I watched Long Promised Road and then re-watched I Just Wasn't Made for These Times - what a trip.  LPR was a little depressing whereas IJWMFTT is uplifting with phenomenal performances.  Who's the Black backup singers?  Don Was did a great job. 

The Brian Wilson story is such a tragedy.  What I get out of all of this is that he was beaten down after Pet Sounds and SMiLE - the rejection from the band and the record label to the music he had written and recorded must have been devastating.  I'm grateful for the 2004 SMiLE (I already had the Purple Chick and Vigotone boots) but after listening to the Smile Sessions it was a major missed opportunity in 1967 to shelve these songs.

I agree on everything. The album is great. A Day in the Life of a Tree is one of the best songs written by Brian. Very underrated, as usual.

By the way, do you know the Smile Sessions? Smile was not completed, but it gave life to hours of sublime music. Among the very best music ever, IMHO.

I just bought a *new* (still in the factory box, sealed in cellophane, manufactured in Mexico) copy of the deluxe 5CD, 2LP, two45s Smile Sessions box.  I have only listened to the first 1.5 discs so far.  Unfortunately my LPs are warped.  They don't skip but there is noise. 

[Brian Wilson]

Surf's Up was always one of my favorites, mainly because of the title song which is one of the greatest songs Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks ever wrote.  When I hear it I once again grieve over the abandonment of SMiLE.  Also the Carl Wilson songs "Long Promised Road" and "Feel Flows" were the best things the BBs had done since Pet Sounds.

But the song which really blew my mind when I first listened to Surf's Up was "A Day in the Life of a Tree".

First thing I noticed was the voice was not a Beach Boys voice, and there's nothing but an organ accompaniment.  (I didn't know it then but the vocal was by Jack Rieley, their nominal manager, hanger on, and in general Major Domo. ) The lyrics, sung from the point of view of a tree were mind-boggling to my 19 year old brain - I was knocked out.  As the song builds, the organ swelling, the background vocals coming in - listening on earphones I was overwhelmed.  I can remember listening to this song over and over.

Then "When I Die" leading up to "Surf's Up" - wow - what a great finish to a generally okay record.

Your thoughts?

He's got some chords wrong...

And it's not disputed AT ALL which Bassists made it to the final cut. 

That said -- wonderful to get a substantive musicological look at a Beach Boys song!

So you are saying that Carole Kaye is not on the final track at all?  Because I thought she was playing the upper part and Ray Pohlman was playing the lower part on acoustic bass.

She is not and has never been on the final track at all. The electric part she usually takes credit for in the verse is Ray Pohlman, and the upright response is Lyle Ritz.

Thanks.  I never knew, but I haven't really questioned it either. 

EDIT: I just checked the book with the Smile Sessions big box, and found the final master credits for the verses with that info. 

He's got some chords wrong...

And it's not disputed AT ALL which Bassists made it to the final cut.  

That said -- wonderful to get a substantive musicological look at a Beach Boys song!

So you are saying that Carole Kaye is not on the final track at all?  Because I thought she was playing the upper part and Ray Pohlman was playing the lower part on acoustic bass.

Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

 Tracklist
01. Right Where I Belong
02. I’m Goin Home
03. It’s Not Easy Being Me
04. Must Be a Miracle
05. Slightly American Music
06. It’s O.K.
07. Rock & Roll Has Got a Hold On Me
08. The Night Was So Young
09. Honeycomb
10. Long Promised Road
11. In My Room Live from the Ryman Auditorium
12. I’m Broke


Finally, I'm Broke and Honeycomb are to be officially released.

Maybe 1 or 2 too many Paley collaboration songs here. . .

Fantastic - a new Brian Wilson record. Joining this forum has already paid dividends. 

I found it on Spotify and am listening to it right now.  His voice sounds great.

I recently discovered this forum and since I've been a Beach Boys fan for almost 60 years I thought I'd join (I'll turn 70 in a month). 

This month I've been going back and listening to all of the albums from the very first, and even writing up some of my thoughts.  What I discovered is that those records I'd dismissed when they first came out, the posts Sunflower records, e.g. 15 Big Ones and Love You were really pretty interesting.

Anyway, glad to be here, and hoping to having some great discussions about the BBs, and no doubt, learning a lot about my favorite band in the process.