SMiLE Sessions box set!

[TonyW]

Those bitching about Linnet flying in the Brian Smile era vocals on the Smile era Surfs Up backing track obviously haven't heard the 2004 (?) Anne Wallace mix of Surfs Up in which she did exactly what Linnet is saying - the Anne Wallace mix is  (to my ears) superior to the Beach Boys own 70's version - up until now her version has been the definitive version.

If you haven't heard the anne Wallce mix go search ... its out there ...........

[XY]

The fan-mixes with Brian's solo take 1 over the backing track sound great.
I look forward to the new official mix, because with Brian's isolated vocals (without the sometimes a bit out-of-sync piano from the demo on these fan-mixes), it will sound even better!

[Don_Zabu]

Those bitching about Linnet flying in the Brian Smile era vocals on the Smile era Surfs Up backing track obviously haven't heard the 2004 (?) Anne Wallace mix of Surfs Up in which she did exactly what Linnet is saying - the Anne Wallace mix is  (to my ears) superior to the Beach Boys own 70's version - up until now her version has been the definitive version.

If you haven't heard the anne Wallce mix go search ... its out there ...........

Look up Purple Chick's version also - that has the same sort of thing going on, and it sounds awesome.

[The Shift]

What gets me is the "30 hours" of sessions Mark and Alan have been going through.

Hell, I don't think there's ten hours "out there" (do we count the Vegetables skit, the smog talk, the cab driver's ramblings, the "swim swim fishy fishy fishy" stuff? Probably not...).

I can't think of a product that's ever had me drooling like this.

And, boy, what will they come up with in 2017 for the 50th anniversary box set?

[Andrew G. Doe]

What gets me is the "30 hours" of sessions Mark and Alan have been going through.

Hell, I don't think there's ten hours "out there" (do we count the Vegetables skit, the smog talk, the cab driver's ramblings, the "swim swim fishy fishy fishy" stuff? Probably not...).

I can't think of a product that's ever had me drooling like this.

And, boy, what will they come up with in 2017 for the 50th anniversary box set?

Well... I did a rough survey and, discounting "H&V", "GV" and the Dailey stuff, there were about 55 sessions for Smile, track & vocals. Given a minimum of three hours each, that's something like 170 hours of tape, assuming it was rolling all the time. Probably not, so let's be seriously conservative and say 100 hours. And that's excluding the two tracks he worked on the most. I'm thinking much more was lost that we assumed.

Unless... Mark & Alan have already distilled the boxes down to 30 hours of good stuff.

[buddhahat]

I woke up this morning, the sun was shining and the thought of an imminent smile box release has me in that permanent 'it's nearly christmas' mood. I can't get over how great this news is. And the fact they're releasing a playable 'album' disc, 3 more discs of session material, AND a full colour book - it's like they've been evesdropping on the discussions of our whishlists for a smile box all these years. Incredible.

I have no problem with them using BWPS as a template - I think it's an entirely sensible decision, certainly as far as grouping the tracks into thematic groups. I'm not partial to Purple Chick and the slight shoehorning to get the pieces to fit in some places. I trust that Linnett and Boyd will just use BWPS as a loose framework to sequence the exisiting pieces, but not try and hack them up to replicate the 04 album exactly, and if they do some more agressive editing here and there - well Linnett has the skills doesn't he? However his comment about the possibility of putting non BWPS tracks such as You're Welcome in there if the Boys feel it's necessary gives me confidence that they'll respect the integrity of the original tracks.

Roll on May, June, September, whenever. Just hope it happens this year.

There's never been a greater time to be a Smile fan - If it were possible in cyberspace, I'd hug the lot of you!!

[Andrew G. Doe]

...it's like they've been evesdropping on the discussions of our whishlists for a smile box all these years.

Yes... odd, isn't it ? 

If it were possible in cyberspace, I'd hug the lot of you!!

Errr... if it's all the same to you, a firm, manly handshake will suffice.

[Cam Mott]

I'm stoked. Not to seem kiss ass but could anyone have picked two guys they would trust more with this release than Alan and Mark?

On the other hand, and I've never met the guy mind you, I'm a little concerned with Dom being attached. Maybe I'm full of it and he will step up. He definitely has earned a place imo. If anyone had asked me [didn't], I would have given Dom his due with giving him a touchy-feely-periody tome and given the facty-objectivey heavy lifting writing to Andrew and/or Alan. Maybe that is what is being done. Maybe I oughta shut up. OK. 

[letsmakeit31]

Wake up this morning slightly hungover after a few friday night beers with friends I was told to calm down by them all and its only an cd. Well its much more than that to us fans as I tried to explain. But even now I can't stop smiling!!!!

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'm stoked. Not to seem kiss ass but could anyone have picked two guys they would trust more with this release than Alan and Mark?

On the other hand, and I've never met the guy mind you, I'm a little concerned with Dom being attached. Maybe I'm full of it and he will step up. He definitely has earned a place imo. If anyone had asked me [didn't], I would have given Dom his due with giving him a touchy-feely-periody tome and given the facty-objectivey heavy lifting writing to Andrew and/or Alan. Maybe that is what is being done. Maybe I oughta shut up. OK.  

Understood - Dom's early reputation as a take-no-prisoners, you're-wrong-because-I'm-right firebrand (hmmm... sound like someone else we know ?) still hangs over him. That said, these days he's mellowed, and I'll be interested to see his essay (he didn't write the whole 60-page book, so hopefully we'll see some new photos and a wealth of relevant info as well). He deserves a huge degree of kudos for keeping the Smile flame alive and collating an invaluable - if infuriating - source book of primary material. If nothing else, the guy has integrity.

