SMiLE Sessions box set!

[hypehat]

Seriously mate, if you're going to quote from anything to back up your stuff, don't make it Dr. Eugene Landy and Todd Gold's Brian Wilson's autobiography. Many here won't trust that as far as they can throw it.

I suppose you think you're being subversive or something.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The cabinessence is cannabis thing was first brought up by Derek Bill in an online discussion group years ago. He had met with Frank Holmes a few times & Frank had mentioned the connection.

I, like others currently on this thread, seriously doubted the connection. So I contacted Derek about it & he was (a little offended &) quite assertive that Frank definitely had pointed out the connection.

For those who doubt the permeability of drug references in SMILE you may reconsider "Fire," it's connection to a bad trip, and various references throughout the work.

The fire trip (as in the bio) took place in a friend's apartment, has the sound of fire engines, firemen falling down-getting hurt--dying, as well as Brian going back in time (not too SMiLE-like huh?) to the point where he didn't exist (ego loss, or perhaps an ego death possibility).

Fire references therefore would seem fairly entwined with this drug experience (If you check out the "Good Vibrations" firehouse film you see the Beach Boys as firemen leaving the apartment & falling down & riding on the fire engine, etc.).

"Heroes & Villains" has the "fanning the flame of the dance" lyric, "Do You Like Worms" has the "social structure steaming," "Barnyard" has the cook chopping lumber for a fire, "Cabinessence" has the fire mellow and the "home on the range"(get it? the range!!!--Frank Holmes' latter day painting got this connection) and the backing vocal "who ran the iron?". "Surf's Up" has the fired roast!!! We haven't even arrived at "Fire."

You can also add the group fire escape photo in the album's booklet into the mix.

Is is hot as hell in here or is it me? It really is a mystery.

I'm going to guess at this point that some of you are going to think my silly points are not convincing at all. Never fear. The totally innocuous official SMILE explanation is coming soon to blow your minds.

"Fire" is a very common word. Brian wasn't in Boston with the band for the photo shoot (or did he call and say "get a shot on a fire escape... oh and also in a boat, it all ties in with this idea I have" ?).  Remember what Dennis says in the 1966 London footage: "Brian loooooves fire hats". "Surf's Up": the correct lyric is "the glass was raised, the fired rose", making the context clear: red wine. As for the "who ran the iron" quote, you've conveniently left out the last word, which makes it evident that the phrase refers not to a (heated) smoothing iron, but rather the railways bisecting the Indians range (again, a different interpretation of that word). It's not just sacred texts that can be interpreted in any way the reader sees fit.

[buddhahat]

I'm going to guess at this point that some of you are going to think my silly points are not convincing at all. Never fear. The totally innocuous official SMILE explanation is coming soon to blow your minds.

Right on, Bill! I enjoy your psychedelic perspective on Smile.

I think Fire as a bad trip is not a crazy idea at all, although I would broaden it out to be an expression of Brian's inner turmoil at the time. Likewise, I find it difficult to separate out what is drug inspired in Smile, and what is insanity inspired. What I mean is, a lot of the Smile music is beautiful in that it seems to take me to places that are kind of insane. A bit like when I remember doing drugs and finding myself within extremes of feeling and emotion. When I saw Smile at the 2nd RFH show and heard Child for the 1st time, it reminded me of that feeling of being out on the edge - a druggy feeling. Beautiful, happy, sad and scary all at the same time. It seemed to be more 'out there' than any other Beach Boys music I had heard.

My point is, I don't think a lot of Smile is consciously about drugs, but I do think it is an expression of a man right out on the edge of sanity, and drugs undoubtedly played a part in him being at that place and able to write that music.

I think maybe a good analogy is the paintings Van Gogh did at the Saint Remy assylum. He was ill, but the paintings are incredibly beautiful. He seems almost superhuman in his awareness, perception of reality and ability to express it. So on the one hand the paintings tell us something about a mentally ill perception of reality, but also the nature of reality, and beauty itself.

