The Smiley Smile Message Board

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/emittrhodes

Also Probyn Gregory and Nelson Bragg are playing on it

Very Good News.  He's been working on this, what?  About five years, only releasing a few tracks on I-tunes (I won't go there).  I hope I don't have to join some club to get it.  This should be made available everywhere.

He still sounds really in good voice.

Here's one of the new songs: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2015/11/12/emitt-rhodes-returns-after-four-decades-with-dog-on-a-chain-exclusive-song/ (http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2015/11/12/emitt-rhodes-returns-after-four-decades-with-dog-on-a-chain-exclusive-song/)

Emitt's early 70s stuff is great but I'm not particularly taken with ‘Dog on a Chain’. Will check the album out anyway, in any case it's amazing to see him back.

Omnivore is putting it out early 2016.

Should listen to this interview
http://youtu.be/PfqEhZO7I3w

The handful of songs put out on iTunes a few years back are apparently from a different project/producer than this new stuff. The producer of the new stuff has posted a few times over at the Hoffman board; mentioning that he feels the new stuff is different and better.

This new song sounds okay. A good album track. Simple but catchy chord changes and whatnot. I've heard some people say his voice sounds totally different. I actually think it's very recognizable as Emitt Rhodes; it's just deeper. Considering 42 years have past since most people last heard much from him, his voice sounds surprisingly strong.

I think his first 1970 albums is brilliant, almost track-to-track. The second and third are more esoteric and somewhat different, with a handful of good tracks on each.

Judd,  Thanks for the link.  I do like the song.  When he sang the line with the word "sacrifice," it reminded me of "Warm Self Sacrifice."  His vocal is very good to hear again in such quality.  He's had a lot of health issues over the years.  Okay, so he's not going to try to do it alone.  That's just fine with me.  I used to have his SoundCloud on my favorites list.  I'll have to look through and see if I can find it to see if it is still functional.  I've been mostly following his progress on the few fan sites he has, and he has a facebook page.

Terry,  Omnivore is a perfect choice for this project.  They did a great job with Alex Chilton's 1970's Sessions.  Tho I thought they, like Ace, were only dealing with re-issues.  In fact looking at the disc, Ace had something to do with that one.  With Omnivore involved we can be confident it will sound good.

Hey Jude,  Do you have a link to the SHF thread?  There was some live stuff awhile back that was on youtube, but his singing is much better on this new track.  I don't think his voice sounds totally different.  It's a bit deeper, reminding me a bit like Jackson Browne in places.  I can't wait to get my hands on this.

As far as his earlier music.  I have been a fan since the 60's.  I actually have both the original and re-issue of the Merry-Go-Round vinyl.  The four albums on vinyl, including promo copies of the last two.  Almost every Cd comp, including the Everything he did one.  Even the Japanese releases could be bettered.  Emitt wants the opportunity to have a go at re-mastering them himself.  Wish they would let him.

I've never heard anything by him I didn't like.  He was, and now is again, a major talent.  btw, I don't consider the 1970 his first.  Emitt might, but many of the tracks are not just Merry-Go outtakes.

Omnivore has been dipping their toes in non-reissues this year...the new Pugwash record they put it is great!

I only have the first two, but I think they are both excellent self produced/played albums. Catchy melodies that really stay with you; some nice guitar work on there, too.

Here's the thread from the Hoffman forum. There are a few posts in it from producer Chris Price.

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/new-emitt-rhodes-rainbow-ends-coming.478850/

If you like "Mirror", I would think you'll like "Farewell to Paradise."

I think it was Rhino that put out a 2-CD set of all four of his albums (including the pre-self titled "American Dream" album) a few years back. I think the CD set might be out of print, but it's still available via download.

After I heard the self-titled album and found how good it was, I sought out his other stuff, including the Merry-Go-Round stuff. Nothing quite matched the self-titled album, but I found good stuff sprinkled throughout.

There was a documentary made about him a few years ago titled "One Man Beatles", but I don't think it has ever been seen outside of film festival screenings and whatnot.

I can't complain, I paid $1 and $2 for the 2 albums. Wonder if the doc is on youtube? The only "one man Beatles" I know is Stevie Riks :)

I don't think the "One Man Beatles" doc ever made it onto the net. It was screened publically, but for whatever reason never issued on DVD or VOD or anything. I would guess music clearances are the main reason, but there's very little info on the film. It was being screened back in 2010, so it's at least that old and probably a little older. Looks like there's a Facebook page for the film, but not activity in over two years.

Perhaps with the new Rhodes album, there might be renewed interest by some company in funding a home video release of the doc. Or perhaps they'd want to re-cut the doc to include mention of his new album.

I'm a big [gigantic]  fan.  Have been since I was in college [early 70s]  used to have all 3 vinyl lps then I got a cd compilation a few years back...maybe 10?  Rhodes was...and I would think still is...WAY more talented than he ever got credit for.  He should have been a super-star.

Thanks for the SHF link Hey Jude.  I read the thread, and found that the 2011 tracks Emitt made with Thompson and the Bangles are on Spotify.  I don't need i-tunes.  Files have a place in my life, but if I like something, I buy it on disc.  I came to know Spotify only through a thread some of us were doing a while back.

I listened to each one a couple of times.  These must not be the Rhodes approved mixes.  I remember that was one of his gripes about releasing the tracks.  He wants a shot at re-mastering his catalogue too.  He tried to get in on the deal when Hip-O Select was putting the 2-disc Recordings (1969-1973) together in 2009.  Can't believe they have let that go out of print.  And, ouch! - that has got to be pricey.  It's nice to know he is getting paid for plays on the I-tunes and Spotify sites.  He was certainly cheated often with his back catalogue.  According to him, anyway.  Wes did him the biggest favor when he chose to spotlight him in his movie.  That seems to be when he started to get noticed again.

Over the years he must have been absorbing some other influences, cause these tracks sound nothing like McCartney, or The Beatles.  You have to wonder how in the world he met somebody like Richard.  "Just Me and You" reminds me of the New York artist Kenny Rankin, though it opens with a Randy Newman feel.  Thompson adds a blues flavor.  I would have removed the background vocals.  "This Wall Between Us" is my favorite of the three.  It says the Bangles are on this track, but I don't hear them.  The song sounds very close to something from Farewell to Paradise - and who knows, might have been written back then.  I'd like to hear James (or Liv) Taylor take a try at this.  "What's a Man to Do?" - you can hear the Bangles on this.  The song is very sad.  Has a Broadway feel, and wouldn't be out of place on something by Sondheim.  Thinking Company, if you are familiar with that.

I still can't find a link to the Bee Gee's track Emitt made with Chris Price, other than the 30-second clip.  I think I would like it.  I would have to hear more of the album before buying.  Most of the artists on the tribute album are unknown, to me.  As for his old albums, Mirror is my favorite.  They are all great, but that's the one I listen to most often.  Like Add Some said, he should have been a star.  He always will be in my world.

"I have to say the things I feel.  I have to feel the things I say."  Emitt Rhodes.  [a different kind of 'Daisy-Fresh' from Hawthorne, California.] :hat

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2015/12/emitt_rhodes_re.html (http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2015/12/emitt_rhodes_re.html)
Next song from the new album. I reckon this one's a lot better.