Van Dyke Parks' music work before working with Brian Wilson

[The Song Of The Grange]

This is a subject I am fuzzy on. It seems like Van Dyke Parks was keeping pretty busy in the time right before Smile, and during Smile, and right after it. I can look at his discography and see his actual releases, but what about his production work, session work, and bands that did covers of his songs in that time period?

The other day I heard Harper's Bazaar doing "High Coin" and "Come to the Sunshine", one on the Feelin' Groovy record, one on Anything Goes album. (It was also interesting to notice how many Randy Newman songs were on those first two Harper's Bazaar records. There seems to be some sort of link between Randy Newman and Smile. Didn't Parks help produce his first record? Also Lenny Waronker helped produce, and didn't he sign Parks to Warner Bros. partly because of the promise of Smile, and then latter on try to get the Beach Boys to finish Smile? I really never thought of this link between Randy Newman's brand of Americana and Smile, but I think it is there.)

Anyone know when in 1966 "Number Nine / Do What You Wanta", and "Come to the Sunshine / Farther Along" came out? I am assuming that was early 66. I have heard that Van Dyke did session work for the Byrds in 1966 too (probably via Terry Melcher?).  I am guessing he did session work for Harper's Bazaar and we know about his work on "Good Vibrations". Was there others? I am guessing there were.

It would be interesting to know if Van Dyke was doing a bunch of other work during the Smile era, or if he was pretty much focused on the collaboration with Brian and didn't do much other stuff fall 1966 through April 1967.

[The Heartical Don]

Go here for the most extensive info on Parks' career (it's run by his son Richard Hill Parks III).

He did a lot of stuff: played on the Byrds' 5th Dimension LP, did commercials (Ice Capades, Datsun Car Co.) and so on. The commercials are superb and very weird.

[Andrew G. Doe]

VDP played keyboards on The Byrds "Eight Miles High" (released 5/66) and also on Tim Buckley's self-titled album (10/66). He co-produced The Mojo Men's 2/67 single "Sit Down, I Think I Love You" and played keyboards on Harper's Bizarre's cover of his own "Come To The Sunshine" (5/67). Warners apparently offered him a solo deal in February 1967.

[Christian]

Anyone know when in 1966 "Number Nine / Do What You Wanta", and "Come to the Sunshine / Farther Along" came out? I am assuming that was early 66.

"Number Nine" (MGM K13441) was released November/December 1965, "Come To The Sunshine" (MGM K13570), recorded June 10th, 1966, was released in July 1966.    

[Autotune]

a little off-topic, and well-discussed before, but it's interesting to observe the relationship between VDP and BW. This is what VDP posted on his website regarding TLOS

12th August 2008
Re: Brian Wilson's new project 'Lucky Old Sun'
Van Dyke Parks sent me the following e-mail regarding Brian Wilson's new project 'Lucky Old Sun' and asked me to publish it on this site:
I am happy Brian asked me to write five 'Narrative' interstices (four survived the cut) to tie his new album together. Further, I enjoyed submitting lyrics to one of the songs on the CD album ('Live Not Die').

Yet, none of that raises me to the level of 'collaborator' on the project.
The new album is the collaborative result of Brian and (Wondermints' group member) Scott Bennett.
Scott provided an incredible body of lyrics and musical production to the album from the ground-floor up. Additional musical flourishes were provided by Brian's group member Darian Sahanana, with arrangements by Paul Mertin.

In no way is 'Lucky Old Sun' is 'the collaborative successor to 'Smile', nor as closely related to it thematically as (the sorely overlooked 'Orange Crate Art' (WB, '95).

Contrary to reports, I will not be appearing with Mr. Wilson in this particular program.

My immediate plans for live performance are in promotional concert appearances with Inara George, for whom I provided 12 chamber orch. arrangements on her new album "An Invitation".
It will be on sale on the 'Everloving' label, August, '08.

Truly, Van Dyke


...

I wish I could find a relatively recent Spanish newsletter interview in which he claimed that he hoped for TLOS to be an opportunity to work with a friend but (I infer) he had little or no access to Brian.

