The Smiley Smile Message Board

Feel free to discuss the SMiLE Sessions Box Set as a whole; packaging, presentation, and booklet.

Thanks for posting this! I wanna hear every detail.

I have to say the iTunes LP version is stunning - all the FH artwork lyrics, timeline etc bought to life through animation

really? I'm assuming I have to buy to see?

Very pleased with the packaging, and it's especially nice to have a copy of the original booklet with Frank's artwork. Very pleased with the informative book as well. Vinyl is dead quiet. My only gripe is that the labels are wayyy off center--even moreso than on my old capitol LPs  :lol

Beautiful. Pictures can't do it justice.

the packaging (for the two disc set) is cool..I just wish they had more songs on the second disc since there is about 15 minutes left on it that could have been used ..oh well..

The full box set (CD's, vinyl etc.) is breathtaking. I'm still working my way up to pulling off the shrink wrap - a few more things to do before the day ends.

(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e298/slidetek/smile_3d.jpg)

It's 3D and just gorgeous. Coolest box set on the planet. I had no idea it would look like that light up version Brian is showing off.

Oh well, the tubes are warming up for a long evening!

By far the best box set packaging I've ever seen - the 60 page hardcover book is wonderful, with some awesome color photos.  The 45s and LP look perfectly authentic, and I love that they included the original album booklet.  Can't rave enough about the packaging from an aesthetics standpoint.

Agreed.  Can't say enough about the packaging.
The box looks like a million bucks.

My only gripes involve no backing vocals on the fly-in-less "Barnyard," no instrumental "TOMS/YAMS," not much in the way of "With me Tonight" sessions.

This is, by far, the most amazing packaging/artwork i have ever seen for any sort of album/box set release. It's brilliant work. Really, really top notch stuff. It's weird but wonderful that it would be coming at what seems to be the end of the CD era. If the audio portion of the box set had been given the same treatment and care that the packaging received, this would be an absolutely perfect release beyond belief.

Agreed.

Take a look at the writing credits. A couple of new names also a mention to Euday Bowman for the "12th St. Rag".

The lyrics to "He Gives Speeches" is given credit to Brian.

Also posted in the main board.  What I am telling my musician friends: this is more fun than I was expecting.  The "reconstruction" of the Smile LP is astoundingly well done and the cleaned-up tracks never sounded better.  As we know there are some "Free As a Bird" artifacts where things were obviously flown in and pasted (vocal for I'm In Great Shape, the coda to Surf's Up from the 1971 completion, hum-be-dums in GV).  Some holes remain (i.e., where there were no lyrics or vocals done for "Do You Like Worms", "Holidays" and "Child").  So it is clearly unfinished but has the "sheen" of a finished structure, that can be played all the way through.  The reassembled "Heroes and Villains", "Wind Chimes"  and "Vegetables" stand out as audio alchemy at its best. 

I know some of the scholar types here are wringing their hands at seeing the "duct-taped" parts of the assembly, but at least the thing is a presentable listen, which is the whole point.  And Mark and Alan did figure out how to cover that one-beat dead space in the "Wind Chimes" transition: cover the hole with plate reverb!  Corny but effective.  Also a very "what would Brian do?" move.

Package is fun too, interesting there is still a little tension there in the Boys' comments (Mike's a bit defensive, understandably).  For those who've bought Frank Holmes' LP slick from him, your print is still a treasure.  None of the full-size reprints mimic it exactly, with the duo-phonic stamp, intstead their newly-minted "New Improved Full Dimensional Sound" logo ("sound" instead of "stereo").

The 2-LP vinyl has some nice surprises: I like the really good stereo mixes of H&V and Vegetables, and on the one 45 a stunning reassembly of the "alternate" version of Heroes and Villains, with the "three score and five" lines and the instrumental fade.  As far as I can tell this is a recreation of how the fabled "H&V Part I and Part II" single might have turned out.  It is the same version included in the 1993 box set but they got a much better source for it.

The session track CDs are a longer slog, only getting started on those. Though the vocal rehearsals and runthroughs  are fun (Brian saying "you feel the acid kick in?" before "Our Prayer").

Its on YouTube - on the Beach Boys site

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElVmW7P7Hq0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

yeah, i just found it earlier...looks amazing...unforunately, prolly won't get it...this should be on DVD-A if it was still popular

The credits and mentions  are nice.  Susan Lang, Greg Larson, AGD, Bob, and so many others were remembered.

Very nice and cool to connect with the fan base and support network so personally.

