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Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: lostbeachboy on July 06, 2015, 06:30:36 PM



Title: Friends
Post by: lostbeachboy on July 06, 2015, 06:30:36 PM
This is a very "summer" album.

Just saying.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: kookadams on July 06, 2015, 06:33:18 PM
Friends was the one weak BBs album in the 60s and their last official lp of the decade, Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: CenturyDeprived on July 06, 2015, 06:52:34 PM
Friends was the one weak BBs album in the 60s and their last official lp of the decade, Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but for the life of me, I do not understand when people say this is a weak album. And I've heard that opinion from others, too. I think it's quite cohesive overall, and a super rad album to chill out to. It's imperfect, but still a mini-masterpiece IMO.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: rogerlancelot on July 06, 2015, 07:09:46 PM
To me, it sounds like an early spring album and 20/20 sounds like a fall/winter album (especially "Time To Get Alone" and "The Nearest Far Away Place"). Looking Back With Love sounds like a really bad hangover.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: bossaroo on July 06, 2015, 07:11:59 PM
a total classic and one of Brian's favorites, if not his absolute favorite.

nothing weak about it, in my opinion. on the contrary, it's one of the most "Brian" albums they made and it inhabits a very unique and special place in all of recorded music. Brian took all of his know-how in the studio and crafting song and harmony and created a completely personal yet universal gem of a record (with the help of his bandmates), without trying to compete or be #1. just honest uplifting music. there really aren't words for how much the album means to me.

the Friends medley on Brian's current tour was the highlight for me and makes me wish he would perform the entire album at some point.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: lee on July 06, 2015, 07:16:18 PM
If Brian performed this in it's entirety, I'd probably use vacation time to follow the entire tour.

Friends and 20/20 are the two albums that got me into The Beach Boys. Friends may not be everyone's cup of tea but I think it is a very strong album.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Summertime Blooz on July 06, 2015, 07:29:15 PM
It's a great album. I even like Anna Lee the Healer and Transcendental Meditation which get seems to get a lot of hate. It was one of the first BBs albums I heard (as part of the 70s LP twofer). Not a Summer album to me, but it does have a very warm cozy feel to it.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: undercover-m on July 06, 2015, 08:09:20 PM
Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.
I dunno. I thought it had 11 other songs on it, too?
I'm teasin' ;P

also, this album gets +1 for ukulele usage. I love Diamond Head.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: halblaineisgood on July 06, 2015, 10:16:17 PM
This is a very "summer" album.

Just saying.
Thanks for the tip!  :-D


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: halblaineisgood on July 06, 2015, 10:21:58 PM
Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.
I dunno. I thought it had 11 other songs on it, too?
I'm teasin' ;P

also, this album gets +1 for ukulele usage. I love Diamond Head.
Hello everyrone,
It is so wonderful. during this time, that there them purdy songs on this here disc which exist ....that the production in this album, an album that has been in the can for many, many, months--with warmth......12 songs designed for you, and with solely you- in mind .

Sincerely avuncular,

"Friends"


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: ppk700 on July 06, 2015, 10:27:05 PM
I like to listen to "Friends" very early in the morning, shortly after sunrise. I'm hardly ever up that early, mind you... but when I am, I find it to be the perfect album to start the day with. And yes, it is better during the summer, but anytime of year is fine with me, even during the insanely harsh Syracuse winters! I love that album, from start to finish.

 :)


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: ppk700 on July 06, 2015, 10:28:52 PM
the Friends medley on Brian's current tour was the highlight for me and makes me wish he would perform the entire album at some point.

I'd pay any amount of money to see such a show, even if it meant flying halfway around the world.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Douchepool on July 06, 2015, 10:38:03 PM
Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but for the life of me, I do not understand when people say this is a weak album. And I've heard that opinion from others, too. I think it's quite cohesive overall, and a super rad album to chill out to. It's imperfect, but still a mini-masterpiece IMO.

Just because people have opinions doesn't mean they're right. In my opinion, of course. :)

Friends is an awesome record. So much great stuff on there.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: halblaineisgood on July 06, 2015, 10:51:04 PM
When my records were still alphabetized (If only...)I"be listening to it now"
I could go to the record cabinet and thumb around blind.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: halblaineisgood on July 06, 2015, 10:55:34 PM
I agree that the nearer to sunrise one is though
so, I'll take thatlong to to find  .  there it is.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: ppk700 on July 06, 2015, 11:00:17 PM
I agree that the nearer to sunrise one is though
so, I'll take thatlong to to find  .  there it is.

The sun rises earlier in the summer, I don't like it, makes me feel like poop when I'm still awake at 5 AM and it's light out.

Let's be friends


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: halblaineisgood on July 06, 2015, 11:09:30 PM


The sun rises earlier in the summer, I don't like it, makes me feel like poop when I'm still awake at 5 AM and it's light out.

Let's be friends
We can meet up at the home depot...I'll buy you some curtains. We'll hang 'em up. Then we'll hang out  We're gonna be buddies.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: halblaineisgood on July 06, 2015, 11:15:35 PM
I'll be Robbie Robertson, if you'll be my Martin Scorsese. Window duties. repertory cinema, etc.   :spin


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Ron on July 06, 2015, 11:37:43 PM
Friends was the one weak BBs album in the 60s and their last official lp of the decade, Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but for the life of me, I do not understand when people say this is a weak album. And I've heard that opinion from others, too. I think it's quite cohesive overall, and a super rad album to chill out to. It's imperfect, but still a mini-masterpiece IMO.

I don't get it either, it seems to me that it's another one of Brian's eccentric masterpieces... hell it was recorded in his living room, right?  Doesn't get much cooler than that....


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Mike's Beard on July 06, 2015, 11:38:43 PM
Friends is a great mellow out album. Side one is solid, the second half a tad inconsistent - I think the two Dennis songs are the weakest things on the album. Still, a wonderful entry in the BB canyon.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Lonely Summer on July 06, 2015, 11:39:26 PM
I love side one - perfection. Side two falls off quite a bit.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Ron on July 06, 2015, 11:40:14 PM
How can you say Little Bird is the only good song, when everybody from toddlers to grandmothers absolutely loves the title track?  


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on July 07, 2015, 02:06:24 AM
I don't get it either, it seems to me that it's another one of Brian's eccentric masterpieces... hell it was recorded in his living room, right?  Doesn't get much cooler than that....

