SMiLE Sessions box set!

[lance]

Sooner or later the conversation had to turn into Beatles vs. Beach Boys. Thank god this isn't Hoffman.

[Dove Nested Towers]

I have to say I think it's beautiful the way this thread is ambling along amiably, good-naturedly filibustering, going off on smaller tangents within the larger theme, reaching record lengths, and presumably will continue to do so until the release of the long-awaited Holy Grail. It's as if a state of giddy "Dumb Angel" grace has descended upon us long-suffering zealots in the final months of our decades-long vigil. "Wonderful" indeed.

[lance]

You're right, I was just being a bit grumpy.

[Dunderhead]

You're right, I was just being a bit grumpy.

listen to smile

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Brian won the production wars.
The Beatles have been most influential in that they're the prototypical rock band. The personality of the members, group dynamic, progression of albums. If anything The Beatles gave the world a way to talk about rock music, and for better or (i think) worse forever solidified the way people conceptualize things like what it means to be in a band.

Brian is the musician's musician though, I think other bands try to emulate the career trajectory and cliches of the Beatles, but when they're actually in the recording studio they try and do what Brian did.

I think you pretty much nailed it as far as The Beatles went.  Billy Crystal of all people had this really great quote about The Beatles and "Yesterday" in that when The Beatles put that record out it was the first time he was able to go to his parents and play them a record that made them admit that rock and roll had aesthetic value because prior to that I think a lot of people really for lack of a better term disrespected rock and roll.

Remember that television show "Karen" that The Beach Boys sang the theme song to?  There are some clips of it on YouTube and in one of the clips Richard Denning and Mary LaRoche make some offhand remarks about The Beatles (specifically John Lennon and Ringo Starr) which given hindsight are extremely hilarious to watch.

I've heard the Billy Crystal story before and, though it's a good point: hadn't the Beach Boys put out "In My Room" "Don't Worry Baby" "The Warmth of The Sun" "We'll Run Away"  "Your Summer Dream" "Lonely Sea" all prior to "Yesterday"'s August 6 1965 release?

I'd say the Beach Boys won the "roll and roll has aesthetic value" competition hands-down!

[dmcguire70]

Brian won the production wars.
The Beatles have been most influential in that they're the prototypical rock band. The personality of the members, group dynamic, progression of albums. If anything The Beatles gave the world a way to talk about rock music, and for better or (i think) worse forever solidified the way people conceptualize things like what it means to be in a band.

Brian is the musician's musician though, I think other bands try to emulate the career trajectory and cliches of the Beatles, but when they're actually in the recording studio they try and do what Brian did.

I think you pretty much nailed it as far as The Beatles went.  Billy Crystal of all people had this really great quote about The Beatles and "Yesterday" in that when The Beatles put that record out it was the first time he was able to go to his parents and play them a record that made them admit that rock and roll had aesthetic value because prior to that I think a lot of people really for lack of a better term disrespected rock and roll.

Remember that television show "Karen" that The Beach Boys sang the theme song to?  There are some clips of it on YouTube and in one of the clips Richard Denning and Mary LaRoche make some offhand remarks about The Beatles (specifically John Lennon and Ringo Starr) which given hindsight are extremely hilarious to watch.

I've heard the Billy Crystal story before and, though it's a good point: hadn't the Beach Boys put out "In My Room" "Don't Worry Baby" "The Warmth of The Sun" "We'll Run Away"  "Your Summer Dream" "Lonely Sea" all prior to "Yesterday"'s August 6 1965 release?

I'd say the Beach Boys won the "roll and roll has aesthetic value" competition hands-down!

Amongst other things, the one thing the Beatles did was finish at the top of their game with Abbey Rd ,which is often regarded as their best release. However the Beach Boys music  in that 64 to 66 period  is IMO unmatched in pop music history.
As Bruce Johnston once famously said,
"When Brian pulled back,the whole magic pulled back....."

[desmondo]

Brian won the production wars.
The Beatles have been most influential in that they're the prototypical rock band. The personality of the members, group dynamic, progression of albums. If anything The Beatles gave the world a way to talk about rock music, and for better or (i think) worse forever solidified the way people conceptualize things like what it means to be in a band.

Brian is the musician's musician though, I think other bands try to emulate the career trajectory and cliches of the Beatles, but when they're actually in the recording studio they try and do what Brian did.

