L.A. (Light Album)

L.A. (Light Album) is the 23rd studio album by The Beach Boys, released on March 19, 1979. Produced by Bruce Johnston, James William Guercio and the band itself, the album was The Beach Boys' first on CBS Records, and the first to feature contributions from Johnston since his departure from the band in 1972. Johnston was brought in when it became clear that the ailing Brian Wilson was in no fit state to produce the album, and has remained in the band ever since.

L.A. (Light Album) reached #100 in the US during a chart stay of thirteen weeks, and #32 in the UK.

Background and recording

Despite a new $8 million contract with CBS Records calling for Brian Wilson to write and produce 75% of the songs on each new album, his contributions to L.A. (Light Album) are minimal. His presence on the album as a vocalist has only been confirmed on one song, "Angel Come Home", though he probably played piano on the single "Good Timin'" which was co-written by him with brother Carl, but the origins of the recording go back to five years earlier. His arrangement of the traditional song "Shortenin' Bread" was also older, although the recording was more recent. The vocals for both songs were recorded without Brian. "Good Timin'" hit #40 in the US.

The first song attempted for L.A. (Light Album) was entitled "California Feelin'". It would remain unreleased until 2013 for the compilation Made in California.^[1] Both "Baby Blue" and "Love Surrounds Me" were originally recorded for Dennis Wilson's never-released second solo album, Bambu. These would be the last Dennis Wilson songs released before his death in 1983.

L.A. (Light Album) spawned a top-ten hit in the UK with Al Jardine's Bach-inspired "Lady Lynda", written for his wife, and later rerecorded as "Lady Liberty" after their divorce. Jardine recently revealed that Dennis Wilson made an uncredited contribution to the song's lush string arrangement. Mike Love's Japanese-flavored "Sumahama" was also a UK single chart entry later in 1979.

Possibly the album's most controversial moment was an eleven-minute disco recasting of Wild Honey's "Here Comes the Night" that caused considerable consternation among fans. The song was only played live during a few dates at New York City's Radio City Music Hall in March 1979 before being dropped from the live set due to adverse audience reaction. Nevertheless, an abridged 4:34 version made the charts in the US as the lead single, peaking at #44.

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	^[2]
Robert Christgau	C+ ^[3]
Rolling Stone	(Negative)^[4]

Although Brother Records was still in operation during the time of the albums's release, the band's manager, former Chicago producer James William Guercio, had his own label, Caribou Records, distribute the album in conjunction with Brother. L.A. (Light Album) peaked at #100 in the US, and #32 in the UK.

Upon its release, L.A. (Light Album) received generally negative reviews. Rolling Stone critic Dave Marsh stated that, "The Beach Boys have not made great rock music since Wild Honey [and haven't] made competent pop music since Holland;" he concluded that the album "is worse than awful. It is irrelevant."^[4] Allmusic writer John Bush states "The Beach Boys ended the decade by releasing the worst album of their career," describing the album as "yet another oddball attempt to push The Beach Boys into the contemporary mainstream despite their many songwriting and production flaws."^[2]

Track listing

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Lead Vocals	Length
1.	"Good Timin'"	Brian Wilson/Carl Wilson	C. Wilson	2:12
2.	"Lady Lynda"	Johann Sebastian Bach/arr. Al Jardine/Ron Altbach	Jardine	3:58
3.	"Full Sail"	C. Wilson/Geoffrey Cushing-Murray	C. Wilson	2:56
4.	"Angel Come Home"	C. Wilson/Cushing-Murray	Dennis Wilson	3:39
5.	"Love Surrounds Me"	D. Wilson/Cushing-Murray	D. Wilson	3:41
6.	"Sumahama"	Mike Love	Love	4:30

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Lead Vocals	Length
1.	"Here Comes the Night"	B. Wilson/Love	C. Wilson/Jardine	10:51
2.	"Baby Blue"	D. Wilson/Gregg Jakobson/Karen Lamm	C. Wilson/D. Wilson	3:25
3.	"Goin' South"	C. Wilson/Cushing-Murray	C. Wilson	3:16
4.	"Shortenin' Bread"	Trad., arr. B. Wilson	C. Wilson/D. Wilson	2:49

Personnel

The Beach Boys

Mike Love - lead, harmony and backing vocals, orchestral arrangements
Brian Wilson - harmony and backing vocals on "Angel Come Home", piano
Carl Wilson - lead, harmony and backing vocals, guitar
Al Jardine - lead, harmony and backing vocals
Dennis Wilson - lead, harmony and backing vocals, drums, percussion
Bruce Johnston - harmony and backing vocals, vocal arrangements, production

