SMiLE Sessions box set!

[guitarfool2002]

I listened to WFIL AM here in Philly and the only songs that got decent airplay after Good Vibrations was Darlin' in late 67-early 68, Do It Again in 1968 and I Can Hear Music in 1969. After that, nothing, and I mean nothing. Fred Vail's story checks out with me, because they couldn't buy time on AM radio in Philly.

I totally understand where you are coming from, as the station you grew up with was your reference at the time, and unless you were to travel to another city there would be no other way to hear what other stations and local markets sounded like. I can't say it enough times how shocked and amazed I was to hear aircheck recordings from 66-69 in various cities and markets, because before I knew what an "aircheck" even was, I had this impression of top 40 radio that was very inaccurate. When I heard examples of it, the word stunned doesn't even begin to describe how I felt listening to some of that stuff!

It's also fun to see surveys from those stations and see how a single like Heroes did better in Boston in 1967 than it did in most other areas.

[guitarfool2002]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

[guitarfool2002]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

[drbeachboy]

I listened to WFIL AM here in Philly and the only songs that got decent airplay after Good Vibrations was Darlin' in late 67-early 68, Do It Again in 1968 and I Can Hear Music in 1969. After that, nothing, and I mean nothing. Fred Vail's story checks out with me, because they couldn't buy time on AM radio in Philly.

I totally understand where you are coming from, as the station you grew up with was your reference at the time, and unless you were to travel to another city there would be no other way to hear what other stations and local markets sounded like. I can't say it enough times how shocked and amazed I was to hear aircheck recordings from 66-69 in various cities and markets, because before I knew what an "aircheck" even was, I had this impression of top 40 radio that was very inaccurate. When I heard examples of it, the word stunned doesn't even begin to describe how I felt listening to some of that stuff!

It's also fun to see surveys from those stations and see how a single like Heroes did better in Boston in 1967 than it did in most other areas.

I can see L.A. being one of the last major cities to still play Beach Boys singles and cuts, but what other cities are you talking about other than Boston? From what I've been told by my older brother and ex-Brother-In-Law who were avid Beach Boys fans from the beginning, the Boys fared well here in Philly in the early days. To fall out of favor so fast, in such a short amount of time, after such a big hit as Good Vibrations has always blown my mind (that's 60's speak).

[guitarfool2002]

I listened to WFIL AM here in Philly and the only songs that got decent airplay after Good Vibrations was Darlin' in late 67-early 68, Do It Again in 1968 and I Can Hear Music in 1969. After that, nothing, and I mean nothing. Fred Vail's story checks out with me, because they couldn't buy time on AM radio in Philly.

I totally understand where you are coming from, as the station you grew up with was your reference at the time, and unless you were to travel to another city there would be no other way to hear what other stations and local markets sounded like. I can't say it enough times how shocked and amazed I was to hear aircheck recordings from 66-69 in various cities and markets, because before I knew what an "aircheck" even was, I had this impression of top 40 radio that was very inaccurate. When I heard examples of it, the word stunned doesn't even begin to describe how I felt listening to some of that stuff!

It's also fun to see surveys from those stations and see how a single like Heroes did better in Boston in 1967 than it did in most other areas.

I can see L.A. being one of the last major cities to still play Beach Boys singles and cuts, but what other cities are you talking about other than Boston? From what I've been told by my older borther and ex-Brother-In-Law who were avid Beach Boys fans from the beginning, the Boys fared well here in Philly in the early days. To fall out of favor so fast, in such a short amount of time, after such a big hit as Good Vibrations has always blown my mind (that's 60's speak).

Several years ago I did some research on available AM top 40 station surveys, trying to grab a major station from each part of the US, time permitting. I took each Beach Boys single from pet Sounds up to Breakaway and some stragglers and tracked how they charted in each area of the US. Florida, Detroit, New York, Boston, LA, mid-west area, etc.

I had heard things about localized chart success and chart failures on a record like Heroes, and wanted to see it firsthand. Most of them followed the Billboard charts, although not all cities were in step with Billboard, and that's what I wanted to find out: Which cities bucked the trend so to speak, because what Billboard did in part was average all those surveys together to make their own charts. That's where I got Boston's info from 'RKO and the like.

I have handwritten notes filling several pages from that research, it was interesting mostly to see unexpected cities jump on a single like Darlin or Heroes more than the ones we would normally expect.

