Say It Again!

 

Harmony, Baby

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Chris Cron is a Nashville based singer songwriter who has become a social media sensation for demonstarting his harmony builds. He is also known as the "Beach Boys Guy." I've watched a few of his videos and every one has knocked me out. Here are two that are absolutely stunning.

 

 

 

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New U2: Or, How To Empty A Blog Room In Record Time

 

I saw this while scrolling Facebook last week. It was posted by musician Chris Church.

"It's almost annoying to have to say this, but I just listened to the 5 newly released songs by U2, and in my opinion, that band still matters."

"Matters" is a strong take. But the "Days Of Ash" E.P. that dropped unexpectedly last week is damn good.

I know when I've posted about the band in the past,  it brought out some of the crankiest comments in a long line of cranky comments. I remember when people woke up to a new U2 album on their iPhones, the reaction was tantamount to genocide. Somehow, I don't think the reaction would have been the same for any other surprise record on your phone.

But that's been the case with U2 ever since Bono starting hugging fans in the front row.

That said, if this new E.P. is any indication of what the new full length will sound like later this year, count me in. 

 

J.B., B.B. & Bobby

 

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Songs Of The Week, 2026: 3/21-3/27

 

Listen To Me- Baby Huey
A Quiet Place (aka Johnny Dollar)- Dave & Ansel Collins
Timber Pts. 1 & 2- Candy Phillips
Ice On The Motorway- Roger Daltrey/Wilko Johnson
Silvio- Bob Dylan
Freedom Jazz Dance- Eddie Harris
Crystal Ball- Prince

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Listen To Me- Baby Huey
(Love the drummer's groove throughout.)
 
A Quiet Place (aka Johnny Dollar)- Dave & Ansel Collins
(Nice to hear something other than "Double Barrel" for a change.)

Timber Pts. 1 & 2- Candy Phillips
(A deep cut from New Orleans, written and produced by Eddie Bo. Candy Phillips was one and done with this track. I wonder who Candy Phillips really is.)

Ice On The Motorway- Roger Daltrey/Wilko Johnson
(Time to revisit the entire "Going Back Home" record.)

Silvio- Bob Dylan
("Down In The Groove" didn't sound so bad last week.)

Freedom Jazz Dance- Eddie Harris
Crystal Ball- Prince 
(We close things out with two epics, both funky and badass.)

 

 

BW's Saturday #79

 

"Pet Sounds" is 60!

 

"Pet Sounds" will be celebrating 60 years come May and so, why not reissue the record yet again? This time there will be a number of options, including a "definitive sound" edition for $100, making all previous "definitive" editions...umm...undefinitive. There will be a 2 LP set featuring both a stereo and mono mix. There will be a sessions set featuring a cappella tracks, alternates, etc.. And there will be a special Zoetrope vinyl edition which plays the audio from "Pet Sounds" while showing visuals from Coppola's "Rumble Fish" A good time is guaranteed for all.

Taken whole, it's hard to argue the brilliance of "Pet Sounds," but I will anyway. First, I've ranked the songs on "Pet Sounds" from favorite to least favorite.

God Only Knows

Caroline, No

Wouldn't It Be Nice

Don't Talk

I Just Wasn't Made For These Times

You Still Believe In Me

Sloop John B
Here Today

Let's Go Away For Awhile

I Know There's An Answer

I'm Waiting For The Day

Pet Sounds

That's Not Me

The issue I've always had with "Pet Sounds" is that there are far better songs on other Beach Boys records than these seven:

 

Sloop John B

Let's Go Away For Awhile

I Know There's An Answer

I'm Waiting For The Day

Here Today

Pet Sounds

That's Not Me

 

Take these four from "Today," for instance.

 

When I Grow Up
Please Let Me Wonder
Kiss Me Baby
She Knows Me Too Well 

 

Or, these four from "Summer Days."

Girl Don't Tell Me
California Girls
Let Him Run Wild
You're So Good To Me

 

The problem is, the rest of the tracks on "Summer Days" and "Today" can't hold a candle to any of the 13 on "Pet Sounds," not even the two instrumentals, which I think are gorgeous.

 

If asked what my favorite Beach Boys album was, I'd say "Pet Sounds" in a flash. If asked for my favorite records of all time, "Pet Sounds" would be in the Top 20. And though I reach for both "Summer Days" and "Today" more often than "Pet Sounds," I don't think either would even crack my Top 100 of all time.

 

How's that for confusing?