Hawthorne, CA cover

Hawthorne, CA

The Beach Boys · 1993

106 min · 57 tracks · pop music

An intimate collage of rehearsals and demos that captures the Beach Boys' creative process in their golden era.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    3701 West 119th Street, Hawthorne, California - the Surfin’ Rehearsal Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Good Vibrations (concert rehearsal) — This track showcases the band's vocal harmonies and innovation in live performance before they became studio legends. It highlights how they translated studio magic into electrifying concert energy.
  • →
    Barbara Ann (master take without party overdubs) — This version emphasizes the raw vocal interplay and playful spirit of the band, stripping away the party atmosphere to reveal the song's core charm.
  • →
    Surfin’ USA (demo) — The demo version allows listeners to appreciate the song's development from concept to completion, showcasing Brian Wilson's songwriting prowess at its inception.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • nostalgic exploration of early sound
  • dynamic wave-like pacing shifts
  • intimate glimpses into rehearsals
  • short snippets of pure joy
  • a cappella harmonies to savor

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer polished studio productions
  • seek cohesive album narratives

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Offers unique insight into the band's creative process, appealing to dedicated fans.
Themes
California surf culture· creative process intimacy· 1960s pop evolution
Career context
Released in 1993, Hawthorne, CA arrived amidst a period of reflection for the Beach Boys, following their commercial peak in the 1960s. This album is a compilation of rare recordings and rehearsal tracks, showcasing their evolution from surf rock icons to complex songwriters. It serves as a retrospective of their formative years, highlighting their artistic journey through various stages.
Stylistic neighbors
The Beatles· Simon & Garfunkel· The Byrds
New to The Beach Boys? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Mike Love Introduces Surfin’ 0:48
  • 2 3701 West 119th Street, Hawthorne, California - the Surfin’ Rehearsal Start here 2:40
  • 3 Happy Birthday Four Freshmen 0:55
  • 4 Mike on Brian’s Harmonies 0:45
  • 5 Their Hearts Were Full of Spring (live rehearsal) 2:31
  • 6 Surfin’ USA (demo) 2:03
  • 7 Surfin’ USA (backing track) 2:35
  • 8 Carl Wilson Radio Promo 0:15
  • 9 Shut Down (live) 1:56
  • 10 Little Deuce Coupe (demo) 1:51
  • 11 Murry Wilson Directs a Radio Promo 0:25
  • 12 Fun, Fun, Fun (backing track) 2:26
  • 13 Brian’s Message to ‘’Rog’’ (take 22) 0:29
  • 14 Dance, Dance, Dance (stereo remix) 2:05
  • 15 Kiss Me Baby (a cappella mix) 2:49
  • 16 Good to My Baby (backing track) 2:32
  • 17 Chuck Britz on Brian in the Studio 0:21
  • 18 Salt Lake City (session highlights) 1:50
  • 19 Salt Lake City (stereo remix) 2:07
  • 20 Wish That He Could Stay (session excerpt) 1:13
  • 21 And Your Dream Comes True (stereo remix) 1:06
  • 22 Carol K Session Highlights 2:13
  • 23 The Little Girl I Once Knew (alternate version) 2:33
  • 24 Alan and Dennis Introduce Barbara Ann 0:29
  • 25 Barbara Ann (session excerpt) 2:52
  • 26 Barbara Ann (master take without party overdubs) 3:08
  • 27 Mike on the Everly Brothers 0:22
  • 28 Devoted to You (master take without party overdubs) 2:19
  • 29 Dennis Thanks Everybody - In the Back of My Mind 2:25

Disc 2

  • 1 Can’t Wait Too Long (a cappella mix) 0:51
  • 2 Dennis Introduces Carl 0:43
  • 3 Good Vibrations (stereo track sections) 3:13
  • 4 Good Vibrations (concert rehearsal) 4:09
  • 5 Heroes and Villains (stereo single version) 3:40
  • 6 Vegetables Promo (instrumental section) 0:56
  • 7 Vegetables (stereo extended mix) 3:01
  • 8 You’re With Me Tonight 0:49
  • 9 Lonely Days 0:52
  • 10 Bruce on Wild Honey 0:14
  • 11 Let the Wind Blow (stereo remix) 2:35
  • 12 I Went to Sleep (a cappella mix) 1:35
  • 13 Time to Get Alone (alternate version) 3:39
  • 14 Alan and Brian Talk About Dennis 0:19
  • 15 A Time to Live in Dreams 1:50
  • 16 Be With Me (backing track) 3:17
  • 17 Dennis Introduces Cotton Fields 0:10
  • 18 Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) (stereo single version) 3:15
  • 19 Alan and Carl on Break Away 0:21
  • 20 Break Away (alternate version) 3:12
  • 21 Add Some Music to Your Day (a cappella mix) 3:29
  • 22 Dennis Wilson 0:27
  • 23 Forever (a cappella mix) 2:51
  • 24 Sail On, Sailor (backing track) 3:16
  • 25 Old Man River (vocal section) 1:20
  • 26 Carl Wilson 0:39
  • 27 The Lord’s Prayer (stereo remix) 2:33
  • 28 Carl Wilson - Coda 2:28

What to play next

Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys
Listen next

Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys

1993

This album continues the introspective and nostalgic themes found in 'Hawthorne, CA'.
Summer in Paradise
Go back to

Summer in Paradise

1992

This album sets a reflective tone that naturally leads into 'Hawthorne, CA'.
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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata