Pacific Ocean Blue - Legacy Edition

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.co.uk
Apart from the non-release of Smile, the biggest lament of hardcore Beach Boys fans is that Bruce Johnston aside, none of the non-Brian Wilson solo albums are available on CD. But now, for fans of late drummer Dennis Wilson, there's reason to celebrate as his only-released solo album gets the reissue it deserves. Widely acknowledged as the finest Beach Boys solo effort, it's now presented with clarity, allowing the full sonic palette--the punch of opening "River Song" for example--to be heard in its intended glory. Wilson's raspy vocal may have been past its prime, but it's still affecting and ably supported by the sumptuous production values he gave the album. With high quality tracks such as the funky "Dreamer" and the poignant "Farewell My Friend", this will appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in The Beach Boys, as well as a delight for hardcore fans as the unreleased tracks (from the unfinished follow up Bambu, easily match the original's quality. While the disappointing absence of earlier singles ("Lady" or "Sound of Free") prevents this from being a definitive career anthology, this is as essential a Beach Boys artefact as Pet Sounds or Sunflower/Surf's Up. --Thom Allott

Album Description
Deluxe Edition Two CD set of 33 tracks with Limited Edition First Run Collector's Packaging. After 30 years, this lost classic reemerges to the delight of fans worldwide. Since coming out in 1977, this CD had only been released for six months in 1991. This collection contains never officially released tracks from Dennis' Bambu album which only existed as bootlegs for decades. Per Dennis Wilson 'Everything that I am or will ever be is in the music. If you want to know me, just listen.' Features 'Holy Man' an unfinished track that never received Dennis' vocal part with Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters laying down brand new vocals. This limited edition deluxe packing feature 50 page, full color book with two brand new essays and never-before-seen photos and memorabilia.

Customer Reviews: Read 38 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

A lost classic finally given its due. June 19, 2008
24 out of 27 found this review helpful

In my last year of college, I was working late one night at my job when an older and wiser coworker dropped a copy of Pet Sounds on my desk and told me it'd change my life, and it certainly did. But equally revelatory was my purchase of the Sunflower/Surf's Up twofer a few months later, when I first encountered Dennis Wilson as a songwriter. Realizing there was solo material by someone who could rock in ways Brian never quite did but still construct achingly beautiful ballads, I did a little digging, found out there was a long out of print solo record and spent the next decade trading up one low fidelity copy for another of both "Pacific Ocean Blue" and what we always thought of as "Bamboo".

So imagine my delight at discovering that Sony was finally giving Dennis Wilson (most of) his due, with a reissue of "Pacific Ocean Blue" with pieces of the sessions from "Bambu" (note the spelling) receiving official release (I'll add a comment with the side story of how this experience got delayed for me). And luckily, this edition is just about everything I could hope it would be.

For starters, the album itself is presented in pristine sound to show all its glory. One thing Dennis did better than his brothers was stick his heart and soul on record, and it's all bared out on "Pacific Ocean Blue". This is a record that's never quite been recognized for what it is-- a true lost masterpiece. Whether it's the avant-gospel of opener "River Song" (featuring brother Carl on top of the chorus), the swaggering, bluesy "Friday Night", the tormented "Thoughts of You", the delicate, lilting "You and I" or a sweet tribute in "Farewell My Friend", Dennis captures something magical. His voice, never exactly stunning in a technical sense, shows a real power and depth that only life experience could create. And while it's likely to not make this record for everyone, there's something really going on here that deserves a whole lot more attention then it's ever gotten.

This reissue adds to the album a pile of unreleased tracks-- most notably the material from "Bambu". A chance to see what Dennis was planning for the next record, we get really a continuation of the majesty of "Pacific Ocean Blue", from the unusual, grunting swagger of "Wild Situation" to the just staggering beauty of "It's Not too Late", a piece really without compare in Dennis or the Beach Boys' catalog. Dennis takes the verses, ragged and desperate and turns to brother Carl for the choruses, who digs in deep to his soul and r&b roots to pull out all the stops, matching Dennis in power and emotion. The first time I heard it, on a poor bootleg, I stared in awe at my speakers. Today, I have the same response.

