The Smiley Smile Message Board

Curious as to why this album has yet to be released.  Is Al still working on it?  Legal issues?  Anyone with "insider" status have any idea?  I'm not exactly expecting this album will be a monumental musical experience, but judging from the tracks I've heard off of his website it could make for a pleasant listen.  "Drivin'" sounds like a pretty decent tune and considering the amount of talent he's assembled on this album (David Crosby, Neil Young, Flea, Steve Miller, America, etc.), it would be a shame if this thing never gets released. 

"and with a happy album cover, the really happy sounds on the inside, and a happy in store display piece, you can't miss!"
 ;D

seriously though, I'd like to know as well  :)

I'll call Al and try to find out… No promises.

And thanks for that (in advance)!

DBeard - as in the publisher of ESQ? Welcome to this board!

Als going to release it in 30 years cause it's to complex lol yea i'm also interested on the album. He can sell it on his website maybe it's publishing issues no companies want to publish the album.

I would guess business reasons are the main issue. Sure, Al is a tinkerer, that's well established. But it seems he also may be thinking along the lines of a Beach Boy, a famous person, while negotiating a deal ... and chances are most labels aren't interested in putting up the kind of money they would for a star. (Sorry Al ...)

Al's got a website, he's got a small but dedicated target audience, pretty much everyone in the civilized world has access to the internet... So he doesn't need a record label. He should just release the damn thing...

I'd be happy if he'd just get it out and then move on to the next one.

I whole-heartedly agree. I'm just thinking that he may be trying to go the more traditional route, which is constricting even for "mid-major" acts: it's not a great business model in recent years. If he's looking for a good deal, he's just not likely to find it. I think he's better off avoiding labels and doing it himself. Maybe in conjunction with finding a niche indie label that leans toward backward-facing pop to at least distribute to independent stores, if he's hoping for hard-copy sales. But realistically, he needs to know that whether he was a Beach Boys or not, whether he has pop legends as guests or not, this is more a vanity and cult album than popular album.

Is it possible for any of the Beach Boys (solo) to release stuff from Brother Records anymore? Or does that have something to do with Capitol/Warner/Caribou/CBS records?

That's an interesting question. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they all could agree on some way to use that to fund (or draw funds from...that might be more realistic) BRI? They wouldn't need to actually be Beach Boys records, but they could all use it. If the Beatles' members albums could come out on Apple, why not?

That's actually VERY interesting, even though they're not in cahoots anymore, they could just release their material through Brother. I'm sure we'll be told as to why they don't...but it would be neat.

What connections does Brother have that Al on his own doesn't? Wouldn't releasing it through Brother be the same thing as not releasing it on a label at all?

The first answer is "I don't know." But second, Brother is an existing business. And so that is what it has that Al on his own doesn't. And after that, it's mostly a romantic idea: Brother rejuvenated as an outlet for the former Beach Boys. It's not some magical formula to somehow vault them all back atop the charts. That's just not happening regardless.

I'm sure Al Jardine has no illusions that he is on a par with Brian Wilson, although, at this stage in their careers, Al can play an instrument AND sing (better). But I wonder how Al feels when Capitol signs Brian for his solo album, and doesn't for Al's.

Well, if Al could manage to record an album that debuted at 13 on the charts, I'm sure Capitol would sign him.

 Al who?

I'm sure Al knows the score - HE isn't delusional   ;)

And Brian's vocal prowess has to do with this disccussion how?

If he's a reasonable person, he feels that it makes perfect sense.

You'd think Rhino would be willing to sign Al, at least for this album.

Unless they've heard it.

Or even debuted at #21.  ;D

Amoung musos, Brian is a much, much more well known name than Al is at this point.  Some resent this fact, but Brian is known as the Genius Behind the Beach Boys. His stature is such that even his worst records get released on major labels. Al or Mike, for that matter don't have that.

AGD: Indeed. I was remembering Smile's US chart debut, which was indeed at #13.

And on top of that, Brian has been a solo artist for the past 22 years and has released ten solo albums. Al hardly has a solo carreer to speak of so far.