The Stephen Desper Thread
Don Malcolm:
Stephen, in light of the posts in the main portion of the board referencing a possible compilation release called FEEL FLOWS that would clearly showcase much of your production/engineering work, are you at liberty to tell us if you have been contacted regarding such a project? I think we'd all hope so, given the many groundbreaking aspects to the work done at that time. I was hoping that a number of the now familiar tracks across the time frame would be broken down for us to reveal the instrumental tracks and the engineering techniques applied to them. Given that we've seen that happen to some extent with the 2018 releases, I was also wondering if you'd been consulted on those projects.
I hope that you will eventually repost several of the more complex production efforts such as "Feel Flows" (which I think makes for a wonderful overall title for the rumored 1969-71 set) and that we might hear some of the underlying production/arrangement elements for it. Is this a possibility or is it simply a pipedream?
Hoping you are will and thanks as always for your immeasurable contributions to the most intriguing period of the band's career.
Stephen W. Desper:
Quote from: Don Malcolm on December 20, 2019, 05:04:58 PM
Stephen, in light of the posts in the main portion of the board referencing a possible compilation release called FEEL FLOWS that would clearly showcase much of your production/engineering work, are you at liberty to tell us if you have been contacted regarding such a project? I think we'd all hope so, given the many groundbreaking aspects to the work done at that time. I was hoping that a number of the now familiar tracks across the time frame would be broken down for us to reveal the instrumental tracks and the engineering techniques applied to them. Given that we've seen that happen to some extent with the 2018 releases, I was also wondering if you'd been consulted on those projects.
I hope that you will eventually repost several of the more complex production efforts such as "Feel Flows" (which I think makes for a wonderful overall title for the rumored 1969-71 set) and that we might hear some of the underlying production/arrangement elements for it. Is this a possibility or is it simply a pipedream?
Hoping you are will and thanks as always for your immeasurable contributions to the most intriguing period of the band's career.
Comment to Don Malcolm:
No one has contacted me from BRI. I am on good terms with everyone in the band, engineers and management, but heard nothing. I'm certain they are aware of the study-videos I published some time ago. Those contained extensive writing and explanations of engineering and other memories concerning my time of engineering with The Beach Boys. The three books that were included in the offerings, if printed conventionally would have resulted in a 350 to 400 page bound book -- and it would have been rather costly. I elected to make the book and other Beach Boy related study-videos available for free to the fans of this website. This included the songs of both albums with the recording matrix applied, something not available in commercial releases. But because of one statement that no one could believe, I was called a lair, stupid, ill informed, and such nonsense. I could handle the vicious posts, but they began to trickle into other websites with the same results.
Eventually my business was threatened and my reputation was being questioned. This, being in violation to the terms stated at the study-video website required me to take the website down. And it's really a shame as I spent three years writing about the making of Sunflower and Surf's Up, including lots of engineering tricks and practices only obtained through decades of engineering work in all fields -- recording -- mastering and disc cutting-- studio design -- studio equipment design -- concert equipment system design, mixing techniques, and personal stories of those times.
It's funny how one little thing can be focused on and that one action casts a shadow over a lifetime of achievements. Reminds me of all the progress and success one president can make only to be criticized over one phone call. Not that I'm POTUS, but he's taken a two-billion dollar loss to his enterprises -- I can't afford losses in my life, so the answers to many many questions are now locked away for release again to another generation of Beach Boy fans that may appreciate this gift of mine a little more.
I know Alan Boyd (who wrote the Preface to my book, Recording The Beach Boys), and Mark Linnet (who posts here) are aware of the study-videos and their content, but still silence from the west coast.
The recent release of several "box sets" is in response to a change in the EU (European Union) copyright laws. This change requires the re-release of older song publications if the writer and owner wishes to retain ownership of the songs. If they are not re-published or released this year (or close to it) the Beach Boys will loose the rights to their songs in Europe. Thus, BRI or EMI or Capitol could find many older BB albums on shelves to now become the subject of promotional sales from which these companies and songwriters would get no returns or income or any control over product. Thus, the big push to get them re-released. It's not so much that BRI wants to release outtakes or tidbits of interest, but rather to keep control and income for the product they now enjoy.
Given that such "box set" releases are costly to make, and given that the number of product sold is not going to be huge, the profit from these releases may not support too elaborate a release. I know if they contacted me, they would not be in touch with the same guy that engineered 50 years ago. Since then I've been President and CEO of a NASDAQ company, enjoyed success with several patented inventions ... making my time much more valuable (expensive) then back then. So as in many things in The Music Business, it's a matter of commerce and money, and nothing else. Therefore, if the real reason for all these releases is a legal one, you may not see that much effort put into making the "box sets" as complete as they could be. That could be the reason no one contacted me.
At any rate, almost everything concerning my role in the making of albums for The Beach Boys is not lost, just on hold. ~swd
DRM:
Trailblazers will always have others unfairly trying to bring them down. This has gone on for over 2000 years. Serious students regularly pay hundreds of dollars for scholarly textbooks. Valuable informed historical research and one of a kind first hand accounts by highly skilled individuals who have successfully applied their knowledge rightfully command big bucks and are worthy of great respect. And unquestionably require protection from annoying dogs frantically nipping at their ankles.
guitarfool2002:
Quote from: Stephen W. Desper on December 25, 2019, 01:49:03 PM
But because of one statement that no one could believe, I was called a lair, stupid, ill informed, and such nonsense. I could handle the vicious posts, but they began to trickle into other websites with the same results.
