The Smiley Smile Message Board

 I am primarily a Brianista and, being a somewhat cash strapped
artist, I am treating myself to either The Smile Sessions or MIC.
 I am torn between the two. Both appeal to me.
 I own a lot of of the Beach Boys catalogue .

  For those who have both... which would you recommend. Thanks in advance....
 

(http://johnschaeffer.net)

Get MIC and then buy the 2-disc version of TSS.

Buy a Spotify account or use Grooveshark.

Buy MiC, go to local record store that carries TSS, rob them of one (1) copy.

Smile Sessions all the way - the whole thing's a work of art.

This is the key bit of information.  If you already own most of the catalog, then buy the Smile box.  MIC is a nice set, but it likely duplicates much of what you already own.  The rarities, alternate versions and live tracks on MIC are fun, but I'm not sure I'd exactly classify them as 'mind-blowing.'   The Smile box, on the other hand, seems to feature one mind-blowing track after another... for 5 discs.

My answer might be different, though, for a more casual fan who owned only, say, a Greatest Hits CD and Pet Sounds.  If you have little or no exposure to the group's great work in the '70s (as well as some of the lesser-known but stellar songs of the '60s), then MIC will provided you with a more comprehensive appreciation of the BBs.

But aren't the tidbits from the TSS LPs and 2 CD TSS set on MIC?

He's gonna have to bring a mighty big backpack!

Based on your self-description, TSS.

TSS

The Smile Sessions!

Depends how much you like listening to studio sessions. Both my TSS and Pet Sounds sessions got a couple of plays when I first got them but they're not something I want to hear repeatedly. On the other hand MIC is getting played to death in my house.

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 Thanks guys...... I did buy the two disc Smile sessions....... I'm still torn.......
 The two are really apples and oranges.......... both sound great.
 How I wish there was a stereo Wild Honey CD.

MIC

Smile sessions is definitely the bigger bang for your bucks.

The 5 disc Smile Sessions may not be as interesting to you if you don't care about tons of sessions, so the 2 disc version is a nice condensed version of it.  But if you love the 2 disc version and want more, then bad news, you're going to want the big Smile box too!

My local library has the 2 disc Smile Sessions.  You could have "borrowed" it from there! ;D

So you say you bought the 2 disc Smile box.  Did you also buy MIC? 

Smile Sessions
It's so good it deserves a sequel. How's the declicking of the recent Durrie Parks acetates going Alan ? Looking forward to hearing those soon.

Torn between two lovers.....feeling like a fool.

Get 'em both.  The MIC and Smile Sessions can be obtained very inexpensively on the internet if you know where to look.

Must buy both.

Srs answer now - if you like session recordings, the Smile Sessions is worth the investment because you get to hear Brian making the greatest music ever made. As I'm sure you know from the second disc of your Smile set, but there's more and it's incredible.

However, the rare stuff on MIC is an eyeopener (ignore the bitching around the board, it speaks volumes that they only have problems with a perceived treble problem and about the mixing on two other songs). And the stereo mixes are really cool, especially if you've got a few mono mixes already. But the smile set held the most revelations for me personally.

It depends how invested you are in Smile. If you think Smile rules.... you need TSS.

I love the Unsurpassed Masters  CDs and can listen to them incessantly... so I am going to have to say The Smile Sessions.  ;D

The Smile Sessions easily.  MIC has some gems but the entire "Smile Sessions" box set is a gem.

I hate to say this because I am so NOT a Brianista, but I'd go with The Smile Sessions.... For the amount of money either costs, TSS is an event and the box itself is a finely crafted work of art and it is the culmination of musical legend. MIC is awesome indeed, but is a "best-of" .... I'd say grab ALL the original albums for everything not Smile and go from there.

What the hell difference is it if you're a "Brianista" or not to prefer the Smile Sessions? The Smile Sessions recordings consist of THE BEACH BOYS as a band - not just Brian Wilson. Same with the Made In California box. What is it here with the polarization of Brianistas and Mikeanistas and whatever the hell else Anistas Here?  We're talking about the entire Beach Boys band's involvement with Smile and the Beach Boys and Beach Boys band members' involvement on the Made In California set.