[Christian]

VDP played keyboards on The Byrds "Eight Miles High" (released 5/66)

minor correction: he played on "5D (Fifth Dimension)". Elliott is wrong here.

[Andrew G. Doe]

VDP played keyboards on The Byrds "Eight Miles High" (released 5/66)

minor correction: he played on "5D (Fifth Dimension)". Elliott is wrong here.

Thanks for that.

[Dove Nested Towers]

V.D.P.'s web site says that there are new, remastered Rykodisc releases of Song Cycle, Discover America & Clang of the Yankee Reaper, with great bonus tracks, but I can't find them on Amazon or Rykodisc's web site. Have they just not been released yet or what? Anybody know?

[Jason]

Didn't Van Dyke play on a lot of Paul Revere and the Raiders sessions in 1965-66?

[Christian]

Didn't Van Dyke play on a lot of Paul Revere and the Raiders sessions in 1965-66?

He did play on the "Revolution!" album (August 1967), maybe others too.

V.D.P.'s web site says that there are new, remastered Rykodisc releases of Song Cycle, Discover America & Clang of the Yankee Reaper, with great bonus tracks, but I can't find them on Amazon or Rykodisc's web site. Have they just not been released yet or what? Anybody know?

These were released in 1999.

[The Heartical Don]

V.D.P.'s web site says that there are new, remastered Rykodisc releases of Song Cycle, Discover America & Clang of the Yankee Reaper, with great bonus tracks, but I can't find them on Amazon or Rykodisc's web site. Have they just not been released yet or what? Anybody know?

I got them. I'll jot down the bonus stuff as soon as I get home.

[dogear]

I think the Ryko CDs were European releases only.
There was a special promo CD accompanying the bunch:
Clang.../The Eagle and Me/Sailin' Shoes/Palm Desert/On The Rolling Sea (When Jesus Speaks to Me)/Tribute To Spee (Ryko VRCD 045234)

Bonus tracks: The Eagle and Me (On Song Cycle), Out On The Rolling Sea (On Discover America), Amazing Grace (Slow Version), Amazing grace (Toe Tapper Version) (On Clang...)  

[PS]

RE: SONG CYCLE IN 5.1

from: http://www.splicetoday.com/music/interview-van-dyke-parks

ST: How about the rumors of a forthcoming reissue and remaster of your solo debut?

VDP: Song Cycle indeed seems destined for 5.1 surround.

from http://www.vandykeparks.com/newsflash.html :

According to Van Dyke Parks the Parks family recently re-acquired the original master tape of the 1968 album Song Cycle and is now planning a remix and rerelease on a Uk subsidiary of Warner Music. Rerelease plans include a 5.1 surround mix DVD. When further details on this project become available, I will keep you updated here during one of my far too infreuqent updates (i know, i know..).


Any further news out there? This is something I am really looking forward to. If any album holds an interest for a 5.1 mix, it's this one (and Sunflower...I know, I know...).
The recent King Crimson re-issues in 5.1 and David Crosby's If I Could Only Remember My Name (fantastic in surround) testify to the possibilities of re-mixing late 60s/early 70s multi-tracks.

[the captain]

From Van Dyke in an email a few weeks ago, he's "trying to get it done the right way with the right people."

[Dove Nested Towers]

I think the Ryko CDs were European releases only.
There was a special promo CD accompanying the bunch:
Clang.../The Eagle and Me/Sailin' Shoes/Palm Desert/On The Rolling Sea (When Jesus Speaks to Me)/Tribute To Spee (Ryko VRCD 045234)

Bonus tracks: The Eagle and Me (On Song Cycle), Out On The Rolling Sea (On Discover America), Amazing Grace (Slow Version), Amazing grace (Toe Tapper Version) (On Clang...)  

I just went to Amazon and the 1999 Import (label not specified) of Song Cycle was listed as discontinued by manufacturer and there are no copies available, new, used or collectible. Discover America has a profusion of permutations, one an import, but from 1990, so that can't be the Rykodisc remastered edition with a bonus track.

This is frustrating. I'm dying to hear the bonus tracks, especially those on those two albums, and the remastered albums themselves. If anyone who has them feels like doing a good deed, please send me a PM.