The Smiley Smile Message Board

Since everyone around here ALWAYS loves to talk about unreleased material (usually so they can note how it's so much better than what was released in its place...), I thought it might be sort of fun to see what everyone's taste in unreleased material is. Here are the rules:

1) the song can't have been released on a proper Beach Boys/Brian Wilson album, meaning that the songs that were officially released on compilations can count as your favorites, if you'd like (Soulful Old Man Sunshine, then, is a legit choice).

2) the song must be finished or close enough that you can really get a good sense of it. A melodic fragment of 13 seconds would not cut it, but things like Been Way Too Long/Can't Wait Too Long would.

3) unreleased versions of songs that were rewritten or otherwise released count (meaning the Sunflower-era Big Sur or Back Home are legit choices).

4) covers are OK .

5) Mike Loves songs are not OK. (kidding)

It would be nice if you'd say something about your choice, too, for those who may not know it. And, of course, what makes it so good. Now get to it.

Black Widow.

Companion.

Ahem...

Oh yeah, Companion is real nice... Not heard Black Widow.

I'll go for "Battle Hymn...", not nearly as bad as everyone said it was.

I'm gonna have to e-smack you.

Companion, because it's just groovy, it's Dennis, it's slimy, smarmy, and dead sexy.

I've never heard it.

Oh f*** you Ian, give me the boys doing "Hymn" over Elvis' wanky, bombastic "American Trilogy" any day...

We're talking about passion here man, and there ain't no contest.

OK, you HAVE to be kidding.
American Trilogy is one of the greatest moments in music history. And most passionate.
I KNOW you're kidding.

* end e-sarcasm *

;)

*WHEW!*

Don't scare me like that, dude!  ;D

Only 2 I can come up with- Carry Me Home... If there's any BB song that full of nothing but real heart, soul & REAL feeling it's this one. Flattens me up every time. 2nd place goes to the BB's take on The River Song. How did these 2 never escape the vault to a legit release??

Oh hell monkee... Carry Me Home, that's the ticket...

What an incredible song.  Dennis' sung part "Rain's falling down on me, wind is blowing cold..." is one of the most emotive, and visual vocals I've ever heard...  Actually, that shot in Forest Gump, where he's looking up at the night sky in Vietnam, and it's shot from behind him...

I always see that when I hear that song.

Dennis' "Wouldn't It Be Nice (To Live Again)" gets first vote - this is simply jaw-droppingly awesome.  "Companion" would be second...but it would be a distant second.  That's how good WIBN(TLA) is.

Susan, where'd you hear it!?  I'd love to 'ear it...

It's all about "Stevie".

I love the "hold you closer in my dreams" part... that pounding bass and melody is so very Dennis...

I sleep alone - great melody great groove.
Sherry she needs me - great vocals and track
Back Home (Sunflower version) - nice production
Stevie - Great tune
Water builds up - Great tune
We're together again - Lovely
Still I dream of it - classic
You've lost that lovin' feeling - Amazing!
We got love - Nice vocal
Almost Summer (I know its technically released) - Great lost late 70s song, would have fit on MIU
Thats all that spring to mind at the moment, I'm sure there are more. Have not heard many of Brians early 80s songs or the Usher stuff so I can't comment on it.

For now, off the top of my head, a 1969/70 to 78 collection, all cleaned up in a double CD package with liner notes by someone who knows what they're talking about:
Carnival
My Solution
Lady
Sound of the Free
San Miguel
Walkin'
Back Home
Big Sur (early version)
Wouldn't It Be Nice (To Live Again)
I Sleep Alone
Fourth of July
Out in the Country
We Got Love
Hard Times (if it exists...)
Carry Me Home
It's New Day
Gold Rush (if it exists...)
Santa Ana Winds (original version)
Lookin' Down the Coast
River Song
California Feelin'
Come to the Sunshine (if it still exists)
Sea Cruise
On Broadway
Sherry, She Needs Me
You've Lost That Loving Feeling
Lines
Winter Symphony


I would buy it. What? You don't hear a hit?  Tough.

