Brian's worst vocal arrangement

[Jukka]

Do you think Brian has ever failed when working his harmony magic? Can you think of any Beach Boys or solo songs on which his vocal arrangements sound poorly constructed or not properly thought out?

Me, I can't think of any.

EDIT: Of course, I can think of many cases where those arrangements are performed in a less-than-stellar fashion, but even in those cases the actual arrangement is often pretty damn clever.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I'm Bugged at My Old Man, but I guess it was meant to be funny bad.

[Nicko1234]

The intro to this one must be a contender:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgLsW_CK8hI

[joshferrell]

I always thought "Our Team" was kind of out of tune...

[the captain]

The past two suggestions are, in my opinion, exactly what the OP was not going for. "You've Touched Me" is a pretty good arrangement, I think--it's just badly sung. (In fact, personally this is one of my personal BW do-overs if I ever get the genie's wishes. Not at all bad, kind of charming. just so, so badly sung.) And if "Our Team" is out of tune, that's also irrelevant to the arrangement.

[rn57]

"Smart Girls" is kind of a grating vocal arrangement but maybe it is meant to be that way.....

[bossaroo]

someone here pointed out once how basic the arrangement for 'Do It Again' is, compared to what Brian was truly capable of. it's not surprising that he may have "switched to auto pilot" on some things as the years went on.

[Jukka]

someone here pointed out once how basic the arrangement for 'Do It Again' is, compared to what Brian was truly capable of. it's not surprising that he may have "switched to auto pilot" on some things as the years went on.

Yeah, but the whole song is basically just one chord... I qgree, there's nothing that flashy going on, but the arrangement is very effective in it's simplicity. Verses building that tension, waiting for the fun - and then the chorus arrives and they'te doing it again, hey now!

But hey, the "rock with me Henry" -version of Wonderful doesn't really work, does it? No wonder he scrapped it.

[KDS]

The version of Wind Chimes from Smiley Smile. 

[filledeplage]

The version of Wind Chimes from Smiley Smile. 

Really?

[KDS]

The version of Wind Chimes from Smiley Smile. 

Really?

Yes, really. 

After the standard The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson set for vocal harmonies, I find it amazing that some of the tracks on Smiley Smile were even put to vinyl. 

[filledeplage]

The version of Wind Chimes from Smiley Smile. 

Really?

Yes, really. 
After the standard The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson set for vocal harmonies, I find it amazing that some of the tracks on Smiley Smile were even put to vinyl. 

The Smiley version incorporates some bare bones "a cappella" - the gold standard, for the BB's, alongside the starkness of simple strings and other "instruments" - and the harshness of weather-exposed elements.  Lovely spring or summer breezes, cause a gentler sonority as opposed to the gusts of winter, causing a harsher clanging, reflected in the instrumentation.  I think you can hear all four seasons in that early release. 

There are lots out there who find Smiley just perfect. And maybe it is because, at the time, we didn't know any differently. 

[KDS]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. 

But Smiley Smile is the BB album from the golden years (62-73) that I listen to the least.  Maybe tied with Party. 

To my ears, it's just not up to the same standards of the albums that came before, or the ones that came after. 

[filledeplage]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. 

But Smiley Smile is the BB album from the golden years (62-73) that I listen to the least.  Maybe tied with Party. 

To my ears, it's just not up to the same standards of the albums that came before, or the ones that came after. 

Maybe one of the reasons the sessions got released 40+ years post, is because Smiley, notwithstanding whatever issues surrounded the release, was like looking through the keyhole on Christmas morning, you got into the living room.  It caused debate, created myths, and took on a life of it's own.  I got to see one of my kids (15 at the time) enjoy the Mrs. O'Leary's Cow section (live version) and "moo along" on the drive to school, telling him I was his age when Smiley came out.  He was dumbfounded.  A parent and child enjoying the same thing.  No generation gap. 

And, I'm maybe one of the minority who feels that not releasing it at the time, ended up being a good thing, retrospectively, because it bridged generations with the release.  It is rare that there are polar ends of generations seeking out a box set 40+ years post original release.  It made and kept BW/BB relevant.  It would have likely required three LP's for the core and some few bonus tracks.  I'm not sure a triple LP would have "flown" in 1967. 

And the Party album was just fun...for boomer teens, then. 