A class gesture.

Yeah , but those dead stops were how Brian worked at the time. In fact, they played integral parts in the construction of the "Good Vibrations" and "Heroes & Villains" singles. I don't see why they needed to be covered, unless Brian said that's how he wanted it.

Without having actually listened to the cd's(yet), I'm going to go ahead and say that this is probably the best music box set ever released. The 3D box is one of the most unique things I've ever seen. ;D The book with the original artwork is amazing. The detail of the track by track session guide is mind numbing. I got a headache just reading it.  ;D My eternal thank you's and devotion to whoever was in charge of sorting through all that session information. God's among men.  8) Actually, the detail given to the entire package is phenomenal. One get's the distinct impression that this has secretly been in the planning for years. I have a few quick questions, if I may:

1. When I opened the 3D box lid I saw on the inside the well known picture of the group without Brian, but with Bruce, and the various song titles. Is this an LP? I ask because there was already one in the package that was loose. Were there supposed to be two? If it is one of the LP's, I have no idea how to get it loose from the inside lid. It's really packed in tight. I could pry it out by sticking my finger way down in, but I would most likely ruin the box. Any thoughts, suggestions, etc?

2. I assume that the paper with the track list and picture of the box contents is supposed to work as the back cover? The bottom is folded over, so I can just tuck it in tightly, but then the top part is loose. Should it be put inside the box? I'm not going to tape or glue it if I don't have to.

The inside of the lid of the box is just a "for-fun" exact reprint of the abandoned back sleeve. Notice how it mentions being "Duophonic", while the actual LP sleeve says Monophonic.

Jesus, jay, don't do it! It's just a reprint!!!!

Jay,
It was my honor that the job of sorting all that session information was given to me, and I achieved that monumental task with a lot of help and guidance from Mr. Boyd.  I only wish I'd gotten the "Tag vocals" credit in for the first version of "Wind Chimes" (a mere oversight...but at least I got the recording info for that vocal session in there!).  Was the whole package years in the planning?  Well I can only speak for sure to my involvement in it, but it was months not years.  Really, Tom Recchion at Capitol's art department deserves a HUGE defeaning round of applause for the visual presentation, as much applause as Mark and Alan rightly deserve for the audio components.  These guys are heroes, as is Capitol's Director of Catalog A&R, Dennis Wolfe.  Quite a team.  It helped that Alan, Tom and Dennis are all musicians themselves, and Mark an independent music producer/engineer, so it wasn't just a bunch of "suits" behind the project. 

To answer your questions about the packaging: 
1. The front and back artwork in the box lid are supposed to remain there, so don't mess with it.  :)
2.  Lots of box sets (Fleetwood Mac's 1992 box, John Lennon's 1998 and 2010 boxes) come with outer wrapping that's not really designed to fit inside the box, but it should be saved & kept somewhere handy since it's a cool external inventory of the contents.

Really, aside from my one little sessionography omission (which bothers me to no small degree), I think the whole package is positively sterling, and I'm glad to see that so many of you think so as well!  I'm guessing this will be cherished by music fans for ages to come.

Since you're here, Craig, we should congratulate you for the Sessionography.  That certainly will be THE reference for some time to come.  It is nice to know that they involved you, somebody who has put in the time not only looking at paperwork, but listening to the sessions over and over again.  I can't say I don't disagree with a couple of "instruments used" on a few of the sessions, but that's OK.  The Pet Sounds credits kept evolving over the years, actually getting worse as time went on and bad memories contributed to strange results (Like saying there was a bowed string bass on That's Not Me, e.g.)  All problems like that were solved for Smile by going to THE expert, a consummate pro, our own C-man.  I will have that sessionography at hand at all times for quick reference.

Thanks Josh, that means a lot coming from someone such as you, whose own research and study of the available sources I hold in deep respect.  I'm not opposed to discussing some of the "instruments used" decisions we came to, so feel free to post your own conclusions here for me to respond to.  This kind of discussion if highly enjoyable to me, and a few others I'm sure!

You would....

JK!

Congrats Craig! :)

The box looks so good I'm using it as a permanent deco element. Like a 3D poster.

Craig, I'll definitely post a few thoughts soon, after I've re-gotten by bearings.  Discussing such matters brings us as close to being at the session as possible, so discussions on that sort of thing are always welcome for me.  With this new footage, my mental movie of some of the many sessions might have to change!

