The Smiley Smile Message Board

Maybe a dumb question but how much has been re-recorded for the single version? Is the basic backing track the same or did they totally start from scratch?

Personally I find Al's revision a huge improvement over Brian's 20/20 version. That feels woefully under-produced in comparison. The backing vocals are outstanding on the single. Did brian arrange those or have any involvement with the latter production?

I'm interested in the genesis of this song. I have to admit I had never heard any versions other than the Beach Boys and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Maybe I'm alone, but if there's anybody here that hasn't heard Leadbelly's original then here it is:

http://youtu.be/46h56pidCiE (http://youtu.be/46h56pidCiE)

I see on wikipedia that it was covered multiple times after that, famously by Odetta, Harry Bellafonte and The Highwaymen. I wonder if it was The Highwaymen's version, with its group harmonies, that inspired Al to bring it to the band?

http://youtu.be/OF_0zun96GE (http://youtu.be/OF_0zun96GE)

Or perhaps The Seekers' banjo heavy version from 1964:

http://youtu.be/LTkK3ifax_8 (http://youtu.be/LTkK3ifax_8)

As for the country rock slant on the single; I love this and wish the Beach Boys had done more of the same. I love it when they incorporate country styled slide guitar in their productions. Anyone heard that groovy slide-driven version of We're Together Again? George Harrison eat yer heart out! It's one of my favourite outtakes.

But I wonder, which was recorded first: The Beach Boys single or CCW version? Both have a strong country slant. Did one crib from the other? Obviously the 20/20 version was 68, but the August 69 version is really country in comparison. The CCW version was released in 69 but I'm not sure if it was recorded before or after and if one influenced the other?

One last question:

Which BB version do you prefer?!

Always been an odd favourite of mine, although my dad has always said 'It's a great song, but it's not theirs' ;D

Also, single version everytime for me, although, bit of trivia, I have a Picture Sleeved German/Holland (Not sure which) issue, and it's the Album version on 7" (Time to Get Alone B-Side), which shows that in some places, even the album version had hit potential!

Edit: this one:

(http://images.45cat.com/the-beach-boys-cotton-fields-capitol.jpg)

Does he say the same about Sloop John B?

I lack a quote on that one...

This tune finally came together for me on the reunion tour.  Totten's twangy B-bender sealed it.

Yeah I have to say it was one of the highlights of the Wembley show for me.

Gift: http://soundcloud.com/frederickjamesfrench-pounce/cottonfields-live-at-wembley (http://soundcloud.com/frederickjamesfrench-pounce/cottonfields-live-at-wembley)

Single version, very easily. One of my big BB faves, actually.
I think the BB and Creedence versions happening within a short time of each other is mere coincidence.

Good stuff - Thanks for that Mr Moutachio!

20/20 version of Cotton Fields has been in my iPods "most played" top 1 since 2009. 'Nuff said. That horn break makes me feel free.

I've heard the album version a lot more - it's just become so familiar that's the one I always go to.

To answer Buddahat's question, they album and single versions are two completely different recordings (and, going by memory, I think in two different keys?).  Brian cut the 20/20 version with studio musicians (including Hal Blaine, Lyle Ritz and road band member Ed Carter) at I.D. Sound, and I believe the vocals were added at Brian's home studio.  Al probably co-produced the vocal session (since he's credited on the album as producing it with Brian), but it's Brian's arrangement.  The single version was produced several months later solely by Al, and was cut at Sunset Sound using the live lineup of the Beach Boys with a few studio musicians such as Red Rhodes.  Vocals were added at Wally Heider's.

Brian did sing on the single version, I've had that comfirmed a few times.

This is great. Many thanks for the info C-Man. I have always assumed the 20/20 version formed the basis of the single in some way.

Pretty ballsy of Al to decide Brian's version wasn't up to scratch and he had to re-do it all by himself. Glad he did though.

Never really been a big fan of Cottonfields, either version (although i prefer the single version, if only for the bit when they go 'bow-bow-bow-bow-diddle-dee-diddle-dee').

I never liked it much till I heard the single version, and then hearing it live this year really opened my eyes to it. 

I've read an interview with Al in which he said something to the effect that he was hoping that Brian could do with it what he did with "Sloop John B," but it really didn't turn out how he expected, so he redid it himself.  I think he did much better than Brian, and in fact, the single version ironically sounds more like a Brian Wilson production to me than the album version. 

Al also expressed a bit of doubt about the pedal steel--I think it sounds a BIT out of place, but is interesting addition on a BB song. 

LOVE IT.

I too prefer the single version but the album version does have its merits too I think, it's almost like a glimpse of what was to come on the American Spring album, very laid-back and unassuming (and "very Brian" in that way I think).

The 20/20 version is blowing the single version away in my eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8NkQQ6oMtc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8NkQQ6oMtc)
I never really was a fan of the 20/20 version, but I really like this version of the single. Is this a live recording or just a promo video? I heard the single version a while back and could have sworn it sounded different from this version.

I like both.  Always have.  But it's the single version for me.

Obviously not yet, but when it comes to it, I think CS/California would be a good track next - Single and Album versions once again, although minimal differences this time

Just sounds like it's running a little fast.

Do you mean like it was sped-up or just performed faster?

sounds like it's sped up.

Pin him down about I can hear music while you're at it.

45 version gets my vote - Yay, Al!

Okay, the Sloop Verdict was "It's not their song? Either way, it s a rubbish cover version/", and, as far as i can remember, he doesn't know the original I Can hear Music, but he does like the Beach boys version.

*I get the feeling he just said this to annoy me.



While we're on the subject of my Dad, he bought a Sunflower LP for 50p at the record fair on Sunday solely for 'Forever' - he isn't a fan of the rest of it, but something's good here!

Just tie him down and keep playing This Whole World over and over. He'll get it like the 5th time around!

I don't think he 'dislikes it' per-se, rather, really (and I mean REALLY) likes Forever, and the rest became too bland for him. Then again, I did play it in the car, not the best place for it...

I did skip over 'Got To Know The Woman' however.

I agree. I'm not the biggest fan of the song but the single version is especially uninteresting. I never listen to it.

Yeah it was but Brian must have been cool with it to sing on the second version.

The single version is one of my all time favourite Beach Boys songs and one of the highlights of the C50 tour ... however, that being said I reckon Al should have appropriated this version (jump to 1.10) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGEvbr4D7JY

We need yodelling Al!

oh god

Single version.

The album versions good , really good and i love it.
The single is a classic though , an all time classic !