I have a new one! How about the overreaction-nistas?

Get MIC. I have TSS, and because its release coincided with the peak of my sexual attraction to everything Beach Boys (almost completely hetero), the box and the experience of its reveal hold a special place in my heart. That said, I think MIC is nearly perfect, and the variety makes it stand out from TSS, which is ultimately one-note (ducks). With MIC you don't get the infinite variations of Brian's creativity at its peak- which is certainly something worth having eventually- but you do get the infinite variations of The BBs as a band. I get it, you're a Brianista, but that means you need a good dose of the family business his genius spawned.

Look at the posters here. Smile-related phenomena have driven them all batshit crazy. You have your whole life ahead of you to obsess about the "original" verse melody of Do You Like Worms. Man, it's time to go to the beach with your baby.

I don't understand how you can be a Beach Boys fan and not be a Briansta?  Brian Wilson is The Beach Boys.  Not to say the others are "the five dummies" or you have to necessarily side with Brian Wilson on every issue but a deep appreciation and respect for Brian Wilson in my opinion is essential to appreciating the music of The Beach Boys. 

I agree but Brian Wilson is not The Beach Boys. Otherwise, we'd be discussing MIC: by "The Beach Boy"..... The Beach Boys are the greatest vocal group of all time, and a vocal group (not even the worst one) is never just one guy. I think we tend to overlook just how damn lucky Brian was to have such talented brothers, cousins and friends who could go out and conquer the world on the charts and on the stage: EVEN IF BRIAN WASN'T THERE!!!! ....... Just think about that last part for a moment and it's hard not to be awestruck a bit.

Actually Johnny, I had you in mind as one of the polarizing posters on this board. Don't put words in my mouth as you've done with others on the anti-Mike sentiment threads. Let's get something straight before you twist and turn things to your liking. First and foremost, I'm a Beach Boys fan through and through (since 1970) and I know who their leader was/is and who wrote most of their best music and who wrote and sung on all those solo albums. I ain't dumb and I never, ever referred to the other Beach Boys as "dummies". And if you want to call me a "Brianista" to yours or anyone else's standards, you go right ahead. Dudn't bother me a bit. In fact, I'd be very proud if you called me a "Brianista". Want to find somebody to argue with? I'm the wrong guy. Suggest you attach yourself to the next anti-Mike Love thread that comes along as you have so eloquently done in the past. That seems to be your main contribution here and a common denominator with some others on this board. Have at it!

For me Brian Wilson is more of a lynch pin in the overall appreciation of The Beach Boys music than the others.  That is not to say the others weren't and aren't as talented as hell but for me without Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys wouldn't merit being in the same discussion as for instance The Beatles.  I think he is the entity in the group that puts them over the top in that regard.  It's just how I personally view the situation and understand that others view the rest of the band as being more equal contributors to the collective whole than I do.  Which is obviously fine.  But going back to my original statement, I still don't see how someone could proclaim themselves to be a Beach Boys fan and not be an outright Brian Wilson devotee at the same time.  Now there are obviously levels as to how far a particular individual will take that but in the most general sense my gauge of the situation is on point.  Again that isn't to disrespect the other members of the band as it is to recognize the immense contributions that Brian Wilson made to the group and the musical sphere at large. 

What is truly unfortunate here is how quick you are to jump the gun on what should be a discussion of a recreational activity in which we all share some degree of commonality.  I understand that sometimes the luxury of being able to let words fly over a keyboard instead of having to articulate them to someone in a face to face situation will at times allow people to become quite liberal with their words and statements however, I should caution you that posts like this add very little to the broad spectrum of discussion as you do nothing but alienate your intended audience therefore making your words carry less weight and or impact.