Eventually my business was threatened and my reputation was being questioned. Even the folks that publish this very website managed to place a few judgmental posts, and that was the last nail in the coffin. This, being in violation to the terms stated at the study-video website required me to take the website down. And it's really a shame as I spent three years writing about the making of Sunflower and Surf's Up, including lots of engineering tricks and practices only obtained through decades of engineering work in all fields -- recording -- mastering and disc cutting-- studio design -- studio equipment design -- concert equipment system design, mixing techniques, and personal stories of those times.
Stephen, with all due respect, the charges you're making against those of us who run this site in the above post are false, and simply did not happen. There are only three people involved in the administration of this site: Myself (Craig C), and Billy are the moderators, and Charles is the administrator and founder of the board. This same structure has been in place for around 5 years.
At no time did Billy or I "place" or write judgemental posts against you or aimed at you regarding the situation you're referencing. Charles has not posted publicly on the forum for several years and did not post in those discussions. If you read through the posts made on that thread you will see nothing judgemental was placed by any of us at any time, in fact quite the opposite actually occurred the few times we did post in those discussions.
It is one thing for us to be accused of saying or writing things which none of us involved in the daily operation of this site actually said or wrote, but to then also be blamed for your website being taken down is a charge which is totally unwarranted, unfair, and simply not true.
Stephen W. Desper:
Quote from: guitarfool2002 on December 26, 2019, 10:55:13 PM
Quote from: Stephen W. Desper on December 25, 2019, 01:49:03 PM
But because of one statement that no one could believe, I was called a lair, stupid, ill informed, and such nonsense. I could handle the vicious posts, but they began to trickle into other websites with the same results.
Eventually my business was threatened and my reputation was being questioned. Even the folks that publish this very website managed to place a few judgmental posts, and that was the last nail in the coffin. This, being in violation to the terms stated at the study-video website required me to take the website down. And it's really a shame as I spent three years writing about the making of Sunflower and Surf's Up, including lots of engineering tricks and practices only obtained through decades of engineering work in all fields -- recording -- mastering and disc cutting-- studio design -- studio equipment design -- concert equipment system design, mixing techniques, and personal stories of those times.
Stephen, with all due respect, the charges you're making against those of us who run this site in the above post are false, and simply did not happen. There are only three people involved in the administration of this site: Myself (Craig C), and Billy are the moderators, and Charles is the administrator and founder of the board. This same structure has been in place for around 5 years.
At no time did Billy or I "place" or write judgemental posts against you or aimed at you regarding the situation you're referencing. Charles has not posted publicly on the forum for several years and did not post in those discussions. If you read through the posts made on that thread you will see nothing judgemental was placed by any of us at any time, in fact quite the opposite actually occurred the few times we did post in those discussions.
It is one thing for us to be accused of saying or writing things which none of us involved in the daily operation of this site actually said or wrote, but to then also be blamed for your website being taken down is a charge which is totally unwarranted, unfair, and simply not true.
COMMENT: Well then sir, evidently my sources are wrong and I stand corrected and have removed the accusation.
This is the problem when the majority of posters are represented unanimously or with a false identity. Unfortunately I can't take that stand. If I posted behind a pseudonym, my posts would be of little value or interest. And by reveling my true identity, I expose myself to both compliments and complaints.. In a way, I believe that in posting as myself this website has some responsibility to look out for situations that spiral out-of-control. Posting here was my decision, and I appreciate the form and the chance to bring my experiences to the fans, but not at the expense of my livelihood. I took the website down because false accusations kept building, but no action from this form was forthcoming to stop it. Soon, my name was in the mud at other similar websites and at engineering websites having little to do with The Beach Boys. All I could do was take down my website, stop posting, and let the matter settle down. I know some posts were from a few individuals that seem to enjoy trashing people, and not the majority of fans, but I am not in control of Smilesmile, and the posts persisted. So I did all I could do to stop the attracts to my person, especially on other websites.
I agree with Rule #2 of "Rules and Guidelines for Posting," but when the personal attracts started, Rule #2 seemed to be ignored. I tried to enter into a discussion the objections some fans had with my position, but when it became a matter of trashing rather then discussion, where was Rule #2? If I remember, I did communicate my objection with the moderator once, but nothing came of it.
Of course you are correct in saying I am in control of my website and it was me who took it down, however I must contend that inaction to protect those of us who post here as ourselves was a contributing factor to my decision. I don't envy you your job as moderator of a website such as this. It is really quite a balancing act to keep it all going and make all who post or read stuff here feel welcome and encouraged to post. But one aspect of feeling welcome is feeling safe. Unanimous posters feel safe in their words because their identity is unknown. Known posters have a higher bar when it comes to feeling safe in what they post. I believe this website should recognize the difference and extend a little more care to those of us involved in the history of this wonderful singing group who are willing contribute to the discussions here at Smilesmile.
~swd
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