New Beach Boys release will make you 'SMiLE'

[Don_Zabu]

What if there would be a few sessions to fill up the gaps? If they'd record some new overdubs or additional sections where necessary? Obviously this should be done with vintage recording equipment, under Brian's supervision, and where possibly with the help of some of the old Wrecking Crew guys (and gal). Would that be sacreligious or a good idea?

LOL, good one.

[Wirestone]

Brian has apparently been in the studio this week -- hmmm.

[hypehat]

Oh god, it's true! 

[shelter]

What if there would be a few sessions to fill up the gaps? If they'd record some new overdubs or additional sections where necessary? Obviously this should be done with vintage recording equipment, under Brian's supervision, and where possibly with the help of some of the old Wrecking Crew guys (and gal). Would that be sacreligious or a good idea?

LOL, good one.

I think that, to quote AGD, a mass consumption single CD, and a box set for the likes of us would be the way to go.

Obviously the "sessions" should be left as they are. I'm only talking about the single CD (which would also be included in the box set, just like the original 'Pet Sounds' album was part of the 'Pet Sounds Sessions' box set). I think it should be as close to a finished original 'Smile' as possible. And if some of the songs and sections would sound more "finished" with some new strings, horns, etc. added, than I don't see why that would be such a bad idea. I'm not talking about mixing vintage 'Smile' material with entirely new recordings, I'm just talking about dotting some i's.

[PhilCohen]

The only "Smile" tracks which aren't in circulation with 100% fidelity are "Barnyard", "The Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine"(vocal version), "Child is Father to The Man" & "George Fell Into His French Horn", so at least we should get better-sounding versions of 3 of those 4.

Beg to differ, but Brian's 11/66 mono mix of the "CIFOTM" that I've [koff] heard sounds pretty gosh darn fine to me.

Also, by definition, any b**tl*g is less than 100% fidelity. 

I disagree, because whomever cloned material for "Sea of Tunes" obviously had access to 3-track, 4-track & 8-track tapes, albeit to do quickie, clandestine, one-pass-of-the tape mixes.

[PhilCohen]

Well, I remember reading/hearing somewhere that Brian Wilson/the Brian Wilson "estate" has been collecting Smile material for years now (since the BWPS dream started). They started asking around for any bootlegs/acetates/whatever floating around, and promised not to punish anyone who gave them the material. Supposedly, they have gotten some interesting stuff back over time and Brian now has his own personal archive of Smile material.

I mean, who else was going to have better luck asking people for this stuff than Brian himself?

The fact that Brian is on board for this project could have more do with why it's going to really happen than just Brian providing his approval.

"Estate"? Brian, while not exactly in his prime, is still very much with us......though he will be 70 next year.

[Chris Brown]

What if there would be a few sessions to fill up the gaps? If they'd record some new overdubs or additional sections where necessary? Obviously this should be done with vintage recording equipment, under Brian's supervision, and where possibly with the help of some of the old Wrecking Crew guys (and gal). Would that be sacreligious or a good idea?

LOL, good one.

I think that, to quote AGD, a mass consumption single CD, and a box set for the likes of us would be the way to go.

Obviously the "sessions" should be left as they are. I'm only talking about the single CD (which would also be included in the box set, just like the original 'Pet Sounds' album was part of the 'Pet Sounds Sessions' box set). I think it should be as close to a finished original 'Smile' as possible. And if some of the songs and sections would sound more "finished" with some new strings, horns, etc. added, than I don't see why that would be such a bad idea. I'm not talking about mixing vintage 'Smile' material with entirely new recordings, I'm just talking about dotting some i's.

I get where you're coming from, but I don't expect you'll find much support for that idea around here.  Even with the best of intentions, vintage equipment, the same musicians, etc., I just think it's wrong-headed to try and "go back" and add things to recordings made almost 45 years ago.  No matter how many i's you try to dot, it's literally impossible to complete the album as it would have existed in 1967, so I don't see what would be gained in doing so.

