California Feelin'

"California Feelin'" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Stephen Kalinich that was recorded by the Beach Boys in the 1970s. Wilson recorded a solo version in 2002 for the Beach Boys compilation Classics Selected by Brian Wilson.^[1] Wilson’s bandmate Al Jardine later recorded his own version for his debut solo album A Postcard from California. Two composite versions of the Beach Boys' original recordings – one complete and the other a piano/vocal demo – were included on the 2013 compilation Made in California.

Background

The song was written by Brian Wilson and Stephen Kalinich for Wilson's American Spring side project.^[2] Kalinich considered the song white gospel and added "I think it frightened him a little to let his defenses down and give the vocal all he had."^[3] In 1976, Wilson said of the song, "It's got a feeling to it. ... There's something about it that's very warm. It's sort of a Bill Medley–Brian Wilson combination."^[4]

Recording

It was first tracked as a demo in November 1974 by Brian Wilson in a session that was engineered by Chuck Britz.^[5] Wilson, unhappy with his performance, instructed the engineer to scrap the tape,^[5][6] but this was not heeded.^[6] The Beach Boys' 1974 and 1978 versions of "California Feelin'" were eventually released for the 2013 compilation Made in California.^[6] Compiler Alan Boyd explained:

That was one of the first songs recorded for the L.A. (Light Album) in 1978 at Criteria, the Bee Gees studio, in Miami. A rough mix has been circulating for many years but we did a little track editing and pulled some things out on it. I’ve always loved the song and there are multiple versions of it out there. There’s a version by The Honeys, Brian (Wilson) has recorded it. But we’re finally getting the Beach Boys master out. It features a beautiful vocal by Carl. The song almost has a gospel tinge to it. We even used part of Brian’s original first attempt at a lead vocal on it too, which no one has heard.^[6]

Music video

An official music video was released in 2014.^[7] It was the winner of a fan contest devised during the promotion of Made in California.^[6]

Personnel

Credits from Craig Slowinski.^[8]

The Beach Boys

• Al Jardine - backing vocals
• Bruce Johnston - co-lead and backing vocals
• Mike Love - backing vocals
• Brian Wilson - lead (intro) and backing vocals, piano
• Carl Wilson - lead and backing vocals, electric guitar

Additional musicians

• Ed Carter - bass guitar
• Bobby Figueroa - drums, tambourine
• Carli Muñoz - Fender Rhodes
• Phil Shenale - Oberheim synthesizers
• Sterling Smith - Hammond organ

References

External links

• California Feelin' (Original Demo) on YouTube