Dennis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue

Pacific Ocean Blue is the debut and only studio album by American songwriter-musician Dennis Wilson, originally released in August 1977 via Caribou Records.

Dennis Wilson was an American musician, singer, and songwriter who co-founded The Beach Boys with his brothers Brian and Carl Wilson. He is best remembered as The Beach Boys drummer and was the only true surfer in the band, and his personal life exemplified the "California Myth" that the band's early songs often celebrated.

At first a somewhat un-noticed Wilson brother at the beginning of the Beach Boys' career, Dennis Wilson later matured into an excellent songwriter, producer, and vocalist. His heartfelt ballads and pop gems contributed heavily to the Beach Boys' late 60's and early 70's output.

A 'target' of female enthusiasm, Dennis was assigned lead vocals for a few early novelty songs: "Little Girl (You're My Miss America)", "Surfers Rule," and "This Car of Mine." His first hit came in 1965 when "Do You Wanna Dance" opened the The Beach Boys Today! album and cracked the Top 20.

After the high peaks and deep valleys of the Beach Boys career during the late '60s, Dennis began writing songs ("Little Bird", "Be Still") for 1968's Friends. Throughout the early '70s, Beach Boys fans counted on at least two Dennis songs on each LP, often tender ballads.

He made his first attempt at a solo album as early as 1970, but quietly released only one single. He started to work again in 1975, recording with friend and producer Gregg Jakobsen during 1976 to complete Pacific Ocean Blue. The album was recorded at the Beach Boys Brother Studios and his brother Carl participated in a number of the sessions. At the time of recording, Dennis' hard living had begun affecting his looks and more importantly his singing voice, which now delivered grainy and rough, yet still deeply soulful, vocals.

Recalling the time Wilson spent working on the album, co-producer Gregg Jakobson said, "This was when he fully accepted himself as an artist. Brian had shown him chords on the piano, but as he'd become more proficient the music that came forth was not derivative of that. Having his own studio helped tremendously. With a little encouragement, and the right tools, Dennis took off."

Though Dennis had started to work on his second album (provisionally titled Bamboo) even before the release of Pacific Ocean Blue, increasing problems caused several holdups. In late 1983 Wilson drowned while diving around his boat in Marina del Ray, CA.

Pacific Ocean Blue is his only complete solo effort released to the public and received glowing reviews for its depth and emotion. It has subsequently appeared on several "Best-Of" lists including Robert Dimery's "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die," and Mojo's "Lost Albums You Must Own" and "70 of the Greatest Albums of the 70s" lists.

Despite the glowing reviews the album performed poorly in terms of commercial sales and peaked at #96 on the US charts during a short 12 week run.

“The Captain” thinks this album is a gem and in some ways stronger than The Beach Boys output at that time. The songs are almost progressive rock in their style and arrangements, very different than the harmony laced songs for which The Beach Boys are well known.

Two singles were released from the album River Song and You and I.

This LP record is a reissue (May 2010) on 180 gram audiophile vinyl housed in a gatefold sleeve with printed inner sleeve, pressed in Europe.