Scott Totten

[Outie 315]

http://blog.feelingthevibe.com/scott-totten-interview-2/comment-page-1/#comment-412

[b00ts]

Wow. Probably the most perfunctory, generic interview I have ever read with anyone. Still, thanks for posting it!

[Jason]

Gotta love Randell...he has the gumption to let it all hang out. I'm referring to the fact that he also is bald and doesn't need headgear.

[donald]

Bald is good.  Bald is normal.  Not a condition or disease.  A normal state of growth for many men.  Part of the life cycle.  Guys wearing hats all of the time is like aging women wearing turtle necks.  Not necessary.  Boob jobs aren't necessary either.

The people who sell hair transplants and silicone breast implants are thr culprits.

[Outie 315]

 One Summer Wind:

 http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/miss_rhode_island_usa

[The Heartical Don]

Bald is good.  Bald is normal.  Not a condition or disease.  A normal state of growth for many men.  Part of the life cycle.  Guys wearing hats all of the time is like aging women wearing turtle necks.  Not necessary.  Boob jobs aren't necessary either.

The people who sell hair transplants and silicone breast implants are thr culprits.

Drinking a lot of alcohol and doing drugs will let you keep your hair into old age. There are examples.

[Scott]

Wow. Probably the most perfunctory, generic interview I have ever read with anyone. Still, thanks for posting it!

Well, yeah you're right.  They asked me to give short answers to a couple of questions...

Scott

[donald]

Hey Scott!   Enjoyed meeting you last October in Ashland Kentucky  (at the Starbucks with Steve Mayo and the wives)


I have a longer question if you wish.....

I understand that you are sort of in charge of the vocal arrangements these days?   That is certainly a position of honor in my opinion given that you are filling the shoes formerly worn by Brian Wilson.

Would you care to discuss the process with us?  How do you put it all together?  Do you assign the vocal parts?

Your performance of All This is That and Theie hearts were fulll of Spring knocked my socks off!

[Scott]

Hey Scott!   Enjoyed meeting you last October in Ashland Kentucky  (at the Starbucks with Steve Mayo and the wives)


I have a longer question if you wish.....

I understand that you are sort of in charge of the vocal arrangements these days?   That is certainly a position of honor in my opinion given that you are filling the shoes formerly worn by Brian Wilson.

Would you care to discuss the process with us?  How do you put it all together?  Do you assign the vocal parts?

Your performance of All This is That and Theie hearts were fulll of Spring knocked my socks off!

Hi Donald-

I enjoyed meeting you at Starbuck's that night.  Have you spoken to Steve?  Please let him know everyone is praying for him.

As for your questions:

I do consider it a position of honor and great responsibility.  Not that I am in Brian's or Carl's shoes; I am just trying to make sure we do justice to what they created.

I'll give you an idea of the process for when we learn a "new" song or when we do one that we haven't performed in  a year or so.  A perfect example is Heroes, which we recently added for some symphonic shows and have continued to perform since then.

First I listen to the original version(s).  Like many of you, I have a collection of "shoes" that I refer to.  In picking out the parts, I listen to the left side only, the right side only, any outtakes, live versions, etc.  In the case of Heroes, they had abbreviated some of the parts for the live shows.  However the live version really kicks and rocks so we wanted to keep that feel but add in some of the records vocal parts and instrumental parts.  The symphony arrangements didn't have the horn line and so I wrote it in.  The high part in the slow a capella was missing in the live version so I added that back in.  Now Mike pretty much remembers his part on everything, and we know Randell is usually going to sing the high parts (or me if it's really high) then I ask Bruce which part he wants.  Cowsill has a strong punchy voice like Al's so I asked him to sing the verse lead.  Christian has a voice that sometimes sounds like Carl's so I gave him the chorus lead.

While at home, I make a recording of myself singing all the parts.  Then I mix one version with Bruce's part up loud and send him an mp3.  Same with Randell, Christian and Cowsill and yes even Mike.  They get them at least a week ahead of time and listen to their part.   I also send out a chord chart.

Then we put it all together at the next show during soundcheck.

Scott

[Fall Breaks]

Hi Donald-

I enjoyed meeting you at Starbuck's that night.  Have you spoken to Steve?  Please let him know everyone is praying for him.

As for your questions:

I do consider it a position of honor and great responsibility.  Not that I am in Brian's or Carl's shoes; I am just trying to make sure we do justice to what they created.

I'll give you an idea of the process for when we learn a "new" song or when we do one that we haven't performed in  a year or so.  A perfect example is Heroes, which we recently added for some symphonic shows and have continued to perform since then.

