Rediscovering Smile

[Mahalo]

Isn't it weird how we go through musical phases...yet somehow it all comes back to SMiLE!

As I got the Box set the day it was realeased I gave it a few listens...at least the 1st disc, and singles... not so much the sessions. I didn't go crazy listening to the music just because my obsession over the BB's great music was waning. Isn't it weird how tastes in music ebbs and flows?

Besides, I knew that the Box set was something I was going to get into in due time- it is too monumental (mental being the key word). Two weeks ago I had Wind Chimes on my brain so I got around to trying to make a decent mix of SMiLE that wasn't too long, and very listenible. I never had Audacity so I downloaded it so I could tweak the songs to my liking- this was very revealing. I made a mix that was very inspired by Alternate BWPS (MUCH THANX), but not as long. I wanted to make a mix that people would really like without getting too bored. I can't even listen to the sequencing and tracks as they are on the Box... it just doesn't seem right. With proper edits, I sequenced the album as thus-

Prayer (20/20 version)
H&V
Cabinessence (the 3rd track has to be killer, and the listener won't get bored with this one)
Barnyard (I cut Great Shape- doesn't sound right, it doesn't seem to really have a home anywhere)
OMP/Sunshine

CWTL a capella- sheer beauty, even if it is a distant relative of SMiLE through some weird marriage- however it segues right well into Wonderful...
Wonderful, Look, Child, Surf's Up follow...

Worms (edited the weird moaning/laughing on the Sessions set- with the crescendo in the beginning just peaking and crashing with the first beat of Worms- it works really well and makes for a nice start to the last part of my mix.... it is such a fodaed up track, in a good way. Very abstract, it reminds the listener that SMiLE songs have an edgy/funky side) The fade in works great after the fade out of Surf's Up.
Veggies (single verson with surprises)
Holidays
Wind Chimes
Fire (with surprises)
Da-Da ... THANK YOU SMiLE A.D.!!
GV

No Great Shape or IWBA- tried to keep the album shorter and these two didn't make the cut. I don't really miss them to be honest.

I'm glad I didn't kill myself dissecting this when it came out, but as I started to make my own proper mix I understood the mixing in a new light and made me want to post again about the tracks on the box-set....like SMiLE itself, the box set is deeply flawed, IMO, but at least we have it.

[Mikie]

Isn't it weird how we go through musical phases...yet somehow it all comes back to SMiLE!

That doesn't apply to me.  There's just so much other stuff in the catalog to listen to and appreciate.

[donald]

It doesn't all come back to smile.  It all seems to come back around to something I haven't heard for awhile.  It seems there is an maximum # of times I can listen to an album over a period of time before I have to put it away for a bit.
 A gap of months or maybe a year or two might be necessary before I can obtain optimal  pleasure from relistening.

I will say that the smile box does offer endless opportunities for making your own mix and sequence.  If I ever learn to use a pc editing system I intend to make my own unique mix of GV.

[TimmyC]

yeah, sorry, it definitely does not all come back to "SMiLE" for me (I hate when people write "SMiLE" - so lame). The smile era recordings  are fascinating in terms of examining them in the context of the Beach Boys musical progression, and of course in thinking about what could have been, and of course the music itself. Some of it is brilliant, but for me it's more an artifact than a genuinely enjoyable musical experience. That's not to say I don't love it, but I love almost everything they've done to some degree, and find other aspects of their output, far, far more enjoyable. 

[ontor pertawst]

Phew. I guess Monday isn't a good day to enthuse about your Smile mixes.

[seltaeb1012002]

Da-Da ... THANK YOU SMiLE A.D.!!

I meant to reply.. you're welcome! I just listened to that again for the first time in months.. it's pretty wild! Can't believe I wasted devoted so much time on that mix. Still love Smile. Hope we get some new stuff on the box set.

[SenorPotatoHead]

Hmmm, what to hate more?  One who says SMiLE instead of just plain old, boring every day Smile?  Or those who respond with snide, snotty comments when none are warranted?   The latter is what's truly "LAmE".    

A Smile is just a smile - but SMiLE is/was the greatest unreleased pop masterpiece in the entire universe!