The Smiley Smile Message Board

I know Brian held a session for this in early 1978 at Brother, but I am curious as to whether he had anything to do with the later sessions held the year to finish it up for "L.A. Light". Did they simply take what Brian started then and finish it or did he have some input into the final master?

I believe Al wanted to put engine sounds on it!

... and Mike had really good lyrics about girls, cars, surf and lots of positivity ...

Ok ::)
Now does anyone have some real info please?

I can't answer your question, but I wonder how many hours have been spent on Shortnin' Bread vs. Proud Mary...

I picture Carl saying to Brian "I'll put it on the damned album if you'll JUST STOP RE-RECORDING IT!!!"

As far as I'm aware, Brian had little to do with the released version beyond the early work he did on it. Didn't have a lot to do with L. A., period.

Sometimes I think Carl and Dennis did it as a tribute or present to Brian.  Don't think any of those two would've recorded it otherwise.

I was hanging out with Boyd last weekend and I happened to ask him this same question, and got about the same answer as the post above....so that's probably all anybody knows (that Brian may have played on the basic track, but probably not otherwise present).

Thanks for all your help guys, I had a hunch it went down that way but I wanted to confirm it. Marty I don't know if you read my old post about this but Stephen Desper told me that Brian AND Mike had a weird thing about that song.........

I seem to be the only one who really loves that song, in all the versions I've heard.  Even in his darkest days, Brian could have a lot of fun playing music.  Like a lot of Love You, Brian's honking synthesizers just make me smile. 

We gotta get Boyd to do his long-threatened "Shoertenin' Bread Suite", incorporating all the songs Brian shoehorned it into. Of course, since I last talked with him about it, "Goin' Home" can be added.  :-D

I wish I could say something like that, in a casual conversation.  :p