The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

There's little arguing that Pet Sounds is one of the greatest albums in rock & roll, and its cult, if anything, has only grown in the decades since its intial release. Part of the fascination with Pet Sounds lies in its detailed, multi-layered arrangements, in which all the parts blend together into a symphonic whole. The richness of the music is one of the reasons hardcore fans have desired a set like The Pet Sounds Sessions, a four-disc box that presents an abundance of working mixes, alternate takes, instrumental tracks, and rarities, as well as the first true stereo mix of the album. Certainly, a set this exacting is only of interest to serious fans, and even they might find the endless succession of work tracks tedious. Nevertheless, there's something fascinating about hearing the album broken down to its individual parts; after hearing horn lines, vocals, and percussion tracks out of their original context, the scope and originality of Brian Wilson's vision becomes all the more impressive. (Make no mistake about it, Pet Sounds is entirely Wilson's project, despite what Mike Love states in his self-serving liner notes.) The original mono mix of Pet Sounds (included here in a minature, cardboard record sleeve) remains the best way to appreciate Wilson's gifts, but for fans already convinced of his genius, The Pet Sounds Sessions is a fascinating, educational listen, even if it's not necessarily indispensable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Casey Guitar Al DeLory Organ, Tack Piano, Piano Alan Jardine Vocals Alan Robinson French Horn Andrew Sandoval Transfers, Mastering Supervisor Arnold Belnick Violin Barney Kessel Guitar, Mandolin Bill Green Saxophone, Percussion, Sax (Tenor), Flute Bill Pitman Guitar, Bass Billy Strange Guitar (12 String), Guitar, Guitar (Electric) Bobby Klein Sax (Tenor) Brad Benedict Photo Research, ? Brad Elliott Liner Notes Brian Wilson Producer, Liner Notes, Vocals, Organ, Supervisor, Piano, Vocals (Background), Guitar, Keyboards, Arranger Bruce Botnick Engineer Bruce Johnston Vocals Carl Fortina Accordion Carl Wilson Guitar, Vocals Carol Kaye Bass (Electric), Bass Cheryl Pawelski Reissue Producer Chuck Berghofer String Bass Chuck Britz Engineer Darrel Terwilliger Viola Darren Wong Art Supervisor Dave Jampel Photography David Leaf Liner Notes Dennis Diken ? Dennis Wilson Vocals, Drums Don Randi Piano Ernie Campagna Production Coordination Ernie Tack Trombone (Bass) Frank Capp Vibraphone, Percussion, Bells, Glockenspiel, Tympani [Timpani] Frank Marocco Accordion Gail Martin Trombone Gary Coleman Bongos, Tympani [Timpani] Gene Estes Percussion George Jerman Photography Glen Campbell Guitar (12 String) Glenn Ross Campbell Guitar H. Bowen David Engineer Hal Blaine Drums, Bongos, Tympani [Timpani] Harry Hyams Viola Jack Nimitz Sax (Baritone) James Getzoff Violin Jay Migliori Saxophone, Clarinet (Bass), Horn, Clarinet, Sax (Baritone), Flute Jerome Reisler Violin Jerry Cole Guitar, Guitar (Electric) Jerry Williams Percussion Jesse Erlich Cello Jim Elliott Producer Jim Gordon Percussion, Drums Jim Horn Saxophone, Flute, Sax (Tenor), Sax (Baritone) Joseph DiFiore Viola Joseph Saxon Cello Jules Jacob Flute Julius Wechter Bass, Tympani [Timpani], Vibraphone, Latin Percussion Justin DiTullio Cello Kevin Michael Gray CD Preparation Larry Knechtel Organ Larry Levine Engineer Larry Walsh Mixing, Digital Remastering Leon Russell Piano Leonard Hartman Clarinet, Horn (English), Clarinet (Bass) Lisa Reddick Producer Lyle Ritz Bass, Ukulele, String Bass Mark Linett Coordination, Stereo Mix Producer, Digital Remastering, Compilation, Liner Notes, Mixing, Engineer Michael Etchart Executive Producer Mike Deasy Sr. Guitar Mike Love Vocals (Background), Vocals Mike Melvoin Harpsichord Nick Martinis Drums Norman Botnick Viola Paul Horn Sax (Tenor) Paul Tanner Theremin Plas Johnson Sax (Tenor), Saxophone, Percussion Ralph Balantin Engineer Ralph Schaeffer Violin Ray Pohlman Bass, Bass (Electric), Mandolin, Guitar Richard Evans Design Ritchie Frost Drums, Percussion Ron Furmanek ? Ron McMaster Remixing Roy Caton Horn, Trumpet Sam Gay Art Supervisor Sid Sharp Violin Steve Douglas Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Sax (Tenor) Steve Douglas & the Rebel Rousers Horn Steve Hoffman Remastering, Mastering Tammy Kizer Producer Terry Melcher Vocals, Tambourine Tibor Zelig Violin Tommy Morgan Harmonica Tommy Steele Art Direction Tommy Tedesco Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic) William Kurash Violin