Mark Linett Billboard Interview About SMiLE

[Jonas]

Really glad/excited to read about what Mark has to say about Surf's Up.

Mark your calendar people, because this may only happen once...I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with AGD has to say here, and pretty much everything he's said on this topic. I want SMiLE sessions, not the "completed" versions that came thereafter...if I wanted to listen to those versions, I would listen to them on the albums they were put on (Surf's Up/20-20). I'm so freaking amped for this!

Once again...

This release is called The Smile Sessions. Those sessions took place 1966-67.

Carl's vocals on "Cabinessence" and "Surf's Up" were recorded for release on, respectively, 20/20 (1969) and Surf's Up (1971), not Smile. Therefore they are not part of the original sessions on two counts, time and intent. With me so far ?

Smile was not, to my best knowledge, worked on at all for release on Reprise. the tapes were auditioned, copied and put back in storage.

"Disc one is supposed to be the close approximation of what the released version might have sounded like." In 1967, therefore the presence of 1968/71 vocals would be, at best, incongruous, more honestly misleading.

[The Shift]

Really glad/excited to read about what Mark has to say about Surf's Up.

Mark your calendar people, because this may only happen once...I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with AGD has to say here, and pretty much everything he's said on this topic. I want SMiLE sessions, not the "completed" versions that came thereafter...if I wanted to listen to those versions, I would listen to them on the albums they were put on (Surf's Up/20-20). I'm so freaking amped for this!

Once again...

This release is called The Smile Sessions. Those sessions took place 1966-67.

Carl's vocals on "Cabinessence" and "Surf's Up" were recorded for release on, respectively, 20/20 (1969) and Surf's Up (1971), not Smile. Therefore they are not part of the original sessions on two counts, time and intent. With me so far ?

Smile was not, to my best knowledge, worked on at all for release on Reprise. the tapes were auditioned, copied and put back in storage.

"Disc one is supposed to be the close approximation of what the released version might have sounded like." In 1967, therefore the presence of 1968/71 vocals would be, at best, incongruous, more honestly misleading.

Also in full agreement. In fact I couldn't give a foder what they put out, as long as this set comes to pass.  I have faith in the great guys putting this together that they will offer the very best they're able.

I'm sure we won't have heard the last of the SMiLE songs recorded during and after the SMiLE songs either, so I'm happy to accept this package, revel in its marvels, and listen to it perpetually until the band and Capitol decide we deserve a little bit more. Whatever that might be.

Given the almost guaranteed media fawning, I think we might look forward to deluxe editions of some post-SMiLE era albums in the years to come, perhaps even this year.

Optimism? On a Beach Boys board? Ain't it great to have the opportunity!

[Andrew G. Doe]

Mark your calendar people, because this may only happen once...I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with AGD has to say here, and pretty much everything he's said on this topic.

(checks calendar, scratches head...)  This wasn't supposed to happen until 12/21/12. 

[Runaways]

i'd be shocked if cabinessence isn't on disc 1.  i definitely want it to be, and i'm preeetty sure that the band (brian, mike, everyone) will want carl's lead on there.

[drbeachboy]

Mark your calendar people, because this may only happen once...I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with AGD has to say here, and pretty much everything he's said on this topic.

(checks calendar, scratches head...)  This wasn't supposed to happen until 12/21/12.  

Well, we knew that it would take something like the end of the world to get it released proper, now didn't we?

[Ron]

I can't believe people are ALREADY planning on making their own tracklists.

People... THIS IS "SMILE"!  If you thought Brian Wilson's "Smile" was the final say, this is the REAL final say!  This is "Smile", as recorded and released by the Beach Boys!  The album everyone's been waiting 44 years for!  No, it's not "complete", but then you can't miraculously go back and make Brian finish it.

You wanted "Smile" to be released, you're getting "Smile".  Period.  This is the absolute final say of how Brian wants it.  PERIOD.

Uh, sorry, no.  I don't think that there will be a "final say" on Smile until the last Beach Boys fan in the world is dead.   

And even after that, the debate might be continued by robots.

pfft.  Robots can't debate.  They've already decided mathmatically that You're Welcome ends the album.  Dumbass. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

Mark your calendar people, because this may only happen once...I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with AGD has to say here, and pretty much everything he's said on this topic.

(checks calendar, scratches head...)  This wasn't supposed to happen until 12/21/12.  

Well, we knew that it would take something like the end of the world to get it released proper, now didn't we?

Actually, I was talking about Jonas & I agreeing on something. Anything. 

[JohnMill]

Does anyone else feel it was merely an oversight on Mark's part when he mentioned that the SMiLE bootlegs came out in the eighties?

I'm aware that it's been rumored about that most of the SMiLE material that has gotten into our hands for the most part escaped the vaults in the eighties but most of it wasn't booted until the late nineties.  I can't believe that Linett is unaware of the fact that since 1997 tons of "SMiLE" session material has gotten into collectors circles via the SOT releases and those like it.