I also posted this in the main TSS Box thread, but a nice detail to add here too:

Chris Bellman, who did the vinyl mastering, wrote the following little messages in the dead wax at the end of each LP side:
side 1: "Dumb Angel"
side 2: "For Carl & Dennis"
side 3: "Look, listen, vibrate"
side 4: "For Chuck and Larry"  (Chuck Britz and Larry Levine)

No messages on the 45's, though.  Correction: Dan Lega reports there are.  Huh!
                            

thanks everybody for the help answering my questions.  :)

I just have to say again how amazed I am at the sessionography. There was one session(I forget whch one at the moment) that mentioned that at one point Al and Brian traded their positions when recording vocals. I'm not quite sure if it meant that they switched vocals parts, or where they were actually standing, but if it's the latter, then I'm totally floored at the attention to minute detail such as that.  :o The "Workshop" sessionography section was very cool too. Heck, I wouldn't even know the proper name for some of the "instruments"(i.e., tools) used.  :lol

Can't remember the tune...I want to say it was "Heroes," "Vega-Tables," or "Dada," but I think they said Al was in the control room and came out to the booth to switch places with Brian.


I love the booklet.  I think the sessionography is extremely helpful and I enjoyed the anecdotes and band members' thoughts.  I only wish they had printed lyrics which hadn't been recorded and specified what was written versus what was recorded (it seems weird to print lyrics to "Look"...it could've been explained if Brian really wanted that at the time or made the decision later...so something going over the evolution of the writing, and not just the recording, would've been helpful).  I also wish they had interviewed Brian, asking him things like who he had in mind to sing certain tracks, if he had any track sequences in mind, etc.  He probably would've have been that open, but it's worth a try.

Jay, it was
15. Heroes And Villains: Whistling Bridge
Vocals: Carl, Brian, Dennis, Mike
Whistling: Brian, Dennis & Carl ?
Control room comments: Al Jardine (switched places
in the booth with Brian before the first official take)
Master is Take 12

"Booth" in this case meaning Control Booth, i.e. Al took Brian's spot in the producer's chair for the remainder of the session while Brian sang with the other Boys down on the studio floor.  I mentioned that to point out the reason why Al has a credit for "Control room comments' but not "vocals" on this one.

Did ANYBODY have a problem with delivery from AMAZON? Mine arrived a week later after putting in for RELEASE DAY DELIVERY. I pre-ordered in back in August. Sadly, the box had a dent in it and I had to get in touch with AMAZON for a replacement which is suppost to arrive today. Hopefully, ALL WILL BE WELL with this DELIVERY.

I feared that would happen to me (past experience with on trac was disastrous) so I made sure I was constantly calling and bugging both amazon and on trac. Results were that I received it at 4:45 pm November 1st. I am positive that had I not bugged the hell outta them, I would be in the same boat as you.

Food for thought if you order from amazon in the future.

Was a button supposed to be included in all the box sets, or just on a special edition copy?

Only in the 2CD version.

Interesting... I'm most reliably informed that although David Leaf isn'y listed in the credits of the box set book, he originally was.

I have both the 5-CD and the 2-CD box sets, and they are beautiful!

My one and only complaint is that some of the interviews in the 80-page book could have used a little proofreading for typesetting style consistency. Overall a minor quibble in the big picture -- this is a project done big, done lovingly, and done well.

And now to something entirely different -- somewhere I saw photos of the single CD release, but I can't find them anywhere now. Could someone please post those pics here? Thanks!

I am so looking forward to getting the box set in December (when I have some year-end bonus money to blow).  Everything I'm reading about it sounds so very good.  And anyway, I'd just about have to buy it for a properly presented "Bag Of Tricks" if for nothing else in the world.

Part one of my SMiLE followup audio interview with co-producers Mark Linett & Alan Boyd has just been posted:

http://bit.ly/tPLJBu

In it, they talk about many of the questions that have been circulating around the 'net - including addressing the missing background vocals on "Barnyard," what, if any, tracks Brian nixed on the new set, how they assembled part two of "Heroes and Villains," and why there will never be a true stereo mix of "Good Vibrations." 

Part two will be posted in a week.

Also, we're giving away a copy of the 2-CD version of the SMiLE Sessions" - just "like" Icon Fetch on FB.

Enjoy,


Tony

He's clearly totally fucking lying about "Good Vibrations" not being able to be in stereo, as I have Audacity and I took two MP3s and made it into "glorious" stereo. What a total fucking liar. Things like "quality" (*rolls eyes*) shouldn't be an issue when everything can be in stereo.

