Books on the Beach Boys

[Mal]

This is really a continuation of the subject that started towards the end of this thread:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1675&perpage=20&pagenumber=1


I second the recommendation of David Leaf's "The Beach Boys and the Californian Myth" - I have the hard-back version and it is by far the most informative book I've read on the subject.

The Steven Gaines book ("Heroes & Villains") while at times entertaining is far from accurate.

"Look!Listen!Vibrate!Smile!" (compiled by Domenic Priore) is highly recommended. It is basically a scrapbook full to bursting with Smile bits and pieces.

Has anyone read the Brad Elliot book ("Surf's Up") which I think covers the recording activity of the Beach Boys in a similar vain as Mark Lewisohn's Beatles bible?

I very keen to get a copy of the Elliot book, does anyone know if there is a new edition on the horizon? If not, what year was the latest edition published?

[njwiv]

Originally posted by Malc S
Has anyone read the Brad Elliot book ("Surf's Up") which I think covers the recording activity of the Beach Boys in a similar vain as Mark Lewisohn's Beatles bible?

I very keen to get a copy of the Elliot book, does anyone know if there is a new edition on the horizon? If not, what year was the latest edition published?

As of late last year, Mr. Elliot was planning to self publish a reprint of the latest edition (copyright 1983, although I think there is a more recent reprint with no new information). He is compiling a waiting list, so you might want to e-mail him at brad@surfsupcollectibles.com to get on that list. He's also working on self-publishing a 3 volume Beach Boys Sessionography that's sure to be the definitive work.

[Mal]

I tried emailing Brad before Christmas but got no response! Maybe I'll try him again....

njwiv, would you recommend "Surf's Up"? Is it similar in style to the Lewisohn Beatles book?

Any more info on the sessionography - when is it expected to be finished?

[Cousin It]

Here is a nice looking SMILE website

http://www.thesmileshop.net/start.html

[feinstein]

I bought a book in Border's yesterday that was very helpful. It's called "Back to the Beach: A Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys Reader (Helter Skelter, 1997)". It's a collection of original articles written about the group by such experts as David Leaf. I found it to be facsinating reading.

[tomcat]

I have also read the "Back To The Beach... Reader", but as a translation into German. I found the book to be very interesting and moving as well, especially the description of the 1988 Beach Boys Convention in London, when Brian Wilson surprisingly appeared. Must have been a great moment for everyone...
If only Steve Hoffman could compile a "Smile" edition on Gold CD or - even better - as a double layer SACD...
:-)
Thomas

[Dugan]

Originally posted by Malc S
would you recommend "Surf's Up"? Is it similar in style to the Lewisohn Beatles book?

I would highly recommend it.
It's more like Harry Castleman & Walter Podrazik's All Together Now: the Complete Beatles Discography (1961-1975).

After a short intro, it basically starts in 1961 and lists every record released by the Beach Boys(giving each an entry number), listing Producer, writer(s), time, label/serial number. It also includes various BW outside productions such as the Honeys etc. It also includes a section on unreleased tracks, radio appearences, chart info, foriegn releases, etc. Very informative.
Last I heard was that Brad was going to update & reissue it in the near future.

[Michael]

Surfs Up! is crying for an update! I have 90% of all published Beach Boy Books...Thankfully there aren't thousands out there. I'm keeping busy trying to complete my collection! A neat little Discography book from England is a nice place to start. Don't have it handy but i'm sure it's on B&N or Amazon. It's about the size of a CD Jewel case.

[njwiv]

Originally posted by Michael
A neat little Discography book from England is a nice place to start. Don't have it handy but i'm sure it's on B&N or Amazon. It's about the size of a CD Jewel case.

I believe you're thinking of The Complete Guide to the Music of the Beach Boys by Andrew G. Doe and John Tobler. Highly recommended.

[njwiv]

Originally posted by Malc S
I tried emailing Brad before Christmas but got no response! Maybe I'll try him again....

njwiv, would you recommend "Surf's Up"? Is it similar in style to the Lewisohn Beatles book?

Any more info on the sessionography - when is it expected to be finished?

Malc,

Try this e-mail address for Brad in reference to his books:

surfsup@nts-online.net

He graciously responded to me back in mid-October.

Dugan accurately described Surf's Up. Far less narrative than Lewisohn's book, but still very worthwhile. Unfortunately, I stupidly passed it up at a Borders a few years ago (although I scanned it thoroughly) and it now goes for a ransom on eBay. Thus, I am on the list for a reprint!

Here's a link to Brad's page on the sessionography, to be entitled California Saga:

http://www.surfsuponline.com/surfsupbooks/

[njwiv]

Originally posted by Dugan

Last I heard was that Brad was going to update & reissue it in the near future.

Dugan,

The latest information I had seen is that Surf's Up is simply being reprinted, as Brad was focusing his efforts on California Saga. Have you seen something dfferent? I'd love to see an update!

Jay

[dbryant]

My favorite Beach Boys essay is Paul Williams' lengthy article/review of the Good Vibrations box "Surf's Up for the Beach Boys". It's reprinted in his book of Beach Boys writings called How Deep Is The Ocean? (also recommended), but also accessible here:

www.addict.com/issues/1.01/Features/Surf%27s_Up_For_The_Beach_Boys/