SMiLE Sessions box set!

[Shady]

I'm too excited. Put me to sleep Michael Jackson style till around October 25th

[Catbirdman]

So here I am checking this board religiously every hour on the hour, vigilant, awaiting the next revelation regarding The Smile Sessions, and in the midst of an intense business trip last week I say to myself 'Screw it, focus on this dad-blasted database build for now, and prepare for for this hurricane (having just, after all, weathered an earthquake), and ride out the weekend, and check in again on Monday morning, 'cause God knows there won't be any new news, just more of the same, tired (albeit entertaining) in-fighting and posturing, and life is larger than the Beach Boys after all…'

And so then I check in again on Monday morning and what do I find? A freaking mushroom cloud. I have one word in response. To quote my hometown hero, the shady but venerable Senator Clay Davis (for the record I am a Baltimoron):

"Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttt."

That was my audible response this morning (which carried over the cubicle walls, and reverberated through the conference call I was on at the time), when I caught up with the madness on the Smiley Smile message board. I am finally now caught up on all the posts, and over the next few days and into this weekend my ambition is to go through the tracklist piece by piece and offer up my thoughts. FWIW. All are welcome to punch holes. Have at it.

For my first installment I will comment on the following tracks:

A. DELUXE EDITION, DISC 1: 1. Our Prayer
B. DELUXE EDITION, DISC 2: 1. Our Prayer "Dialog" 9/19/66
C. DELUXE EDITION, DISC 2: 2. Our Prayer 10/4/66
D. DELUXE EDITION, DISC 6: 1. Our Prayer (Side One) [LP Vinyl]
E. 2-CD VERSION, DISC 1: 1. Our Prayer
F. 2-CD VERSION, DISC 2: 1. Our Prayer "Dialog" (9/19/66) 3:02

First off, the 9/19 date is a new one for me. As far as I had heard, the track was rehearsed and recorded on October 4. Period. So I'm wondering what the "dialog" is. At first glance I assumed it to be the rehearsal session we all know so well, with the "intro to the album" and "Denny, do you have any more hash joints?" comments. And it probably is. But perhaps this dialog is something different altogether? I doubt it, but we shall see.

In any case, the "dialog" lasts 3:02, which seems to me a good chunk of time to include ample studio chatter. Should be interesting.

As for the version used for A, D, and E above: I am guessing and hoping they use the 1966 version without the 1968 overdubs. That would mean - correct me if I'm wrong - there will be no super-high note on the final chord, and that NONE of the tracks in this release will feature that weird hiccup/laugh leading into the final chord.

I also wonder about the December 18 comp reel. On that reel, a version of Prayer exists where the penultimate vocal section has been excised from the mix. As far as I can see, there is nothing in the published tracklistings that shed definitive light on the nature of the sources of the tracks (i.e., are they sourced from the multi-tracks, or from mixdowns, or from acetates, etc.). We have Peter Reum on record that there are two acetate-sourced tracks on this set: Teeter Totter Love and CIFOTM. Well, the published tracklisting doesn't betray that fact (not that I'm doubting Mr. Reum of course), so my thinking is that there may well be tracks that originate from the December comp reel, or any of the other comp reels, and we simply won't know that until we are privileged to read C-Man's liner notes… but in any case, my money is on all the Prayer tracks being direct mixes from the multi-tracks. I will be surprised if the short version shows up on this release in any of its forms.

Finally, I assume the following tracks will be identical:
A = D = E
B = F
and C I assume is unique to the box.

OK, that's it for now. I will try to comment on further tracks at the next earliest opportunity (which might not be until the end of the week!). Cheers all.

[dmcguire70]

So how many people are going to take a voluntary absence from the board between 11/1 and whenever they get the set--which for many people will be a day or several days later?

How many will want to listen if it's leaked before 11/1?  How about the Amazon sound clips?

A lot of tough decisions to make.

I am going to refrain from using Smiley Smile dot net from Nov 1 till my box arrives at my door.

[dmcguire70]

Double post

[Jay]

Is it better to be a Baltimoron, than a Mass hole?


Edit: Damn censors made me edit myself.   

[Catbirdman]

Is it better to be a Baltimoron, than a Mass hole?


Edit: Damn censors made me edit myself.   

Lol, where are you in Mass. Jay? The business trip I went on last week was in Billerica. I plan on going there again.  Maybe next time I come up I can meet up with you and finally deliver that live BB stuff I've been promising for so long!

[Ram4]

You guys crack me up.  So many of you are freaking out because some people got the box for $110.00 and now you think there's no way you'll ever get another chance at that price.  It could come down.  And don't rule out places like Best Buy offering exclusives that just might make a lot of people on here pissed off that they ordered from Amazon.  Some of you are buying the 2CD because of a button... a tiny button!  What if Best Buy has an exlcusive bonus CD with some extra tracks, what will you do then?   The panic some of you have about the price reminds me of the sheer terror Beatles fans had when Apple said the Mono box was a limited edition of 10,000 copies.  As expected, they made plenty of copies for everyone.  Good things come to those who wait, and I bet the best SMiLE deal is going to be down the street.  If not, who cares, at least I'll have some options as to where and how I'll get the box.  

