The Beach Boys With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra pairs the iconic American band’s original vocal performances with symphonic arrangements. recently recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, in the studio’s famous room #2, the holy space where the Beatles, Pink Floyd and other notables did their best work. The 17 songs presented on this set, spanning the Beach Boy’s earliest hit, 1964’s “Fun, Fun, Fun,” through 1988’s “Kokomo.”
A lush “California Suite” starts us off, then we shift into “California Girls,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” and “Don’t Worry Baby,” which sound really like the Beach Boy’s original recordings with a splash of strings and horns added, nothing really startling other than reminding the listener of how great those Beach Boys harmonies are.
“God Only Knows” is the first selection where you feel the orchestra adds a substantial color to the proceedings. The layering of horns and subtle string counter behind Carl Wilson’s angelic lead vocal lifts this masterpiece of a love song even higher. The low plucking of cello strings and blurp of low horns on “Sloop John B,” is another high point, the RSO adding a certain urgency to the Beach Boys desire to “go home.”
On “Disney Girls,” the strings sweep under with a very wistful touch, Bruce Johnson’s clear-as-a-bell Neil Sedaka-like lead vocal floats over, and again those harmonies add their perfect touch. “Kokomo,” even with the orchestral embellishments, is till as hokey as ever. Despite its faults, when The Beach Boys With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is good, it is very good. The RSO does a commendable job of adding a new layer to some classic songs.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
