In 1965, The Stones were preparing their first 100% all original masterpiece, "Aftermath". The Beatles were mixing the newly express pychedelica to their music and created "Revolver". Bob Dylan would recruit the Hawks(Who would later become "the Band")and begin working on rock and rolls first double LP "Blonde On Blonde". These albums would all become some of the greatest of our times when they were released in 1966. It was the Beach Boys 1966 release that would change the face of music forever, Pet Sounds. Pet Sounds was essentially a Brian Wilson solo album, his band mates would serve as vocal instruments. It's hard to imagine a world without Pet Sounds...The lyrical content about isolation, love, depression, ego-tism. It all connected in such a way, that it was beyond comprehension to the general public. Bob Dylan would praise the album as would the Stones and the Beatles..But the public cried with rage at this turn in music. The symphonic sounds of the album combined with the daring harmonies caused the average listening consuming great pain, where was the surf music? the two minute songs?. Brian Wilson would fall into a deep depression, due to people under-appreciating his vision, his sounds. Brian would soon be struck with inspiration again and came up with a new idea. "SMiLE, the teenage symphony to god". With Van Dyke Parks as a co-lyricist, Bri and Van came up with some of the most spirituality lifting sounds and words ever to grace mankind.
"Have you listened as they played
Their song is love
And the children know the way
That's why the child is the father to the man"
Combined with humor, poetry and unique sounds. SMiLE would take the ground breaking essence of Pet Sounds and push it even further. Trouble was brewing in the Beach Boys camp, as Mike Love(Brian Wilson's cousin and co-lyricist) expressed outrage at the whole idea. Shortly after reading the lyrics written for "Cabinessence" Mike broke out in rage and teared it up after claiming it was "Psychedelic Bullshit". Van Dyke Parks immediately left at the sight of disrespect. After many delays of its release..Brian Wilson's work was soon all put-aside forever, and re-recording as the low-fi 1967 flop "Smiley Smile", a joke to his band-mates.
What was SMiLE? A symphonic masterpiece, unlike any album before it or after it. Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club is often viewed as a milestone in rock and roll(and compared to Pet Sounds/SMiLE), but it was only a fraction of the genius of Pet Sounds(Paul McCartney would later express that Pet Sounds was his favorite album of all time, and that he sat in on some SMiLE s sessions). SMiLE was estimated to be around 80%-90% completed before being shelved, and thanks to modern technology it has been completed by the famous "Purple Chick" team, in glorious stereo plus bonus tracks.
After the decline of Wilson's mental health(1967+)Brother Carl would insert completed Smile tracks into each of their new releases.
Smiley Smile- Re-Recorded to give a Raw Dark Feel-Heroes and Villains, Vegetables, Wind Chimes.
Original-Good Vibrations
Wild Honey-Portion-Mama Says(Original the middle section of "Vegetables")
20/20- Original-Our Prayer, Cabinessence
Bits and Pieces-Do It Again(Featured a bit of Workshop on the coda)
Sunflower-Mixed-Cool Cool Water(New intro recorded, breaks into the SMiLE classic "I like to say Da Da")
Surf's Up-Mixed-Surf's Up(Re-Recorded first half by Brother Carl, breaks into Brian Wilson's' vocals after Brother John chorus)
These songs would all be critically acclaimed as the years went on(Good Vibrations was a hit since the day it came out). The new sound experiments and free-flowing and poetic lyrics would inspired generations to come.
Pet Sounds is no doubt one of the most depressing and integrate of all time. SMiLE on the other hand would be one of t
Thread
Posts in chronological order
:D
I happen to have Smiley Smile, the Beach Boys version of the album...it always makes me laugh, reminds me of summers spent climbing trees and just playing around when I was a kid. A very cute album with great vocals. It`s definitely a masterpiece.
I happen to have Smiley Smile, the Beach Boys version of the album...it always makes me laugh, reminds me of summers spent climbing trees and just playing around when I was a kid. A very cute album with great vocals. It`s definitely a masterpiece.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Martina... wrote: [/QUOTENAME]:D
I happen to have Smiley Smile, the Beach Boys version of the album...it always makes me laugh, reminds me of summers spent climbing trees and just playing around when I was a kid. A very cute album with great vocals. It`s definitely a masterpiece.[/QUOTE]
Hehe aww, I can always depend on Martina to jump into any thread with the name "Brian Wilson" in it :D. Glad you enjoy Smiley Smile
I happen to have Smiley Smile, the Beach Boys version of the album...it always makes me laugh, reminds me of summers spent climbing trees and just playing around when I was a kid. A very cute album with great vocals. It`s definitely a masterpiece.[/QUOTE]
Hehe aww, I can always depend on Martina to jump into any thread with the name "Brian Wilson" in it :D. Glad you enjoy Smiley Smile
If anyone is looking for the Purple Chick bootleg of this album, perhaps I can upload it sometime. Let me know.
