The best song contained on Carl & The Passions - So Tough is "Marcella." It featured some excellent harmonies and an innovative do-wop type vocal.
Some other highlights from this album (and there are not many) are some excellent vocals by Dennis Wilson on “Cuddle Up” and “Make It Good.” Dennis co-wrote these two songs with Daryl Dragon who would go on to pop fame as half of the Captain & Tennille. Dragons influence takes Dennis’ writing in a pop direction and proves that he is better off writing alone. “You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone” features a fine Carl Wilson vocal of this Brian Wilson song. This was the only significant contribution that Brian made to this album.
Carl & The Passions - So Tough was not commercially successful and in this case probably deservedly so. The Beach Boys would rebound, however, but having reviewed this album it will now be returned to the shelf.
Article comments
1 - Ray
I would agree ST was an "atypical" album for the BB's, however I still like it for all of the reason that you don't. A little jazzier in places
a bit more soulfull then their usual. Think about it, if it weren't the BB's would you still not enjoy the music. I think of it as a C&TP album, with one cut that sounds like the BB's and not a BB's album. It takes away the expectation that it should sound like the BB's. I think it would have faired better in sales if they had left the BB's name off the front cover and let it stand alone. I always heard that the record company wanted to pair it with PS's not the group.
But anyway, after all of these years it sounds good to me still, especially compared to some of the crap they would put out during the 80's. HOLLAND would follow then it would all go down the tubes after that as far as studio albums are concerned. I would suggest it to anybody who wants to experience their versatility and had hoped that would of kept on taking risks and experiment with thier sound and ability.
2 - Rick
Not to forget the great song "All This Is That" which is probably the finest "not by Brian Wilson written" song the group has ever recorded. They also sang this song regularly during the early 1970's road shows. Terrific timeless harmonies and one of the main reasons to pick up this album.
3 - Tyler
I really enjoy this album for it's funky vibes and great vocals, be it from The Beach Boys or Blondie Chaplin. And as someone already stated, "All This Is That" is a treasure.