If you're a Macca fan and have to choose, definitely go for the RAM reissue, huge difference from earlier versions.

Regarding mono/stereo the HDtracks download is all the same as the 2 CD version (minus the bonus tracks).  I A/B'd a few tracks and the difference is really subtle, I hear it as very slightly richer sibilance. I wouldn't say this merits re-purchase.  Here are Spek graphs of Cabinessence...


http://jeffcdo.com/images/2012/cabin1.jpg


http://jeffcdo.com/images/2012/cabin2.jpg

As I understand it based on viewing other recordings, that band around 29 kHz is noise from the tape machine itself.  You can see there is definitely new information above 21 kHz so it's not simply upsampled.

You can convert FLAC flies to Apple Lossless for use in the iTunes world, they will play in iTunes or on your iPod but only at 16bit.  Squeezebox is an excellent option for playing high res files.  If you take a HD Tracks download and convert it to ALAC, the same file will play at 16bit via iTunes or 24bit via the Squeezebox.  It's great to have a high-res option available, I'm disappointed it's the 2 disc version and not the entire box.

Good look.

My brother went to see Brian in San Diego a few years ago and was sitting off towards the side.  He said when Brian left the stage he saw him take a fall in the wings as he left the stage, and surprisingly there didn't seem to be anybody nearby to help him up.

So does Stamos actually replace Cowsill or does he just hit the bongos or something?

Standing?  Meh.  I'm more discouraged by the chatter I hear during Bruce's "Disney Girls" clip above.

Ok uncle!  PM purty please.

In addition to "You Only Live Twice" this song also reminds me of this Paul Steel track...

http://paulsteel.bandcamp.com/track/i-will-make-you-disappear

If they do reissues, I'd like to see hi-res versions made available.

I've encountered MANY fans that consider Dennis to be the most interesting Beach Boy.

It's been a while, I'm wondering what with all the digital alchemy that's been goin' on with the SMiLE sessions, have any of the home engineers worked out precise pitch corrections for this material?

I really don't get the tattoo thing.

Ella.

I wish he'd play the Los Angeles area more.  Had to drive to Vegas for TLOS, and there were no LA Gershwin shows.

[ghost]

Have y'all heard the story of the (aptly-named) poster named ghost?

Wasn't the issue with Andy Paley that "nobody produces Brian Wilson"?

I'm not clear on the rationale for putting "I'm In Great Shape" here as opposed to where it appears on BWPS.  It seems to dovetail much better with the "health" theme of Vegetables.

Here's mine, only very minor changes:

Our Prayer - same
Gee - same
Heroes And Villains -same
Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock) -same
Barnyard -same
My Only Sunshine (The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine) -same
Cabin Essence -same
Wonderful -same
Look (Song For Children) -same
Child Is Father Of The Man - intro portion removed, it feels tacked-on to me (first 24 secs)
Surf’s Up -same

I’m In Great Shape - instrumental intro cut off (start at 6 second mark with vocal), just think it doesn't fit in the "Americana" section in the TSS version
In Wanna Be Around/Workshop - wanted to just cut this but the transition between Shape/Vega doesn't flow otherwise
Vega-Tables -same
Holidays -same
Wind Chimes -same
The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow) -same
Love To Say Dada -same
Good Vibrations -same

He Gives Speeches - "bonus track" after a pause, a'la the Sgt. Pepper or "Who Sell Out" run out grooves (I realize it doesn't loop, but it's repetitive and a bit of an earworm for me so I didn't want to leave it out, the backing vocals towards the end sell it to me as a "reprise"

I'm sure it depends on our various ages.  I didn't really start seriously listening to music until I was about 10 years old, which unfortunately is when this damn commercial came out...

http://youtu.be/sndJDH4LSV8

So for years, long unfortunate years, I couldn't get "sunkist orange taste sensation" out of my head (I actually disliked "Good Vibrations") and the Beach Boys seemed cheesy to me.  I began to understand when the "Made In U.S.A." comp came out in 1986.  I finally began to explore their music in depth and this process fit well with the solo album in 1988 (which I obsessed over) and then the two-fers in 1990.  I think my favorite SMiLE version came out around that time too (the Japanese CD). So my initial reaction to the box set was - another compilation?  Of course when I got it, there were more treasures on there (like the bonus tracks on the twofers).

And I still don't like the artwork on those CD inserts.  I flipped each one over to show the thumbnail band pics.

The intro bit (first 24 secs) feels tacked-on, I think it was put there so the very start of the song wouldn't be so similar to the very start of "Look" but it hurts the flow IMHO

Love that Brian chose to do this at an independent record store!

Hardly "shocking" he just seems tired and bored.  I looked like this in every 7am class I ever took.

I love them both too!!  When I say "choppy" I don't mean that as an insult.  The version represented on TSS is by definition an unfinished album.  It's been put together from a variety of sources, vocals have been flown in from other takes and demos.  I love the original voices, the 60s style of recording and instrumentation, Linnet has done a great job here - with what is available.

Well you'd be wrong then wouldn't you?!