Now, back to the paranoia!

[Jay]

Is it better to be a Baltimoron, than a Mass hole?


Edit: Damn censors made me edit myself.   

Lol, where are you in Mass. Jay? The business trip I went on last week was in Billerica. I plan on going there again.  Maybe next time I come up I can meet up with you and finally deliver that live BB stuff I've been promising for so long!

Actually, I'm from PA. There's a tv show I watch where one of the co-hosts calls herself a "Mass hole", and it cracked me up when I first heard it. lol

[Dunderhead]

The smile sessions are really maddening. catbirdman, you're right about the prayer session, I didn't catch they were from different sessions. It might be a typo but I don't think it's an error. Isn't it c-man that's in charge of session dates on this? I don't think he would have messed up on something like this. I'm getting the impression that they put some of the highlights or more interesting things on the two disc set, I wouldn't say the prayer studio chatter is really that interesting in itself, but this could be something brand new.

[bossaroo]

Some of you are buying the 2CD because of a button... a tiny button!

damn straight!  


i think most here are happy to shell out just about any amount for multiple versions. i mean if WE don't, who will? and i think most of us are far from wealthy. the sudden and sharp price increase is somewhat alarming, but there must be a reason. and Nov is still over 2 months away.

i preordered the box and the vinyl set, and i will buy the 2CD set on release day... at Best Buy perhaps? it'll be interesting to see if they have any exclusives. same with itunes

what a great time to be a Beach Boys fan, and what better way to kick off the 50th anniversary than with this absolutely monumental release?

  iTS TiME TO SMiLE!  

[runnersdialzero]

Not sure if this has been posted. The price went up to $170 on amazon.

Would still be a steal.

Not really. Not for some of us. The fact that it keeps going up and up is a little upsetting. I (and many others) don't really have 170 dollars to spend on what is basically five discs and two mostly redundant vinyl(s). Damn nice package, but 170 dollars? And limited edition? Ugh.

[Ron]

What if... VDP made some select comments about a certain follically challenged Beach Boy, whose lawyers felt it not too proper, and threw out the Van Dyke with the bathwater?

Not that straightforward.

How about this? Van Dyke's interview/comments included some sniping. MEL objected, and after some back-and-forth Van Dyke refused to participate if his criticisms were going to be edited.

I believe it. Although those who believe that Mike offered heartfelt support from the beginning for Brian's efforts may not.

I've listened to a ton of the boots (not as many as you, I presume) and I hear Mike doing a lot of singing on that stuff. 

[Ron]

When Al says "folky sh*tty," he's describing the song? I was under the impression he was using the term to ask Brian if his vocal delivery was too folky sh*tty, not that he thought the actual song was. And, to me at least, he seems to really want to do a good job.

Moniker you're brushing up on something that would be best in another thread, but what it comes down to me is : If Al was talking about the song, that's no reason for Brian to get depressed for 40 years. 

Everybody always tries to blame any part of this on other people, the rise and fall of SMiLE lies directly on Brian's shoulders.  Not Mike's, Not Al's, not anybody's but Brians.  In his right mind he probably never would have been creative enough to make the album, but that same sickness created and then ruined the album. 

for the record I think Al was talking about his own vocal like you said, though. 

[Ron]

What if... VDP made some select comments about a certain follically challenged Beach Boy, whose lawyers felt it not too proper, and threw out the Van Dyke with the bathwater?

Not that straightforward.

How about this? Van Dyke's interview/comments included some sniping. MEL objected, and after some back-and-forth Van Dyke refused to participate if his criticisms were going to be edited.

I believe it. Although those who believe that Mike offered heartfelt support from the beginning for Brian's efforts may not.

I think VDP wrote liner notes, then Mike confronted him and asked him to explain them.  VDP says "I have no excuse, sir," turns on his heel and walks off.  And the project comes full circle.

This is another thing that irks me.  Van Dyke should have told Mike to stick it.  Instead he just acted like a child and gave up.  Bullies only bully weak people.  Plus it would have done Mike good to have somebody explain to him exactly what the hell they were trying to accomplish.  He still doesn't know!  He was quoted last week in an interview saying the words still don't make any sense to him. 

[Ron]

Not sure if this has been posted. The price went up to $170 on amazon.

Would still be a steal.

Not really. Not for some of us. The fact that it keeps going up and up is a little upsetting. I (and many others) don't really have 170 dollars to spend on what is basically five discs and two mostly redundant vinyl(s). Damn nice package, but 170 dollars? And limited edition? Ugh.

Yeah, personally I'm not going to buy it.  $170 is just out of my league.  I've got plenty of money, but even if you're rich spending $170 on a box set is pretty ridiculous for me.  If other people want to do it I won't judge, but I can't spend money on something like that and feel good, lol.  I'm the type though with no credit card debt, drive an old paid for car, etc. so it's just my personality type. 

