The Smiley Smile Message Board

Some of the most beautiful humming and whistling ever put on tape

There was a guy named "Bellagio Insider" on the old Smile Shop board who claimed that the original "Air" segment was a piano variation on a section or two of "Country Air," and that he was there when Brian was conceiving the Elements. Of course, he was later revealed as a fraud, but that idea always sounded plausible to me.

Love this song. Love the live version from the early 70s.

Like everything else on Wild Honey, it's bitchin'. I love the buzzing bee organ, bleeding through tracks and Brian's high "sleeeeep" vocals over the crowing rooster. Groovy.

One of the songs that really brought the group's music home to me, in the summer of 1989.

Didn't AGD have a similar theory? Or is I misremembering? Andrew?

Beautiful song that achieves total sublimity when it underscores the visual image of Mike Love urinating on the streets of Paris.

In the complete guide he mentions that the theory exists but doesn't say whether he believes it or whether there is evidence for it.  However, since 'Cool, Cool Water' was considered for inclusion in Wild Honey, it seems possible that Brian was considering doing something with the elements for this album, even if 'Country Air' had nothing to do with Smile.  But if he was, he didn't get very far since 'Cool, Cool Water' wasn't included and as far as I know there wasn't either an earth or fire track considered for inclusion for his album.

But 'Country Air' is a fantastic song.  As with most of Wild Honey, I think the more minimalistic production style emphasizes the soulful vocal performances.

Uhhhhhhhh-huh, be-doo-be-dum....

The only song on Wild Honey that I don't care for. Not bad or without merit, but I usually forget it exists.

I'd love to know the technical information of how/why the organ or electronic blips are in the mix. Friends has a lot of similar *blips* in the mix too, like someone pushed a button on a muted track real quick and then pressed it back.

Fuzzy organ speaker?

lol fuzzy organ

It sounds like the Chamberlain making those clicky/warbly sounds, especially on the lower held notes.

Maybe my favorite song off my favorite album, though that changes of course!  Anyway, this like many other Beach Boys' songs, is unique and brilliant.  And so evocative - -I remember having WH on 8 Track and hearing this song in the countryside or woods and just being carried away.  And the tune still does that for me.

Come on!

Once again a case of Beach Boys being ahead of their times. A pretty pastoral ballad during the height of the psychedelic era. We'd hear quite a few of these (not as great, though) in the following year from many big names.

This song succeeds in what Mother Nature's Son tries so hard to do. It takes the listener out to the woods. I can actually feel the cool morning breeze on the mountain every time this plays.

One of my favorites on the WH album.  I put it right up there with Let the Wind Blow.  There's a similar vibe, real airy with lots of depth, but with a positive vibe.  I've heard the stereo fanmix circulating on the 'net, but it sounds very hissy and a bit warbley.  Obviously not from the greatest source.  I can't wait to hear a clean first generation stereo mix from the multis when it gets released. 

Has anyone else noticed that the "buzzy organ" sound is also present in the second section of "Can't Wait Too Long"?  You have to listen a little closer on that one.

A song that just puts one at ease.
I have this on a BB compilation (placed near Let The Wind Blow) and a few years back when a group of us were winter camping it came on at about 2 -3 am. when we were sitting by the campfire in the otherwise quiet woods with a brilliant clear and starlite night. A perfect setting for the song!

People link this tune with Let The Wind Blow… in my mind it also fits well with Wake the World. I guess it's the 'rise and shine' theme, which also occurs in Barnyard. They're all good fresh air songs.

For me it feels Similar to Love to Say Dada and Little Pad. I can't put my finger on it but I wouldn't  be surprised if it was originally composed alongside dada i.e. during the latter stages of smile/as it transitioned into smiley.

AGD does favour the Air element theory from
 what I can  remember  of his posts on the subject.

Country Air is one of my favourite bb songs. So effortlessly breezy and beautiful. Impossible to grow tired of.

I think you are on to something there!!

Gosh, how could I forget Carl's "come on!" The best ever use of that particular pairing of words. I mean, the way he shouts it, it's just so "come on"! He makes the listener believe every word, all two of them.

Right up there in my Beach Boys top 3 moments, along with "good" and "deep and wide".

that must be Brian's Baldwin organ, it's very prominent in the end of The Letter as well. It fits beautifuly on Can't Wait Too Long and Country Air. same sound that they used on Gettin' Hungry!

I thought it sounded like Brian.

First time I played the album it was the only song other than Darlin' that grabbed me right away, everything else took some getting used to. It's gentle beauty, in my mind, cannot be disliked. It's just so uplifting!

Agree with the comment that Wake The World is in the same vein.

Yes, the "Come on" is right up there with "deep and wide".

Good observations!!

Have any Country Air sessions ever been released or found?

Wasn't Surf's Up 1967 found at the end of the Country Air reels?

That's right. Still, I don't think anything's been booted.

Well there is that slightly sped-up stereo version out there with the opening organ and chatter. That's the one I go to.

'Country Air' is almost a joyful American gospel hymn, it would make lovely church music.

Elvis should've done a 'Negro Spiritual' version with choir on the '68 Comeback Special.

I always thought Elvis could've done a great cover of Heroes and Villains, too.

I love how emotionally detached the backing track feels.  It always felt to me like the vocals reflected humans praising nature and the backing track reflecting nature reacting in an unperturbed manner to the praise
One of my favourite songs.

He almost did with 'Moody Blue'  >:D

I can just imagine the other-worldly JD Sumner bass notes...

The first time I heard "Time To Get Alone", I thought they were singing "EATIN', WOW!!!!" I was absolutely sure that wasn't the actual line, but that was the closest thing to English words that I could come up with. I was basically without internet access for a couple months, thus I couldn't look it up at the time.

Thanks, now I'll never be able to hear it the same way again. Actually, I kind of wish those were the real lyrics, then everyone here would be praising Brian for his quirkiness.

Any suggestions for Track Talk #3 ?

'Little Pad' anyone?

Either that or She's Going Bald.

Yeah, that Good Time "hey" is magnificent! And Carl's gruff opening "yeah" on Let Us Go On This Way is also worth mentioning.

Pff. "Even 'The Night Was So Young' and 'Ding Dang'"! YOU CRAZYH, WOMAN fjsiafnhsaufbui9i99

I was basically going to say the same thing, haha. I got your back, runners!

not near perfect but nonetheless i love Country air. i wonder who does rooster. Brian?

To my ears, the rooster sounds like it's from a sound effects record...you can kinda hear the crackling of the vinyl, even on CD.

yeah, I do hear that crackling on CD format, but.. i kinda sense the man's voice during that rooster cry, reaaaallly do. Tho what do i know? Thanx for reply, C-man.