The Beach Boys’ 24th studio album was KEEPIN’ THE
SUMMER ALIVE (1980, Caribou). Brian
Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, and Alan Jardine were re-joined
by Bruce Johnston after a several year absence.
He actually produced the record.
It peaked at #75 on the Billboard Top LP’s chart and at #54 in the UK. Additional musicians on the album include:
Ricky Fataar, Daryl Dragon, and Scott Mathews.
The album’s title track starts things off. It is one of two tracks penned by Carl Wilson
(who sings lead) and Canadian rocker Randy Bachman (The Guess Who,
Bachman-Turner Overdrive). Eagles
guitarist Joe Walsh is featured on this fun, upbeat rock and roll song on which
the Boys, now men, try to recapture their youth: “When it’s ice cream
weather/Get the gang back together/Roll down your windows and ride/They’ll be
sleepin’ in the sand dunes, dancin’ in the streets/They’re just tryin’ to keep
the summer alive (5X)/When it’s ice cream weather all the girls will look
better/The boys try to give them a ride/To the one last party fore the school
bell rings/They’re just tryin’ to keep the summer alive”. ‘Oh Darlin’’ is a pleasant ballad of one in
love: “In my life there’s never been another so perfect lover/Oh ho darlin’ now
that I’ve found you/It’s like a missing piece of puzzle has appeared/And now my
darlin’/My love surrounds you/And since you came into my life my
love/Perfection’s never ever been so near”.
‘Some of Your Love’ was originally recorded in 1977. Mike Love sings lead on this peppy pop song
about a high school relationship: “There’s nothin’ like a-romancin’ in the
stands/Walking down the hallways a-holdin’ hands/Punchin’ up our jukebox favorite
band/Cuddlin’ up in summer moonlight in the sand/Kiss me baby/Hold me tight
tonight/Some, some, some of your love/A gimme some, some, some of your love
now”. ‘Livin’ With a Heartache’ has an
old country vibe to it and pleads for one’s romantic partner to return: “After
all this time I still wish you were mine/I miss you every day/Come back to me
and stay/Livin’ with a heartache (2X)/Please come back and stay with me/Give
our love a chance and maybe you’ll see/My love is true like a heart of gold/I
promise you a love you can hold”.
Chuck Berry wrote ‘School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes the
Bell)’. It was released as a single back
in March of 1957. A couple of months
later it was the first track on Berry’s debut album AFTER SCHOOL SESSION. Al Jardine sings lead on the Beach Boys’
version of this fun rock and roll song with nice electric guitar work. Teens of yesteryear will relate to these
words: “Back in the classroom open your books/The teacher don’t know how mean
she looks.../Soon as three o’clock rolls around/You finally lay your burden
down/Throw down your books, get out of your seat/And down the halls and into
the street/Up to the corner and ‘round the bend/Right to the juke joint you go
in/Drop the coin right into the slot/You gotta hear somethin’ that’s really
hot!” ‘Goin’ On’ peaked at #83 on the
Billboard Hot 100. It is an adult pop
song of longing with a nice sax solo: “I love you, I miss you/I’m sorry,
forgive me/Believe me my lover/There never could be any other.../Come be my
redeemer/Awaken me beautiful dreamer/I love you/I miss you/Things won’t be the
same/Till I’m with you”.
The next song, ‘Sunshine’, was originally called ‘Little
Girl’. It is a playful pop song that
speaks of lifelong commitment: “She can make you feel so fine/Like to love her
all the time/It’s the reason I’m a-pleasin’ my sunshine/Some-a-day I’m gonna
marry her/Some-a-way I’m gonna carry her/To a place where we can play in the
sun/Like a full moon shinin’ bright/She’ll light up the darkest night/Will she
squeeze me/How she’ll please me/Sunshine”.
‘When Girls Get Together’ dates back to 1969. Mike Love and Brian Wilson sing lead. The song includes these tender lyrics: “One
bright springtime morning/I overheard an elderly lady’s voice/As I walked past
her bench she told her friends of her great loss/After they’d gone away/Three
little girls came skipping through the park/Talking of little boys and getting
home before it’s dark/When girls get together”.
‘Santa Ana Winds’ is an easy listening number that uses
harmonica and begins with these words that reflect on nature: “Here in Southern
California there is a weather condition known as the Santa Ana Winds/Fire wind
oh desert wind/She was born in a desert breeze/And wind her way through Canyon
Way/From the desert to the silvery sea/In every direction/See the
perfection/And see the San Gabriel Mountain scene/Santa Ana winds keep blowin’
across my eyes (2X)”. Last up is the
Bruce Johnston composition ‘Endless Harmony’.
Bruce and Carl Wilson sing lead, while Dennis Wilson contributes
percussion. The latter would drown in
1983. This song is easy listening and
autobiographical: “Ocean lovers who like to harmonize/They’re all cousins,
friends, and brothers/And they make their Mamas cry/They’re record-making,
heart-breaking/Just West Coast boys/What I know it’s a beginning of an endless
harmony/Striped shirt freedom/Brave new heroes/Go out on the road”.
KEEPIN’ THE SUMMER ALIVE is a fun Beach Boys record that
combines classic rock and roll sounds with more contemporary adult pop elements. The group’s signature harmonies are always a
plus! Love of women, music, and nature
are themes presented here. This album is
leaps and bounds better than 1985’s self-titled album the group later
released. I’m rating KEEPIN’ THE SUMMER
ALIVE 98%. Any Beach Boys collector
needs to have this project in their possession.
For more info visit: www.thebeachboys.com.