As there will never be anything quite like this historic recording again, it might be good to check out "Forever" from the Beach Boys Sunflower CD. Also, "In The Still Of The Night" from 15 Big Ones. Dennis sings lead vocal and his voice was becoming a softer, sweeter version of Tom Waits.

Enter Pacfic Ocean Blue (POB), first released in 1977.

This new, pristine 2-CD Delux Set includes music from the never released "Bambu" (the spelling Dennis requested) recording sessions. Haunting, somber, both CDs feature lush backrounds with sweet harmony on many cuts.

From the outside liner notes: "...daring and beautiful like the sea inself." Also, there's this, "Over thirty years later Pacfic Ocean Blue remains argueably the greatest solo work by a Wilson."

No question many of the songs-"Farewell My Friend", "You and I", "Thoughts Of You"-have an added sadness due to Dennis' tragic life. The younger brother of Carl and Brian died in 1983 when he drown while swimming. He was 39-years-old.

The great up-beat tunes include "Wild Situation" "River Song" and the soul-blast, "Under The Moonlight". But the haunting ballads like "It's Not Too Late" keep in your head. POB keeps getting better with each play. The best CD I've purchased this year.


Artists who have taken the lost highway (Dennis' drug abuse kept increasing) from Rock, Country, Jazz, Rap, you name it are so numerous it's beyond comprehension.

As always, we're left with the music. Forever.