The Smiley Smile Message Board

Just mooching around on iTunes (unlike me - I'm not a fan of DRM) and saw that the Smiley/Wild Honey 2fer has been remastered (again...) and the 2001 release now (according to iTunes) 'lifts many layers of hiss so that the singing and playing now seem several feet closer to the microphone... '

I have the Gastwirt/Linnett-remastered 2fer from 1990 (though I always listen to the stereo boot which is MUCH better to these ears...)

Anyone have this re-issue, or have any knowledge/opinion about it? I'm tempted to buy it again if it sounds better.

And are there any other 2001 re-releases I should know about?

BJ

I haven't heard any other masters other than the 2001 version. I don't find it that bad-sounding at all. But, can't really compare with other versions.
It is in mono, but the sound is not that bad. I've always been a little perplexed as to why people on this board continually complain about the sound--perhaps it's because we were listening to different versions.

There are a few production choices that(too-quiet drums, for example) that I would change, but the sound is OK.

Yeah, I expect the 2001 is the same as the 1990 version, but of course iTunes don't tell you that as 2001 sounds better.

I agree, the sound isn't that bad, but it would be nice to have a stereo version, though I seem to remember some long, long conversations about this on the forum in the past, and the upshot was that because of bounce-downs and re-recording over the tracks and perhaps some addition of parts at the mixing stage a true stereo version to match the official mono one would not be technically possible, though I know that what is left is fairly substantial, and the fan mix of Smiley is quite something after the official one.

And hey lance! we seem to be identically matched matched in post numbers (for now at least...)  ;D

Anyone else?

All of the 1990 2fers were remastered in 2001, including Smiley.  The 1990 2fers used noise reduction, but otherwise sound fine.  The 2001 2fers used no noise reduction, but are compressed (loud, with subsequent loss of dynamic range) and EQ'd more harshly (treble boost, fatiguing to the ears).  Some prefer the orignal mastering, others the newer one.  Some of the songs on the 2001 releases were remixed - if I can remember correctly, either Baker Man or Cindy, I Do, and Old Man River (which is edited differently as well).  Plus there are the hidden "bonus tracks" at the end of the 2001 CD's - brief a capella bits from songs, instrumentals with backing vocals, etc.  Haven't listened to them in a while but I guess I should so I can make a list of what's on which CD.

Many (but not all) audiophiles on some of the audiophile websites like the Steve Hoffman Forums prefer the Japanese Pastmasters series of Beach Boys releases - all the individual albums with no bonus tracks (excluding Pet Sounds, which is the same mastering as the 1990 US version).  A dub of the master tape was made with no noise reduction and no EQ, and sent to Japan and used as is to make the CD's - these CD's are basically like listening to the master tapes, as assembled by Brian and Chuck.  They are bass heavy and consequently a little "dark" sounding, especially when compared to the overly bright (IMO) 2001 2fers, and tape problems in the master tapes (which were corrected on the 2fer releases) are present in some of the early album songs, but for Wild Honey through 20/20 they are the best sounding releases out there.  Hard to come by though (check ebay every few weeks if you're interested).

Aah! Thank you! That's exactly the kind of information I was after!

I assume the 2001 remastering wasn't too harsh, despite what you've said? I know a little about that sort of thing and guess that while they may not be to everyone's taste I guess they'll still sound pretty good!

Interesting about the Jap versions too.

Thanks!  :)

These 2001 remasterings - including SS/WH - use the HDCD process. it really makes them sound good and fat when you play them on a decoder/player - which most PC's featuring Windows Media Player 10 or up already possess, built in, for free.  See the HDCD thread.

"Plus there are the hidden "bonus tracks" at the end of the 2001 CD's - brief a capella bits from songs, instrumentals with backing vocals, etc."

blimey o'reilly.  i mean, 'oh really'?  anyone got details?  i was off school the day we covered this topic.

For all who wanted to know.

Surfer girl/Shut Down Vol.2-   Has Ganz Allen(In My Room) playing with just vocals.
Party!/Stack-O-Tracks-           Has The continuation of the California Girls backing track.
Pet Sounds Sessions Disc 2-  Has The famous Here Today camera conversation and after that The background vocals from I Just Wasn't Made for These Times.

Good Vibrations Thirty Years Boxset Disc 1- Has Brian doing his Happy Birthday Four Freshmen from a rough Wollensak  Tape.
The 2002 print of Endless Harmony- Has an Acapella fragement from Kiss Me, Baby.

The Hawthorne Birth Place Musical Leagacy Disc 1- Has A fragement of a special Beach Boys radio show, plus they sing KFWB, at the end of that Mike Love says "We Usually call this one an Intermission." Disc 2- Has random bits from a rare beach boys radio program, plus a fragement of Brian from a Wollen Sak tape. After that Heroes and Villians fades in, only it's just Acapella.

The 2006 print of the Pet Sounds album- Has The Background Vocals from Wouldn't It Be Nice, only they are Acapella.

The 2008 Capitol Singles Boxset Bonus Disc- Has some studio chatter  and the sound of Carl Wilson's guitar falling, it is from an All Dressed Up For School Session.

Is there any I missed?