A homemade pseudo-stereo concoction and a professional, true stereo presentation are two entirely different things, no? Without the vocal multitracks, it would be a bit of a ruse to really call it a stereo GV.

If that was sarcasm, btw, please disregard.

 :)

Just a random little issue I had with the box set: In the 3D cover of the box, the woman's head on my copy seems to be sort of bent (there's this crease on the neck and her head is facing down a bit). It doesn't seem to be like that for the guy behind the window. Just a random quirk in my set or are they all like that?

Best Buy has the five CD boxed set on sale for less than $100 ($97 and change) for Cyber Monday.  It still seems a little too much for me on my budget, but if anyone was looking for a good deal before considering it, this is the best one I've seen yet.

Did anyone else receive the boxset from Amazon in a box with the ad saying "little card - BIG SMILE"?   :lol

I have to repeat all the compliments on this box. It's a fascinating piece of art starting with the artwork and ending - of course - with the music. Fantastic !
Congratulations also to "our boy" c-man. You did a splendid job and probably created the definitive word on the Smile sessions. I was very surprised and happy to see that the Beach Boys were far more often working on the tracks than has been asserted many times. They are all over H&V ! This just confirms imo my guess that Brian didn't use them more because for the simple reason that they were touring and not because they "weren't good enough". Of course studio musicians would've been needed on some songs even if the Beach Boys were there but all in all it was just a brilliant concept they had back then. The boys were touring and making the band more popular, present the music to the masses while Brian was in the studio cutting new tracks. That way it was possible to take away the stress from Brian - remember that at one time he had to tour, write, arrange and produce the tracks for 4 albums in one year ! - and still have a very steady outcome. It really was a brilliant principle. Unfortunately it didn't last long but for the time it lasted it added up phenomenally. And the fact that those 5 (!) guys had to re-create something like Good Vibrations or God Only Knows on stage and did so wonderfully just shows their talent and abilities.

Once again, thank you to all who are responsible fo this great boxset. It'll be very hard to beat this one.

Thanks, Rocker.  I tell you, it was the experience of a lifetime, and quite a challenge, too, as most here might well imagine.  I had to deal with space restrictions, an ever-changing track lineup (which accounts for the discrepancy of track numbers in the final "Good Vibrations" sessions), the stated desire from the producers to have the overall sessionography order match the album template lineup, then within that order list multiple sessions for the same title chronologically, but always put the vocal credits at the top of each section, and find a place to fit in the bonus tracks (especially the Disc One bonus tracks, since the sessionography itself was to begin with the material on Disc Two).  My hat is eternally off to Tom Recchion, Dennis Wolfe, Mark Linett, and of course Alan Boyd, for giving me the opportunity & making it work in the end.  In retrospect, there's a couple of things that I could've done better, but hindsight is always 20/20, right?  :)

Don't worry about it, c-man. It's a fantastic piece of work, and I have to catch myself sometimes when I look across my room and just see my SMiLE box. Thanks for being part of making it happen.  ;D

This is the greatest box set dedicated to a single album ever released. Hands down. It may be the fan boy in me speaking, but it's truly a thing of beauty. The packaging, the artwork, and of course the music inside. Just Vinyl, 7", CD's a book and a poster. No gimmicks likes scarves and phony backstage passes and sunglasses (I'm looking at you Pink Floyd and U2) In a year filled with box sets dedicated to single releases The Beach Boys trump them all. This is truly a treasure.

Oh yeah and one more thing. I already posted this over on the Hoffman board, but we all need to bow down to Chris Bellman for his incredible work on the vinyl. The CD sounds great but the vinyl leaves it in the dust. One of the best mono pressings I've heard. This and the Pet Sounds vinyl included with Carl and the Passion: So Tough are the top of the heap for mono pressings for me.

Exactly! (That is, I could spare the poster... :wink)

I for one am a big fan of the supplemental chart from a couple pages back, comparing the box set vinyl and CD incarnations.  That shows us the provenance of EVERY track, LP, 45, and CD, and even the 2011 Record Store Day 78's!  A really useful engine, as they say!!!

Copied it from here and keep it with my box set - AND SO SHOULD ALL OF YOU!!

I have the box, so I don't have the button. Could someone please post a pic of the button ? I wasn't able to find a photo of it online. Thanks

Just to hold you over, the button is about 1 inch in diameter with "SMiLE" (same font and color as on album cover) over white. I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

Two more questions....

1) Was the vinyl LP in the box supposed to be shrink wrapped ?

