ISLANDS IN THE SUN
Al Jardine has just released a new EP (Extended Play) called “Islands In The Sun” just in time for summer. The digital EP features the title track plus three new songs and is now available from Universal Music (UMe). In a friendly nod to “Kokomo,” “Islands In The Sun” is a Caribbean flavored fantasy in a Beach Boys meets Belafonte style that perfectly captures the mood and tropical lifestyle of the West Indies. The song features beautiful lead vocals from Al and his son Matt Jardine plus a guest vocal from Beach Boy Bruce Johnston along with a children’s choir from three local elementary schools. “‘Islands In The Sun’ captures that special magic we felt and sang about on Beach Boys songs like ‘Island Girl’ and ‘Kokomo’,” says Al, adding, “It was inspired by the enchanting calypso sounds of Harry Belafonte and Bob Marley’s laid-back reggae vibe. Now wouldn’t it be fun if we could bottle up the sun!”
The second track “My Plane Leaves Tomorrow (Au Revoir)” was recorded during the sessions for Al’s debut studio album A Postcard from California and features a heartfelt guest vocal from Neil Young, who shares Al’s sentiment about sending our troops off to foreign wars. The song includes a portion of the melancholy bugle call “Taps,” performed by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“Highway 101 (Rosarita Beach Café),” a joyful romp to the border, is Al’s Mexico-inspired version of the Leiber/Stoller classic “Smokey Joe’s Café.” The original, a classic by the Coasters from 1956, is one of Al’s favorite songs when he was growing up and almost 70 years later, Al got permission from Mike Stoller to rewrite the lyrics. “Highway 101” features long-standing Beach Boys touring band members Ed Carter on bass and Mike Kowalski on drums, Michael Lent (Barry Manilow’s guitarist for over 25 years) on lead guitar and Steve Douglas from the infamous Wrecking Crew on sax.
Finally, the EP concludes with “Crumple Car,” an updated version of the forgotten tune from the 1978 classic surf movie Big Wednesday. Originally written by surfer Denny Aaberg with Phil Pritchard, “Crumple Car” was brought to Al’s attention by Ed Carter (who was friends with Denny) and reimagined as a folk-style Beach Boys song with a message. With Denny’s blessing, Al’s new version features Ed on lead guitar finger-picking style and backing vocals from Al’s son Adam Jardine. And that’s Al on lead whistle!
The EP “Islands In The Sun” was produced by Al Jardine with Stevie Heger (co-producer of A Postcard from California) and longtime Beach Boys/Brian Wilson sound engineer Jeff Peters and mastered by David Glasser.
Listen here on Apple Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Pandora and more
Islands In The Sun (A. Jardine)
Lead vocals: Al Jardine, Matt Jardine
Slide Guitar: Al Jardine
Flute: Paul Contos
Drums: Stevie Heger
Percussion: Shaun Elley
Marimbas: DJ Bonebrake
Keyboards and pedal steel guitar: Arlan Oscar Schierbaum
Children’s Choir: Santa Catalina School For Girls/Janice Perl (Choir Master), Carmel River School/Erinn Barca-Hall (Choir Master), Captain Cooper Elementary School/Shana Garritson (Choir Master)
Backing vocals: Bruce Johnston, Matt Jardine, Mary Ann Jardine, Al Jardine
My Plane Leaves Tomorrow (Au Revoir) (A. Jardine)
Lead vocals: Al Jardine, Neil Young, Matt Jardine
Trumpet: Flea
Piano, electric guitars, drums: Stevie Heger
Bass, acoustic guitars: Al Jardine
Backing vocals: Neil Young, Adam Jardine, Matt Jardine
Highway 101 (Rosarita Beach Café) (J. Leiber/M. Stoller w/ additional words & music by A. Jardine)
Lead vocals: Al Jardine
Piano: Scott Slaughter
Guitar: Michael Lent, Al Jardine
Percussion: Stevie Heger
Bass: Ed Carter
Drums: Mike Kowalski
Baritone saxophone: Paul Tarantino
Tenor saxophone: Steve Douglas
Backing vocals: Kate Faber, Marlena Jeter, Lynne Fiddmont, Mortonette Stephens
Photo by Spud
Crumple Car
(D. Aaberg/P. Pritchard w/ additional words & music by A. Jardine)
Lead vocals, whistling and guitar: Al Jardine
Bass and foot stomps: Ed Carter
Conga, kalimba: Pínche Pete
Backing vocals: Adam Jardine
Tape hiss: Stevie Heger
A POSTCARD FROM CALIFORNIA
Al Jardine’s debut studio solo album, A Postcard from California, was released June 19, 2010, and touches upon California’s history, natural beauty and other environmental issues. Featuring guest appearances from David Crosby, Steve Miller, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (America), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Neil Young, Alec Baldwin and the late great Glen Campbell, A Postcard from California was recorded at Al’s own Red Barn Studios in Big Sur, CA. The album is also a Beach Boys reunion of sorts, featuring guest vocal appearances from Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Bruce Johnston (plus David Marks on guitar) and includes one of the last studio recordings of the late great Carl Wilson. Al’s sons, Adam and Matt Jardine, also sing on the album, which was co-produced by local (Carmel, CA) area musicians Stevie Heger and Scott Slaughter.
In 2022, Al says, “I can’t believe it’s been twelve years since Postcard came out and I thank everyone involved in the production and creation of this album to help me get my songs out there. Brian’s advice to aspiring young songwriters has always been ‘Finish your songs’ so I took it to heart and I hope everyone who has listened to A Postcard from California feels my excitement and enthusiasm for this great land and sea of ours and our need to protect it forever. Thank you for all your support over the years, it is greatly appreciated and I will continue to dedicate Postcard to all the animals we love and who love us back!”
A Postcard from California is now available digitally and on CD from Universal Music
Click here to buy the CD from Amazon
Click here to stream A Postcard from California
Click here for the official press release from Universal Music
A Postcard from California re-release
15 songs including “Don’t Fight The Sea,” “Looking Down The Coast,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “San Simeon,” and the title track plus two special bonus tracks, “Waves Of Love” and “Sloop John B (A Pirate’s Tale)”
Click here to stream the album
Click here to buy the CD from Amazon
A Postcard from California session photos courtesy Rachael Short. Please do not download, reproduce, copy or reprint without the express permission of Al Jardine Productions. Thank you.