The Smiley Smile Message Board

Do you have a favorite MIC track, if so what is it?

For me, at least for now, it's gotta be California Feelin'

I like this song better every time I hear it - such a soulful lead by Brian w/ a touch of his falsetto plus those amazing, lush & soaring bkgd vocals that just scream... BEACH BOYS.

Its a true classic.  :)

I'm not sure, as of this moment it may be Meant For You. This will probably change 25 more times as I listen to the whole thing more.

WIBNTLA

WIBNTLA with Meant For You a close second.

Well nothing still beats The Trader but if you are talking exclusively about the new stuff then I'd say the live version of Wild Honey.

I was just going to say "The Trader" myself...how weird...

Of the new stuff, I keep playing the stereo mix of "Country Air" over and over. And the extended "Meant For You".

Meant For You (Alternate Mix)

So far the live version of Little Bird. Very groovy. And Mike's introduction is actually really funny.

You're Still a Mystery

At the moment it's "You've Lost That Loving Feeling"!

Where Is She?

WIBNTLA
My Love Lives On
Amusement Parks U.S.A. (Alternate mix)

I'll add the new stereo mix of The Warmth Of The Sun to this thread. This classic gem has been repolished for this release!

Also really dig Barnyard Blue, WIBNTLA, My Love Lives On and several of the live tracks. The unreleased inclusion were good choices imo. Hopefully we will see more!

Runaway. All I wanna do. Soul Serchin'

Oh yeah! So good. I love the BG vocals and how they say the days of the week. I would love to hear that entire New Jersey show it sounds like a gem.

The live version of "Wild Honey".  I've been waiting for a high quality version of it for a VERY long time and I'm very happy with the one they've given us!

Right now it's probably a tie with You're Still a Mystery and the new mix of Sail Plane Song.

Of the newly released material, My Love Lives On.

Tough one. But probably "California Feelin'". The official Beach Boys, L.A. (Light Album) version. Even though I heard it before the set came out, and the fact that I was probably more excited to hear the 1974 demo version, I keep going back to this finished 1978 version. I love having Brian open the song with his nice little part, and then Carl and Bruce sounding amazing as well. And the group harmonies? Wow. This song shoulda been on L.A. as it totally fits that album's vibe.

"Where Is She?" is also such a nice treat. Sunflower era Brian doin' another mellow little waltz? Yes please. Just as good as I had hoped it would be.

Honorable mentions also go to "(Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again" because it truly is a very special tune by Dennis, and then also the demo for "California Feelin'", just because it's just so interesting to hear any 1974 Brian Wilson vocal.

Summer in Paradise live :)   Actually, give me Meant for You, Sail Plane, California Feelin and Mana Kona (I dont have the spelling in front of me. The live Wild Honey vocals sound amazing as well!

A lot of good stuff. I like getting anything new, Where Is She, WIBNTLA, Barnyard Blues, almost all the live cuts. Just goodness all around!

Wild Honey live probably.

 At the moment  WIBNTLA and Barnyard Blues

Absolutely "Where Is She?" with the alternate version of "Meant For You" a very close second.  Those harmonies the group breaks into after Brian has finished singing "Have you ever seen a puppy dog laying his head on his brother?" are exquisite.  But "Where Is She?" is a gem. 

I'm assuming this question refers to the new tracks only?

If that's the case then:

1. Wild honey (live) - by a mile!
2. Wibntla
3. It's about time (live)
4. Do it again - love the intro, reminds me of the c50 shows

My Love Lives On, the Sail Plane Song, then You're Still a Mystery

Of the new tracks - WIBNTLA, Where Is She and My Love Lives On - and the California Feelin' demo.

by a million miles its My Love Lives On.

then Meant For You, Do It Again, WIBNTLA, Rhonda 72

I love WIBNTLA, Where Is She? and Only With You (live). These three alone worth the price of admission!

Really diggin the new mix of Fun, Fun, Fun.

Now it's "My Love Lives On".

What I wouldn't give for some nice, understated BB backing vocals on this track. :'(

My top 5

You're Still A Mystery (by a wide margin)
Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again
Soul Searchin'
It's About Time (Live)
California Girls (Live in Hawaii)

Given the absence of the recently-ish auctioned Durrie Parks acetates...

