Mark Linett Billboard Interview About SMiLE

[Jonas]

When he recorded the 2004 SMiLE, somebody (may have been me) was talking to him on here about Good Vibrations, and how the original was recorded modularly, etc. and he basically just said that they didn't do it like that this time because they didn't have to (the band was able to play several sections, like they do live anyways).  If he was a fan boy, he would have absolutely recorded it in sections.  Or maybe it wasn't his call.  Or maybe that doesn't have a damn thing to do with anything.

I don't think you've fully grasped the concept of an engineer (vs a producer), it is NOT his call. He's not the one running the show, he's the one placing the mics around the room and hitting record. If they were to record BWPS GV modularly, this would have been decided by Darian, and ultimately by BW. Also, its been said countless of times that Mark has been involved with the BB's since the mid-80's...he's a die-hard fan whether he likes it or not!

[Austin]

"Good Vibrations" wasn't done modular because it had been previously released in that fashion and this was a way to present a new version of it.

I'd argue that it just wasn't necessary: the modular approach works great if you don't know how you want the final product to sound, but that wasn't the case in 2004, and GV is a good song not because of its editing style.

And here's another opinion to throw into the Cabinessence pot, as if that's necessary: the first disc is already going to be a reflection of a product that came out in 2004, with 2011 edits, and the re-releasing/completion of tracks on later albums is a notable part of Smile's history. I'm not saying they should add "Cool Cool Water" or anything, and there definitely is a line to be drawn, but I don't think the 1968 version of "Cabinessence" crosses it. I can see four different versions on the set as "Stereo 20/20 Version," "Stereo Backing Track," "Original Track with Background Vocals," and "Stack-O-Vocals," ala The Pet Sounds Sessions and being done with it.

Also, the '93 box set has the completed "Cabinessence" on there, but also has the mono -- i.e, non-20/20 -- mix of "Our Prayer." Going off of an 18-year-old box set isn't super telling or anything, but for that it looks like strict adherence to original session material was just barely secondary to using versions that were as musically complete as possible (and the original "Our Prayer," arguably, already was). Case-by-case, drawing a line, etc.

[Bicyclerider]

As long as they are flying in vocals, they need to fly in the I'm in Great Shape vocals and the Barnyard lead vocal from the H&V demo onto the finished tracks. That's a no brainer.

I think problems this would create would far outweigh any benefits owing to the H&V 'Humble Harv' demo not being a multitrack recording.

My hope is that something from the lost I'm in Great Shape vocal session turned up. Speaking of anyone have a theory regarding why the IIGS vocal session took place several weeks before the instrumental track (eggs & grits melody, tape explosion) was recorded?

The first IIGS vocal session may have been just Brian on piano and vocals.  Maybe Brian thought he'd overdub on top of that - kind of like he did for Vegetables in April, recording piano first, then vocals, then overdubs.  Then he changed his mind as he did constantly during the Smile sesions and decided to record a proper Wrecking Crew track.

Alternate theory:  first IIGS session was for another section of the song that was a capella or recorded just with piano.  Eat a Lot? Child? Barnyard vocals?

[Chris Moise]

The first IIGS vocal session may have been just Brian on piano and vocals.  Maybe Brian thought he'd overdub on top of that - kind of like he did for Vegetables in April, recording piano first, then vocals, then overdubs.  Then he changed his mind as he did constantly during the Smile sesions and decided to record a proper Wrecking Crew track.

Alternate theory:  first IIGS session was for another section of the song that was a capella or recorded just with piano.  Eat a Lot? Child? Barnyard vocals?

Good points, I was thinking the Oct. 17 IIGS could very well be the infamous Do A Lot with toothbrushing sound effects. I'm shooting from memory but isn't there evidence the Oct. 17 IIGS vocal session was with "all 6 Beach Boys" or did I dream that up?

[Andrew G. Doe]

10/17/66 was a group vocal session.

Hopefully there will be detailed credits in the box (translation: there damn well better be).

[A Million Units In Jan!]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the "Humble Harv" recording came from the radio DJ just setting up a tape recorder next to Brian (and Van Dyke) and the piano and recording the interview and performance. Nothing about the sound of that recording suggests multi-track. It's an important artifact, but it's not acceptable to include in a SMiLE "album". Brian's poor enunciation of the word "agriculture" has created nothing but controversy on message boards for over ten years!

I think Brian recorded it on a tape recorder. I seem to recall it was found in the vaults on a reel labled 'Psychedelic Stuff' or something like that.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Hey there,

First post on this site.

I was curious what we thought about this quotation from the Linett interview: `We aren't missing any music which is heartening. All the songs were recorded." What exactly does this mean? Is Linett suggesting that he has found a Part 2 Surf's Up recording? Or by "recorded", does he just mean recorded in some capacity (ie. the Surf's Up "demo" counting).

More over, what about The Elements? Have all four pieces of the suite turned up? Or have we concluded in the past few years (without my knowledge) that indeed Wind Chimes and Vegetables are respectively Air and Earth? I have always been very dubious of such a conclusion so I'd be skeptical if we're seeing that again here.