Partly... maybe half of it, or a tad more.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: JK on July 07, 2015, 02:44:48 AM
My one-that-hasn't-sunk-in-yet-but-surely-will-in-the-fullness-of-time Beach Boys album.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: ash on July 07, 2015, 03:02:46 AM
Friends is a great mellow out album. Side one is solid, the second half a tad inconsistent - I think the two Dennis songs are the weakest things on the album. Still, a wonderful entry in the BB canyon.

I agree. I like Dennis' songs but they just don't fit to my ears. I'd rather they'd put in something like Sail Plane Song/Time To Get Alone and I Went To Sleep instead.
Busy Doing Nothing and Diamond Head are brilliant and i even love Transcendental Meditation - i'm sure Brian's having a laugh there writing one of the hardest rocking BB's tracks with discordant jazz chords to celebrate the extremely mellow practice of TM.
Friends itself, is a brilliantly written song. Top five BB's album as far as i'm concerned.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Cool Cool Water on July 07, 2015, 03:18:56 AM
Friends is one of my favourite BB albums. An album of pure bliss, just wonderful for the time.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: phirnis on July 07, 2015, 03:25:45 AM
My personal favorite and a very adventurous album in many ways. It's very obvious that Brian cared a lot about this one. To me it feels a bit like Smile part 2, the 'laid-back edition'.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: buddhahat on July 07, 2015, 04:34:32 AM
My personal favorite and a very adventurous album in many ways. It's very obvious that Brian cared a lot about this one. To me it feels a bit like Smile part 2, the 'laid-back edition'.

Yes I agree about the smile vibe. The production is really detailed, but subtly so. One of my faves by the band also. Can't understand those that decry Friends - arguably one of the more cohesive BB albums - and then go on about how great 20/20 is.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on July 07, 2015, 05:04:58 AM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: KDS on July 07, 2015, 05:17:48 AM
Brian's been doing a pretty good job keeping tracks from Friends in his setlists. 

I think he did Meant for You and the title track in the early 2000s.  Little Bird during the Beck tour.  Now, Wake the World and Busy Doin Nothing. 

Its a shame nothing from Friends cracked the setlist of the C50 tour. 


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: RONDEMON on July 07, 2015, 06:50:27 AM
I'm not sure the rest of the band loves that album. I know Bruce has criticized the album art more than a few times and in the 2nd "Brian Wilson Songwriter" DVDs, he dismisses the album as a whole.




Title: Re: Friends
Post by: phirnis on July 07, 2015, 07:26:47 AM
I'm not sure the rest of the band loves that album. I know Bruce has criticized the album art more than a few times and in the 2nd "Brian Wilson Songwriter" DVDs, he dismisses the album as a whole.

It's strange how he dismisses Friends while Sunflower is his favorite. These two albums aren't THAT different after all.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: undercover-m on July 07, 2015, 07:27:45 AM
I like to listen to "Friends" very early in the morning, shortly after sunrise. I'm hardly ever up that early, mind you... but when I am, I find it to be the perfect album to start the day with. And yes, it is better during the summer, but anytime of year is fine with me, even during the insanely harsh Syracuse winters! I love that album, from start to finish.

 :)
I woke up early for no reason and now I can't go back to bed, so I'm trying this out.
It was light already, like you said, but there are still some "early morning" vibes.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: NateRuvin on July 07, 2015, 07:34:49 AM
I love the Friends album. While others may disagree, I think it's just as cohesive as Pet Sounds. I listened to the Friends album when I am stressed. It's just so soothing, and it sounds like the band was at peace, which it seems they were. Mike had just discovered the effects of meditation, Brian was feeling a bit better, Denny and Al were probably happy about being able to write more, and as for Carl and Bruce- how could you not be happy recording music like this???
The instrumentation is great. You've got ukuleles, organs, upright basses, and so much more.... Unlike Wild Honey's rocking, hard-hitting drums, the drumming on Friends is very tasteful. Did Denny play these drums? I know the WC was brought in for some tracks, but if it was indeed Dennis, it really shows how he grew as a drummer. As I said, the WC was brought in from time to time, but I think Friends really shows the bands progression as instrumentalists. Friends is a great album filled with honest, "slice of life" songs.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Jesse Reiswig on July 07, 2015, 08:02:16 AM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

The only possible exception I can think of is Holland. Yes, "Big Sur" was recorded in a previous version, but the album track was brand new.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: JK on July 07, 2015, 08:15:55 AM
I'm not sure the rest of the band loves that album. I know Bruce has criticized the album art more than a few times and in the 2nd "Brian Wilson Songwriter" DVDs, he dismisses the album as a whole.

It's strange how he dismisses Friends while Sunflower is his favorite. These two albums aren't THAT different after all.

To my mind they are. If they were paintings, I'd say Friends was done in watercolours (or pastels) and Sunflower in oils (no pun intended).


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: SenorPotatoHead on July 07, 2015, 09:59:47 AM
Friends was the one weak BBs album in the 60s and their last official lp of the decade, Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.

How was it their last official album of the decade?   
20/20 came out in '69, and that's an "official" album isn't it?

Either way though, Friends was/is really good, and so is 20/20 in it's own way.
I'd rather listen to those albums than, say, most anything after Holland.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: KDS on July 07, 2015, 10:08:07 AM
Friends was the one weak BBs album in the 60s and their last official lp of the decade, Little bird was THE song on it in my opinion.

How was it their last official album of the decade?   
20/20 came out in '69, and that's an "official" album isn't it?

Either way though, Friends was/is really good, and so is 20/20 in it's own way.
I'd rather listen to those albums than, say, most anything after Holland.


Don't get him started Senor. 


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Chocolate Shake Man on July 07, 2015, 10:18:44 AM
I love Friends. I feel like it would be the last album for a long while where Brian was going for a "sound" for an entire record, if that makes any sense. As in, just as there is a Pet Sounds sound and a Smile sound, there is also a Friends sound. Maybe there's a Sunflower sound (less sure about that myself) and a Holland sound too but I don't think that Brian can take responsibility for it in those cases.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on July 07, 2015, 03:26:52 PM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

The only possible exception I can think of is Holland. Yes, "Big Sur" was recorded in a previous version, but the album track was brand new.

