''Ten Years of Harmony'' is an official
double album
A double album (or double record) is an audio album that spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically either records or compact disc. A double album is usually, though not always, released as such because the recording i ...
compilation album released by
the Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American Rock music, rock band that formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian Wilson, Brian, Dennis Wilson, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and frie ...
in 1981, and spanning their entire
Brother Records
Brother Records, Inc. (BRI) is an American holding company and record label established in 1966 that owns the intellectual property rights of the Beach Boys, including "The Beach Boys" trademark. It was founded by brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis ...
-era up to that point (1970–80), including some unreleased or rare material. Although the song "
Darlin'" had originally been recorded in 1967 while the group was signed to
Capitol Records
Capitol Records, LLC (known legally as Capitol Records, Inc. until 2007) is an American record label distributed by Universal Music Group through its Capitol Music Group imprint. It was founded as the first West Coast-based record label of note ...
, the version on ''Ten Years of Harmony'' was recorded live in 1973 for the album ''
The Beach Boys in Concert
''The Beach Boys in Concert'' is the third live album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released in November 1973. It was their first live album since '' Live in London'' (1970), as well as the only live album and the final album on whic ...
''.
The Beach Boys had more or less splintered in 1981. Far from lucid,
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson (born June 20, 1942) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often called a genius for his novel approaches to pop composition, extraordinary musical aptitude, and m ...
would occasionally appear on stage, primarily as a replacement for brother
Carl Carl may refer to:
*Carl, Georgia, city in USA
*Carl, West Virginia, an unincorporated community
* Carl (name), includes info about the name, variations of the name, and a list of people with the name
*Carl², a TV series
* "Carl", an episode of te ...
, who was embarking on a solo career.
Dennis Wilson would show up to occasional concerts, but would usually be argumentative and disruptive.
Mike Love
Michael Edward Love (born March 15, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys with his cousins Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson and their friend Al Jardine. Characterized by his nasal tenor and occasional bass-bari ...
,
Al Jardine and
Bruce Johnston were the only stable members of a band who now had a whole cast of supporting musicians when they performed live. However, the release of ''Ten Years of Harmony'' kept the pretense going and, unexpectedly, the ''
M.I.U. Album
''M.I.U. Album'' is the 22nd studio album by American rock band the Beach Boys, released on September 25, 1978. Characterized for its easy-listening sound, the album was produced by Al Jardine and touring member Ron Altbach during one of the mos ...
'' cover of "Come Go with Me" became a US top-twenty hit when released as a single from this collection.
While taking tracks from 1970's ''
Sunflower
The common sunflower (''Helianthus annuus'') is a large annual forb of the genus ''Helianthus'' grown as a crop for its edible oily seeds. Apart from cooking oil production, it is also used as livestock forage (as a meal or a silage plant), as ...
'' to 1980's ''
Keepin' the Summer Alive
''Keepin' the Summer Alive'' is the 24th studio album by American rock band the Beach Boys, released March 24, 1980 on Brother, Caribou and CBS Records. Produced by Bruce Johnston, the album peaked at number 75 in the US, during a chart stay of ...
'', the compilers also included some oddities, rarities, and unreleased tracks. First, a handful of the songs, namely "Rock and Roll Music" and "California Saga: California" are presented in their original single mix. Early CD pressings of the album also included an early alternate version of "Come Go with Me." Moreover, ''Ten Years of Harmony'' includes a 1979 A-side "
It's a Beautiful Day
It's a Beautiful Day is an American band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1967, featuring vocalist Pattie Santos along with violinist David LaFlamme and his wife, Linda LaFlamme, on keyboards.
David LaFlamme, who as a youth had once p ...
" (which failed to chart), a Dennis Wilson-written track called "San Miguel" (which was a ''Sunflower''-era outtake from 1969), a cover of "Sea Cruise", which was a rejected track from the ''
15 Big Ones
''15 Big Ones'' is the 20th studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released July 5, 1976 on Brother/Reprise. It includes a mix of original songs and renditions of rock 'n' roll and R&B standards. The LP was the band's first albu ...
'' sessions, and a selection from Dennis' solo album, ''
Pacific Ocean Blue'', "
River Song".
