Beach Boys to release new career-spanning collection

By Patrick Luce May 17, 2007, 14:48 GMT

In a sense, The Warmth of the Sun is to 2004\'s double-platinum Sounds of Summer as 1975\'s Spirit of America was to the previous year\'s chart-topping Endless Summer. Both Summer compilations feature the obvious hits, and their followups collect less famous--though still worthy--tracks like "Hawaii," "409," and "Little Honda." But the 21st-century collections are sequenced by the Beach Boys themselves, and that means this volume\'s songs are second-tier in fame ...more

The Beach Boys and Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing have announced the May 22nd release of ‘The Warmth of the Sun’ - a new collection of 28 career-spanning tracks.  Hand-selected and sequenced by The Beach Boys themselves, the new set includes six classic tracks mixed in stereo for the first time.

‘The Warmth of the Sun’ traces the iconic band’s creative arc in a sunup to sundown musical journey that goes beyond the beach, presenting a broad view of the rich musical legacy of America’s band.

The perfect complement and companion to 2004's double-platinum certified ‘Sounds Of Summer: The Very Best Of The Beach Boys,’  this new collection delves deeper into The Beach Boys’ musical legacy with hits like “Sail On, Sailor” “The Little Girl I Once Knew” and “Feel Flows.” Within the album’s three decade-spanning tracklist - much of The Beach Boys’ most accomplished work is illuminated. Compiled and sequenced by The Beach Boys’ Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, Mike Love, and Brian Wilson, ‘The Warmth of the Sun’ showcases the broad scope of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers’ recorded canon.

From the beauty and depth of the title track to the melody and groove of “Break Away,” the journey moves from the surf to the streets, each story narrated with The Beach Boys’ unparalleled trademark harmonies.  With its full spectrum of themes and ambiance, ‘The Warmth of the Sun’ is a must-have collection for any fan of The Beach Boys’ musical mythos.

For four decades, The Beach Boys, originally comprised of the three Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and Hawthorne, California neighbor Al Jardine, have recorded and performed the music that has become the world’s favorite soundtrack to summer. In 1965, Bruce Johnston joined the band when Brian Wilson retired from touring.  Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and winners of NARAS’ Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, The Beach Boys are an American institution that is iconic around the world.

In 1961, The Beach Boys began singing about America’s newest craze, surfing. What followed was a wave of hits that vividly expressed the lifestyles, dreams and ambitions of America’s youth. Their signature sound, full of sun-drenched harmonies, golden melodies and descriptive lyrics, delivered a taste of the free and easy California lifestyle to listeners around the world.  The music of The Beach Boys brings optimism and a beam of Southern California sun wherever it is played.

Last fall, Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing celebrated the 40th anniversaries of The Beach Boys’ legendary 1966 album ‘Pet Sounds’ and the band’s #1 smash hit single “Good Vibrations” with commemorative CD, deluxe CD/DVD and limited edition vinyl packages. 

More than 100 domestic and international publications and journalists have selected ‘Pet Sounds’ as one of the greatest albums ever recorded.  In 1995, MOJO magazine assembled a panel of leading musicians, songwriters and producers and named ‘Pet Sounds’ “The Greatest Album Ever Made,” and in 1997, the U.K. music magazine voted “Good Vibrations” “The Greatest Single of All Time.” ‘Pet Sounds’ was ranked second on Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list (2003), right behind The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.’ Rolling Stone has also awarded ‘Pet Sounds’ its highest five-star “Classic” rating, and in 2004, the magazine rated “Good Vibrations” sixth in its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” The song has also been inducted into NARAS’ Grammy Hall of Fame.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH will celebrate The Beach Boys’ enduring legacy this year with “Catch a Wave: The Beach Boys, the Early Years,” a new exhibit scheduled to run from June 22 to December 31, 2007. More than any other artistic entity, The Beach Boys created an iconic vision of California as the Promised Land for those who would revel in youth, surf, sand, and rock and roll. This exhibit explores their formative years through never-before seen artifacts and tells the story of the band’s enduring legacy.

‘The Warmth of the Sun’ is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information and a complete track listing.