Brian's 1975 recording of "In the Back of My Mind" is being released...

[Jim V.]

Wow. Finally got to listen to it. Stunning.

He sounds....I don't even know what I'd say he sounds like. He honestly does kinda sound like a halfway point between his younger voice and his 15 Big Ones voice. But somehow smoother. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like he coulda sang like this on 15 Big Ones if he felt like it. I say this because he sounds basically like he did on that album, except for what seems like more control over his voice. After listening to this, I'd say that contrary to some theories, his later '70s voice was not a "put-on" as some have surmised. I think his voice simply did change due to his lifestyle. However, he just didn't use it the way he maybe should have for awhile. I'd say that he's really used his voice to his current potential on stuff like "From There To Back Again" and "Summer's Gone" from the last Beach Boys album, and stuff like "Whatever Happened" from his new solo album. And I think that makes a huge difference. How much effort Brian puts into a vocal these days really seems to either help or hinder a song. Cuz a great vocal from him will really enhance his compositions, while a rough vocal won't always communicate his message as clearly. But I guess that's true for most artists I guess.

Regardless, I guess I have nothing else to add then hasn't already been said. Anyways, a fascinating recording.

[Les P]

I agree, "fascinating" is the word.  Sounds like he may be doing a lounge-y put-on, yet it's quite the ride.  Those buying the Target CD who don't know the origin will be pretty confused, I think!

[Jay]

Perhaps if we're good, we could get The Man Himself to make a comment or two on it?  

[Paul J B]

It's rather sad. The original voice is there and still really shines at certain registers, but as it moves around you hear the irreversible damage that was being done through so much chain smoking. It's the thing that always amazes me about Brian. Yes, there's something to be said for the husky smoker voice. But when you have a voice as good as his was, it's such a tragic thing to see it almost totally destroyed.

I agree. I'm very puzzled that so many people think this is awesome. Brian had the voice of an angel. Then he didn't. That's awesome? Just like he had the drive and ambition, with a touch of genius, to make outstanding music. And then he didn't. Was that great too?

[Mikie]

Paul, whoever said it's "awesome" (very much overused word like "amazing") probably meant the track, with touches of the original voice, is awesome. His delivery here along with the piano and the emotion is awesome. I don't think anyone in their right mind would insinuate that the loss of Brian's original voice due to vocal chord damage is awesome. To me, other than Carl's and Dennis' death, the most tragic thing that happened in Beach Boys history was the loss of Brian's original voice ('74-'75). His somewhat dormant period for songwriting I think is secondary.....

[Paul J B]

Paul, whoever said it's "Awesome" (very much overused word like "amazing") probably meant the track, with touches of the original voice, is awesome. His delivery here along with the piano and the emotion is awesome. I don't think anyone in their right mind would insinuate that the loss of Brian's original voice due to vocal chord damage is awesome. To me, other than Carl's and Dennis' death, the most tragic thing that happened in Beach Boys history was the loss of Brian's original voice ('74-'75).

Ok then. That was the take I was getting from a number of these posts. If this your stance I totally agree with you. Tragic is the way I have always viewed it.

Oh, and Im also on board with your missing Taylor. Her voice and her outfits 😍 . She had on a pair of pants that tie up in front when I shook hands with her at the House of Blues Chicago in the early 00's. Yikes!  And no, I don't judge women by their looks but I'm human and sometimes we notice these things.

[runnersdialzero]

It's rather sad. The original voice is there and still really shines at certain registers, but as it moves around you hear the irreversible damage that was being done through so much chain smoking. It's the thing that always amazes me about Brian. Yes, there's something to be said for the husky smoker voice. But when you have a voice as good as his was, it's such a tragic thing to see it almost totally destroyed.

I agree. I'm very puzzled that so many people think this is awesome. Brian had the voice of an angel. Then he didn't. That's awesome? Just like he had the drive and ambition, with a touch of genius, to make outstanding music. And then he didn't. Was that great too?

...

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Paul, whoever said it's "awesome" (very much overused word like "amazing") probably meant the track, with touches of the original voice, is awesome. His delivery here along with the piano and the emotion is awesome. I don't think anyone in their right mind would insinuate that the loss of Brian's original voice due to vocal chord damage is awesome. To me, other than Carl's and Dennis' death, the most tragic thing that happened in Beach Boys history was the loss of Brian's original voice ('74-'75). His somewhat dormant period for songwriting I think is secondary.....

For me , personally,  I prefer the sound of his voice here to the early years. Obviously,  not how he got there, but always preferred his mid range vocals to his higher register ( as a lead vocalist. ..in the harmony stack I feel differently). Some days I even prefer his current vocals to the early days. Just a preference.

Edit

To clarify,  when I refer to his voice 'here' I'm referring to pre-1976.

[sea of tunes]

I'm embarrased to ask but I'm curious.  Is this recording what could be considered one of the 'Bedroom Tapes'?

[Please delete my account]

"The Bedroom Tapes" is just a phrase created as a journalistic convenience to refer to all of Brian Wilson's late 60s and 70s unreleased recordings.

[Joel Goldenberg]

 Those buying the Target CD who don't know the origin will be pretty confused, I think!

I got the Deluxe CD, with this track and Love and Mercy, at HMV here in Montreal. It was $12.99.

[sea of tunes]

 Those buying the Target CD who don't know the origin will be pretty confused, I think!

I got the Deluxe CD, with this track and Love and Mercy, at HMV here in Montreal. It was $12.99.

I'm ignorant on the conversion rates but that sounds like a good deal.  I got the Deluxe CD at Target here in the states for $15.99. 

