Slightly off topic, and maybe I’m misremembering. I remember, pretty sure it was on Sunflower, where they gave info regarding the recording equipment, and that it was recorded in Quad. They also gave a wiring plan on playback on a stereo with 4 speakers, and, again if memory serves, it was simply wiring the second set out of phase. I don’t have my original vinyl, and the UK import I’ve had forever, doesn’t replicate that. Not the end of the world, just something I’ve wanted to clear up in my head. Thanks!
As I recall, it involved three speakers: the left and right conventionally wired, and the rear with the left and right hot (red, or”+”) leads. Sounded great in the 70s! Hope this helps!
The back jacket of Sunflower provides straightforward technical notes from chief engineer & mixer Stephen W. Desper. The Surf's Up inner insert provides somewhat humorous, tounge-in-cheek technical notes from Desper. The quad wiring diagram appeared as an insert in The Flame LP (also engineered by Desper).
Ha! I was just reading the back jacket of Sunflower last night while playing some choice cuts from the album. Which, by the way, I'm more convinced with each listen that "All I Wanna Do" is one of the most sublime recordings and songs ever made by our species.
The best part about the back jacket notes is that they were included word for word on the UK version... ...along with a duophonic version of Cottonfields
Some love the fact that 'Cottonfields' was tacked onto the front of the album. I'm glad it wasn't a part of my US album version experience of it, it may have ruined the whole vibe for me. Sticks out like a sore thumb to me. I still don't like it, but from a commercial point of view, it makes sense. Can't imagine the album starting without 'Slip On Through'. Guess it's what your used to.....
UK had thirteen tracks. Extra song was welcome 50 years ago as it was a hit record included ( saved you buying the single). UK : Best Of The Beach Boys Hits album was a good un.
Think Sunflower is getting the kudos fifty years after the fact. BB were uncool in 1970. The music gets the last laugh.
I reckon it would be cool. The quad mix decided properly would be nice. The hidden quad they released was pretty decent, although incorrectly decoded, but a correct, fully official version would be nice
“In truth, every beautifully designed, finely wrought, inspirationally welded piece of music made these last months by Brian…has been SCRAPPED. Not destroyed, but scrapped.”
Back in 1970/71 I had a complete quad set up that decoded all of the different quad formats (SQ, EV, CD-4, etc). Both Sunflower and Surf's Up had "some" tracks in quad, but not the entire albums. And they sounded sensational. However, years later, I found that Dolby Pro Logic did a really good job of providing a great surround sound on both LP's. Not the way that Desper had encoded them, but it was still a great quad soundstage. I remember how amazing "Cool Cool Water" filled the room with stunning surround sound. It might be time for Stephen Desper to weigh in.....
Which album, Summer Days and Summer Nights or Sunflower? Summer Days is one of their best! Sunflower is okay, I wish they just used the big sunflower image as the cover, personally.
I’m quoting saborlord123 post with the heading Summer Days( and Summer nights) and session box. Photo of Brian.
Not to my knowledge and that's not because it didn't get ample airplay. The FM jocks jumped on it and I remember hearing it quite often.
Their friend and former Beach Boys colleague, Fred Vail, tried real hard to get 'Add Some Music' played on radio. He knew a lot of people in radio and tried to get them back on the air waves. Unfortunately, he was turned away by everybody because The Beach Boys 'weren't cool' anymore. He was devastated, and even more devastated that he had to front back to the 'guys', that nobody was interested in them anymore. There's some great interviews with Fred about all of this, which is truly heartbreaking to hear, considering, the group were making some of the best music of their career.
In 1970 I seen Woodstock movie in the cinema also 200 Motels, Easy Rider ... To hell with cool. It’s good .. I like it.. Bought S u n f l o w e r. Add some Beach Boys music to your day.
I thought that they only got airplay in certain markets, mainly the Midwest and of course LA. But not enough to make a major hit; "Add some Music" ended up hitting 64; "Tears in the Morning" was a number one hit in the Netherlands. Cottonfields was big in various European markets but was not even on the American version of the album.
