The Smiley Smile Message Board

While thinking about how much the Wrecking Crew is evident from the early albums all the way to Good Vibrations, as a lot of books or biographies discuss how Brian withdrew in writing and musicianship, which is incorrect to an extent. They (writers) always make it seem like it was just the Beach Boys who recorded the tracks/instrumentation for a majority of the songs after Smile, but I want to say that's only correct for Smiley Smile and parts of Wild Honey. (But I could be totally wrong) In my research, I was looking through the Keith Badman book (I know, not the most reliable source, but one of the easier books to read and find quick info, whether it's correct or not, that's for AGD and other great posters here to help me correct.) I also want to get a clear sense between the WC musicians in the studio vs. the touring band in the studio. These are the tracks in question:

(also feel free to add to my list)


Bluebirds Over the Mountains (early take with just drums and bass I believe)
Time to Get Alone
Tune #1 (from Nov 1967)
I was Made to Love Her
Be Here in the Morning
Can't Wait Too Long
Transcendental Meditation
Little Bird
Our Happy Home? (not that I've heard it before)
Passing By
Busy Doin' Nothin?
Wake the World
Diamond Head
Old Man River
both versions/takes of We're Together Again
Nearest Faraway Place
Can't Wait Too Long (20/20 era)
Be With Me
Mona Kanau
Cotton Fields (single), the album cut has got to have WC involvement
Come to Me (Honeys)
Tonight You Belong to Me (Honeys)
Goodnight My Love
San Miguel
Celebrate the News
Loop De Loop
Breakaway
When girls get together
Slip on Through
Soulful Oldman Sunshine
This Whole World
Tears in the Morning
Good Time
Deirdre
Our Sweet Love
Lady
It's About Time
Seasons in the Sun
Sound of Free


Cows in the Pasture album?

Can anyone think of anything past Sunflower with their involvement?

I know there's a lot of Hal Blaine on 15 Big Ones and POB. Any other WC members involved?
I know Hal and Carole Kaye were around in the studio when they tried getting Brian involved, right before KTSA; perhaps during the Little Girl and School Days.  Was this the same sessions with Johnny B. Goode (one of the of few Dennis involvements), Da Doo Ron Ron, and Smokey Places?

If I recall correctly, the 1967 tracking session for Bluebirds Over The Mountain involved Bruce laying down both bass and drums himself. Bruce certainly knew how to play both instruments.

wow, the first song I ask about was totally wrong (from K. Badman's book), he wrote: Jim Gordon was on drums and Larry Knechtel on bass guitar; both WC members. 


I knew I'd need a lot of corrections  ;D

The early 70's Back Home?

No, you're actually correct...that's what the AFM contract says.  Bruce told me it was Hal Blaine and Ray Pohlman, then agreed with me after I told him what the contract said.  Per Bruce, Daryl Dragon (apparently not yet a union member) was also on that session, playing the marimba and doubled the bass part.

As for the pre-KTSA session mentioned above...yes to Hal Blaine, no to Carol Kaye, yes to Ray Pohlman (and Don Randi), even though they aren't credited on the album.

Actually there is NOT a lot of Hal Blaine on either of these. Hal is only on two tracks on 15 Big Ones, and only one on POB (perhaps a bit of kick-drum on a second). His well circulated anecdote about Dennis hiring him to play on "his solo album" is a bit misplaced...actually a couple things Hal did for Dennis show up on Bambu...but its not a lot.

I reckon I take it back, Ricky Fataar did quite a bit with Dennis after he was in the BB. I know he drummed on KTSA album, what other BB albums did he drum for? (after So Tough/Holland/In Concert)

All the credits for 15 BO are on the back of the album.

good call, thanks AGD...I wish they woulda done this for every album

With sessions dates. Track and vocals.

Didn't Tommy Morgan play bass harmonica on something recent (within the past 10 years) for Brian on a solo album or song? I can't remember off the top of my head...maybe he just played his part from I know there's an Answer on the PS doc. on the Pet Sounds Live dvd...

did he play a part on TLOS?   :-\

 :thud


that'd make my day

If only...and THEN we'd have world peace!! :hat

Yeah, on "Goin' Home".  Bass & standard harmonica.

THAT'S IT!

Thanks

How about "Time To Get Alone"? I don't believe that it was really rerecorded, and Brian played the keyboards on the original. I know they say it was recorded, but LISTEN to it. It sounds the same. I think they took out that beautiful bridge with the horn solo because it would have made the fact that it was the same recording too obvious. The BBs have proven that they are definitely not above lying to secure royalties and such for themselves. Ask the guy who wrote the lyrics for "It's About Time". They met up with him at Brian's house and totally shanghaied him!

Tommy Morgan is also on Orange Crate Art (credited in the notes) and some of the Paley sessions, I believe.

Steve Douglas (sax) is on Love You and Metal Beach.

Remnants of the group were on the original 1996 sessions for "Everything I Need," for Carnie and Wendy's album. They were overdubbed with Joe Thomas's guys, but some of their parts are still audible.

That's right, I remember reading that.

Good Call

Really, So Tough would seem it would need an excessive amount of musicians, if we include Denny's tunes. Anyone know anything about the musicians involved? I know Darryl Dragon was; was Bruce musically involved besides a little bit of vocals & 10 Years of Harmony offering?

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,8454.msg141100.html#msg141100

Crew members credited on "Everything I Need":

electric bass - Carol Kaye
drums - Hal Blaine
accordion - Frank Marocco
harmonica - Tommy Morgan

There's a string player too, I believe.

Jerome Kessler on cello.

I've seen all the AFM contracts for "So Tough".  Obviously, lots of string players on Dennis' stuff. Other than that, just a handful of extra players here & there.

Per the AFM contracts:  Lyle Ritz played the standup bass on "Goin' South" and "Santa Ana Winds", and Earl Palmer played drums on "Sumahama", even though they weren't credited. 

Brian also did some sessions with the old Crew guys in '81 and '82 (at both Western AND Gold Star), but that stuff hasn't seen the light of day. 

any info on what was recorded?

How'd you see the AFM contracts to those songs?
Are they in a book?
The only ones I've seen are in the K. Badman book and LLSV...so that's pretty limited to early material to Smile, and I think that's about it.

None of the string sections, certainly in the sixties, were considered to be part of the "Crew", any more than the orchestra on the Christmas Album would be.