Jeffrey Foskett’s greatest hits: 4 gems in the secret history of the Beach Boys
A quick round up of four essential albums from Jeffrey Foskett's catalog.
? Singer and guitarist Jeffrey Foskett has a long history performing as a member of the Beach Boys and working as former singer and co-founder Brian Wilson’s right hand man — on stage and off. Throughout the '90s and early aughts Foskett also carved out an extensive solo career. Much of his success was found in Japan, and throughout the Australasian region. “Fish” from his 1996 CD Thru My Window reached no. 3 in Japan. That same year he was also voted Best New Foreign Artist in Japan. In ’98 he was the Top Selling Foreign Artist in New Zealand.?
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? Meanwhile, back in the States, his releases never received proper distribution outside of his self-run New Surf label. So happy hunting if you’re scouring the local record shops — hit up Discogs and hit up Amazon. Recently, however, much of Foskett’s discography has been made available through iTunes. Stars In the Sand serves as an excellent primer to his catalog, but the following is a list of the four most essential releases to bear his name as a solo artist.?
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? Read more about Foskett’s time with the Beach Boys this week in CL's feature story, "The Beach Boys now! In coming full circle, Jeffrey Foskett finds change and harmony on the stage."?
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? Thru My Window
? Foskett’s solo debut features 14 songs cut from the same sound palette as many of the Beach Boys greatest hits. The rhythms, the melodies, the harmonies, the textures, and the songwriting on display in standout numbers such as “Dancing Girl,” the album’s title cut, “Sandy,” and “Maryann” are bound by equal parts melancholy and fun in the sun. Upon its release, California Saga magazine said: "Although the name on the cover might say otherwise, Thru My Window is the best Beach Boys disc of 1996."?
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? Cool and Gone (Gone, Gone) ?Foskett’s debut album, Thru My Window relied heavily on the sounds of sun, surf, and somber summer vibes which are inextricably linked to his career — no doubt the result of a lifetime spent worshipping and indeed touring with the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson. Cool and Gone (Gone, Gone), however, is the first sure sign that he’s capable of much more. The production on display here is of a greater depth and skill level than anything heard on Thru My Window. Original numbers such as “It’s My Fault” and “Come To Me” along with covers such as Jesse Colin Young’s “Sunlight,” and Bill Lloyd’s “Cool and Gone” embrace the subtleties of lovelorn power pop. The album delves into a more personal and stylized sound that channels the Carl Wilson influence at work in his voice and songcraft. It’s a true gem in the secret history of the Beach Boys' legacy, and draws has a place among certain predecessors: the Replacements’ Tim, Marshall Crenshaw’s self-titled LP, and the Nerves' greatest hits — this is Foskett’s most essential solo release.?
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? Sunnys Off?A nice companion piece to Cool and Gone (Gone, Gone), 1997's Sunnys Off expands upon Foskett's quest for studio mastery. A haunting and ethereal AM Gold presence sets the tone as a rendition of the Carpenters' "Hurting Each Other" gives way to Harry Nilsson's "This Could Be the Night." Later, "Surfer Girl Lullaby" pays homage to the Brian Wilson influence that has sculpted much of Foskett's musical DNA. Original numbers such as"Tribute to Josh Hall," parts. 1 and 2, "Next Time," and "Nowhere" show off Foskett's most mature songwriting to date.?
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? Twelve and Twelve?This one is Foskett's collaborations album, so to speak. "Baby It's You" opens the album on an introspective '70s pop note, showing off that his sound and are evolving. The pairing up with Brian Wilson for a version of "Everything I Need" from the Wilsons' self-titled album is the true standout here. ELO's Parthenon Huxley joins in for a smooth rendition of "Bazooka Joe," and even Marshall Crenshaw sings and plays guitar alongside Bill Lloyd on "The Best Thing About Me Is You."?