Smile "Party"

[silodweller]

Hi all,

Quite a few years ago I remember listening to a rather long recording, a recording which seemed to take place in the studio with Brian, Diane, Jules Siegel, Michael Vosse (I believe?) and a few others.  They play a game and just talk about random subjects.  At one point Brian becomes rather upset with Michael in particular and storms off.  Then some one starts to play the ending of "Do You Like Worms" and Brian says something like: "Oh no, no.  Music is not what I want to be hearing right now..."  or something along those lines.  Does anyone know a little bit about this gathering?  Was it 1967? 

[Bicyclerider]

1966.  After a Worms session. 

[Mooger Fooger]

It was recorded on the day of the DYLW session.

From the Smile Inventory thread:

DO YOU LIKE WORMS?/ROLL PLYMOUTH ROCK

10-18-66 - tracking session, Western

Part 1, takes 22-24 (stereo) (1:29)
Part 2, take 14 (mono) (0:54)
Part 3, rehearsal (stereo) (1:05)
Part 4, unknown take (mono) (1:08)

Available on Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 17 "Smile Sessions" (part 1, takes 23-24, part 2, take 14, part 3, rehearsal, fade, unknown take), SOT Smile Source Tape (part 1, take 22, end of take 23 and beginning of part 2, take 14)

Backing track sessions.

THE ORIGINAL SMILE PARTY

10-18-66 - "vocal" session, Columbia

Mono mix (mono) (24:26)

Available on Vigotone 2-CD "Smile"

[JohnMill]

Hi all,

Quite a few years ago I remember listening to a rather long recording, a recording which seemed to take place in the studio with Brian, Diane, Jules Siegel, Michael Vosse (I believe?) and a few others.  They play a game and just talk about random subjects.  At one point Brian becomes rather upset with Michael in particular and storms off.  Then some one starts to play the ending of "Do You Like Worms" and Brian says something like: "Oh no, no.  Music is not what I want to be hearing right now..."  or something along those lines.  Does anyone know a little bit about this gathering?  Was it 1967?  

It should be mentioned that it's been alleged that Brian's (and various others') mood swings during the party are staged for some unknown purpose.  Apparently the idea was for the tone/mood of the gathering to change with some degree of variance during the course of the party.  So for instance someone would say something that would be a "downer" and then another person would try to lift the mood and so on and so forth.  Therefore, it could be likely that Brian and everyone else at the party is merely performing for the tape which I'm guessing they all knew was running.  I think the whole point of this was that Brian wanted to determine if whether or not, someone by the mere power of suggestion could lift the mood of an entire room of people.  I really think that is the whole end game to this tape or at least it's what I've been told.  It's really bizarre and I'm not surprised that for a long time recordings like this and others were taken at face value.  There was a period of time around a decade and a half ago where a lot of fans believed that the "Smog" tape was an actual PSA that Brian Wilson taped for a local Los Angeles radio station but that whole tape I believe has been debunked as a put on as well.

[leggo of my ego]

its a pretty funny recording. Jules is mostly carrying on a normal conversation while Mike goes apeshit in the background, pretty sure
this activity is egged on by Brian doing his "experiment" or whatever. Its on the Vigotone 3 LP set as well.

Surprised that it didn't get erased over, with the cost of recording tape and all. 

[Phoenix]

iSurprised that it didn't get erased over, with the cost of recording tape and all. 

Seriously!  Of all the lost tapes we hear about, THIS survives?!?!   
 

[rogerlancelot]

I know that one of those "Party" tapes was recorded over the original multitrack of "Little Girl I Once Knew" thus making a true stereo mix impossible. Bummer.

[silodweller]

Thanks everyone for the information.  I really appreciate it.  It has been a long time since I've heard it in its entirety.  I had heard that it was a "put on" at some point but must have forgotten about it afterwards.  Anyway, interesting little ditty to say the least.  Now to find it again!