The Smiley Smile Message Board

Discuss, review and rate Andrew Doe's Complete Guide To The Music Of The Beach Boys, released November 2004.

(http://www.smileysmile.net/images/albums/completeguidebook.jpg) (http://www.bestwebbuys.com/1844494268) (http://www.smileysmile.net/images/albums/completeguideoldbook.jpg) (http://www.bestwebbuys.com/0711955956)

And if you're in Canada, here's the link to his book on Amazon.ca  :)

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844494268/qid%3D1135502116/702-8114439-4040042

First BBoys book I had. Informative while still simple and breezy for the new fan. Good Stuff.

Hmmmmm... I've been called 'simple' before, but never 'breezy'.  :)

Andrews book is really a "must have" for every fan. From time to time Andrew appears on Brin Wilsons webside.

Boo-yah to Andrew for producing a great book. Has anyone noticed his sense of humor in this book? I can count a few times where I was caught off-guard by his humor.

Revolution in the Head. That Beatles book is something very err....not..breezy. It digs deep into the songs and rips them apart if need be. When I described your book as breezy, I was thinking of how it is much like leafing through the Beach Boy catelogue without digging your heels into any particular song and/or album. Didn't mean any offense, it's a good thing.

I just bougt a copy last week. Plan on reading it after new years.

Great book, even with a few errors that AGD would readily admit to (PT Cruiser, Vegetables). Even though I find myself disagreeing with a few of his reviews, I still think this is an excellent book.

...and not necessarily an error, but off the top of my head I think the book mentions how "Denny's Drums" might be the first drum solo on record. It MIGHT be, but it's actually beaten at least by Adrian and the Sunsets' "Nothing But Drums" and "Nothing But Drums Part 2." In fact, the second part of "Denny's Drums" has more than a slight resemblance to one of those two tracks (I'm away from my turntable right now or I'd check)...

I love the book...especially the editorializing! Can't wait for an updated one (think you'll do one, AGD?) -- I'd love to see someone refer to Smile perhaps as "a worthy follow-up to Getting In Over My Head."

In. Your. Dreams.  ;D

I already have my review of GIOMH ready for the update. Here it is, in full.

"And you thought Summer In Paradise sucked ? Compared to this Thanksgiving fifteen-pounder, it was high art."

I thought it would be two words:
Mostly Harmful.
(apologies to Douglas Adams)

I've started carrying this book around with me.

It's like when you buy those books to accompany your trek through the wilderness, describing each plant and tree.

With your permission, it will be.

Now.  ;D

 ;D

Very much like his writings for BEACH BOYS STOMP, which I always enjoyed (AGD's writings in addition to STOMP). It's nice to have the LP and track thoughts all in one place. And Andrew is the master of the drive-by zinger, that's for sure.

AGD's book is a must have for new and old Beach Boys fans.

When I first got his book, i spent the whole day on my iPod listening, reading and smiling. It's also pocket-sized, so you can take it with you, lose it, and find it with some pages missing (like I did).

:D

10/10 stars.

J

How far does the book go?

Does it cover BWPS?

It stops in Feb 2004, just getting in a brief synopsis of the Live Smile as seen in London.  No more than that.  Which is best for those who love GIOMH as Andrew would not be kind to that one.

Ya think ?  ::)

Thanks.  I'm going to pick it up on my way home from work.
The local Borders has one.

Nah, I'd want to read that one. Even if I don't dislike that record as much as AGD does.  Hell, I think LBWL is crap but I still enjoyed reading what he wrote about it!

The best 5 bucks you'll spend.

Yeah, AGD has a fan's perspective more than any other BB book writer I know of -- he knows what we actually want to read and does a great job of providing the information.  Possibly the first book I would give a newbie to get acclimated to the BB world.

I got it pretty early on in my listening and it was a cool resource for what I should be aiming for next, album wise.

Great book. Essential reading for BB fans new and old.

At a recent record show I attended they had tons of those “Complete Music Guide” books, Andrew’s included, for only $1. I grabbed a Bowie, Radiohead, Elvis and Beatles, plus a couple more copies of Andrew’s book too. Make's a great stocking stuffer!

Would that be the "Vinyl Lust" show in Albany?? I was there too, and that's where I picked up AGD's book. But I didn't mention it because I think the 2 dudes there that have Omnibus books there may be doing something slightly underhanded...how could they sell all those for a buck apiece? And the other guy with Omnibus books had a whole bunch of hard covers, including great ones on Zeppelin, Johnny Cash, Nirvana, etc., for 5 bucks each. 

Which  version ? 1997 or 2004 ?

Yep, that was the one. I also scored a DVD of Brian from Jones Beach from last summer (could be his best concert ever!).

And it was the current, 2004 issue of your book, Andrew.

As Bubba states, it is the 2004 version. Nice color pic of Brian in the summer of 2004/European Smile tour at the end of the photo section.

Yep, that was the one. I also scored a DVD of Brian from Jones Beach from last summer (could be his best concert ever!).

And it was the current, 2004 issue of your book, Andrew.

I finally got myself the 8/25/67 Lei'd in Hawaii with Heider 9/11/67 recordings on the same disc. There's usually some good BB/BW stuff there. Too bad it's once a year.