Additional musicians

Ed Carter - guitar, bass guitar
Carlos Munoz - piano
Bobby Figueroa - drums
Sterling Smith - harpsichord
Phil Shenale - oberheim
Jim Guercio - bass guitar
Gary Mallaber - drums
Ritchie Zito - guitar
Mike Baird - drums
Joel Peskin - alto saxophone solo on "Here Comes The Night"
Jimmy Lyons - alto saxophone solos
Mike Meros - clavinet
Bob Esty - synthesizer
Wah Wah Watson - guitar
Joe Chemay - bass guitar
Steve Forman - percussion
Victor Feldman - percussion
Ron Altbach - keyboards

Recording personnel

Bruce Johnston - producer
The Beach Boys - producer
Jim Guercio - producer
Curt Becher - co-producer ("Here Comes the Night"), engineer
Bill Fletcher - engineer
Chuck Britz - engineer
Joel Moss - engineer
Earle Mankey - engineer
Tom Murphy - engineer
Chuck Leary - engineer
Greg Venable - engineer
Jeff Guercio - engineer
John Hanlon - engineer

References

↑ "Beach Boys Producers Alan Boyd, Dennis Wolfe, Mark Linett Discuss ‘Made in California’ (Q&A)". Rock Cellar Magazine. September 4, 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
1 2 Bush, John. "L.A. (Light Album) - The Beach Boys | Allmusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
↑ http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=beach+boys
1 2 Marsh, Dave. "L.A. Light Album | Album Reviews | Rolling Stone". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 19 February 2012.

Sources

M.I.U. Album/L.A. (Light Album) CD booklet notes, Jeff Tamarkin, c.2000.
"The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the Southern California Experience", Timothy White, c. 1994.
"Wouldn't It Be Nice - My Own Story", Brian Wilson and Todd Gold, c. 1991.
"Top Pop Singles 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
"Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
Allmusic.com
Smiley Smile Message Board - "The Definitive Vocal Credits Thread," posts by Beach Boys archivist Alan Boyd and others

Hits	Best of The Beach Boys Vol. 1, 2, 3 Endless Summer Spirit of America Good Vibrations – Best of The Beach Boys 20 Golden Greats Ten Years of Harmony Sunshine Dream Made in U.S.A. Greatest Hits Vol. 1, 2, 3 The Very Best of The Beach Boys Sounds of Summer The Platinum Collection (Sounds of Summer Edition) The Warmth of the Sun Fifty Big Ones

Themed	Stack-O-Tracks Ultimate Christmas Classics Selected by Brian Wilson Good Vibrations: 40th Anniversary Edition Summer Love Songs

Rarities	Rarities Lost & Found (1961–62) Endless Harmony Hawthorne, CA The Big Beat 1963 Keep an Eye on Summer 1964 Beach Boys' Party! Uncovered and Unplugged

Box sets	Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys The Pet Sounds Sessions The Capitol Years The Original US Singles Collection The Capitol Years 1962–1965 The Smile Sessions Made in California

Documentary films

Good Vibrations Tour (1976)
An American Band (1985)
Nashville Sounds (1996)
Endless Harmony: The Beach Boys Story (1998)
Good Timin': Live at Knebworth England 1980 (2002)
Doin' It Again (2012)

Associated places

Influence

History / Lists

Book
Category
Portal
Wikiquote

People associated with The Beach Boys

Personnel	Alan Boyd Chuck Britz Stephen Desper Larry Levine Steve Levine Mark Linett Earle Mankey Bob Norberg Joe Thomas Nick Venet

Businessmen	David Anderle James William Guercio Jack Rieley Murry Wilson

Bands	American Spring Bob & Sheri Bruce & Terry California Music Captain & Tennille Celebration Chicago The Flames The Honeys The Wrecking Crew

Musicians/ songwriters	Tandyn Almer Ron Altbach Tony Asher Roger Christian Jan and Dean Daryl Dragon Danny Hutton Gregg Jakobson Stephen Kalinich Charles Manson Terry Melcher Andy Paley Van Dyke Parks John Phillips Dick Reynolds Toni Tennille Gary Usher Don Was

Touring members	Adrian Baker Phil Bardowell Gerry Beckley Nelson Bragg Glen Campbell Richie Cannata John Cowsill Daryl Dragon Jeffrey Foskett Probyn Gregory Billy Hinsche Matt Jardine Mike Kowalski Randell Kirsch Mike Meros Carli Muñoz Joe Pollard Darian Sahanaja Toni Tennille Scott Totten

