The ask Brian a question thread

[stack-o-tracks]

Since the big man decided to grace us with his presence, I figured it would be a good idea to have a thread where we can ask him our burning questions.

Will he respond? Who knows!

But it doesn't hurt to at least try, especially now that we know he is officially one of us SmileySmilers.

[luckyoldsmile]

Fun idea.


Here's one:


Hi Brian! (How ya doing, man?)

What's your favorite track from your upcoming album? Really looking forward to its release, sir.

[ontor pertawst]

Why isn't Zeppo Wilson on the new album? Is it some kind of message to Mike Love?

[SinisterSmile]

Did I really figure out the true meaning behind SMiLE?

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,19408.0.html

[Mujan, 8@$+@Rc| of a Blue Wizard]

Well, I guarantee I'll get a couple eye rolls for this, but...

SMiLE. Any additional thoughts whatsoever? Any sequence ideas that you had back in the day but changed for BWPS? Any tracks, like Dada for instance, that you could confirm or deny would have even made the cut? Any recollections on the missing pieces that have crossed your mind since 2004? Were the Psychedelic Sounds/Comedy Album skits in serious consideration for inclusion--even just the Vegetable Fight and/or George Fell, perhaps? Why the apparent need to work on singles come 1967--what happened that changed your focus so drastically?

Going off that, Smiley Smile is often (rightly or wrongly) considered self sabotage, or a passive aggressive move against the band. Alternatively, and especially these past few years, it's seen more as the logical conclusion to where the 1967 sessions had been heading all along and a valid SMiLE if different from the initial conception. For what it's worth, I think it's a brilliant album, but I wonder if you could talk about it. Anything at all; your goals, if it was a smooth transition from SMiLE, any memories of recording it, what you think of it now, etc.

Ok, I know those are a long shot and I know you're probably sick of talking about it and annoyed at guys like me who won't let it go. But I had to try my luck. Moving on now...

You set out to make the best album ever with Pet Sounds. 50 years later, would you say you succeeded?

You seem rightly proud of Love You. How about Adult/Child? How does *that* hold up for you? Are you unhappy it wasn't released? Would you care to do a big band style again? Will this ever be released, do you think?

What do you consider to be your best solo album?

Will the paley sessions ever see release and would you care to talk a bit about them?

If it's not getting too personal, why are you and Van Dyke Parks not on good terms?

Was I Just wasn't made for these times about Loren Darro Schwartz or Good Vibrations about his wife?

^Someone had to ask that last one, sorry.

[SinisterSmile]

Dang, Mujan. Good questions!

[The Shift]

Well-done, medium, rare or blue?

[JK]

I asked this in the "Hi from Brian" topic but I'll ask it again here:

Brian, rumour has it that during the "Can't Wait Too Long" sessions you can be heard singing lyrics off-mic. The words "in the city" have been mentioned by at least one source. Do you remember these lyrics,  or some of them, or what they might have been about?     

[Dove Nested Towers]

What was the original sequence of notes that you intended for  the intro to "I'm Waiting For the Day", that were replaced by the "really great mistake" by the session musician?

[MJP]

Did you erase lead vocals that were done in 66/67 for the following songs:

Do you like Worms
Cabinessence
I'm in Great Shape
Look
Child is Father of the Man

[clack]

Who is Ron Wilson?

[Lee Marshall]

Hey Brian.  How you feeling these days?     Happy with the way things are rolling at home and 'at the office' I hope. 

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I'd ask him
1)What was his favorite post-Pet Sounds song/vocal.
2) Favorite touring story
3) What's his favorite deli sandwich

[J.G. Dev]

Brian, did you get new sneakers for Christmas?

[Mr. Cohen]

Brian, what's your opinion of caviar?
If you had to pick one of your songs as Obama's theme song, which one would it be?
Have you ever contemplated switching your favorite color to red?

[Shady]

How cool would it be if Brian did a Q&A here. Hey, anything is possible these days 

I would ask if he he wants to do more shows with The Beach Boys

[Micha]

Who is Ron Wilson?

This.

[SMiLE-addict]

I think there is a good chance we're gonna overwhelm Brian here. So I won't ask any questions.

[Mujan, 8@$+@Rc| of a Blue Wizard]

Dang, Mujan. Good questions!

Thanks, I tried to cover all the bases. Doubt most of them will be answered but I do have an easier one I forgot to include...

Someone on the Hi from Brian thread mentioned a Love You box set. I'd love one, especially if it includes Adult/Child tracks as well. How about it, Brian? Any chance?

Also, how about a second release of SMiLE rarities, things like more vocal isolations, takes left off the box set, Smiley sessions, Can't Wait Too Long, Little Red Book, the other Jasper Dailey tracks... Be it a second box set or say a 2-disc set or online downloads or ANYTHING, I'd buy it and make good use of it. Pretty please?

[phirnis]

When is the Love You box set coming out?

[Ang Jones]

I'd like to ask if Brian intends to tour the UK but it seems churlish to ask for anything else with a new album soon to be released, the film and eventually another book.  I just hope that Brian gets a great welcome here and some questions that he actually enjoys answering.

[job]

I hope you lunatics realize that Brian will not answer most of what you have asked.  Expect answers only to things like:  favorite track on new album.

[puni puni]

Hey Brian, do you remember if you recorded any sitar overdubs to Heroes and Villains: Bridge to Indian Pak somewhere around 8PM on March 2nd, 1967?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I hope you lunatics realize that Brian will not answer most of what you have asked.  Expect answers only to things like:  favorite track on new album.

Lunatics? Thanks for flaming the board. Consider this a warning.

[SinisterSmile]

I hope you lunatics realize that Brian will not answer most of what you have asked.  Expect answers only to things like:  favorite track on new album.

Wait, are you that stick in the mud from the Facebook Q&A that whined about questions Brian answered in the past? Be honest now.