The Smiley Smile Message Board

   Some maintain that Brian Wilson merely followed Phil Spector in his search for the ultimate Wall of Sound. Obviously with such gems as the SMiLE album and its original sessions we know Brian's creativity and flexibility in the studio is second to none. At times I am so baffled as to how they brought those evocative images of lofty mid-1800's towns to tape with such apparent ease. The session was booked, the man walked in and the music bounced around the walls in excited leaps.
   As we've all heard, it's quite easy to butcher a classic Beach Boys tune. It's done left and right to this day, and even by the Beach Boys themselves on occasion. This is just testimony to Brian's strength in the studio, his vision and accomplishment. Listening to the Pet Sounds box set is like watching a painter work on his most beloved masterpeice, each day bringing a new element and suprisiing all with its beauty. As you can tell, at this particular moment i'm completely knocked back with all of these productions.

Wouldn't It Be Nice
Barnyard
Child Is The Father Of The Man
When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
Good Vibrations

Etc....now....discuss or something.....

Sloop John B.
Cabinessence backing track
Kiss Me, Baby

Yes.

"sloop john b" is incredible.  I think the best thing you can say about Brian's work in the studio is that he was fearless and had little preconcieved notions of what a song was supposed to sound like.  Lots of people can do that... just make things that sound different, but Brian always kept his finger on the pulse of what would still be hot and commercial.  Even some of his more adventureous music still has a commercial quality to it.  Even Barnyard ended up being pop music at it's finest.

Here's a guy who just thought of what he wanted to do and did it.  Somehow, someway, he made the drums kicking in on the second verse of "sloop john b" sound like the ship started sailing.  He does things you can't even explain.  He writes melodies like the french horn in God Only Knows, that are so simple and EASY but yet timeless and unbelievably beautiful.  He stops the music for acapella breaks at the end of "Hushabye" or "This Whole World" but may, if he feels like it that day, stop the music for an acapella break dead in the center of the song, as he did on "Sloop John B".  He records hugely overproduced masterworks like "Heroes and Villians" and then almost non-existant backing tracks to songs like "With Me Tonight" for the same album.  He throws away some of his best stuff (Soulful Old Man Sunshine) and releases some of his worst (Hey Little Tomboy).  He writes one of the world's greatest love songs on Accordion (Wouldn't it be nice).  When he finds himself unable to decide what direction to take a song, he just takes it all directions (good vibrations).  Like Picasso, he thinks an artist never completes anything, only abandons it... so he may never finish a song (old man river)... he may release a song, then rework it and release it again on the next album (Help Me Rhonda) or he may release a song only to redo it 35 years later (Let Him run Wild).  Here's a guy so balsy he had the nerve to put his GIRLFRIEND on a single while she was still in High School (Be True To Your School).

That's what I like most about his production, just the "I can do anything" attitude. 

Yeah, exactly. Andrew Goldham (is that the right name?) comes to mind retelling the story when he heard Brian say: "One day I will write songs the people will pray to"

So close on the name there Rocker...it was Andrew Oldham.  I love that quote too...that was Brian at the height of his creative confidence. 

As far as I'm concerned, all I need is a cursory listen to Sloop John B. as a reminder of just how great Brian was at his peak.

hmmm.....sounds familiar.... ;) 
Thank you.... :)