Five Songs for MIC

[Mikie]

Well, either you're mistaken about what you heard or Al was mistaken about his poets.

"To waves and I both travel by......and that makes all the difference to me" has "Robert Frost written all over it. From the Carl & The Passions liners: "All This Is That - Mike Love sounds like he’s singing an inch from your ear in this stunning and ethereal production, which started with a song Alan had based on Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken."  I also remember reading an interview with Al, who stated the lyrics to "All This Is That" were inspired by Robert Frost.

Or......if Al was talking about Carl Sandburg, maybe he was talking about one of the very early influences of the song "Sloop John B". The first three verses and chorus of "The John B. Sails" are in his collection of folksongs, The American Songbag.

[Bill Ed]

Or......if Al was talking about Carl Sandburg, maybe he was talking about one of the very early influences of the song "Sloop John B". The first three verses and chorus of "The John B. Sails" are in his collection of folksongs, The American Songbag.

Could it have been "The Beaks of Eagles" which was influenced by Sandburg?

[Mikie]

I believe "Beaks of Eagles" has the connection with poet Robinson Jeffers.

[Quzi]

1 - Thank Him - even if it was deemed to lo-fi, can't believe its not here

I recall reading that a much higher gen tape had been discovered a few years back which makes its exclusion a little more odd. Derivative, but pretty.

[Bill Ed]

I believe "Beaks of Eagles" has the connection with poet Robinson Jeffers.

Right you are! While downing my second Guinness I realized my error. Clearly poetry is not my strong point.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Hawaiian Song? Isn't that from the Smiley Smile period? Yep, sure would've liked to have seen that on the box. As with GV, Smiley Smile has again been relegated to a single-track afterthought, rather than what it actually is: one of the most original, unique and daring albums by a mainstream band ever released.

Well, we've got two tracks from Smiley Smile rather than one, but yes, I agree it is rather underrepresented. The problem is, of course, that so many of the tracks duplicate Smile tracks. Personally I'd have swapped out the Smile Wind Chimes for the Smiley one...

Yeah, well you could in fact argue that we have three Smiley Smile tracks if you also wanted to count Good Vibrations... But in terms of songs that were recorded specifically for and in the style of Smiley Smile I'd have liked to have seen a few more tracks. I absolutely adore the stripped back lo-fi style of Smiley and I think this aspect of it deserved to be represented a little more. It's loved by vast numbers of critics and fans (and celebrity fans), just not, it seems, by the group themselves.
Perhaps...

Wonderful
She's Goin' Bald
Wind Chimes (Fade Sessions)
Hawaiian Song

Although what we'd have lost to make room for that I can't really decide...

[AndrewHickey]

Yeah, well you could in fact argue that we have three Smiley Smile tracks if you also wanted to count Good Vibrations... But in terms of songs that were recorded specifically for and in the style of Smiley Smile I'd have liked to have seen a few more tracks. I absolutely adore the stripped back lo-fi style of Smiley and I think this aspect of it deserved to be represented a little more. It's loved by vast numbers of critics and fans (and celebrity fans), just not, it seems, by the group themselves.

I definitely agree -- although at least we have the Lei'd tracks in that style...

[Les P]

Has "Hawaiian Song" ever been circulated?  Do we know that it is a standalone track and not something that became part of "Little Pad," for instance?

Back to the original question.  Choosing just 5 songs is (so) tough, so I split into: songs that may need additional recording (this is probably fantasyland at this point); previously unreleased but assumed complete; and live.

Completed versions of:
Can't Wait Too Long
Boys and Girls
Burlesque
Mona Kana with vocal (Steve Kalinich has said he still has the words and melody)
Oh Lord

Previously booted or likely complete:
Life Is for the Living
It's Trying to Say
Stevie
I'm Going Your Way
I'll Always Love You (Brad Elliott once said this was one of the best unreleased tracks in the vaults)

Live:
I've Got a Friend (I suspect there's no good recording of this or it would be on the box)
River Song
You Need a Mess of Help (nearly released 40 years ago, why not now?!)
Slip On Through
Surf's Up

...And any of these would be trumped by any significant Smile discoveries!

[Mikie]

I believe "Beaks of Eagles" has the connection with poet Robinson Jeffers.

Right you are! While downing my second Guinness I realized my error. Clearly poetry is not my strong point.

Ah, Bill Ed, I'll bet you're a poet and don't know it!

OK, one more poem and I'm going home.....

[carolinablonde]

Well, either you're mistaken about what you heard or Al was mistaken about his poets.

"To waves and I both travel by......and that makes all the difference to me" has "Robert Frost written all over it. From the Carl & The Passions liners: "All This Is That - Mike Love sounds like he’s singing an inch from your ear in this stunning and ethereal production, which started with a song Alan had based on Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken."  I also remember reading an interview with Al, who stated the lyrics to "All This Is That" were inspired by Robert Frost.