[Mike's Beard]

Really glad/excited to read about what Mark has to say about Surf's Up.

Mark your calendar people, because this may only happen once...I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with AGD has to say here, and pretty much everything he's said on this topic. I want SMiLE sessions, not the "completed" versions that came thereafter...if I wanted to listen to those versions, I would listen to them on the albums they were put on (Surf's Up/20-20). I'm so freaking amped for this!

Once again...

This release is called The Smile Sessions. Those sessions took place 1966-67.

Carl's vocals on "Cabinessence" and "Surf's Up" were recorded for release on, respectively, 20/20 (1969) and Surf's Up (1971), not Smile. Therefore they are not part of the original sessions on two counts, time and intent. With me so far ?

Smile was not, to my best knowledge, worked on at all for release on Reprise. the tapes were auditioned, copied and put back in storage.

"Disc one is supposed to be the close approximation of what the released version might have sounded like." In 1967, therefore the presence of 1968/71 vocals would be, at best, incongruous, more honestly misleading.

Also in full agreement. In fact I couldn't give a foder what they put out, as long as this set comes to pass.  I have faith in the great guys putting this together that they will offer the very best they're able.

I'm sure we won't have heard the last of the SMiLE songs recorded during and after the SMiLE songs either, so I'm happy to accept this package, revel in its marvels, and listen to it perpetually until the band and Capitol decide we deserve a little bit more. Whatever that might be.

Given the almost guaranteed media fawning, I think we might look forward to deluxe editions of some post-SMiLE era albums in the years to come, perhaps even this year.

Optimism? On a Beach Boys board? Ain't it great to have the opportunity!

Reading your last statement, I agree it would be great if this Smile set helps put the spotlight a little more on some of the later albums. Too many casual fans think the BB's creative spell ran dry after Pet Sounds/Good Vibrations and they became an oldies act. There's another 6 years of fantastic music waiting for people to discover.

[Roger Ryan]

Does anyone else feel it was merely an oversight on Mark's part when he mentioned that the SMiLE bootlegs came out in the eighties?

I'm aware that it's been rumored about that most of the SMiLE material that has gotten into our hands for the most part escaped the vaults in the eighties but most of it wasn't booted until the late nineties.  I can't believe that Linett is unaware of the fact that since 1997 tons of "SMiLE" session material has gotten into collectors circles via the SOT releases and those like it.

Ah, I see you sort of answered your own question 

[Bicyclerider]

I thought I posted this already, but now I can't find it.  So here it goes again:

I think it would be great to have a professional Brian vocal overdub on Surf's Up,then segue into the piano version.  Although I think it would be more appropriate to use the piano "demo" as the finished track for CD1.  We'll all be making our own versions with what we're given anyway.

As long as they are flying in vocals, they need to fly in the I'm in Great Shape vocals and the Barnyard lead vocal from the H&V demo onto the finished tracks. That's a no brainer, if they're trying to make CD1 the most "complete" versions they can be.  Of course they should include the tracks without the lead vocals in stereo elsewhere in the box.

If you look at what tracks are missing 66-67 vocals, we have:

Cabinessence - I suspect they will use the 68 Carl lead.

Child is Father - probably the instrumental 3 min track with the chorus vocals flown in or edited in.  Verse vocals obviously missing.

Worms verse vocals - but at least we should get the backing vocals without the tape speed warble of the GV box set version.

Old Master Painter - unclear if Brian ever intended the OMP part to have vocals, but it will be great to hear the Sunshine/false Barnyard fade vocals in decent fidelity.

That's it really.  Vegetables has all the lyrics and vocals and I hope the edit they use will include the Fade to Vegetables.  And we get the earlier version as well per Mark!

Dada/Water - no lyrics so no lead vocals, they wouldn't dare record new vocals with the 2004 lyrics!  would they?

[PhilCohen]

One thing worth discussing here is which "new" lyrics on BWPS were 21st century creations, and which were vintage(but never before recorded). We know that the added lyrics on "Roll Plymouth Rock"(Do You Like Worms) are vintage. The lyrics for "Barnyard" & "I Wanna Be Around" are also vintage.

But, we also know that the lyrics for "On A Holiday" are a 21st century creation. But as for "Song For Children", "Child is Father to The Man" & "In Blue Hawaii", Brian Wilson & Van Dyke Parks have never stated whether these lyrics are vintage or not. Even if the lyrics for those 3 songs are vintage, there may be publishing related legal reasons to not tell us one way or the other.

[Runaways]

i recall van dyke teaching brian the "is it hot as hell in here or is it me" lyrics in the bwps dvd.  can't tell if the rest is vintage though. 