I think something similar is happening with Smile. It's out on the edge of sanity and is more compelling and more beautiful as a result. Drugs play a significant part but are not the whole story.

[Quincy]

If there's an offense taken it's only in relation to logical cogent points being set aside in order to critique the presenter's fervor.

Dude, I am hardly being calm here. I have fervour to spare.

It's 'Hang Onto Your Ego', btw, which may well throw a spanner in your argument. Or 'Let Go of Your Libido'  Yes, the lyrics were changed. Three lines, iirc. Brian was not on the same level as The 13th Floor Elevators or something, or even the goshdarn Beatles! Drugs did not enter his lyrical concern a whole lot. If he was so 'hip', wouldn't Pet Sounds be full of that sort of thing? The dude took acid for the first time and wrote..... CALIFORNIA GIRLS. Think about this. Hell, he got the whole band in his house for two weeks with a microphone and $5000 worth of hash and the best they can come up with is 'Gettin' Hungry'. The Beach Boys aren't 'hip'. Several thousand bands were. Brian was a guy who listened to goofy 50's comedy records and didn't go out to clubs or bars, except to see the Lovin' Spoonful. 'Hip', he ain't.

I think the spiritual aspect of Smile can be separate from the drug aspect. For example, in contemporary interviews, Brian says Carl is the most spiritual person he knows. Does he mean to say Carl takes acid with his coffee? No. Spiritualism and drugs are not one and the same, although they are somewhat intertwined in Brian's mind - he referred to his trips as 'Spiritual', but then also wanted to write hymns at an organ, a teenage symphony to God and music for people to pray to. Yeah, THAT sounds like Leary. FYI, he also thinks swimming is spiritual and Zen. Just like acid! 

Brian's bio - No sale, I'm afraid  Even then, that quote is straight nonsense. Hit WHAT 'head on'? The new Beatles record? The stock exchange? Mike's receding hairline? The fact they had no Reddi-Whip at the store? Redundant.

You're saying your interpretation is brilliant? Very freshman. That second portion of your argument is so sneeringly condescending and remarkably stupid, I don't know where to start. How friggin' clever you must be to find the imagery which you set out to find. You must be a real sharp one to set out and make those lyrics fit exactly what you were looking for. Gee. I notice you mentioned 'death related images'. Now, I'm no acid expert, but I've heard rumour that death is a state wherein your heart stops beating. My source wasn't sure, but they mentioned that it kinda happens to everyone at some point in their lives. 

The images of Surf's Up are concerned with ego death. IN YOUR OPINION. Or are in fact prescient images of the 60's counterculture running into difficulty. IN JIM WEBB'S OPINION. Or are about a man at a concert who realises the futility of human suffering and the pretentiousness of modern society, only to find solace in the song of children and God's truth. In some goon called Wilsons opinion 

I'm not going to say 'I'm right and STFU', because that's exactly what you're doing. I am just saying your opinion (logical, cogent points my arse - sweeping statements would be nearer the mark) is barely based on facts,  and what little facts you seem to know are being warped to say that Surf's Up is a song about some nonsense term which makes you sound cleverer than you actually are. I mean, just read Dada's post and have a look at yours again. Think about it.


Gaaaaaaah, i'm terrible at arguing. For the record, Fishmonk, I don't think you're wrong per se, you're just not right either  . You're just not seeing the forest for the trees, is all I'm trying to say. It is much more rewardingly, personally, to think about Smile in terms of the other things I mention. Think about it your own way.

The Spoonful were very "Hip" in 66

[Roger Ryan]

As Mitch would have said, I have to clarify that when I say that joke, I was just jokin'.

I know, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts that somewhere down the line, that joke will be repeated as a fact.  

There's more than one rock reference book that has Bruce's birthplace as Peoria, Illinois and his middle name as Norvelle, and I know for a fact those are both wrong as I made them up back in 1986 for something I wrote in a fanzine.  

As in Oliver Norvell Hardy, temporary caretaker of Laughin' Gravy?

