Stevie

[Jay]

I've really been into the Stevie track lately. Is it just me, or could this track be the last "classic" Brian Wilson production?  It  has great, pounding drums, a brass section, and a great little riff right as the chorus is going into the verse. It sounds quite similar to the middle section of "God Only Knows" that the group would often do in concert. I think that this song could have really been something special, had it been worked on more.

[c-man]

I've really been into the Stevie track lately. Is it just me, or could this track be the last "classic" Brian Wilson production?  It  has great, pounding drums, a brass section, and a great little riff right as the chorus is going into the verse. It sounds quite similar to the middle section of "God Only Knows" that the group would often do in concert. I think that this song could have really been something special, had it been worked on more.

Well, it's not the last "classic" Brian Wilson production, because it is in fact a Dennis Wilson production (or co-production with Garby Leon).

[Jay]

Oh, really? Wow...I never knew that.  So even as far as 1981, Dennis still had a lot of potential in the studio. It's a real shame that he couldn't get into a rehab program that would stick.

[Mahalo]

Oh, really? Wow...I never knew that.  So even as far as 1981, Dennis still had a lot of potential in the studio. It's a real shame that he couldn't get into a rehab program that would stick.

Jail?

[Jay]

Um...what?

[MBE]

It is a great track. I think it's one of Brian's last really interesting vocals. Much more emotional or personable then would come later.

[Jonas]

It is a great track. I think it's one of Brian's last really interesting vocals. Much more emotional or personable then would come later.

Are the vocals double tracked, or a Brian/Dennis duet?

[MBE]

Double tracked.

[Menace Wilson]

Love this song so much.  I assume Brian did all the writing and Dennis did the producing.

[c-man]

Love this song so much.  I assume Brian did all the writing and Dennis did the producing.

Yes.  From what I've been told, Dennis drummed & produced, Garby co-produced with Dennis, and Brian pretty much did everything else (except the horns, which were Steve Douglas, Jay Migliori, Joel Peskin, Bill Peterson, and Jackie Kelso).

[Jay]

I've never really thought the vocal was all that great. Brian doesn't even attempt to sing a high note, which makes it sound off key. Specifically, "I have adored *you* for so long". It would sound much better if Brian had tried to do a little falsetto.

[Jay]

Was this song part of the sessions that Brian and Dennis did that are known as the "cocaine sessions"? If so, was this the most completed song that was worked on?

[Jon Stebbins]

Was this song part of the sessions that Brian and Dennis did that are known as the "cocaine sessions"? If so, was this the most completed song that was worked on?

Yes and yes. The financial plug was pulled right after they did the "Stevie" demo.

[Jay]

Was this song part of the sessions that Brian and Dennis did that are known as the "cocaine sessions"? If so, was this the most completed song that was worked on?

Yes and yes. The financial plug was pulled right after they did the "Stevie" demo.

What a shame. They could have really done something special. But here lies the moral dilemma. In 1980-82, Brian and Dennis were each other's worst enemy, as far as their lifestyle's are concerned. Letting them have free reign could have only ended in disaster. But musically, they were amazing. So it's a shame that they couldn't be supported enough to make more recordings. These were two people that belonged in a studio.  But it's also a good thing that somebody had the sense to separate them from each other.

[punkinhead]

Stevie has some of my favorite Brian-lyrics (I'm assuming they're his and not Denny's  )
I love that intro: "I have adored you for so long and the vibrations are so strong, you make me feel like I belong, ooooo"

[MBE]

I'm kind of glad he didn't do a higher voice. He really sang better in a lower key by this point.

[gxios]

At either the 1980 or 1981 4th of July show on the DC Mall, Mike mentioned on stage that Brian had written a great new song "Stevie"- and then didn't perform it. Now that I've finally heard it I'm really angry....

[c-man]

At either the 1980 or 1981 4th of July show on the DC Mall, Mike mentioned on stage that Brian had written a great new song "Stevie"- and then didn't perform it. Now that I've finally heard it I'm really angry....

No, it was "Sweetie" he mentioned.  Entirely different song.  Easy mistake to make, though.

[punkinhead]

Sweetie- being a re-write of Heart and Soul.



On another note, I'm surprised the tune of Stevie hasn't popped up anywhere on Brian's solo catalog.

[PaulTMA]

Has the video of Stevie Nicks' own "cocaine sessions" ever leaked?  I would mind checking it out, if it exists?

[buddhahat]

This song really reminds me of God Only Knows and also the opening verses to Good Vibrations, in its melody. I can't put my finger on it but it just sounds similar. I find it fascinating that Brian can still write a melody reminiscent of his peak songs at this stage, whatever his intake was. Just imagine Stevie with Pet Sounds style production!!

[Alex]

Was this song part of the sessions that Brian and Dennis did that are known as the "cocaine sessions"? If so, was this the most completed song that was worked on?

So Stevie was from the same sessions that gave us "Oh Lord", "You've Been", "Yeeaahh", etc.?

[punkinhead]

Was this song part of the sessions that Brian and Dennis did that are known as the "cocaine sessions"? If so, was this the most completed song that was worked on?

So Stevie was from the same sessions that gave us "Oh Lord", "You've Been", "Yeeaahh", etc.?

SOmething like that, I don't know if it was around the same day or location...but what could be considered all part of a session over a period of time, I'd consider it.

I think Brian deserved two burgers and two lines for this tune. 

[Jason]

Was this song part of the sessions that Brian and Dennis did that are known as the "cocaine sessions"? If so, was this the most completed song that was worked on?

So Stevie was from the same sessions that gave us "Oh Lord", "You've Been", "Yeeaahh", etc.?

No, those were a home tape in late '82.

[Ed Roach]

Was this song part of the sessions that Brian and Dennis did that are known as the "cocaine sessions"? If so, was this the most completed song that was worked on?

Yes and yes. The financial plug was pulled right after they did the "Stevie" demo.

What a shame. They could have really done something special. But here lies the moral dilemma. In 1980-82, Brian and Dennis were each other's worst enemy, as far as their lifestyle's are concerned. Letting them have free reign could have only ended in disaster. But musically, they were amazing. So it's a shame that they couldn't be supported enough to make more recordings. These were two people that belonged in a studio.  But it's also a good thing that somebody had the sense to separate them from each other.

You know, it really was more than a shame; it was a bit of a tragedy...  And, while there was definitely a tinge of madness to their behavior, there was also an interesting element of discipline within them both.  Brian, who had done his share of drinking back in the 60's, not only didn't join Dennis in that side of things, but even expressed his concern about it to me often, and occasionally even told it Dennis himself!  And Dennis had the wherewithal to get studio time, pull sessions together, get musicians...  But by that time he was always only one step ahead of someone pulling the plug...