The original version, I'll give you... but the released version made partial use of a 1971 version of "Sail On, Sailor", according to SWD.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: James Hughes-Clarke on July 07, 2015, 03:39:11 PM
A "chill out" album made about 30 years before the phrase was coined.  Special, unique, eccentric as f*ck - and I never go on holiday without it!  


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: metal flake paint on July 07, 2015, 06:22:14 PM
As mentioned earlier, here's Bruce's assessment of the album from the Brian Wilson Songwriter DVD (extended interview):

https://youtu.be/7nZjikvKQSo?t=1m27s


BTW, he wasn't kind about the album cover either on the 30th Anniversary special.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: The Foot Fetish Man on July 07, 2015, 07:07:26 PM
If Brian performed this in it's entirety, I'd probably use vacation time to follow the entire tour.

Friends and 20/20 are the two albums that got me into The Beach Boys. Friends may not be everyone's cup of tea but I think it is a very strong album.

Mine, too!
I did have Made In The USA and Pet Sounds on CD before that...and I still have the single I bought in 1981 of "Come Go With Me" and then my brother's 8 track tape of Best of The Beach Boys Vol. 2" but I didn't feel any need to go headlong into their catalog until I visited the all night WalMart store here in early 1993 when I was 23 and bought the two-fer of Friends/2020 just on a whim. I listened to it at 2 in the morning and I was so struck by the chords and harmonies...I HAD to have more.
The next day I went back out and bought the two-fer of Smiley Smile/Wild Honey.....
Let's just say that after becoming obsessed overnight with Friends/2020 and then hearing Smiley Smile I had the same knee jerk reaction that I had when I was 14 in 1984 and bought Todd Rundgren's "A Wizard A True Star" after buying "Hermit Of Mink Hollow" and Utopia's "Oblivion" and self-titled album from '82.
I hoped this experience with the Beach Boys/Brian would be similar to that of Todd...that is, giving me a musical education that felt like disappointment but gradually learning to worship those albums as well what originally intrigued me about the artists.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: tpesky on July 07, 2015, 07:09:01 PM
The man also thought a Disco version of Pipeline was a good idea as well as putting a jarring disco song thats over 10 minutes long on a "light album". I like Bruce and he's done some good stuff, is incredibly talented, but his ideas of good musical choices can be criticized  ;D..to put it mildly


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Jesse Reiswig on July 07, 2015, 10:02:24 PM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

The only possible exception I can think of is Holland. Yes, "Big Sur" was recorded in a previous version, but the album track was brand new.

The original version, I'll give you... but the released version made partial use of a 1971 version of "Sail On, Sailor", according to SWD.

Ah, never heard that Desper said that before. I knew that the song had been woodshedded for a long time but didn't realize part of the track itself was already old. Thanks for the info, man.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: rogerlancelot on July 07, 2015, 10:35:10 PM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

The only possible exception I can think of is Holland. Yes, "Big Sur" was recorded in a previous version, but the album track was brand new.

The original version, I'll give you... but the released version made partial use of a 1971 version of "Sail On, Sailor", according to SWD.

Can we count "Little Bird" incorporating part of "Child Is Father Of The Man"?

 ;D


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on July 07, 2015, 11:37:30 PM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

The only possible exception I can think of is Holland. Yes, "Big Sur" was recorded in a previous version, but the album track was brand new.

The original version, I'll give you... but the released version made partial use of a 1971 version of "Sail On, Sailor", according to SWD.

Ah, never heard that Desper said that before. I knew that the song had been woodshedded for a long time but didn't realize part of the track itself was already old. Thanks for the info, man.

Now granted, I'm not in the best of moods right now, so my mind may be a bit fuzzy...but...did I just read that the Holland version of Big Sur used part of the 1971 version of Sail on Sailor?

Wow...that's pretty cool....


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Ron on July 07, 2015, 11:55:24 PM
I like how he worked the dynamics on the album... in several parts they're trying to sing very soft and tender, it really shows off how their voices were so beautiful and didn't need all the power that had been so stunning on all their other stuff.  You can listen to "Little Bird" and how delicate Dennis sings, and then listen to something like "Girls on the Beach" and hear them at full swell, a completely different sound. 


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: CenturyDeprived on July 08, 2015, 12:45:28 AM
I don't get it either, it seems to me that it's another one of Brian's eccentric masterpieces... hell it was recorded in his living room, right?  Doesn't get much cooler than that....

Partly... maybe half of it, or a tad more.

Speaking of BB tracks with significant amounts of home living room recording as part of the song... Were there any songs of that sort that were hits? Perhaps some of Do it Again? Or was living room recording the kiss of death commercial/sales-wise for the band? Not saying that there's necessarily any direct correlation, and I love homespun BB records, but there may be something to be said for the hits drying up once the pro studio sound changed.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: CenturyDeprived on July 08, 2015, 12:50:45 AM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

How about BB85?


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: CenturyDeprived on July 08, 2015, 12:52:34 AM
How much of Mike is present on this album? Wasn't he absent for most of its creation and recording, despite some exceptions? Is this the BB album with the least Mike involvement?


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Alan Smith on July 08, 2015, 02:07:58 AM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

How about BB85?
A version of California Calling was recorded in '82, unfinished tho'.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on July 08, 2015, 03:14:32 AM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

How about BB85?
A version of California Calling was recorded in '82, unfinished tho'.

If only it had remained so... ;D


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Please delete my account on July 08, 2015, 04:44:28 AM
How much of Mike is present on this album? Wasn't he absent for most of its creation and recording, despite some exceptions? Is this the BB album with the least Mike involvement?

well he has two leads (just about), as opposed to only the one on L.A.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: beatnickle on July 08, 2015, 04:58:48 AM
I'm not sure the rest of the band loves that album. I know Bruce has criticized the album art more than a few times and in the 2nd "Brian Wilson Songwriter" DVDs, he dismisses the album as a whole.




Aaaaaaaaarg.............. Bruce couldn't carry Brian's jock strap. ( I LOVE the Friends LP )


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: rab2591 on July 08, 2015, 05:13:17 AM
Friends, to me, is Pet Sounds part II. The hopeless romantic teenager has grown up, now has a family, he has friends that get him and accept him for all his eccentricities, he has a house which he can give good directions to, a spiritual way of life (TM). The kid finally found his way in the world, he has grown up but still has that wide-eyed wonder about everything.

