The Smiley Smile Message Board

Does anyone know if the version of Sound Of Free on the Made In California boxset is from a needledrop. It sure sounds like it.

Why would you say that? It doesn't sound that much better sonically than on the original 45 or the Australian Rarities album or boots. Same old mono. If so, any clicks/pops have been removed.

I asked pretty much the same thing recently, but I don't think I got an answer.

It sure seems like it's a needledrop to me. It's also odd to me that they used that "Fallin' In Love" remix on Made In California instead of the single version which is entitled "Lady". Seems like maybe they don't have the master for it?

They had access to the multi-tracks for "Lady". For "Sound Of Free", they didn't even have the mono production master to use.

Craig, I knew that the BRI vaults didn't contain a tape of "Sound of Free," but I thought they were able to locate a tape of it of some generation in one of the EMI Europe vaults.  But I agree, aural evidence would indicate otherwise.

Lee

Yeah Lee, it just sounds like it. A very clean copy, maybe an acetate. But it has the aural characteristics of a needle drop. Bringing it up in a sound editor it looks like it too. Alan Boyd, you around?

I know sometimes they just disappear for no reason, but is there any story attached to how this master went missing?

I know "Fallin' In Love" was an alternate title for the song, but why was it used for the later remix of the song instead of its released title of "Lady"?

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Considering the single was never released in the U.S., maybe the master was sent to Europe for the pressings? It's not uncommon.

That seems reasonable, especially as all the 45 releases were in Europe (except for the New Zealand issue). Perhaps it's still in EMI's UK vaults somewhere, possibly mis-labeled?

If a phone call couldn't be made to ship it over here or get a good digital transfer, the folks who run Capitol etc. are lazier than I had thought.

Yeah. It really doesn't make sense, and it's also slightly bothersome, since a version was already released as "Lady", which was issued when Dennis was alive (obviously). And to change it just kinda seemed needless. I understand that American Spring's version came out as "Fallin' In Love" and perhaps that's what was in Alan Boyd's head when he scribbled down the tracklist for Capitol when they did Summer Love Songs.

And while I don't understand that need for a posthumous remix for Summer Love Songs, perhaps the compilers thought they could make a better version. However, for Made In California it especially doesn't make sense. They used the original single version for "Sound Of Free", so why not "Lady"? Truly a missed opportunity.

Also, I'm also kinda miffed why they were tinkering with a previously released Denny song anyways. I can understand the editing that was done to stuff like "Where Is She?" and "California Feelin'" since Brian is still here to approve of the results. However, Dennis has no say in these things that are now done to his work.

I have listened to this track several times today. This really sounds like a needle drop. A VERY clean one. Mark done good :).

Alan and Mark's incessant tinkering is a major downer for me re MIC. They've obviously never heard the expression 'If it ain't broke...'

When the BBs performed the song on the David Frost show, Dennis himself introduced it as "Fallin' In Love". Personally, I like "Lady" as a title better. And the "Landlocked" mix is the definite one. It only fades out too soon.

Based on what SWD said about Lady vs. the remixed Fallin' in Love, I, too am saddened that the official Dennis-created mix was not included on MIC.

Is this the original mix of Lady? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2pPpeXt4Xs

No, it's not.  This is an interesting version with a few bars of extra intro at the beginning and a few female backing vocals I've never heard before.  Thanks for making me aware of it!

The original Lady is on Super Furry Animals' 'Under The Influence' CD. So it is out there...

That's a combination of the orignal DW/Rumbo version and American Spring's 1973 remake.

So what exactly did he say?

It's on his thread, but basically that the original was supposed to be quiet and intimate and the remix is a grand pronouncement with double-tracked vocals ruining the effect.

Which is why it's kinda stupid that this new version is on two higher profile Beach Boys releases, yet to get the original single version of "Lady" you gotta buy either the Super Furry Animals Under the Influence compilation or the Kitsuné Tabloid compilation by Phoenix. And while at least it's available, I don't think one should have to look further for the original version released during the artist's lifetime.

  Thanxx for your input!  I'm certain Capitol/Universal Music executives are this very minute scrambling to do a fast track release  of the original Lady , so as not to disappoint you.

That theory ^ is a long shot, but the thought has crossed my mind, too! :o ;D

Obviously the title was changed to "Fallin' In Love" by Spring because of the change in genders in the lyrics. But I have two theories why it hasn't returned to "Lady", albeit both bad ones. Maybe because, just barely, Spring's version was more popular than Dennis' version and they wanted to piggyback on the more well-known title/release (I know, it's weak). But, another maybe. Maybe, based on Dennis' introduction on The David Frost Show, he really DID, in the end, want it to be titled "Fallin' In Love". Which came first, The David Frost Show or the release of the single?

Is The Super Furry Animals' Under The Influence release of "Lady" a needledrop?

Why the dickish reply? I was just putting an opinion out there. I think people would be annoyed if, for instance Capitol or The Beach Boys or whoever started putting  the SMiLE Sessions of "Surf's Up" instead of the 1971 version on CD issues of Surf's Up. I just think it's kinda in bad taste to promote what is basically a fan mix over the finished article.

Thank you! :) 100% agree with Mr. Desper, I'll try to find it in his thread.

Desper was the greatest mixer they ever had, even with Linett generally doing a good job. One of the things that Mike really is to blame for is that he drove away Desper with his TM fundamentalism. (At least that is what I recall having read, if that is untrue please correct me.)

No prob. That's also true, Mike wanted a TMer and Desper said no. I wonder how that affected Carl and Dennis, they really seemed to flourish in the Desper era...

I'd never heard of the Kitsune Tabloid release until this post, so many thanks!

Is this a needle drop also?

I'm pretty sure it might be the same one as the SFA comp. It's on iTunes, at least here in America. I'd assume it's probably around the rest of the world too.

Is this version a needle drop? 

On Amazon downloads too

Just bought it from Amazon. Thanks SmilinEd!

Thanks a bunch, I just got it off Amazon too!