Customer Reviews

A Postcard From California

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So I purchased Al's new CD via Amazon download. I had listened to the demos a while back and to be honest, I wasn't real fond of them. Based on the time it took to be released and the fact that it wasn't being issued as an official CD, it seemed like it had disaster written all over it. Plus I wasn't sure what kind of shape Al's voice would be in because I never considered him as one of the stronger vocalists in the group. Well, I'm happy to say that I could not have been any more wrong. With 'Postcard' Al paints a beautiful picture of California and it is obvious how much he loves the Golden State. Most of the album seems to flow effortlesssly from track to track with the running theme being Al's awe of California and it's beauty. Whereas Brian always painted a picture of California that made you want to grab a board and go party with all the other kids there, Al always seemed to paint the other relaxed side of California. A side that made you want to take a slow ride around the coast with the love of your life while watching a beautiful California sunset. I have listened to this CD six or seven times now and my only complaint would be the lack of new material on it (half of the tracks are Beach Boys tunes.) That said, even his re-workings of the old songs turned out great (and better than the originals in most cases.)

If you have been thinking about getting this one I would strongly suggest you do (The song "Don't Fight The Sea", featuring Mike, Brian, Carl, Al, and Bruce is worth the price of the CD in my opinion.) The writing is great, Al's voice sounds great, and the harmonies are in top form. Plus check out the list of guest vocalists that appear on here: Neil Young, Gerry Beckly, Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Alec Baldwin, Glen Campbell, Flea, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Steve Miller.

Track by Track review:

- A Postcard From California -

The title track is one of my favorite tracks on the CD. When I first heard the demo for this song I thought it was a complete rip-off of "Rhinestone Cowboy" but now I realize that Glen Campbell was part of it which explains the similarities to his hit song (It actually sounds like it could be a follow-up or a sequel to "Rhinestone Cowboy.") The verses build up perfectly to the chorus which I absolutely love and can't help singing along with it. When Glen Campbell's voice kicks in it seems to add authenticty to the whole theme of the song and really enhances it. I actually think this track is radio-worthy.



- California Feelin' -

Before Brian released his version, the only versions of this song I had heard were poor quality as I'm sure they were compiled from bootlegs and demo versions. I always liked the song but was hard to enjoy because of the quality of all the various releases. Well, after listening to this song on here I'll have to say the Al's new version trumps them all...yes even Brian's.



- Lookin' Down The Coast -

Al's voice is in top form and I love the acoustic Spanish guitars at the breaks. Also, for the first time I noticed that Brian's "Walkin' the Line" sounds similar to this song at certain parts ("And that's no lie....")



- Don't Fight The Sea -

Beach Boys fans need to fast forward to this track immediately. This is my favorite track on here (easy choice considering the guest vocalists!) First of all you will hear Mike, Brian, Al, Bruce...and yes even Carl. It is vintage Carl and this track sounds like a lost Beach Boys tune. It would not be out of place on the 'Surfin' USA' album right between "Stoked" and "The Lonely Sea." I wish there were 20 more tracks like this.



- Tide Pool Interlude -

This song is actually the first part of a "trilogy" to "California Saga.". It features spoken word about California written by poet Stephen John Kalinich. I have never been a fan of his poetry because it always sounds so overly dramatic. However with Alec Baldwin doing the narration and the way that it ties the three pieces of "A California Saga" together, it actually seems to fit.



- Campfire Scene -

A harmonica and banjo kick this one off and I immediately thought of 'Cabinessence.' The slow drawn-out beginning bars of 'California Saga' provide a nice build-up into the actual song.



- A California Saga -

Check out the opening piano. They are the same notes that the organ plays on the break in 'California Girls' but for some reason I never caught that before. This is a great cover as well and really has a nice country-western feel to it which suits the song well. And although I've never been a big fan of Neil Young, he seems to be a good fit on this one.



- Help Me Rhonda -

At about this point in the CD it seems to go down somewhat in my opinion. "Help Me Rhonda" is one of the tracks I could've done without on this collection and seems to take away from the overall theme. It's also a song that I have heard a million times and I just don't think it is a song that needs to be covered. This version doesn't add anything to the original nor is it a departure (if a Beach Boys song is going to be covered I would rather see it re-worked ala Paul Simon's version of 'Surfer Girl.') Al's voice is in good form and Steve Miller adds some vocals which made me wish Al had just sang the whole thing. I know he said he wanted to give it a blues feel but it doesn't sound much different from the original or even the version from 'Stars and Stripes.'



