Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Pacific Ocean Blue
Company: Caribou
Catalog: PZ-34354
Year: 1977
Country/State: California
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: original inner sleeve with lyrics; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4470
Price: $60.00
Cost: $66.00
The late Dennis
Wilson is best known for his work as The Beach Boys' drummer (see separate
entry). He was also widely considered to be one of the lesser talented
members of the Wilson clan, making it somewhat ironic that with the release
of 1977's "Pacific Ocean Blue"
he became the first Wilson brother to release a solo collection. Co-produced
by Wilson and Gregg Jakobson, the album featured a pleasant, if conventional
collection of pop-rock. As you'd probably expect, exemplified by tracks such
as "What's Wrong" and "Moonshine" much of the album bore
a passing resemblance to much of The Beach Boys' catalog. Credited with
penning all 12 selections, songs such as the lead off track "River
Song" demonstrated that Wilson was a competent, if unexceptional writer
(that's actually somewhat of a surprise given how far and few between his
contributions to The Beach Boys catalog were). Unfortunately, his ragged
voice (damaged by years of mistreatment) left much to be desired. Never the
most versatile singer in the band (hum, why was he relegated to the drums?),
Wilson was all but forced to croak his way through softer tracks such as the
single "You and I", "End of the Show" and "Thoughts
of You". Surrounded by heavy orchestration (and walls of backing
singers), his voice proved better suited for forays into tougher, rock
oriented material such as the title track, "Friday Night"
(sounding like Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits) and the bluesy
"Dreamer". What's odd about the album, is the fact it grows on
you. Maybe a reflection of the cheer-for-the-underdog feeling that many of
us carry, the album grows on you with time. Can't really explain that
statement, but it's one of those albums that rewards repeated hearings ...
Interestingly, while the album wasn't a major commercial success, selling
some 200,000 copies and peaking at #96, it generated favorable (perhaps
sympathetic) critical reviews. Reportedly, the remaining Beach Boys were
less than enthralled, though fellow Beach Boys Ricky Fataar and Bruce
Johnson provided support throughout. (The album was originally released with
a gatefold sleeve.)
"Pacific Ocean Blue" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) River Song
(Dennis Wilson) -
2.) What's Wrong (Dennis Wilson) -
3.) Moonshine (Dennis Wilson) -
4.) Friday Night (Dennis Wilson) -
5.) Dreamer (Dennis Wilson) -
6.) Thoughts of You (Dennis Wilson) -
(side 2)
1.) Time (Dennis
Wilson) -
2.) You and I (Dennis Wilson) -
3.) Pacific Ocean Blues (Dennis Wilson) -
4.) Farewell My Friend (Dennis Wilson) -
4.) Rainbows (Dennis Wilson) -
5.) End of the Show (Dennis Wilson) -
Tragically, Wilson drown in late 1983 while swimming in Marina Del Rey
harbor.