Pacific Ocean Blue

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Pacific Ocean Blue
POBCover.jpg
Studio album by
Dennis Wilson
ReleasedAugust 22, 1977 (1977-08-22)
Recorded
  • 1974 (1974) – March 22, 1977 (1977-03-22)[1]
StudioBrother Studios, Santa Monica, CA
Genre
Length37:15
LabelCaribou
ProducerDennis Wilson, Gregg Jakobson
Dennis Wilson chronology
Pacific Ocean Blue
(1977) 		Bambu (The Caribou Sessions)
(2017)
Singles from Pacific Ocean Blue
  1. "River Song"/"Farewell My Friend"
    Released: 1977
  2. "You and I"/"Friday Night"
    Released: 1977

Pacific Ocean Blue is the first album by American musician Dennis Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, and the only one released in his lifetime.[3] When released in August 1977, it was warmly received critically,[4] and noted for outselling the Beach Boys' contemporary efforts.[5] Two singles were issued from the album, "River Song" and "You and I", which did not chart.

The album remains a focal point of Wilson's legacy,[6] being referred to as a "classic".[3] It was voted number 838 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.[7] Wilson intended to record a follow-up, entitled Bambu, but the album was left unfinished at the time of his death in December 1983.[6][8]

Background and recording[]

After several attempts, starting in 1970, to realize his own project, some of which made it to the finished album, Wilson recorded the bulk of Pacific Ocean Blue in the months spanning the fall of 1976 to the following spring, at the Beach Boys' own Brother Studios. At the time of recording, Dennis' hard living had begun affecting his looks and more importantly his singing voice, which now delivered grainy and rough, yet still deeply soulful, vocals.[4][9]

Recalling the time Wilson spent working on the album, co-producer Gregg Jakobson said, "This was when he fully accepted himself as an artist. Brian had shown him chords on the piano, but as he'd become more proficient the music that came forth was not derivative of that. Having his own studio helped tremendously. With a little encouragement, and the right tools, Dennis took off."[10]

In a 1977 interview, Brian reported that his reaction when Dennis played him early mixes of the album was "Dennis, that's funky! That's funky!"[11] In a 2008 interview, Brian said that he had never heard the album.[8][12]

Reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic4.5/5 stars[2]
Bloomberg L.P.4/4 stars[13]
PopMatters8/10 stars[14]
Pitchfork Media8.5/10 (reissue)[15]
The A.V. ClubA-[16]
Robert Christgau(dud)(Legacy Edition)[17]
Uncut5/5 stars[18]
Rolling Stone4/5 stars[19]
Spin4/5 stars[20]
MusicHound3/5[21]

Released in August 1977, Pacific Ocean Blue received mixed reviews upon release, but in subsequent years has been re-evaluated by critics and is now widely praised.[4] It has appeared on several "Best-of" lists[22] including Robert Dimery's "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die,"[23] and Mojo's "Lost Albums You Must Own"[24] and "70 of the Greatest Albums of the 70s" lists.[25] In 2005, it was ranked No. 18 in GQ's "The 100 Coolest Albums in the World Right Now!" list.[26] He did occasionally perform his solo material on the 1977 Beach Boys tour.[27] Pacific Ocean Blue later developed a status as a cult item.[28] In December 2018, under the name Chewing, Nik Ewing of Local Natives along with Cults, Nico Segal and Pop Etc covered Dennis Wilson's album in its entirety.[29]

At the time of its initial release, the album didn't do well commercially: Despite a significant promotional campaign, the album peaked at No. 96 during a short 12-week Billboard chart run.[30][31] The disappointing performance of the record, combined with Wilson's increasingly unreliable professional behavior, led his record label to pull support for a modest West Coast tour that had been scheduled to promote the album.[32]

Release history[]

Issued by Caribou/CBS Records on CD in 1991, Pacific Ocean Blue went out of print within a year[4] due to ongoing disagreements over copyright ownership; the album was virtually unavailable for more than fifteen years. Copies of the extremely rare 1991 CD sold for over $200.[33][34]

Legacy Recordings released a special 30th anniversary, 2-disc edition of Pacific Ocean Blue on June 17, 2008.[35] It includes material from the Bambu sessions.[36][37] A limited edition 180-gram vinyl multi-LP box set was also released on the Sundazed label.[33][38]

Notable on the reissue is the inclusion of the song "Holy Man", recorded for Pacific Ocean Blue in 1977, in two versions. Wilson had completed work on the instrumental backing track but never finished a satisfactory vocal, erasing an original attempt. For the reissue, Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters was recruited to record a vocal version in Wilson's style given their similarities. The song's original lyricist, Gregg Jakobson, was tapped to help recall the song's original melody and to write lyrics for the song. Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor also recorded backing vocals for the track, along with guitar by May, although their contributions went unused until the version featuring them was released as part of Record Store Day 2019.