Only Beach Boys who were active throughout the whole decade (Al Jardine, Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson) appear on the gatefold cover on the original LP issue.
''Ten Years of Harmony'', now out of print, sold enough in its release to reach number 156 in the US.
Track listing
Singles
* "Come Go with Me" (from ''
M.I.U. Album
''M.I.U. Album'' is the 22nd studio album by American rock band the Beach Boys, released on September 25, 1978. Characterized for its easy-listening sound, the album was produced by Al Jardine and touring member Ron Altbach during one of the mos ...
'') b/w "Don't Go near the Water" (from ''
Surf's Up'') (Brother/Caribou), November 2, 1981 US #18
''Ten Years of Harmony'' (Brother/Caribou/CBS Z2X 37445) reached #156 in the US. during a chart stay of six weeks.
Personnel
The Beach Boys
*
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson (born June 20, 1942) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often called a genius for his novel approaches to pop composition, extraordinary musical aptitude, and m ...
– vocals, keyboards, Moog synthesizer, bass guitar, drums
*
Mike Love
Michael Edward Love (born March 15, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys with his cousins Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson and their friend Al Jardine. Characterized by his nasal tenor and occasional bass-bari ...
– vocals
*
Carl Wilson
Carl Dean Wilson (December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998) was an American musician, singer, and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys. He was their lead guitarist, the youngest sibling of bandmates Brian and Dennis, and the group's ''de ...
– vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, Moog bass, drums, percussion
*
Al Jardine – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass guitar, banjo, lead guitar, Moog synthesizer
*
Dennis Wilson – vocals, drums, keyboards
*
Bruce Johnston – vocals, keyboards, mandolin
*
Blondie Chaplin – vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar
*
Ricky Fataar – vocals, drums
;Additional musicians and production staff
*
James William Guercio
James William Guercio (born July 18, 1945) is an American music producer, musician, songwriter, and director. He is well known for his work as the producer of Chicago's early albums as well as early recordings of The Buckinghams and Blood, Sweat ...
– bass guitar and co-producer of "Good Timin'"
*
Jack Rieley
John Frank Rieley III (November 24, 1942 – April 17, 2015) was an American record producer, songwriter, and disc jockey who managed the Beach Boys between mid-1970 and late 1973. He is credited with guiding them back to popular acclaim and was ...
– backing vocals
* Ed Carter – guitars, bass guitar
*
Billy Hinsche
William Hinsche (June 29, 1951 – November 20, 2021) was an American musician who was a co-founding member of the singing trio Dino, Desi & Billy and a keyboardist for the Beach Boys' backing band.
Background
Hinsche was born in Manila, the Phi ...
– harmony and backing vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar
*
Mike Kowalski
Mike Kowalski (born July 28, 1944) is an American drummer, percussionist and musicologist. He is best known as a longtime touring and session drummer for the rock band the Beach Boys.
Early career
Mike Kowalski was born in Hollywood, Los Angele ...
– percussion, drums
* Robert Kenyatta – congas
*
Carlos Munoz – keyboards
*
Marilyn Wilson
Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford (née Rovell; born February 6, 1948) is an American singer who is best known as the first wife of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Raised in Los Angeles, she started her singing career in the late 1950s, initially as part ...
, Diane Rovell – harmony and backing vocals
*
Daryl Dragon – keyboards, vibraphone
*
Stephen Desper
Stephen W. Desper is an American audio engineer who is best known for his work with the Beach Boys during the early 1970s and for inventing the Spatializer. The Spatializer is an effects unit which employs psychoacoustic techniques that emulate th ...
– vocals, Moog synthesizer
* Sterling Smith – harpsichord
* Woody Thews – percussion
References
Sources
* "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
Brian Douglas Wilson (born June 20, 1942) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often called a genius for his novel approaches to pop composition, extraordinary musical aptitude, and m ...
and Todd Gold, c. 1991.
* "Top Pop Singles 1955–2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
* "Top Pop Albums 1955–2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ten Years Of Harmony
1981 greatest hits albums
The Beach Boys compilation albums
Caribou Records compilation albums
Brother Records compilation albums