Midnight Media Cafe - California Dreaming

[serai]

.
Feeling all nostalgic tonight, yo. Three versions of a beloved classic:

California Dreaming - The Mamas & the Papas

The original, with its soaring vocals and sweet flute break...

California Dreaming - Michael Chapdelaine

A lovely acoustic guitar version...


And last but not least:

Califonia Dreaming - The Beach Boys

The Boys bring their signature style to a perfect vehicle.


This song is so evocative, not of California itself but of the idea of CA that seems to live in the minds of so many people out there. As today was the first day of our settled-in summer, I'm feeling very much like I live inside that idea, that warm-hot-sunlit faraway legend-land. 'Course pretty soon the heat will become oppressively familiar and the sheen will have worn off, but for now it's nice to bask in the illusion of this being the ideal place to live.

Enjoy the lovely tune, the beautiful voices, and I send a wave of sea-salt sunshine your way. ;)

Comments

[jewelsong.livejournal.com]

These are all great, but I have to say that the guitarist totally kicks ass. If I didn't see it, I wouldn't believe it was only ONE guitar playing. Awesome.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Beautiful, isn't it? Lovely fingering work.

[fantasy-fan.livejournal.com]

Just love this song, and you're right, it's perfect for today.

Are those the remaining Mamas and Papas as ghosts in the Beach Boys video? (or lookalikes? or am I reading it totally wrong? Not so good at that metaphysical music video stuff.)

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Yes, those are the Mamas and Papas; Papa John plays the preacher. The guitarist in the church is Roger MacGuinn of the Byrds. I think they should have put Mama Cass in there too; they could have found a bit of footage to massage in there with them.

I'm just amazed it took the Beach Boys so damn LONG to do this song.

[slipperieslope.livejournal.com]

It is a gorgeous song and so evocative of 'the state'.