Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Pacific Ocean Blue
Company: Caribou
Catalog: PZ-34354
Year: 1977
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: very minor ring wear on cover; original inner sleeve with lyrics; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $40.00
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" and "" 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 Highway" track listing:
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) -
7.) Time (Dennis Wilson) -
8.) You and I (Dennis Wilson) -
9.) Pacific Ocean Blues (Dennis Wilson) -
10.) Farewell My Friend (Dennis Wilson) -
11.) Rainbows (Dennis Wilson) -
12.) End of the Show (Dennis Wilson) -
Tragically, Wilson drown in late 1983 while swimming in Marina Del Rey harbor.