Jan & Dean: Official Message Board for Jan Berry

Its honestly a shame that J&D haven't seen any new proper releases in years and years, since the INCREDIBLE 2017 Filet of Soul release, and COS release about 10 years ago.

You'd think with that the reassurance of interest in The BBs, with the FeelFlows boxset and Iconic deal, that Capitol might see a larger interest in West Coast rock n roll in general, and at least repackage the Liberty material, which they acquired the rights to.

My dream is for a J&D boxset covering 50's-2000's with all of the material recorded as a duo, and both members solo. Everything. You'd really see a neat evolution over the years.  If's Jan's re-records can be appreciated, so can Dean's in my opinion.

Of course, with the post-Liberty material, the rights are split a million ways. There's of course Jan's solo A&M material, his self distributed material, Second Wave era material, COS being put out by Rhino, SFARD on Sundazed, Filet on Omnivore, Dean's PDRR / Bel Air Bandits re-records, Dean's solo music, Mike & Dean music, etc etc....

While it might be a difficult task to aqquire the rights for all of this material, it wouldn't be impossible.

I absolutely agree that the material from this era totally deserves more quality and detailed package. 'Fun City' is pretty good, but like you mention, it seems like many, if not all the tracks, are rips from vinyl or casette and not the original master tapes.

That material definitely cries for a good remastering too, as well as Second Wave. That album particulary is well produced, but suffers from poor mastering. I recall the co-producer also admitting that on this board a few years ago.

The Filet of Soul 2017 release made me very excited that there'd be more cool J&D releases in the pipeline. In my opinion they deserve a boxset with all of their recorded material (both together and solo, including re-record and live versions) from everything from 58-onwards. Original mono (when available) mixes, paired with new stereo remixes. All of the odds, ends, outtakes, and alternates found in the "Collectors Series" we all cherish, Dean's somewhat recent recordings with the Bamboo Trading Company, and anything else that still sits in the vaults.

The Beach Boys just got their 'Feel Flows' boxset which did wonders for the band and the brand, so I think there would definetely be an appetite out there for a detailed, meticulously assembled, career spanning J&D release.

Very exciting!

i agree. Perfect name. Very exciting news!

I couldn't choose one...

Strictly album cuts: Ocean Park Angel, Little Deuce Coupe, Blowin My Mind, Hot Lookin Lady Only A Boy, Love Her Tonight, One Piece Topless Bathing Suit, Hawaii, The Restless Surfer (although, not arranged by Jan) , Hot Stocker, Surfin Safari, Barbara Ann (not produced by Jan, but great album cut), Palisades Park (same as the former),

B sides that I love: When It's Over, Easy As 123, A Surfer's Dream


And as far as Dean's production: Summer Rain (Original), California Girls (Silver Summer), Fun, Fun, Fun (Papa Re-Record), and Sunny Afternoon are all pretty good if you ask me.

I totally agree. It's a masterpiece. The backing track sounds really heavy, even today. Double drums, guitars, basses, keys. It's brilliant. The harmonies and modulations are out of this world. Love both Jan & Dean's vocals on this one. Great backups by The Matadors (and Jan, Dean,) and Brian Wilson??)    It all culminates in one of the most exciting rock songs ever produced. Jan was advancing so quickly in 1963 it's insane. Everyone in Jan's team was so talented- Dean, Roger, Don, Brian, Lou, Wrecking Crew, etc --- but Jan was a genius. Those records were totally visionary and ahead of their time

Maybe it's too late for a physical boxset, but look at The Beach Boys copyright releases! Every year now, we get new albums filled with unreleased material, live material, remixes, etc... And in the case of the 1968 sets, they are only available digitally.

I'd love to see a proper digital release to commemorate J&D legacy.

Here's my wish ....

1 All of the studio albums from Dore to Popsicle with original mono mixes and 2019 stereo mixes.
2 All of the material from after the accident and onwards... both solo and J&D... (Dean's re-recordings both from '77 and the 80's, Port To Paradise, Second Wave)
3 Studio outakes, sessions, unreleased material, backing tracks, a capellas, etc... (sort of like how we got those backing tracks on the 1996 greatest hits CD)
4 Live material (preferably without much studio enhancement)

If a set like this was released, I would probably feel like I died and went to heaven!!!

Rob, I couldn't agree more. I have always wanted to hear the versions of these songs without the intense compression and over the top mastering. And indeed, it is time for the album to be available digitally.