It's About Time (live)
All I Want To Do (live)

seriously rocking and no Brian....there are a lot of great tracks on this set though...thanks to Alan,Mark and the team.

The last couple of days: Guess I'm Dumb track w/ backing vocals. Wow. This song doesn't even need a BB lead vocal. Just the music and those incredible backing vocals are enough for me.

It never fails that people have to pick multiple songs.

(Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again seems to be the one I'm playing the most which is nice because I was looking forward to it and hoping I'd like it.

Because I like multiple songs and I find it tough to choose.

Right now?

'Be With Me' demo - haunting stuff

What Mr H said. It's like when people ask me my favorite Beach Boys song, I can't choose because there's so many great song to choose from.

I really dig Mona Kani right now

Great track, anyone else hear similarities between Mona Kani and Three Blind Mice?

Not until you pointed it out just now. It's as if Dennis took Brian's rather one-note demo and turned it into a grand full-blown production!

Wasn't Mona Kani supposed to have originally had lyrics??

I'm guessing it had lyrics as Kalinich is credited as co-writer. Given Kalinich's spotty record with lyrics it's probably for the best that Mona Kana is only an instrumental.

I am very glad that Mona Kana is instrumental. I don't think it needs a lead vocal. It's amazing.


You're gettin' soft, Stephen. There aren't even any countermelodies!

You're Still A Mystery - hands down.

WIBNTLA, My Love Lives On  :o, pretty much all the Dennis inclusions. Cal feeling; blown away by the live selections  and backing tracks

Sail Plane Song is growing on me.

Its definitely my favorite ECCCOOOOHy song on  MIC  ;)

This has been one of the real surprises for me! I don't particularly like Soul Searchin' so my expectations weren't high, but You're Still A Mystery is a bloody great song! What a chorus!

This is my favorite by far! New mix makes it absolutely transcendent!!!

Love the song, but the one thing that's always thrown me off about it was the backing vocal in the chorus. "GOTTA FIND THE KEY NOW!!!!" and later Mike lamenting "Wish you'd help me find the key." So much emphasis on the key (now). Still makes me giggle.

Good Vibrations (mono)

Wasn't aware there was a stereo mix of the final version on Made In California (mono) ;( ;( ;(

"All I Want To Do" live... If this had been ready one year earlier, it would have been perfect to open the Monterey festival gig with - but of course the group dynamics at the time wouldn't have made it possible anyway.

I know, I know. Also I liked Goin To The Beach. It's all downhill from here.

I like going to the Beach as well and also Be With Me, demo, but since I am not a real professor (gee, fellas, don't tell), the weight of my scholarly authority may bring no actual support to Stephen's position!

The thing is that each new pass through the 6 albums brings a new shock of joy and of engagement with new melodies, arrangements, a new awareness of the soul of the song and singers, an instrumental part, etc. It's like exploring a whole brave new world.

I have to say that while it's not my favorite track on MIC, the new mix of Rock And Roll Music is brilliant. It's far, far superior to the hideous 15BO version.

WIBNTLA hands down. I've listened to it a dozen times now (got the set last night) and it lives up to the hype.

(Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again

I have several favorites, but 1 song I enjoyed plenty is Runaway (live In Chicago). The BBs did really great job on covering this tune, from start to finish! I never liked the whiney organ in the original, so I'm glad that it was replaced by the boss guitar solo. As for lead vocal, it's fantastic! Al outclassed Del by a country mile, only falsetto alone sounds more convincing & stronger. And that saying sth. because I'm a big fan of Del Shannon, reckon he's one of the most underrated rock & roll vocalists. In short, The BBs, as usual, made another's song their own.

In terms of new mixes of familiar material, Rock & Roll Music was given the best treatment of all imo. Sheer coolness & groove! Accentuating of the word "piano" in the last verse is grating, though - too forced & nasal. But it's a tiny complaint. In addition to R&R M, I rather constantly played There's No Other. Dig the session intro a lot, despite my almost total lack of understanding of what's going on in the studio. Carl's pseudo-Jardine speech was entertaining, as were gangsterish call-and-responses (e.g. Mike's "Can I come ON?"), insane laughters & chipmunk-y joyful shout. Also take into account Mike's rare falsettoing during "Tickets to Ride", the Sloop John B guitar motif & amazing singing/harmonizing by all & you've got a little unique gem right here. Easily beats the original.
3rd thing on my ranking is Meant for You. It's definitely the definitive version of song. Brian's sweet & slightly childlike performance made it out to be more lightweight & optimistic, yet without it going onto corny teritory & still sounding tasteful. Don't mind the silly lyrics at all as well.