Lines / very quirky, very Brian
Life is for the Living / a period song
Can't wait too long / the vocals
Lady / Dennis sounds great on this one
Still I Dream of it / keep wishing Brian would sing this one live

"Companion" appears to be a Carli Munoz composition, of course it's still good. Since it's a kind of latin/fusion thing and not Dennis' usual style, I thought it was a sign, that he was broadening his musical perspective in terms of writing for Bamboo, but it turns out it was written by someone else. Otherwise I would also vote for "Black Widow/Let's Do it Again". If it had been included on "Brian Wilson" instead of "Night Time" it would have been an improvement on that album.

Søren

 SOUND OF FREE

"Sound Of Free" is also great, but wasn't that released under the name of "Rumbo". But yeah, the Beach Boys should have used it on "Surfs Up".

Søren

The two finest unreleased BBs track by far, I believe, are the Smile versions of Wind Chimes and Wonderful, released on the GV box.

I really like the Old Man River attempts, I Do, Soulful Old Man Sunshine and the 1970 Big Sur and Back Home, too.

I'd say Still I dream of It, but I don't like the real recording--I'd take the demo any day.

WIBN(TLA) was one of the songs that Alan Boyd brought for us to hear at Busy Doin' Somethin' in 2003. 

Does "Can't Wait Too Long" or "Been Way Too Long" qualify?? Love to see that son fully develop-

It's A New Day was awesome to hear, a real rocker from Dennis. Blondie on lead. Holland era.

Hard Times is another rocker from Blondie and Ricky, and it's a great, criminally unreleased song. Recorded after the Holland sessions.

The original version of Big Sur is absolutely breathtaking. Eons ahead of the released version. Same goes from the original version of Santa Ana Winds.

Yes. It's all about 'Stevie' for me as well. Was this tune simply too personal in Brian's eyes to be fit for release?

Had 'Stevie' seen release, I could easily see it stumping many in the form of a Trivial Pursuit question.

Considering some of the other songs he released, I doubt that's the reason.

Yep, Stevie is my 2nd choice.

Marketplace
It's Not Easy Being Me
Some Sweet Day
Rolling Up To Heaven

I knew I'd hear that. Mrs. Nicks was likely just a temporary crush and Brian felt a little silly about the song.

But then again, it's Brian, so who knows?

Big tits!

Soulful Old Man Sunshine - The Beach Boys
You're Still A Mystery To Me - The Beach Boys
Imagine - The Beach Boys
Sherry, She Need Me - Brian Wilson
Water Builds Up - Brian Wilson
Country Feelin' - Brian Wilson
He Couldn't Get His Poor Old Body To Move - Brian Wilson

Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Country Feelin' and Poor Old Body were released.

The Beach Boys never recorded Imagine, only did it live.

Never heard it or heard of it. Era, style, general comments on it, etc.?

1982-83 live. Mike on lead vocals. Mike did it live on a few solo shows as well in 1981 and 1983 (with Dean Torrence and Adrian Baker).

Already completely uninterested. Next.

You'll tear your ears off if/when you hear it.

Yeah it's not particuarly good. There is a Brian number that the group did live during a November 1983 show at the Universal Amphitheater in LA. A song called "The Boogie's In Town". A rocker from Brian. Cheesy synth aside, I would love to see Brian re-record this one with the band.

That's the show where he did the original version of It's A Matter Of Time, right, which is shown in AB?

Actually, no. That was a show in Costa Mesa, CA in August of 1983, one of Dennis' last shows with the group.

OK! I get my timeline a little screwy in that era.

Note how when Brian yells "my brother Dennis!", Dennis has the same shirt he wears in the You Are So Beautiful clip. Same show. HOWEVER, after YASB, the footage cuts to the 7/4/83 Atlantic City show.

I'd love to see all the uncut footage from those shows.

Paging Alan Boyd.