[Mahalo]

Where did the verse melody come from for CITFOTM on BWPS? Did Brian just remember it or did he invent it in 2004...

Also, I would love to have a 3 and a half minute H&V instrumental version, and a really clean version of IIGS... Santa, are you listening?? Christmas in July this year??

[juggler]

What if there would be a few sessions to fill up the gaps? If they'd record some new overdubs or additional sections where necessary? Obviously this should be done with vintage recording equipment, under Brian's supervision, and where possibly with the help of some of the old Wrecking Crew guys (and gal). Would that be sacreligious or a good idea?

LOL, good one.

I think that, to quote AGD, a mass consumption single CD, and a box set for the likes of us would be the way to go.

Obviously the "sessions" should be left as they are. I'm only talking about the single CD (which would also be included in the box set, just like the original 'Pet Sounds' album was part of the 'Pet Sounds Sessions' box set). I think it should be as close to a finished original 'Smile' as possible. And if some of the songs and sections would sound more "finished" with some new strings, horns, etc. added, than I don't see why that would be such a bad idea. I'm not talking about mixing vintage 'Smile' material with entirely new recordings, I'm just talking about dotting some i's.

I get where you're coming from, but I don't expect you'll find much support for that idea around here.  Even with the best of intentions, vintage equipment, the same musicians, etc., I just think it's wrong-headed to try and "go back" and add things to recordings made almost 45 years ago.  No matter how many i's you try to dot, it's literally impossible to complete the album as it would have existed in 1967, so I don't see what would be gained in doing so.

Well said, Chris.

It's just too late to tinker with recordings in the manner suggested.  Heck, even the additions to Surf's Up in 1971 have always seemed slightly "off" to me.  And that was a mere four years after the fact!  Even in that short period of time, the "vibe" had changed.  People change, instruments change, technology changes, etc.  The original recordings have a special magic that can never be recaptured. 

[Bicyclerider]

I'm as excited as the next Smiley Board member at the prospect of a Beach boys Smile release . . . but we've been promised this very thing three or four times before.  And we got . . . nada.  I'm not holding my breath.  Even if Brian's camp confirms this, I've got my doubts.   sorry to "Debby Downer" on y'all.  I've been burned too many times before.  Remember the single disc Good Vibrations anniversary release that years later became an EP/single?   

[donald]

How about this for an promo tag line ?

"In 2004, Brian Wilson presented Smile. Now, in 2011, Capitol Records present the real thing".

Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE.    He did.     That doesn't preclude the release of The Beach Boys present the original SMiLE in its entirety as much as possible in its original form.

A somewhat bigger question is how it will be sequenced.......or will that be attempted?    Darian helped Brian sequence HIS release.....who or how will a release of the original material be sequenced or organized?
not to mention marketed
disclaimer....

(donald on a Friday night after a few shots)

[Andrew G. Doe]

Brian has apparently been in the studio this week -- hmmm.

Disney album.

[Wirestone]

Astonishing they're paying for that after the Gershwin clusterblank.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Astonishing they're paying for that after the Gershwin clusterblank.

I'm guessing, it being Disney material, they'll merchandise and promote the living bejeezsus out of it.  I also have a theory about BWRG, which I'm sure you can make a very good guess at. 

[PhilCohen]

Astonishing they're paying for that after the Gershwin clusterblank.

Well, Brian signed a contract agreeing to make the two albums(Gershwin & Disney) and he's fulfilling the contractual obligation.

[Dove Nested Towers]

So, the stars have aligned in a magnificent display of perfect congruity. The symmetry, grace and enormity of this eventuality is staggering, the degree of closure to be realized, miraculous! Let the principals and universe allow for all extant material, whether in private possession, acetates, or wherever they may reside, to be unearthed and included, so that the fullest justice that can ever be done to the sacred sound dreams of Brian Douglas Wilson, known first as Dumb Angel, then as Smile, WILL be done. Amen.

