Carl and the Passions – "So Tough"

Untitled

Carl And The Passions - "So Tough" is the twenty-third official album by The Beach Boys, released in 1972 as was the second disc of a two-LP set with a reissued Pet Sounds.

Carl Wilson, by 1971 generally regarded as the band's new leader, hired Ricky Fataar to replace the temporarily disabled Dennis Wilson on drums, and Blondie Chaplin, whose singing brought a strong R&B element into the band's sound. Both had been discovered by Carl in 1970 while playing in a band called "The Flame". Not long after the album sessions began, Bruce Johnston had a falling out with manager Jack Rieley and left the group.

Brian Wilson himself barely contributed to the sessions; he cowrote three songs and sanging backing vocals on a few tracks.

One song, "Marcella, " was originally recorded during the Sunflower sessions as "I Just Got My Pay" but was restructured, slowed down, and had its lyrics completely revised.

The group photo on the inner sleeve has been doctored to show Brian with the rest of the Beach Boys.

Carl And The Passions - "So Tough" enjoyed only moderate commercial success, going as far as #50 in the US and #25 in the UK.

Track Listing

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

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)

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

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

External links

• Carl and the Passions - "So Tough" lyrics