SMiLE Sessions box set!

[Andrew G. Doe]

If you go back far enough - Brian great-grandfather on Murry's side, Charles Sthole, was born in Smaland, Sweden, 10/10/1867.

For them as cares, Brian's other g-grandparents were born in Wisconsin (three), Illinois, (two), Ohio and Holland.

[GeorgeFellInHisHorn]

Another thing i'm hoping to get with the box (and quite possibly the proposed album) is Look - w/ the drums during the "verse" or whatever that part's considered...

what do you think are the chances of this?

[Bill Barnyard]

If you go back far enough - Brian great-grandfather on Murry's side, Charles Sthole, was born in Smaland, Sweden, 10/10/1867.

For them as cares, Brian's other g-grandparents were born in Wisconsin (three), Illinois, (two), Ohio and Holland.

And if you go way way back to the 18th century you'll find that Brian's ancestors are also Scottish - Wilson is a Scottish surname.

[guitarfool2002]

I've always wondered--is it ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that "swedish frog" is what's being said in that section? And if so, why swedish frog? What is the significance of that?

Swedish Frog is what I'm hearing there.

I think the reason is because it was Al who was doing the "Frog" sounds, and Al is blonde, so, he was a "Swedish Frog" to a stoned Brian.

I think one of the reasons Al didn't have the nicest things to say about this session is because he was laughed at when he already felt somewhat subconscious/humiliated for having to make said animal sounds to begin with.

All IMHO, of course  

I honestly never could understand Al's negative feelings on this issue. It's one thing to be asked to strip down to the waist and run down the street yelling obscenities, but in this case they could have placed a bit of trust in Brian and went along with what he wanted to try and not complain. Even his more hip friends...they balked in some ways but they delivered something Brian liked enough to bring to "The Boys" when they got back from Europe. It's all about letting go and trying it - I don't know what he was expecting, but why is this one specific incident so vividly wrong for Al even decades later?

Brian and his "wild ideas" and weird sounds earned them a number one record and a few new cars, toys, house payments, etc. If he asked for barnyard sounds, I'd do it with a smile. My gratitude for my nice house, hip clothes, and not having to work a real job.

[Les P]

I've always wondered--is it ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that "swedish frog" is what's being said in that section? And if so, why swedish frog? What is the significance of that?

Swedish Frog is what I'm hearing there.

I think the reason is because it was Al who was doing the "Frog" sounds, and Al is blonde, so, he was a "Swedish Frog" to a stoned Brian.

I think one of the reasons Al didn't have the nicest things to say about this session is because he was laughed at when he already felt somewhat subconscious/humiliated for having to make said animal sounds to begin with.

All IMHO, of course  

I honestly never could understand Al's negative feelings on this issue. It's one thing to be asked to strip down to the waist and run down the street yelling obscenities, but in this case they could have placed a bit of trust in Brian and went along with what he wanted to try and not complain. Even his more hip friends...they balked in some ways but they delivered something Brian liked enough to bring to "The Boys" when they got back from Europe. It's all about letting go and trying it - I don't know what he was expecting, but why is this one specific incident so vividly wrong for Al even decades later?

Brian and his "wild ideas" and weird sounds earned them a number one record and a few new cars, toys, house payments, etc. If he asked for barnyard sounds, I'd do it with a smile. My gratitude for my nice house, hip clothes, and not having to work a real job.

Chances are, they were all stoned except for Al (and maybe Bruce).  And being sober around a bunch of stoned folks is really not much fun...  This is probably around the same time Brian was trying to talk Al into taking acid, and lose his ego, etc etc.  I can understand why he might go along with it like a good employee, but not like it much.

[Dunderhead]

Bruce stayed home from Hawaii because of drugs, but Al didn't. Maybe he got hip.

[Tricycle Rider]

Guitarfool, you can always be counted on for well thought out and intelligent posts. Thank you for that! 

[monicker]

This thread has been read close to 196,000 times.

[Bicyclerider]

Would it be possible to start a "Part 2" to this thread?  When the box is released this thread will reach 2,000 pages plus!

[Aegir]

I'm thinking that another thread called like "The Box Set is Out!" will be full of people talking about the box and this one will be forgotten. unless people hold onto this one for nostalgic purposes. this thread is already way too post-modern, too self-aware.

[punkinhead]

So what's this about a take of Surf's Up from Wild Honey era?

I haven't seen any tracks on the tracklisting that describes a recording from then.

[seanmurd]

So what's this about a take of Surf's Up from Wild Honey era?

I haven't seen any tracks on the tracklisting that describes a recording from then.

Disc One, track 26 -- Surf’s Up 1967 (Solo version) (4:09)

It's been confirmed as a Wild Honey-era recording.