That's brilliantly put

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Brian won the production wars.
The Beatles have been most influential in that they're the prototypical rock band. The personality of the members, group dynamic, progression of albums. If anything The Beatles gave the world a way to talk about rock music, and for better or (i think) worse forever solidified the way people conceptualize things like what it means to be in a band.

Brian is the musician's musician though, I think other bands try to emulate the career trajectory and cliches of the Beatles, but when they're actually in the recording studio they try and do what Brian did.

I think you pretty much nailed it as far as The Beatles went.  Billy Crystal of all people had this really great quote about The Beatles and "Yesterday" in that when The Beatles put that record out it was the first time he was able to go to his parents and play them a record that made them admit that rock and roll had aesthetic value because prior to that I think a lot of people really for lack of a better term disrespected rock and roll.

Remember that television show "Karen" that The Beach Boys sang the theme song to?  There are some clips of it on YouTube and in one of the clips Richard Denning and Mary LaRoche make some offhand remarks about The Beatles (specifically John Lennon and Ringo Starr) which given hindsight are extremely hilarious to watch.

I've heard the Billy Crystal story before and, though it's a good point: hadn't the Beach Boys put out "In My Room" "Don't Worry Baby" "The Warmth of The Sun" "We'll Run Away"  "Your Summer Dream" "Lonely Sea" all prior to "Yesterday"'s August 6 1965 release?

I'd say the Beach Boys won the "roll and roll has aesthetic value" competition hands-down!

Amongst other things, the one thing the Beatles did was finish at the top of their game with Abbey Rd ,which is often regarded as their best release. However the Beach Boys music  in that 64 to 66 period  is IMO unmatched in pop music history.
As Bruce Johnston once famously said,
"When Brian pulled back,the whole magic pulled back....."

I would be inclined to agree with Bruce's statement, but it's hard for me to jive too well with the historical context issues because my favorite album is Holland.

I think the individual Beach Boys (and their respective/in unison voices) had as much character and, dare I say, charisma as the Beatles. I  mean, c'mon, DENNIS!! Just look at him!!!!! I think the "Brian and the 5 buttholes" line of "reasoning" has really done irreversible damage to the Joe public perception of what the Beach Boys are when stacked up next to The Beatles.

Thing is: it's a more difficult read than the Beatles. I think the Beach Boys were much more INTERESTING people than the Beatles. And interesting is something that takes some work and some searching to reap all the possible rewards. it doesn't just come leaping across at you the minute you drop the needle on the record the way The Beatles do. BUT, when you do the work, the rewards are all the greater!

The Beach Boys are like the ugly human side of The Beatles.

[lance]

I think if Beach Boys had broken up after Surf's UP their legacy might rival the Beatles. But 40 years of Full House episodes have taken their toll.

[dmcguire70]

I think if Beach Boys had broken up after Surf's UP their legacy might rival the Beatles. But 40 years of Full House episodes have taken their toll.

Kokomo didn't help either!

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I think if Beach Boys had broken up after Surf's UP their legacy might rival the Beatles. But 40 years of Full House episodes have taken their toll.

Kokomo didn't help either!

Damn catchy tune though

[The Heartical Don]

I just realized today that this will probably be the most momentous album I will ever listen to.

I've read books on it, argued and preached its glory, hoarded bootlegs and created my own mixes; and now all the SMiLE related tracks are finally seeing the light of day - properly mixed and sequenced by some incredibly talented people. I'm in anticipation for every single track on this set. I want to hear every track at once! - I'll want to skip ahead to hear 'Holidays', but I'll want to hear 'Look' first too....but every song is too incredible to skip over!

I'm really starting to get excited about this release! Can't wait for more interviews with Mr. Linett, the TV interviews with the Beach Boys (they'd have to do this, right?), the other promotion.

+1,000

[Iron Horse-Apples]

when you do the work, the rewards are all the greater!

That to me sums up the Beach Boys, but mainly in respect to their music. Brian was able to make something incredibly intricate and complex sound simple and effortless. This is very, very difficult to do. Someone else said Brian was a musicians musician. ABSOLUTELY. After untold listenings to Pet Sounds I am still hearing little nuances and parts I have never heard.

Just listen to a Beatles backing track. There is no comparison.

I do think the Beatles got ahead with their lyrics quicker, but this is subjective.

[JMZ]

There are two versions of Barnyard on multitrack in the archive - one instrumental, and one with the baking vocals.  No lead vocals and I don't think it's technically possible to fly in the demo vocals.  So I predict disc 1, baking vocals, disc 2, instrumental.

