The Smiley Smile Message Board

Apropos of nothing in particular, I was just listening to this track in my playlist and was reminded what a little hidden gem it is - but I actually know very little about it's history and sessions. I've never heard any booted versions like the Denny Remembered one that lists it, with possible alternative versions or tracking sessions that I can recall. I first heard it in 1969 as the oddball flipside of the Breakaway stereo 45 (this their first stereo single, I believe, and the expanded sound and fidelity made a big difference to me) that I sold in 1969 while working in a department store record department (this single, to answer another thread inquiry, was my big Beach Boy moment of (re) discovery). An interesting two part structure, with a Pied Pipery "hello" from Brian (?) in the intro (a distant cousin of Trader's "Hi") - beautiful acoustic guitars/with a fat bass opening, and layer upon layer of build up on each repeated line,  the deep bass vox on "Bad luck" answered by Brian using his "don't think you're God" falsetto voice on "no more", a classic Dennis It's About Timey gospel tinged rave up in the middle, and then a spectacular wall of sound/drum fueled finish with amazing Sunflowery background vox, with Brian everywhere (in fact, this track really seems to point the way toward next year's Sunflower, especially Dennis' songs). The background vocals and harmonies on this track cut through the mix like a knife, and the track just has a great all around energy - slightly eccentric, sung with great group gusto - and it ROCKS...

thoughts or fun facts?

I would say it's probably Dennis doing that opening "Hello".

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I totally agree, PS. This is one of my favorite Beach Boys tracks EVER. At least as good as the A-side. Interesting historical note: according to AGD's book, some believe it announces Dennis' relief that he had distanced himself from Manson and his Family. 

Imagine if these were included on Sunflower, along with Soulful Old Man Sunshine

1. Soulful Old Man Sunshine
2. Celebrate the News
3. Add Some Music
4. This Whole World
5. Dierdre
6. Forever
7. Breakaway

8. Its About Time
9. All I Wanna Do
10. Slip On Through
11. Our Sweet Love
12. At My Window
13. Cool, Cool Water

I first heard Celebrate The News when I picked up the Breakaway single in 1974 (10 bucks - I thought it was ridiculous at the time but it was hard to get!). Celebrate The News got equal airplay to Breakaway in my house. The droning bass. Brian's all over it. "Oom pah, Oom pah". I loved it. Still do.

Check this out. Maybe the only time I've ever seen Carl on drums! Bruce answers MD to the affirmative, saying the song is going to be on the "new album" which didn't come out until the following year anyway. Unfortunately, it never came out on a regular issued Beach Boys album until the "Beach Boys Rarities" album in 1983, then again as a bonus track on the 20/20 Capitol 2-fer in 1990.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwE9aY5F4Jw

Spirit Of America.  ;D

Not on my copy that was Break Away.

I think Mikie was talking about "Celebrate the news". That one wasn't on Spirit Of America

Time for another mug of tea. No, make that two.