[sea of tunes]

"The Bedroom Tapes" is just a phrase created as a journalistic convenience to refer to all of Brian Wilson's late 60s and 70s unreleased recordings.

I figured as much.  In that case, I'm really thankful they included that demo. It really is revealing about the time and place it was recorded.  I may be in the minority but I'm really enamoured with that "Bedroom" material.  It's so raw and real.  Sure would love to see a full collection of some more of those tracks for the aborted "Adult/Child" material, etc. 

Also, big, big fan of "Love You"..which I know is polarizing.

[Mikie]

Sure would love to see a full collection of some more of those tracks for the aborted "Adult/Child" material, etc. 

Just to be clear, Adult Child wasn't aborted. It was rejected by the record company.

[sea of tunes]

My mistake.

[Mikie]

My mistake.

No, not really. Quite a few people would think it's unreleased because Brian or The Boys didn't want it out. Sunflower was rejected too the first go-around. So were a couple of other albums. Holland didn't get the OK from Reprise until they jammed "Sail On Sailor" in there.

[CenturyDeprived]

Sure would love to see a full collection of some more of those tracks for the aborted "Adult/Child" material, etc.  

Just to be clear, Adult Child wasn't aborted. It was rejected by the record company.

Would it be fair to say that Brian's work on A/C, and his passion to properly finish it was aborted by Brian himself (in part due to lack of support)? I think the album that got submitted became rejected partly because it was so piecemeal, with many older tracks included that have no business being on a proper album together. I find it hard to believe that was Brian's intention from the onset; I think including the subpar older tracks was a desperation move by the band.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Don't think so: the Adult/Child master was assembled June 27th 1977 (just over five months after the Love You master) so presumably it was delivered to Reprise - and bounced straight back - very shortly after that. Further, if the band had put the mockers on it, they'd very probably have dumped the "big band" tracks too.

The band Reprise didn't have the best of working relationships from the off: the initial versions of Sunflower, Holland & In Concert were declined and Adult/Child was flat out rejected. There's also evidence that a 1978 Christmas album was similarly bounced.

[bgas]

"The Bedroom Tapes" is just a phrase created as a journalistic convenience to refer to all of Brian Wilson's late 60s and 70s unreleased recordings.

That's one explanation. I see them more as the tracks mentioned in the article in the LA Times, which may/may not include everything 60s/70s

[Mikie]

I believe the guy who found the bootleg in the record store (and talked about it and listed the tracks on this very board) and the 'journalist' who reported on it afterwards preceded the L.A. Times article.

[bgas]

I believe the guy who found the bootleg in the record store (and talked about it and listed the tracks on this very board) and the 'journalist' who reported on it afterwards preceded the L.A. Times article.

The "  Brother Re-Issues: Proposed Bonus Tracks  "  weren't mentioned as part of the LA Times Bedroom Tapes article, as I recall.
The record store day find was by "Klay"; the Bedroom Tapes article by Brian Chidester

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,17621.0.html

http://www.laweekly.com/2014-01-30/music/brian-wilsons-secret-bedroom-tapes/

[Mikie]

First reported by Chidester in L.A. Weekly, 1/30/14, updated list by Chidester on 3/5/14, reported by Klay 5/20/14. Where's the L.A. Times article?

And nowhere on those lists is "In The Back Of My Mind '75".

[CenturyDeprived]

Don't think so: the Adult/Child master was assembled June 27th 1977 (just over five months after the Love You master) so presumably it was delivered to Reprise - and bounced straight back - very shortly after that. Further, if the band had put the mockers on it, they'd very probably have dumped the "big band" tracks too.

The band Reprise didn't have the best of working relationships from the off: the initial versions of Sunflower, Holland & In Concert were declined and Adult/Child was flat out rejected. There's also evidence that a 1978 Christmas album was similarly bounced.

I don't think the band would have wanted to break Brian's heart at that point by not even submitting the tracks he'd worked hard on. But the fact that the songs were submitted doesn't mean that one can unequivocally say that Brian got the support and enthusiasm he craved and needed from his mates. Obviously Brian had many problems around this time, and I'm not discounting those problems as being part of the reason A/C was half-finished. I feel like I recall reading about bandmate(s) questioning and/or belittling the big band direction, and regardless of whether or not one wishes to say that was a perfectly justified viewpoint, particularly after Love You.. I can't think that would have *helped* Brian, who seemed to have had some pretty major self-confidence issues at the time to begin with.

[ForHerCryingSoul]

What about "Song to God"?   

Also personally, I believe this is fantastic delivery, both vocally and emotively.  I remember an article or something where Brian wished he had a manly voice like Dennis' and I think this delivery and vocal timbre is what he was talking about.

I could be wrong, but wasn't the damaging of his voice his choice?

[wantsomecorn]

I could be wrong, but wasn't the damaging of his voice his choice?

I wouldn't go as far to call it that. Brian's always been insecure about his voice. He often mentions wanting to redo 'Let Him Run Wild' because he hated how he sounded "like a girl" when he sang it (despite it being one of the greatest vocal performances of his life). He's also mentioned wanting to sound manlier around the "15 Big Ones" era, which you can see while listening to songs like "Back Home" that show how even though his voice has deteriorated, he's still going a little overboard trying to sound gruff.

But the effect drugs had on his voice are still too strong for it to have been a conscious decision. It's a lot like Dennis' voice; they both deteriorated in between Holland and 15 Big Ones, when their substance abuse began to escalate, and Dennis for sure wasn't trying to sabotage his voice.