[Andrew G. Doe]

As Mitch would have said, I have to clarify that when I say that joke, I was just jokin'.

I know, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts that somewhere down the line, that joke will be repeated as a fact.  

There's more than one rock reference book that has Bruce's birthplace as Peoria, Illinois and his middle name as Norvelle, and I know for a fact those are both wrong as I made them up back in 1986 for something I wrote in a fanzine.  

As in Oliver Norvell Hardy, temporary caretaker of Laughin' Gravy?

yeah - it was the daftest middle name I could recall at short notice. Also a huge L&H fan. 

[The Heartical Don]

As Mitch would have said, I have to clarify that when I say that joke, I was just jokin'.

I know, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts that somewhere down the line, that joke will be repeated as a fact.  

There's more than one rock reference book that has Bruce's birthplace as Peoria, Illinois and his middle name as Norvelle, and I know for a fact those are both wrong as I made them up back in 1986 for something I wrote in a fanzine.  

As in Oliver Norvell Hardy, temporary caretaker of Laughin' Gravy?

yeah - it was the daftest middle name I could recall at short notice. Also a huge L&H fan. 

Nice! Another L&H nutter over here... 'Sons Of The Desert', 'Way Out West', well, the list is endless...

[Andrew G. Doe]

As Mitch would have said, I have to clarify that when I say that joke, I was just jokin'.

I know, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts that somewhere down the line, that joke will be repeated as a fact.  

There's more than one rock reference book that has Bruce's birthplace as Peoria, Illinois and his middle name as Norvelle, and I know for a fact those are both wrong as I made them up back in 1986 for something I wrote in a fanzine.  

As in Oliver Norvell Hardy, temporary caretaker of Laughin' Gravy?

yeah - it was the daftest middle name I could recall at short notice. Also a huge L&H fan. 

Nice! Another L&H nutter over here... 'Sons Of The Desert', 'Way Out West', well, the list is endless...

It soitainly is, Stanley.

[The Heartical Don]

As Mitch would have said, I have to clarify that when I say that joke, I was just jokin'.

I know, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts that somewhere down the line, that joke will be repeated as a fact.  

There's more than one rock reference book that has Bruce's birthplace as Peoria, Illinois and his middle name as Norvelle, and I know for a fact those are both wrong as I made them up back in 1986 for something I wrote in a fanzine.  

As in Oliver Norvell Hardy, temporary caretaker of Laughin' Gravy?

yeah - it was the daftest middle name I could recall at short notice. Also a huge L&H fan.  

Nice! Another L&H nutter over here... 'Sons Of The Desert', 'Way Out West', well, the list is endless...

It soitainly is, Stanley.

...a lot of weather we've been having lately, Ollie... and why the fuss about that SMiLE thing? I'd rather play eyesy-earsy-nosey-winkie...

[Don_Zabu]

The images of Surf's Up are concerned with ego death. IN YOUR OPINION. Or are in fact prescient images of the 60's counterculture running into difficulty. IN JIM WEBB'S OPINION. Or are about a man at a concert who realises the futility of human suffering and the pretentiousness of modern society, only to find solace in the song of children and God's truth. In some goon called Wilsons opinion 

I know which interpretation I like the best. And it ain't the one from that Wilson hack. (I kid, I kid)

[Rocker]

As Mitch would have said, I have to clarify that when I say that joke, I was just jokin'.

I know, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts that somewhere down the line, that joke will be repeated as a fact.  

There's more than one rock reference book that has Bruce's birthplace as Peoria, Illinois and his middle name as Norvelle, and I know for a fact those are both wrong as I made them up back in 1986 for something I wrote in a fanzine.  

As in Oliver Norvell Hardy, temporary caretaker of Laughin' Gravy?

yeah - it was the daftest middle name I could recall at short notice. Also a huge L&H fan.  

Nice! Another L&H nutter over here... 'Sons Of The Desert', 'Way Out West', well, the list is endless...