Aside from the concept, musically it is incredibly beautiful. As someone mentioned before, this is a pretty low-key album in terms of vocals, but the stunning Beach Boys harmonies are still there. The crazy chord changes and Brian's trademark songwriting style are all over this album. Dennis' contributions are so damn good. And it doesn't get much better than hearing a snippet of CIFOTM fit so perfectly in Little Bird.

5/5 one of the best albums the Beach Boys ever made.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Alan Smith on July 08, 2015, 06:15:50 AM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

How about BB85?
A version of California Calling was recorded in '82, unfinished tho'.
If only it had remained so... ;D
:lol although I don't quite agree - any song that name checks boogie-boardin' is eternally totally rad, in my book


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: KDS on July 08, 2015, 06:36:27 AM
I know I'm likely in the minority, but I think California Calling is one of the better songs on the Beach Boys 85 album. 

Going back to Friends, I've always thought it was a perfect album for a lazy, hot and hazy, summer day. 


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Jesse Reiswig on July 08, 2015, 06:36:59 AM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

How about BB85?

I think the Carl songs were recorded several months before the album sessions proper. So under the strict definition Andrew laid out, it may not qualify. Still, I think it's the closest since Friends.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on July 08, 2015, 07:44:30 AM
I know I'm likely in the minority, but I think California Calling is one of the better songs on the Beach Boys 85 album.  

Going back to Friends, I've always thought it was a perfect album for a lazy, hot and hazy, summer day.  

Going off-topic a bit (sorry) but in top 3 worst BB songs officially released for me. The cupboard must have been very bare indeed to go back 3 years and resurrect that one.

Friends is a 4/5 for me, last 2 songs though not bad by any means lose it a bit. Its a bit like the BB's entry into that mid/late 60s soft pop sound with bands like the Free Design, Harper's Bizarre, the Millennium etc


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: SBonilla on July 08, 2015, 08:10:21 AM
 

Going back to Friends, I've always thought it was a perfect album for a lazy, hot and hazy, summer day.  

. Its a bit like the BB's entry into that mid/late 60s soft pop sound with bands like the Free Design, Harper's Bizarre, the Millennium etc

How can that be when the Beach Boys were one of the architects of that sound?

The groups you mention were still doing the baroque thing. Friends went beyond that in a loose-knit, jazzy and minimal way.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: RONDEMON on July 08, 2015, 08:21:24 AM
Some great stuff and interesting arrangements on this one.

Definitely a jazz/bossa influence on most of the tracks and almost no reverb or tape delay effects.

Fidelity-wise, it sounds better than both Wild Honey and Smiley Smile too.
I wonder if this had more to do with less overdubs degrading the tape itself, which was common in that era.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but were any of the 20/20 songs recorded during whatever is considered the Friends sessions?
I always associate "I Went to Sleep" and "We're Together Again" with Friends because of the gentle laid-back vibe and the instrument/arrangement choices.





Title: Re: Friends
Post by: KDS on July 08, 2015, 08:29:07 AM
I think I Went to Sleep was recorded around the same time. 

Nearest Faraway Place also wouldn't have sounded out of place on the Friends album.

That's why Friends and 20/20 make such a great two-fer. 


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: CenturyDeprived on July 08, 2015, 08:52:42 AM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

How about BB85?
A version of California Calling was recorded in '82, unfinished tho'.

If only it had remained so... ;D

Ah, but then we'd never have had a Beatle being present on a Beach Boys album. Unless that unconfirmed celery munching on Vegatables was actually Paul...

But yeah, California Calling is pretty lame. And it sticks out on BB85 and just doesn't really fit, even on an album as mish-mash as it otherwise is.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll on July 08, 2015, 10:15:21 AM
 

Going back to Friends, I've always thought it was a perfect album for a lazy, hot and hazy, summer day.  

. Its a bit like the BB's entry into that mid/late 60s soft pop sound with bands like the Free Design, Harper's Bizarre, the Millennium etc

How can that be when the Beach Boys were one of the architects of that sound?

The groups you mention were still doing the baroque thing. Friends went beyond that in a loose-knit, jazzy and minimal way.

Yeah, "entry" was not the right word. I was just thinking they had a similar childlike feel both lyrically and musically.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: SBonilla on July 08, 2015, 10:52:35 AM
 

Going back to Friends, I've always thought it was a perfect album for a lazy, hot and hazy, summer day.  

. Its a bit like the BB's entry into that mid/late 60s soft pop sound with bands like the Free Design, Harper's Bizarre, the Millennium etc

How can that be when the Beach Boys were one of the architects of that sound?

The groups you mention were still doing the baroque thing. Friends went beyond that in a loose-knit, jazzy and minimal way.

Yeah, "entry" was not the right word. I was just thinking they had a similar childlike feel both lyrically and musically.


Free Design, especially. Both groups had that good ol' DNA vocal blend.  Can't beat that.

Thinking of the difference between the Dedricks and the Wilsons (and Love),  I see the Free Design as having come to pop/rock by way of The Modernaires, The Swingle Singers and The Hi-Lo's, whereas the Beach Boys came to it by way of The Four Freshman and The Belmonts and Little Caeser & The Romans (meaning an LA type of doo wop).
The Beach Boys had some advanced things going on in their harmonies and voicings, but they also had a certain casualness, a looseness, even, in their sound. That was appealing to me.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Lonely Summer on July 08, 2015, 03:40:58 PM
Smiley, Honey and Friends - to me - all have a warm, summers night feel to them - of course, with SS, add 'slightly stoned' to the description. All very short length albums, too.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Ram4 on July 08, 2015, 04:41:54 PM
I love Friends.  Love the vibe, the mellowed out feel, the stripped down production, great songs. 

Ways to make it even better - Would have been nice with proper lyrics for Passing By, maybe include We're Together Again and/or Can't Wait Too Long.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Ron on July 08, 2015, 09:40:39 PM
I've mentioned it before on here but I didn't explain it very well and i'm not sure that I can any better now, but albums like "Friends" to me are much more personal, intimate Beach Boys albums.  it gives off this feel that they were all friends (literally), working together, trying to make good music, growing a little older, etc.  So it's one of their albums that almost every moment of it is appreciable, if Bruce is singing in the background my mind notices it and kind of checks off "Hey!  Bruce was there the day they recorded this!" or if I hear a neat lyric I know Dennis wrote, I think "Hey!  They were probably really proud of Dennis pulling that off!" or if I hear a lot of reverb on something, "Hey!  Brian or Stephen (on the later albums) probably worked on that for an hour to get it just right...."

