Carl and the Passions - "So Tough"

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Carl And The Passions - "So Tough" is the twenty-third official album released by The Beach Boys, and was released in 1972. In its initial release, it was the second disc of a two-album set with Pet Sounds (which The Beach Boys were able to license from Capitol Records). Unfortunately, due to the fact that Carl And The Passions - "So Tough" was a transitional album that saw the departure of one member and the introduction of two new ones, making it wildly inconsistent in terms of type of material present, it paled next to their 1966 classic and was seen as something of a disappointment in its time of release. The title of the album itself was a reference to an early band Carl Wilson had been in as a teenager (some say a possible early name for the Beach Boys). It was also the first album released under a new deal with Warner Bros. that allowed the company to distribute all future Beach Boys product in foreign as well as domestic markets.

Carl, by 1971 generally seen as the band's new leader, decided to spice up the structure of The Beach Boys by hiring on Ricky Fataar on drums (mainly to replace Dennis Wilson who was unable to play for three years) and Blondie Chaplin, whose soulful singing brought a strong R&B element into the band's sound. Both had been discovered by Carl in 1969 while playing in a band called "The Flame". Not long after the sessions began, Bruce Johnston had a falling out with manager Jack Rieley and left, after bringing in an early version of "Endless Harmony" (titled "Ten Years Of Harmony"), later released in 1980 on Keepin' the Summer Alive. Bruce has since revealed that Brian Wilson's depressing retrenchment from the band's music had cost them their magic and was a main motivator for his departure. He would remain on good terms with The Beach Boys, though, and when called for, would return again in 1978.

Brian Wilson himself barely contributed to the album's sessions (he was more likely interested in producing his wife's group Spring), with the exception of collaborating on writing three songs and singing backing vocals on "Cuddle Up", "He Come Down", "Marcella" and, reportedly, "You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone". "You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone" is supposed to have been first titled Beatrice From Baltimore (1971) before Jack Rieley rewrote the lyrics to the song (No bootleg of the original lyrics has surfaced). Marcella was originally recorded in some form in the All Summer Long sessions in 1964 as All Dressed Up (For School). It was revised during the Sunflower sessions as I Just Got My Pay.

With the infusion of two African musicians, there was an undeniably "black" quality to many of songs, be it the gospel of "He Come Down", the soul of "Here She Comes" or the straight ahead rock'n'roll of the singles "You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone" and "Marcella". However, an unusual turn occurs with the country-tinged "Hold On Dear Brother". Even more off-putting are Dennis Wilson's otherwise lovely inclusions, "Make It Good" and "Cuddle Up", which sound as though they are from a different album. As it turns out, those two tracks were initially intended for a projected solo album by Dennis, which was recorded between late 1970 and late 1971.

It's been speculated that Carl And The Passions - "So Tough" was either scheduled to be released, or re-released, as a single album. A Warner/Reprise catalogue number, MS 2090, had been assigned to this single disc release, but nothing came of it.

The group photo on the inner sleeve was thought to have been doctored to show Brian with the rest of the Beach Boys. This was disproven when an outtake from the session appeared in a 2004 book by Keith Badman. This is the last known group photo taken with Brian before a massive weight gain.

It was because of the jarring stylistic clashing that Carl And The Passions - "So Tough" met with a less than rapturous response upon release, going as far as #50 in the US and #25 in the UK. Though still not considered to be among their finest albums, the passage of time has repaired Carl And The Passions - "So Tough"'s critical standing considerably.

1 Track listing
- 1.1 Singles
- 1.2 Sources
2 External links

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Track listing

"You Need A Mess of Help To Stand Alone" (Brian Wilson/Jack Rieley) - 3:27
- Features Carl Wilson on lead vocals
"Here She Comes" (Ricky Fataar/Blondie Chaplin) - 5:10
- Features Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin on lead vocals
"He Come Down" (Brian Wilson/Al Jardine/Mike Love) - 4:41
- Features Mike Love, Al Jardine, and Carl Wilson on lead vocals
"Marcella" (Brian Wilson/Tandyn Almer/Jack Rieley) - 3:54
- Features Carl Wilson and Mike Love on lead vocals
"Hold On Dear Brother" (Ricky Fataar/Blondie Chaplin) - 4:43
- Features Blondie Chaplin on lead vocals
"Make It Good" (Dennis Wilson/Daryl Dragon) - 2:36
- Features Dennis Wilson on lead vocals
"All This Is That" (Alan Jardine/Carl Wilson/Mike Love) - 4:00
- Features Carl Wilson and Mike Love on lead vocals
"Cuddle Up" (Dennis Wilson/Daryl Dragon) - 5:30
- Features Dennis Wilson on lead vocals

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Singles

"You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone" b/w "Cuddle Up" (Brother 1091), 15 May 1972
"Marcella" b/w "Hold On Dear Brother" (Brother 1101), 26 June 1972) US #110

Carl and the Passions - "So Tough" is now paired on CD with Holland.

Carl and the Passions - "So Tough" (Brother/Reprise 2MS 2083) hit #50 in the US during a 20 week chart stay. It reached #25 in the UK.

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Sources

Carl and the Passions - "So Tough"/Holland CD booklet notes, Elton John and Scott McCaughey, c.2000.
"The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the Southern California Experience", Timothy White, c. 1994.
"Wouldn't It Be Nice - My Own Story", Brian Wilson and Todd Gold, c. 1991.
"Top Pop Singles 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
"Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
All Music Guide.com

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