SMiLE Sessions box set!

[juggler]

BTW -

has there been any word about why VDP is not to be seen (as a commentator) in the box paraphernalia? I could think up several valid reasons myself why not. The man perhaps thought: now, I have a career of my own, do quite a bit of shows, just started a new label and do releases on that... and I did my fair share with BWPS already, and did not back down from interviews elsewhere, in which SMiLE was mentioned. I am fully entitled to return to my own work, instead of going through it all again.

Another: I have nothing to add of much news value any more. Everything's been said, I think.

Another: this is the shelved version of the project after all, and I wasn't treated that well at the time.

All fair, IMHO.

Interesting points, and again I'm sure the only person who could give the answer is Van Dyke himself if he were asked and felt like opening up. I cannot imagine the amount of baggage attached to this for someone like Van Dyke Parks, maybe it's best to leave it up to him if he wants to open up about it. More than anyone else other than Brian himself, when Smile first became a reality on stage Van Dyke had a look of pure joy and relief as it all was happening, like a weight had just been lifted off of his shoulders and the music he knew was special for 40+ years was finally out there. It was a triumph on many levels, all hype aside.

It would be hard to measure that in terms of emotion, and how much more someone has left to offer up for what is basically the same music. Maybe it's a legal-contractual thing, maybe he just didn't want to do it (again)...only he can answer that.

Did you guys watch the promo video for the box on Amazon?  VDP gets a full page in the hard-bound book.  He's right after Brian.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

BTW -

has there been any word about why VDP is not to be seen (as a commentator) in the box paraphernalia? I could think up several valid reasons myself why not. The man perhaps thought: now, I have a career of my own, do quite a bit of shows, just started a new label and do releases on that... and I did my fair share with BWPS already, and did not back down from interviews elsewhere, in which SMiLE was mentioned. I am fully entitled to return to my own work, instead of going through it all again.

Another: I have nothing to add of much news value any more. Everything's been said, I think.

Another: this is the shelved version of the project after all, and I wasn't treated that well at the time.

All fair, IMHO.

Interesting points, and again I'm sure the only person who could give the answer is Van Dyke himself if he were asked and felt like opening up. I cannot imagine the amount of baggage attached to this for someone like Van Dyke Parks, maybe it's best to leave it up to him if he wants to open up about it. More than anyone else other than Brian himself, when Smile first became a reality on stage Van Dyke had a look of pure joy and relief as it all was happening, like a weight had just been lifted off of his shoulders and the music he knew was special for 40+ years was finally out there. It was a triumph on many levels, all hype aside.

It would be hard to measure that in terms of emotion, and how much more someone has left to offer up for what is basically the same music. Maybe it's a legal-contractual thing, maybe he just didn't want to do it (again)...only he can answer that.

Did you guys watch the promo video for the box on Amazon?  VDP gets a full page in the hard-bound book.  He's right after Brian.

That about sums my feelings up about that.

[The Heartical Don]

So -

going to log out now. Since I heard all the news only today, and read the thread from page 140+ onwards to #211, I am thinking:

what a day, eh?

 

[JohnMill]

*wonders if we'll get a happy in-store display piece come November 1st*?

Come on...live the dream 

[monicker]

So Mission Pak appears to be Soul Made Beautiful, aye?

[Dunderhead]

I've never understood what Brian was doing with the rock with me henry stuff. The few versions I've heard with rwmh have always sounded off. Will track 12 feature a completed version of the track? Or just stand alone rock with me henry vocals? I've also never heard ma-ma-ma-ma-ma as a tag, I could sort of hear it as a fade for the song, but still I'm not sure how it would work. On UM it's just labeled as "insert" not as a tag.
Also what happened with version 3. 4/10/67 was a vocal session.  What work was done on that day? A rerecord of the rock with me henry vocals? Or was Brian attempting a new harpsichord track? Somebody said this was on UM, is it the harpsichord part called "take unknown"?