Despite missing the UK Album Chart on its original 1977 release, the expanded reissue of Pacific Ocean Blue entered the UK album chart at No. 16, also reaching No. 5 on the Norway album chart. In addition, the package managed to reach No. 8 on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart.

Track listing[]

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."River Song"Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson3:44
2."What's Wrong"D. Wilson, Gregg Jakobson, Michael Horn2:22
3."Moonshine"D. Wilson, Jakobson2:27
4."Friday Night"D. Wilson, Jakobson3:09
5."Dreamer"D. Wilson, Jakobson4:22
6."Thoughts of You"D. Wilson, Jim Dutch3:02
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Time"D. Wilson, Karen Lamm-Wilson3:31
2."You and I"D. Wilson, Lamm-Wilson, Jakobson3:25
3."Pacific Ocean Blues"D. Wilson, Mike Love2:39
4."Farewell My Friend"D. Wilson2:26
5."Rainbows"D. Wilson, C. Wilson, Stephen Kalinich2:55
6."End of the Show"D. Wilson, Jakobson2:55
Total length:37:15

30th Anniversary Edition[]

Disc one: Pacific Ocean Blue (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Tug of Love"D. Wilson, Jakobson3:44
14."Only with You"D. Wilson, Love3:57
15."Holy Man" (instrumental)D. Wilson3:57
16."Mexico"D. Wilson5:31
Disc two: Bambu (The Caribou Sessions)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Under the Moonlight"Carli Muñoz3:55
2."It's Not Too Late"Muñoz4:22
3."School Girl"D. Wilson, Gregg Jakobson2:31
4."Love Remember Me"D. Wilson, Jakobson, Stephen Kalinich4:04
5."Love Surrounds Me"D. Wilson, Geoffrey Cushing-Murray3:40
6."Wild Situation"D. Wilson, Jakobson2:41
7."Common"D. Wilson3:34
8."Are You Real"D. Wilson, Jakobson3:38
9."He's a Bum"D. Wilson, Jakobson2:50
10."Cocktails"D. Wilson, Jakobson, John Hanlon3:00
11."I Love You"D. Wilson, Jakobson2:02
12."Constant Companion"Muñoz, Rags Baker3:22
13."Time for Bed"D. Wilson, Jakobson3:07
14."Album Tag Song"D. Wilson3:45
15."All Alone" (previously released on Endless Harmony Soundtrack)Muñoz3:44
16."Piano Variations on "Thoughts of You""D. Wilson3:03
17."Holy Man" (Taylor Hawkins version)D. Wilson, Jakobson, Taylor Hawkins4:25

Personnel[]

  • Dennis Wilson – Lead and backing vocals, piano, Hammond organ, ARP synthesizer, Moog bass, Minimoog, Clavinet, Fender Rhodes, drums, percussion, bass harmonica, tuba on "Dreamer", violin on "Time", lap steel guitar on "Farewell My Friend", viola and cello on "Tug of Love", arrangements
  • Carli Muñoz – Harpsichord on "Mexico", percussion, producer
  • Carl Wilson – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, co-lead vocals
  • Bruce Johnston – Backing vocals, vocal arrangement on "End of the Show"
  • Hal Blaine – Drums on "What's Wrong" and "You and I"
  • Joe Chemay – Backing vocals
  • Chuck Domanico, James Jamerson, Dave Hessler, Wayne Tweed  – Bass guitar
  • Ricky Fataar – Drums, tambourine on "Holy Man"
  • John Hanlon – Engineer; lead guitar on "Dreamer"
  • Gregg Jakobson – Producer; backing vocals
  • Earle Mankey – Guitar, Engineer
  • Dean Torrence – Background vocals
  • Billy Hinsche – Rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Trisha Roach – Backing vocals
  • Baron Stewart – Backing vocals
  • Jim Dutch – Backing vocals
  • Karen Lamm-Wilson – Backing vocals
  • Robert Lamm – Backing vocals on "What's Wrong"
  • Gayle Levant – Harp on "End of the Show"
  • Stephen Moffitt – Chief engineer
  • Michael Andreas – Alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute, clarinet
  • Lance Buller – Trombone, trumpet
  • Sterling Smith – ARP synthesizer and Moog Taurus on "Mexico"
  • Tommy Smith – Drums on "Common," "Are You Real"
  • Dave Hessler;- Bass on "Common," "Are You Real"
  • Ed Carter – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar
  • Mort Klanfer – Bass guitar on "You and I"
  • Bobby Figueroa – Drums; congas on "You and I"
  • Manolo Badrena – Percussion
  • Janice Hubbard – Oboe
  • Bill Lamb – Trumpet, cornet, trombone
  • Charles McCarthy – Tenor and baritone saxophone
  • Eddie Tuleja – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, slide guitar, banjo, mandolin on "Rainbows"; backing vocals
  • Sid Sharp – Live strings ensemble
  • Alexander Hamilton's Double Rock Baptist Choir
Per Craig Slownski [39][40]

