The Smiley Smile Message Board

I know these weren't the best of times for Brian, but I was wondering what material he was writing during this period of time. Was there any noteworthy compositions. Any kind of list that showed what he was doing would be cool. This period seems interesting to me.

He wrote "Sweetie", an awesome song!!  :)

The meaning of the word "awesome" has obviously been redefined of late, I see.

wow, what a condescending way of saying that you don't like the song. ::)

He didn't say he didn't like it, just that "awesome" might be a stretch (which I agree with, personally)...but as Frank Black once said "nobody owns...the pleasure of tones" so to each his/her own.

A lot of folks have spoken highly of "Oh Lord," a Brian/Dennis composition from '81.  I've heard something on a bootleg that I guess is that song, and while it definitely has real emotion it's also kind of a mess (it reminds me of the stuff I was doing around that time -- that is, as a kid who couldn't sing or play the piano very well), so I wonder if there isn't another more realized version of the song that hasn't been heard.

There was apparently an attempt at it during the summer 1984 sessions for The Beach Boys.

It may be many things, but awesome it ain't. "Love remember Me" - now that's awesome.

Hmm, I don think I've ever heard "Sweetie." Would be cool if I could come across it one day  ;)

Wasn't that song "Stevie" from this time period too, if I remember correctly? And wasn't it about Stevie Nicks or something? I'm not sure if thats at all accurate. I'm probably totally wrong. But as far as Brian writing thats about it? Hmm.

"Stevie" is one of the few strong compositions from Brian from this era. I like it all in all, although not my favorite Brian vocal; great production. I've heard "Oh Lord," and parts of it are beautiful (especially the yearning in Brian's, admittedly flawed, voice), but overall it's pretty unfocused and rambles on...and on... I personally don't think that "Sweetie" is too terribly special...

I think Brian's compositions improved quickly as Landy entered the picture...sure the songs on BB 85 aren't all that good...but "Melt Away" was written in 1983, "Don't Let Her Know" was at least written by '85 (as per Timothy White)...those are far above some of the dreck he had been writing during the late 70s and early 80s (some gems notwithstanding...)

Could you imagine any song less fitting for that album?

TdHabib, I told you before that I love your posts. I look forward to them, and you always post when things are slow to keep the board(s) moving. You're consistent and I appreciate that.

But....I could not disagree more with your above statement. Throughout Brian's career, even when he was contributing just one or two songs per album (like on Surf's Up, CATP, and Holland), right through the 15 Big Ones to KTSA years, Brian's songs had that "something special" quality about them, that "how did he come up with that" feeling; you could easily distinguish Brian's songs from the others'. But, after Landy re-entered in 1982, something happened, in my opinion, to Brian's songwriting/composing skills. Yeah, there might be an isolated brilliant moment, but few. The songs were not as creative, much simpler, and lost that little magical touch that Brian used to put in his songs. The songs almost, but not quite, made it.

And I blame that, if that's the right word, on whatever Landy was feeding Brian - literally.

(Rare as it may be) I'm with you, SJS. I think that Brian's Landy-era compositions sound like what they, as I understand it, were: homework.

In a word, astute.

You know, we may disagree a lot but it's always very respectfully which I appreciate. The reason why I appreciate the best of the 80s work is that it came at a special time for me--I was going through a lot and the songs that I heard lifted my spirits. They also connected with my son (he's 16 and was 14 when he started hearing the stuff), one of his favorite songs is "Melt Away," so it's just the sentimental me.

But Brian indulged in his fair share of crap during the Landy years. In fact, I'd say the mid-90s work with Paley was both more consistant and on the whole more quality than the Landy years...

I must agree mainly, but I think about half the 88 album is special. The other Landy era songs aren't so hot so I guess for me to say five or so songs have that Brian magic isn't a good percentage.

Just from hearing the interviews Brian gave in 1981, without knowing the real circumstances, I would think that this was one of the most relaxed times in his life. He sounded upbeat, gave good, long, well thought and meaningful answers and sounded...hate to say this word...normal. No comparison to his appearance when back with Landy a year or two later.

I don't think he sounds very upbeat or relaxed on the 'Oh Lord' demo.

Are any of these interviews publicly available, Jasper? I'd love to read or hear some of them.

Thanks guys for helping me more to understand this era of Brian's career.

You Tube has some.

There are radio interviews for 20 years BB, and secretly recorded conversations with fans for example. Brian sounded like his old self, so to speak, although I think he still is and always was his old self in the right atomsphere. If I would've heard this '81 stuff without knowing the date, would've dated it to 1968 or something. He even talked about SMiLE and the sandbox, how great "The Little Girl I Once Knew" is, but he would re-record the BB vocals if he could travel back in time, but not the intro, which is great.

"Oh Lord" and those so called substance recordings were taped in the fall of 1980 in the living room of Garby Leon, a friend of Dennis. He had a Hammond B3 and piano there and produced...sorry, co-produced "Stevie".


Edit: Here's a 1981 interview:
http://rapidshare.de/files/40006354/Brian_81.mp3.html

Yeah he would suddenly spark to life sometimes. Of course I have seen interviews from 78 and 79 where he is as bad as he is now or worse. PM Magazine and the LA Light Album record signings come to mind. They are rare and hard to come by but any and all pre 1976 interviews have more of the real Brian in there. The one you hear on the old session tapes etc. Maybe it's just the tone of his voice. He always seemed a little shy or sometimes awkward, but he seemed like a regular guy.

Thanks a lot, Jasper, for that interview. BW seems so animated and talkative, I've never heard him do an interview like that before! I have to agree, he sounds very relaxed as well and most of all, he seems to be honestly proud of his musical achievements, which is just a great thing to hear.

Which one is this?

Sorry to interrupt, but I was just wondering if the the version of "Sweetie" with Mike and Al has surfaced, or if its just known of? Thanks guys, its a pretty good song.

Also, did "Sweetie" then become "Love Ya"? It definitely sounds like it. And then I'm pretty sure it was considered for "The Wilsons" album. I'm really not sure. Anyways, whats the deal with this song.

Ha,  a lot of time spent on a song thats not exactly Brian's top composition.

I have just heard a piano demo of Sweetie . I am not sure when it's from 80-83 I would think. Love Ya is the same song.

The piano demo is from 1986, I think.

Could be.