Brian songs 71-75???

[Jim V.]

Hey everybody, how about a list of all Brian compositions through these years. I know its been said hes been through a dry spell as of recently, but how about a list of songs he wrote/and or worked on during this set of years that he seemed to be withdrawing in. Released or unreleased, I'd just like to see exactly how prolific he was during this period.  Also, a description/opinions on songs if they are unreleased. Thanks guys/girls.

[Matinee Idyll]

I don't know/Haven't a clue.

I'm more interested in/curious about what the rest of the band were coming up with/working on around this time/period in history...

I hope someone can help you mate/Good luck.

[Jason Penick]

I can contribute a few offhand to get the ball rolling: "Marcella", "Beatrice from Baltimore", "You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone", "Patty Cake", "Funky Pretty", "Sail On Sailor", "California Feeling", "Mount Vernon and Fairway", "Lazy Lizzie", "That Special Feeling", "Awake", "Walls"... That's about all that's coming to me right now.

I'm sure the other Jason will come along shortly to fill in the gaps.  He remembers all this stuff!

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Patty Cake? What the hell is that one? I've never heard it before.

Also, I thought You Need a Mess of help WAS Beatrice from Baltimore...?

[Chris Brown]

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't "Awake" a cover song?  I remember reading somewhere that Brian did not write that.

[Jason Penick]

eh, shows what i know.  i always thought it was a BW/ Dave Sandler co-composition.  Same with "Walls".

"Patty Cake" is an outtake that can supposedly be heard in one of the documentaries as Brian plays it in the background on his piano while Bruce is talking about something.  I've heard it described as meloncholy.

"Beatrice from Baltimore" did become "You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone", but I believe there's a seperate version recorded under the original title.  Alan Boyd or AGD would know for sure.

[XY]

"It's OK", "Good Timin'", "Child Of Winter", "Winter Symphony"

[Chris Brown]

Yes "Patty Cake" can be heard in the A&E Biography documentary, during the part where Bruce is talking about Brian in the early 70's and how he would write brilliant songs that nobody ever heard outside his living room. 

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

So THAT'S the name of the song. Wow...

[Andrew G. Doe]

"Patty Cake" is, allegedly, a song he wrote about a gorilla he saw on a visit to NYC Zoo while on a trip there with Diane shortly after his father's passing. (I know, too much information)

And for the credits for "Awake", all you need to do is check the Spring album.

According to someone who should know, there was a basic track and scratch vocal for "Beatrice" recorded. Alan would know the specifics far better than I.

[Andrew G. Doe]

These are the unreleased BW compositions from the period in question that I'm aware of:

My Solution (B. Wilson) - 10/31/70 - Brian

Silly Walls (B. Wilson - Sandler) - fall 1971 - David Sandler, Brian
Beatrice From Baltimore (B. Wilson) - 12/71 - Carl ?

Spark In The Dark (B. Wilson) - 1/21/72 (NOT the Holland track)
Burlesque (B. Wilson - Rieley) - 1972 - Brian ?
Is Jack Rieley Really Superman ? (B. Wilson) - 1972 - Brian

Pattycake (B. Wilson) - summer 1973 - Brian

Just An Imitation (B. Wilson) - mid 1974 - Brian ?
Brian's Tune (aka Ding Dang) (B. Wilson - McGuinn) - 11/74
California Feeling (B. Wilson - Kalinich) - demo 11/74 - Brian
Lucy Jones (B. Wilson - Kalinich) - 12/74 - Brian, Steve Kalinich (ummm... Brian in best shouty voice)
You're Riding High On The Music (B. Wilson - Kalinich) - 12/74

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Is Jack Rieley Really Superman ? (B. Wilson) - 1972 - Brian

What in the hell...?!

[Yorick]

I'd like to add "Good Timin'" to the list of songs mentioned in this thread. It was tracked in 74 during the farm sessions that also produced the horrible Battle Hymn Of The Republic. I don't know how involved both Brian and Carl were, but it was written way back then for sure. The lead was also tracked then, so the lyrics were written too.

[Jason]

Yeah, everyone nailed it before me. Sorry, Jason.

[Chris Brown]

Quote
Is Jack Rieley Really Superman ? (B. Wilson) - 1972 - Brian


What in the hell...?!

I'll second that...

[Jim V.]

My Solution (B. Wilson) - 10/31/70 - Brian

Silly Walls (B. Wilson - Sandler) - fall 1971 - David Sandler, Brian
Beatrice From Baltimore (B. Wilson) - 12/71 - Carl ?

Spark In The Dark (B. Wilson) - 1/21/72 (NOT the Holland track)
Burlesque (B. Wilson - Rieley) - 1972 - Brian ?
Is Jack Rieley Really Superman ? (B. Wilson) - 1972 - Brian

Pattycake (B. Wilson) - summer 1973 - Brian

Just An Imitation (B. Wilson) - mid 1974 - Brian ?
Brian's Tune (aka Ding Dang) (B. Wilson - McGuinn) - 11/74
California Feeling (B. Wilson - Kalinich) - demo 11/74 - Brian
Lucy Jones (B. Wilson - Kalinich) - 12/74 - Brian, Steve Kalinich (ummm... Brian in best shouty voice)
You're Riding High On The Music (B. Wilson - Kalinich) - 12/74

Andrew, could you give us a description of all of these tracks.......this is very interesting.....but my best guess is many of the compositions weren't up to snuff to actually be worked on for release.....or were they?

[Alan Boyd]

There is a 2" 16 track tape labeled BEATRICE in the vault.  But it's actually YOU NEED A MESS OF HELP TO STAND ALONE.  If there were alternate vocals on the track, they would appear to have been erased.  So far, we haven't found anything with the original "Beatrice" lyrics.

Alan

[the captain]

Is Jack Rieley Really Superman ? (B. Wilson) - 1972 - Brian

What in the hell...?!

I believe it's in D. Leaf's book where I read that Brian was perhaps poking fun at those who still really were behind Rieley when he wrote that song. Funny. I have no knowledge, though, and certainly haven't heard it.

[Chris Brown]

Of all the tracks that Andrew listed, the only one I can comment on is "My Solution"...its a creepy dischordant number about a scientist who discovers a formula that he believes will bring peace to the world.  Brian does the narration in a crazy scientist voice.  Oddly enough the melody and chords ended up becoming the "Happy Days" on Imagination. 

[I. Spaceman]

His laugh at the end is evil.

[Jim V.]

odd that none of those 1972 were considered for Holland......an album which (along with Surf's Up or L.A.) shows Brian almost non-existant on either vocals or production. anybody got any word on those.......and also, "spark in the dark" has no correlation to "funky pretty" odd, seeing as how its not the most commonplace phrase ever, and to be used in 2 songs in the same year....hmm.

also, does anybody know if these songs even got to the demoing phase?? any fully recorded? or even copyrighted?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Brian should re-do "Is Jack Rieley really Superman" for his next album, and call it "Is Melinda really Wonder Woman" 

[I. Spaceman]

That should have Darian as a new character, FANBOY!

[Jason Penick]

And for the credits for "Awake", all you need to do is check the Spring album.

Eh, I've got like a third generation cassette dub of that one.  Care to elaborate?

[Jason Penick]

That should have Darian as a new character, FANBOY!

That is freakin' genius!