Now, there's You're Still A Mystery, which I - believe it or not - never heard till this late summer. Unlike some of you, I wasn't won over by it, specifically the chorus. Of course, magnificent melody, harmonies, arrangement etc. etc., yet every time I listen to it, I have strange inexplicable feeling that it's not finished, sth. should be changed or added here & there. Won't be able to explain myself, let alone decide whether I like or dislike this "legendary" song. Kind of a mixed bag. Maybe I'll like it eventually? Idk.

 At the moment Barnyard Blues

Where Is She is my favorite new track.

Help Me Ronda's the live track I enjoy most.  I was underwhelmed by Blondie's wild honey.

Do it Again's the best remix.

Quite a few super nice things. I seriously don't think I could pick one, or even two, so....

"(Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again"
"California Feelin'"
"Soul Searchin'"
"Where is She?"
"California Feelin'" (Original Demo)

There are quite a few favorites, but since the question referred to 'track' (i.e. singular, duh) I'll go with the stereo Do It Again.  It's perfect!

WIBNTLA is a given, so I won't count it. I'd say probably My Love Lives On. It's like another important piece of a musical puzzle started with the POB/Bambu reissue.

Guess I'm Dumb & Little Bird live.  And, contrary to pop opinion, I don't think the live version if SIP is bad at all.

Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again

I didn't think I'd be saying this, because when I first heard it I wasn't initially blown-away, but "Wouldn't It Be Nice (To Live Again)" is possibly one of my favourite Songs ever now, and definitely the boxes high-light for me.

:) Mark

I just LOVE Sherry, She Needs Me. I can wonder like us all what it would have sounded like with a 1965 Brian lead, but the 1976 Brian does things with it the 1965 Brian would never have even considered, and I just LOVE that part where it soars to a Sheeerrrry, Baby!

I love it too, infact it's been bashing in my head all day, but it's a shame it has the processing overlayed on it. I still love it either way :D

I have to say, I wasn't too impressed with "Where Is She?" when I first heard it, but now I listen to it constantly.

Also, I could listen to "I Believe in Miracles" over and over and over again.

I was very pleased with this box set. At least 4 or 5 songs on here that I am addicted to lately:

Where Is She - As a big BB fan for a long time, this was a revelatory inclusion on here. I had no idea this existed, although I did read about a song of this title being recorded. The harmony vocal Brian sings with himself alone really struck me as something unique and sounded weird at first, like he messed up the vocal part. After subsequent listens it fits like a glove and all makes sense. Just a great example of Brian's unique songwriting, and this song is beautiful. Love the mellow Friends-like production on here (and the Baldwin organ making an appearance)

California Feelin' (Demo) - The full band recording is obviously better, but it's so weird to hear Brian sing from this period! It sounds so strange, a weird mixture of his early 70s voice and 15 Big Ones era voice. It has a nice level of melancholy to the vocals even though at first listens I thought it sounded like he was merely messing around. It keeps getting in my head though, esp the way he sings it here.

WIBNTLA - Excellently produced song with soaring Dennis vocals. I tried hard to keep my expectations low. I love Dennis's early 70s period for songwriting and there's been a lot of hype as being a sort of "holy grail" for most BB fanatics. Well I wasn't disappointed and it only grows over time. I wish it was on Surfs Up.

Mona Kani - Nice to have this in excellent quality. This song is amazingly done. I'm shocked Dennis could do something like this (so Brian Wilson-esque)

Meant For You Extended - Never knew this existed either. Was surreal hearing this song go on longer with Brian singing out of nowhere.

Has to be WIBNTLA for me.
Though I really like Wild Honey live and Help Me Rhonda live with Dennis on Lead Vocals!

Is it just me (it's not because my friend had the same thought ) that Mike's vocal on DIA sounds kinda muddy and too isolated in the stereo mix?Disc 3 has so many great songs. Brian certainly hadn't lost it after Smile.   

