Digital live set 

This new digital live set will be released on 12-14-18, just one week after the Wake The World: The Friends Sessions and I Can Hear Music: The 20/20 Sessions. With 114 recordings this new live digital set from Capitol Records — The Beach Boys – On Tour: 1968 — is comprised of Summer 1968 performances and London 1968 shows … offering over five hours of music.

The Summer tour dates consist of Chicago, IL(7-5-68), Fargo, ND (7-8-68),Waterloo, IA (7-10-68), Lincoln, NB (7-13-68), andPhoenix, AZ (7-16-68). For the Summer ’68 tour, the group utilized a big backup band, led by saxophone player Ernie Small, and possibly including John Lowe (saxophone) & John Guerin (percussion/drums), and (maybe) Doug Dragon (keyboards).

For the London dates, the group consisted of Daryl Dragon on keyboards (and bass for “Bluebirds”), Ed Carter on bass & tambourine (and lead guitar for “Bluebirds”), Mike Kowalski on percussion, and a local 5-man horn section. It’s also said that the group hired some cello players. The London shows were recorded on Dec. 1 and 8, 1968 (see below).

By 1968 the band was tight. Very tight. Personally, it would have been nice if they had the group left “Little Bird” in the set, but by December it was cut, and “Bluebirds Over The Mountain”was added. It’s also interesting to note that the group is not that interested in performing the “hits,” and it’s reflected in the “Surf Medley.” Just listen.

Like previous digital live releases, this set is a snapshot in time that presents The Beach Boys during a creative arc that few fans appreciate, while their overseas brethren were getting deeper and deeper into the rich catalogue.

THE BEACH BOYS SUMMER TOUR
CHICAGO, IL 7-5-68 (not a great recording … a lot of hiss)

Darlin’
Help Me Rhonda
California Girls
Sloop John B
Surfer Girl
Friends
Little Bird
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Surf Medley
Do It Again
Wake The World
God Only Knows
Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring
Good Vibrations
Barbara Ann
The Band Instrumental

FARGO, ND 7-8-68

Help Me Rhonda
California Girls
Sloop John B
Surfer Girl
Friends
Little Bird
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Surf Medley
Do It Again
Wake The World
Band Instrumental
Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Barbara Ann
Johnny B Goode

WATERLOO, IA 7-10-68

Darlin’ (incomplete)
Help Me Rhonda
California Girls
Sloop John B
Surfer Girl
Friends
Little Bird
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Surf Medley
Do It Again
Wake The World
God Only Knows
Band Instrumental
Good Vibrations
Barbara Ann
Johnny B Good

LINCOLN, NB 7-13-68

Darlin’
Help Me Rhonda
California Girls
Sloop John B
Surfer Girl
Friends
Little Bird
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Surf Medley
Do It Again
Wake The World
God Only Knows
Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring
Good Vibrations
Barbara Ann
Johnny B Good

PHOENIX, AZ 7-16-68 (little hiss … fun group interaction on stage)

California Girls
Sloop John B
Surfer Girl
Friends
Little Bird
Surf Medley
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Do It Again
Wake The World
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
I Get Around
Barbara Ann
Johnny B Good

THE BEACH BOYS LONDON TOUR
PALLADIUM 1st SHOW 12-1-68

Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Darlin’
Sloop John B
California Girls
Do It Again
Wake The World
Bluebirds Over the Mountain
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Barbara Ann
All I Want To Do

PALLADIUM 2nd SHOW 12-1-68

Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Darlin’
Sloop John B
California Girls
Do It Again
Wake The World
Bluebirds Over the Mountain
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Barbara Ann
All I Want To Do

FINSBURY 1st SHOW 12-8-18 *recorded for the Live In London LP

SOUNDCHECK – God Only Knows
SOUNDCHECK – Good Vibrations

Darlin’
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Sloop John B
California Girls
Do It Again
Wake The World
Aren’t You Glad
Bluebirds Over the Mountain
Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring
Good Vibrations
God Only Knows
Barbara Ann