Caroline Now: Tribute to the Beach Boys

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1Eugene KellyLady3:342Alex ChiltonI Want To Pick You Up2:563June & The Exit WoundsAll I Wanna Do3:144Katrina Mitchell & Bill WellsWind Chimes2:275High Llamas, TheAnna Lee, The Healer3:296SouvenirNe Dis Pas (Girl Don’t Tell Me) [French Version]2:357Duglas T. StewartLines3:208CampingBusy Doin’ Nothin’3:559Stevie JacksonGood Time3:4910Free Design, TheEndless Harmony3:1911Pearlfishers, TheGo Away Boy3:2912Saint EtienneStevie3:0513Radio Sweethearts, TheHonkin’ Down The Highway3:1514Eric MatthewsLonely Sea3:5115KleRainbow Eyes4:0016Chip Taylor & Evie SandsLet’s Put Our Hearts Together2:2217Peter Thomas Sound OrchestraPet Sounds3:3018Malcolm RossHeroes And Villains4:0819Norman BlakeOnly With You2:4720Aluminum Group, TheCaroline, No3:4221Jad FairDo Ya2:3122Secret Goldfish, TheBig Sur2:5723David Ritchie CoalitionGood Timin’2:5624Kim FowleyAlmost Summer2:57

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Tribute albums are usually terrible. That said, there are several reasons why this one–a tribute to Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys–isn’t, but it’s mainly down to the quality of everyone involved. The usual songs aren’t exhumed; instead we are treated to delights such as legendary Half-Japanese naïve poet Jad Fair’s one-take version of the Honeys’ 1977 pop gem “Do Ya” and Stevie (Belle & Sebastian) Jackson’s intimate take on the Beach Boys reject “Good Time”. Throughout, there’s an obvious love and quite stunning level of research–from the beautiful rare photographs of Brian taken by ex-housemate David Dalton to the copious sleeve-notes and exclusive Brian interview in the sumptuous 28-page booklet. Other highlights include former Josef K/Orange Juice member Malcolm Ross’s lounge reading of “Heroes and Villains”; St. Etienne’s subtle reading of the unreleased “Stevie”; Katrina (the Pastels) Mitchell’s sparse, whispered cover of “Wind Chimes”; and many more besides. Caroline Now! is a fitting tribute. —Jerry Thackray