The Smiley Smile Message Board

"Little Surfer Girl" came up on random yesterday. At the start, Brian says...

"On the playback, Bob, I want piano and bass!"

So bossy! Did a young Brian Wilson expect Bob to just make bass and piano tracks appear via magic when Brian heard it back after doing the vocal? what is it

inb4 Brian asking for a horse, the intent is clear, DON'T BE A DOOFUS

I believe the story is that this snippet was found on one track of a multitrack that had been recorded over,.  I've always interpreted this to mean that Brian wanted to hear the piano and bass, which were being recorded on another track (now sadly lost to erasure), in his headphones while the organ, drum, and vocal were being recorded on this track.  

By the way, according to Vickie Kocher, the correct title for this song is "Teach Me to Surf," and it was intended as a duet between Bob Norberg and Vickie.  Vickie (now known as Victoria Hale) remembers the complete melody and lyrics, and has sung them to me.

Lee

Hey, runnersdialzero ,you have got to get a new avatar because that one is really annoying.

Isn't that the whole point?

I knew it was all that exists of the song (unfortunately), but didn't know this was how it was found. Thanks for the info!


Oh jeez. Assuming she hasn't already done so, if you ever get a chance to talk to her again, please suggest she get in contact with the Beach Boys camp and sing the song as she remembers it for preservation's sake. She may very well be the only person who remembers the song at all.

... only if she wants to, obviously, it'd just be a shame for something like this to be totally lost forever.

Disagree x 2

Hello Kitty kicks ass.

Not if it ran into My Little Pony

LOL

Always liked that little demo myself. Brian had good studio banter, simple and you hear this best in the Pet Sound sessions.

COMMENT:  As Executive Producer, Brian may demand all he wishes.  

If you want to hear some studio banter by Brian, check out the study-video of God Only Knows.  Therein you will be able to hear all the going's on between Brian and his hired studio musicians. You will hear how he constructs his track for this song, even if the musicians have little idea what the final arrangement will produce.  Go to >>>  http://swdstudyvideos.com
~swd

Are the melody/lyrics documented anywhere? That is, does she have a physical copy of the words or, perhaps, a home recording of herself singing the tune? I'd hate for this little gem to completely fall through the cracks if it doesn't have to.

The lyrics were published in the Spring 2011 issue of Endless Summer Quarterly, in my interview with Victoria.  Victoria has a friend that is a musical arranger, and she was going to have him transcribe it to sheet music.  But I also have the melody saved on a voice mail message from her.

Lee

The 20 minute version of Bull Session with Big Daddy is bananas

I'll throw my hat into the irrelevant bs ring and say "nah." Runners' avatar is legend. Glad to see you back rdz.

How about Murry talking to Carl during the Warmth of the Sun sessions, "Carl sit up and play, your laying down!" Must have a been a late night session going from Fun, Fun, Fun into that session. I can just picture a young Carl, almost sleeping playing his guitar on his back  :-D

Or how about the banter between Mike and Brian during the In the Parkin' Lot sessions, Mike: "That's Our new album cover, Four on the Floor by The Beach Boys!" Brian: "It's got possibilities, write down, write it down."

Here's a great one. During the I'm So Young Sessions, Brian playing the Organ, Brian: "F*ck,I turned the Organ off!" "F*ck!" Dennis: " How'd you Do That?" Brian Laughs Hysterically " Jesus F*ckin Cr*st!" Or from the same session, Brian: " Alright let's make it, One, Two, Three, Where Ya Goin"? Carl: " I better Go To The Bathroom, Brian!"

'All Summer Long' instrumental sessions. At one point, like 30 takes in or so, Dennis(?) mumbles irritably "G**dammit I hate this song" :lol

Also, not sure if it qualifies as studio banter, but I'll always be mystified by that 'I'll Bet He's Nice' demo. When Mike hears that middle-eight he gets excited by what Brian created...I love that moment.

That circa 1976 Brian demo session is probably the most unfettered, genuine, non-underlying-ego-issues portrayal I've ever heard or seen of Mike's opinion of Brian's writing. No qualifications, no attempt to add lyrics, no "it's great, but....." Just Mike genuinely enjoying and being impressed (some would suggest awed) by Brian's writing.

"You said Childless to me...you said Childless is Father of the Man"

"Come on Dad"

It's such a great moment, you just feel the excitement the guys are feeling. I really hope those demos are officially released in good quality one of these years.

"that tune is a mother-----er" - classic Mike Love.