The Beach Boys - "Michael Row The Boat" - I'm serious. I've always loved the arrangement and vocals

Brian - "It's Over Now" - I know a version appeared on the boxed set, but I wouldn't mind a version/duet with Taylor Mills or Ann Wilson from Heart

Brian- "Someone To Love" - I'm surprised he hasn't gotten around to re-recording this one; maybe he's saving it for his upcoming rock & roll album!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Instrument of torture!


Excellent song.

Someone To Love is wonderful, and while part of Water Builds Up has shown up, the whole song should be released, it's great.

Brian should record the song Rings. There's a tape of a performance going around that was merely Brian performing for an interviewer, and the song has a great melody. The lyrics are hard to hear, however.

Great one!  My favorite Ricky/Blondie song by far.  I think it could of been a massive hit; of course it doesn't really sound like the Beach Boys.

They're Beach Boys lyrics, so they must be sh*t.  I don't listen to Beach Boys for lyrical content (except Cocomo) but for production density.

Old Folks at Home/Ol' Man River
Holidays
Seasons in the Sun
Their Hearts Were Full of Spring (Hawaii rehearsal take; on Smiley Smile/Wild Honey two-fer)
Walk On By
Can't Wait Too Long/Been Way Too Long

Child Is the Father Of The Man.

Now, how I long to hear the complete, original version of that song. I know it's not finished, but a person can keep on dreaming, can't he?

It's Trying To Say (Baseball)!!!

Brian never wrote better bridges than he did in '76-'77 (listen to Mike lose his cool on the "I'll Bet He's Nice" demo bridge; it's for that reason alone I have a modicum of respect for him).  Baseball's a case in point.  Great vocal from Dennis too.

(Wouldn't It be Nice To) Live Again - quite possibly Dennis' finest moment
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin ' - again, majestic in a 1976/7 BW kinda way
You're Still A Mystery - the last great group song.
Michael Rowed The Boat Ashore - no, seriously...
Sherry, She Needs Me - natch.
I've Got A Friend - OK, so it's only the track, but man, that's enough
Ecology - likewise, incomplete. Dennis in full flood.
Water Builds Up - fun, fun and, very probably, fun.
Seasons in The Sun - so shoot me.
Viggie - the ocarina version.

I have a real soft spot for Slightly American Music from the Paley stuff- great title if nothing else!
Hard Times is actually a pretty poor song - rightly an outtake. I still can't believe that Loop De Loop was not released for so long (although Stephen Desper's explanation about AL Jardine's indecisiveness made it clear why!). Holy Holy and Carry Me Home were brilliant - Holy Holy being the best christmas song EVER imho!

Some of my fav's:

Thank Him
One Way Road To Love (if only they cleaned up the sound)
Back Home ('63 version)
BB version of Visions
Rollin' Up To Heaven
Chain Reaction Of Love
Michael Rode the boat ashore
The alt. version of Bluebirds over the mountain (different intro. makes it a better song)
Can't Stop Talking about American Girls (the wrong speed version  :D)

You're Still A Mystery
Soul Searchin
Proud Mary
Sherry She Needs Me
Still I Dream Of It
Seasons In The Sun
The Spirit Of Rock N Roll
Tears In The Morning (original version)

I'm really pleased to see the Andy Paley stuff well represented here.  I think that's some of Brian's best work of the last...however many years, and it's criminally under-appreciated.

"One Way Road To Love (if only they cleaned up the sound)"

What era is this?

1962, Brian and Gary Usher, Gary on lead.

Any chance someone could send me MP3's of Stevie and the Sunflower-era versions of Back Home and Big Sur?  I'd love to hear them.

Read the fodaing rules.

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=122.0

and welcome to the board Glenn.  ::)

and welcome to the board R.  ::)

There has to be a nicer way of putting it.

And welcome to the board, Ia---aw, forget it.

Perhaps something like

But really, welcome aboard, Glenn...

No welcome needed.  I was a regular at the old board.

But thanks anyway!

Glenn's a great guy really.


Exactly.

Then I take it back, jerk!

 ;)

Ermmmm....Please read the fodaing rules? I dunno, this niceness business never sat well with me. I'm a Male Ego guy at heart, y'know.

