REVIEW: The Beach Boys, Sail On Sailor • 1972

THE BEACH BOYS
SAIL ON SAILOR – 1972 –
Universal

By David Beard

Like 2021’s Feel Flows box sets, the team of Alan Boyd, Mark Linett, Howie Edelson, and Universal Music have done it again with The Beach Boys’ Sail On Sailor 1972 set(s). Except this time, it’s better. There’s no getting around how wonderful 1970’s Sunflower and 1971’s Surf’s Up albums are … they’re both standalone statements in The Beach Boys canon, and the Feel Flows box sets were a great presentation of those albums and sessions. But the underappreciated (albeit lesser-known) albums gathered here tell a story of remarkable musical and spiritual growth. It’s true that many longtime fans love and appreciate Holland, but if not for “Sail On Sailor,” and “California” (from “California Saga”) being performed in concert over the years, the general public wouldn’t really know any of this music. The same can be said for Carl And The Passions – So Tough, but thankfully, “All This Is That” and “Marcella” have had their turn and have also made it into live performances, notably during the group’s 2012 reunion tour.

The new set cover art hints at something different and it doesn’t disappoint. This was a time when there were seven members of The Beach Boys (eight, when counting Daryl Dragon), and their music became more immersive. With this release, we get to listen to Carl And The Passions alongside Holland with alternate takes and mixes added for good measure. It’s so satisfying, and the expanded 6-CD and 5-LP sets make any previous iterations pale in comparison both in sound and content. Sail On Sailor delivers both unexpected treasure and beautiful packaging.

While it’s true that everyone in The Beach Boys had hoped for more involvement from creative genius Brian Wilson when they originally recorded these albums in 1971 and 1972, the cycle had shifted to group consciousness, and the contributions from Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, and Mike Love perfectly married with the band’s new creative direction under Carl, which included the additions of Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar. If you didn’t know, that’s Blondie singing lead on “Sail On Sailor,” and if you listen to Blondie and Ricky’s songwriting contributions on “Here She Comes,” “Hold On Dear Brother,” “We Got Love,” “Hard Time,” and “Oh Sweet Something” you’ll understand ‘who’ The Beach Boys had become; a brooding, soulful, folk, rhythm and blues funk-driven spiritual group. This music is all of these things, and the notable sessions — “All This Is That (A Cappella Mix),” “He Come Down (A Cappella Section),” “Funky Pretty (Track and Backing Vocals),” and Brian’s “Fairy Tale” takes — offer a rewarding glimpse into the recording process at this time in the group’s storied career.

Two albums that have The Beach Boys’ rhythm and blues and spirituality on full display

Another great thing about the Sail On Sailor release is the inclusion of the Carnegie Hall show. When taking into account the story of the booking of the event as told by Chip Rachlin in the Fall 2022 edition of ESQ (dedicated to the Carl And The Passions album), this concert was a big deal. And a great number of the fans that I’ve spoken to over the years – of any given age – often cite their love of the group’s 1973 In Concert album, and this performance takes an even deeper dive and offers us a chance to hear a more electric Beach Boys’ sound. There’s no getting around the significance of Blondie and Ricky’s contribution to The Beach Boys during this period in the group’s recording and performance career. Crank it up!

For collectors I highly recommend the 6-CD and 5-LP sets, but if you do order the LP box make sure you get it from The Beach Boys‘ official site so you get the collectible lithographs.

For the group’s newest fans, I can’t wait for them to discover this music. I don’t know how many newcomers discovered last year’s Feel Flows release, but this music’s time is now. This is the kind of release every music fan should own, right along with The Beatles’ Revolver and The Monkees Headquarters box sets.

As for Alan Boyd, Mark Linett, Howie Edelson, and Universal Music, I’m hoping they’re working on something ‘cool’ for next year. In the meantime, pick up Sail On Sailor today.

ORDER HERE
https://thebeachboys.lnk.to/SailOnSailor/

ORDER ESQ’s CARL AND THE PASSIONS ISSUE