But, I'm not sure it is a "bad" arrangement, just a "different" mode of expression.

[Matt Bielewicz]

As KDS says, all of this is subjective and everyone has their opinion. Perhaps because I heard it early on in my serious Beach Boys listening, I find Smiley Smile utterly captivating, and listen to it a lot MORE than any of the early albums. You don't hear as much of the group simply singing with such sparse arrangements on many of their other records up to that time. And at that stage in their lives, the Beach Boys simply singing with minimal accompaniment created a truly wonderful noise which I love to hear. Plus, after developing his production and arrangement skills on the earlier records, Brian was capable of doing some pretty amazing things with the group members' voices and not much else. What is there to Little Pad? A little ukelele, a couple of woodblocks, some finger-clicks... and the Beach Boys, of course, all singing at the top of their game. I'll take that over a lot of the rest of Brian Wilson's creative catalogue... but that's just me.

From a personal standpoint, I also prefer some of the gentler, more laid-back arrangements on Smiley Smile to the early 60s 'rawkn'rowel' or heavily Spector-influenced stuff. I even kind of prefer the 'Smiley-ised' arrangements of the group's earlier material that Brian created for the 67 Hawaii concerts to the originals. Carl's Wally Heider performance of God Only Knows from around that time is, at times, my preferred go-to version over the original on Pet Sounds. And that's a high bar to beat: the original version of God Only Knows is probably permanently in my top five favourite recordings of all time.

That's not to say that I don't value the early records. But Smiley is probably more in line with my tastes. The Smiley Wind Chimes is unlike almost anything else the group did, apart from other Smiley tracks. That is enough to turn some people off it, of course... but it works for me.

And yeah, I know Brian was in burnout mode post-SMiLE and Smiley was a bit of a salvage job, and I appreciate that fans who were around at the time, who had followed the progression from Cuckoo Clock to California Girls and from The Lonely Sea to Don't Talk, and were expecting something even greater from SMiLE, must have been utterly thrown for a loop by Smiley Smile. Like David Anderle and Paul Williams were initially, amongst many others. But to me, burned-out post-SMiLE Brian could still produce some pretty amazing-sounding stuff. And he and his band all sounded so good at that time, just by singing together, that Smiley pulls through on those strengths for me.

To return to the thread topic and earlier postings in this thread, I also think that You've Touched Me is a pretty *good* arrangement, appallingly, appallingly executed. That could be a lovely track if Brian redid it now. Our Team I have less love for, but it's an OK arrangement; again it's just the singing that's bad. I think for a really duff arrangement you have to look back to Brian's very early career, when he was learning the ropes. The version of Louie Louie on Shut Down Volume 2 is pretty dull and uninspired. And I can't find much to like in the vocal arrangements on many of the covers on 15 Big Ones, or on his tracks on the 1985 album, when I think it's fair to say that the creative spirit he was prepared to exert on behalf of the Beach Boys was at a pretty low ebb, and/or when others were able to swamp what (minimal) vision he might have had for the material with other even less inspirational influences...

[KDS]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. 

But Smiley Smile is the BB album from the golden years (62-73) that I listen to the least.  Maybe tied with Party. 

To my ears, it's just not up to the same standards of the albums that came before, or the ones that came after. 

Maybe one of the reasons the sessions got released 40+ years post, is because Smiley, notwithstanding whatever issues surrounded the release, was like looking through the keyhole on Christmas morning, you got into the living room.  It caused debate, created myths, and took on a life of it's own.  I got to see one of my kids (15 at the time) enjoy the Mrs. O'Leary's Cow section (live version) and "moo along" on the drive to school, telling him I was his age when Smiley came out.  He was dumbfounded.  A parent and child enjoying the same thing.  No generation gap. 

And, I'm maybe one of the minority who feels that not releasing it at the time, ended up being a good thing, retrospectively, because it bridged generations with the release.  It is rare that there are polar ends of generations seeking out a box set 40+ years post original release.  It made and kept BW/BB relevant.  It would have likely required three LP's for the core and some few bonus tracks.  I'm not sure a triple LP would have "flown" in 1967. 

And the Party album was just fun...for boomer teens, then. 

But, I'm not sure it is a "bad" arrangement, just a "different" mode of expression.

I think you might be mixing my opinions of Smile with that of Smiley Smile. 

