Hi all, my new song is called 'April Moon'. My goal was to create a rock suite.

https://darnomite.bandcamp.com/album/april-moon-2

Pardon my ignorance but what is the status of the 88 session material? Is that something that could get a release at some point? Based on the 88 bonus tracks I would think there is some illuminating material there

That is some fabulous detail, thank you so much for that.

Thanks for the replies. There seems to be some interesting nuance in this conversation. How do we exactly define a 'commission'? Is it about the creative direction? Could one compare influences like Murry, record companies, or the 'hip' smile crew to Waronker? (I'm genuinely asking, not trying to be fecitious). Didn't they all want something out of Brian and shape the creative direction?

And is that necessarily a bad thing? Out of all of Brian's work, the one with the least outside creative influence to my ears is Love You. While I do enjoy it, I don't think many Brian fans rate it as their favorite of his. I hope I am not coming off as confrontational, I am just trying to understand better.


Edit- I reread your response HeyJude and I think I am understanding more why some view this piece as less organic than others. I guess perhaps some view it as less 'inspired' by Brian, even if it was executed by him. To me there is enough musically that tells me Brian's heart was in it, but that's a subjective take. Thanks all for the replies.

From an arrangement perspective, does anyone know about Brians role? Was he writing individual instrument lines like ps/smile?

Rio Grande is one of my favorite Brian Wilson compositions and I sometimes wonder if there is a more underappreciated moment in Mr. Wilson's long and wondrous career.

The music is wonderful to my ears. I also find the available session material to be as exciting as much of the smile material. When I consider the context of Brian's life and the other tracks he was making in that period the work seems even more impressive.

A common complaint I hear from even some of Brian's more hardcore fans is that others are deemed to be too involved in the writing? I am wondering if that is actually the case relative to his earlier works (other than pet sounds)? From what research I have done it does seem like there was some heavy involvement from others, but does anyone know any specifics? Obviously Brian's environment was not a healthy one, I am not debating that.

I can't attest to the accuracy of this quote about 'Dear Boy's but this is interesting -

https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/dear-boy/


From mixing engineering Eirik Wangberg:

How did you achieve the sort of “4 dimensional” Paul and Linda angelical harmonies?

It was quite a challenge for me to do these things. But, when it works it’s really lots of fun – especially if the arranger (Paul) knows his job. As Paul really knew what he was doing (laughs), the harmonies and voice tracks (there were many ones) did not step on each other or kill each other in the mix. As you may already know, Paul is here inspired by the Beach Boys vocal arrangements, whom I also have recorded. Elton John calls these harmonies the best he’s ever heard!

Engineer Eirik Wangberg, interviewed by Claudio Dirani, 2005

I was listening to RAM recently and struck by the Wilson influence in this one. A couple of thoughts I jotted down -

-Ram On
--Sounds like it could have been a smiley smile outtake. You get some bass vocals very reminiscent of Mike.  Some really cool harmonies in general behind this sparse production effort.

-Dear Boy
--Starts off extremely Beatles-y...but about 25 seconds in we get some beach boys style harmonies with a 'child is the father of the man' style counterpoint

Uncle Albert
--Brian Wilson style chords and bass all over this one. Some smile esque 'vocal noises', humor, transitions

Smile Away
--Sounds like a prototype of 15 Big Ones era

Monkberry moon delight
-- Mashing triad piano, cool backing vocals. Reminds me of night blooming jasmine and ding dang a bit

Thanks man. I like the logic presets...I think I used ‘Liverpool bass’ on that one. Exs24 has some nice basses, I usually prefer mono. Sometimes use retro synth too.

That's beyond impressive - the lyrics are just perfect and the production fits them flawlessly. I can slightly see why you'd want to rerecord it, but if you do don't change much at all - it has a great character already. Glad to see you're on Apple Music!

What is your recording setup? Do you do all the instrumentals? Logic, Pro Tools?

Logic x, midi keyboard, Scarlett audio interface. Yep I make the instrumentals using logic instruments. Don’t use any samples. It’s a simple setup but I like it.

AWESOME!

The production is fantastic - love the bass lines and how they punch in the mix and your vocals fit this style perfectly. It's like MGMT meets the Doors or something.

And now I'm listening to your other stuff - 'Glass' is jaw-dropping - like seriously one of the best new songs I've heard in a while. Is that a cover or did you write that?

Everyone here should check this out: https://darnomite.bandcamp.com/track/glass

Thank you so much for the kind words.

All of my songs are originals. Glass is perhaps the most meaningful to me, one day I would love to rerecord it with better vocals and production. I am really glad to hear you liked it

Hi all, my new song Agent Cooper was just approved for release on Spotify. Here is a link:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6XaHQRgYs21DDwCaWAs9eF?si=vDe92hlRTZyM9MQN9jbJ4A&dl_branch=1

Here is a link to my other music, some of which I have posted here before:

https://darnomite.bandcamp.com/

Just wanted to share with this community since my music is very beach boys inspired

While this would never happen for many good reasons, I would love to see Alan Ruck cast as an older Brian Wilson

https://images.app.goo.gl/RV1DtxEoCr6M3HVo6

1. Heroes and Villains
2. God Only Knows
3. Don't Talk
4. Wouldn't It Be Nice
5. You Still Believe In Me
6. All I Wanna Do
7. California Girls
8. Time To Get Alone
9. Please Let Me Wonder
10. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times

I do
I do

Check out a review of the ep on Divide and Conquer!

http://www.divideandconquermusic.com/indie-music-album-reviews/darnomite-darnomite-the-magical-flying-zen-electric-oboe

Nice vibe there. Really enjoyed that.

