The Smiley Smile Message Board

So yeah, for some reason I decided to listen to Stars and Stripes recently. Its definitely not good, and not a fitting end to their recording career, but I think some of the recordings are decent. "The Warmth of the Sun", "Little Deuce Coupe", "I Get Around", and "Caroline, No" were all decent. The rest is from bad to very average.

Anyways, I was wondering, I know Brian produced the album with Joe Thomas and also contributed background vocals along with the rest of the guys, but anyways, are there any parts where his voice is actually noticeable on the album. The only one I can make out, I think, is at the end of "Caroline, No". I hear a lot of Carl on the album, and I hear some Mike here and there, but I'm not sure otherwise. Who is singing the high parts on songs like "I Get Around" and "Fun, Fun, Fun"? It sounds like either Matt Jardine or possibly Brian on "I Get Around" and most likely Bruce on "Fun, Fun, Fun". I honestly don't see why Brian couldn't  have done either part, if they took the time in the studio. I know his voice wasn't what it was, but he could've done it decently. And they were his parts originally.

Who specifically sang what parts, I can't tell you.  But I can say that this was the period when Matt was singing a lot of the parts that had been Brian's previously.

You really should buy the "The Beach Boys - Nashville Sounds: The Making of Stars and Stripes"  DVD. Personally I always preferred  to watch this DVD instead of listen to the CD. You won't regret it, please believe me.

You don't have to convince me on the "Nashville Sounds" DVD. It's pretty good (and I'm not a big country fan). I'm not sure why Jim feels that he hasta be sorry for starting the thread.

My favorite Stars & Stripes cuts:

Don't Worry Baby
409
Warmth Of The Sun
I Can Hear Music (went to #16)
Caroline No
Sail On Sailor
In My Room (w and w/o Tammy)

I AM and that's why I'm very frustrated with most of the album.

I always thought I'd hear Brian on the falsetto-part of IGA, even if with someone else together

Pretty sure Brian sings with Matt on the "Warmth of the Sun" falsetto vox. That was reported at the time, I think, although you can't really hear him.

I've always thought you could hear Brian on the "caught my eye" and "look so fine" answer lines in Help Me Rhonda on the album, too.

In my opinion, the best thing done for this album was In My Room, it's a shame that wasn't put on the album. My thoughts on the record is that it's highly underwhelming, could have been better, should have been better, would have been better if they had asked Johnny Cash - Him, the instrumentation he was using at the time, the Beach Boys and Wonderful... just saying.. would have been rad IMHO

I've often said it but I'll repeat: "Let the wind blow" = PERFECT song for Johnny Cash

I think Brian is very noticeable on The Warmth of the Sun, particulary on the intro.  Matt is on the very high falsetto, though

It took me a while to hear that, but after a while, yeah, I can see what you mean.

The Warmth of the Sun is absolutely beautiful, maybe even better than the original. I also like Don't Worry Baby and Caroline No. The rest of the album should cease to excist.

Whatever you think of this album as a whole, the harmonies are exquisite. Alas, a great album in the 90s did not happen. But just imagine the cool leads of the SIP era plus these gorgeous S&S harmonies and we could have had a killer album vocally.

I heard a piece of isolated backup vocal from this album at one time, that I had to arrange some vocal thing or other, and what struck me about it was the vocals were so processed they could have been anybody.  And yeah, the only voice I could identify was Carl's.  And this on isolated tracksmfrom a guy who's obsessively dissected BBs vocals on quite a few occasions.  I found myself seriously questioning whether the guys were on the track, or whether it was in fact all Carl.  Weird.

I know what you mean, Adam.  I often thought that Joe Thomas may have brought in some others to do some vocal work on some of the tracks.  It's really hard to tell who's singing what sometimes.  You can't really go by the DVD.