It soitainly is, Stanley.

...a lot of weather we've been having lately, Ollie... and why the fuss about that SMiLE thing? I'd rather play eyesy-earsy-nosey-winkie...

What's your name ?
Stanley Laurel
Say "Sir" !
Sir Stanley Laurel

[Andrew G. Doe]

Phone rings. Stan answers it. Says "it certainly is" and puts it down.

Ollie looks at him and asks "well, what was all that about ?"

Stan replies "the feller at the other end said 'long distance from New York', so I said 'it certainly is'"

Classic. Stone classic.

[Boiled Egg]

Is this a good time to mop up a few other available theories? Great.

• Brian took LSD and it had literally no effect on him whatsoever
• There is no such thing as LSD
• 'Vega-Tables,' 'Worms,' 'Villains,' 'Elements' and 'Beach Boys' are all nicknames for mescaline
• 'Dumb Angel' is an anagram of 'drug ramblengs'
• Brian has a reefer-shaped constellation named after him
• At the 'Mrs O'Leary's Cow' session, Brian made all the players wear cardboard roaches on their heads and had the smell of the munchies pumped into the studio
• If you listen to the whole of SMiLE backwards, you can definitely make out the phrase 'Van Dyke Parks ate my bong'
• The metallic percussion on the 'Cabin Essence' chorus is the sound of ashtrays being hit with heroin spoons
• The 'drug-trying man, do what you can' backing vocals were sung by Jack Nicholson and Allen Ginsberg
• 'The Elements' was to comprise Fire, Air, Drugs and Drugs
• Brian spent a week recording the sound of mushrooms growing
• SMiLE was in fact released, sold fewer than five copies, and was withdrawn from sale, with the owners of the five copies promising never to speak of this again
• Derek Taylor suggested SMiLE be released as an analegesic, probably in syrup form
• Brian had 15 different types of handwriting - one for every day of the week per hand plus a spare
• SMiLE was faked - you can tell because the flag on the cover doesn't flap
• Paul McCartney is allergic to celery

[astroray]

Oliver Hardy , From Harlem Georgia!
Genius!
Brian Wilson , From Hawthorne CA !
Genius!

[rab2591]

Is this a good time to mop up a few other available theories? Great.

• Brian took LSD and it had literally no effect on him whatsoever
• There is no such thing as LSD
• 'Vega-Tables,' 'Worms,' 'Villains,' 'Elements' and 'Beach Boys' are all nicknames for mescaline
• 'Dumb Angel' is an anagram of 'drug ramblengs'
• Brian has a reefer-shaped constellation named after him
• At the 'Mrs O'Leary's Cow' session, Brian made all the players wear cardboard roaches on their heads and had the smell of the munchies pumped into the studio
• If you listen to the whole of SMiLE backwards, you can definitely make out the phrase 'Van Dyke Parks ate my bong'
• The metallic percussion on the 'Cabin Essence' chorus is the sound of ashtrays being hit with heroin spoons
• The 'drug-trying man, do what you can' backing vocals were sung by Jack Nicholson and Allen Ginsberg
• 'The Elements' was to comprise Fire, Air, Drugs and Drugs
• Brian spent a week recording the sound of mushrooms growing
• SMiLE was in fact released, sold fewer than five copies, and was withdrawn from sale, with the owners of the five copies promising never to speak of this again
• Derek Taylor suggested SMiLE be released as an analegesic, probably in syrup form
• Brian had 15 different types of handwriting - one for every day of the week per hand plus a spare
• SMiLE was faked - you can tell because the flag on the cover doesn't flap
• Paul McCartney is allergic to celery

Paul McCartney is not allergic to celery.

[Mahalo]

...if anybody from BB land is reading this thread, please PLEASE give us some more info to chew on concerning this box set....we are getting a little "loco en los cabezas" on the SSMB. 