11. Wonderful (Version 1) 8/25/66
12. Wonderful (Version 2) [Wonderful (Version 2 "Rock With Me Henry") Session: 1/9/67]
13. Wonderful (Version 2 Tag) [Wonderful (Version 2 "Rock With Me Henry") Session: 1/9/67]
14. Wonderful (Version 3) 4/10/67 ? [Wonderful (Version 2 "Rock With Me Henry") Session: 1/9/67]

So I think the version on the first disc will be the mojo version with yodeling vocals. But I'm not sure what else we'll hear here.

[guitarfool2002]

BTW -

has there been any word about why VDP is not to be seen (as a commentator) in the box paraphernalia? I could think up several valid reasons myself why not. The man perhaps thought: now, I have a career of my own, do quite a bit of shows, just started a new label and do releases on that... and I did my fair share with BWPS already, and did not back down from interviews elsewhere, in which SMiLE was mentioned. I am fully entitled to return to my own work, instead of going through it all again.

Another: I have nothing to add of much news value any more. Everything's been said, I think.

Another: this is the shelved version of the project after all, and I wasn't treated that well at the time.

All fair, IMHO.

Interesting points, and again I'm sure the only person who could give the answer is Van Dyke himself if he were asked and felt like opening up. I cannot imagine the amount of baggage attached to this for someone like Van Dyke Parks, maybe it's best to leave it up to him if he wants to open up about it. More than anyone else other than Brian himself, when Smile first became a reality on stage Van Dyke had a look of pure joy and relief as it all was happening, like a weight had just been lifted off of his shoulders and the music he knew was special for 40+ years was finally out there. It was a triumph on many levels, all hype aside.

It would be hard to measure that in terms of emotion, and how much more someone has left to offer up for what is basically the same music. Maybe it's a legal-contractual thing, maybe he just didn't want to do it (again)...only he can answer that.

Did you guys watch the promo video for the box on Amazon?  VDP gets a full page in the hard-bound book.  He's right after Brian.

That about sums my feelings up about that.

Show me where Van Dyke is on this list, then cue Mr. Welles applauding:


Box Set Content

- 5 CDs / 2LPs / 2 7" singles

- Three-dimensional shadow box lid featuring the original artwork of Frank Holmes.

- The Box Set measures 13" x 13" x 2.5"

- 60 page case bound book features liner notes by:

- Brian Wilson

- Mike Love

- Al Jardine

- Bruce Johnston

- Frank Holmes

- Peter Reum

- Tom Nolan

- Dominic Priore

- Anecdotes by:

- Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford

- Diane Rovell

- Dean Torrence

- Mark Volman

- Michael Vosse

- David Anderle

- Danny Hutton

- Timeline

- Sessionography

- Lyrics

- Frank Holmes drawings

- Producer's Notes

- More than 60 previously unreleased photo


His photo is in there, I saw it...what else?

[ghost]

Yes the lack of quote - if that is the case - is surprising. Unless someone sings his praises so highly that he felt no need to say anything more. But he is essential to Smile let's not forget. I think VDP reads this board so old timer I think you're alright.

[Shady]

Why is Capitol and the BB/BW camps not saying a word about this release..

The silence is deafening

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Ahhh....misunderstood.

[puni puni]

I just realized that I was working on a version of Da Da that had a Rhodes in it a few days ago...

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I just realized that I was working on a version of Da Da that had a Rhodes in it a few days ago...

I've just listened to the promo vid audio on headphones rather than my craapy laptop speakers.

Doesn't it sound stunning, and these are just MP3, and we've got 5 CD's of this!

And some new stuff.

And the actual box, a physical tangible SMiLE beyond my dreams.

Smashing.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Why is Capitol and the BB/BW camps not saying a word about this release..

The silence is deafening

... and the amazon pre-sales are mounting.

[juggler]

His photo is in there, I saw it...what else?

