Something There – Remembering Jeffrey Foskett
This is an interesting dedication compilation in respect of the late Beach Boys touring musician Jeffrey Foskett, a class act. The showcase almost sounds like a “lost” Beach Boys effort or well-made demos. Right from the beginning with The Pranks on the previously unreleased 1980 “Tell Me.” It has tight drums & harmonies. It’s good, catchy & gutsy.
Jeff sings lead on “Barbara Ann” (where Jan & Dean’s Dean Torrence sang the lead on The Beach Boys’ hit 45). This version is equally exciting from Mike Love’s Endless Summer Band in the ‘80s.
There are 25 reasons for Remembering Jeffrey Foskett, produced by a variety of individual producers (Drops July 11/Omnivore Recordings/73:20). This ambitious compilation LP was produced by Brad Rosenberger, Michael Campion & Jeff Larson. There’s an 8-page stitched insert with liner notes & testimonials.
As the Beach Boys aged, other musicians stepped up. The late Jeffrey Foskett was one & he made wonderful contributions to the signature sound. Murray Wilson, father of the Wilson Boys, managed The Sunrays in the ‘60s & they were friends of Carl Wilson. The band had opened for The Beach Boys. Sunray Rick Henn wrote “I Live For the Sun,” which appears here from 1996 by Jeffrey, Gary Griffin, & Michael O’Rourke.Mike Love, Robert Lamm (Chicago), & others appear on this first-ever anthology of Jeffrey Foskett. All songs are performed by Jeffrey (1956-2023) unless noted. Several famous artists assisted, & a few songs were previously unissued, with the earliest (1980), & the latest (2024), with a few remixes (2025).
There are brief harmonic examples on the set (“Summer Love,” a cappella). But it shows the kind of vocal inclusion Jeffrey made. Not all vocalists had the personality of sound. They weren’t Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, or Brian. But singers like Jan Berry & Dean Torrence were loaded with Beach Boy sound. The dynamic Ronnie & the Daytonas hit “Little GTO” is covered admirably here by Jeff & the Los Straitjackets & they replicate the feel perfectly.
Certain tracks are so inspired, it’s a blur. 1996’s “Something There” captures the spirit of the ‘60s Beach Boys & through Christopher Cross’s “Simple” is filled with Beach Boy classic harmonies. There are guest spots by the late Brian Wilson, quoted as saying, “Jeff’s voice is one of the top five greatest voices I’ve ever heard, because of the way he expresses himself. It blows me away.”
Highlights – “Tell Me,” “Barbara Ann,” “I Live For the Sun,” “Something There,” “Through My Window,” “Remembering” (the band America), “Simple,” “I Wanted You To Know,” “Little GTO,” “Crying,” (with Papa Doo Ron Ron), & “She’s The One I Know,” (with Gerry Beckley).
Musicians –Jeff Larson, Henry Kapono, Robert Lamm, Katie Foskett & David Pack.
Color image courtesy of Jeffrey’s Wikipedia & Camptunes. CD @ Amazon & https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/something-there/ & https://www.hemifran.com/news/detail/u/1978/Jeffrey%20Foskett/Something%20There/
