The Smiley Smile Message Board

Was reading a splendid analysis of the "GV" sessions that c-man shared with me, oh, back in the day, and I read this:

"Carl Wilson would recall years later that he first heard "Good Vibrations" when Brian played it for him down the telephone line, as Carl sat in a hotel room in North Dakota in the dead of winter...".

Well... I mean... gotta know which hotel room, don't I ? So, to 10452, and it's immediately evident that Carl was mistaken as regards season or locale, as the only ND date the band did in 1966 was in Minot - on August 15th. But... the day after the very first "GV" session on 2/17, the band were playing Des Moines, Iowa, so I'm guessing that's where Carl heard the track down the phone.

Listen, I do this sh*t so you don't have to.  :old

Not to be too picky, but they were in Fargo on August 11th.....

True... but 8/11 ain't winter, even in Fargo.  ;D

Andrew - great to see you're still enjoying stuff I wrote (and quotes I pulled together) back in the day.  :)

Going in over my head! Its what I do. But no mention of winter here.... :-[

http://www.albumlinernotes.com/Comments_by_Carl_Wilson.html

"The way it worked in those days is that we were really touring a lot, and Brian was making the records. Then, when we would get off the road, we would get together to do the vocals. Back then, he and I were really close. Naturally, when we were on the road, he would always know where we were, and sometimes, he would wait for the show to be over and then call me at the hotel and play the latest track over the phone. I remember it was when we were in North Dakota. He called to play the first track for 'Good Vibrations'. [Note: That track is on Disc 2.] It sounded great but so strange; the drums were a lot louder. Eventually, instead of trying to give it more muscle, he refined it, it became more gentle. By the way, that's Dennis playing the organ on the first bridge of the song..
 

I think Craig (correctly) deduced it was winter from the 'first track' content. Given that said session started at 11.30pm Pacific on 2/17/66 and wrapped three and a half hours later, the only two possible dates would be...

2/18 - KRNT Theater, Des Moines IA
2/20 - Assembly Center, Tulsa OK

If Brian's paranoia about Spector turned out to be true, maybe there was an unmarked van parked outside tapped into the phones and recording:

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c3Ab_3gRAo0/S-Sqxg4luXI/AAAAAAAAAco/OJbDNDXz7Ok/s1600/the+conversation.jpg)

Carl: Hey Bri, did you hear that?
Brian: Hear what?
Carl: That click.
Brian: What click?
(click)
Carl: THAT!
Brian: Oh sh*t.

Spectorgate.  ;D

 :lol

But what was the name of the hotel AGD?

Did they have room service?

Forget Bellagio 10452, I want a real fansite with itemized receipts of all the bands expenditures.

Ever been to North Dakota, Andrew? It's ALWAYS winter.  ::)

This Dave Barry column, perhaps just slightly exaggerated, makes you wonder why any of the The Beach Boys would go anywhere near ND in the real winter, which is roughly September- June. If you've never read it (or, even if you have),
it will satisfy your minimum daily requirement for laughs.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2002/12/04/928815/building-takes-your-breath-away.html