What are your thoughts?

[Dunderhead]

Hey there,

First post on this site.

I was curious what we thought about this quotation from the Linett interview: `We aren't missing any music which is heartening. All the songs were recorded." What exactly does this mean? Is Linett suggesting that he has found a Part 2 Surf's Up recording? Or by "recorded", does he just mean recorded in some capacity (ie. the Surf's Up "demo" counting).

More over, what about The Elements? Have all four pieces of the suite turned up? Or have we concluded in the past few years (without my knowledge) that indeed Wind Chimes and Vegetables are respectively Air and Earth? I have always been very dubious of such a conclusion so I'd be skeptical if we're seeing that again here.

What are your thoughts?

I think what Mark means is that all the music that appeared on BWPS had been recorded. Which makes sense, because they didn't record any new music for that release in the first place.
I'd like to believe that Mark's comment might mean that the missing second movement of Surf's Up has been discovered, or other elements. But I seriously doubt this is the case. I don't think Wind Chimes was ever air, nor was Vegetables Earth. I'm not even sold on the idea that Brian had intended to record all 4 elements. I think it's more likely that he wanted to do just Fire and Water.



God, whenever I see that yrplace is browsing these threads I'm always holding my breath that we'll get a few little tidbits!!!! If you're reading this Mark, I just want you to know you've been great to the fan community, and even though constructing the perfect Smile release is likely to be an impossible task, I'm thrilled that it's happening in the first place, and very confident that you'll give us all something to be happy about.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

I think what Mark means is that all the music that appeared on BWPS had been recorded. Which makes sense, because they didn't record any new music for that release in the first place.

I'm no expert so I thought I heard two little pieces that I had never heard before: one was the little "canvass the town and brush the backdrop" melody that plays right before "Roll Plymouth Rock" and the other was the Civil War-esqe opening to "I'm in Great Shape". Had they been recorded previously?

I'm not even sold on the idea that Brian had intended to record all 4 elements. I think it's more likely that he wanted to do just Fire and Water.

That's a shame to think about. In all honesty, in my head, I can't imagine how he would capture the sound of Air or Earth the way he did so creatively and beautifully with Fire and Water. But then again, in my head, I couldn't have imagined Fire and Water before I heard them.

God, whenever I see that yrplace is browsing these threads I'm always holding my breath that we'll get a few little tidbits!!!!

Wouldn't it be nice...

[Chocolate Shake Man]

If you're reading this Mark, I just want you to know you've been great to the fan community, and even though constructing the perfect Smile release is likely to be an impossible task, I'm thrilled that it's happening in the first place, and very confident that you'll give us all something to be happy about.

Seconded!

I'm just excited to hear songs like "Holiday" and "Child is the Father" with the kind of warmth and clarity that were brought to all the other tracks in the GV boxset. Anything on top of that is just icing.

[juggler]

If you're reading this Mark, I just want you to know you've been great to the fan community, and even though constructing the perfect Smile release is likely to be an impossible task, I'm thrilled that it's happening in the first place, and very confident that you'll give us all something to be happy about.

Seconded!

I'm just excited to hear songs like "Holiday" and "Child is the Father" with the kind of warmth and clarity that were brought to all the other tracks in the GV boxset. Anything on top of that is just icing.

Thirded.  Thank you, Mark, for all you've done to make this project happen!!!

[Bicyclerider]

I think what Mark means is that all the music that appeared on BWPS had been recorded. Which makes sense, because they didn't record any new music for that release in the first place.

I'm no expert so I thought I heard two little pieces that I had never heard before: one was the little "canvass the town and brush the backdrop" melody that plays right before "Roll Plymouth Rock" and the other was the Civil War-esqe opening to "I'm in Great Shape". Had they been recorded previously?

Yes - the "Civil Waresque" piece is the cantina melody, no?  And the other melody is from Surf's Up, obviously.  Both of these were just recycled from other songs which have music recorded for them during Smile.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Yes - the "Civil Waresque" piece is the cantina melody, no?

Yikes - I sadly never made that connection. Interesting though that the Cantina sounds like the 1880s while the opening to IIGS sounds like the 1860s. The fact that Wilson could capture a sound that typifies an era is perhaps what is most noteworthy of all.

Both of these were just recycled from other songs which have music recorded for them during Smile.

Yes, though, unlike most of the rest of the BWPS music (as far as I can tell) there is no "like" version of these two moments in the old archives.

I'm wondering too how this quite measures up to Linett's remark that the new box set will even have "the little segues" that appear in BWPS.

[Bicyclerider]

I'm wondering too how this quite measures up to Linett's remark that the new box set will even have "the little segues" that appear in BWPS.

Let's all pray other heads will prevail and there will be no segues in The Smile Sessions CD1!  Those were created and arranged by Van Dyke and Paul Mertens, if I recall correctly, from the Smile song melodies.  But the individual pieces didn't come from Brian - he wanted segues, and they came up with them.