2) Mark Linett mentioned in his Icon Fetch interview that there is a extra fan made sessionography online for cd 1. Does anyone know where I can download that ?

Thanks

My vinyl wasn't wrapped, only the cd's. I bought the 2 cd edition and the boxset just to make sure i got everything. To those curious as to the SMiLE button (or badge), surely if u can afford the big old stinkin' boxset then you can shell out a tenner for the 2-cd edition on top? Come on people, let's get those sales figures up!!!

The packaging for the box set is the best I have ever seen, it just looks brilliant. Then you open it up and find the CD/45 book with original press clippings and master tape reproductions, the book with great photos, anecdotes and Craig's lovingly done sessionography, then the photo booklet, then the 2LPs which just feel right in your hands and then you find the SMiLE poster too! I don't mind admitting that I actually hugged my box set when I first got it!

I just received my replacement for my light-up set and all I can say is WOW!!! this is so cool. Here are a few pics

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7185933284_c60a4e547b_n.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7185937676_0854acbb4e_n.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/7185942188_39cc95ff25_n.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7185946506_f40046e328_n.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7185951518_3da612464e_n.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/7185955346_dd5844e10d_n.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8147/7185960394_4abaf3fc22_n.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/7185963906_1b0bd26057_n.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/7185967940_9c9caae260_n.jpg)

who didn't?

Where?

Where?

where are the pics? I don't see any.

That's weird? I can see them. I'll have to upload again after work.

I can see them too. The light up box looks fantastic! Almost makes me wish I splurged on it instead of the regular box.

I realize this reply is about two years late, but it still bothers me... I think that the folder that the five cds are housed in is a really poor design. While it certainly looks cool, three of the five cds had digital clicking on the last track (disc  four actually had clicking on the last five tracks!). In short, I spent $140 to get a damaged product! I was able to make de-clicked copies luckily, but I wish it didn't come to that! My theory is that the cds rub/scrape on the backing. Looks good, wrecks the cds. Not cool...

Same thing happened with mine.  I was pretty disappointed.  And I had the same problem with MIC, out of the wrapper.  The discs arrived out of the cardboard sleeve.

I decided to email Capitol. There email is writeus@hollywoodandvine.com if any one else has complaints that they would like to share.

Am I the only one who got the small version of the box set and not the full one because I couldn't afford it?

When I read the booklet the question always remains, "What's going on here? What's SMiLE really about?"

The essays sort of echo each other in not being able to really nail this question down.

I only just realized that there is a mini box set as well as a full box set. Now I want the full box set!!!

Just got the Deluxe Box today. The 3d cover looks awesome! The sessionography is quite interesting to read. Now to listen to all 5 cds.

The Heroes and Villains 45 has "At 2 Score" written on Part 1 and "and 5" on Part 2.

I doubt it - same here.

Nice little box it is too - and we get a button which the big box apparently didn't :)

I actually bought the little one second, it was back when I had less bills and lived with my parents...I also wanted it because disc 2 (while having the same tracks as the big box set) had a different track line up than disc 2 of the big boxset.

Oh when I actually had money to by minuscule different items! That'll never happen again! 😬

I have nothing to add to this particular discussion except that I agree, the box set is well put together and the booklet is a treat. My Only criticism is that VDP didn't get an essay into the book. That is a glaring and inexcusable omission.

Wasn't that by his own doing? I think he has stated that he was finished with Smile with Brian's release.

Van Dyke chose not to participate in the preparation of the box. I'm sure they would have been delighted to run an essay -- a haiku, anything -- from the man.

He and Brian had a nasty falling out sometime between TLOS and TSS. He's been positively acerbic about BW for the last several years.

It really is inexcusable.  It doesn't put Van in a good light with fans who were looking forward to his recollections in the booklet.  I don't think he would have that around 2004, when he actually attended Brian's Smile show in London.

Wasn't Van Dyke not on great terms with Team Brian at the time? Either way, if it was on his part of their part, you would hope they could set that aside for something like this.

Is it really so hard to take an hour or two and write up a quick page in Word detailing your goals for the project, the general atmosphere of the sessions, why exactly you quit (and then came back and quit again), any particularly meaningful anecdotes you recall and maybe how your thoughts on it has changed over the years? Even if he subscribes to the ideology that BWPS is the finished thing and his work is done...it's just...well, why WOULDNT you want to include your say in the big release that's been almost 50 years in the making? Even if you don't want to, it'd just be the professional thing to do. This is such an important, mythical product I honestly cannot fathom how or why he would allow his very important insight to be excluded. It's like a filmmaker in this day and age not doing a commentary track for the bluray...but like...times a hundred.


