Dennis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue (1977) (Sundazed 3LP re-issue) - VINYL - 24-bit/96kHz plus CD-compatible format

The first thing you notice is, the LP's are blue, man. Really, really blue! Blue like the Pacific Ocean-- oh, I get it now....

What a joy this set is. I'd heard the cd version, but wasn't gaga for it. But when I was asked to rip this, I embraced the opportunity to repay a debt to a previous person who had said yes to a similar request from me. You know, pay it forward, and all that. Luckily for me, here on LP the music really flies, and the whole project was a joy. This is certainly a dynamic recording, something I don't think the cd captures as well. The made RECORDS back then.


From Sundazed:
Title: Pacific Ocean Blue
Format: High-Definition Vinyl 3-LP Set

In 1977, Dennis Wilson launched Pacific Ocean Blue, the first solo LP by a member of the world-famous Beach Boys. Amazingly,
Dennis—the band’s drummer, surfer and all-around free spirit— emerged from the shadow of his older brother, pop genius Brian
Wilson, and shocked the world by creating a heartfelt body of work unlike anything the Beach Boys had ever produced. Over 30 years later, Pacific Ocean Blue remains one of the most intoxicating solo showcases by a Wilson brother.

Sundazed's vinyl edition of this lost masterpiece comes in a lavishly illustrated, triple-gatefold sleeve with the three LPs pressed in high-definition “Pacific Ocean Plue” vinyl. The first LP presents a gorgeous, newly-mastered version of the original album, and the other two LPs contain the absolute cream of Dennis Wilson's unreleased solo work, including enthralling material from his long-rumored Bambu project.

Fans who have clamored for a proper vinyl release of this storied material will delight in this moment, while newcomers will be thrilled to discover the musical treasure hidden within one of rock’s true cult classics. This is Dennis Wilson sailing out into historic territory—as daring and wild as the sea, itself—and carving his name in the clouds for all eternity.

RAVES:
"Reissue of the year."
– MOJO MAGAZINE

“ The reissue’s heart lies in tracks like 'River Song' and the rollicking ‘What’s Wrong’ – two raw, emotional highlights that are as moody as anything Brian ever composed." 4Stars
– ROLLING STONE

“Pacific Ocean Blue's reputation has risen with the superlatives lavished upon it by fans such as the Verve, Primal Scream and the Charlatans. Unavailability has also played a part in pumping up the myth – so much so that you wonder if, heard in 2008, these songs stand to disappoint. In fact, key moments of Pacific Ocean Blue square dramatically up to your loftiest expectations.” 5Stars
– UNCUT

“The album itself is still an astonishing listen, by far the best solo album released by a Beach Boy and the most consistent of any band-related releases of the '70s.” 5Stars
– RECORD COLLECTOR

"Heartfelt, confessional and lushly-produced, it’s less close to the Beach Boys than you might think, sounding instead like an encapsulation of the shadowy decadence of late '70s LA, of a piece with, say, the Eagles' Hotel California and the ex-Byrd Gene Clark's No Other." – Q MAGAZINE




LP One
1. River Song
2. What's Wrong
3. Moonshine
4. Friday Night
5. Dreamer
6. Thoughts of You
7. Time
8. You and I
9. Pacific Ocean Blues
10. Farewell My Friend
11. Rainbows
12. End of the Show

LP Two
1. Tug Of Love
2. Only With You
3. Holy Man
4. Mexico
5. Holy Man (Taylor Hawkins Version)
6. Under The Moonlight
7. It’s Not Too Late
8. School Girl
9. Love Remember Me
10. Love Surrounds Me

LP Three
1. Wild Situation
2. Common
3. Are You Real
4. He’s A Bum
5. Cocktails
6. I Love You
7. Constant Companion
8. Time For Bed
9 . Album Tag Song
10. All Alone
11. Piano Variations on Thoughts of You

My 2cents:

Ripped with a previous cartridge than is now my standard. See log. I mention this to be open and honest.

The vinyl itself was a bit noisier than I would have expected from Sundazed, with it being "High-Definition" and all, but Click Repair works wonders. You will definitely hear the LP turning from time to time. The outer edges of the disks were wavy more often than not. And Side 5 track 5 had a flaw in the vinyl. I managed to edit the resultant pops out. Side 1 Track 1 is a bit poppy at the start. No amount of diddling got rid of it to my satisfaction, so I let Click Repair do what it could at a slightly higher level and let it go at that. Settings levels was difficult (in a GOOD way). I needed to re-start several times due to that fact alone. But it was a joy to do with the material at hand. And the vinyl is really, really blue. You know, blue like the ocean? It was fun to watch.

I included some artwork from the cd version.



No music was harmed in the making of this vinyl rip.