[hypehat]

I think they're all new - In Blue Hawaii definitely is.  Song For Children is a vintage melody courtesy of Darian's keen ears and a clarinet line bleeding thru on the tape, but possibly with new lyrics, and the Child lyrics are new.

[JohnMill]

One thing worth discussing here is which "new" lyrics on BWPS were 21st century creations, and which were vintage(but never before recorded). We know that the added lyrics on "Roll Plymouth Rock"(Do You Like Worms) are vintage. The lyrics for "Barnyard" & "I Wanna Be Around" are also vintage.

But, we also know that the lyrics for "On A Holiday" are a 21st century creation. But as for "Song For Children", "Child is Father to The Man" & "In Blue Hawaii", Brian Wilson & Van Dyke Parks have never stated whether these lyrics are vintage or not. Even if the lyrics for those 3 songs are vintage, there may be publishing related legal reasons to not tell us one way or the other.

Sort of off topic but I wonder if "Worms", "Look" "Da-Da" etc. are going to get their names back on this release?  Or will they be titled "Roll Plymouth Rock", "Song For Children" etc.?

[buddhahat]

As long as they are flying in vocals, they need to fly in the I'm in Great Shape vocals and the Barnyard lead vocal from the H&V demo onto the finished tracks. That's a no brainer, if they're trying to make CD1 the most "complete" versions they can be.  Of course they should include the tracks without the lead vocals in stereo elsewhere in the box.

I'm up for them flying in vocals where they fit, Surf's Up for example, but don't agree that adding the Humble Harv demo words to the Barnyard/Great Shape tracks is a good idea. Whenever I've heard that on boots it always sounds awkward to my ears. Obviously Mark has the abilities to do a good job, but he's not a magician. If the tempos and phrasing of vocals are too at odds with backing tracks I'd imagine no amount of technical wizardry can make a bad match work. I'd love to be proven wrong on this but that's my hunch.

[Roger Ryan]

As long as they are flying in vocals, they need to fly in the I'm in Great Shape vocals and the Barnyard lead vocal from the H&V demo onto the finished tracks. That's a no brainer, if they're trying to make CD1 the most "complete" versions they can be.  Of course they should include the tracks without the lead vocals in stereo elsewhere in the box.

Yeah, the "Humble Harv" demo vocals would not sound acceptable grafted onto the proper backing tracks in my opinion. In fact, I imagine that would be impossible without bringing along Brian banging on the piano as well. If someone insists on those two tracks having vocals, I would actually prefer Brian, Al, Bruce or Mike overdub a new vocal than try to make the demo vocals work but, of course, I don't want to hear that either!

As I see it, the "Surf's Up" grafting can work as can synching up the "Child..." chorus vocals with the edited backing track. Given that Carl's lead on "Cabinessence" is reportedly unavailable apart from the mixed 20/20 track, there may be problems there in creating a mono mix to match everything else. If they stick strictly to '66/'67 sessions and use BWPS as the template, then it's quite possible that the "album" will be missing lead vocals for "Do You Like Worms?", "Barnyard", "Cabin Essence", "Song For Children", "The Child Is Father To The Man", "I'm In Great Shape/I Wanna Be Around", "Holidays", "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" (no "Fall Breaks" vocals) and "I Love To Say Dada". That's a lot of missing lead vocals. Then again, we don't know exactly what exists in the vaults, on acetates, etc.

[Ron]

Does anyone else feel it was merely an oversight on Mark's part when he mentioned that the SMiLE bootlegs came out in the eighties?

I'm aware that it's been rumored about that most of the SMiLE material that has gotten into our hands for the most part escaped the vaults in the eighties but most of it wasn't booted until the late nineties.  I can't believe that Linett is unaware of the fact that since 1997 tons of "SMiLE" session material has gotten into collectors circles via the SOT releases and those like it.

Ah, I see you sort of answered your own question 

Personally I don't read Mark as a big SMiLE fan.  He's a professional, and will do an absolutely awesome job, but are we even sure he's a big fan of the Beach Boys music?  I know that's crazy since he's done so much of it, but I don't get him as the die hard fan we are.  I've even got proof!

When he recorded the 2004 SMiLE, somebody (may have been me) was talking to him on here about Good Vibrations, and how the original was recorded modularly, etc. and he basically just said that they didn't do it like that this time because they didn't have to (the band was able to play several sections, like they do live anyways).  If he was a fan boy, he would have absolutely recorded it in sections.  Or maybe it wasn't his call.  Or maybe that doesn't have a damn thing to do with anything.

Still!  Mark's great, and he'll do a fantastic job, but don't just assume he's a huge fan of the material, especially THIS album.  

[Roger Ryan]

Does anyone else feel it was merely an oversight on Mark's part when he mentioned that the SMiLE bootlegs came out in the eighties?

