Friends

[c-man]

Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.

Mike's parts on those two songs were added afterwards, since he was indeed in India during the initial recording of them (which is probably why Murry stepped in to add the low bass voice on "Be Here In The Mornin'"). But Mike is apparently not on "Friends" or "Little Bird", also recorded while he was in India. As for the rest of the album - I don't think Mike is on "When A Man Needs A Woman" or "Passing By", and definitely not on "Be Still" or "Diamond Head". As for "Transcendental Meditation" - despite that being written by Brian-Mike-Al, Brian is definitely the only BB I hear on there. Some of stated they think Al is, but I truly believe it's just Bri and Marilyn singing. The track was cut at the very end of the sessions, while the guys were away on the ill-fated tour of the southeast, and I don't think they bothered to add anyone else to it after they returned.

As for my Friends album sessionography in ESQ...since the time that was initially published seven years ago, new information has come to light - including inside skivvy from Alan Boyd that it's Brian, not Dennis, playing the organ on "Be Still" (and Brian did so again, a year later, for Steve Kalinich's version of the song), and the fact that Bruce plays piano on "Meant For You" while Brian plays organ.

[c-man]

Everyone claims Bruce wasn't present at these sessions, but I think he was. I can hear his harmony singing built into many songs. Also, Bruce has a very signature (sort of amateur) style of bass playing, that can be found all over Wild Honey, that seems present on Friends.

Agreed, except when it comes to Bruce playing bass on Friends. He played it on "Wild Honey" (the track), but for the rest of the Wild Honey (album) songs, it's mostly Carl (definitely on "Country Air" and "Let The Wind Blow") and Ron Brown (definitely on "Darlin'" and "I Was Made To Love Her"). Bruce is listed among the players on the AFM sheet for "Passing By", but as I stated above, I think he probably played an electric keyboard on that one - but, since I haven't heard that particular session tape (to date), I can't say for sure. For most of the Friends album, though, it's Lyle Ritz on bass (sometimes playing an upright, sometimes an electric), with Jimmy Bond on the title track (upright) and one of the BBs (I'm guessing Carl) on "Ana Lee" (electric).

[Andrew G. Doe]

According to Elliott in DAG #3, the band's attendance at the Friends sessions was as follows (home studio unless otherwise noted):

2/29 - Little Fish In A Brook (= Little Bird): no info (on aural evidence, Dennis, Brian & Carl minimum)

3/6 - Be Here In The Morning Darling (track #1): eight musicians including Brian

3/13 - Friends: no info (on aural evidence, Brian, Carl & Alan: SWD confirms Murry on bass vocal in chorus)

3/18 - Untitled #1 (= When A Man needs A Woman): five musicians incl. Brian

3/20 - Our Happy Home: all six BB contribute vocals

3/22 - Passing By: eight musicians incl. Brian, Bruce and A. N. Other BB (likely Carl)

3/26 - Even Steven (= Busy Doin' Nothin')/"New Song" (= Doves Of Peace/Spanish Guitar instrumental): Brian (as producer)

3/28 - Wake The World track (two sessions): Brian (as prod)

3/29 - Be Here In The Morning (track #2): six musicians including  ?Brian

3/30 - Wake the World vocals (at ID Sound): five BB, no Mike

3/31 - Be Here In The Morning vocals (ID Sound): five BB

4/1 - Meant For You (ID Sound): all six BB

4/2 - Anna Lee, The Healer (at ID Sound): five BB play on the track, all six sing

4/4 - Transcendental Meditation track (at ID Sound): Brian (as producer) [BB on tour]

4/11 - Busy Doin' Nothin' (at ID Sound): Brian (presumably vocals)

4/12 - Diamond Head (at ID Sound): Brian (as producer)

4/13 - Be Still: Dennis [this date has to be inaccurate unless Dennis flew in from Florida to record the song, then flew back on the same day - thoughts, Craig ?]

[metal flake paint]

Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.

Mike's parts on those two songs were added afterwards, since he was indeed in India during the initial recording of them (which is probably why Murry stepped in to add the low bass voice on "Be Here In The Mornin'"). But Mike is apparently not on "Friends" or "Little Bird", also recorded while he was in India. As for the rest of the album - I don't think Mike is on "When A Man Needs A Woman" or "Passing By", and definitely not on "Be Still" or "Diamond Head". As for "Transcendental Meditation" - despite that being written by Brian-Mike-Al, Brian is definitely the only BB I hear on there. Some of stated they think Al is, but I truly believe it's just Bri and Marilyn singing. The track was cut at the very end of the sessions, while the guys were away on the ill-fated tour of the southeast, and I don't think they bothered to add anyone else to it after they returned.