Nice topic and well, you said it all.
You can write a book about SMiLE. Brian Wilson recorded many songs for this album, many sessions have already been bootlegged, but there is still much more in the archives.
He was very creative during these sessions and under influence of LSD and marijuana. His co-writer Van Dyke Parks wrote the most bizzare, but beautiful lyrics. (Heroes And Villians was the first song they worked on).
Smiley Smile is a creepy, strange, interesting, haunting and moving record. And only a shadow of SMiLE. I like it a lot.
I love the vocal arrangements, especially "Our Prayer" is breathtaking, like stepping into a church with a huge gospel chant. A great way to open an album.
SMiLE is also called: The best unreleased album in music history.
Well, I will post more later... ;-)
You can write a book about SMiLE. Brian Wilson recorded many songs for this album, many sessions have already been bootlegged, but there is still much more in the archives.
He was very creative during these sessions and under influence of LSD and marijuana. His co-writer Van Dyke Parks wrote the most bizzare, but beautiful lyrics. (Heroes And Villians was the first song they worked on).
Smiley Smile is a creepy, strange, interesting, haunting and moving record. And only a shadow of SMiLE. I like it a lot.
I love the vocal arrangements, especially "Our Prayer" is breathtaking, like stepping into a church with a huge gospel chant. A great way to open an album.
SMiLE is also called: The best unreleased album in music history.
Well, I will post more later... ;-)
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=blue>Rick wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Nice topic and well, you said it all.
You can write a book about SMiLE. Brian Wilson recorded many songs for this album, many sessions have already been bootlegged, but there is still much more in the archives.
He was very creative during these sessions and under influence of LSD and marijuana. His co-writer Van Dyke Parks wrote the most bizzare, but beautiful lyrics. (Heroes And Villians was the first song they worked on).
Smiley Smile is a creepy, strange, interesting, haunting and moving record. And only a shadow of SMiLE. I like it a lot.
I love the vocal arrangements, especially "Our Prayer" is breathtaking, like stepping into a church with a huge gospel chant. A great way to open an album.
SMiLE is also called: The best unreleased album in music history.
Well, I will post more later... ;-)
[/QUOTE]
Yes agreed, "Our Prayer" just takes you on a trip of tranquility. The original "Surf's Up" just takes you places too. Tell me Rick, do you got the Purple Chick Boot?(It is amazing). Let me know and thanks for the thread contribution.
You can write a book about SMiLE. Brian Wilson recorded many songs for this album, many sessions have already been bootlegged, but there is still much more in the archives.
He was very creative during these sessions and under influence of LSD and marijuana. His co-writer Van Dyke Parks wrote the most bizzare, but beautiful lyrics. (Heroes And Villians was the first song they worked on).
Smiley Smile is a creepy, strange, interesting, haunting and moving record. And only a shadow of SMiLE. I like it a lot.
I love the vocal arrangements, especially "Our Prayer" is breathtaking, like stepping into a church with a huge gospel chant. A great way to open an album.
SMiLE is also called: The best unreleased album in music history.
Well, I will post more later... ;-)
[/QUOTE]
Yes agreed, "Our Prayer" just takes you on a trip of tranquility. The original "Surf's Up" just takes you places too. Tell me Rick, do you got the Purple Chick Boot?(It is amazing). Let me know and thanks for the thread contribution.
Yes, I have the Purple Chick bootleg. In fact, I'm a big fan of The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson. I like them even more than Queen, to be honest.
The Surf's Up footage with Brian behind his piano in his home is beautiful. He is such a genius.
The Surf's Up footage with Brian behind his piano in his home is beautiful. He is such a genius.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=blue>Rick wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Yes, I have the Purple Chick bootleg. In fact, I'm a big fan of The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson. I like them even more than Queen, to be honest.
The Surf's Up footage with Brian behind his piano in his home is beautiful. He is such a genius.[/QUOTE]
If we are gonna be honest here, I enjoy Brian Wilson/The Beach Boys also more than Queen, I also enjoy Bob Dylan more....etc etc ;)
Yes that home footage of Surf's Up has to be one of the most beautiful performances ever.
Tell me, have you gotten the Pet Sounds Session box-set?
The Surf's Up footage with Brian behind his piano in his home is beautiful. He is such a genius.[/QUOTE]
If we are gonna be honest here, I enjoy Brian Wilson/The Beach Boys also more than Queen, I also enjoy Bob Dylan more....etc etc ;)
Yes that home footage of Surf's Up has to be one of the most beautiful performances ever.
Tell me, have you gotten the Pet Sounds Session box-set?
Were the Beach Boys really Brian Wilson with a band? That's how I seem to understand it. I'm no huge BBs fan but I do enjoy Pet Sounds. I just understand that until he went a little drug addled it was him and a couple of other chaps helping him with the vocal workings/instruments. I don't know if that's a correct assumption?