[Dunderhead]

what do you guys think is on the child mix from acetate? Lets talk about that.

[juggler]

what do you guys think is on the child mix from acetate? Lets talk about that.

Something that's missing from the tapes. 

[monicker]

A lot of people keep mentioning a possible Best Buy exclusive. What is this all about? The last time i bought an album at Best Buy was in 1999 so i am out of the loop. Best Buy specifically has been known to have exclusive deals, as in offering things that are not available anywhere else? WTF. Some people (and i'm not questioning this, just confirming) think an entire bonus disc could maybe be available only through Best Buy? And stuff like shirts?? Pardon?

[juggler]

A lot of people keep mentioning a possible Best Buy exclusive. What is this all about? The last time i bought an album at Best Buy was in 1999 so i am out of the loop. Best Buy specifically has been known to have exclusive deals, as in offering things that are not available anywhere else? WTF. Some people (and i'm not questioning this, just confirming) think an entire bonus disc could maybe be available only through Best Buy? And stuff like shirts?? Pardon?

They have thrown in t-shirts with the purchase of recent packages from Dylan and Clapton, among many others.  They also occasionally sell "Best Buy exclusive" CD releases that contain 1 to 3 bonus tracks not on the standard issue everyone else sells.

[The Shift]

Any UK viewers managed to access the video that's playing on amazon.com?  I managed to glimpse it the once before the system ID-ed me as a UK resident and whisked it off my screen.

I know there was a YouTube link but that's been either taken down or made inaccessible to UK folks (and I assume other Europeans).

'Xpected something on amazon.co.uk after the Bank Holiday but nothing so far.

Beginning to think Phil was right and a boycott is the only way forward. I've decided not to read any of his posts here and elsewhere until there's a glimpse of some SMiLE action here in the UK.

[18thofMay]

Any UK viewers managed to access the video that's playing on amazon.com?  I managed to glimpse it the once before the system ID-ed me as a UK resident and whisked it off my screen.

I know there was a YouTube link but that's been either taken down or made inaccessible to UK folks (and I assume other Europeans).

'Xpected something on amazon.co.uk after the Bank Holiday but nothing so far.

Beginning to think Phil was right and a boycott is the only way forward. I've decided not to read any of his posts here and elsewhere until there's a glimpse of some SMiLE action here in the UK.

Your going to boycott something that is not available to you??

[Micha]

what do you guys think is on the child mix from acetate? Lets talk about that.

I have no idea! 

[Mike's Beard]

Unless I'm mistaken several UK residents have posted that they have preordered the 5 disc boxset off amazon.com. Might I humbly suggest you DON'T DO THIS IF YOU WANT THE BOXSET AT THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER!!!! Any goods that exceed the value of £18 coming into the UK will be subject to import tax. In short, this means that Her Majesty's Customs will hold onto your boxset for 2-3 weeks before releasing it and you will then have to pay a fee of roughly 16 pounds to your postal depot before they will sign it over to you. If you think I'm talking out of my backside here, please google United Kingdom Customs and Shipping Laws. I might also add I discovered this policy the hard way. Wait until it becomes available on amazon.co.uk then preorder from there. Trust me on this.

[The Shift]

Unless I'm mistaken several UK residents have posted that they have preordered the 5 disc boxset off amazon.com. Might I humbly suggest you DON'T DO THIS IF YOU WANT THE BOXSET AT THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER!!!! Any goods that exceed the value of £18 coming into the UK will be subject to import tax. In short, this means that Her Majesty's Customs will hold onto your boxset for 2-3 weeks before releasing it and you will then have to pay a fee of roughly 16 pounds to your postal depot before they will sign it over to you. If you think I'm talking out of my backside here, please google United Kingdom Customs and Shipping Laws. I might also add I discovered this policy the hard way. Wait until it becomes available on amazon.co.uk then preorder from there. Trust me on this.

Had this in mind when I placed my order and am happy to take the risk. Once amazon UK makes it available I'll weight it up and maybe cancel the US order but the way the prices have changed the US site might be a better deal, even with the levy.   Then again, I might even buy from both, just to be doubly sure.

My kid can starve for a month or two, it won't hurt her.

[The Shift]

Any UK viewers managed to access the video that's playing on amazon.com?  I managed to glimpse it the once before the system ID-ed me as a UK resident and whisked it off my screen.

I know there was a YouTube link but that's been either taken down or made inaccessible to UK folks (and I assume other Europeans).

'Xpected something on amazon.co.uk after the Bank Holiday but nothing so far.

Beginning to think Phil was right and a boycott is the only way forward. I've decided not to read any of his posts here and elsewhere until there's a glimpse of some SMiLE action here in the UK.

Your going to boycott something that is not available to you??

I'm boycotting Phil's posts until Capitol/EMI acts.