Mind you, with anything like this, the diehards like me are going to find omissions that drive them nuts, really there's only a couple things. From the "Bambu" sessions, "Baby Blue" is notably absent. Available on the Beach Boys M.I.U. Album/L.A. (Light Album) twofer, it's home is really with "Bambu" and it's a piece that could challenge "It's Not Too Late". Also absent is his early single, "Sound of Free", and it's b-side, "Lady" (though I consider the latter far more essential then the former), apparently tied up in copyright snarls, and lost Beach Boys classic "Carry Me Home" (no idea where this one is). Having stated this, a legitimate copy of "Pacific Ocean Blue" alone is worth the price of admission, and the first clean recording of the magnificent "He's a Bum" I've ever heard? Really, this one is fantastic.

Whenever a reissue happens, I always think of it as a time for reevaluation of an artist or his catalog. Certainly, both Dennis Wilson and "Pacific Ocean Blue" have spent too long being overlooked. Maybe now will change thngs. Highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars

Sometimes We Forget June 19, 2008
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

In his lifetime Dennis Wilson only release one solo album. And here it is.Now 'Pacific Ocean Blue' was on CD once before but didn't remain in print very long and has since sunk into legend status. So it was only a matter of time before it was reissued in a deluxe package like this. For some perspective Dennis Wilson was the first Beach Boy to record a solo album and this set also comes with great liner notes. And it truly lives up to it's legend in just about every way. The music borrows from certain sources (most notably Brian Wilson) but is nothing at all like anything he nor any of the other Beach Boys did. In general terms the musical base of the album is far more stripped down then anything else-in addition each song has a multi-part style fluxuation not disimilar to Brian or Phil Spectors music. The majestic "River Song" is a perfect example as well as being one of the best compositions here.The few uptempo songs here (the best being "Friday Night" and "Pacific Ocean Blues") have a strong funky blues groove to them that neither Brian Wilson or the Beach Boys ever went for.Other songs such as "Moonshine","Rainbows" and "Farewell My Friend" showcase most strong another major wild card for Dennis Wilson;his raw,gravely singing voice is a lot more like Bruce Springsteen then The Four Freshmen. That vocal quality matched with the music puts this music is an unusual cross between heartland rock n' roll,bluesy,funky southern rock and orchestral california pop,without making any specific commitment to any of those styles. Also you get to hear how truly wonderful musician Dennis has become-his abilities as a drummer able to aptly jump from tempo to tempo in a breeze,as well as his grossly unheralded piano playing are showcased throughout the album. This album comes with a second CD featuring material from an unreleased sophmore album of Dennis' called 'Bambu'-most of which further showcases his abilities as a musician.While most of the material on this is more in the california pop vein then his first album there are many surprises such as "School Girl",a rocker that emphasizes a strong use of synthesizers and the errie "Love Surrounds Me",same idea only on a slower tune.Taken together all of the music Dennis ever recorded as a solo artist is featured here.And summing up what ended up being one of the "greatest career's that barely happened" in pop history I am personally relieved this is one that will not be forgotton.

5 out of 5 stars

Terrific Bambu. Hooda Thunkit (It's in the jeans?) June 21, 2008
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

Now that the legendarily lost classic has arrived as a gorgeous remastered twofer, I must admit that Dennis' talent matched the 70s nearly as well as his older brothers' entwines the 60's. POB has all the lush soul of the best of the West Coast scene. (While comparisons are a lazy form of description, there is some resemblance to Gene Clark's No Other, at least in terms of production and heart.)

The real surprise for me is the second disc in this set. I was prepared for some dogged self-indulgent scraps. I wasn't expecting the leaner and more expansive collection that not only seems better suited to his uniquely raw vocal, but explores more personal and revealing trails. If as the excellent liner notes describe, Dennis was losing his studio and various collaborators simultaneous to a personal downward cycle, the songs he managed to create are all the more compelling. Beyond the final salvos of flickering talent, this also shows the potential for the lone wolf playing most of the instruments in even the most modest of recording environments. Supremely impressive.

