Ten Years of Harmony


Ten Years of Harmony is an official double album compilation album released by the Beach Boys in 1981, and spanning their entire Brother Records-era up to that point, including some unreleased or rare material. Although the song "Darlin' (The [Beach Boys song)|Darlin']" had originally been recorded in 1967 while the group was signed to Capitol Records, the version on Ten Years of Harmony was recorded live in 1973 for the album The Beach Boys in Concert.
The Beach Boys had more or less splintered in 1981. Far from lucid, Brian Wilson would occasionally appear on stage, primarily as a replacement for brother Carl, who was embarking on a solo career. Dennis Wilson would show up to occasional concerts, but would usually be argumentative and disruptive. Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston were the only stable members of a band who now had a whole cast of supporting musicians when they performed live. However, the release of Ten Years of Harmony kept the pretense going and, unexpectedly, the M.I.U. Album cover of "Come Go with Me" became a US top-twenty hit when released as a single from this collection.
While taking tracks from 1970's Sunflower to 1980's Keepin' the Summer Alive, the compilers also included some oddities, rarities, and unreleased tracks. First, a handful of the songs, namely "Rock and Roll Music" and "California Saga: California" are presented in their original single mix. Early CD pressings of the album also included an early alternate version of "Come Go with Me." Moreover, Ten Years of Harmony includes a 1979 A-side "It's a Beautiful Day", a Dennis Wilson-written track called "San Miguel", a cover of "Sea Cruise", which was a rejected track from the 15 Big Ones sessions, and a selection from Dennis' solo album, Pacific Ocean Blue, "River Song".
Only Beach Boys who were active throughout the whole decade appear on the gatefold cover on the original LP issue.
Ten Years of Harmony, now out of print, sold enough in its release to reach number 156 in the US.

Track listing

Singles

  • "Come Go with Me" b/w "Don't Go near the Water", November 2, 1981 US #18
Ten Years of Harmony reached #156 in the US. during a chart stay of six weeks.

Personnel

The Beach Boys
;Additional musicians and production staff