Thanks a lot! Big beach boys influence obviously 

Hey guys wanted to share my new EP that is heavily influenced by brian's music. Mixed with a bit of electronic pop.

Hope you enjoy.

https://darnomite.bandcamp.com/album/darnomite-the-magical-flying-zen-electric-oboe

i personally think SMFSP will be a different album from the rock and roll concept....i have a feeling we're getting an album of new originals. Or maybe i am deluding myself into believing that because i want it to be true

www.rollingstone.com/music/features/brian-wilson-talks-mental-illness-drugs-and-beach-boys-w443076

"Yes. I'm just as creative as I was 50 years ago but I don't work as fast. I work a little slower. I'm going to make an album December. I'm going to call it – so far, this is just a working title – Sensitive Music for Sensitive People. I think that's a good title and a good starting point."

The author forgot to mention Pet Sounds disappointed on the charts while a guy named Jimi Hendrix was rocketing to stardom and dismissing the beach boys sound.

It's a legitimate point but a horrible example. Early beatles/beach boys stuff? Sure. But an underappreciated album that was more chamber pop than rock and roll anyway? Dont see in any way how it limited black rock and rollers at the time.

this is and always will be my favorite review of a beach boys album -

http://www.smileysmile.net/uncanny/media/users/djm/scan0008-13SMALL.jpg

Okay I know this is a very odd topic and most will probably find it dumb and impossible to answer but I want to hear your guys opinions.

How do you guys think the Beach Boys will be regarded  in 200 years? The reason I say 200 is because that's almost how long it's been since Ludwig Van Beethoven died, and today most view him as one of the most important composers ever in terms of musical influence and accomplishments, and yes I know The beach Boys are one of the biggest and most influential bands ever but i'm not talking about now, in the future. Beethoven's music is often regarded as "timeless". Will the Beach Boys music possibly be regarded as "timeless"? In what sense? Will only their more famous works survive the test of time, or will some of their underrated masterpieces gain in favor over the years? Will people look back and say that they were game changers? Even more so than we do today?

Will their contributions to music be remembered and revered? Will Brian's revolutionary musical structures,arrangements,and studio techniques hold up all of the music in the future? Will their music be studied more (because I know it already is)? Will each individual Beach Boys' legacy live on? Or just the Wilsons?

Again kind of a question with no answer, i just wanna hear your guys thoughts on this topic.



Don't hurt me i'm new here...

IMO, there will be 2 important scholarly discussions about the music of the Beach Boys:

The first is about the 'California sound', which the guys invented and continues to impact culture to this day. I believe this group will be discussed with the Beatles as being a significant influence, especially in America. Their impact is not only on pop music but the idealization of southern california in general in pop culture.

The second is about Brian Wilson, the composer. I do think he will be looked on with great reverence and remembered as one of the greatest musical minds in history. As the popularity of the band declines, music scholars will continue to study his unique chord progressions and incredible harmonies for years to come. I think his name will be discussed among Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, Gershwin, Lennon, and McCartney as some of the greatest minds in western music.

or maybe the singularity will have happened and we're all in some sort of hive consciousness in which every possible opinion of the beach boys will be known and felt by all.
'"

Regarding “Oh, Darlin’” the alternate version that circulates isn’t really a “demo” per se; it’s the same backing track and partial backing vocals heard on the released version. It just has Brian singing most of Carl’s lead (with Carl still harmonizing in spots), and Mike’s lead missing on the bridge.

Back to the released song/recording, I think it’s a pretty strong and slightly unique composition, hampered by plodding and clunky production. If they had stripped it back more, and removed the horns or whatever those are, it would be better. I’ve always loved the bridge on the song with the weirdly dissonant backing vocals. Very rare for them to do something that off-kilter in that later era.

I actually like the horns...overall i dont mind the production nearly as much as most others. And I think they did a nice job on the vocals as well...especially mike's bridge.

I also feel obliged to post this...one of my favorite bb live recordings of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLqvRpN_bSE&t=3m35s

I prefer to listen to pet sounds in stereo. I know this is blasphemy for many but the instruments breathe better in the stereo mixes so much more. especially accordions, tack piano, woodwinds

Earlier stuff I do mono...the stereo mixes are not done well enough to achieve such an effect. it usually sounds weird and hollow to me. e.g., I get around.

I like "Oh Darling!" very much. The released version unfortunately is ruined by terrible production+ arrangement and mediocre and dull singing. Lyrics also are quite shabby.


The early demo version with Brian singing shows though, that the song had potential.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H02cP3UHUXU




EDIT:

I'm surprised btw that Mike doesn't mention that "Darlin'" was featured on the Big Bang Theory. Normally he always brings up this kind of stuff.

Yes I enjoy the demo too. Any idea what year that was recorded?