[Bill Tobelman]

Andrew G. Doe said in response to my fire post which I'll break down:

"Fire" is a very common word. Brian wasn't in Boston with the band for the photo shoot (or did he call and say "get a shot on a fire escape... oh and also in a boat, it all ties in with this idea I have" ?).

Did you notice Mike Love drinking milk in the same SMiLE booklet? Milk comes from a cow....Mrs. O'Leary's Cow is FIRE. Get it?

Derek Taylor to the NME, "...Brian is a writer...performer & singer, arranger, engineer, producer, with complete control even over packaging and design."

While Brian wasn't in Boston that day he used to communicate with the band regularly. Tracy Thomas: "Brian's been in touch with one or the other of the boys nearly every day, if not directly, then through one of the wives."

AGD also said:

"Surf's Up": the correct lyric is "the glass was raised, the fired rose", making the context clear: red wine.

Cannot go along with you on this one Andrew. The "fired roast" is taken from Van Dyke's handwritten "Surf's Up" lyrics. You can find them in the souvenir program from the SMILE premiere you attended.

The SMILE package didn't have lyrics printed like Sgt. Peppers. There is a good reason for this. When you're trying to present "little mysteries full of meaning" you don't want your meanings limited by the printed word.

So, for example, let's take some Surf's Up lyrics (I'll use Derek Taylor's version) and interpret them.

The glass was raised the fired rose
The fullness of the wine, the dim last toasting

When Andrew pointed out the lyric was "fired rose" he also said the context was clear, we are talking about red wine.

But if Surf's Up is an ego death song (as some idiot maintains) then it probably relates to Brian's 2nd trip (found in Bio) where he imagines dying in a fire. Let's try the same passage over.

The glass was raised (as in somebody opened a window---the firemen did have to break into the apartment)
The fire'd rose (as in the fire had increased)
The fullness of the whine (as in the whine of the fire engines)
The dim last toasting (as in you're going to get burned to a crisp)

There's a whole level of meaning going on that people are missing. This is done visually by Frank Holmes in his SMILE are for Vega-Tables (now that's one word 'vegetabes' with two meanings attached.) when his picture is cracked and a completely different level of visual meaning is exposed.

So what we have here is artistic consistency. I may have found the "little mysteries full of meaning" and the fire trip/ego death stuff in Brian's Bio but then it had to be consistent with the project. The album booklet photos, the lyrics as heard, and Holmes' art all seem to have the properties of being "little mysteries full of meaning."

The bio is dead wrong about its placement of the Rolling Stones' "My Obsession" recording session for example. Reality didn't match the bio. But in other instances the bio has proven to have good information.

AGD said:

As for the "who ran the iron" quote, you've conveniently left out the last word

You need to listen to the backing vocals. They've also conveniently left out the last word.

It's not just sacred texts that can be interpreted in any way the reader sees fit

When BWPS was released with lyrics printed many of the words were changed (in printed form at least). So "sunny" became "Sonny" and "rose" became "roast" and stuff like that. The creators of the piece want there to be multiple meanings and levels in their art. Please don't handcuff a work that deserves better.

[hypehat]

Yeah, you are clearly doing it justice, Bill. FWIW, I laughed at your 'Milk = cow = fire' progression. Some things are just as simple as Mike Love drinking some milk.... Or a photographer going 'Hey boys, how about you get in that boat/up that fire escape?" How likely is that vs. Brian masterminding a photoshoot clear across the country or Mike's choice of refreshment? You sound arrogant saying 'I've solved this, you guys just DON'T UNDERSTAND, MAN'.

Derek Taylor may have been prone to hyperbole, pictures at ten  We are talking about a guy who had difficulty letting people give him money because he was recording so much. He barely got out of bed before midday, if Asher's picture of events hadn't changed by late '66. Brian was on top of a lot, but not absolutely everything! He obviously approved the Smile cover, but asides from giving the idea to Frank (In however detailed a form), I hardly think he was standing over his or the Capitol art departments shoulder whilst they were sketching! The booklets are also full of, you guessed it, Franks OWN INTERPRETATION of the lyrics. Not necessarily the RIGHT interpretation. Just his own visual view of the lyrics.

