Product Description

Few records of the twentieth century have attained such a substantial cult following as Dennis Wilson's 'Pacific Ocean Blue', finally re-released alongside material from its troubled follow-up 'Bambu' after his death in 1983. As the original drummer of The Beach Boys (and the only member who could surf), Dennis was perhaps the most misunderstood member of the group, while his celebrated brother Brian was the recipient of most attention. 'Pacific Ocean Blue', originally released in 1977, is a dense and emotional series of songs, veering from rock and gospel stomps ('River Song') to introvert and complexly orchestrated ballads ('Thoughts Of You'). The material from the abandoned 'Bambu' sessions is also includedhere, with Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins given the mammoth challenge of completing one of Wilson's songs, 'Holy Man', with new lyrics.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. River Song
2. What's Wrong
3. Moonshine
4. Friday Night
5. Dreamer
6. Thoughts Of You
7. Time
8. You And I
9. Pacific Ocean Blues
10. Farewell My Friend
11. Rainbows
12. End Of The Show
13. Tug Of Love
14. Only With You
15. Holy Man
16. Mexico

Disc 2:

1. Under The Moonlight
2. It's Not Too Late
3. School Girl
4. Love Remember Me
5. Love Surrounds Me
6. Wild Situation
7. Common
8. Are You Real
9. He's A Bum
10. Cocktails
11. I Love You
12. Constant Companion
13. Time For Bed
14. Album Tag Song
15. All Alone
16. Thoughts Of You
17. Holy Man

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1323 in Music
• Released on: 2008-06-16
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Enhanced, Original recording remastered

Amazon.co.uk Review

Apart from the non-release of Smile, the biggest lament of hardcore Beach Boys fans is that Bruce Johnston aside, none of the non-Brian Wilson solo albums are available on CD. But now, for fans of late drummer Dennis Wilson, there's reason to celebrate as his only-released solo album gets the reissue it deserves. Widely acknowledged as the finest Beach Boys solo effort, it's now presented with clarity, allowing the full sonic palette--the punch of opening "River Song" for example--to be heard in its intended glory. Wilson's raspy vocal may have been past its prime, but it's still affecting and ably supported by the sumptuous production values he gave the album. With high quality tracks such as the funky "Dreamer" and the poignant "Farewell My Friend", this will appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in The Beach Boys, as well as a delight for hardcore fans as the unreleased tracks (from the unfinished follow-up Bambu), easily match the original's quality.

While the disappointing absence of earlier singles ("Lady" or "Sound of Free") prevents this from being a definitive career anthology, this is as essential a Beach Boys artefact as Pet Sounds or Sunflower/Surf's Up. -–Thom Allott

Customer Reviews

an interesting, if unsatisfactory, album,..
I bought POB on the strength of the reviews on here having never heard it (or heard of it) before and because I'm a big Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan.
After several plays it still leaves me with mixed feelings. I admire much of the musical diversity of the tracks but often find the words hard to decipher (partly due to DW's diction and partly to the vocals often being set back in the mix) What the songs do have however is a soul-baring openess and honesty to them, which I think music should be about. POB is a worthwhile addition to an Beach Boy's collectors library but (at this stage) I cannot personally call it a 'classic' album. Listening on the ipod brings out more of the musics subtlety. I like the Bambu tracks (cd 2) as much ,if not more, than POB itself, with clearer production. I hope it'll grow on me as at least it's 'musical' and interesting which cannot be said of much modern music. Then again, I'm 54 so just an old fogey! And how ironic Dennis lost his life in the waters of the blue Pacific. RIP Dennis Wilson.

finally!!!!
Finally this album is rereleased!! Certainly the best solo beach boy album (though the competition isn't much!) and definetly one of my favourites from the 70s. And the excitement for many a DW fan - all the unreleased tracks, some of which i had heard on scratchy bootleg before. Parts of the mixing for the Bambu tracks is not the best, i've heard better versions elsewhere - particularly wild situation, but overall you cant complain especially when there were a few tracks id never heard before and blew my mind (love remember me, are you real and cocktails). Now all we need is another DW cd with all the other amazing songs he's done e.g early 70s stuff(carry me home, lady, sound of free etc)and whatever else he's done - then we'll be happy. A decent DW documentary would be good too.

Steady on!
I've given this one star simply because there's so much hyperbole written about this album that it really needs to be balanced a bit.

It's a pretty good album, but 'Genius'?? I think that's a bit strong. If I came across this album without hearing anything about it beforehand I'd think it was pretty good but anyone reading any of the gushing praise heaped on it here or elsewhere is bound to be disappointed.

If you like Beach Boys circa Holland/Surf's Up then you'll enjoy it. Just don't buy it expecting The Holy Grail!