References[]

  1. ^ http://www.beachboysarchives.com/page11
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000314145
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Haggerty, Dan. "Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson's Solo Album To Be Reissued". 411mania. Archived from the original on 2008-06-01. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Sclafani, Tony. "Sea of Heartbreak: Dennis Wilson's Majestic Solo Work". PopMatters. Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  5. ^ Mehr, Bob. "Buried Treasure". American Airlines' American Way. Archived from the original on May 26, 2009. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Abbott, Kingsley. "Songs in the Key of Sea". Mojo. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  7. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). All Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd ed.). Virgin Books. p. 260. ISBN 0-7535-0493-6.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Doe, Andrew. "Pacific Ocean Blue". danaddington.com. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  9. ^ Hooper, Mark (2008-01-29). "Catch of the Day: Dennis Wilson". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  10. ^ Edmonds, Ben. "Dennis Wilson: The Lonely Sea". Mojo, November 2002
  11. ^ Fornatale, Pete (November 3, 1976). "Interview with Brian Wilson" (MP3). NY Radio Archive. WNEW-FM 102.7.
  12. ^ "Brian Wilson - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com.
  13. ^ link Archived 2008-09-18 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "link".
  15. ^ "Dennis Wilson: Pacific Ocean Blue: Legacy Edition Album Review - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com.
  16. ^ "link".
  17. ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: dennis wilson". www.robertchristgau.com.
  18. ^ "link".
  19. ^ "link". Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  20. ^ Spin June 2008, p.119
  21. ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds) (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 84. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "List of Pacific Ocean Blue Accolades". Acclaimedmusic.net. Archived from the original on 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  23. ^ Dimery, Robert. "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". Cassell Illustrated. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  24. ^ "Lost Albums You Must Own". Mojo. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  25. ^ "70 of the Greatest Albums of the 70s". Mojo. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  26. ^ "The 100 Coolest Albums in the World Right Now!". GQ. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  27. ^ "Dennis Wilson solo recordings". Local Gentry. Archived from the original on December 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-05.[better source needed]
  28. ^ Sclafani, Tony (November 1, 2007). "Dennis Wilson's Majestic Solo Work". PopMatters.
  29. ^ https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8489939/local-natives-nik-ewing-chewing-dennis-wilson-album-songs
  30. ^ "Dennis Wilson: The Beach Boy Who Went Overboard".
  31. ^ "Pacific Ocean Blue: Album Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  32. ^ The Real Beach Stebbins,"Jon Stebbins, "Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy" (2000)"
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b Cohen, Jonathan. "Wilson's 'Ocean' Set For Expanded Reissue". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2009. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  34. ^ Bowen, Rebecca. "Beach Boy Dennis Wilson's Solo Album Finds Re-release". Paste Magazine. Archived from the original on 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  35. ^ "Spring '08 LPs From Madonna, Coldplay, The Roots, Mudcrutch, Elvis Costello : Rolling Stone". Archived from the original on April 9, 2008.
  36. ^ "Beach Boys Star's Classic Solo Album To Be Reissued". NME. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  37. ^ Thompson, Paul. "Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue Finally Reissued". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  38. ^ Mills, Fred. "Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue Reissued w/Unreleased Bambu". Harp Magazine. Archived from the original on 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  39. ^ "Data" (PDF). tiptopwebsite.com.
  40. ^ "beachboysarchives.com". www.beachboysarchives.com.

External links[]


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