Stephen Kalinich: Beach Boys Collaborator Returns with Third Album!

It’s so fitting that a full-length follow-up to “A World Of Peace Must Come” which Stephen Kalinich recorded back in 1969 only to see it shelved for three decades will see the light of day on June 6th: after all, the American wordsmith is mostly known for his summery-vibe collaboration with THE BEACH BOYS. His lyrics elevating such classics as “Little Bird” and “All I Want To Do” – to mention but a couple, as well as “Rainbows” from Dennis Wilson’s acclaimed “Pacific Ocean Blue” album, and also pieces like “Only Your Love Song Lasts” by Randy Crawford, there’s a lot to enjoy – or, rather, a lot of joie de vivre – in Kalinich’s stanzas, so there’s not a lot of wonder in Stephen’s lines being sung by Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney on “A Friend Like You” from the former’s “Gettin’ In Over My Head” or augmented by Brian May’s guitar on a pair of cuts on the veteran’s several collaborative longplays. What is surprising is the scarcity of his solo platters, with “Scrambled Eggs” succeeding the belatedly issued aforementioned one in 2018, and “I Love My Life” ready to be out just now.

With a few guests, including Randell Kirsch, whose six strings are familiar to many from the records by the likes of JAN & DEAN, and Rob Bonfiglio, whose harmonica was heard on WILSON PHILLIPS tracks, and BEACH BOYS engineer Jeff Peters, this new offering promises to deliver many delights.

“I love my life and I loved doing this album,” says Stephen. “There are some of my songs and some of my poems, and it comes from my heart and spirit. The idea was to put some goodness and some good thoughts into the world and to be grateful for life and for the gift of life, and to bring peace to this world as best as I can, but try to do it in a realistic framework, knowing it’s not easy. I start with inner peace, with peace within myself, trying to live it not just in my words, but in what I do, in my actions – I’m grateful for everything, so I start with gratitude. I want to make the world a better place, to bring a smile that gives more space to everyone whose path I cross. I don’t always need the applause; sometimes I just need to sit and rest; and some days I know I get through it, even though it’s not my best. I’m always searching for our beauty and for more joy and happiness, and I’m trying to put into words what cannot be put into words: flowers, trees, and everything that make the Earth breathe, everything that touch me and make me be grateful today. as I walk through the hills and along the river bed, finding old coins and beautiful rocks”