GIRL DONT TELL ME by Tony Rivers & The Castaways

[sullivanswar]

One of the better BB's cover's I've heard. The backing vocals have a Four Seasons flavor to it (the 'my girl, my girl,' and the 'OooooOOOOOoooo's' at the end that sound similar to "Walk Like a Man").

Above all, Tony, I think the song has a lot of movement to it. It never stagnates. It pulls the listener along and while - yes - I agree that no one is Carl Wilson, it's silly for folks to try and be antagonistic about it. The Castaways put a fresh spin on a tough song. Bravo!

[tonyrivers]

A small point I know but--the harmonies we sang on this 'cover' were totally contructed (as you call it) by us, Brian decided he didn't want any harmonies on the BB's version, we decided, when asked to record this by Andrew Oldham, that we did want harmonies, and they were QUITE different from what BW would have come up with and that was INTENTIONAL.

[manwichwithmayo]

this cover shows how much better brian is at constructing harmonies than anyone else who's been on this planet.

[aberloof]

This is kick ass. Its not easy to do a good Beach Boys cover.

[hunnagazunna]

Don't think any of the comments are meant to be derogatory. It's a great song which just happens to have already contained the definitive vocal performance by Carl on the original. Coming second to one of the great singers in pop history is no mean feat. so well done and thanks for helping keeping BW-style music alive Tony. p.s. Nice to heart it with backgrounds as the original had none of course.

[paleblue498]

Excellent cover of a BB hidden gem. It's not easy to do justice to a BB song, but you guys did a great job. For those people who don't play the guitar, it's not the easiest song to do either as it has a ton of chord changes that have to be learned.

[TheSunbau]

I really like the TR & The Castaways. A great track from a great band. And ....it was released 44 years ago! Incredible but true!! There were so many great rock bands, famous and unknown, in the mid 60's.

For example The Lords, The Misunderstood, Th Rascals and of course THE ZETTLERS. Listen to "Skinnie Minnie" and "Beautiful Delilah". The recordings where made 1965. What a bloody drive and feeling.

[SixTailights]

Never thought anyone would beat the Beach Boys! Even though Tony didn't like the Four Seasons'-type ending, it's pretty cool!

[LindaAnne1]

You had to be at the Cavern in Liverpool to appreciate the work that went in to the cover

[SixTailights]

Tony Rivers, just want to let you know that I'm a big fan! You're awesome! Love 'All the Way Home', 'Girl From Salt Lake City', Finders Keepers', and most of all 'Summer Dreaming'! This is the rare time I find something as good (if not better) than the Beach Boys.

[sullivanswar]

Wow...what a great cover! They manage to stay faithful-enough to the original but add their own little twists to it.

[wlc1980]

I love it nice job! I want to hear more Castaway's music!

[Molliemutkins]

Tony; I'd just like to add my observation to the fact that you guys were outstanding vocalists who made beautiful records. You understood the pop harmony business and put a credible British twist to it. You should have had more success than you did. Still play "My Little Girl"

[paleblue498]

I love both versions. This version has really wonderfully different harmonies than the BB's and it sounds great. Nice to hear you guys puttting your own spin on a great song rather than just copying the original. Great job...

[FuckingStanz]

Righteous.

[bopava]

Actually you're right. The song is great, I am just a big "Pet Sounds" partisan! I enjoy this version as well. The way I generally feel about covers, saying it isn't a bad one is a huge compliment.

[bopava]

Not a; bad cover, but doesn't compare with the Beach Boys original in my opinion.

[tonyrivers]

@bopava Hi, Well as Carl Wilson and Brian Wilson both liked what we changed about the song and loved the record does it really matter? What does it matter anyway it was released 44 years ago!!!!!

[warrioroftheworld01]

@tonyrivers While Carl's vocal is amazing, I actually prefer this version! I love the coda at the end of the song as a tribute to both the Beach Boys and Four Seasons!

[spacepatrolman]

@tonyrivers Carl sings it better you have to know how to handle a surfboard and an electric 12 string to sing beach boys songs properlly

[tonyrivers]

@spacepatrolman Yeah but he was Carl Wilson!!!!And of course you don't have to 'surf to sing BB's/ Wilson, otherwise the Boys would have disappeared without trace cos the only BB who could surf was Dennis. But thanks for your 'constructive observations!LOL

[spacepatrolman]

@tonyrivers they all surfed some more than others

[spacepatrolman]

@tonyrivers thats walk like a man by the four seasons at the end they cant surf either

[rtaetz]

Soooooo much better than the Beach Boy's version!

At least THIS one was released!!!!

[wgdanson]

The Factotums in Manchester did this a single first, but Loony Oldham pulled out at the last minute.

[droningforever]

¡Wow, sounds great!

[antrivers46]

Brilliant. My favourite Castaways track.