But in order to clarify what I believe is a simple misunderstanding, lets go back and review my original posting shall we?  In which although I quoted your posting I was actually pontificating a rather broad question regarding whether or not Beach Boys fans and Brian Wilson devotees are in fact one in the same?  As I explained to Pinder Goes To Kokomo, above I fervently believe that they are because of both the immense contributions that Wilson made to The Beach Boys canon of work and therefore it becomes increasingly difficult for at least myself in this instance to separate the two.  In no way did I ever cast aspersions upon you or anyone else that being a Brian Wilson devotee is something to be viewed in the context of being negative.  Nor should it for the record should those who align themselves with Mike Love's point of view on various matters be looked upon negatively.  The reason being that our individual or collective viewpoints on Wilson or Love aside, the fact remains that there is nothing inherently wrong with being a fan of either man quite honestly.  As I mentioned yesterday in regards to Love, I am genuinely surprised that a man who has given his life to the field of entertainment and has proven himself more than competent at his craft could have so many ardent detractors.  

As far as being polarizing, I couldn't think of a higher compliment you could have paid me and I mean that in all sincerity.  The reason being that because in order to be a polarizing individual to begin with you have to ignite some sort of passion whether it be positive or negative in your audience, getting them to the point where they feel the need to make you, yourself the subject of what is more times than not their hostility.  So in the end it's a much more satisfying existence than the option of miring yourself in banality or apathy.  

The interesting point though as it pertains to this matter is I wasn't trying to raise your ire at all.  I was simply posting an observation of the topic at hand without a specific audience in mind outside of what most of us use message boards for on a daily basis and that is as a vehicle for articulating our thoughts, ideas and opinions to the greater forum.  So that being said if I was able to raise your ire by the mere suggestion that a Beach Boys fan and a Brian Wilson devotee may more times than not be one in the same, than I was not only eloquent in my delivery, as you so claimed but probably should be plying my abilities in matters that reach far beyond the discussion of a rock band.  The reason being because if by the power of mere suggestion, I was able to elicit such a venomous response, what could I have possibly done if in fact I was actually making a concentrated effort to raise yours (or anyone else's for that matter) ire?

So that all being said, I apologize if somehow my words were misinterpreted and caused you any offense.

As brilliant as MIC is, I say get the Smile Sessions box because it is a thing of beauty: amazingly packaged, stunning 3D cover, brilliant book, poster, extras, etc. I value it more than MIC, although music-wise they're equal.

Exactly! I dunno how this discussion went off the rails so quick. Guy said he's a Brianista so I pimped for TSS! Big deal!

And, John Mill: Brian being the God of the universe: what do you tell someone, like myself, who's favorite Beach Boys album (with no question) is Holland? Are they supposed to adjust their opinion in order to conform to historical context/legend or are they to trust their own ears and emotions? Because if they stand by their ears/emotions, historical
context/legend means really nothing, thus toppling the "Brian is everything" ethos....

Holland is definitely in my all-time top 3 or 4!

This whole "Brian IS The Beach Boys" thing - it was one line that the always-generous Dennis said about the brother he adored back in the '70's. That doesn't in any way make it fact. Brian was never The Beach Boys, The Beach Boys were. He was without question the key driving force and creative talent from their conception up until 1967, arguably 1968. After that, no, and I don't really understand how anyone in possession of the facts could claim otherwise...

I would say even after 1968 he was still the driving force behind their best music, though...

 Well.... the verdict is in........ GET BOTH. Now I must choose which to get first.

 I refer to myself as a Brianista because Brian Wilson was an artist in every sense of the word.
 - He possessed extreme sensitivity which is common in a lot of artists and quite often their ultimate downfall  
 - I am absolutely  fascinated by the sounds he could get from an instrument. No one has
 extracted so many various sounds from an organ and used it in so many interesting ways and that is just one example.
 - I believe he was actually more sophisticated than Lennon- McCartney as a composer and blew the roof off George Martin as
a producer.
 - As a musical arranger he was amazing. The odd combination of instruments he would incorporate
was eccentric and spot on.
 - If Mike Love had his way they would never have  evolved beyond doing Fun Fun Fun....... not that there is anything wrong with that
I love the early stuff but ........... That's been discussed to death
 - I am also fascinated how minimalistic he could be in some of his productions. He could be so subtle. Less is more. Its no wonder
his music would go over so many peoples heads.
- He used notes and sounds the way an painter uses colors.

