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| March 28, 2024, 09:06:41 AM |
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Feel Flows box set
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on: November 30, 2020, 08:06:29 PM
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My understanding is that he, at the time, demonstrated that it was possible to press a vinyl record with the decoded matrix that would play on any stereo phonograph (hence my comment earlier; it's an entirely reasonable item to include in a deluxe boxed set). The record company wasn't interested in the novelty/innovation, and so it went.
I'm going from memory but I recall the "surround" mix was never meant o to be anything beyond stereo (only two speakers necessary), as mentioned above. That's why the unsanctioned 4.0 release on the SACD was not welcomed by SWD. What he has expressed over the years is the desire to see what he (and Carl) created to be released as originally intended.
I'm sure I could find direct quotes in Honored Guest thread but I won't bother since it's a pain to do using a phone.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: It’s OK
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on: November 28, 2020, 09:52:08 PM
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I agree - one of the better "hit" attempts after the 60s.
Should have been the lead single, rather than following a cover song.
Yes, I wonder to what extent Rock and Roll Music's success was derived from it being the first single since the Endless Harmony comeback. I also wonder to what extent any future singles' lack of success was based on the public deciding that, actually, we don't need new covers of old songs from old artists (then again, Come Go With Me somehow managed to be a hit well after its original release... Who the heck knows how these things work!?). With the benefit of hindsight, I wish It's OK had been released first to at least get them an original hit. By the time It's OK was released, it seems like the moment had passed. At least they had Kokomo years later. I quite enjoy the song, for what it's worth.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Feel Flows box set
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on: November 22, 2020, 01:15:26 PM
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Maybe the box set isn't releasing until next year, so this is a copyright dump to keep the 1970 material from going into public domain?
That’s my prediction but either way I’m happy Yes, that's what makes the most sense. I think some of the unheard stuff was still "available" on that Brother Rarities CD somebody found (or elsewhere), so it could have gotten released otherwise. I wonder how curated those samples are? Some of them are perfectly tantalizing yet reasonably satisfying (end at decent spots). And they once again prove how mere seconds of isolated Beach Boys background vocals are life-affirming.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Could Brian write music in the style of 'Pet Sounds' after Pet Sounds?
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on: August 09, 2020, 08:33:05 PM
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As much as I love it, the post-Pet Sounds era has a more "dead" sound to it, until Sunflower. It's not surprising that the passé Beach Boys couldn't get a hit, though the quality of the music certainly deserved it.
To elaborate on my comment above, I remember listening to 20 Golden Greats a lot as a kid, and everything up to Heroes and Villains has a "drop of sunshine" feel to it; a bright summer day at the beach or cruising around. H&V is an odd duck anyway, so I'll skip that, but Darlin' to me evoked a "backyard patio in the evening" kind of feeling, and that just wasn't as commercial. It marks a definite point where the sound changed, and it's probably not a coincidence that their commercial fortunes waned at the same time (among dozens of other factors).
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Any isolated tracks of Dennis playing guitar?
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on: July 09, 2020, 04:32:44 PM
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I'd Love Just Once to See You?
Interesting. I must have forgotten in my rigorous session and personnel lists that Dennis was on this. I truly didn’t know that. Where did you read this? I recall Stephen Desper saying so many years ago but I couldn't find his post to that effect. Obviously documented evidence can disprove 40-year old memories, so I'll happily stand corrected.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: She Knows Me Too Well - Production analysis video
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on: July 07, 2020, 09:20:36 PM
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Very nice, thanks!
I like the mellow, jazzy guitar part with those little "bends" at the end of certain lines. Quite subtle. I agree that it ultimately sounds better in mono (the official stereo mixes for Today are generally unbalanced and reverb-heavy), but I appreciate hearing the details in stereo as you've presented.
Regarding the lyrics vs. the music, there is definitely something "off" in the chords, and once again Brian effectively conveys feelings of self-doubt and insecurity.
I'd love to hear your hypothetical SD&SN/Pet Sounds versions, or at least a sampler! We do have some vocals-only mixes to add to them for a full effect...
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Could Brian write music in the style of 'Pet Sounds' after Pet Sounds?
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on: June 27, 2020, 11:46:27 AM
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Our Sweet Love.
I agree that by the time an artist has achieved something and moved on, it can seem like self-parody to revisit it later. It's forgivable on the way up (building towards the peak) but lamentable on the way down (rehashing old ideas, etc.). Then you get fans who want the same thing over and over, so they're happy with the "return to form" but reject other directions.
Take any artist with a storied career and a definitive peak and I'm sure you could ask the same questions.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Kiss Me, Baby ~ Production analysis and walk-through
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on: June 25, 2020, 08:54:58 PM
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Wonderful, as usual.
This is certainly one of my favourite Beach Boys songs. The melody, lyrics and vocals are beautiful, of course. We've been spoiled over the years getting the different stereo mixes and vocals-only mix. I'm waiting for the official track-only version, which oddly hasn't come out yet(?). It's another one with so many layers, which you've ably demonstrated. So many great sounds, blends, textures, etc. The other percussion (temple blocks, chimes, vibraphone) is another element on which you could do a follow-up.
I remember I once played the stereo mix for my mom, who knew the song as the b-side to the Rhonda 45. She loved hearing the French horn, which of course she'd never noticed before. Kind of like the end of God Only Knows, it's there but not obvious, just augmenting the overall sound of everything.
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Please Let Me Wonder - Production analysis video
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on: June 08, 2020, 09:00:15 PM
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Another fascinating and insightful video! I'll listen for those saxes more closely now.
A couple random thoughts... The chord changes by the guitars during the chorus, right before the vocal line bit, sound incredibly "summer evening" to me. Don't know how or why, but there are several instances of the Beach Boys' music being evocative like that (not just fun in the sun lyrics). It's lovely to hear them isolated.
Speaking of voices, I have to mention how much I love that backing vocal bit you sampled, the way the ooohs rise and fall together. There's a bit of tension in the chords, like it's slightly unnatural, but it works. (Remember, I know very little music theory, and even less about intended outcomes of certain combinations.)
Finally, you exercised good restraint not to quote Carl's last line in your thanks at the end. Could have gone either way!
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Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Ronda, Uke look so fine! -Ronda production breakdown video! (Now with link!)
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on: May 19, 2020, 09:08:11 PM
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Another great video, thanks!
I enjoy the presentation, with the direct spoken parts, visual aids and cat, and the useful text and photos superimposed, as needed. For the track breakdowns I find it straightforward and informative to see you manipulating the tracks on the fly. It reminds me of the Brian May video where he breaks down Bohemian Rhapsody, but in this case we can see the sound files onscreen. Your style is laid-back but academic, with self-deprecation showing that you're not taking things too seriously. It's polished but not fussy.
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