Rather than start a new thread, I thought to bring this back to the forefront for a minute.  Months between listening a but I keep coming back to the well of this release.    Recently reappreciated Mystery and the disc 6 piece titled WHY.  there is more material on this box that I have listened to fewer times than anything in the catalogue.   And I have heard a lot of unreleased material.   but some of this stuff is not only new to these ears, but nicely rerecord end and remixed.  I'm sure this has been discussed but please indulge me.  Was this WHY piece the foundation for some more recently fully realized pieces?   and about when was Mystery recorded, how old was Brian?  sounds like BW 88 but only better.  any other outstanding pieces you all could recommend and discuss a bit re this box?  Given the wait time for the new BW's lp and the lllllong wait for Love and Mercy,  this would seem a good focus for a minute rather than some of the silly threads we are entertaining of late...........

Lately I have been listening mostly to the backing tracks, especially Guess I'm Dumb, Had To Phone Ya, Transcendental Meditation. All three are bad-ass. As for the lead vocal on She's Still A Mystery, it sure sounds like Imagination-era Brian or a little later. I am so used to hearing the original vocal that I can't get used to hearing this newer one. Also, I love those processed backing vocals on Slip On Through. Very cool and very spacey. :)

I think the re-mixed Sail Plane Song is currently my favored track on MIC, although I still play the heck out of WIBNTLA and Sherry. Also the instrumental Guess I'm Dumb. Those would be my top four from MIC. Subject to change. And probably sooner than later.

WIBNTLA is still my favorite track from this set. Every time I listen to it I wonder "Why did this take so long to get released?" then I remember it's the Beach Boys....snafu.

'Where Is She?' comes in a close second, 'Be With Me' demo in third. Really is a fantastic set.

Golden 3 for long time have been:

1. Runaway live (cool switch of organ to guitar solo. Al rocks, the whole band rocks)
2. Rock & Roll Music (I already liked it on 15 BO, now I love it! Excellent mix)
3. Don't Worry Baby (sometimes this is my favorite version of the song)

Could've included "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling", only that wall of Brians is short of 1 or 2 Brians. It's too distinct, not muddy, distant, church-like togetherness.

Possibly just because it is still relatively new to me, I will second whoever said "Meant For You". It is a little magical to hear the song keep going.

There really is a lot of new in this box that I'm still catching up to.    This came as I was still wrapping my head around the reunion tour extravaganza.  Just now really digging into it with second and third listens.     

My Beach Boys fandom is still in its infancy compared to most of you guys.  When I listed to the whole thing a couple weeks I was just blown away by how many great songs I had no idea existed.  It's put them on a whole other level for me, just when I thought I couldn't hold them in any higher esteem.  It's also helped understand why so many of you love the 70s period.  I'm don't think I can pick a favorite at this point.  Need to listen to it a LOT more.  And just think there's still more great songs that I haven't discovered yet.  As I buy a new album each month (in chronological order) I'll discover those as well.

Another great thing about Beach Boys fandom: even after you've heard nearly every song, you'll continue to find brilliant moments (harmonies, instrumentals, etc) deep within all the songs you've heard before. I was listening to Ballad of Ol Betsy the other day, a song I've heard numerous times before, but I found some harmonies deep within the song that I'd never really heard...moments like this happen a lot with The Beach Boys, because there is so much depth in their music.

Does any one have a link to Guess I'm Dumb Live?

Well written. When I heard "Love You" initially, I found it bizarre, in a good way. Unlike some others, it didn't take even a couple of listens to get fond of it, only 1 listen & I'm a fan of this quaint music. With that said, I equally love an early career of the Boys.

That Help Me, Rhonda with the Dennis lead is fuckin' killer. Like, goshdarn. The Brian-led studio stuff is hard to top, but the live stuff definitely had its moments.

Exactement! Here's to you!  :beer

Have MIC loaded on an ancient original iPhone in the car.  I scroll down to #135 which is Dennis' Killer Rhonda! (Disc 5) and have about eight in a row of sheer magnificence...Vegetables live! And rare! Must have been a pretty short window lived with those short late 60's setlists.  Summer in Paradise ~ excellent...

And, do love Our Car Club as well!  Amazing vocal range from baritone to falsetto!

Choosing one is impossible.  MIC is their career masterpiece.  And, without scrolling around, it can be left on to just run through everything.  Track order is perfect, as well.  

All joking aside, that SIP live track is pretty damn good.  I like it a lot.

