Taking You Back In Time When The Beach Boys Were "Surfin' USA" and Having "Fun, Fun, Fun"
"The thirty splendid tracks on 'Sounds of Summer - The Very Best of the Beach Boys' vividly dramatize that legendary band's ability to evoke a vision of California as shimmering, rich and all-encompassing as the state itself...The Beach Boys had not simply defined their own sound, but they themselves had become one of the most significant musical forces on the scene." ~ Anthony DeCurtis ~
How could this collection be the very best of the Beach Boys without my all-time favorite "The Warmth of the Sun?" I was going to give it a four-star-rating due to the exclusion of that beautiful song, but on second thought -- with a set of thirty of their hit songs that are included in this collection, I believe it is arguably a five-star-material.
In my teen-aged years, I have loved the delightful and fun music of the Beach Boys. I was very impressed how their voices blended flawlessly into choir-like harmonies. With their combined talents and creativity, they composed and arranged their own songs. I never fail to listen to this compilation CD every once in a while whenever I want to turn back the hands of time and reminisce cherished memories of summers gone by. And this is also one of the CDs I listen to when I'm running on the treadmill as it is the perfect music that is so full of high spirit and energy.
I have seen one of the live concerts of the Beach Boys back in the Nineties. To me, it was one of the most exciting moments in my entire musical journey to have watched this outstanding group perform live before the eyes and ears of admiring and enthusiastic concert-goers.
This CD is not only meant to be listened to during summertime, but for all seasons through all the years. All the thirty tracks are fun to listen to, but my top twelve choices include the following.
1. Surfin' USA
2. California Girls
3. God Only Knows
4. Don't Worry Baby
5. Wouldn't It Be Nice
6. Do You Wanna Dance
7. Little Deuce Coupe
8. I Can Hear Music
9. Fun, Fun, Fun
10. In My Room
11. Surfer Girl
12. Kokomo
We're on the last leg of summer and in a few days, we'd all be saying...Goodbye Summer of 2008. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" to turn back the hands of time and listen once again to Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnson and David Marks collectively known as the famous Beach Boys? Relive the luscious sounds of the Sixties and enjoy the splendid sounds of summer with this highly recommended CD. A delightful listen.
"That beautiful season, the Summer!
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light
and the landscape lay as if new created
In all the freshness of childhood." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~
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