Or......if Al was talking about Carl Sandburg, maybe he was talking about one of the very early influences of the song "Sloop John B". The first three verses and chorus of "The John B. Sails" are in his collection of folksongs, The American Songbag.

Sorry for the confusion - during the concert, Al misattributed The Road Not Taken to Carl Sandburg. 

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Has "Hawaiian Song" ever been circulated?  Do we know that it is a standalone track and not something that became part of "Little Pad," for instance?

"Hawaiian Song" is the tracking session for a section of "Little Pad."

- Alan Boyd

[Les P]

Has "Hawaiian Song" ever been circulated?  Do we know that it is a standalone track and not something that became part of "Little Pad," for instance?

"Hawaiian Song" is the tracking session for a section of "Little Pad."

- Alan Boyd

OK, thanks for the clarification, Bubba!

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Has "Hawaiian Song" ever been circulated?  Do we know that it is a standalone track and not something that became part of "Little Pad," for instance?

"Hawaiian Song" is the tracking session for a section of "Little Pad."

- Alan Boyd

OK, thanks for the clarification, Bubba!

Would still love to hear it! There's no Little Pad sessions available at all that I'm aware of... Are there?

[Jay]

Has "Hawaiian Song" ever been circulated?  Do we know that it is a standalone track and not something that became part of "Little Pad," for instance?

Back to the original question.  Choosing just 5 songs is (so) tough, so I split into: songs that may need additional recording (this is probably fantasyland at this point); previously unreleased but assumed complete; and live.

Completed versions of:
Can't Wait Too Long
Boys and Girls
Burlesque
Mona Kana with vocal (Steve Kalinich has said he still has the words and melody)
Oh Lord

Previously booted or likely complete:
Life Is for the Living
It's Trying to Say
Stevie
I'm Going Your Way
I'll Always Love You (Brad Elliott once said this was one of the best unreleased tracks in the vaults)

Live:
I've Got a Friend (I suspect there's no good recording of this or it would be on the box)
River Song
You Need a Mess of Help (nearly released 40 years ago, why not now?!)
Slip On Through
Surf's Up

...And any of these would be trumped by any significant Smile discoveries!

Andrew G Doe not to long ago confirmed that the band has a live recording of I've Got A Friend in the vault. Granted, he said they had a "copy", and he didn't say anything about the sound quality.

[Les P]

Has "Hawaiian Song" ever been circulated?  Do we know that it is a standalone track and not something that became part of "Little Pad," for instance?

Back to the original question.  Choosing just 5 songs is (so) tough, so I split into: songs that may need additional recording (this is probably fantasyland at this point); previously unreleased but assumed complete; and live.

Completed versions of:
Can't Wait Too Long
Boys and Girls
Burlesque
Mona Kana with vocal (Steve Kalinich has said he still has the words and melody)
Oh Lord

Previously booted or likely complete:
Life Is for the Living
It's Trying to Say
Stevie
I'm Going Your Way
I'll Always Love You (Brad Elliott once said this was one of the best unreleased tracks in the vaults)

Live:
I've Got a Friend (I suspect there's no good recording of this or it would be on the box)
River Song
You Need a Mess of Help (nearly released 40 years ago, why not now?!)
Slip On Through
Surf's Up

...And any of these would be trumped by any significant Smile discoveries!

Andrew G Doe not to long ago confirmed that the band has a live recording of I've Got A Friend in the vault. Granted, he said they had a "copy", and he didn't say anything about the sound quality.

OK, so there's hope!  Thanks, Jay.

[Vegetable Man]

It's been said before, but i'll say it again, It is difficult to choose just 5 songs, but i think i"ve narrowed it down.

"Life Is For The Living": Most likely my favorite "Adult/Child" song out there (with the possible exception of the original "Hey Little Tomboy").

"Out In The Country": The version with just Al and the Organ. Would make a great addition to anyone's collection.

"Big Sur (Acoustic Version)": The only song that i think should have been on the box itself. Why keep such a great version of this song locked up?

"Stevie": What a fun little slice of quirkiness from Brian Wilson. The fact that it's from the 80's (I think) is pretty cool to me.

"Michael Row The Boat Ashore": Not only is this a fascinating recording, but it's a darn fine one as well! I really dig it, man.


Live Stuff:

"How She Boogalooed It"
"You Need A Mess of Help to Stand Alone"
"Cuddle Up"
"Student Demonstration Time
"Here Comes The Night (Disco Version)"

[Jay]

I'd be interested in hearing the unreleased song Sweetie, from 1981. A few years ago on another message board, Andrew Doe provided a few details of the recording. If I remember correctly, he mentioned that Brian, Al, and Mike trade verses.