Box set: two grumbles

[Wirestone]

Mike's notes are honest and forthright.

And unlike Brian's, I can believe he had something to do with writing them.

[Runaways]

brian has always told someone else what to write, doesn't mean he had nothing to do with them

[Wirestone]

It's the least Brian-like writing published under his name for some time. IMO. But nice to see him doing the promos, etc. He has reason to be proud.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I can't believe some people are actually complaining that there shouldn't be bonus tracks on the "the album" disc. Just try pressing stop after GoodVibrations and imagine the arm of the record player locking into a groove ... oh and shut up complaining!

Not even 1 day out and garbage being dumped on the set about how, in their eyes, it could have been so much better if... . Can't wait to see all the shoulda, woulda, coulda posts after all the endless screaming about releasing a Smile box set. Why not just effin' listen to it and appreciate it for what it is? JMHO that's all.  

This. The Cohen Virus is spreading.

Times like this I'm glad I don't know some folk here in real life (and yes, I know the feeling is mutual and then some...).

[Wirestone]

This.

It will be different when us Yanks get hold of it tomorrow. (Er -- today. It's late.)

The big box is just an astonishing experience overall.

In a way, though, nitpicking is a very easy thing to do now -- the emotions, at least to me, of actually having the box are bigger than message board posts can allow. There's a lot for me to get into, but there's something incredibly moving and spiritual about it.

Really.

[John Stivaktas]

I thought the thread started with two grumbles. Now it's become an invitation to add more grumbles?

As for Van Dyke not contributing....please remember, where's David Anderle, Michale Vosse, Danny Hutton etc (apart from some quotes in the 60-page SMiLE book)?

Perhaps, promo for the SMiLE sessions is strictly limited to the Beach Boys, Mark Linett and Alan Boyd for now.

[Wirestone]

where's David Anderle, Michale Vosse, Danny Hutton etc

The three of them have a page where they all talk to each other -- it's cool, like one of the old Paul Williams discussions.

[Micha]

I can't believe some people are actually complaining that there shouldn't be bonus tracks on the "the album" disc. Just try pressing stop after GoodVibrations and imagine the arm of the record player locking into a groove ... oh and shut up complaining!

Not even 1 day out and garbage being dumped on the set about how, in their eyes, it could have been so much better if... . Can't wait to see all the shoulda, woulda, coulda posts after all the endless screaming about releasing a Smile box set. Why not just effin' listen to it and appreciate it for what it is? JMHO that's all.  

In fact, the real reason for SMiLE being left in fragments is that some time in the future some members of this board develop a time machine, travel back to 1966 and try to tell Brian just how he should finish it.

[John Stivaktas]

where's David Anderle, Michale Vosse, Danny Hutton etc

The three of them have a page where they all talk to each other -- it's cool, like one of the old Paul Williams discussions.

Yeah, you mean like the Crawdaddy 1968 discussions with David Anderle. I first read them in Look, Listen, Vibrate, Smile, very enjoyable and informative!

[Boiled Egg]

Eek.

I really didn't mean for this thread to become a magnet for moans -- I was rather hoping (still am) that someone'll put the record straight on Van's absence. Clearly, it was a mistake to title the thread with the word 'grumbles'. Sorry, all.

And, PongHit, you're right, I should have mentioned Alan. I was thinking of Mark's excellent work on the mixes, but, yes, that was an oversight, and a big stupid one. Mea culpa.

In the hope that I haven't been mistaken for Eeyore, here's a corrected version of my first paragraph again.

It goes without saying, but TSS is glorious, totally absorbing, fabulously generous in detail, sounds beautiful, and is a total credit to the album as conceived, and to all involved, most especially Brian. Linett and Boyd should, frankly, march to the front, help themselves to an armful of Grammys and take the rest of the year off.

[buddhahat]

What are you supposed to do with the track listing that comes wrapped around the box under the cellophane? No one thought about that, did they.

Dude, that fits inside the box (although it does need to be ever so slightly curved to do so). It forms a nice second lid, a bit like a chocolate box or something.

[Bicyclerider]

It's the least Brian-like writing published under his name for some time. IMO. But nice to see him doing the promos, etc. He has reason to be proud.

Who do you think ghost wrote the notes for Brian?  I'm thinking Alan B.

[shelter]

Not even 1 day out and garbage being dumped on the set about how, in their eyes, it could have been so much better if... . Can't wait to see all the shoulda, woulda, coulda posts after all the endless screaming about releasing a Smile box set. Why not just effin' listen to it and appreciate it for what it is? JMHO that's all.  

I appreciate the sh*t out of it for what it is. I'm not saying that anyone did a terrible job or that the box is a waste of my money, and I'm not calling anyone a bad person or anything. So lighten up everybody. I'm just talking about some practical things that I personally would have done differently, that's all.

This is a discussion board. We discuss tiny little unimportant details, that's what we do. If anyone wants to tear any Beach Boys album to shreds nobody cares, so I don't see why it's a problem if I think that seperate CD cases would have been more practical than a big folder.

So don't make a big deal out of it. I sure don't.

[runnersdialzero]

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Still waiting for my boxset (da mail slow to Hawaii).

But I listened to the CD1 samples this morn on Amazon.  No surprises/all sounds good except for "I'm in Great Shape". The mix,as heard online, when the vocal comes, in sounds awful.
Is that just mp3 glitch or what?

[Runaways]

i think the only reason van dyke isn't in the box is because he decided not to be in it.  letting his lyrics represent him. sounds van dykey

[Ron]

It's the least Brian-like writing published under his name for some time. IMO. But nice to see him doing the promos, etc. He has reason to be proud.

Yeah I thought it sounded very off too, nothing like Brian.  There are some things Brian has actually said sprinkled in there, though.  I would imagine they write up some stuff, then have Brian approve it.  That's good enough for me. 

[37!ws]

Well, Ron...

My, even listening in nice dark areas will reveal one thing ever, in time.

(if you get my drift...at least, that's what I'm betting.)

[Ron]

37!ws.  I am not intelligent enough to decipher your code.  Please send translator ring.  

Edit:  Wait.  I was just inspired enough to decode it.  That is also all right with me.  Legally speaking it's the same thing, anyways, lol. 

[37!ws]

Hmmm....sorry 'bout that, Ron; just figured that since people are figuring out what my handle means, I'd throw something else at 'em to keep 'em busy.

But yeah, that Brian piece...just sounds, soo...hmm....how can I say it....like he's espousing something.

[Ron]

lol

[elnombre]

What are you supposed to do with the track listing that comes wrapped around the box under the cellophane? No one thought about that, did they.

Keep it in the box.

Also, wipe after you've been.

[PongHit]

And, PongHit, you're right, I should have mentioned Alan. I was thinking of Mark's excellent work on the mixes, but, yes, that was an oversight, and a big stupid one. Mea culpa.

I'm not sure what the division of labor was, but I think both Mark and Alan were the set's producers.

[Dr. Tim]

re: Van Dyke - remember he also did an essay for the 2004 Smile tour program.  So between that and his participation in Beautiful Dreamer, he may be talked out, beyond expressing his joy at helping Brian finish Smile.  Here his role ended unpleasantly, and he probably did not feel the need to get into another pissing match with Mike.

But it's not all put behind him. He still performs his reinvention of H&V (there's a link to a good recording of it on NPR's World Cafe).

[D Cunningham]

Does anyone know if Parks was able to contribute any acetates, etc.?  What is his take on the missing lyrics--his memory?  Has anyone ever asked him and gotten him to be rigorous?  Any pages with pencil scribbles in the old whatnot?  Is he, um, resourced out?