Philly is an unusual media market, as true as it was in the 60's it was in the 80's and in 2011 as well. I've never heard the reasons for the drop-off with the Beach Boys in the 60's but if I find any surveys with info I'll post it up.

[hypehat]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

I'm guessing it's not as simple as 'Boo Mike, Poor Brian.'

Stebbins had a funny/surreal recounting of the day he visited the set on his website. From what I recall, Stamos was the Beach Boy most involved in the day to day production on set and stuff.

My foul memory is a curse and a bane on these boards, though. It's probably unfair to demonise Mike for the majority of the project, as horrifyingly bad as it is. I can't imagine Brian's people didn't see a script before approving it, for example.

VDP is well within his rights to be angry at his portrayal, imo.

[Dove Nested Towers]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

I'm guessing it's not as simple as 'Boo Mike, Poor Brian.'

Stebbins had a funny/surreal recounting of the day he visited the set on his website. From what I recall, Stamos was the Beach Boy most involved in the day to day production on set and stuff.

My foul memory is a curse and a bane on these boards, though. It's probably unfair to demonise Mike for the majority of the project, as horrifyingly bad as it is. I can't imagine Brian's people didn't see a script before approving it, for example.

VDP is well within his rights to be angry at his portrayal, imo.
[/quo

Don't want to step on that 3rd rail! That section IS mostly a reflection of the way certain people would like these events to be perceived (pretty obvious).

[tansen]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

Hmm, The Doors movie is fantastic. Being accurate or not, it's still a great film.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

I'm guessing it's not as simple as 'Boo Mike, Poor Brian.'

Stebbins had a funny/surreal recounting of the day he visited the set on his website. From what I recall, Stamos was the Beach Boy most involved in the day to day production on set and stuff.

My foul memory is a curse and a bane on these boards, though. It's probably unfair to demonise Mike for the majority of the project, as horrifyingly bad as it is. I can't imagine Brian's people didn't see a script before approving it, for example.

VDP is well within his rights to be angry at his portrayal, imo.

Young man, there has never been a member of The Beach Boys called John Stamos and while I have a breath in my body, there never will.

[The Shift]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

I'm guessing it's not as simple as 'Boo Mike, Poor Brian.'

Stebbins had a funny/surreal recounting of the day he visited the set on his website. From what I recall, Stamos was the Beach Boy most involved in the day to day production on set and stuff.

My foul memory is a curse and a bane on these boards, though. It's probably unfair to demonise Mike for the majority of the project, as horrifyingly bad as it is. I can't imagine Brian's people didn't see a script before approving it, for example.

VDP is well within his rights to be angry at his portrayal, imo.

Young man, there has never been a member of The Beach Boys called John Stamos and while I have a breath in my body, there never will.

I refuse to believe that hypehat wrote that as anything other than a joke.

[buddhahat]

8 days until Uncut is published and I'm thinking the chances of them getting any type of exclusive news about the Smile box are pretty slim, right?

I guess if the semi official release date is now Oct 4th, we are unlikely to see reviews in the September editions of the music press.

[Andrew G. Doe]

8 days until Uncut is published and I'm thinking the chances of them getting any type of exclusive news about the Smile box are pretty slim, right?

I guess if the semi official release date is now Oct 4th, we are unlikely to see reviews in the September editions of the music press.

Well, the hell with this Smile nonsense - it's just been discovered that first-class cricket was being played on Braodhalfpenny Down at Hambledon in August 1753, three years before the previously established date ! I tell you, the world of pre-Victorian Cricket research is reeling. I'm off to have a good long think over the implications. 

[The Shift]

Please don't get started on golf research…   

[buddhahat]

Please don't get started on golf research…   

or German football

[hypehat]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

I'm guessing it's not as simple as 'Boo Mike, Poor Brian.'

Stebbins had a funny/surreal recounting of the day he visited the set on his website. From what I recall, Stamos was the Beach Boy most involved in the day to day production on set and stuff.

My foul memory is a curse and a bane on these boards, though. It's probably unfair to demonise Mike for the majority of the project, as horrifyingly bad as it is. I can't imagine Brian's people didn't see a script before approving it, for example.

VDP is well within his rights to be angry at his portrayal, imo.

Young man, there has never been a member of The Beach Boys called John Stamos and while I have a breath in my body, there never will.

I refuse to believe that hypehat wrote that as anything other than a joke.

 

[The Heartical Don]

Please don't get started on golf research…   

or German football

Dutch football, then?