First I listen to the original version(s).  Like many of you, I have a collection of "shoes" that I refer to.  In picking out the parts, I listen to the left side only, the right side only, any outtakes, live versions, etc.  In the case of Heroes, they had abbreviated some of the parts for the live shows.  However the live version really kicks and rocks so we wanted to keep that feel but add in some of the records vocal parts and instrumental parts.  The symphony arrangements didn't have the horn line and so I wrote it in.  The high part in the slow a capella was missing in the live version so I added that back in.  Now Mike pretty much remembers his part on everything, and we know Randell is usually going to sing the high parts (or me if it's really high) then I ask Bruce which part he wants.  Cowsill has a strong punchy voice like Al's so I asked him to sing the verse lead.  Christian has a voice that sometimes sounds like Carl's so I gave him the chorus lead.

While at home, I make a recording of myself singing all the parts.  Then I mix one version with Bruce's part up loud and send him an mp3.  Same with Randell, Christian and Cowsill and yes even Mike.  They get them at least a week ahead of time and listen to their part.   I also send out a chord chart.

Then we put it all together at the next show during soundcheck.

Scott

Hi Scott,

That's a very interesting and appreciated post - I love reading about this "behind the scenes" work! I'm going to see you in Sweden this summer and your post has made my already high expectations grow even more (feel no pressure )

[The infamous Baldwin Organ]

Wow, Scott, thanks for sharing that!

I really admire your work with the band, you guys do a great job

Thank you again!

-Sam

[donald]

Scott, thanks for the nice response.   As I suspected, putting all of that together is no small feat.  Sounds like you really have taken the place of Brian and Carl in the vocal and arrangement department.  Thanks for the fascinating inside glimpse!  I'm sure the others here will enjoy reading about the process as much as I have.  And you put it all together at the sound check!?  Pretty amazing IMO.

I have pm'd Steve.   I remind him again that he is in our prayers and thoughts.

Thanks again and best wishes,

Don

[Outie 315]

 Hi Scott!

 http://www.printroom.com/popupImage.asp?evgroupid=0&img_id=123203308&effectRGB=


 See You in Boston......

[Stegibo]

Hi Scott,
Do you plan to do a show in Germany this year?

Best regards,
Stegibo

[kirkmc- banned on the run]

Ummm...I only have one question: Who is this guy?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Ummm...I only have one question: Who is this guy?

This is a public service announcement:

Do not feed the troll.

[kirkmc- banned on the run]

It was supposed to be funny! Now I'm getting "threatening" little messages from Mr. Positivity (Oh sorry) THE REAL BEACH BOY!!!
That's not very positive now is it... And for record- I couldn't care less about that pathetic "little band" -However I do take free speach and threats seriously and will DEAL with them in tern...Really-I WAS being nice...

[Andrew G. Doe]

It was supposed to be funny! Now I'm getting "threatening" little messages from Mr. Positivity (Oh sorry) THE REAL BEACH BOY!!!
That's not very positive now is it... And for record- I couldn't care less about that pathetic "little band" -However I do take free speach and threats seriously and will DEAL with them in tern...Really-I WAS being nice...

Consider this - Scott is a member of the band. Doesn't have to post here, kind of him to do so (he's a really nice guy), so a little politeness for such a guest isn't too much to ask. Chances are he's not that fussed, but over on A. N. Other MB I've had experience of people in a similar position having a total SOH failure and flouncing off, never to return. Now, as he's musical director of "that pathetic little band" (who, as anyone who's seen them the last few years will tell you will give Brian's band a run for their money in a non-casino/state fair setting) I'm thinking this is less 'funny' than trolling. "OOO, look, a member of Mike & Bruce's band, let's insult him !" You sir, are not destined for a career in the diplomatic corps. The right to fee speech doesn't confer impunity from being something of an asshole. I speak with no little experience on this latter point. 

[The Shift]

KirkMC, once again I have to say that I can't understand why you come to this board. Sure, we all have our opinions about the different touring bands, their validity to use the name etc etc etc, but taking it to a personal level's a bit much.

Go check out the Mike & Bruce show. You will not be sorry.  It is a great experience, and Scott and the guys do a great job.

[smile-holland]

It was supposed to be funny! Now I'm getting "threatening" little messages from Mr. Positivity (Oh sorry) THE REAL BEACH BOY!!!
That's not very positive now is it... And for record- I couldn't care less about that pathetic "little band" -However I do take free speach and threats seriously and will DEAL with them in tern...Really-I WAS being nice...

kirkmc, I'm affraid you should really check your history of posting here. Jason (The Real Beach Boy) might have told you a bit more directly than an other mod would, but I can asure you that we all get a bit annoyed by several remarks you've made these last months. Really, by now, it's impossible for us to judge when you're serious or not.