  The other Beach Boys were talented but not nearly to his degree ( Dennis had his moments ) But as singers they were second to none.
 I am a Beach Boy fan........ no question. But Brian was the heart and brain of the Band in my opinion.

 Like I said earlier..... I am a professional artist ( painter drawer) and I incorporate a lot of what I said in my own work.
      my website.... johnschaeffer.net

 By the way this is by far my favorite musical forum. You guys rock
      
 
    

They can do with whatever they please with their ears and emotions as while one's reaction to any form of art should begin by being personal, it also therefore by necessity results in that reaction being a subjective one. 

I'm an analista - I like Al

An analista, eh?  :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

The two box-sets serve very different functions, so I think it depends on what you want.  MiC is primarily a way of (re)presenting The Beach Boys' oeuvre through a career overview, whereas The Smile Sessions is mostly interesting for the way that it shows Brian at work.  The Smile Sessions definitely has more things that you won't have heard before and will help give you insight into Brian's production methods at the time, but it's not ideal if you're looking for something to listen to casually.  For the most part, MiC is friendly to casual listening.

Based on what you've written, I would probably suggest getting The Smile Sessions, and to download any tracks from MiC that you are particularly desperate to listen to from iTunes to hold you over until you buy the whole set.

THIS

Although I've already expressed my own subjective opinion as to which package I enjoy more, in the main the question isn't which package is better but what suits the tastes of the listeners at hand.  Since the OP stated that he already owned a great deal of The Beach Boys' catalog, it would lead me to believe that TSS would be a more satisfying purchase as it contains mostly material that would be unfamiliar to Beach Boys fans who are familiar with the official catalog.  One question that springs to mind in regards to the OP is if he owns the GV30 Box and/or "The Pet Sounds Sessions" box?  If he owns both, which does he enjoy more?  GV30 is more in line with MIC obviously and TSS in line with PSS.  So that might be helpful in aiding him in making his decision as far as which to purchase first?

[/quote]
Although I've already expressed my own subjective opinion as to which package I enjoy more, in the main the question isn't which package is better but what suits the tastes of the listeners at hand.  Since the OP stated that he already owned a great deal of The Beach Boys' catalog, it would lead me to believe that TSS would be a more satisfying purchase as it contains mostly material that would be unfamiliar to Beach Boys fans who are familiar with the official catalog.  One question that springs to mind in regards to the OP is if he owns the GV30 Box and/or "The Pet Sounds Sessions" box?  If he owns both, which does he enjoy more?  GV30 is more in line with MIC obviously and TSS in line with PSS.  So that might be helpful in aiding him in making his decision as far as which to purchase first?
[/quote]


I own both of those box sets and enjoy both for different reasons. So, I think I will eventually get both TSS and MIC and may go initially for the one I can get the cheapest.

 Thanks again for all the input

He needs to be like most of us and buy everything The Beach Boys have ever put out (Including SIP if he can find it), BOTH box sets (and the 93 one) and then buy it all again each time it's all reissued, and if he stumbles upon something on vinyl at a good price which he already has........ he should buy it again anyway :)

Smile Sessions, hands down. The music is magical, I love listening to all those segments, takes, small snippets etc. Yet I usually return to Disc 1.

 :-D

Simple. You can start following the band in 1965. From northern New England, where the extent of the information you'll get about The Beach Boys individually is limited to a few sentences and photos on an album cover two or three times a year and maybe a comment by the local DJ when he plays one of their songs on AM radio. Years before cable tv and almost-live performances and documentaries, and written biographies and histories. Decades before computers allowing you to, with a few quick keystrokes, discover everything you ever wanted to know about the group and more... some of which might even be true. You just know that when that next BB song is played, it's the best music you've ever heard. You neither know nor care who wrote or sang what; nobody was a hero or villain. Later on, when you do learn some of this stuff, it's just secondary. It's already been ingrained that you like everybody in the band... but you love The Beach Boys. And, no matter what, that never changes.