson produces not only his fellow Beach Boys, but also veteran studio musicians. These nameless and often unacknowledged studio musicians became increasingly responsible for the instrumentation in the studio from this point on. The multiple takes of "Fun, Fun, Fun" highlight the clearest example of Carl Wilson's remarkable lead chops of the signature guitar intro. The vocal sessions are also interesting as Brian can be heard making changes on every take. The trademark vocal harmonies are absolutely solid and in these mixes up front and center. Somewhat arbitrarily inserted is an alternate version of "Fun, Fun, Fun." This is a completely different recording session with the musicians -- possibly the actual five Beach Boys -- performing in a totally different key.A Capitol Records mandate is the origin of "Ganz Allein" -- a special version of "In My Room" specifically issued for the German market. Two lush vocal overdubs, in German, are laid down to create the Beach Boys' trademark dense vocal sound. This minor entry into their catalogue reveals volumes about how Wilson went about his craft. The following two tracks are productions for the Honeys and Sharon Marie respectively. "He's a Doll" is a full-blown attempt by Wilson to create sides similar to those being issued by Phil Spector. Percussionists Gene Estes and Hal Blaine can be heard chatting with sax player Steve Douglas between takes, all of whom contributed to countless hit records produced by both Spector and Wilson. "Thinkin' 'Bout You Baby" is a production for vocalist Sharon Marie. The tune would be recycled nearly five years later by the Beach Boys for their song "Darlin'." ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
Tracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Rehearsal] | The Beach Boys | (0:59) | |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Instrumental Insert Takes 1-4] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (6:03) |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Instrumental Insert Take 5] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (2:30) |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Instrumental Insert Take 6] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (2:37) |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Vocal Overdub Takes 4 and 5][Take] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (2:46) |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Vocal Overdub Take 8] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (2:30) |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Vocal Overdub Takes 9-11] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (4:09) |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Vocal Overdub Takes 12-14] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (3:43) |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Alternate Version Vocal Overdub] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (2:14) |
| Fun, Fun, Fun [Vocal Overdub] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (2:11) |
| Ganz Allein [1st Vocal Overdub Take 13][Version] | Brian Wilson, Gary Usher | The Beach Boys | (2:30) |
| Ganz Allein [2nd Vocal Overdub Take 13] | The Beach Boys | (2:22) | |
| He's a Doll [Take 1] | Brian Wilson | The Beach Boys | (2:24) |
| He's a Doll [Take 2] | Brian Wilson | The Beach Boys | (2:21) |
| He's a Doll [Take 6] | Brian Wilson | The Beach Boys | (1:07) |
| He's a Doll [Take 7] | Brian Wilson | The Beach Boys | (2:15) |
| He's a Doll [Take 8] | Brian Wilson | The Beach Boys | (2:36) |
| He's a Doll (Instrumental Insert) | Brian Wilson | The Beach Boys | (2:17) |
| He's a Doll [Instrumental Insert] | The Beach Boys | (2:21) | |
| Thinkin' 'Bout You, Baby [2nd Track Overdub Take 1] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (3:26) |
| Thinkin' 'Bout You, Baby [2nd Track Overdub Take 2] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (1:13) |
| Thinkin' 'Bout You, Baby [2nd Track Overdub Take 3] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (2:07) |
| Thinkin' 'Bout You, Baby [2nd Track Overdub Take 4] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (3:06) |
| Thinkin' 'Bout You, Baby [2nd Track Overdub Take 5] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (3:09) |
| Thinkin' 'Bout You, Baby [2nd Track Overdub Take 5] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (3:10) |
| Thinkin' 'Bout You, Baby [3rd Track Overdub Take 1] | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | The Beach Boys | (3:38) |
| Thinkin' 'Bout You, Baby [4TH Track Overdub Takes 1 & 2] | The Beach Boys | (3:56) |
