The Beach Boys from the era (Photo: Iconic Artists Group LLC / Brother Records Inc.; used with permission)
In honor of 50 years of The Beach Boys’ timeless and often under-appreciated albums, Capitol/UMe will release an expansive boxed set, Feel Flows – The Sunflower and Surf’s Up Sessions 1969-1971, on August 27, 2021, that chronicles and explores in depth this metamorphic and highly influential 1969-1971 period of the band’s legendary career.
Assembled by Mark Linett and Alan Boyd, the team behind 2013’s GRAMMY® Award-winning SMiLE Sessions, the collection features newly remastered versions of Sunflower and Surf’s Up and boasts 135 tracks, including 108 previously unreleased tracks, live recordings, radio promos, alternate versions, alternate mixes, isolated backing tracks and a cappella versions, culled from the album sessions.
The Beach Boys from the era (Photo: mptvimages.com; used with permission)
Many tracks have been released in advance. One is a previously unreleased live version of fan favorite “Susie Cincinnati.” Written and sung by Al Jardine, the rollicking, horn-laden performance was recorded 45 years ago at a legendary stadium concert in Anaheim, Calif. on July 3, 1976 that heralded the return of Brian Wilson to the live stage for his first full show with The Beach Boys in many years, part of the “Brian’s Back” publicity campaign that also signaled his return to the studio and the release of the group’s new 15 Big Ones album, celebrating 15 years of the band.
For this performance, The Beach Boys band was augmented with a full horn section and the brass gives “Susie Cincinnati” a whole new edge.
Housed in a book-style package, the set is rounded out with a 48-page book loaded with unreleased and rare photos, lyric sheets, tape box images, recording artifacts, insightful new liner notes by noted radio veteran and Beach Boys aficionado Howie Edelson, and new and archival interviews from Al Jardine, Brian Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and others. The 5-CD Feel Flows boxed set will also be released in abbreviated versions including 4-LP on both black vinyl and limited-edition Translucent Blue and Translucent Gold color vinyl, 2-LP black vinyl and 2-CD editions.
Watch the set’s official unboxing video
Feel Flows includes an unreleased gem, “Big Sur,” a beautiful sonic love letter to the central California coastal town. The lilting, pastoral folk tune that was originally recorded for Surf’s Up and has remained unreleased for more than five decades.
Listen to an a cappella mix of “Surf’s Up”
The version of “This Whole World” was newly created for Feel Flows and features an alternate lead vocal take from Carl Wilson, a lead vocal part from Brian Wilson on the bridge that wasn’t used on the original, and an alternate ending originally recorded for an Eastern Airlines commercial that the group appeared in briefly. Part of Eastern’s popular “Wings of Man” advertising campaign, the ad focused on Southern California and featured the song under narration from Orson Welles. This coda has never been heard anywhere since the commercial aired in 1971.
Listen to “This Whole World” with an alternate ending
The complete track listing appears below the Amazon links. (Best Classic Bands is an authorized Amazon affiliate.)
Feel Flows – The Sunflower and Surf’s Up Sessions 1969-1971 Track Listing
Disc 1
Sunflower – Original Album
1. Slip On Through (2019 master) (2:19)
2. This Whole World (2019 master) (1:58)
3. Add Some Music To Your Day (2019 master) (3:36)
4. Got To Know The Woman (2019 master) (2:43)
5. Deirdre (2019 master) (3:30)
6. It’s About Time (2019 master) (2:57)
7. Tears In The Morning (2019 master) (4:07)
8. All I Wanna Do (2019 master) (2:36)
9. Forever (2019 master) (2:42)
10. Our Sweet Love (2019 master) (2:41)
11. At My Window (2019 master) (2:32)
12. Cool, Cool Water (2019 master) (5:03)
13. Sunflower Promo 1 (previously unreleased) (0:59)
Sunflower – Live
Previously Unreleased – Produced by The Beach Boys
14. This Whole World (Live 1988) (2:10)
15. Add Some Music To Your Day (Live 1993) (3:23)
16. Susie Cincinnati (Live 1976) (2:46)
17. Back Home (Live 1976) (3:15)
18. It’s About Time (Live 1971) (3:45)
19. Riot In Cell Block 9 (Live 1970) (3:34)
Related: Al Jardine has spoken about a potential 60th Anniversary reunion tour
Sunflower – Bonus Tracks
20. Break Away (original 1969 single mix) (2:55)
21. Celebrate the News (previously unreleased 2020 mix) (2:37)
22. Loop De Loop (previously unreleased 1969 mix) (2:59)
23. San Miguel (previously unreleased 2020 mix) (2:33)