- San Simeon -

The opening of this one sounds like the beginning vocals to "Don't Worry Baby" but that is where the similarities end. It's a track that doesn't really stick out to me but seems pleasant enough (although the word "Simeon" sounds odd in a song.) The harmonies are very good and Gerry Beckly adds some nice vocals which give it an "America" feel. The song fades out with vocals only and that part reminds me a little of "Lady Lynda." I do think the song gets better as it goes along but is probably one of my least favorite songs on here.



- Drivin' -

Al and Brian team up on this one for a song about one of the Beach Boys first loves - crusin' around town. However, there is a twist - The song starts off with how they used to cruise around town in their woodies but then ends with how they can't do that any more because of the price of gas (Al even takes a swipe at BP which seems a little out of place.) It sounds like guys from America are on backing vocals here with a shout-out to a couple of their hits. Musically there is nothing special about this one but it is fun to hear Brian and Al trading off verses.



- Honkin' Down The Highway -

I've never been a fan of 'Love You' but this is a nice cover and was one of the few songs I did like on the original album. Al's voice sounds amazingly like it did on the original and it even sounds like Brian is on backing vocals on this one. There are a few differences here - a sax solo and the sound of a police officer (Matt? Adam?...not sure) pulling the singer over for "honkin' down the highway." The song then ends with the vocals overdubbed into a beautiful sounding choir - "....Way with Girls!"



- And I Always Will -

Al writes a heartfelt song to apparently the love of his life. It sounds like a very personal love letter and maybe should have been left unshared. Once again there is nothing musically special about this one and it is such a mellow song that it wouldn't be out of place at a wedding. Unfortunately it is probably my least favorite song on the CD which was too bad because I hated to see the CD end on this note.



As far as Beach Boys solo albums go, I will rank this one right behind Brian's first album and Dennis' POB. Al stays true to who he is and plays to those strengths and I think that goes a long way when you take on the task of creating a solo piece of work.

Al Jardine's many devoted fans have been patiently waiting for quite a long time to hear "A Postcard From California" and I firmly believe that the end result is well worth any perceived delays. This album not only showcases the appreciable talents of Jardine himself, but also presents the listener with an impressive line-up of stellar guests, many of whom have had a long association with The Beach Boys. Not only did Al successfully garner the participation of surviving band mates Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks, but he also managed to include the heavenly voice of the late Carl Wilson. Even Glen Campbell (briefly a Beach Boy himself) adds immeasurably to the title cut and he's just one of several other music industry luminaries who delight the listener. But this isn't about The Beach Boys, it's about Jardine and his own ability to create something truly special.

The first seven tracks are woven together into what I would call a "suite" that flows from song to song, paying homage along the way to Jardine's beloved California. My personal feeling is that this is the heart of the album and is a standalone work, in and of itself. In these tracks one can find a deep love for, and appreciation of, this remarkable state and what I appreciated most was the timeless nature of the writing. While the title cut takes us back to the post-World War II time period, and to the origins of how the Jardine family ended up emigrating from Ohio, the very next song brings us to the beauty one can find here today. "California Feeling" is one of those long lost Beach Boys songs that were only recently released officially, first by Brian Wilson in 2002 and now by Al. What captured me was how the same song could be interpreted in two such different ways. As beautiful as Wilson's version is, Jardine adds his own unique stylistic touch (with revised lyrics) creating a piece that makes one yearn for the California sun.

Next up in this initial suite is another lost song called "Looking Down The Coast". I had previously heard this gem many years ago on a very poor quality bootleg that only made me want to see The Beach Boys give it the treatment that it deserved. A lyrical and compositional gem, it manages to blend the grandeur and magic of the central California coast with the less-than-honorable exploitation of its past inhabitants (not unlike Carl Wilson's "The Trader"). The very meaningful song closes with a soulful transition into the absolute jewel of the entire album . . . . .

"Don't Fight the Sea", described as "a whimsical look at the futility of man's attempt to control his environment", might just be the holy grail that die hard Beach Boys fans have been dreaming of. From top to bottom, this beautifully crafted "new" song sounds like something the band might have recorded in their heyday . . . and there's a very good reason for this. The Beach Boys began work on it back in the late 1970s but for whatever reason, the project was shelved. Carl's vocals were added years later and Al decided to resurrect the master tapes and try to finish the song for his new album. The results are nothing short of stunning, with Al and Carl trading verses on the lead and a simply breathtaking backing vocal track throughout. This song was most assuredly destined to become a "Beach Boys" classic but it just happened to take three decades to make it all happen!