It's hard to explain, but when I listen to a lot of the 70's albums (and late 60's) it's almost like you're there in the room with them while they record it.  I feel like i'm sitting in the control room watching...


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on July 08, 2015, 10:36:47 PM
The most accurate single word description I've heard is "homespun". Mostly, it sounds like the guys were just sitting around in Brian's lounge dicking around on whatever instrument was to hand, and someone pressed "record". It's a strong favourite of mine and has been since the late seventies.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Lonely Summer on July 08, 2015, 11:04:28 PM
I love Friends.  Love the vibe, the mellowed out feel, the stripped down production, great songs. 

Ways to make it even better - Would have been nice with proper lyrics for Passing By, maybe include We're Together Again and/or Can't Wait Too Long.
Passing By is perfect the way it is.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: bossaroo on July 09, 2015, 12:54:30 AM
The most accurate single word description I've heard is "homespun". Mostly, it sounds like the guys were just sitting around in Brian's lounge dicking around on whatever instrument was to hand, and someone pressed "record". It's a strong favourite of mine and has been since the late seventies.

I would describe Smiley and Wild Honey as homespun, with a more spontaneous feel.

Friends has a homespun vibe, but the instrumentation covers a rather broad spectrum and much of it was played by studio musicians.

the vibes and swinging waltz drumming on Friends, the bass harmonica on Passing By, the lush bossa arrangement of Busy Doin Nothin, the steel guitar and exotic sound effects on Diamond Head, the wall of horns on Transcendental Meditation, etc


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Moon Dawg on July 09, 2015, 04:13:24 AM
How much of Mike is present on this album? Wasn't he absent for most of its creation and recording, despite some exceptions? Is this the BB album with the least Mike involvement?

  Not sure about that, but aural evidence and songwriting credits suggest Bruce was at the nearest faraway place. He's simply nowhere to be found on FRIENDS.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: James Hughes-Clarke on July 09, 2015, 05:19:45 AM
How much of Mike is present on this album? Wasn't he absent for most of its creation and recording, despite some exceptions? Is this the BB album with the least Mike involvement?

  Not sure about that, but aural evidence and songwriting credits suggest Bruce was at the nearest faraway place. He's simply nowhere to be found on FREINDS.

Making wine in his garage...?


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on July 10, 2015, 11:05:48 AM
How much of Mike is present on this album? Wasn't he absent for most of its creation and recording, despite some exceptions? Is this the BB album with the least Mike involvement?

Mike was in Rishikesh, then stopped off in London on the way back. Pretty sure the only tracks he's on are "Meant For You", "Anna Lee, The Healer" and "Transcendental Meditation", all recorded in early April.

And yes, I know the album is awash with session players. I was illustrating an impression, not stating an historical fact.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: bossaroo on July 10, 2015, 12:39:34 PM
it sounds like the guys were just sitting around in Brian's lounge dicking around on whatever instrument was to hand

thanks so much for sharing your impressions  ::)


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Loaf on July 10, 2015, 12:39:55 PM
I've mentioned it before on here but I didn't explain it very well and i'm not sure that I can any better now, but albums like "Friends" to me are much more personal, intimate Beach Boys albums.  it gives off this feel that they were all friends (literally), working together, trying to make good music, growing a little older, etc.  So it's one of their albums that almost every moment of it is appreciable, if Bruce is singing in the background my mind notices it and kind of checks off "Hey!  Bruce was there the day they recorded this!" or if I hear a neat lyric I know Dennis wrote, I think "Hey!  They were probably really proud of Dennis pulling that off!" or if I hear a lot of reverb on something, "Hey!  Brian or Stephen (on the later albums) probably worked on that for an hour to get it just right...."

It's hard to explain, but when I listen to a lot of the 70's albums (and late 60's) it's almost like you're there in the room with them while they record it.  I feel like i'm sitting in the control room watching...

This is exactly how i feel. Like i'm a witness to the whole ambience and recording process.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Loaf on July 10, 2015, 12:40:50 PM
"dicking around on whatever instrument was to hand"

thanks so much for sharing your impressions  ::)

Isn't that describing the recording session for the a cappella All I Want to Do tag?


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: metal flake paint on July 10, 2015, 02:47:09 PM
Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Mike's Beard on July 10, 2015, 02:49:38 PM
How much of Mike is present on this album? Wasn't he absent for most of its creation and recording, despite some exceptions? Is this the BB album with the least Mike involvement?

Mike was in Rishikesh, then stopped off in London on the way back. Pretty sure the only tracks he's on are "Meant For You", "Anna Lee, The Healer" and "Transcendental Meditation", all recorded in early April.

And yes, I know the album is awash with session players. I was illustrating an impression, not stating an historical fact.

Mike's on "Transcendental Meditation"? I swear I can only hear Brian and Al - what parts are Mike singing?
I'm certain I hear him on "Be Here in the Morning", the second line on each verse.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Alan Smith on July 10, 2015, 03:15:46 PM
Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.

Mike is rather audible on Wake the World - the accentuations on ...dawnin' & ...mornin', especially on the last chorus are he.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: phirnis on July 10, 2015, 03:24:31 PM
How much of Mike is present on this album? Wasn't he absent for most of its creation and recording, despite some exceptions? Is this the BB album with the least Mike involvement?

Mike was in Rishikesh, then stopped off in London on the way back. Pretty sure the only tracks he's on are "Meant For You", "Anna Lee, The Healer" and "Transcendental Meditation", all recorded in early April.

And yes, I know the album is awash with session players. I was illustrating an impression, not stating an historical fact.

Mike's on "Transcendental Meditation"? I swear I can only hear Brian and Al - what parts are Mike singing?
I'm certain I hear him on "Be Here in the Morning", the second line on each verse.