Really? Thats a damn shame :-[ Why so much bad blood between Brian and so many of his past friends/associates? And even so, no excuse for not writing a paragraph at least. Say what you will about Mike, at least he said what he felt about the project honestly and without pretension. VDP, as I see it, owed us at least some kinda reflection here. It was, depending on your interpretation, 25% ~ 50% his album. I know people get offended when fans act like celebrities owe them something. But this is a special case. A once-in-a-lifetime, legendary work of art, withheld from its fans until now, and Brian is mostly unwilling or unable to talk about it, at least in much depth. VDP is then, by default, the leading authority on the subject. He should state what he knows as honestly and completely as possible for the sake of historical preservation regardless of his feelings on Brian or SMiLE. Period.



We agree on something SMiLE related?? :o

Yeah, I can say for myself that I now think much less of him as a person. No need to make us fans and the historical record suffer over some petty feud.

Yes, Van Dyke not contributing to the TSS booklet and the "Truck Drivin' Man" section being left out. I've reconciled with the later issue somewhat, understanding that the vocals were added to Cabinessence in 1968, a couple of years after the sessions were over. But still, it's a part of the final song coming together for release and it just sounds neat by itself before being mixed down into the track. I suppose these lyrics were written by Van in 1966 and originally intended for inclusion into the song then and then "found" and sung by Dennis in 1968. Or was the section recorded in '68 and Carl or somebody thought they would sound great in the background of Cabinessence? I'm thinking the former is true....

Again, there's also the Reconnected Telephone lyrics no one seems to talk about. Unless I'm very wrong, both are vintage 1966, but for some reason one was used and the other scrapped. A real shame, because I think it'd be cool to have both. And yes, no excuse to leave TDM off the boxset. They cant even use the "but it wasnt recorded in 1966 or 1967" excuse since they included the Cool Cool Water sessions from late '67/early '68 and even freaking Three Blind Mice from 1965 which has NO SMiLE CONNECTION WHATSOEVER.

This is true - I just realized that. Cool Cool Water material from the Wild Honey sessions was included in addition to the 'Water chant' segment from '66. No reason not to include a small piece recorded in '68 (Cabinessence). 

Pretty much this. As much as we all love it, there's a lot of bad decisions they made for that box set.

Last Christmas I received the deluxe boxset and the two LPs had skips in them.  I returned it (couldn't do an exchange for some odd reason) and kinda forgot about it since I already downloaded the music from the CDs.  I got it again this Christmas and had the same issue.  Are there any other reports out there of this issue?  If anyone looks at this thread anymore lol.  I was able to do an exchange this time (but they're out of stock, so I have to wait).

Got the reshipment... and the same issues are there.  I guess I'll have to contact Capitol since I have a feeling they're all like this.

Can you tell us where the two skips are? Cause I have the LP and I don't notice any skips on them at all. Maybe it's a problem with your record player by any chance?

 It is with some trepidation that I make this admission, but I currently have no turntable. In 2009 we moved, and I gave my turntable, receiver, speakers and all my LPs to my daughter and her husband, as they are good kids that like LPs and good music. Due to the move, extremely laziness, etc, I still have no turntable. I've been content with my setup via the computer. Sounds good, easy, no clutter.
 The Smile Sessions LPs have been sitting in their sleeves since the release. My daughter lives in another state, and I've never (lazy) got around to trying to coordinate any re-recording.

Other than a few stereo mixes, just how much have I been missing out on? Is it just the stereo mixes, etc on LP 2, side 2?

Just the stereo mixes.

Just want to say that 6 years after making the above comment, I went ahead and splurged on the light-up edition of the box. Here are some photos of mine:

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e236/spm107/IMG_1172_zpsktvdawhl.jpg)
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e236/spm107/IMG_1173_zpskzavlxv3.jpg)
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e236/spm107/IMG_1171_zpsfeduvw2z.jpg)

I was shocked to discover that these are still available via The Beach Boys official website. If anyone here is on the fence about buying this version of the box set let me say that I don't regret my decision at all. Yes it costs more than a pretty penny, but as sidewinder stated the box is just so freaking cool and having Brian's autograph on it is just amazing. It's also an excellent collector's piece. According to Perry Cox's new "Price and Reference Guide for The Beach Boys American Records" book only 50 of these light-up editions were produced, but less were sold (fortunately for me ;D).

That’s awesome!

Nice!