I've never been a big fan of spoken word pieces but I have to admit that "Tide Pool Interlude" (Track 5) really made me smile. Designed to serve as an introductory segment for a trio of tracks that culminates with a self cover of his 1973 tour de force "A California Saga", it was Jardine's selection of his friend, actor Alec Baldwin, to perform the recitation that really made it work for me. Baldwin's fabulous voice is perfectly suited to this task and his delivery and timing are spot on. Add to that a beautiful instrumental backing track and, strangely, this decidedly corny tribute to California became a highlight of the album for me. From this brief track to an even shorter one, "Campfire Scene" playfully steers us toward his "Holland" era masterpiece with a vamping vocal opening that he shares with none other than David Crosby and Neil Young. A banjo reminiscent of a Disneyland ride leads into the familiar words, off key at first but quickly shifting into gorgeous harmony. Then comes the actual song and I honestly believe Jardine may have topped his original Beach Boys version. He takes the first and third verses while Neil Young deftly handles the middle one. This is an absolute treat to listen to and is a perfect way to close out the initial seven interconnected songs on the album.

From here, things start to slip a bit with the inclusion of another cover, this time "Help Me Rhonda". Like a previous reviewer, I don't believe this song fits at all into the general theme of the collection. On top of that, I don't think this song is one that's begging to be redone. It was a fine piece in its day and Al's original performance helped to make it a classic. I'm just not sure it needed to be revisited, especially here. I will say that if you happen to be a harmonica fan (which I'm not), you may enjoy this track.

As quickly as the momentum slipped, it seemed to return in the gorgeous song "San Simeon". Opening with ultra-lush vocals, Al paints a lovely picture of this pleasant and often overlooked seaside town. America's Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell add their appreciable talents to this track, as do Jardine's very gifted sons Matt and Adam. Very pretty!

Next up is "Drivin'" and, as the name implies, it's a great song for the car. It's hard to go wrong with Brian Wilson and the America boys sharing lead vocals and I particularly appreciated their not-so-subtle reference to a couple of their own songs. David Marks offers a superb guitar solo and be sure to listen to Al's talking near the end. There's a reference to "409" and he also manages to slam BP for their recent oil spill debacle. Rarity hunters will be pleased to know that a second version of this song exists where Texaco is referenced, rather than BP.

Track 11 is another cover, this one from The Beach Boys' "Love You" album. "Honkin' Down The Highway" was never my favorite song from that album and that album was never my favorite BB offering. That said, Al managed to add new life to this harmlessly upbeat song and, as with the previous track, there's a fun reference to an old classic, this time "Little Deuce Coupe". Brian, Matt, and Adam are on board again on this one.

The final piece on this album is called "And I Always Will" and it's a beautiful love song, possibly written for his wife? A very lovely way to close out an outstanding collection.

My only real regret about "A Postcard From California" is that "California Dreamin'", originally slated for inclusion, was left off the final line-up. I had heard rumors that it simply wasn't finished in time for the release date but that may not be true. All I can say is that the sound bite Al had on his web site led me to believe it was going to be a real jewel. I believe David Crosby performed on it, as did John Stamos. My hope is that Al eventually finishes it and offers it as a CD single.

Thank you Al for giving the fans exactly what we always knew you could create!

Respectfully,

Pete Sferra

...I won't repeat the obvious; this is a GREAT album... I kinda knew Al Jardine had the "real" Beach Boy vibe in him (evidenced by the recent live releases)... but I never dreamed he had THIS MUCH... totally blown away by this release. The fact that did a "Threetles" (Paul, George & Ringo "recording" with John Lennon for The Anthology) as he revived tracks recorded decades ago and treated us to Carl Wilson, Bruce Johnston and more was a power packed bonus.

Here's where, imho, some Amazon reviewers missed the point. More than one have stated that once the remaked "Help Me Rhonda" kicked in, it was downhill. What you didn't get was that this is, for all purposes, a concept album... Notice the history of the disovery and move to the golden paradise called California is detailed in each subsequent song... Then, at least I believe, once the entire panorama is developed, Al humbly acknowledges that, thanks to The Beach Boys, the rest of us in America (and the world for that matter) were treated to "California in Sound" through the magic of Brian Wilson & Company... and what better way to make that point than with "Help Me Rhonda"?... Even more proof of Jardine's witty musical intelligence is the fact that, instead of redoing the song in the already-well-known-version, presents it with a lacksidaisical California vibe... from there on; "The Beach Boys" own the show and bring it home... and if he decided to end it all with a "love letter" to the love of his life, more power to him, as she probably was the "woman-behind-the-man" who encouraged him all those years to keep on surfin'... With this song he neatly tied a beautiful red bow on this gorgeous musical package... Thank you Al Jardine!