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]iGSM wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Were the Beach Boys really Brian Wilson with a band? That's how I seem to understand it. I'm no huge BBs fan but I do enjoy Pet Sounds. I just understand that until he went a little drug addled it was him and a couple of other chaps helping him with the vocal workings/instruments. I don't know if that's a correct assumption?[/QUOTE]
Well, I wouldn't dismiss the rest of the boys so quick(Despite my opinion on the making of Pet Sounds). The boys certinately used harmony to key in with eachother, Brian Wilson was the genious behind it all though, to a certain point. The famous 1970s era was driven by Carl Wilson, albums such as Sunflower and C/P So Tough, show how creative the others could be. Dennis Wilson especially(Wrote some beautiful tunes). Yes Brian used the boys vocal abilities as a quinessential tool. But Brian, His brothers, his cousin and two close friends were always at their best when they were all on the same page(Perhaps thats why SMiLE did not work, not everyone agreed on it).
Beach Boys, one of the most underrated groups of our time.
Well, I wouldn't dismiss the rest of the boys so quick(Despite my opinion on the making of Pet Sounds). The boys certinately used harmony to key in with eachother, Brian Wilson was the genious behind it all though, to a certain point. The famous 1970s era was driven by Carl Wilson, albums such as Sunflower and C/P So Tough, show how creative the others could be. Dennis Wilson especially(Wrote some beautiful tunes). Yes Brian used the boys vocal abilities as a quinessential tool. But Brian, His brothers, his cousin and two close friends were always at their best when they were all on the same page(Perhaps thats why SMiLE did not work, not everyone agreed on it).
Beach Boys, one of the most underrated groups of our time.
It was about time the masterpiece got its own thread. ;)
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=660066>Pomponias Marrion wrote: [/QUOTENAME]It was about time the masterpiece got its own thread. ;)[/QUOTE]
;)
Nothing but love for you.
;)
Nothing but love for you.
To the top- Don't let one of the more serious topics sink to the bottom of unrelated :p
So to all BB fans, which SMiLE substitute is your favourite?
Smiley Smile
Wild Honey
20/20
Sunflower
Surf's Up
So to all BB fans, which SMiLE substitute is your favourite?
Smiley Smile
Wild Honey
20/20
Sunflower
Surf's Up
Would you recommend this particular album for someone who only has Pet Sounds?
SMiLE wasn't officially released. There are many bootleg versions of this 'album'. Nobody really knows in which form he (Brian Wilson) wanted it to be released. Although he released SMiLE in 2004 with a brand new band, called the Wondermints. That particular set of songs could be very different in 1967, if it was released.
I wouldn't start with SMiLE, because it is so different than the rest of The Beach Boys albums.
Solid albums to start with are the twofer The Beach Boys Today!/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!). Those albums contain some approachable songs and already contains some Pet Sounds-style songs, like In The Back Of My Mind (just listen to the stunning backing track and the beautiful voice of Dennis Wilson) and Let Him Run Wild.
But the Sunflower/Surf's Up twofer is also stunning, especially Sunflower is a masterpiece. All members are fully there. This album is one of the best collaborations of the six Beach Boys, IMHO. Dennis is at his peak on this album. He wrote four of the twelve songs, which is remarkable. Bruce Johnston wrote two and sings lead on three songs, which is also a suprise. Mike's All I Wanna Do is just stunning, maybe his best song ever. Brian is more in the background on this album, but he contributed many to the lyrics/music and he sings quite a few leads. But remember he had some issues in those days.
I think my favourite twofer at this point is Friends/20-20. And that one is really approachable too. It has all different types of music. Rock, waltz, instrumentals, ballads, acapella and much more. You won't be disappointed by buying this twofer.
I wouldn't start with SMiLE, because it is so different than the rest of The Beach Boys albums.
Solid albums to start with are the twofer The Beach Boys Today!/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!). Those albums contain some approachable songs and already contains some Pet Sounds-style songs, like In The Back Of My Mind (just listen to the stunning backing track and the beautiful voice of Dennis Wilson) and Let Him Run Wild.
But the Sunflower/Surf's Up twofer is also stunning, especially Sunflower is a masterpiece. All members are fully there. This album is one of the best collaborations of the six Beach Boys, IMHO. Dennis is at his peak on this album. He wrote four of the twelve songs, which is remarkable. Bruce Johnston wrote two and sings lead on three songs, which is also a suprise. Mike's All I Wanna Do is just stunning, maybe his best song ever. Brian is more in the background on this album, but he contributed many to the lyrics/music and he sings quite a few leads. But remember he had some issues in those days.
I think my favourite twofer at this point is Friends/20-20. And that one is really approachable too. It has all different types of music. Rock, waltz, instrumentals, ballads, acapella and much more. You won't be disappointed by buying this twofer.