Have you ever heard of some SMiLE fan mix called Purple Chick 

[dmcguire70]

I think if Beach Boys had broken up after Surf's UP their legacy might rival the Beatles. But 40 years of Full House episodes have taken their toll.

Kokomo didn't help either!

Damn catchy tune though

Good tune but i always felt Kokomo was a fluke,a bit like Pee Wee Hermen knocking out Mike Tyson.
Gotta give credit where credits due though.

[willy]

SMiLE is timeless and eternal. Sgt.Pepper sounds like a product of 1967 and only 1967 (because it is).

[SamMcK]

Man I love Sgt Pepper, it's the album that got me into music. If nothing else just listen to that incredibly melodic bass playing. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

For some reason I'm most excited about hearing Barnyard..

What's the smart money on as far as what sort of Barnyard we'll be hearing on Disc 1?  
Vintage lead vocals?
Brian's 'Humble Harv' vocals flown in?
No lead vocal at all?

There are two versions of Barnyard on multitrack in the archive - one instrumental, and one with the baking vocals.  No lead vocals and I don't think it's technically possible to fly in the demo vocals.  So I predict disc 1, baking vocals, disc 2, instrumental.

Depends if the 'demo' is on 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- or 8-track, and how it was miked. Plus, there are widgets that can isolate these things - "WIBN" bridge vocal.

[Loaf]

What strikes me abotu Beatles vs Beach Boys, is that the Beatles had thousands of hours of playing in Hamburg before they became The Beatles, they had 3 world class songwriters and they were produced by George Martin.

Whereas with the BBs, Audree made Brian include Dennis, Carl and Dave were 14 when they first recorded, and Brian had to simultaneously fight Murry and produce the band himself, as well as putting out twice as much material in the same time span.

Given all that, it's pretty impressive we are even having Beatles vs BBs discussions.

p.s. Beach Boys win.

[dmcguire70]

What strikes me abotu Beatles vs Beach Boys, is that the Beatles had thousands of hours of playing in Hamburg before they became The Beatles, they had 3 world class songwriters and they were produced by George Martin.

Whereas with the BBs, Audree made Brian include Dennis, Carl and Dave were 14 when they first recorded, and Brian had to simultaneously fight Murry and produce the band himself, as well as putting out twice as much material in the same time span.

Given all that, it's pretty impressive we are even having Beatles vs BBs discussions.

p.s. Beach Boys win.

Indeed, I can sympathise completely with Brian quitting live performances with the band.
The responsibility of writing ,recording, along with touring must have been immense.

[LostArt]

For some reason I'm most excited about hearing Barnyard..

What's the smart money on as far as what sort of Barnyard we'll be hearing on Disc 1?  
Vintage lead vocals?
Brian's 'Humble Harv' vocals flown in?
No lead vocal at all?

There are two versions of Barnyard on multitrack in the archive - one instrumental, and one with the baking vocals.  No lead vocals and I don't think it's technically possible to fly in the demo vocals.  So I predict disc 1, baking vocals, disc 2, instrumental.

Depends if the 'demo' is on 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- or 8-track, and how it was miked. Plus, there are widgets that can isolate these things - "WIBN" bridge vocal.

I was always under the impression that the Humble Harv 'demo' was recorded on a portable tape recorder with a cheap mic., not on studio gear at all.  That's why any attempts to use that 'demo' in a fan mix have always sounded terrible.  Perhaps we'll find out in a couple of months.

[dmcguire70]

Just saw this on You Tube,Heroes and Villains new mix by Mark Linett 2011,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CqsbXRuV90

[CarlTheVoice]

I have ordered the 2CD set but I wish I could afford the Box Set! All those additional mixes etc are very tempting! Oh and the surfboard package? I wish I had a spare £6K to spend on that! Would be awesome! 

[bsten]

I think if Beach Boys had broken up after Surf's UP their legacy might rival the Beatles. But 40 years of Full House episodes have taken their toll.

Kokomo didn't help either!

Damn catchy tune though

Good tune but i always felt Kokomo was a fluke,a bit like Pee Wee Hermen knocking out Mike Tyson.
Gotta give credit where credits due though.

Now the ORIGINAL version w/John Phillips is something completely different!
Simply great!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-CAIGNgEA8

/b

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Lol, we're talking Beatles Vs Beach Boys on a Beach Boys Forum

BIEST