[bossaroo]

I don't have a problem using Brian's demo vocal for 'Great Shape' or even 'Barnyard', I've heard acceptable versions of this.


the only thing that bugs me about the 'Barnyard' lyrics is the line "hit the dirt, do a two-and-a-half" sound like they were literally made up on the spot by Brian. I've actually taken "out in the farmyard" from the first verse and placed it over the "hit the dirt" line... it bugs me that much!

still not sure why they left that line in for BWPS... or went with "agriculture" instead of "open country" a la Humble Harv. 

[Mahalo]

Worms verse vocals - but at least we should get the backing vocals without the tape speed warble of the GV box set version.

..I actually like the tape warble...I just wish the sound is clearer on this version, not as muddy.

In all honesty, in my head, I can't imagine how he would capture the sound of Air or Earth

Fall Breaks sounds Earthy to me...

[Jonas]

I think what Mark means is that all the music that appeared on BWPS had been recorded.

Here's hoping to you being wrong. I honestly hope BWPS won't be the basis to the SMiLE sessions, I really want the Beach Boys' SMiLE to be its own entity. Also, I really truly hope there are some gems in the vaults that will really blow us...away.

[Dunderhead]

Worms verse vocals - but at least we should get the backing vocals without the tape speed warble of the GV box set version.

..I actually like the tape warble...I just wish the sound is clearer on this version, not as muddy.

In all honesty, in my head, I can't imagine how he would capture the sound of Air or Earth

Fall Breaks sounds Earthy to me...

Fall breaks IS Fire. Same song. its not earth.

[Shady]

If you're reading this Mark, I just want you to know you've been great to the fan community, and even though constructing the perfect Smile release is likely to be an impossible task, I'm thrilled that it's happening in the first place, and very confident that you'll give us all something to be happy about.

Seconded!

I'm just excited to hear songs like "Holiday" and "Child is the Father" with the kind of warmth and clarity that were brought to all the other tracks in the GV boxset. Anything on top of that is just icing.

Thirded.  Thank you, Mark, for all you've done to make this project happen!!!

Fourthed. Nothing but respect for everyone behind this project, because if they mess it up. There will be blood 

[Chocolate Shake Man]

I honestly don't know how he could have made a song sound like "Earth". Air, I could see - wind instruments, coke bottles (there IS footage of Brian orchestrating the boys in a coke bottle blowing round in the GV promo film/outtakes), and, um, wind chimes...

But Earth? I have no idea.

And the stakes are huge. You can play anyone Mrs. O'Leary's Cow or the Water Chant, not tell them what it is and inevitably they will say, "it sounds like a fire" or "it sounds just like water". You can't say by any stretch of the imagination that any other song we've heard from the Smile era sounds like earth or air.

[Mahalo]

Fall breaks IS Fire. Same song. its not earth.

I'm not saying it's Earth, just that it sounds Earthy to me....but it is not Fire...(MOC)...It is Fall Breaks. However, could he not have used theme and variations for the Elements?

[Mahalo]

You can't say by any stretch of the imagination that any other song we've heard from the Smile era sounds like earth or air.

Yes I can-well maybe not SMiLE!, but S.S....I stand by my Fall Breaks assertion.

The descending organ bass-line reminds me of the color brown, of dirt. The sllloowww growth of the plants, the motion of life in the Bands vox, a woodpecker poking holes in a tree...clashing of the branches of trees in the wind....the melodic repitition reminds me of the maddening, incessant drive of plants to grow...

That is just my own artistic interpretation, I really have no idea but certainly don't put it out of the range of possibility....

[A Million Units In Jan!]

Why does there have to be all four elements? Maybe it only got as far as Fire/Water. I know that the illustration for 'Vega-Tables' says 'The Elements', but how do we know for sure that Frank didn't just sort of come to that conclusion on his own?

[bossaroo]

Worms, Great Shape, Barnyard, Cabin Essence and of course Vega Tables... all these songs seem to be about Earth. not sure if they sound like the earth. Sometimes I think the entire album was meant to comprise all the Elements.

I also like the inclusion of Diamond Head for that reason: all of the Elements are sonically represented.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Yes I can-well maybe not SMiLE!, but S.S....I stand by my Fall Breaks assertion.

The descending organ bass-line reminds me of the color brown, of dirt. The sllloowww growth of the plants, the motion of life in the Bands vox, a woodpecker poking holes in a tree...clashing of the branches of trees in the wind....the melodic repitition reminds me of the maddening, incessant drive of plants to grow...

That is just my own artistic interpretation, I really have no idea but certainly don't put it out of the range of possibility....

Well, the one thing that works in your favour here is that traditionally Earth as an element was associated with the season of Fall.

That being said, Brian didn't seem to be all that interested in the classical understanding of the four elements. He seemed to be using them as a jumping off point more than anything. Besides it would have been confusing for him to conflate the four elements with the four seasons. (there was already enough confusing between his own band and The Four Seasons).