24. Susie Cincinnati (previously unreleased 2020 mix) (3:02)
25. Good Time (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (2:56)
26. Two Can Play (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (2:06)
27. Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) (2021 stereo mix – previously unreleased) (3:21)
Disc 2
A photo from the era, via The Beach Boys
Surf’s Up – Original Album
1. Don’t Go Near the Water (2019 master) (2:41)
2. Long Promised Road (2019 master) (3:32)
3. Take a Load Off Your Feet (2019 master) (2:32)
4. Disney Girls (1957) (2019 master) (4:08)
5. Student Demonstration Time (2019 master) (3:59)
6. Feel Flows (2019 master) (4:44)
7. Lookin’ at Tomorrow (A Welfare Song) (2019 master) (1:57)
8. A Day In the Life Of a Tree (2019 master) (3:09)
9. Til I Die (2019 master) (2:32)
10. Surf’s Up (2019 master) (4:14)
11. Surf’s Up Promo (previously unreleased) (1:02)
Surf’s Up – Live
Previously Unreleased
12. Take a Load Off Your Feet (Live 1993) (2:35)
13. Long Promised Road (Live 1972) (4:14)
14. Disney Girls (Live 1982) (4:23)
15. Surf’s Up (Live 1973) (4:58)
16. Student Demonstration Time (Live 1971) (4:42)
Surf’s Up – Bonus Tracks
Previously unreleased (unless otherwise noted)
17. Big Sur (previously unreleased) (2:35)
18. H.E.L.P. is On the Way (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (2:31)
19. Sweet and Bitter (previously unreleased) (2:33)
20. My Solution (previously unreleased) (3:44)
21. 4th of July (2019 mix – previously unreleased) (3:11)
22. Sound of Free (1970 single mix, 2019 master) (2:22)
23. Lady (Fallin’ in Love) (1970 stereo mix – previously unreleased) (2:21)
24. Seasons in the Sun (previously unreleased) (3:27)
Disc 3
Sunflower Sessions
Previously unreleased
1. Sunflower Promo 2 (previously unreleased) (0:59)
2. Slip On Through (track and backing vocals – previously unreleased) (2:47)
3. This Whole World (long version track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:10)
4. Add Some Music to Your Day (track and backing vocals – previously unreleased) (4:35)
5. Deirdre (track – previously unreleased) (3:34)
6. It’s About Time (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (2:53)
7. Tears in the Morning (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (4:08)
8. All I Wanna Do (session intro, track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:46)
9. Forever (session highlights – previously unreleased) (3:36)
10. Forever (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:01)
11. Our Sweet Love (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (2:39)
12. At My Window (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (2:50)
13. Cool Cool Water (alternate 2019 mix – previously unreleased) (6:24)
14. San Miguel (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (2:57)
15. Loop De Loop (track – previously unreleased) (2:49)
16. Good Time (session intro, track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (4:27)
17. When Girls Get Together (track – previously unreleased) (1:47)
18. Slip On Through (alternate 1969 mix with session intro – previously unreleased) (3:25)
19. Our Sweet Love (string section – previously unreleased) (1:00)
Listen to the alternate 1969 mix of “Slip On Through”
1969-1970 A Cappella
Previously unreleased
20. San Miguel (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (1:00)
21. Break Away (Tag) (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (0:18)
22. Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (2:44)
23. Good Time (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (0:19)
24. This Whole World (backing vocals section – previously unreleased) (1:05)
25. Add Some Music to Your Day (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (3:30)
26. Got to Know the Woman (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (2:52)
27. It’s About Time (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (0:50)
28. All I Wanna Do (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (2:58)
29. Forever (previously unreleased 2019 a Cappella mix) (2:52)
Disc 4
Surf’s Up Sessions
Previously unreleased
1. Don’t Go Near the Water (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:45)
2. Long Promised Road (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:38)
3. Take a Load Off Your Feet (alternate vocal – previously unreleased) (2:28)
4. Disney Girls (1957) (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (4:17)
5. Student Demonstration Time (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:46)
6. Feel Flows (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (5:02)