As for my Friends album sessionography in ESQ...since the time that was initially published seven years ago, new information has come to light - including inside skivvy from Alan Boyd that it's Brian, not Dennis, playing the organ on "Be Still" (and Brian did so again, a year later, for Steve Kalinich's version of the song), and the fact that Bruce plays piano on "Meant For You" while Brian plays organ.

Thanks for the detailed and updated info, Craig.

[Ebb and Flow]

According to Elliott in DAG #3, the band's attendance at the Friends sessions was as follows (home studio unless otherwise noted):

I really hope a lot of this stuff (especially the early alternate versions) shows up on the 2018 copyright extension release...since we'll likely never get a box set.  Session audio of Murry in the studio singing would be a trip as well.

[rab2591]

Many thanks to Craig and AGD for the info!

I really hope a lot of this stuff (especially the early alternate versions) shows up on the 2018 copyright extension release...since we'll likely never get a box set.  Session audio of Murry in the studio singing would be a trip as well.

I think you're absolutely right about the boxset, but I'm hopeful about a copyright extension release. Shame we'll have to wait 3 years for it, but the wait will be worth it.

[Gerry]

Transcendental Meditation always sounded like a radio jingle that Brian wrote as a commercial for TM. You could almost hear Mike doing a voice-over as Transcendental Meditation plays in the background.

[c-man]

<<4/13 - Be Still: Dennis [this date has to be inaccurate unless Dennis flew in from Florida to record the song, then flew back on the same day - thoughts, Craig ?]>>

My guess would be 4/3. Just a guess, though.

[Andrew G. Doe]

That or 3/3... I think yours is the more likely.

[Alan Smith]

Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.

Mike's parts on those two songs were added afterwards, since he was indeed in India during the initial recording of them (which is probably why Murry stepped in to add the low bass voice on "Be Here In The Mornin'"). But Mike is apparently not on "Friends" or "Little Bird", also recorded while he was in India. As for the rest of the album - I don't think Mike is on "When A Man Needs A Woman" or "Passing By", and definitely not on "Be Still" or "Diamond Head". As for "Transcendental Meditation" - despite that being written by Brian-Mike-Al, Brian is definitely the only BB I hear on there. Some of stated they think Al is, but I truly believe it's just Bri and Marilyn singing. The track was cut at the very end of the sessions, while the guys were away on the ill-fated tour of the southeast, and I don't think they bothered to add anyone else to it after they returned.

As for my Friends album sessionography in ESQ...since the time that was initially published seven years ago, new information has come to light - including inside skivvy from Alan Boyd that it's Brian, not Dennis, playing the organ on "Be Still" (and Brian did so again, a year later, for Steve Kalinich's version of the song), and the fact that Bruce plays piano on "Meant For You" while Brian plays organ.

Thanks for the detailed and updated info, Craig.

C-man - as per MFP, thanks so much for the info, it's invaluable.

However, I find it strange that the band would 'later' put Mike's vocals on only BHITM and WTW, but not the rest of the tracks in the can while he was in India.  I wonder why these two tracks received a post-session Mike augmentation, but the rest did not.

Any speculation appreciated - cheers - A

[c-man]

Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.

Mike's parts on those two songs were added afterwards, since he was indeed in India during the initial recording of them (which is probably why Murry stepped in to add the low bass voice on "Be Here In The Mornin'"). But Mike is apparently not on "Friends" or "Little Bird", also recorded while he was in India. As for the rest of the album - I don't think Mike is on "When A Man Needs A Woman" or "Passing By", and definitely not on "Be Still" or "Diamond Head". As for "Transcendental Meditation" - despite that being written by Brian-Mike-Al, Brian is definitely the only BB I hear on there. Some of stated they think Al is, but I truly believe it's just Bri and Marilyn singing. The track was cut at the very end of the sessions, while the guys were away on the ill-fated tour of the southeast, and I don't think they bothered to add anyone else to it after they returned.

As for my Friends album sessionography in ESQ...since the time that was initially published seven years ago, new information has come to light - including inside skivvy from Alan Boyd that it's Brian, not Dennis, playing the organ on "Be Still" (and Brian did so again, a year later, for Steve Kalinich's version of the song), and the fact that Bruce plays piano on "Meant For You" while Brian plays organ.

Thanks for the detailed and updated info, Craig.

C-man - as per MFP, thanks so much for the info, it's invaluable.

However, I find it strange that the band would 'later' put Mike's vocals on only BHITM and WTW, but not the rest of the tracks in the can while he was in India.  I wonder why these two tracks received a post-session Mike augmentation, but the rest did not.

Any speculation appreciated - cheers - A

My guess would be Brian, Mike, or the group as a whole decided those songs needed Mike's voice, and the others were fine as was.

[c-man]

I can't believe no one has pointed out the obvious typo in one of my posts above...but to set the record straight, it should read "inside skinny", not "inside skivvy". Not that that sounds much better!