Interesting, seeing as that's still in print. I think Omnibus would be most interested to hear about this.

What is the list price??

About seven bucks.

I paid 5 for it at a Borders last summer.

I've never seen it at Borders.  I would have purchased it had it been on the shelf.

I had to special order mine.

Worth it,too.

I bought mine at Border's a couple weeks ago.

That's hands down the best book ever written about music.

Andrew,

one thing I've wondered about: why do you refer to Mike and Al by their surnames, and to Brian, Carl, Dennis and Bruce by their first names? It's almost always 'Love' and 'Jardine', as opposed to 'Mike' and 'Al', which really annoyed me.

Other than that, I enjoyed your book very much. Of course, reviews being reviews, there are still plenty of instances where I'd beg to differ, but....

He won't be able to read that message, as he is not registered here! You may want to try other forums...

Maybe if we form some sort of tribute to him he'll come back.

Then howcome he posted in this very thread (as a guest)?

See a couple of posts back.

That was before....



People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range
I used to care but
things have changed...

What? Another 'Prof' came along? Geez, you're gone a couple of months....

He can read messages here like any other guest.  He simply can't post a reply until he chooses to reregister here.  And no, there have been no other "Professors" here since the first one. 

Very nice product, reviewing every BBs album track by track, in the context of what was happening in the band's/family's lives at the time. Agree or otherwise with Andrew's take on certain albums, this is highly entertaining. The original edition was the ideal size for me as I could sneak it into the smallest room each morning for a lengthy read. Edition Number Two however is roughy standard paperback size; if the paper were softer it'd've been the ideal size to wipe, but it ain't, so no more morning reads! Still, expanded to cover later and solo works up to SMiLE live, the new edition is a must-have.

How's the Radiohead one?

It's okay, I mean it's a good reference but it's nothing deep. I still like it though, but it could have been more. 

3

I don't know if it's me or the book but since a few months my copy hasn't any pics more.  :p 

Good book but it could have include a lot more info. At least, I'm not the only one who likes "Looking Back With Love".  :hat

4 out of 5.

No, it couldn't - the contract specified a set length and I didn't want anyone else editing my text.

Oh. Okay, let's say it would have been nice if there was more info.  :)

Still just 4 points.  :p

British caustic humor…there’s nothing like it, and this book is entertainingly loaded with it.

You may not agree with the criticism of each BB song, but you’ll laugh out loud reading some of them.

I was going to razz Mr. Doe on his annihilation of Carl Wilson’s solo work, but when I learned that Mr. Doe had to listen to Summer in Paradise three times as research for this book, I figured he’s suffered enough.

Great book at a great price!

Got this book in easons last week for 10 euros, very nice work Andrew.

I know this topic hasn't been posted for a while but this was the first book to get me seriously into the Beach Boys music I esp loved the detailed Smile section, so it's thanks to this book thats got me here today on this board!!, Of course it now needs updating what with POB etc ;D.

POB is covered in the 2004 update, along with the other solo albums (warning - you might not like what I have to say about Looking Back With Love), and later this year I intend to post corrections/updates/additions ion a new section of the 10452 website.

How's it coming along?

Slight problem with my web host - they withdrew all support to the free webspace. Without telling anyone. Ergo, since mid-November, can't update 10452. >:(

Now why would i consider starting a new topic? And call it Andrew Doe's Complete Guide To The Music Of The Beach Boys, Part Two, I suppose...

On that subject, what happened to John Tobler's co-authorship? said he glancing at the tiny print on the front cover. Just an idle question, really.

It would be wonderful if this essential reference work were to be updated and reissued. It's a book one would have no compunction about taking on holiday. In fact, I have done just that in the past----which is probably why the eight-page colour section is falling out.

5/5

 

Love Andrew's book.

I don't agree with him on everything - the awesome Funky Pretty gets an unexpectedly negative write-up, whereas Looking Back With Love is praised to the skies (what's that about?) - but he more often than not hits the nail on the head and I love his humour. British humour really is the best in the world and Andrew does it well.

I think Andrew was grading LBWL on the curve. He's not saying it is a masterpiece or anything, but that (considering the artist's veteran-era track record) it is a record that he did not expect enjoying.

Or maybe it's due to that lovely, British humo(u)r of his.

It would be great to have this updated

It's none of my business, I know, but why is John Tobler credited as co-author if it's AGD's Complete Guide?   

A PM will do. Don't be shy now. Surely it can't be that bad! 

Andrew's posted about it before. Basically, Tobler got the book deal because he was a known name. But AGD did the vast majority of the work.

Okay, thanks, Wirestone. This is a big, big place and it's often hard to find that kind of information...

A book I have read and re-read, an updated edition would be most welcome.

Would love to... however, Omnibus hold the copyright, and leasing it back to me to do a self-published revision just wasn't feasible on several levels: a proposed Kindle version didn't fly either. Best I could probably do is to do a new section of 10452 devoted to corrections and additions to the 2004 version, and new releases 2004-2015 in the existing format.

Maybe you could negotiate the return of the coyright, at least temporarily, in exchange for some percentage of rights to an updated/ reworked version?