The Smiley Smile Message Board

COMMENT:

      Friends – the album

     A new Study-Video is now available featuring the Friends album re-mastered using advanced technology and techniques, which I call Transformative Re-Mastering.
I think this you will find this procedure gives a new sound to the Friends album, not necessarily what you may hear from the recent high-resolution releases, but a re-mastering that stresses the musical elements over the technological spin. However I must say that when you strive to bring out the music, the technology follows.
     If you are not a fan of the Friends album, give a listen to this Study-Video. It may change your mind. And, if you like the Friends album, I think you will hear a freshness and come away with a renewed fondness for this Beach Boy creation.   
     Available now by pushing the “Friends – the album” button. The demo has been removed. I would love to hear your feedback -- what you think.

     You may also find the Study-Video, via the “Beach Boy Surfing Hits” button, a good listen and well worth your time. It features 25 early songs re-mastered in the Transformative technique, which is designed to bring out subtleties in the harmonies that are sometimes lost. In addition, the vocals are brought forward in an expanded sound field.  As always,

Good Listening,  ~Stephen W. Desper

Fantastic, Friends is one of my favorite BBs albums, so it's exciting to get an in-depth look into it.

I can't wait to listen! Stephen, as an audio engineer myself, I must say you're on of the all-time greats! These studies always inspire me, and give me fresh ideas.

Seriously cannot wait to check this out tonight.

Thanks so very much for your efforts, Stephen.

Thanks for this! I love that album and am fascinated by the "homerecording" feel of it.

If only I had (or perhaps made) more time to indulge your Study-Videos, Stephen. I'm so glad I did get round to checking out this one.

Last year I was converted to Love You, thanks to this board----this year (so far), it's Friends, thanks to you, sir.   

Please take the time and listen to Sunflower. It is just a splendid listen. No CD release quite sounds like Stephen's Study-Video.

Can't tell you how much I look forward to getting these, Stephen. Thank you so much for taking the time and care to guide us all to good listening. It is DEEPLY appreciated.

Can't wait to listen

To be honest, I did start on the Sunflower Study-Video. I was looking for information about the guitar solo in "Our Sweet Love", found it (of course!) and called it a day.

But I shall take your advice and carry on where I left off. :=)

What a hugely unique honor it is to hear something like this. A re-examining of an album so loved and cherished by someone who was involved in making the album possible. That's quite literally amazing as a fan! These things don't just happen, especially for a group so big and so revered, to have something this intimate from exactly the person I'd want to hear it from. It's like stumbling upon a digital treasure trove, only available to those who really seek it out, and once they do they are rewarded beyond their expectations.

I had to shout out loud "EXCUSE me??" when I got to the middle part of Transcendental Meditation, I've heard the song countless times, but never like this, and I LOVED it. Not to mention the sweet, booming intro to Diamond Head. I now want to listen to this mix as regularly as I do the mastered for iTunes version.
Friends has easily been the most pleasant sounding album I've encountered in my life, cannot think of another cycle of songs as relaxing and healing as this is, ESPECIALLY when grouped with the Old Folks At Home/Ol' Man River bonus track from these sessions. Absolute heaven.

Stephen, thank you not only for taking your time to do this, but also for being a wonderfully gifted individual who had the perfect outlet for creativity in the shape of a band we all dearly love.

COMMENT to jackjachman:

I am honored by your comments. It is such statements about the Study-Videos that make all the work it takes to make them worthwhile!
Thank you sir !!   Beach Boys rule.    ~swd

The substance of these Study Videos (and of course the presentation) makes your efforts very worthwhile.  If it weren't for that feeling of being there, and all the revelations along the way, I may have gotten bored of this a long time ago.  No chance of that happening!  Please continue to enlighten us with your first hand experiences in this unique era of music history, Mr. Desper!

Thanks Stephen! I just had a listen and really enjoyed the entire album in a new way. Just fantastic stuff!

thank you! really enjoyed this. thanks for taking the time to prepare and share this. i have enjoyed all your efforts.