I'm aware that it's been rumored about that most of the SMiLE material that has gotten into our hands for the most part escaped the vaults in the eighties but most of it wasn't booted until the late nineties.  I can't believe that Linett is unaware of the fact that since 1997 tons of "SMiLE" session material has gotten into collectors circles via the SOT releases and those like it.

Ah, I see you sort of answered your own question 

Personally I don't read Mark as a big SMiLE fan.  He's a professional, and will do an absolutely awesome job, but are we even sure he's a big fan of the Beach Boys music?  I know that's crazy since he's done so much of it, but I don't get him as the die hard fan we are.  I've even got proof!

When he recorded the 2004 SMiLE, somebody (may have been me) was talking to him on here about Good Vibrations, and how the original was recorded modularly, etc. and he basically just said that they didn't do it like that this time because they didn't have to (the band was able to play several sections, like they do live anyways).  If he was a fan boy, he would have absolutely recorded it in sections.  Or maybe it wasn't his call.  Or maybe that doesn't have a damn thing to do with anything.

Still!  Mark's great, and he'll do a fantastic job, but don't just assume he's a huge fan of the material, especially THIS album.  

...and yet, Mark, along with Darian and everyone else, went out of their way to record everything else in a modular way to replicate the plan for the original sessions. "Good Vibrations" wasn't done modular because it had been previously released in that fashion and this was a way to present a new version of it.

Again, Mark knows this stuff and he is working with Alan who absolutely knows this material inside and out.

[Bicyclerider]

As long as they are flying in vocals, they need to fly in the I'm in Great Shape vocals and the Barnyard lead vocal from the H&V demo onto the finished tracks. That's a no brainer, if they're trying to make CD1 the most "complete" versions they can be.  Of course they should include the tracks without the lead vocals in stereo elsewhere in the box.

Yeah, the "Humble Harv" demo vocals would not sound acceptable grafted onto the proper backing tracks in my opinion. In fact, I imagine that would be impossible without bringing along Brian banging on the piano as well. If someone insists on those two tracks having vocals, I would actually prefer Brian, Al, Bruce or Mike overdub a new vocal than try to make the demo vocals work but, of course, I don't want to hear that either!

It's unclear to me if the H & V demo exists as a multitrack and if the vocal can be separated from the piano.  With Protools I can definitely see it being possible to fly in the vocal and correct tempo changes etc.  If it can't be separated from the piano, yeah, it would be almost impossible to do it well.

[Roger Ryan]

It's unclear to me if the H & V demo exists as a multitrack and if the vocal can be separated from the piano.  With Protools I can definitely see it being possible to fly in the vocal and correct tempo changes etc.  If it can't be separated from the piano, yeah, it would be almost impossible to do it well.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the "Humble Harv" recording came from the radio DJ just setting up a tape recorder next to Brian (and Van Dyke) and the piano and recording the interview and performance. Nothing about the sound of that recording suggests multi-track. It's an important artifact, but it's not acceptable to include in a SMiLE "album". Brian's poor enunciation of the word "agriculture" has created nothing but controversy on message boards for over ten years!

[Chris Moise]

But as for "Song For Children", "Child is Father to The Man" & "In Blue Hawaii", Brian Wilson & Van Dyke Parks have never stated whether these lyrics are vintage or not.

Van Dyke has in fact said all three were new. When asked if he penned lyrics for Child in 1966 he said he did although I don't think we know much more than that..

[Chris Moise]

As long as they are flying in vocals, they need to fly in the I'm in Great Shape vocals and the Barnyard lead vocal from the H&V demo onto the finished tracks. That's a no brainer.

I think problems this would create would far outweigh any benefits owing to the H&V 'Humble Harv' demo not being a multitrack recording.

My hope is that something from the lost I'm in Great Shape vocal session turned up. Speaking of anyone have a theory regarding why the IIGS vocal session took place several weeks before the instrumental track (eggs & grits melody, tape explosion) was recorded?

[juggler]

Brian's poor enunciation of the word "agriculture" has created nothing but controversy on message boards for over ten years!

<cough> "open country" <cough>

[Chris Brown]

It's unclear to me if the H & V demo exists as a multitrack and if the vocal can be separated from the piano.  With Protools I can definitely see it being possible to fly in the vocal and correct tempo changes etc.  If it can't be separated from the piano, yeah, it would be almost impossible to do it well.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the "Humble Harv" recording came from the radio DJ just setting up a tape recorder next to Brian (and Van Dyke) and the piano and recording the interview and performance. Nothing about the sound of that recording suggests multi-track. It's an important artifact, but it's not acceptable to include in a SMiLE "album". Brian's poor enunciation of the word "agriculture" has created nothing but controversy on message boards for over ten years!

That's always been my understanding too.  I wouldn't mind it being included in this set, as it's a very important artifact like you said.  Unfortunately that's probably the best they can do, which is okay - unless, of course, a few acetates have been uncovered containing said lead vocals on those tracks