7. Lookin’ at Tomorrow (A Welfare Song) (session intro and alternate mix – previously unreleased) (2:43)
8. A Day in the Life of a Tree (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (2:55)
9. Til I Die (long version with alternate lyrics – previously unreleased) (4:47)
(Brian Wilson)
10. Surf’s Up (2019 mix – previously unreleased) (4:08)
(Brian Wilson-Van Dyke Parks)
11. (Wouldn’t It Be Nice To) Live Again (extended 2019 – previously unreleased) (6:50)
(Dennis Wilson-Stanley Shapiro)
Surf’s Up – A Cappella
Previously unreleased
12. Don’t Go Near the Water (previously unreleased 2020 a Cappella mix) (2:36)
(Alan Jardine-Mike Love)
13. Long Promised Road (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (4:00)
14. Feel Flows (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (0:33)
15. Disney Girls (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (0:36)
16. A Day in the Life Of a Tree (backing vocals excerpt – previously unreleased) (0:32)
17. Til I Die (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (2:36)
18. Surf’s Up (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (4:04)
Bonus Tracks
Previously unreleased
19. I Just Got My Pay (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (2:43)
20. Walkin’ (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (2:44)
21. When Girls Get Together (previously unreleased 2020 mix) (3:45)
22. Baby Baby (previously unreleased) (3:13)
23. Awake (previously unreleased) (3:44)
24. It’s a New Day (previously unreleased) (2:20)
Disc 5
Bonus Disc
Previously unreleased
1. This Whole World (alternate ending – previously unreleased) (1:41)
2. Add Some Music to Your Day (previously unreleased alternate version) (3:27)
3. Don’t Go Near the Water (alternate version – previously unreleased) (2:42)
4. Surf’s Up Part 1 (1971 remake track with 1966 Brian vocal – previously unreleased) (1:41)
5. Soulful Old Man Sunshine (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (3:14)
(Brian Wilson-Rick Henn-Don Ralke)
6. I’m Goin’ Your Way (previously unreleased alternate mix) (2:24)
(Dennis Wilson)
7. Where Is She (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (2:22)
(Brian Wilson)
8. Carnival (Over The Waves/Sobra Las Olas) (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (1:34)
9. It’s Natural (previously unreleased) (2:35)
10. Medley: All Of My Love / Ecology (previously unreleased) (5:05)
11. Before (previously unreleased) (2:25)
12. Behold the Night (previously unreleased) (2:26)
13. Old Movie (Cuddle Up) (previously unreleased) (3:37)
14. Hawaiian Dream (previously unreleased) (4:33)
15. Settle Down / Sound Of Free (basic session outtake – previously unreleased) (2:17)
16. I’ve Got a Friend (previously unreleased) (2:26)
17. Til I Die (piano demo – previously unreleased) (1:55)
18. Back Home (previously unreleased demo) (2:20)
19. Back Home (alternate version – previously unreleased) (2:34)
20. Won’t You Tell Me (demo – previously unreleased) (2:01)
21. Won’t You Tell Me (previously unreleased 2019 mix) (2:54)
22. Barbara (previously unreleased 2020 mix) (2:59)
23. Slip On Through (early version track) (2:48)
24. Susie Cincinnati (basic session highlights – previously unreleased) (3:05)
25. My Solution (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:04)
26. You Never Give Me Your Money (previously unreleased) (0:40)
27. Medley: Happy Birthday, Brian / God Only Knows (previously unreleased) (2:47)
28. You Need a Mess Of Help To Stand Alone (track & backing vocals – previously unreleased) (3:32)
29. Marcella (a Cappella – previously unreleased) (3:27)
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationThe Beach Boys are Awesome. I would like to see an all stereo release of “Endless Summer” just a great compilation.
Yay….can’t wait. SURFS UP was my first album after the best of vol 1 & 2 albums.
After SURFS UP, I got each new album as they came out and started buying the catalog (which wasn’t easy by ’71, as many of the 60s albums were out of print or were released without certain tracks). SUNFLOWER was a great find.
These 2 albums together were never topped again as whole, although HOLLAND came close. Hopefully a box set of SO TOUGH/ HOLLAND. will come out someday too. What’s good about this set is that never before or since has all 6 members created such a community sounding album. All members were at the top of their game.
When the Beatles split, The Beach Boys & The Stones became the bands I followed. Another great thing is this comes out one day before I turn 66…wow I was 16 when I bought SURFS UP…. WTF? I love the Moog on Feels Flow….every song on these 2 albums were top !!!!