Just an idea, but maybe he played some sax on TM. :P


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Stephen W. Desper on July 10, 2015, 03:34:19 PM
COMMENT:  I hate to sound like an old record (pun intended) but I speak to the recording times of Friends in the first 14 pages of my book Recording The Beach Boys, which can be found at http://swdstudyvideos.com. However, you have to read the book and not just listen to the Sunflower songs. Part of 20/20 is the segway from Friends production efforts -- of which I was involved --- to 20/20 production efforts -- involved with that too and on to Sunflower. As I read some of your comments, I think a few of you would gain a better perspective of those times by referring to the study-video Recording The Beach Boys -- Part One.  ~swd   


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: FFS on July 10, 2015, 05:54:56 PM
God....wish I had SD's book. And his life and expertise......
 Anyhow, my impression of Friends is that it was one inclusion off from being an absolute classic - Diamond Head. This unnecessary pile of childish kitsch prevents this god like album from being 5*. A good album has to represent an ace experience through every track, and this has always killed it stone dead. Still, its vastly superior to 20/20....






 I've always deleted this childish piece of Americana to stop the rest of the album being ruined. With this off the album becomes one of the great experinces of  its time.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: bossaroo on July 10, 2015, 08:51:14 PM
a lot of folks would disagree with you... there's really nothing else like it in the catalog. Brian was reportedly very involved in creating the atmospheric sound effects, although the song itself appears to have been composed basically on the spot by Al Vescovo, the steel guitarist... which likely explains why the tune doesn't "fit" with the rest of the album for some.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Emdeeh on July 10, 2015, 08:59:15 PM
I put together a Hawaiian/ island themed mix CD for a party that had "Diamond Head" as one of the tracks. It fit in beautifully.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: bossaroo on July 10, 2015, 09:47:58 PM
I love it so much I include it in my personal SMiLE mix, along with Little Pad. the two merge nicely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGyhIL0mRJ4

Brian also included it in a list of songs he associated with SMiLE, when the proposition of performing SMiLE was first discussed in the early 00's


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: NateRuvin on July 11, 2015, 08:38:16 AM
Everyone claims Bruce wasn't present at these sessions, but I think he was. I can hear his harmony singing built into many songs. Also, Bruce has a very signature (sort of amateur) style of bass playing, that can be found all over Wild Honey, that seems present on Friends.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Ovi on July 11, 2015, 09:03:31 AM
Friends, to me, is Pet Sounds part II. The hopeless romantic teenager has grown up, now has a family, he has friends that get him and accept him for all his eccentricities, he has a house which he can give good directions to, a spiritual way of life (TM). The kid finally found his way in the world, he has grown up but still has that wide-eyed wonder about everything.

Aside from the concept, musically it is incredibly beautiful. As someone mentioned before, this is a pretty low-key album in terms of vocals, but the stunning Beach Boys harmonies are still there. The crazy chord changes and Brian's trademark songwriting style are all over this album. Dennis' contributions are so damn good. And it doesn't get much better than hearing a snippet of CIFOTM fit so perfectly in Little Bird.

5/5 one of the best albums the Beach Boys ever made.

Beautiful, fully agreed.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: sockittome on July 11, 2015, 09:25:58 AM
God....wish I had SD's book. And his life and expertise......
 Anyhow, my impression of Friends is that it was one inclusion off from being an absolute classic - Diamond Head. This unnecessary pile of childish kitsch prevents this god like album from being 5*. A good album has to represent an ace experience through every track, and this has always killed it stone dead. Still, its vastly superior to 20/20....






 I've always deleted this childish piece of Americana to stop the rest of the album being ruined. With this off the album becomes one of the great experinces of  its time.


Diamond Head is pretty harmless in my book.  It's a pleasant little atmospheric ditty that would have made a fine album closer.  But then you have the mood-killing Transcendental to muck everything up.   Sorry, and I know there are a number of folks here who like Transcendental, but I can't get into it.  Lop that one off, and we'll have world peace.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: bossaroo on July 11, 2015, 10:36:18 AM
Transcendental Meditation is a bit jarring at the end of an otherwise mellow laid-back album, but I think it's also a good example of Brian's sense of humor set to music. and like Busy Doin Nothin and Diamond Head, there's really nothing else like it in the band's catalog. the discordant wall of horns is too cool, and the instrumental track on MiC is a real treat.

why end there, though? tack on I Went To Sleep and Old Man River. maybe Celebrate the News and Time to Get Alone. Friends is far too short of a record.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: SBonilla on July 11, 2015, 10:46:48 AM


... I've always deleted this childish piece of Americana...

Americana? It's a blues with substitute chords. And childish? Yikes. Such crankiness.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Chocolate Shake Man on July 11, 2015, 12:31:11 PM


... I've always deleted this childish piece of Americana...

Americana? It's a blues with substitute chords. And childish? Yikes. Such crankiness.

I see a great deal of blues intersecting with what can be called Americana though granted all these terms are somewhat arbitrary. But if Charley Jordan or Papa Charlie Jackson aren't Americana, I don't know what is.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: bossaroo on July 11, 2015, 12:54:35 PM
the Beach Boys are about as Americana as it gets if you ask me


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Mike's Beard on July 11, 2015, 01:24:02 PM

Diamond Head is pretty harmless in my book.  It's a pleasant little atmospheric ditty that would have made a fine album closer.  But then you have the mood-killing Transcendental to muck everything up.   Sorry, and I know there are a number of folks here who like Transcendental, but I can't get into it.  Lop that one off, and we'll have world peace.

We'd also be left with a 23 minute long album.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Ebb and Flow on July 11, 2015, 01:35:53 PM
Hated Transcendental Meditation passionately until the instrumental on MiC.  I think it works way better without the dissonant vocals and TM lyrics.  It reminds me of the Doc Severinsen era Tonight Show band or something.  Still don't think it really belongs as an album closer though.  Aside from that Friends is one of their most solid albums.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: sockittome on July 11, 2015, 02:10:08 PM

Diamond Head is pretty harmless in my book.  It's a pleasant little atmospheric ditty that would have made a fine album closer.  But then you have the mood-killing Transcendental to muck everything up.   Sorry, and I know there are a number of folks here who like Transcendental, but I can't get into it.  Lop that one off, and we'll have world peace.

We'd also be left with a 23 minute long album.

Like bossaroo said, tack on I Went to Sleep.  Personally, I'm not sure about the other suggestions, but IWtS would fit in perfectly with the vibe of the album....and give it some closure.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: c-man on July 11, 2015, 02:13:56 PM
Friends is probably the last time the band released an album that didn't include tracks from the vault or recorded before the album sessions proper.

How about BB85?

I think the Carl songs were recorded several months before the album sessions proper. So under the strict definition Andrew laid out, it may not qualify. Still, I think it's the closest since Friends.