So you don't like (the current) Mike Love or 'his' Beach Boys. That's OK, we're all entitled to have our opinion here. But by now we get the point when it comes to your opinion. It's not the fact that, but the way how you express your opinion and (especially) the frequency in which you do that.

The fact that Scott Totten posts here, is not something we take for granted. He doesn't have to, but he chose to do so. Which a lot of us here (and I'm one of them) highly appreciate. Your "who is this guy?" remark in itself isn't an insult per se, but after a string of not so subtle negative remarks (you might think otherwise, but - really - they aren't), it's hard to see this particular remark outside that context.


Consider this: if you didn't like the tone of The Real Beach Boy's PM, try to imagine how several members on this board (particularly those closely connected to the Beach Boys) feel about your replies. If you don't care about that? Fine. But don't play the victim here when we treat you in a similar way.

So - in short - (1) a bit of self-reflection wouldn't do too much harm, and (2) Rule of thumb, THINK before you post. And think how it may affect someone else's feelings. (not-so-coincidentally my signature, and for a good reason)

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'm reminded as a grade schooler who used to come into the store I managed back then, walk along the racks of sweets and say, loudly, "don't like that, don't like that, don't like that, hate that, that's horrible, wouldn't buy those, don't like that..." every school day. Without fail. Kid was maybe nine, ten. After a few weeks of this, I politely asked him to keep his thoughts to himself or go to another shop. Next day: "don't like that, don't like that, don't like that, hate that, that's horrible, wouldn't buy those, don't like that..." so I informed him, loudly, that my life didn't need him to provide a soundtrack that was as tedious as it was repetitive, and kicked his sorry ass out the door. 

[Steve Mayo]

I'm reminded as a grade schooler who used to come into the store I managed back then, walk along the racks of sweets and say, loudly, "don't like that, don't like that, don't like that, hate that, that's horrible, wouldn't buy those, don't like that..." every school day. Without fail. Kid was maybe nine, ten. After a few weeks of this, I politely asked him to keep his thoughts to himself or go to another shop. Next day: "don't like that, don't like that, don't like that, hate that, that's horrible, wouldn't buy those, don't like that..." so I informed him, loudly, that my life didn't need him to provide a soundtrack that was as tedious as it was repetitive, and kicked his sorry ass out the door. 

well said..and i totally agree with the message.

[Val]

OH NO!  This is another lovely person who a bod or two around here is choosing to take pot shots at.  Please STOP IT. It should be beneath you to act in this way.  Civility costs nothing, but reaps many rewards...

Please appreciate how kind it is for Scott to post on your Board and know that he does not HAVE to do this for you.  He's doing it because he is very kindly sharing information that is fascinting for us fans and being most gracious at the same time. 

I won't say any more as I am feeling very cross about this, but please and for Goodness Sake...show some manners.  I can't find an "angry" emotion explicit enough to show just how I feel.

With respect.

[Jason]

It was supposed to be funny! Now I'm getting "threatening" little messages from Mr. Positivity (Oh sorry) THE REAL BEACH BOY!!!
That's not very positive now is it... And for record- I couldn't care less about that pathetic "little band" -However I do take free speach and threats seriously and will DEAL with them in tern...Really-I WAS being nice...

See, I take free speech seriously, too. Except when you're trying to insinuate that I somehow "threatened" you.

your "intelligent discussion" will be curtailed in the form of the banhammer smacking you in the face, so to speak. And don't try to test me on this.

Assuming that's the "threatening" passage of my PM, it should be noted that "banhammer smacking you in the face" is a long-winded interwebs way of saying "you will be banned". Wrong choice of words? In retrospect, sure. But it's certainly not a threat. "And don't try to test me on this" means precisely that. Nothing more, nothing less. You keep stepping out of line, you will be banned.

Man, I didn't think someone would actually BELIEVE I have a banhammer in my pocket that I whack people with...

[Alex]

It was supposed to be funny! Now I'm getting "threatening" little messages from Mr. Positivity (Oh sorry) THE REAL BEACH BOY!!!
That's not very positive now is it... And for record- I couldn't care less about that pathetic "little band" -However I do take free speach and threats seriously and will DEAL with them in tern...Really-I WAS being nice...

The Lovester might be a butthead, but Scott Totten certainly is not. No, he's not Brian or Carl, but just hear him do Ballad of Ol' Betsy...you'd be astonished.