Probably "Sherry She Needs Me", though the instrumental version of "Guess I'm Dumb" turned me on to the Glen Campbell version--such a remarkable song; what I wouldn't do to have a version with Brian singing the lead vocal!

Where Is She... it grew on me in a big way. Close second for "can't get it out of my head" quality is You're Still A Mystery. I also love the Don't Go Near the Water backing track.

Made In California got a HUGELY unfair trashing on this board when it came out. it's an excellent box set, and better than Good Vibrations in many ways. Lots more material, for one thing. Also, the material actually covers pretty much right up to, pretty much, current-day Beach Boys, while the 1993 box set only goes up to "Kokomo." And there's a much better variety of material overall. Perhaps most importantly: let's say someone hears Made In California and is exposed to, say, Sunflower material for the first time through it. Well, just about every album the Beach Boys ever did, save Still Cruisin' and Bummer in Paradise, is in print or available for (legal!) download, and even the latter two are still pretty easy to find. In 1993, I had my first exposure to post-1969 Beach Boys (except 15 Big Ones) from the Good Vibrations set, but I couldn't get any of the 1970-and-later albums because they were out of print!

But having said that, my favorites:
- "It's About Time" and "Wild Honey", both live...wow! Next time someone tries to tell you that the Beach Boys just weren't a rockin' concert band, well...use these tunes to prove that there were times when they absolutely were!
- "Our Sweet Love" vocals and strings...I was never a fan of the song as it appeared on Sunflower, but man, this track is nothing but divinity. Never realized before that Carl harmonizes with himself on this song, too.
- "You're Still A Mystery" -- I much prefer Brian's mellower voice over his very harsh mid-'90s voice, and it's nice to finally have this song in studio quality!
- "Don't Worry, Baby" with Brian's single-tracked vocal...holy cow, he sang the living crap out of that!!

Believe it or not, WIBNTLA was never one of my favorites from this set. I just don't find it to be the end-all, be-all it's been hyped up to be all these years. Is it a great Dennis track? Absolutely. Is it a tragedy that he pulled it off Surf's Up and that it never surfaced again until 2013? Hell, yes. But just not the absolute best Dennis song. To me, it's not really up there with, say, "Forever" and "River Song."

All good points. Re "Wild Honey:"  A lot of folks on this board weren't happy with the mix.  The 2 sticking points were the "theremin" too low in the mix & the excess of reverb on Blondie's lead vocal. While I personally would like to hear more woo woo machine, I absolutely love the MIC mix done by Mark.  Re "WIBNTLA:"  it remains my favorite track from MIC, but Dennis' body of work is so great, that it's certainly not his best.

My Love Lives On. What are the origins of that song? I guess it was recorded sometime after POB or in the same sessions?

Meant for You - just gorgeous...
Rock and Roll Music
Where Is She
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again
My Love Lives On

First, I think it is wiser to rely on your own responses to a work or collection.  Discs 5 and 6 made it all worth it.  Second, GV did offer some new Smile tracks, so it sort of gets a pass from me, as people were so hungry for anything to fill-in-the-blanks from the Smile era. 

The live stuff is just great:  I Can Hear Music, Sail on Sailor and SIP! Someone mentions Don't Go Near the Water, brilliant as well, and I'll often skip to that, if I'm stuck in traffic.  Instant chill. 

And I was eager to have WIBNTLA, as well as My Love Lives On, both more meaningful since Dennis' passing.  It is a great career collage.  Love the clips such as I Believe in Miracles, the radio spots, CG and the kind of goofy Help You, Rhonda (Lei'd in Hawaii) but I don't think MIC marks the end of the track-mining.

Cynics mentioned the subjectivity issue and I agree.  This MIC is like one of those "survey literature courses" in college.  You often get the cream of the crop, of each era, because it might be the only exposure to the work, or collection of eras.  MIC shows both clear demarcation among the stages of their career development, and work that was a foreshadowing of emerging greatness (The Today era) but oddly the "weave" (track order) of the compilation is masterful...

When we least expect it, along will come another sweet surprise... ;)

MiC is one of those sets I rarely come back to, but when I do I do enjoy it. The futzing on some tracks [YLTLF being disastrous, and the melodyne on Sherry being pure evil] is unforgivable, but it works perfectly on tracks like Where Is She? and California Feelin'. Wild Honey live is certainly good, but again, the futzing with the echo!.

My Love Lives On.