I don't think people understand the context of Van's not writing anything for the booklet.  My understanding is that Capitol was negotiating the rights to Frank's artwork, and were offering an insultingly low amount, which he refused - and there was talk of not using the original artwork at all!! Van was appalled at this and was justifiably angry at Capitol and I suppose by extension Brian's team for not standing up for Frank.  This is how Van ended up not writing anything for the box.  By the time the art payment issues were worked out it was either too late or Van was no longer interested in writing something for the project.

The poster shoulda been the Teen Set ad.

Can the lightup box be bought anywhere in 2020?

I don’t believe so – if memory serves, thebeachboys.com's store finally removed their listing for the Light Up sets sometime in very late 2018.

I saw one for sale on Discogs earlier this year, but that particular listing seems to have been removed (it couldn't have sold because it would be listed within the “last sold” category on the Light Up Edition’s Discogs page if it did). That was the only one I’ve seen come up for sale in the past few years. They haven’t popped up on eBay either. I’m curious how much one might sell for now that they’re not readily available for purchase anymore.

It’s funny you should say that, there are things I’ve bought on discogs that don’t appear on the “last sold” box, so it’s one of many things broken on that site

Anyway, I’m looking for a light up box if anyone’s selling :-)

You are likely looking for a vintage version, but I swear I remember someone actually making their own light up box many years ago (using the currently available 3D box) to save some money. Given how small they make LEDs and battery packs these days I don't think it would be too hard to pull this off...that is, if you're just wanting one as a display piece and not as a vintage collectable.

I checked on a couple sites and couldn't find anything, but I hope one pops up for you!

Thanks Rab. Hopefully someone might see my post and get in touch.

I posted this on Discogs a few years ago, but I’m going to post it here too in case any other Light Up Edition owners read this thread: In Perry Cox's 2017 “Price & Reference Guide for The Beach Boys American Records" book, he stated that only 50 Light Up Editions were made and that they were unnumbered, but this isn't true – the Light Up sets are numbered and more than 50 of them were made. Their numbers are listed on the inside of their lids, near the bottom-righthand corner. So you cannot determine which number box you have unless you open it.

According to Perry, the 50 count that he included in his book actually came from Brian's camp early on during the bookmaking process. Perry is now aware of this inaccuracy and he plans on correcting it in future printings of his book. But, it still isn’t clear exactly how many Light Up Editions were produced in total. My own Light Up box is number 71, which proves that more than 50 were made. A few years ago I saw a picture of someone else’s Light Up box – number 102. This means that more than 100 were made. I have also seen (and read about) a few Light Up boxes that have numbers higher than 150 (but lower than 200). 

I suspect that either 200 or 250 Light Up sets were made in total, although the latter number is just an educated guess based upon some unverifiable info I came across. Does anyone here who has opened up their Light Up box have a number higher than 200? Or have a source that can confirm for certain exactly how many were made?

So, 4 months after making THAT comment! Smileysmile user 'MyOnlySunshine' got in touch to say that he'd found one for sale, though unfortunately at the time the seller wouldn't ship internationally (I'm in the UK, and most of these boxes seem to be in the US)

Well, it's a long story but as I was trying to bid on the auction using my American forwarder address, something went wrong at the last minute and I missed out. I mentioned this to MyOnlySunshine and, amazingly, he had the winning bid :o and kindly offered it to me instead of keeping it! I thought I'd lost it completely and this was an amazing surprise!

What resulted was much research on both our parts to find the best way of getting it over (including our shock at UPS quoting nearly $400 to ship it over during the era of Covid)

myonlysunshine received the product, repackaged it to better suit an international trip, and got it insured and shipped over to the UK and didn't really ask for anything extra in return - THANK YOU! It arrived yesterday, number 169 (of? 200? 250?)

(https://i.imgur.com/DSimc6c.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/KVkQCl2.jpg)

You're a good man

Happy to help, UEF! And thank you for all the info you provided regarding shipping options and your help with coordinating all this. This was my first time shipping an item like this abroad.

Hi UEF, and congratulations on your new SMiLE Light-Up Edition Box Set!  :) (That was very cool of MyOnlySunshine!)

I'm wondering if you can do me a favor. In this photograph: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/7185967940_9c9caae260_n.jpg there appears to be some writing that I think says "Battery Installation Instructions" and some other writing below it too small for me to read. Could you take a photo of that writing from your box set so I could read it? I'm trying to find out if the batteries came pre-installed in those light-up box sets. I have one I never opened, and have recently become worried about battery acid leaking out inside the box. (gosh, I sure hope not!)