To me, Smile, while is still has a couple of rough patches, is miles better than Smiley Smile (When I say Smile, I'm referring to disc 1 of The Smile Sessions, which used Brian Wilson's 2004 version as a template).  I think the version of Wind Chimes on Smile (while still far from a highlight IMO), far surpassed the one on Smiley Smile. 

But like I say, it's all a matter of opinion, especially with a band with such a diverse catalog. 

I know while many fans love to listen to Smile and Love You over and over, I'll be listening to Sunflower, Surf's Up, Surfer Girl, All Summer Long, Pet Sounds, Holland, Today, That's Why God Made the Radio, and Summer Days/Nights. 

 

[filledeplage]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. 

But Smiley Smile is the BB album from the golden years (62-73) that I listen to the least.  Maybe tied with Party. 

To my ears, it's just not up to the same standards of the albums that came before, or the ones that came after. 

Maybe one of the reasons the sessions got released 40+ years post, is because Smiley, notwithstanding whatever issues surrounded the release, was like looking through the keyhole on Christmas morning, you got into the living room.  It caused debate, created myths, and took on a life of it's own.  I got to see one of my kids (15 at the time) enjoy the Mrs. O'Leary's Cow section (live version) and "moo along" on the drive to school, telling him I was his age when Smiley came out.  He was dumbfounded.  A parent and child enjoying the same thing.  No generation gap. 

And, I'm maybe one of the minority who feels that not releasing it at the time, ended up being a good thing, retrospectively, because it bridged generations with the release.  It is rare that there are polar ends of generations seeking out a box set 40+ years post original release.  It made and kept BW/BB relevant.  It would have likely required three LP's for the core and some few bonus tracks.  I'm not sure a triple LP would have "flown" in 1967. 

And the Party album was just fun...for boomer teens, then. 

But, I'm not sure it is a "bad" arrangement, just a "different" mode of expression.

I think you might be mixing my opinions of Smile with that of Smiley Smile. 

To me, Smile, while is still has a couple of rough patches, is miles better than Smiley Smile (When I say Smile, I'm referring to disc 1 of The Smile Sessions, which used Brian Wilson's 2004 version as a template).  I think the version of Wind Chimes on Smile (while still far from a highlight IMO), far surpassed the one on Smiley Smile. 

But like I say, it's all a matter of opinion, especially with a band with such a diverse catalog. 

I know while many fans love to listen to Smile and Love You over and over, I'll be listening to Sunflower, Surf's Up, Surfer Girl, All Summer Long, Pet Sounds, Holland, Today, That's Why God Made the Radio, and Summer Days/Nights. 

 

It is personal opinion.  But, I just keep in mind that Smiley was the basis for the full release.  And, I agree it is diverse. These days, I listen to MIC and various versions of C50, as well as any of the late 60's and early 70's live stuff.   I use YouTube a lot.  I love the sparse-stripped down live stuff.  It keeps it real.  I wish there were more of that era available.   

[KDS]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. 

But Smiley Smile is the BB album from the golden years (62-73) that I listen to the least.  Maybe tied with Party. 

To my ears, it's just not up to the same standards of the albums that came before, or the ones that came after. 

Maybe one of the reasons the sessions got released 40+ years post, is because Smiley, notwithstanding whatever issues surrounded the release, was like looking through the keyhole on Christmas morning, you got into the living room.  It caused debate, created myths, and took on a life of it's own.  I got to see one of my kids (15 at the time) enjoy the Mrs. O'Leary's Cow section (live version) and "moo along" on the drive to school, telling him I was his age when Smiley came out.  He was dumbfounded.  A parent and child enjoying the same thing.  No generation gap. 

And, I'm maybe one of the minority who feels that not releasing it at the time, ended up being a good thing, retrospectively, because it bridged generations with the release.  It is rare that there are polar ends of generations seeking out a box set 40+ years post original release.  It made and kept BW/BB relevant.  It would have likely required three LP's for the core and some few bonus tracks.  I'm not sure a triple LP would have "flown" in 1967. 

And the Party album was just fun...for boomer teens, then. 

But, I'm not sure it is a "bad" arrangement, just a "different" mode of expression.

I think you might be mixing my opinions of Smile with that of Smiley Smile. 