[seanmurd]

I'm thinking that another thread called like "The Box Set is Out!" will be full of people talking about the box and this one will be forgotten. unless people hold onto this one for nostalgic purposes. this thread is already way too post-modern, too self-aware.

I would humbly suggest that as soon as the first real reviews by people who have actually HEARD the box emerge, a new thread called "SMiLE Sessions Reviews an Discussion" be started to separate the "waiting" phase from the "listening" phase.

[punkinhead]

So what's this about a take of Surf's Up from Wild Honey era?

I haven't seen any tracks on the tracklisting that describes a recording from then.

Disc One, track 26 -- Surf’s Up 1967 (Solo version) (4:09)

It's been confirmed as a Wild Honey-era recording.

any other info about it?
I know what you're thinking, scroll up on the thread, well, there's just a few pages to look over 

[The Demon]

I've always wondered--is it ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that "swedish frog" is what's being said in that section? And if so, why swedish frog? What is the significance of that?

Swedish Frog is what I'm hearing there.

I think the reason is because it was Al who was doing the "Frog" sounds, and Al is blonde, so, he was a "Swedish Frog" to a stoned Brian.

I think one of the reasons Al didn't have the nicest things to say about this session is because he was laughed at when he already felt somewhat subconscious/humiliated for having to make said animal sounds to begin with.

All IMHO, of course  

I honestly never could understand Al's negative feelings on this issue. It's one thing to be asked to strip down to the waist and run down the street yelling obscenities, but in this case they could have placed a bit of trust in Brian and went along with what he wanted to try and not complain. Even his more hip friends...they balked in some ways but they delivered something Brian liked enough to bring to "The Boys" when they got back from Europe. It's all about letting go and trying it - I don't know what he was expecting, but why is this one specific incident so vividly wrong for Al even decades later?

Brian and his "wild ideas" and weird sounds earned them a number one record and a few new cars, toys, house payments, etc. If he asked for barnyard sounds, I'd do it with a smile. My gratitude for my nice house, hip clothes, and not having to work a real job.

Chances are, they were all stoned except for Al (and maybe Bruce).  And being sober around a bunch of stoned folks is really not much fun...  This is probably around the same time Brian was trying to talk Al into taking acid, and lose his ego, etc etc.  I can understand why he might go along with it like a good employee, but not like it much.

Didn't Al say that was the case?  That they were all stoned except for him?  I thought that was in the interview where he says that "Do You Like Worms" isn't "Worms," from the GV box set.

[Jason]

So what's this about a take of Surf's Up from Wild Honey era?

I haven't seen any tracks on the tracklisting that describes a recording from then.

Disc One, track 26 -- Surf’s Up 1967 (Solo version) (4:09)

It's been confirmed as a Wild Honey-era recording.

any other info about it?
I know what you're thinking, scroll up on the thread, well, there's just a few pages to look over 

Get reading.

[Runaways]

i'm just sorta curious if it was just a private thing brian did alone.  or if someone was in the booth for him.  weird there's never been a mention of surf's up wild honey

[Andrew G. Doe]

i'm just sorta curious if it was just a private thing brian did alone.  or if someone was in the booth for him.  weird there's never been a mention of surf's up wild honey

Maybe it was unearthed during research for the box. 

[Runaways]

i'm just sorta curious if it was just a private thing brian did alone.  or if someone was in the booth for him.  weird there's never been a mention of surf's up wild honey

Maybe it was unearthed during research for the box. 

yah, i meant if there was anyone else around.  I guess if there was just someone in the booth, nobody would make light of it anyway.  It wasn't a "session" since it wasn't listed anywhere.  just really cool that it exists regardless.

[bossaroo]

apparently it was done on the uniquely-tuned piano featured on Wild Honey, and the arrangement and possibly the chord progression differs from the Surf's Up we all know and love.

might be the best thing on the whole box. 

[Les P]

Chances are, they were all stoned except for Al (and maybe Bruce).  And being sober around a bunch of stoned folks is really not much fun...  This is probably around the same time Brian was trying to talk Al into taking acid, and lose his ego, etc etc.  I can understand why he might go along with it like a good employee, but not like it much.

Didn't Al say that was the case?  That they were all stoned except for him?  I thought that was in the interview where he says that "Do You Like Worms" isn't "Worms," from the GV box set.

I thought so but only now dug out the Goldmine interview by Ken Sharp (July 28, 2000) to confirm:

"I liked everything except crawling around on the floors snorting like pigs.  The swine section.  I hated that.  Everyone was high but me.  I was the only one who didn't take drugs.  I was the square, so Brian made us crawl around on the floor and snort like a bunch of pigs on a section of "Heroes."  You hear a bunch of snorting and swining... It was like being trapped in an insane asylum.  I was emotionally depressed by a lot of that stuff because to watch people go through that and you have to kind of make like you're part of that but you're not, you're sober... But somehow we got through it.  Nobody overdosed and everybody made it through it."

