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Title: Questions about the demise of Smile Post by: Rebel on February 19, 2018, 08:17:58 PM Why did Dennis and Carl hold their first sessions conveniently during Smile?
Was it because they sensed Brian was perhaps losing it a little bit and they wanted to help contribute to the album and help finish it? Was it Brian showing them the ropes because he knew he was losing the plot and wanted help? Or because he knew he would be retreating soon and wanted them to continue on whether with the album or as the main contributors? I find it very odd that Dennis and Carl’s songs from this era have a very uniquely Smile flavor to them compared to anything they would write beyond this album. Next, where was Al and Bruce at during this period? Al seemed to have no interest in contributing material or doing sessions like Carl Dennis that we know about; despite being more than capable musically. Bruce was an accomplished musician/producer at the time but we don’t have anything from Him around this era either. It must have been obvious to the boys that Brian may be losing the album - why (when this became apparent) - would they not try to band together as they would eventually? Instead they began work on Smiley Smile which is just as bewildering as Smile. Seems strange considering there was a lot of friction in the band over this direction and they as a unit double downed on it almost. Title: Re: Questions about the demise of Smile Post by: Jukka on February 20, 2018, 05:32:26 AM Good questions. You might have a point there. Earlier albums were pretty quick and focused sessions, but with Smile the project dragged on and on and even Brian did all kinds of extracurricular things (Teeter Toter etc), in that free-for-all atmosphere it must have been easier for other guys to offer their two cents.
By the way, I think both Carl's and denny's tracks are great! Especially Carl's. Should have been on the album. Title: Re: Questions about the demise of Smile Post by: hideyotsuburaya on February 20, 2018, 07:07:05 AM early in 1967 David Anderle convinced Brian to start the Brother Records label, and it was this new label that facilitated solo beach boys recording projects for dennis & carl
Title: Re: Questions about the demise of Smile Post by: NateRuvin on February 20, 2018, 07:11:55 AM Carl and Denny's tracks? Never heard of them contributing songs to Smile. What songs are they?
Title: Re: Questions about the demise of Smile Post by: wjcrerar on February 20, 2018, 07:16:12 AM .
Title: Re: Questions about the demise of Smile Post by: guitarfool2002 on February 20, 2018, 09:49:13 AM Carl's and Dennis' tracks as heard on the Smile Sessions box were *not* Smile tracks, nor were they intended to be on the album.
It was Brian mentoring and teaching Carl and Dennis how to make records and produce sessions. Call it on the job training, or better yet, an apprenticeship where they could get their hands on the board and learn how to cut records in the studio. The fact they came out sounding like Smile tracks is because that's where Brian was at the time, that's what his music and the musicians he was hiring sounded like, and therefore it filtered down to Carl and Dennis. I'm guessing and probably pretty accurately so that if they had done this apprenticeship kind of thing during Fall 1967, the tracks would come out sounding like Wild Honey on one side, or Redwood on the other. Brother Records was being set up with one of the main goals being an outlet for the Beach Boys to scout and record/produce outside artists of their own choosing, along with their own solo side projects if they wanted, almost exactly the model or template used by The Beatles when setting up Apple Corp. But part of setting up such a structure would require the band members to learn how to produce and cut records, so they booked studio time to learn and practice the craft. Title: Re: Questions about the demise of Smile Post by: Jon Stebbins on February 20, 2018, 01:43:57 PM I find it very odd that Dennis and Carl’s songs from this era have a very uniquely Smile flavor to them compared to anything they would write beyond this album. This 1:23 - 1:50 certainly evokes Smile if not outright copying it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0pgO6B5bQA This feels Smile influenced to me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMoyY_08JvI This too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmWjnncb6vk The backing track here too feels Smile-ish to me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEoDkszVyM0 Tons more if you sift through Dennis' work. I don't think he ever let go, or got over, what he absorbed from Brian's Smile period. To me it was one of his most frequently visited veins of creativity. Title: Re: Questions about the demise of Smile Post by: Jay on February 20, 2018, 02:01:22 PM I once said that if Pacific Ocean Blue is Dennis's "Pet Sounds", then Bambu is his "Smile". Specifically "Album Tag Song". Although it may not have been recorded during Bambu(I'd have to check), I think it reflects his more experimental side. The same goes for "Are You Real" to a certain extent.
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