Anyway, this is an event that in some ways tops Brian's recent success with Smile, in that the released product here is of the original source material. But the final availability of both remind us of the incredible talent these sibs had going for them.

5 out of 5 stars

Remastered 2 CD re-release June 2008!! December 20, 2007
13 out of 17 found this review helpful

Rumours are now confirmed that POB will finally see a 2 CD re-release in June 2008. Extra content has been described as a remastered and remixed Bambu(the originally intended spelling). Other word indicates that there are as many as 10-12 never before heard or bootlegged completed Dennis tracks also available for possible inclusion. Yee Haw!!!

"My music is me. On the album, I did 99% of it myself. All the instruments, all the engineering, the words, the music is mine...and me."
-Dennis Wilson, Epic press release, 1977

"It's a homemade kind of album, without a lot of studio players. Dennis created it as he's gone along, track by track. It was really built in the studio... That's pretty unique.... It's one of the things you don't do. ... Dennis comes into the studio in the morning and stays until he's tired. I think it's innovative in the way it's produced and evolved."
-- Gregg Jakobson, (P.O.B. co-producer), 1977

Disc One

1. River Song (3:44)
(Dennis Wilson/Carl Wilson)

2. What's Wrong (2:23)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson/Michael Horn)

3. Moonshine (2:27)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

4. Friday Night (3:10)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

5. Dreamer (4:23)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

6. Thoughts of You (3:04)
(Dennis Wilson/Jim Dutch)

7. Time (3:32)
(Dennis Wilson/Karen Lamm Wilson)

8. You and I (3:25)
(Dennis Wilson/Karen Lamm Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

9. Pacific Ocean Blues (2:37)
(Dennis Wilson/Mike Love)

10. Farewell My Friend (2:26)
(Dennis Wilson)

11. Rainbows (2:48)
(Dennis Wilson/Carl Wilson/Steve Kalinich)

12. End of the Show (2:57)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

Bonus Tracks:

13. Tug Of Love (Previously Unreleased) (3:44)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

14. Only With You (Previously Unreleased) (3:57)
(Dennis Wilson/Mike Love)

15. Holy Man (Instrumental) (Previously Unreleased) (4:24)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

16. Mexico (Previously Unreleased) (5:13)
(Dennis Wilson)

Disc Two

Bambu (The Caribou Sessions)

1. Under The Moonlight (3:55)
(Carli Munoz)

2. It's Not Too Late (4:32)
(Carli Munoz)

3. School Girl (2:31)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

4. Love Remember Me (4:04)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson/Steve Kalinich)

5. Love Surrounds Me (3:40)
(Dennis Wilson/Geoffrey Cushing Murray)

6. Wild Situation (2:41)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

7. Common (3:34)
(Dennis Wilson)

8. Are You Real (3:38)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

9. He's A Bum (2:50)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

10. Cocktails (3:00)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson/John Hanlon)

11. I Love You (2:02)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

12. Constant Companion (3:22)
(Carli Munoz/Rags Baker)

13. Time For Bed (3:07)
(Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson)

14. Album Tag Song (3:45)
(Dennis Wilson)

15. All Alone (3:44)
(Carli Munoz)

16. Piano Variations on Thoughts of You (3:03)
(Dennis Wilson)

Bonus Track:

17. Holy Man (Taylor Hawkins Version) (4:25)
(Dennis Wilson//Gregg Jakobson/Taylor Hawkins)

Tracks 1-14, 16-17 Previously Unreleased
Track 15 originally issued on the Capitol Records Soundtrack Endless Harmony

2 out of 5 stars

A curiousity July 15, 2008
9 out of 17 found this review helpful

Pacific Ocean Blue has a few pleasant songs but is by no means a lost treasure. All of the songs feature Dennis Wilson's weak voice and middling piano with an occasional nice hook. The supporting music is nothing out of the ordinary. This is a nice addition for rabid Beach Boy fans who want a complete catalogue but do not count on being knocked out by anything on it.

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