I don't see the reference to DYLW in this particular interview, the same one in which he talks about his disappointment with the released H&V, which had "closure" but no "sonic energy."  A great, informative interview with a key player.

[guitarfool2002]

Chances are, they were all stoned except for Al (and maybe Bruce).  And being sober around a bunch of stoned folks is really not much fun...  This is probably around the same time Brian was trying to talk Al into taking acid, and lose his ego, etc etc.  I can understand why he might go along with it like a good employee, but not like it much.

Didn't Al say that was the case?  That they were all stoned except for him?  I thought that was in the interview where he says that "Do You Like Worms" isn't "Worms," from the GV box set.

I thought so but only now dug out the Goldmine interview by Ken Sharp (July 28, 2000) to confirm:

"I liked everything except crawling around on the floors snorting like pigs.  The swine section.  I hated that.  Everyone was high but me.  I was the only one who didn't take drugs.  I was the square, so Brian made us crawl around on the floor and snort like a bunch of pigs on a section of "Heroes."  You hear a bunch of snorting and swining... It was like being trapped in an insane asylum.  I was emotionally depressed by a lot of that stuff because to watch people go through that and you have to kind of make like you're part of that but you're not, you're sober... But somehow we got through it.  Nobody overdosed and everybody made it through it."

I don't see the reference to DYLW in this particular interview, the same one in which he talks about his disappointment with the released H&V, which had "closure" but no "sonic energy."  A great, informative interview with a key player.

Just to put into context with what I posted before, so there are no misunderstandings on what I'm saying:
"I honestly never could understand Al's negative feelings on this issue. It's one thing to be asked to strip down to the waist and run down the street yelling obscenities, but in this case they could have placed a bit of trust in Brian and went along with what he wanted to try and not complain. Even his more hip friends...they balked in some ways but they delivered something Brian liked enough to bring to "The Boys" when they got back from Europe. It's all about letting go and trying it - I don't know what he was expecting, but why is this one specific incident so vividly wrong for Al even decades later?

Brian and his "wild ideas" and weird sounds earned them a number one record and a few new cars, toys, house payments, etc. If he asked for barnyard sounds, I'd do it with a smile. My gratitude for my nice house, hip clothes, and not having to work a real job."

I've read that interview from Al before - overall it is a great interview, with a few historical inaccuracies but a fun interview nonetheless. I read his words and thoughts tonight as it was re-posted in a different light.

I've been in that situation that Al describes before, and yes it is uncomfortable and not very fun to be with a group of friends, some as close as brothers, and not be connecting with them on any level due to intoxication of whatever kind we cite as an example.

I can relate to what he says.

However, Al was along for the ride during Smiley Smile when they were *all* bombed on potent hash (according to legend, or is that a myth to bust as well perhaps?), and would record at various times inside a running shower, an empty pool staring up at the sky, or laying on the floor of Brian's living room, again according to legend. And they released an album that is about as unorthodox and as bizarre as any disc cut in 1967. So several months earlier, Al was repulsed by the scene but in June and July 1967 he had a change of heart and went along with it? Maybe I'm understanding it differently, but if it bothered him in January '67 what made him change his mind 5 months later?

[Chris Brown]

However, Al was along for the ride during Smiley Smile when they were *all* bombed on potent hash (according to legend, or is that a myth to bust as well perhaps?), and would record at various times inside a running shower, an empty pool staring up at the sky, or laying on the floor of Brian's living room, again according to legend. And they released an album that is about as unorthodox and as bizarre as any disc cut in 1967. So several months earlier, Al was repulsed by the scene but in June and July 1967 he had a change of heart and went along with it? Maybe I'm understanding it differently, but if it bothered him in January '67 what made him change his mind 5 months later?

Excellent point, you read my mind.  It does seem a bit strange to go from feeling that uncomfortable in a weird recording session with your druggie bandmates to joining them within months and being a part of equally strange sessions for such a bizarre album.  Perhaps the peer pressure finally got to him and he figured if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. 

[Dunderhead]

I would read a book on the recording of Smiley Smile

[onkster]

I recall reading somewhere that Brian never liked his vocal on the Surf's Up demo. Maybe the 1967 version was just to have something down with a vocal he liked better.

I do shudder to think that it was done on the Smiley/Wild Honey piano. Isn't that thing detuned to a certain degree? I don't think that would sound right for that tune, personally.

Or: the version that's on the Oppenheimer film--when is that from? What are all the solo Surf's Up dates anyway?