The bio is NOT WRITTEN BY BRIAN. The most charitable thing we can say about it is that it has versions of events taken from interviews, put into Brian's 'voice', and expanded upon by Todd Gold with a naseous anti-BB bias. It's good information because it is stolen from other sources and tinkered with by an outside source. It's not a autobiography.

I hear 'Horse' in Cabin Essence. They don't stretch 'Iron' out to three syllables.

Screw you guys, I'm going home. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

Andrew G. Doe said in response to my fire post which I'll break down:

"Fire" is a very common word. Brian wasn't in Boston with the band for the photo shoot (or did he call and say "get a shot on a fire escape... oh and also in a boat, it all ties in with this idea I have" ?).

Did you notice Mike Love drinking milk in the same SMiLE booklet? Milk comes from a cow....Mrs. O'Leary's Cow is FIRE. Get it?

You're kidding... please tell me you're kidding. Brian called and said "Mike, need a shot of you drinking milk - it's for something I have in mind" ? Aside from the obvious, big problem with this theory - the only Boston gig in 1966 was April 30th.

Derek Taylor to the NME, "...Brian is a writer...performer & singer, arranger, engineer, producer, with complete control even over packaging and design."

Of course he'd say that: it was his job.

While Brian wasn't in Boston that day he used to communicate with the band regularly. Tracy Thomas: "Brian's been in touch with one or the other of the boys nearly every day, if not directly, then through one of the wives."

Probably was... but I have serious reservations that he was calling to dictate what they wore, drank and did in support of his overall vision for Smile. The fact that the only Boston gig that year was in late April, as previously noted, shoots that one down.

AGD also said:

"Surf's Up": the correct lyric is "the glass was raised, the fired rose", making the context clear: red wine.

Cannot go along with you on this one Andrew. The "fired roast" is taken from Van Dyke's handwritten "Surf's Up" lyrics. You can find them in the souvenir program from the SMILE premiere you attended.

True, but what has been sung, since 12/15/66 ? Plus, on the manuscript paper I saw in 1985, which was used in the 1971 sessions, it was rose. Regarding the BWPS, there are many transcription errors - what is printed is not what is being sung.

So, for example, let's take some Surf's Up lyrics (I'll use Derek Taylor's version) and interpret them.

The glass was raised the fired rose
The fullness of the wine, the dim last toasting

When Andrew pointed out the lyric was "fired rose" he also said the context was clear, we are talking about red wine.

But if Surf's Up is an ego death song (as some idiot maintains) then it probably relates to Brian's 2nd trip (found in Bio) where he imagines dying in a fire. Let's try the same passage over.

The glass was raised (as in somebody opened a window---the firemen did have to break into the apartment)
The fire'd rose (as in the fire had increased)
The fullness of the whine (as in the whine of the fire engines)
The dim last toasting (as in you're going to get burned to a crisp)

There's a whole level of meaning going on that people are missing. This is done visually by Frank Holmes in his SMILE are for Vega-Tables (now that's one word 'vegetabes' with two meanings attached.) when his picture is cracked and a completely different level of visual meaning is exposed.

As regards "SU", perhaps were 'missing' something... because it's not there. You know it anyway, but I'll remind you of Brian's own explanation, to someone who he thought was going to print it in a national publication:

"'The laughs come hard in Auld Lang Syne.' The poor people in the cellar taverns, trying to make themselves happy by singing.  

"Then there's the parties, the 'drinking, trying to forget the wars, the battles at sea. "While at port a do or die.' Ships in the harbor, battling it out. A kind of Roman Empire thing."

No firemen, no fire engines, no fire. Now, my strong suspicion is that Brian was relating to Siegal what Van Dyke told him: ""Of course that's a very intellectual explanation," he said. "But maybe sometimes you have to do an intellectual thing. If they don't get the words, they'll get the music. You can get hung up in words, you know. Maybe they work; I don't know.""

