How to quickly get somebody started on Smile?

[Al Jardine: Pick Up Artist]

My friend who lives relatively far away has expressed intrest in Smile. I don't really know how to start them off (what exactly to listen to, what to read). In addition, the fact that I can't get to them personally makes it a pain when choosing what to teach them.

How would you start somebody off?

[stack-o-tracks]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Smile-Sessions-Beach-Boys/dp/B005J29HCQ

[RadBooley]

Let them give Pet Sounds a go and if they dig it, tell them there's something out there EVEN BETTER _maybe. Then make them listen to the Sessions 2CD set or any number of fanmixes.

[Al Jardine: Pick Up Artist]

They don't need a copy for now, they can listen on Spotify.

I probably will start them on the 2CD set, but here's what I mainly want: Reading.

They even said they want to learn more but don't know where to start. I need some texts for them as they listen.

[Rocky Raccoon]

This might be where to start.

http://www.amazon.com/Smile-Story-Brian-Wilsons-Masterpiece/dp/1860746276/

You should also perhaps suggest to them the Beautiful Dreamer documentary.

[EgoHanger1966]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Smile-Sessions-Beach-Boys/dp/B005J29HCQ

This - and also, maybe have them at least wikipedia it before they listen. Do they know anything of The Beach Boys'/Brian's backstory?

[Freddie French-Pounce]

I personally think SMiLE works only with a deep back knowledge applied - I didn't get much of a Kick out of BWPS or Purple Chick when i first heard them, as my understanding was very little.

[Al Jardine: Pick Up Artist]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Smile-Sessions-Beach-Boys/dp/B005J29HCQ

This - and also, maybe have them at least wikipedia it before they listen. Do they know anything of The Beach Boys'/Brian's backstory?

They know some, and I also wrote this short, horribly written, incomplete blogpost that actually got them interested in the first place.

I'd prefer not buying anything, because a) there is already a wealth of free Smile info and b) they want to listen, like, today.

[Aegir]

I personally think SMiLE works only with a deep back knowledge applied - I didn't get much of a Kick out of BWPS or Purple Chick when i first heard them, as my understanding was very little.

completely disagree. Smile contains some of the greatest Beach Boys songs ever.

[EgoHanger1966]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Smile-Sessions-Beach-Boys/dp/B005J29HCQ

This - and also, maybe have them at least wikipedia it before they listen. Do they know anything of The Beach Boys'/Brian's backstory?

They know some, and I also wrote this short, horribly written, incomplete blogpost that actually got them interested in the first place.

I'd prefer not buying anything, because a) there is already a wealth of free Smile info and b) they want to listen, like, today.

Well, you'd obviously want them to have this material LEGALLY!, so if they have Spotify they can listen free. Or, if they want to listen, like, today, iTunes and Amazon offer up TSS as digital downloads.

[Al Jardine: Pick Up Artist]

Yeah, Spotify, I mentioned that!

I meant reading!

[EgoHanger1966]

Yeah, Spotify, I mentioned that!

I meant reading!

Have them watch this. It's a little skewed, but it should do the trick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv2iTjYWma0&feature=channel&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaqvxlmvE_Y&feature=channel&list=UL

[runnersdialzero]

I personally think SMiLE works only with a deep back knowledge applied - I didn't get much of a Kick out of BWPS or Purple Chick when i first heard them, as my understanding was very little.

completely disagree. Smile contains some of the greatest Beach Boys songs ever.

Yerp. It and Smiley Smile are what got me into the group. Also, lots of records and bands have interesting stories behind them, but their music is still... 'not to my taste.'

Pet Sounds was the album that took me several listens to get into sans a few songs, and if that had been my introduction I don't know how much further into their discography I would have went. Don't get me wrong, it's a great album, but for me it was a grower. It's not shocking at all to me that most people check out Pet Sounds, lose their minds over "God Only Knows" and maybe 2-3 other songs, think the rest are okay, and then go with the whole "Brian lost his mind because of drugs/Myk Luhv was a doodie head and induced mental illness in Brian/The Beatles and stopped writing and laid in bed for 40 years" sh*t and don't bother with anything esle.

Also, as much as the errors in "Surf's Up" and especially "Cabin Essence" bug me, yeah, just send them disc 1 of The Smile Sessions or point them in that direction on Spotify. Alternately, the fan mix of your choice (I'd choose on that's a little more conservative and follows the tracklist of BWPS or TSS. Just me, though).

[Al Jardine: Pick Up Artist]

Blargh, I want reading, dammit, they're listening as I type this.

[Rocky Raccoon]

I posted a link to a book, maybe you missed it.  It's called "Smile: The Story of Brian Wilson's Lost Masterpiece" and it's by an author named Domenic Priore.  Brian and Van Dyke Parks also wrote short forewards to it.  It's a very quick but enjoyable read and it's everything the casual fan will need to know.

[Al Jardine: Pick Up Artist]

it needs to be readable, like, right now. I don't know why you aren't getting this

they're reading some stuff on surfermoon.com and liking it! This is coming from somebody who mainly like pop music, too!

[runnersdialzero]

Blargh, I want reading, dammit, they're listening as I type this.

Oh SHIT. SORRY!

[Rocky Raccoon]

How about "Goodbye Surfing, Hello God!" by Jules Siegel?  You can get that on iTunes for just two bucks.

[Al Jardine: Pick Up Artist]

Blargh, I want reading, dammit, they're listening as I type this.

Oh SHIT. SORRY!

eyeroll.gif

[FUN³]

drugs

[runnersdialzero]

Blargh, I want reading, dammit, they're listening as I type this.

Oh SHIT. SORRY!

eyeroll.gif

testicleroll.mpeg

[halblaineisgood]

testicleroll.mpeg

[EgoHanger1966]

drugs

 

[Andrew G. Doe]

Let them give Pet Sounds a go and if they dig it, tell them there's something out there EVEN BETTER _maybe. Then make them listen to the Sessions 2CD set or any number of fanmixes.

No, no, a thousand times no - any fanmix is at best someone's quasi-informed notion of how it might have gone (but probably didn't), more often just a bout of aural masturbation that tells you some folk shouldn't have been let in on how to use Audacity, Sound Forge and the like.

[onkster]

I dunno, AGD, I've heard a few ( and only a few) fanmixes that went down smooth as silk, and were intelligently and tastefully crafted. But even so--that might not be the best gateway in.

I'd recommend small doses: start with Wonderful. Then Cabinessence. Then Surf's Up. That'll get into their brains--then they'll want more, and your work is done.

Sadly, I've had a hard time the last few years getting new SMiLE recruits on board. I think I'm asking the wrong people.