Plus, no-one asked me to do it: why should they ?  

[rogerlancelot]

I want to have the full 30 hours of sessions as MOGG files to play around with on Audition, damn it...... But then again I have listened to the entire Beatles A/B Road set (90+ hours) at least twice (usually in January, go figure!).

And, Andrew, I always have a laugh at your liners for KTSA/BB85 2-fer. It must have been a tough writing job. Your humor shines through successfully. Kudos!

[lance]

Couldn't agree more, those are by far the best liner notes on those two-fer sets.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Couldn't agree more, those are by far the best liner notes on those two-fer sets.

Thanks - written in ten days flat.

[Cam Mott]

Re. Dom's mellowing: Noted. That happens to most of us. Still ol' pal, you would have been my choice but Dom would still properly and honorably get his due.

[buddhahat]

...it's like they've been evesdropping on the discussions of our whishlists for a smile box all these years.

Yes... odd, isn't it ? 

If it were possible in cyberspace, I'd hug the lot of you!!

Errr... if it's all the same to you, a firm, manly handshake will suffice.

And I always had you down as a hugger!

I guess it's unsurprising if some of the fans wishes are reflected in this release - Of course Mark and Alan both post here. Just amazes me that the release so closely matches most people's ideal release.

[PhilCohen]

I'm stoked. Not to seem kiss ass but could anyone have picked two guys they would trust more with this release than Alan and Mark?

On the other hand, and I've never met the guy mind you, I'm a little concerned with Dom being attached. Maybe I'm full of it and he will step up. He definitely has earned a place imo. If anyone had asked me [didn't], I would have given Dom his due with giving him a touchy-feely-periody tome and given the facty-objectivey heavy lifting writing to Andrew and/or Alan. Maybe that is what is being done. Maybe I oughta shut up. OK.  

I spoke with Domenic Priore several times by telephone in the 1990's, and didn't find him to be a "firebrand" at all. Like several people who have gotten close to (actually hung out with) Brian Wilson, Domenic tried to get Brian to reveal a running order for "Smile". But, depending on his mental state on a given day, Brian can be quite taciturn, private etc., and there's substantial differences between Brian giving a running order to Domenic Priore in the 1990's and Brian giving a running order to Darian Sahanaja in the 21st century, in that when Domenic asked for a running order, Brian was likely thinking in terms of a "Side One"/"Side Two" 1960's vinyl "Smile", whereas, when Darian asked the question, the format was CD(with its' up to 80 minute capacity). And Darian was able to play various "Smile" bootleg excerpts for Brian on a computer, and rapidly reconfigure fragments, to show Brian how certain pieces("Wonderful"/"Look") might fit together, and(hopefully, along the way) rekindle some vintage memories in Brian.
                                

[letsmakeit31]

Wish list for sessions box set? For me 1st is Cabin essences tag takes 1-5 if that's on there which I hope it is as its only 5mins long I be a very happy young man (all be it of 34 lol) anyone else wanna put up a sessions wish list?

[Mike's Beard]

Re. Dom's mellowing: Noted. That happens to most of us. Still ol' pal, you would have been my choice but Dom would still properly and honorably get his due.

I hope he's mellowed, remember the hold up with the PS Boxset? Dom's firmly in the 5 a-holes and 1 genius camp and I'd hate to see the project put in jeopardy because certain members take exception to his essays.

[Mahalo]

WHOSE WITH ME- LETS NOT LISTEN TO ANY SMILE MUSIC UNTIL THIS BOX SET COMES OUT...IS IT POSSIBLE??

[All Golden 74]

Wish list for sessions box set? For me 1st is Cabin essences tag takes 1-5 if that's on there which I hope it is as its only 5mins long I be a very happy young man (all be it of 34 lol) anyone else wanna put up a sessions wish list?

I'm hoping for the "Old Master Painter" bit where Brian talks about wanting the far-away-hills to sound "far away".  Also, how about the part where Carl asks someone to bring Mike a bag of money.

[Andrew G. Doe]

WHOSE WITH ME- LETS NOT LISTEN TO ANY SMILE MUSIC UNTIL THIS BOX SET COMES OUT...IS IT POSSIBLE??

You funny man. 

[All Golden 74]

WHOSE WITH ME- LETS NOT LISTEN TO ANY SMILE MUSIC UNTIL THIS BOX SET COMES OUT...IS IT POSSIBLE??

Sorry, but my wife made me give up cussing for Lent.  I don't think I can give up two big things at once, so once Easter comes and goes I'll be with you all the way!

[Myk Luhv]

I hope they don't attempt to gloss over the strange and obviously drugged-up nature of the sessions -- hopefully going so far as to include some of the more weird moments too! But maybe for that I'll have to wait for the Love You-era Sessions 1976-78 box set!

[hypehat]

Weren't they Smiley sessions at Brian's house at that point? It's irrelevant, though. I'd bet you a million billion pounds that the sound of Carl smacktalking Mike will not make it onto an official release...  

[All Golden 74]

Weren't they Smiley sessions at Brian's house at that point? It's irrelevant, though. I'd bet you a million billion pounds that the sound of Carl smacktalking Mike will not make it onto an official release...  

Well, I WON'T be taking that bet (ha, ha) .  If the price of these sessions getting released is Mike not being made to look bad then I'm O.K. with it.