To me, Smile, while is still has a couple of rough patches, is miles better than Smiley Smile (When I say Smile, I'm referring to disc 1 of The Smile Sessions, which used Brian Wilson's 2004 version as a template).  I think the version of Wind Chimes on Smile (while still far from a highlight IMO), far surpassed the one on Smiley Smile. 

But like I say, it's all a matter of opinion, especially with a band with such a diverse catalog. 

I know while many fans love to listen to Smile and Love You over and over, I'll be listening to Sunflower, Surf's Up, Surfer Girl, All Summer Long, Pet Sounds, Holland, Today, That's Why God Made the Radio, and Summer Days/Nights. 

 

It is personal opinion.  But, I just keep in mind that Smiley was the basis for the full release.  And, I agree it is diverse. These days, I listen to MIC and various versions of C50, as well as any of the late 60's and early 70's live stuff.   I use YouTube a lot.  I love the sparse-stripped down live stuff.  It keeps it real.  I wish there were more of that era available.   

Do you have the In London 69 and In Concert (1973) albums?  Those are really good. 

I'd love to see them release a full show from the tour they did in the mid 1990s one day. 

[filledeplage]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. 

But Smiley Smile is the BB album from the golden years (62-73) that I listen to the least.  Maybe tied with Party. 

To my ears, it's just not up to the same standards of the albums that came before, or the ones that came after. 

Maybe one of the reasons the sessions got released 40+ years post, is because Smiley, notwithstanding whatever issues surrounded the release, was like looking through the keyhole on Christmas morning, you got into the living room.  It caused debate, created myths, and took on a life of it's own.  I got to see one of my kids (15 at the time) enjoy the Mrs. O'Leary's Cow section (live version) and "moo along" on the drive to school, telling him I was his age when Smiley came out.  He was dumbfounded.  A parent and child enjoying the same thing.  No generation gap. 

And, I'm maybe one of the minority who feels that not releasing it at the time, ended up being a good thing, retrospectively, because it bridged generations with the release.  It is rare that there are polar ends of generations seeking out a box set 40+ years post original release.  It made and kept BW/BB relevant.  It would have likely required three LP's for the core and some few bonus tracks.  I'm not sure a triple LP would have "flown" in 1967. 

And the Party album was just fun...for boomer teens, then. 

But, I'm not sure it is a "bad" arrangement, just a "different" mode of expression.

I think you might be mixing my opinions of Smile with that of Smiley Smile. 

To me, Smile, while is still has a couple of rough patches, is miles better than Smiley Smile (When I say Smile, I'm referring to disc 1 of The Smile Sessions, which used Brian Wilson's 2004 version as a template).  I think the version of Wind Chimes on Smile (while still far from a highlight IMO), far surpassed the one on Smiley Smile. 

But like I say, it's all a matter of opinion, especially with a band with such a diverse catalog. 

I know while many fans love to listen to Smile and Love You over and over, I'll be listening to Sunflower, Surf's Up, Surfer Girl, All Summer Long, Pet Sounds, Holland, Today, That's Why God Made the Radio, and Summer Days/Nights. 

 

It is personal opinion.  But, I just keep in mind that Smiley was the basis for the full release.  And, I agree it is diverse. These days, I listen to MIC and various versions of C50, as well as any of the late 60's and early 70's live stuff.   I use YouTube a lot.  I love the sparse-stripped down live stuff.  It keeps it real.  I wish there were more of that era available.   

Do you have the In London 69 and In Concert (1973) albums?  Those are really good. 

I'd love to see them release a full show from the tour they did in the mid 1990s one day. 

In LP, 8-track, cassette, CD and now on MP3!   

And, I listen to 1973 nearly every day, as well.  Fabulous!
Live in London has GOK in a great version as well as a wailing Bluebirds.

[Joel Goldenberg]

The first harmonies on Everybody Wants To Live (Adult/Child) are the worst I ever heard from the Beach Boys.

[onkster]

I adore the SS version of "Wind Chimes"--spooky, moody, no attempt to be like the SMiLE version at all--which I also love, for different reasons.

Back to the thread: I can't recall any truly bad BW vocal arrangements--though there's a note in Orange Crate Art that always felt a bit off. But not a dealbreaker.

[Mendota Heights]

- Some of your love
- School days

I don't know if Brian arranged these vocals, but they are horrendous.