[guitarfool2002]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

Hmm, The Doors movie is fantastic. Being accurate or not, it's still a great film.

Off topic for a minute...

If you had substituted Oliver Stone's "JFK" for "The Doors", I'd say the exact same thing. It is a terrific and gripping film, but historically a complete load of crap that places characters Stone created into specific historical contexts to back up his theories - with the idea that his story wouldn't hold water without the need to invent characters and scenes which never happened.

I don't mind "The Doors" movie as a music video, and in some ways I think Stone devised the film that way to be played loud in the theaters, but I can also understand where someone more closely invested in and knowing of the history of the band would have issues with what was shown in that film, again like JFK showing some scenes of pure fantasy which boost the film but distort the truth.

In that way, it ties in with the BB's film.

[Micha]

Please don't get started on golf research…   

or German football

I can tell you all about it! 

[Andrew G. Doe]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

Hmm, The Doors movie is fantastic. Being accurate or not, it's still a great film.

Off topic for a minute...

If you had substituted Oliver Stone's "JFK" for "The Doors", I'd say the exact same thing. It is a terrific and gripping film, but historically a complete load of crap that places characters Stone created into specific historical contexts to back up his theories - with the idea that his story wouldn't hold water without the need to invent characters and scenes which never happened.

I don't mind "The Doors" movie as a music video, and in some ways I think Stone devised the film that way to be played loud in the theaters, but I can also understand where someone more closely invested in and knowing of the history of the band would have issues with what was shown in that film, again like JFK showing some scenes of pure fantasy which boost the film but distort the truth.

In that way, it ties in with the BB's film.

The major problem certain folk had with An American Family concerned the influence wielded by a name not featured in the production credits.

[egon spengler]

So I just got my Mojo 60s in the mail, and for all the talk about Mike's mystery sharp note in the Cabinessence tag, I don't think I've heard anyone mention that it's missing Carl's second lead vocal overdub.  I wonder what that's all about. (Maybe that's Linett's compromise for post-mid-67 touch-ups.. we only get half of them )

[bgas]

Just a quick question, is discussing the "An American Family" movie like touching the third rail of Beach Boys history or something?

Kinda depends of your degree of knowledge regarding the making thereof.

Is it a topic not to be discussed then, or a topic which no one will discuss? I think it should be explored in light of some of the sentiments being expressed in this thread.

For the record, I just watched it for the first time last night since it was broadcast on US television, and it was far worse than I remembered. My reaction was probably similar to your own reaction, as you watched the Doors movie.

Hmm, The Doors movie is fantastic. Being accurate or not, it's still a great film.

Off topic for a minute...

If you had substituted Oliver Stone's "JFK" for "The Doors", I'd say the exact same thing. It is a terrific and gripping film, but historically a complete load of crap that places characters Stone created into specific historical contexts to back up his theories - with the idea that his story wouldn't hold water without the need to invent characters and scenes which never happened.

I don't mind "The Doors" movie as a music video, and in some ways I think Stone devised the film that way to be played loud in the theaters, but I can also understand where someone more closely invested in and knowing of the history of the band would have issues with what was shown in that film, again like JFK showing some scenes of pure fantasy which boost the film but distort the truth.

In that way, it ties in with the BB's film.

The major problem certain folk had with An American Family concerned the influence wielded by a name not featured in the production credits.

Oliver Stone?

[hypehat]

George Lucas?

[grillo]

So I just got my Mojo 60s in the mail, and for all the talk about Mike's mystery sharp note in the Cabinessence tag, I don't think I've heard anyone mention that it's missing Carl's second lead vocal overdub.  I wonder what that's all about. (Maybe that's Linett's compromise for post-mid-67 touch-ups.. we only get half of them )

Carl's 'second lead vocal overdub' was actually an electronic effect, not an actual doubled-lead, and was very crappy sounding to boot. Wisely it has been removed...

[egon spengler]

So I just got my Mojo 60s in the mail, and for all the talk about Mike's mystery sharp note in the Cabinessence tag, I don't think I've heard anyone mention that it's missing Carl's second lead vocal overdub.  I wonder what that's all about. (Maybe that's Linett's compromise for post-mid-67 touch-ups.. we only get half of them )

Carl's 'second lead vocal overdub' was actually an electronic effect, not an actual doubled-lead, and was very crappy sounding to boot. Wisely it has been removed...

Fascinating, I had no idea. I knew it was particularly hard to pick out, but assumed it was a typical OD. I wonder why they didn't just do the usual.