Thank you in advance, :)

Hi Tricycle Rider, I know you are addressing UEF but I actually have the answer to your question as well — yes, batteries unfortunately come preinstalled inside the Light Up sets. The sets take/include three AA batteries, and the brand of battery that they used isn’t a big-name brand that I recognize (i.e. Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, etc.). They are alkaline batteries. This is my biggest peeve with the Light Up sets – they shouldn't have installed batteries prior to sealing the sets.

I remember when I first received my Light Up Edition, one of the batteries actually came loose during shipping and was rolling around inside of the set. Thankfully I had planned on opening my box set anyway once it arrived, so I was able to put that loose battery back into the battery compartment. Much later when I was preparing to transport my Light Up box to one of Al’s storyteller solo shows to have him add his autograph to it, I opened up the battery compartment again and I noticed that the middle battery had started to leak and that the corresponding coil in the middle of the compartment had begun to corrode as a result. I removed all three batteries from the battery compartment and cleaned it by applying cleaning vinegar (6% acidity – since alkaline is a base, it needs to be neutralized with an acid) to the corroded coil with a q-tip and then let it sit for a few minutes to do its work. After drying the coil using a combination of water (applied by q-tip), dry q-tips, a cotton cloth, and rubbing alcohol, the corrosion was neutralized/removed and thankfully I got the coil looking good as new. I confirmed that the lights were still working afterwards by putting fresh batteries in, and after that I removed those batteries and have kept the battery compartment empty ever since.

Now that the Light Up sets are almost 10 years old, I imagine most people who left their sets sealed or who opened theirs but never bothered to remove the batteries that came with them are now experiencing some degree of battery leakage. It absolutely sucks that they did this – for once I wish batteries weren't included!

For some reason I assumed that flyer thing was on the outside of the box and under clear shrink wrap so it could be read from the outside; is it not?

Here's a photo I took of my Light Up set's back insert, specifically the portion shown in the photo Tricycle Rider linked to:

(https://i.imgur.com/EoxhrZH.jpg?2)

What they don't tell you – and what they also made more confusing/less clear by the "Install batteries as indicated" sentence – is that they both included and installed the batteries already. Meaning that you are pretty much good to go to activate the light switch once you unseal your set, but if you don't unseal it, well.... the batteries will eventually start to leak, just like one of them started to do in my case. I was fortunate to catch that process at a very early stage.


Most of the back insert is, yes, but the small flap in the above photo actually came tucked inside the lids of the box sets, where the front lid meets the back lid. So the info on the flap isn't visible to anyone who kept their set sealed. The only reason I know this is A) The regular non-Light Up versions were packaged this way as well, which I know because I own a still-sealed regular set myself, and B) I actually made an unboxing video when I first received and opened my Light Up set, and upon viewing it again just now, I can confirm that the flap in question was/is tucked into the box, just like how they were for the non-Light Ups.

Here's a photo of my sealed regular set so you can see what I mean:

(https://i.imgur.com/XBYm0Ly.jpg?2)

Unlike the Light Up sets though, the flap on the regular sets are blank:

(https://i.imgur.com/69gpyU0.jpg?1)

(I own, like, 4 SMiLE Sessions sets: 1 Light Up Edition and 3 regular versions, one of which is sealed, for anyone who is wondering where I am getting all of these pictures from :lol)

Hello my brothers in all things Beach Boys, and thank you both for the replies. 

Well, the answer regarding the batteries being already installed is both what I feared, and what I "just knew" would be the case.

After reading your post myonlysunshine, I went (with much trepidation) and opened my set. All three of the batteries are leaking from both ends, and they're all "incased" in battery acid. The worst example of it I've ever seen. At the moment, I can't even remove them. It seems the best way forward would be to replace the battery holder altogether, but I can't figure out how it's mounted in there (hot glue?) and only want to use so much force with it as to not damage the 3D box lid.

I don't make a lot of money, and had to save up to get this version of the set, so I'm really bummed out. What were they thinking selling a collectors box set like this with the batteries already installed? I thought it was common knowledge that collectors like to keep things like this sealed, and will usually buy another copy to open and listen to. You're right about those "battery installation" instructions too. They make it sound like YOU have to install them.

Sigh..... :(

It seems like the idea was possibly put together by someone with not much experience in putting out box sets - but it's because of that, that we get a 3D box with lights in it (for $700 :p). I've not seen that from any band before, and I don't think anyone's tried it since.