My favorite few:

"Soulful Old Man Sunshine" of course, but it's such a no brainer I'm almost adverse to listing it.  Why?  Incredible jazzy harmonies, I especially like the way the bass vocals perfectly fill out the "soulfullll olllld mann SUN SHINNNE" part, you can hear the bass thump when they say "Sun".  I'm not sure if that's Mike being great, or an engineer being great, or both.

"Walk on By" partially because I like the original very much, and partially because Brian's falsetto is amazing on it.  It's kind of like the wild falsetto on "Do You Wanna Dance?" where it just comes out of nowhere, a couple octaves above the few lines before it.  "Do you Wanna Dance" is really jarring though (although it's good)... but the way he goes up into the falsetto on "Walk on by" is astonishing.

"Big Sur" early version.  It's just very beautiful, very well written, and I'm sure it's just because it's in a minor key, but the background vocals are so melancholy, it's an amazing song. 

"Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring" this would be the later version, not the early early version on the box set.  I would imagine it was recorded around 69 or so.  I like it because it's basically a clinic on harmony.  It's not perfect (some flubbed notes) but it's great. 

I haven't heard all of the songs mentioned on this thread, but I believe these are the 4 best that i'm aware of. 

1967, Lei'd In Hawaii rehearsals.

Ahhhh.  Is that the same show where Brian's kind of showing them how to do Good Vibrations and where there's that beautiful version of God Only Knows with Brian singing the french horn part in the background?  And also were those recorded from the stage through the soundboard?  Or were they piecing together something? 

Well, there lies the tricky bit. Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring and Good Vibrations were indeed live recorded rehearsals in Hawaii. The version of God Only Knows dates from September 1967, recorded at Wally Heider Studios in LA. The group (with Bruce in tow) recorded several tracks that were presumably intended to be overdubbed with a crowd response. Nothing became of the project, and most of the results remain unreleased.

Unless you're a board moderator, why make it any of your business anyway?  Especially if you're going to be rude about it?

THe song is not called "Rings". The real title is "Reins", hence the lyrics "reins around my neck".

it's not too late- one of dennis' gems, (what one isnt?) This should have been on LA
California Feeling- Beach Boys version is amazing

Ever heard Brian's demo?

I have yet to hear "Wouldn't It Be Nice (To Live Again)" ... but I believe you when you say it's awesome, if POB serves as an example.

I haven't heard it but I would guess it sounds more like '4th of July' as it's from the same period.

Ummmm... not really, mostly because it's a finished, mixed track with full bvs and harmonies ("4th Of July" was comped from a track, a saftey copy of the flute tag and I think two working vocals from Carl - if Mark cares to correct my almost certainly incorrect info, we'd all be grateful). Plus it's about 10 orders of magnitude better.

Actually,I should stop saying that - if it ever gets a release, you're all gonna go "That's what he was raving about ?"

But it is fucking awesome.  8)

"Black Widow"  Among Brian's best not yet released...

It is simply criminal that You're Still a Mystery is going to be consigned to the vaults.  That could have done for the BB what the other 90's comebacks did for other artists. Magnificent BB vocals far superior to anything they had done since the Ricky/Blondie days.

From released songs: Soulful Old Man Sunshine is in my top 20 BB tracks I think. 

BB version of River Song -- not possible to be released.  Denny worked and re-worked that song for up to 4 years, and taped over many tracks on the final multitrack tape.  What we have is a cassette dub from a period of time (circa 1974) of the work-in-progress as it stood then.  Much of what you heard was wiped later.  The cassette is all you get, I fear.  I wanted that for the longest time myself.

I'm new. What is 'foda'?

Foda is what you get when Mr. LePage's filter censors the word fu c k.

I have only two words to say:
BASEBALL'S ON!!

I realize I'm late to the game here, but Brian sitting on Can't Wait Too Long is a teeth-clenching musical crime far eclipsing any of Bob Dylan's nonreleases.  Actually, it's the sequel to Good Vibrations that Heroes and Villains wanted to be and it's got a nice groovy feel that H&V is too dorky to pull off.  It would have fit in real nice-like on Wild Honey.