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the full page of text opposite VDP's photo features contemporary comments by him.  You've got a page and photo of Brian, page and photo of VDP, then Al, Mike, Dennis, Carl and Bruce.  The pages featuring Dennis and Carl contain very little text, as contemporary comments were unavailable, obviously.  If VDP had refused to talk to the box set folks, his page would have looked like that of Dennis and Carl.

So, okay, VDP isn't listed in Amazon's description.   It ain't gospel.  Probably just an accidental omission. Mistakes happen.  They spelled Domenic's name wrong.  They spell 'Villains' wrong once or twice.  They spell 'You're Welcome' inconsistently.

[guitarfool2002]

Ahhh....misunderstood.

I think we were trying to figure out why Van Dyke of all people was not one offering commentary or an "anecdote" for the box set, if we're going strictly by those notes on Amazon. It's just about the most glaring omission one could expect next to Brian himself, and it is surprising since Van Dyke has been involved with Smile in the recent past.

I'm content to wait until the how's and why's are addressed by Van Dyke himself, if he chooses to do so. But I was expecting him to be involved more than it seems he's credited with on this set, and that is surprising.

[ghost]

could it be due to his height? perhaps they were counting heads and brian et al were towering over van tyke so he missed the boat?

[guitarfool2002]

His photo is in there, I saw it...what else?

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the full page of text opposite VDP's photo features contemporary comments by him.  You've got a page and photo of Brian, page and photo of VDP, then Al, Mike, Dennis, Carl and Bruce.  The pages featuring Dennis and Carl contain very little text, as contemporary comments were unavailable, obviously.  If VDP had refused to talk to the box set folks, his page would have looked like that of Dennis and Carl.

So, okay, VDP isn't listed in Amazon's description.   It ain't gospel.  Probably just an accidental omission. Mistakes happen.  They spelled Domenic's name wrong.  They spell 'Villains' wrong once or twice.  They spell 'You're Welcome' inconsistently.

I think it's too much of a stretch to equate leaving Van Dyke Parks' name off the list with misspelling Domenic Priore's name, isn't it? Smile's two main characters, the creative force behind all of this - for a lot of people - was Wilson and Parks.

[Dunderhead]

I thought Van Dyke found it tedious explaining smile. He didn't want to do if for just mike love 45 years ago, why would he want to do it for the whole world now. He probably declined.

[ghost]

I thought Van Dyke found it tedious explaining smile. He didn't want to do if for just mike love 45 years ago, why would he want to do it for the whole world now. He probably declined.

If Mike Love declined to comment everyone would call him an asshole, stick in the mud, party pooper, holding grudges, bad vibes etc from 40+ years ago.

[Roger Ryan]

Didn't Parks mention in a recent interview that the box set producers had scheduled some time to talk to him earlier this year? Also, he commented on how beautiful the packaging was some time ago as well; I doubt he would have seen the packaging if he wasn't involved with the set in some way.

[ghost]

What if... VDP made some select comments about a certain follically challenged Beach Boy, whose lawyers felt it not too proper, and threw out the Van Dyke with the bathwater?

[joshferrell]

I wonder if "barnyard billy loves his chickens" REALLY exists and it's somewhere on the box set..

[Andrew G. Doe]

What if... VDP made some select comments about a certain follically challenged Beach Boy, whose lawyers felt it not too proper, and threw out the Van Dyke with the bathwater?

Not that straightforward.

[Jason]

Why is Capitol and the BB/BW camps not saying a word about this release..

The silence is deafening

... and the amazon pre-sales are mounting.

"Bad news. The fog is getting thicker."

"And Leon is getting LARRRRRRRRRRRRGER!"

[Heysaboda]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEl-1NFTVNs

Just seeing stuff from this period always makes me so happy, what a cool time. You can just imagine Brian driving around in his Rolls Royce. Revolver had just come out, The Byrds were at Columbia recording Younger than Yesterday. Love was recording Da Capo somewhere, maybe at Sunset Sounds? The number one hit records included Sunshine Superman, 96 Tears, and I'm a Believer.

You are right, FM, it WAS a glorious time!