Wrong - true, Carl's songs on BB '85 were the first to be recorded, but only by a few weeks. Carl flew to London and laid down tracks for his songs with Levine from June 20-25, then returned home for a few shows (including the Tonight Show appearance and the big Washington D.C. Fourth of July concert), after which it was Brian's turn to fly to London to lay down tracks, from July 6-24. Then vocals and additional tracks were recorded in L.A. that fall, followed by vocal sweetening from Al and Bruce in London during January and mixdowns in L.A. during March. So the whole timespan for doing the album stretched over nine months. It wouldn't be accurate to say that any part of this process was before the album sessions proper, as it was ALL part of the sessions proper.

The same thing is true for TWGMTR - while several songs or parts of songs were written years before the rest (that is also true with BB '85), the whole thing was recorded within the same timeframe of about a year or so. See, the difference is, in the '60s these guys really would knock out an album in a couple months, tops - so the Pet Sounds and first half of the SMilE eras, and the second half of the SMiLE eras plus the Smiley Smile and Wild Honey eras all took place in the timespan of one year each ('66 and '67, respectively). But since the '80s, they (like most artists) have spent upwards of a year recording a single album. So sessions for BB '85 spanned '84-'85, BW spanned '87-'88, TWGMTR spanned 2011 (or 2010) to 2012, and NPP spanned 2013 (or late 2012) to late 2014! Several groups of sessions, to be sure, constitute an entire album project these days :)


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: c-man on July 11, 2015, 02:19:34 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but were any of the 20/20 songs recorded during whatever is considered the Friends sessions?
I always associate "I Went to Sleep" and "We're Together Again" with Friends because of the gentle laid-back vibe and the instrument/arrangement choices.


Close, but not quite - although not released until June 17, the Friends sessions wrapped up in mid-April. "We're Together Again" (the finished version) was cut in late May, and "I Went To Sleep" in early June....OK, close enough that I won't quibble!  :)


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: c-man on July 11, 2015, 02:23:34 PM
How much of Mike is present on this album? Wasn't he absent for most of its creation and recording, despite some exceptions? Is this the BB album with the least Mike involvement?

  Not sure about that, but aural evidence and songwriting credits suggest Bruce was at the nearest faraway place. He's simply nowhere to be found on FREINDS.

Wrong - he's on there instrumentally (piano on "Meant For You", probably Rock-Si-Chord or clavichord or something similar on "Passing By") and vocally (high voice in several places).


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: c-man on July 11, 2015, 02:35:18 PM
Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.

Mike's parts on those two songs were added afterwards, since he was indeed in India during the initial recording of them (which is probably why Murry stepped in to add the low bass voice on "Be Here In The Mornin'"). But Mike is apparently not on "Friends" or "Little Bird", also recorded while he was in India. As for the rest of the album - I don't think Mike is on "When A Man Needs A Woman" or "Passing By", and definitely not on "Be Still" or "Diamond Head". As for "Transcendental Meditation" - despite that being written by Brian-Mike-Al, Brian is definitely the only BB I hear on there. Some of stated they think Al is, but I truly believe it's just Bri and Marilyn singing. The track was cut at the very end of the sessions, while the guys were away on the ill-fated tour of the southeast, and I don't think they bothered to add anyone else to it after they returned.

As for my Friends album sessionography in ESQ...since the time that was initially published seven years ago, new information has come to light - including inside skivvy from Alan Boyd that it's Brian, not Dennis, playing the organ on "Be Still" (and Brian did so again, a year later, for Steve Kalinich's version of the song), and the fact that Bruce plays piano on "Meant For You" while Brian plays organ.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: c-man on July 11, 2015, 02:42:03 PM
Everyone claims Bruce wasn't present at these sessions, but I think he was. I can hear his harmony singing built into many songs. Also, Bruce has a very signature (sort of amateur) style of bass playing, that can be found all over Wild Honey, that seems present on Friends.

Agreed, except when it comes to Bruce playing bass on Friends. He played it on "Wild Honey" (the track), but for the rest of the Wild Honey (album) songs, it's mostly Carl (definitely on "Country Air" and "Let The Wind Blow") and Ron Brown (definitely on "Darlin'" and "I Was Made To Love Her"). Bruce is listed among the players on the AFM sheet for "Passing By", but as I stated above, I think he probably played an electric keyboard on that one - but, since I haven't heard that particular session tape (to date), I can't say for sure. For most of the Friends album, though, it's Lyle Ritz on bass (sometimes playing an upright, sometimes an electric), with Jimmy Bond on the title track (upright) and one of the BBs (I'm guessing Carl) on "Ana Lee" (electric).


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on July 11, 2015, 03:42:56 PM
According to Elliott in DAG #3, the band's attendance at the Friends sessions was as follows (home studio unless otherwise noted):

2/29 - Little Fish In A Brook (= Little Bird): no info (on aural evidence, Dennis, Brian & Carl minimum)

3/6 - Be Here In The Morning Darling (track #1): eight musicians including Brian

3/13 - Friends: no info (on aural evidence, Brian, Carl & Alan: SWD confirms Murry on bass vocal in chorus)

3/18 - Untitled #1 (= When A Man needs A Woman): five musicians incl. Brian

3/20 - Our Happy Home: all six BB contribute vocals

3/22 - Passing By: eight musicians incl. Brian, Bruce and A. N. Other BB (likely Carl)

3/26 - Even Steven (= Busy Doin' Nothin')/"New Song" (= Doves Of Peace/Spanish Guitar instrumental): Brian (as producer)

3/28 - Wake The World track (two sessions): Brian (as prod)

3/29 - Be Here In The Morning (track #2): six musicians including  ?Brian

3/30 - Wake the World vocals (at ID Sound): five BB, no Mike

3/31 - Be Here In The Morning vocals (ID Sound): five BB

4/1 - Meant For You (ID Sound): all six BB

4/2 - Anna Lee, The Healer (at ID Sound): five BB play on the track, all six sing

4/4 - Transcendental Meditation track (at ID Sound): Brian (as producer) [BB on tour]

4/11 - Busy Doin' Nothin' (at ID Sound): Brian (presumably vocals)

4/12 - Diamond Head (at ID Sound): Brian (as producer)

4/13 - Be Still: Dennis [this date has to be inaccurate unless Dennis flew in from Florida to record the song, then flew back on the same day - thoughts, Craig ?]