"You can get hung up in words, you know"  Brian Wilson, 12/15/66 (or shortly thereafter)

So what we have here is artistic consistency. I may have found the "little mysteries full of meaning" and the fire trip/ego death stuff in Brian's Bio but then it had to be consistent with the project. The album booklet photos, the lyrics as heard, and Holmes' art all seem to have the properties of being "little mysteries full of meaning."

In your view. In mine, not.  We agree to differ. No biggie.

The bio is dead wrong about its placement of the Rolling Stones' "My Obsession" recording session for example. Reality didn't match the bio. But in other instances the bio has proven to have good information.

I'm willing to lay a small wager that those are the parts Gold pilfered from other authors.

AGD said:

As for the "who ran the iron" quote, you've conveniently left out the last word

You need to listen to the backing vocals. They've also conveniently left out the last word.

I did just that - they don't. The chorus lyric is clearly "who ran the i-ron horse". Very, very clearly. I'm listening to the 20/20 track, btw, but to be fair, I checked the BWPS version too. Guess what ?  

It's not just sacred texts that can be interpreted in any way the reader sees fit

When BWPS was released with lyrics printed many of the words were changed (in printed form at least). So "sunny" became "Sonny" and "rose" became "roast" and stuff like that. The creators of the piece want there to be multiple meanings and levels in their art. Please don't handcuff a work that deserves better.

As I said before, two words - transcription errors. The words may have changed on the page, but not in the mouth.

Bill, I admire your research, your profound knowledge in areas of which I have none and your obvious love for the music. But we'll have to take different paths over this one. I'm a nuts and bolts man, and one of my basic research tenets is, unless it's patently nonsense, go with the original source, that closest to the event. "Surf's Up" and/or "Cabin Essence" are astonishing enough works of art in their own right, without burdening them with extra - and I suspect unintended - baggage.  You may be right - I can't prove you're not (except for the "Iron horse" bit as regards what's sung and the Boston photoshoot) - but once again, I feel Occam's razor applies here.

Here's my favourite example of spurious over-elaboration. The justly revered Murry Walker used to commentate on Formula 1 races for the BBC, and formed a wonderful partnership with ex-F1 world champion James Hunt, whose prosaic nature balanced and grounded most of Murry's more orante commentaries. At one race, live on TV, the following exchange took place [I paraphrase somewhat, it was over 30 years ago, but you'll get the gist]

Walker: So, James, for this corner I'm guessing it's down to 2nd, a late tap on the brakes, stray off line a bit to the right, clip the apex, line up with the bridge support, up to 4th, squirt on the gas and ease her out.

Hunt: Actually Murry, it's welly to the floor all the way through and hope the exit's clear.

[Mike's Beard]

Andrew G. Doe said in response to my fire post which I'll break down:

"Fire" is a very common word. Brian wasn't in Boston with the band for the photo shoot (or did he call and say "get a shot on a fire escape... oh and also in a boat, it all ties in with this idea I have" ?).

Did you notice Mike Love drinking milk in the same SMiLE booklet? Milk comes from a cow....Mrs. O'Leary's Cow is FIRE. Get it?

Somebody 'in the loop' email Mike pronto to ask him if he drinks milk solely for refreshment purposes or if he only drinks the white stuff when he's trying to make a profound artistic statement that only a select few turned on hip cats will understand.  

[Bill Tobelman]

Andrew, there is a Beach Boys recording with "who ran the iron." That's why it's in BWPS that way. I'll send you a copy along with THE JOYOUS COSMOLOGY. I'm sure you were taking notes when Rev. Bob said Brian wanted a copy prior to his SMILE project. I'll send it to you on the condition that you read it and tell everyone on this list what it's about. This will take bravery & honesty on your part.

The idea that Brian, Van Dyke, and Frank Holmes had to conceal what they were up to doesn't appeal to you folks does it? They had to get something by Mike, Murry, and Capitol, as well as the group & some fans. No easy task. Apparently their methodology has worked in getting past almost everyone.