My Prayer

[The Heartical Don]

So, the stars have aligned in a magnificent display of perfect congruity. The symmetry, grace and enormity of this eventuality is staggering, the degree of closure to be realized, miraculous! Let the principals and universe allow for all extant material, whether in private possession, acetates, or wherever they may reside, to be unearthed and included, so that the fullest justice that can ever be done to the sacred sound dreams of Brian Douglas Wilson, known first as Dumb Angel, then as Smile, WILL be done. Amen.

My Prayer

Did you factor in that Pluto is not an ordinary planet anymore, because it's too small?

[Dove Nested Towers]

I'm missing something, whether meant literally or jokingly....how does Pluto factor in, specifically?

[The Heartical Don]

I'm missing something, whether meant literally or jokingly....how does Pluto factor in, specifically?

Oh, I found your 'astrological' statement beautiful, mesmerizing, all right. I wanted to make a tiny joke, because Bri was heavily into astrology, I seem to remembet ('What Do The Planets Mean?'). That's all, please don't make too much of it...

[The Shift]

1) Frank Holmes' artwork (cos I feel he was wrongly passed over for the 2004 release, and that release was diminished by the absence of his artwork)

i totally disagree there.  It wasn't the beach boys record, so it had "smile" looking like holmes is art.  but it shouldn't have had the original cover.  this should

With the benefit of hindsight I agree but at the time it would have been the right thing to do. BWPS was sold as the real finally completed deal, and the only reason Frank's artwork wasn't used was, I understand, more a financial consideration than an artistic one.

Yes, I agree that it's more appropriate to this release (if this release happens). In 2004, however, we were also assured that the release of a BBs SMILE was an "over my dead body" matter.

I hope Frank gets his due this time around and is appropriately rewarded!  That album cover is the most iconic in RnR mythology!

[hypehat]

If Holmes' artwork had been used for BWPS, 95% of the hardcore would have gone batshit insane. They made the right call.

[XY]

If this SMiLE thing really comes out, I hope that "Air Dada" will be part of it.
Because I'm almost convinced that the "Love To Say Dada" sessions were recorded for "The Elements".
I just makes sense.
Brian stated in the late 70's that "Air" was an unfinished piano piece. He remembered "All Day".
"All Day" was recorded later with the Wrecking Crew, flutes used as birds, the often forgotten "Air Dada".
"Love To Say Dada" with the same groove represents water.
"Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" fire and "Fall Breaks", again with the same feel, earth.
The so called Jasper theory.
And if this SMiLE-announcement was just some kind of promo gag from Al, he'll be another head shorter, I tell ya.

[Cam Mott]

I'd like a boxset and booklet with original art of all recordings/acetates presented in chronological order [as best can be established] starting with GV and ending in March '67 [or whatever decided on date]. Please send out the May '66 H&V tape to see what can be recovered.

I'd like all available documentation from the personal stashes, studios, AFM, AFTRA, Capitol's files and financial records, Queens Litho, etc.. Commentary individually from all involved and a big group confab of everyone face to face on DVD. Let's see did I forget anything?

Oh, I'd like it all for $39.99. That's not too much to ask is it?

[The Heartical Don]

Jasper wrote:

And if this SMiLE-announcement was just some kind of promo gag from Al, he'll be another head shorter, I tell ya.

  has that been done before? I mean: fan beheads former idol because of misfired joke?

[Ganz Allein]

I'm missing something, whether meant literally or jokingly....how does Pluto factor in, specifically?

Oh, I found your 'astrological' statement beautiful, mesmerizing, all right. I wanted to make a tiny joke, because Bri was heavily into astrology, I seem to remembet ('What Do The Planets Mean?'). That's all, please don't make too much of it...

But then again, Pluto is a Disney character.  Brian might just include a song that Pluto "sang" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nlleFrhsgc) on his upcoming Disney album.