The only things in the book really untrue are the stories that Elvis was prejudiced or anti Semitic. They also are wrong about Elvis not liking other performers. They were hurt and angry and while they say the wrote the book to wake Elvis up, really it was something done out of anger.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Elvis was even known to play raquetball at the local Jewish recreation center in Memphis (which believe it, has a LARGE Jewish population).

You certainly do have a vote, everyone should contribute, and for what it's worth, I think you summed up the argument best. Brian's voice is the loudest component of the harmonies most if not all of the time.

True. I guess that may open a whole can of worms later on, eh?

 

You know what you should do John? Once an album has been debated and settled you should add the results to your first post. That way it will be easier to go back and look without having to hunt all over the thread.

Maybe an asterisk, then...? I'm in agreement with both you guys...

I'll settle for an asterix.

Pixletwin: Don't really agree, Bri sings the lead on the whole chorus of I Get Around solo. Coupe is just his voice most prominent amongst the harmonies, and shorter, t'boot!
 

I find that highyly debateable. His harmony is clearly the main melody.And its only one measure shy of his solo on I Get Around. If you you were a camera man you would clearly have the camera on Brian during the LDC vocal. But ah well... You be da moderator on dis one my fren'.

Thanks for those pics MBE. It is really sad. Sort of like watching the hero of a story starting to loose the fight... Only its real life.

John, if you're gonna give Brian Co-credit on I get around you have to give it to him as well on Little Deuce Coup. Its a pretty prominent vocal (She's my little Deuce Coup. You dunno what I've got!).

As far as Brian not liking the '71 version, he was still saying that as late as the late '80s/early '90s, when he said something like "I can't believe they put that song out in that state", which implies he didn't like the way the track segued into the second half of the demo version.

And then Brian "put that song out in that state" when he re-recorded it for BWPS....

Only sort of. The 71 track's B section is pretty sparse (moog, piano, maybe a bass). Whereas the BWPS version has alot of gorgeous orchestration. Pretty big difference, if you ask me.

I always had the impression that if any piece of SMiLE wasn't going to be done right, it couldn't be done at all. I don't think Brian wanted to see it parsed out piece by piece on different albums.

Not even going to dignify that with a full responce but your slander to Elvis Presley is ignorent at best. Before you make such harsh accusations learn a little bit about what you are saying.

WORD. 

Its good to hear that they are both still "in". I was a wee bit worried. Music is such an ego driven business its not hard to imagine bad things gone wrong when faces you are used to seeing up on stage are no longer there. 

The only musician that I know of who is comparable to Brian is Syd Barrett (for those who don't know Syd was the lead singer, songerwriter, and guitarist for Pink Floyd). The difference is that Syd stopped touring and recording in the earl 70's and became the definition of "recluse". While Brian has fought and fought and fought and is still with us today touring and recording. We are blessed to still have Brian but he is not the man he was.

I disagree with saying Brian is the first among equals on Girls on the Beach. Unlike in say Our Prayer where all the parts have a life of their own, Brian's part in GotB is clearly the melody with the other parts merely accompanying.

IMO. 

This album really isn't all bad. As Nighthider said, I think Lahaina Aloha and Still Surfin' are nice little songs. They don't blow me outta the water, but they have a nice feel to them.

I haven't seen this really addressed. In recent Brian shows Darian Sahanaja and Scott Bennett have been absent. I know there was a news feed about this but all it stated was that they were replaced by Billy Hinsche and Gary Griffin. Anyone know why they aren't touring with Brian?

 

This is actually one of my favorite vocals from Brian because its so uncharacteristic of him.

I disagree to the point where I've always considered it a quintessential Brian Wilson vocal.

The backing vocals are out of tune/badly arranged on this track, apart from that its great, even Brian's 'Let him RUN...'

On the chorus, I agree, some of the vocals are a little clunky, but the underlying vocal pads during the verses are sublime.

 

I never thought he sounded "girlee" on the "Let him RUN!". In fact it has always sounded a bit like Lennon to me.

This is actually one of my favorite vocals from Brian because its so uncharacterist of him.

Thanks a lot for the interview, Malc.

The MIU/self destruct quote makes more sense now that we can see the whole context of teh interview.

Yup. Thanks for that great interview.

What song are we talking about? For some reason I have thread topic as "\".

Thanks MBE for those pics. They are so great to have as a screen saver. 

EDIT: There are two voices there, Mike and Brian - and to me, sounds like the "And we'll so far apart..." has more a Brian inflection to it than Mike. What do you think?

I've mentioned Mike as prominent harmony, but I'm not sure he's LEAD vocal on it, per se. I'm open to disagreement though.

I think it is definitely both Brian and Mike and Mike's underlying "Keep and eye on sum-mer" is pretty prominent throught out. But I am not sure the constitutes a co-lead credit either. I vote no.

Really I think the truth lies at the heart of everyones speculations. I can see every theory on why he never finished SMiLE having an element of truth to it.

Any comparison to my other favorite band (The FLips) has me curious. Now I will go check it out!

Thanks.

Brian's doubling of the vocal on the first half of Surf's Up also is out of tune--the high notes are terrible.

Maybe I'm tone deaf--it sounds fine to me!  (Listening to it now, from the box set.)

One of the tracked vocals on the "do-mi-no" is slightly flat to my ears as well.

Thanks for the pointers Malcom. (Though I think you are wrong... I definitely was stupid). Just emailed you.