Writers	Peter Ames Carlin David Leaf Byron Preiss Domenic Priore Jules Siegel Jon Stebbins Derek Taylor Michael Vosse Timothy White Paul Williams

Other	Eugene Landy Melinda Ledbetter Stan Love Christine McVie Rocky Pamplin John Stamos Paul Tanner Carnie Wilson Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford Wendy Wilson Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

The Beach Boys singles discography

1960s

1961	"Surfin'" / "Luau"

1962	"Surfin' Safari" / "409" "Ten Little Indians" / "County Fair"

1963	"Surfin' U.S.A." / "Shut Down" "Surfer Girl" / "Little Deuce Coupe" "Be True to Your School" / "In My Room" "Little Saint Nick" / "The Lord's Prayer"

1964	"Fun, Fun, Fun" / "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" "I Get Around" / "Don't Worry Baby" "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)" / "She Knows Me Too Well" "Dance, Dance, Dance" / "The Warmth of the Sun" "The Man with All the Toys" / "Blue Christmas"

1965	"Do You Want to Dance" / "Please Let Me Wonder" "Help Me, Rhonda" / "Kiss Me, Baby" "California Girls"/ "Let Him Run Wild" "The Little Girl I Once Knew" / "There's No Other (Like My Baby)" "Barbara Ann" / "Girl Don't Tell Me"

1966	"Sloop John B" / "You're So Good to Me" "Wouldn't It Be Nice" / "God Only Knows" "Good Vibrations" / "Let's Go Away for Awhile"

1967	"Then I Kissed Her" / "Mountain of Love" "Heroes and Villains" / "You're Welcome" "Wild Honey" / "Wind Chimes" "Darlin'" / "Here Today"

1968	"Friends" / "Little Bird" "Do It Again" / "Wake the World" "Bluebirds over the Mountain" / "Never Learn Not to Love"

1969	"I Can Hear Music" / "All I Want to Do" "Break Away" / "Celebrate the News"

1970s

1970	"Add Some Music to Your Day" / "Susie Cincinnati" "Cottonfields" / "The Nearest Faraway Place" "Slip On Through" / "This Whole World" "Tears in the Morning" / "It's About Time"

1971	"Cool, Cool Water" / "Forever" "Wouldn't It Be Nice" (live) / "The Times They Are a-Changin'" (by Merry Clayton) "Long Promised Road" / "Deirdre" "Long Promised Road" / "'Til I Die" "Surf's Up" / "Don't Go Near the Water"

1972	"You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone" / "Cuddle Up" "Marcella" / "Hold On Dear Brother"

1973	"Sail On, Sailor" / "Only with You" "California Saga: California" / "Funky Pretty"

1974	"Surfin' U.S.A." / "The Warmth of the Sun" "Child of Winter (Christmas Song)" / "Susie Cincinnati"

1975	"Sail On, Sailor" / "Only with You"

1976	"Rock and Roll Music" / "T M Song" "It's O.K." / "Had to Phone Ya" "Everyone's in Love with You" / "Susie Cincinnati"

1977	"Honkin' Down the Highway" / "Solar System"

1978	"Peggy Sue" / "Hey Little Tomboy"

1979	"Here Comes the Night" / "Baby Blue" "Good Timin'" / "Love Surrounds Me" "Lady Lynda" / "Full Sail" "It's a Beautiful Day" / "Sumahama"

1980s

1980	"Goin' On" / "Endless Harmony" "Livin' with a Heartache" / "Santa Ana Winds"

1981	"The Beach Boys Medley" / "God Only Knows" "Come Go with Me" / "Don't Go Near the Water"

1985	"Getcha Back" / "Male Ego" "It's Gettin' Late" / "It's O.K." "She Believes in Love Again" / "It's Just a Matter of Time"

1986	"Rock 'n' Roll to the Rescue" / "Good Vibrations" (live) "California Dreamin'" / "Lady Liberty"

1987	"Happy Endings" (with Little Richard) / "California Girls" (live)

1988	"Kokomo" / "Tutti Frutti" (Little Richard)

1989	"Still Cruisin'" / "Kokomo"

1990s

1990	"Somewhere Near Japan" / "Kokomo" "Problem Child" / "Problem Child (Instrumental)"

1992	"Hot Fun in the Summertime" / "Summer of Love"

1996	"I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" / "Wouldn't It Be Nice" / "Here Today"

2010s

2011	"Good Vibrations" / "Heroes and Villains" "Don't Fight the Sea" / "Friends" "Cabinessence" / "Wonderful"

2012	"That's Why God Made the Radio" / "That's Why God Made the Radio" (instrumental) "Isn't It Time" / Live in Chicago

Book
Category

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, January 20, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.