Congratulations, Rich!!

Have a beer on me!

Here it is:

http://s58.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0BSYDZT8RAY0V2TNW1DKUJGG3B

I REALLY surprised myself here, by singing from low E (Which isn't that low...I think it's the lowest note the average male can sing) and a high B (in other words, 6 semi-tones higher than Brian's high F on "Surf's Up".)

Listening to it right now .. LOVE IT!! I hear what you mean about the high bit ( .. especially around the 2:00 mark) .. that's high!!!

This is going to be an amazing disc!!

Here's an .mp3 snippet with my lead overdub to idigworms and some added percussion sound to the background. here's just a sample.

http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0D1TE3FHKNAB70CQR81IRT3HK2

sounds better with just the backing vocals, hahah

That's GREAT! I love the feel of it

I've put together 2 versions for you.

A 1:33 track-only clip of it and 1:36 "proper" version ( .. both taken from the middle of the song)

When I started to take the original apart, I didn't realise just what an intricate song it is. Very, very difficult to "make your own", but I've done the best I can

The end part reminds me a little bit of 'Holland'

All comments welcome,

Please download the track version first, you can get it here:

http://s55.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0RGVBG5KGDH5S1CSV0RJMGXETO

.. and compare it to the proper version, which can be found here:

https://s39.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=153M0CN4WBVJQ3478WPD53SY7D

It's going to be very interesting to see how my vocals compare to Jack R's on my submission of 'A Day In The Life Of A Tree'

[Volume 2]
It is Us:
The 2nd Anthology of Music Written or Inspired by Brian Wilson

.. I like the sound of that, Bob!

.. and I echo that, Bob!

.. can't see that myself

Ken.W (who has seen such a package) would likely agree...

.. and indeed, I do agree.

Bob's packaging is TERRIFIC!!

Looking forward to hearing that, Bob! sounds like a kewl thing you've done there

I'm about 3/4's of the way through 'A Day In The Life Of A Tree' .. what a difficult song to pick apart and make it your own

Thing is: I want to make the vocal as emotive as Jack Reilly's voice, but .. my QC wants to go higher

.. and I haven't really made an honest stab at the BB's vocals yet

Very fine line, fellas .. very fine line

April 1st, Rich .. truly.

THE DUDE

I don't follow.

The dude, was the character Jeff Bridges played in 'The Big Lebowski'.

Yeah, I'm pretty much done; too.

Although, I'd suggest to try and find a copy of the 6 disc, fanmade 'The Complete U.S. Singles' Collection.

Every released mono, stereo, promo + DJ vinyl 45 that's been released.

Exhaustive, but needed; if you think you have everything and want to dig a little bit deeper.

Crosby & Nash - 'Wind On The Water'


Crosby & Nash - 'Whistling Down The Wire'


Errrm .. gratuitous ego boosting self promotion

I'd probably go for 'The Surfer Moon'.

Take a listen to the stereo version (2nd stereo vocal mix) on UM.Vol.3, check out Brian's lead and backing vocals .. sublime

Loved your video! The buildings springing up around the tree brought a lump to my throat. Well done, Sir!

I would've cheated and flown in the original: " .. you're under arrest!" line.

These 3 plus a gazillion others ..

'Kiss Me, Baby'
'Lonely Sea'
'In My Room'

I agree, Jason. I have done and do still love it too for what it was, but the personal stuff clouds it for me and makes it a harsh listen these days.

That's all part of the legend. The main selling point for most people is that they would love to hear the music that supposedly drove its creator insane.

That's never been a main selling point for me, I must admit.

For me, it's always been about the legend of Brian Wilson's magnificent unreleased opus magnum that should've followed 'GV's. The album that might have tipped the scales in Brian Wilson's (ergo: the Beach Boys) favour in the Pop/Rock/Psyche hierachy in the '60's if it had been released back then.

Me, I thought it was so dark and so ominous that I actually got chills listening to a few of the sections.

Hehe .. that's how it used to be for me, before I learnt about the whole backstory.

If there's one thing we can learn about Smile, it's not really a "happy" album.

You're right, the '66-'67 session tracks/vocal castoffs and tidbits don't make for happy listening. SMiLE, on the other hand' as released by Brian Wilson; makes for one helluva happy album

As long as the '66-'67 era stuff is archived properly for posterity ( .. America's band at what could have been it's finest point in it's career) then I'm happy.

.. and there's the rub, Ian .. imho, the '66-'67 era stuff is too dark and ominous to make me smile (no pun intended).

That's why so many fans love it! It's so un-Beach Boys!

I agree, Jason. I have done and do still love it too for what it was, but the personal stuff clouds it for me and makes it a harsh listen these days.

Yeah, they're as cohesive. They just don't have the dark ominous majesty of the originals. You can replicate notes, but not vibes.

.. and there's the rub, Ian .. imho, the '66-'67 era stuff is too dark and ominous to make me smile (no pun intended). At least with 'BWPS', the music sounds joyous to these humble lugholes.

Another thing, is that we on this humble board know far too much than we ought to know about the personal stuff. We know the "darkside" to that era and that clouds the '66-'67 era for me.

Just me rambling, move along .. nothing to see here

Are the instrumental tracks available from a digital source (i.e. non-vinyl)?

I can only answer the above part for you ..

'In Blue Hawaii' ('B' side to 'Good Vibrations' CD Single)
'Roll Plymouth Rock' (ESQ Exclusive CD)
'Mr's O'Leary's Cow' (ESQ Exclusive CD)
'Surf's Up' (LSL 'Beautiful Dreamer' Bonus CD)
'H&V' (Bonus track on Japanese 'BWPS' CD)
'Cabin Essence' (Bonus track on Japanese 'BWPS' CD)

There are differences between the 2 bonus tracks on the Japanese release compared to the bonus tracks on the vinyl issue. One version has backing vocals still left in the mix.

The new tracks aren't as good as the old ones.

Stand back: Red rag to a bull! Red rag to a bull!

I burnt 'em all onto 1 disc and I think they're just as cohesive as the '66-'67 era tracks, personally.

Actually, we could start a new combustible thread with your above quote as the header .. sure to be a lively topic.

"1. Can anyone post a complete list of backing tracks (including b-sides etc.) of SMiLE 2004?"

Don´t know if they are all official, and I have no idea were I got them ( ), but: "Heroes And Villains", "Roll Plymouth Rock", "Cabin Essence", "Surf´s Up", "On A Holiday" and "Wind Chimes".

There's also the freebie from ESQ 'Mrs O'Leary's Cow (Fire) - Instrumental' and 'In Blue Hawaii - Instrumental' from the 'Good Vibrations' CD single.