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: metal flake paint on July 11, 2015, 04:03:10 PM
Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.

Mike's parts on those two songs were added afterwards, since he was indeed in India during the initial recording of them (which is probably why Murry stepped in to add the low bass voice on "Be Here In The Mornin'"). But Mike is apparently not on "Friends" or "Little Bird", also recorded while he was in India. As for the rest of the album - I don't think Mike is on "When A Man Needs A Woman" or "Passing By", and definitely not on "Be Still" or "Diamond Head". As for "Transcendental Meditation" - despite that being written by Brian-Mike-Al, Brian is definitely the only BB I hear on there. Some of stated they think Al is, but I truly believe it's just Bri and Marilyn singing. The track was cut at the very end of the sessions, while the guys were away on the ill-fated tour of the southeast, and I don't think they bothered to add anyone else to it after they returned.

As for my Friends album sessionography in ESQ...since the time that was initially published seven years ago, new information has come to light - including inside skivvy from Alan Boyd that it's Brian, not Dennis, playing the organ on "Be Still" (and Brian did so again, a year later, for Steve Kalinich's version of the song), and the fact that Bruce plays piano on "Meant For You" while Brian plays organ.

Thanks for the detailed and updated info, Craig.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Ebb and Flow on July 11, 2015, 04:58:49 PM
According to Elliott in DAG #3, the band's attendance at the Friends sessions was as follows (home studio unless otherwise noted):


I really hope a lot of this stuff (especially the early alternate versions) shows up on the 2018 copyright extension release...since we'll likely never get a box set.  Session audio of Murry in the studio singing would be a trip as well.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: rab2591 on July 11, 2015, 05:03:12 PM
Many thanks to Craig and AGD for the info!

I really hope a lot of this stuff (especially the early alternate versions) shows up on the 2018 copyright extension release...since we'll likely never get a box set.  Session audio of Murry in the studio singing would be a trip as well.

I think you're absolutely right about the boxset, but I'm hopeful about a copyright extension release. Shame we'll have to wait 3 years for it, but the wait will be worth it.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Gerry on July 11, 2015, 05:12:00 PM
Transcendental Meditation always sounded like a radio jingle that Brian wrote as a commercial for TM. You could almost hear Mike doing a voice-over as Transcendental Meditation plays in the background.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: c-man on July 11, 2015, 09:39:38 PM
<<4/13 - Be Still: Dennis [this date has to be inaccurate unless Dennis flew in from Florida to record the song, then flew back on the same day - thoughts, Craig ?]>>

My guess would be 4/3. Just a guess, though.



Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on July 11, 2015, 11:46:06 PM
That or 3/3... I think yours is the more likely.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: Alan Smith on July 12, 2015, 04:27:49 AM
Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.

Mike's parts on those two songs were added afterwards, since he was indeed in India during the initial recording of them (which is probably why Murry stepped in to add the low bass voice on "Be Here In The Mornin'"). But Mike is apparently not on "Friends" or "Little Bird", also recorded while he was in India. As for the rest of the album - I don't think Mike is on "When A Man Needs A Woman" or "Passing By", and definitely not on "Be Still" or "Diamond Head". As for "Transcendental Meditation" - despite that being written by Brian-Mike-Al, Brian is definitely the only BB I hear on there. Some of stated they think Al is, but I truly believe it's just Bri and Marilyn singing. The track was cut at the very end of the sessions, while the guys were away on the ill-fated tour of the southeast, and I don't think they bothered to add anyone else to it after they returned.

As for my Friends album sessionography in ESQ...since the time that was initially published seven years ago, new information has come to light - including inside skivvy from Alan Boyd that it's Brian, not Dennis, playing the organ on "Be Still" (and Brian did so again, a year later, for Steve Kalinich's version of the song), and the fact that Bruce plays piano on "Meant For You" while Brian plays organ.

Thanks for the detailed and updated info, Craig.
C-man - as per MFP, thanks so much for the info, it's invaluable.

However, I find it strange that the band would 'later' put Mike's vocals on only BHITM and WTW, but not the rest of the tracks in the can while he was in India.  I wonder why these two tracks received a post-session Mike augmentation, but the rest did not.

Any speculation appreciated - cheers - A


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: c-man on July 12, 2015, 05:27:16 AM
Craig's Friend's sessionography in Vol. 20, issue 4 of ESQ lists "Wake The World" and "Be Here In The Morning" as featuring Mike vocals, along with his two leads.

Mike's parts on those two songs were added afterwards, since he was indeed in India during the initial recording of them (which is probably why Murry stepped in to add the low bass voice on "Be Here In The Mornin'"). But Mike is apparently not on "Friends" or "Little Bird", also recorded while he was in India. As for the rest of the album - I don't think Mike is on "When A Man Needs A Woman" or "Passing By", and definitely not on "Be Still" or "Diamond Head". As for "Transcendental Meditation" - despite that being written by Brian-Mike-Al, Brian is definitely the only BB I hear on there. Some of stated they think Al is, but I truly believe it's just Bri and Marilyn singing. The track was cut at the very end of the sessions, while the guys were away on the ill-fated tour of the southeast, and I don't think they bothered to add anyone else to it after they returned.

As for my Friends album sessionography in ESQ...since the time that was initially published seven years ago, new information has come to light - including inside skivvy from Alan Boyd that it's Brian, not Dennis, playing the organ on "Be Still" (and Brian did so again, a year later, for Steve Kalinich's version of the song), and the fact that Bruce plays piano on "Meant For You" while Brian plays organ.

Thanks for the detailed and updated info, Craig.
C-man - as per MFP, thanks so much for the info, it's invaluable.

However, I find it strange that the band would 'later' put Mike's vocals on only BHITM and WTW, but not the rest of the tracks in the can while he was in India.  I wonder why these two tracks received a post-session Mike augmentation, but the rest did not.

Any speculation appreciated - cheers - A

My guess would be Brian, Mike, or the group as a whole decided those songs needed Mike's voice, and the others were fine as was.


Title: Re: Friends
Post by: c-man on July 12, 2015, 05:30:32 AM
I can't believe no one has pointed out the obvious typo in one of my posts above...but to set the record straight, it should read "inside skinny", not "inside skivvy". Not that that sounds much better!  :)