And apparently Andrew, that personal email I sent you years ago regarding what Frank Holmes said to me had absolutely no bearing upon your outlook.

When Brian stated he was working on spiritual music you guys think he's nuts or going nuts. And when someone makes the connection that Brian actually totally was making totally spiritual music & points it out to you, you look the other way.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Andrew, there is a Beach Boys recording with "who ran the iron." That's why it's in BWPS that way. I'll send you a copy along with THE JOYOUS COSMOLOGY. I'm sure you were taking notes when Rev. Bob said Brian wanted a copy prior to his SMILE project. I'll send it to you on the condition that you read it and tell everyone on this list what it's about. This will take bravery & honesty on your part.

The idea that Brian, Van Dyke, and Frank Holmes had to conceal what they were up to doesn't appeal to you folks does it? They had to get something by Mike, Murry, and Capitol, as well as the group & some fans. No easy task. Apparently their methodology has worked in getting past almost everyone.

And apparently Andrew, that personal email I sent you years ago regarding what Frank Holmes said to me had absolutely no bearing upon your outlook.

When Brian stated he was working on spiritual music you guys think he's nuts or going nuts. And when someone makes the connection that Brian actually totally was making totally spiritual music & points it out to you, you look the other way.

Bill...

Any email you sent me years ago has both faded from my memory and been lost in two PC deaths - if you'd be so kind as to resend, or give me the gist, I'd be pleased to read it. Genuinely. The same goes for The Joyous Cosmology. Immodestly, perhaps, I like to think my honesty and bravery are up to it.

As for "Cabin Essence" - what was released in 1969 and 2004 includes the word "horse" (if you don't hear it in both recordings, may I suggest an audio test. Seriously). I deal with the canon, not the apocrypha.  

I take it your not contesting my observation that Mike drinking milk in a 4/30/66 photo merely means he was thirsty and not because Brian told him too ?

The idea that Brian, Van Dyke, and Frank Holmes had to conceal what they were up doesn't so much not appeal as, to be honest, not occur... but that's just me.

Spiritual can mean many things to many people, from Negro spirituals to the music of Monteverdi and all points in between. To me, Pet Sounds is intensely spiritual, as is Smile, even in the adulterated form that is BWPS. The poems of John Donne... a sunrise. No-one has an exclusive on spiritual merely because they look more (too ?) closely and divine (allegedly) hidden meanings.  Sometimes, it is what it is.

[OneEar/OneEye]

Hey, maybe it's actually "who ran the iron hoarse/whores"   

Seriously though, I love your ideas Bill, and I would love to believe that the three of them were in cahoots to sneak this spiritual trojan horse (that word again!) called Smile past the nay-sayers.   
So, WHAT DID Frank say to you back whenever it was?   
and what is the joyous cosmology? 

[Mr. Cohen]

Ask yourself this: One day, in '66, Mike eats chicken ("what a doodle doo in a town full of heroes and villains" - yes, that pun was intentional, Mike even pointed it out once in an interview), drinks milk ("Mrs. O'Leary's Cow"), and then rides his bike ("Bicycle Rider"). A reporter calls & asks how he's doing. "Oh, WONDERFUL." Then asks, "What's that noise in the background?" "Oh sorry, I forgot to close the patio door, that's just some WIND CHIMES or something the wife thought would look cute."

FINAL PROOF: The reporter asks Mike if the Beach Boys cut any good songs recently.

"Yeah, Brian just cut a new one... I think it's call 'CANNABISSENCE'... or was it 'CABIN ESSENCE'? I'll have to ask Brian."

All the while, two of Brian's mind gangsters were outside, dictating all of Mike's actions telepathically.

[sockittome]

• 'Dumb Angel' is an anagram of 'drug ramblengs'

Actually, it's 'damn bugle', a reference to the trumpet sounds signifying the Apocalypse.   We all know SMiLE was to be a religious work, and......er......ok, I just made that up!