This is not actually a Beach Boys release, but in my opinion, it is The Beach Boys album we have been awaiting. It is the closest we have come to a new Beach Boys album in ages, and it deserves to be heard and appreciated! Al Jardine's voice is still solid, crisp, clear, and perfect for Beach Boys product, and all of the guest artists are pretty incredible as well. The presence of Brian, Carl, Mike, and Bruce add to the thrill of this release. The songs are first-rate, and the performances stellar! FIVE STARS!!!

Note my review title says album. I bought my first Beach Boys album back in 64, so I am almost as old as the group. Like many other reviewers say, the album flows seamlessly from song to song. Don't Fight the sea is a true Beach Boys classic. It's too bad it wasn't released years ago. California Saga is definitely better than the original. But the song that stands out most for me is the title song. I can't get it out of my mind! The song really tells of Al's love of California, the tune is very catchy, and if you look at the list of collaborators it is an outstanding group. Anyone who loves this type of music and excellent vocals will kike this CD.

When I hear Al Jardine's voice, which doesn't seem to have changed, it's impossible not to think of The Beach Boys. I think I had forgotten how much he contributed to their sound.

I hesitated, but after reading a couple of reviews I decided to give it a chance.
I'm so happy I did. It's probably as close to a Beach Boys' album we'll get without a reunion of the surviving members. I dare say, more like The Beach Boys than even any of Brian's great albums, except of course "SMILE".

The title song doesn't have much of a Beach Boys sound, but it's a great song. It seems to have been custom written for Glen Campbell, who shares lead vocals with Al. It may just be me, but it's very reminiscent, even down to the strings, of "Wichita Lineman" and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix".

The next few songs flow together and sound more like The Beach Boys.

"California Feeling" is a nice song co-written by Brian Wilson. Behind the vocals are only a piano and harmonica and with the sound of crashing waves it goes into a beautiful song titled "Looking Down The Coast" which describes the sights, sounds and life on the California coastline.

With the sound of wind, waves and whales, we go into "Don't Fight The Sea", which has the background harmony vocals of Brian and Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston. This is a Beach Boys song which was never completed until now. The basic track was recorded in 1978.

The sound of the sea and sea gulls take us into "Interlude" with Alec Baldwin doing spoken word, describing the feeling of and the love for California, over the sound of a piano.

A harmonica and banjo begin the very short "Campfire Scene" with vocals by David Crosby and Neil Young and then we hear "A California Saga" which brings in Stephen Stills, along with Crosby and Young. Neil Young and Al sing lead vocals and it's amazing how well Neil fits into the song. Again we have a song which sounds like The Beach Boys. It gives credit for piano to "Guess who?" which I assume is Brian, but I could be wrong.

Next is a great remake of "Help Me Rhonda" with Steve Miller on guitar and vocals and long time Steve Miller Band member, the late Norton Buffalo on harmonica. The vocals seem to match the tempo of the original, but the music sounds nothing like the original. A great vehicle for Miller.

"San Simeon" begins with trademark Beach Boys harmonies by Jardine and, from the group America, Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley. Gerry also sings some lead vocals.

Next is a fun, guitar driven song "Drivin'" which has lead vocals by Al, Brian Wilson, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, and contains references to a couple of America's songs.

Another fun and humorous song, and one of my favorites, "Honkin' Down The Highway" was written by Brian Wilson, who also sings lead and background vocals. Love this song!! One of my favorite lines in this song is "Honkin' down the gosh darned highway". Needless to say, it sounds like The Beach Boys, but I just did.

The last song is the love song "And I Always Will" sung by Al. The first two verses could be a love song to his fellow Beach Boys, but at the end of verse two it turns into a love song to his wife.

As I listen to this cd, I keep reminding myself it's not The Beach Boys.
It also makes me wish for a complete reunion album by The Beach Boys, but I'm not holding my breath.

If you like The Beach Boys, I think you'll like this cd.
I don't really understand why some reviewers said it's a weak effort with awful vocals and melodies, but I suppose beauty is in the ear of the beholder.

Thanks Al, for an album of great music, something I find rare these days. I hope you do another one.

Al Jardine's Postcard from California is really an album of which each song is its own postcard. Each song stands on its own, though several softly preach Al's environmental gospel. His Help Me Rhonda remake is fin but only makes me want to crank up the 1965 single again. But California Saga, a Jardine Beach Boys cut, is refreshingly distinct (better than the original, some say ... and they may be correct!). How great to hear Al and Brian trade vocals on Drivin' but Jardine baits and switches by turning an expected Beach Boys southern California theme (409, Little Deuce Coupe into a northern California journey.



