Dennis Wilson, Pacific Ocean Blue

Those who waited nearly 40 years for Smile should take heart in the latest release schedule sent out by Columbia/Legacy.

Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue is slated for a May 13 release. Why should you care? Because this album, the Beach Boy drummer's lone solo album, is one of the most surprising records of the 1970s. And it's been out of circulation long enough that to score a CD copy, you've got to throw down more than $100. (Lucky for me, a friend found one a few years back in a bargin bin for $7.)

If Brian was the genius, Dennis, you'll remember as the heart-throb. I mean, he was in the movies. For years, he barely sang but in the 1970s, as Brian retreated, Dennis and his gravelly voice began to be used more prominently. Then, as the Boys floundered, Dennis came up with POB. I was just listening to it the other day, sparked by a friend's burn request. And it holds up.

Here's what Columbia/Legacy promises:

"Drummer Dennis Wilson's 1977 solo album, the first solo album by any Beach Boy, will return to circulation on the occasion of its 30th anniversary, and the 25th anniversary of its creator's untimely death in 1983, at age 39. As of this writing, complete component details of Pacific Ocean Blue: Legacy Edition are still being finalized, as the tape vaults of the Beach Boys and Caribou Records continue to be combed for new treasure. Initial plans call for disc one to include the original 12-song LP sequence as well as previously unreleased bonus tracks that have never appeared on any bootlegs. Disc two will be a godsend to Dennis Wilson devotees around the world - especially those who have been aware of the Bambu album he had hoped to release as a follow-up, but never completed. The tape archive is the source for over a dozen bonus tracks, all previously unreleased, from the original Pacific Ocean Blue and Bambu sessions."

Here's what Jon on the Shut Down board had to say:

"Bambu was Dennis' intended spelling... like the rolling paper. Most of Bambu was written before POB was released...and it was recorded directly on the heels of POB which wrapped in April '77... so from May '77 to early '78 Dennis did have Brother. There are only 4 Carli songs that are part of Bambu and some of those were recorded towards the end of the Bambu window...mid '78. Most of Bambu was initiated at Brother. All of the tracks on this comp are Dennis solo tracks...'75 to '79. No WIBNTLA...that a BB's track from '71. This is all Caribou era Dennis stuff."

"I don't know the exact track listing that Sony will settle on, but i do know there are more than 10 tracks available and freshly mixed and ready to go... that have NEVER been booted... that's right. 10 to 12 DW tracks that even the hardest core fans on this board have not heard...and I'm tellin' ya this is great, great stuff. Plus all of POB meticulously remastered and sounding better than ever, and all the Bambu tracks that have been booted, but with fresh mixes by John Hanlon, and in perfect quality. Let's just hope the process keeps rolling to the finish line."