Whatever you do, if you are a true fan of Beach Boys music, download Don't Fight The Sea. If they had released this back in the 70's, it could have made it to the top decades before Kokomo brought them back on top. Is this the last best Beach Boys song? you decide.

Good album; you'll like enough of it. But, if you only have a buck, don't fight it - get Don't Fight The Sea!

Phil
Pray For Surf dot Net

Listening to this album is a true blessing. Al has the singing voice today that all The BB's had in the 1960's. His album shows us Al's brilliance and his integrity. His song moving to CA w/ his parents in "A Postcard" is hopeful for the American dream. The idea how CA was looked @ from sailors in the days of Spain and Mexico in the song "Looking Down the Coast" is amazing, like it was centuries ago. I loved the song "Don't Fight the Sea". To hear Carl sing with Al, Brian, Mike & Bruce is something worthy of the album itself. "And I Always Will" is truly the most beautiful love song, in an eloquent voice. All of the friends that spent time with Al, did an extraordinary and excellent job at making a magnificent record. The culmination delights and gratifies even the hardest credits. Buy this and you will listen to it over & over again and maybe by listening, make a difference in the way see our planet.

I have been listening to the entire album for 2 days now; the guest appearances of America, Glen Campbell, Stills, Crosby, and Young, etc. are tasteful, seasoned and display a fine respect for American music history and the Beach Boys' particular relation to these artists as analogues and inspiration. "Don't Fight the Sea" is nothingless than a "Beach Boy song" and is stirring; I have been living that song this weekend here in LA, and its power has been animating my every more, either rocking round the LA freeways or heading to the beach. The song may have a political, ecological focus, but that element, however important and worthy from the BB, falls away in respect to the philosophical and emotional power of the music and singing. "Don't Fight the Sea" can mean so many things: do no resist the power of Nature, broadly defined; do not resist truth and beauty, etc. It's "Don't back down" reimagined and "aged" 48 years later. There is a Taoist element to the thinking here, and the song is liberating. Concerning the album as a whole, how can this great gift of Al, the hopeful, emotional core of the surviving BB, mean anything less than a full reunion to come? Every BB, save the late Dennis, is represented here--David playing a rockin' lead on Drivin'. I hope all the BB take this to heart. I remain in awe that at the click of a mouse I am listening to the BB again. The spirit of joy and peace radiates from very track. Once you listen to this album, you feel part of the land, history, and, as Carl would have said, the spirit.
thank you Al,
Professor M.Calabrese
California State University, Los Angeles
mcalabr@calstatela.edu

In "A Postcard from California", Al Jardine teams with other artists/friends in a montage of audio images for Al's beloved home state, specifically the central coast of California.

The first song, "A Postcard from California" written by Al, tells the story of Al's father coming to California for a new job. On the track Al is joined by Glen Campbell for a song which is has a "Rhinestone Cowboy" vibe to it.

"California Feeling" and "Looking Down the Coast" provide California imagery culminating in "Don't Fight the Sea", a Beach Boys track with lead vocals by Al Jardine and Carl Wilson backed by Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and others giving us basically a re-mastered Beach Boys gem.

"Interlude" is an spoken-word, instrumental-backed tribute to California voiced by Alec Baldwin. This leads right into "Campfire Scene" and "A California Saga", a vocal treat that includes the voices of Al, sons Matt and Adam, as well as David Crosby, Neil young, and Stephen Stills.

Next is a new take on the Beach Boys classic "Help Me Rhonda", with a more bluesy feel. Steve Miller lends his talents to this track.

"San Simeon" is a great "Beach Boys"-esque track with Gerry Beckley and Dewey Brunnell of America joining Al for another vocal treat.

"Drivin'" kicks this up a notch with not only Al, America's Beckley and Brunnell, but brings in Brian Wilson to share lead vocals for a rockin' car song (while also paying homage to some of America's hit songs.)

"Honkin' Down the Highway", written by Brian Wilson, features Al Jardine and Brian Wilson backed by sons Matt & Adam and others for another rollicking Beach Boy car song.

The CD concludes with "And I Always Will", a sweet ballad where Al completes his tribute to California, the places and the people.

From the liner notes Al says, "I hope you like my work. It reflects the way I see the world through the eyes of those who have lived here and through the voices of those who have influenced me along the way."

A fine tribute indeed.