Dennis' I've Got a Friend

[punkinhead]

I was listening to this the other day, wondering, is this the only recording of this? Have any demos surfaced?

Will it ever be cleaned up for release as an early Dennis solo comp, as the rise in Dennis solo era continues?
with the success of POB/Bambu and all

[Alex]

I was listening to this the other day, wondering, is this the only recording of this? Have any demos surfaced?

Will it ever be cleaned up for release as an early Dennis solo comp, as the rise in Dennis solo era continues?
with the success of POB/Bambu and all

I have 2 live recordings of it...the crappy sounding version from the Radio Luxembourg broadcast and an audience recording of a 1971 live show in Long Beach (the same show where Brian and Jack Reiley come out to do "Tree"!!).

[smile-holland]

A studio-recording does exist, but as far as I know only as an instrumental track.

[Dancing Bear]

I wouldn't mind if they took the instrumental track and added a David Marks lead vocal and maybe some harmonies by Brian, Mike, Al and Bruce.

[Sciencefriction]

It would be nice to hear the instrumental, and a good quality live version if a better recording exists in the vaults.  It feels like it's about time to hear something new from the Dennis camp, any chance we'll see anything in the near future?

[Andrew G. Doe]

The instrumental track is pure Dennis, circa 1971/2. Outstanding.

Annnd... I think Taylor Hawkins could do it justice.

[punkinhead]

good call AGD   

[Aegir]

If this whole "turning Dennis instrumentals into releasable songs with vocals" thing becomes a regular thing, I'd much rather someone more connected with the Beach Boys, like David Marks or Christian Love be singing the leads instead of Taylor Hawkins. I liked the way he sang on Holy Man, though.

[Ed Roach]

If this whole "turning Dennis instrumentals into releasable songs with vocals" thing becomes a regular thing, I'd much rather someone more connected with the Beach Boys, like David Marks or Christian Love be singing the leads instead of Taylor Hawkins. I liked the way he sang on Holy Man, though.

What about his own son Carl?  Haven't enough people heard his version of "Forever", with his Uncle Brian, to understand the justice he could do to these instrumental tracks?  I know Jon was suggesting him for "Holy Man", but Gregg got his way with Taylor - who I agree did do an admirable job with the song.

[Rocker]

If this whole "turning Dennis instrumentals into releasable songs with vocals" thing becomes a regular thing, I'd much rather someone more connected with the Beach Boys, like David Marks or Christian Love be singing the leads instead of Taylor Hawkins. I liked the way he sang on Holy Man, though.

What about his own son Carl?  Haven't enough people heard his version of "Forever", with his Uncle Brian, to understand the justice he could do to these instrumental tracks?

Never heard "orever" by him. Where can one listen to that? Sounds interesting

[KokoMoses]

Stamos anyone??

I'm not actually kidding!!!!

I met him once and thanked him for being a big Beach Boys fan and he gave me his card and wanted to trade BBs stuff and be "Beach Boys friends"

Good man!

[punkinhead]

Did Brian perform Forever with Carl at the BW Tribute (also performing Do it Again as well)...or is that Justyn?

Speaking of the BW tribute, that whole thing NEEDS released!!! I mean, people performing Pet Sounds songs other than BW, that's a rarity...was any of it recorded?

[Emdeeh]

That was Justyn, not Carl.

[ESQ Editor]

If this whole "turning Dennis instrumentals into releasable songs with vocals" thing becomes a regular thing, I'd much rather someone more connected with the Beach Boys, like David Marks or Christian Love be singing the leads instead of Taylor Hawkins. I liked the way he sang on Holy Man, though.

When I was at WILSON restaurant last year for the release party, it was kind of weird standing on the patio with Carl B. Wilson and Justyn Wilson when Taylor Hawkins version of "Holy Man" came over the speakers… A bit surreal. I've always felt — even though Taylor did a beautiful job — that Carl B. should have been involved on that recording.

[Matt H]

Maybe part of the idea of having Taylor on there was that he is known by a younger crowd, and people may have picked up the Dennis album because of Taylor and then been turned onto the Dennis tracks.

If this whole "turning Dennis instrumentals into releasable songs with vocals" thing becomes a regular thing, I'd much rather someone more connected with the Beach Boys, like David Marks or Christian Love be singing the leads instead of Taylor Hawkins. I liked the way he sang on Holy Man, though.

When I was at WILSON restaurant last year for the release party, it was kind of weird standing on the patio with Carl B. Wilson and Justyn Wilson when Taylor Hawkins version of "Holy Man" came over the speakers… A bit surreal. I've always felt — even though Taylor did a beautiful job — that Carl B. should have been involved on that recording.

[Jon Stebbins]

There was never any kind of marketing strategy regarding Taylor and Holy Man. Using him was an experiment that worked. I was there as this thing was being  mixed, the non-vocal version was definitely going to be included...no question. Gregg had written new lyrics and he wanted try somebody out on a lead vocal, it was almost an afterthought, but Gregg was very into the idea of at least trying it...and Hanlon and Jimmy G. went along. Several names were thrown around in conversation,Carl B., David Marks, Brian, Al...even Neil Young because of Hanlon's relationship with him...it was all just talk...none of them were contacted...it never got to the serious point because of what happened next. Gregg was real close with Taylor and suggested bringing him in to take first crack at it. Taylor reworked Gregg's lyrics until they fit. There was still no solid plan to include it until everybody heard the results after Hanlon rough mixed it with the vocal. We all thought Taylor's vocal sounded so great, like it was meant to be... and it actually improved the song compared to the no-vocal mix...so it was included. That was that.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I'm no Foo Fighters fan, but I think Taylor was a perfect choice, being a drummer n all! It's also nice to see another drummer respecting Dennis!

As I've said before, In my book, Dennis (along with Ringo) invented rock drumming as we know it!

I could elaborate, but I don't want to put everyone to sleep. 

[Howie Edelson]

Carl B. has expressed interest in laying down a vocal for the track.

[Surfer Joe]

Stamos anyone??

I'm not actually kidding!!!!

Moderators?  Do your duty.


 

[mikeyj]

I've always wondered something about this song - does anyone have the lyrics for it?

[The Heartical Don]

Stamos anyone??

I'm not actually kidding!!!!

Moderators?  Do your duty.


 

 

[doc smiley]

while we are at it... how about Jasper Dailey's songs...?

Brian originals from the classic "artsy" period but I'm told with awful vocals....
let Al or Mike or somebody who can sing have a go at them.....

 

[punkinhead]

i dont think there's enough interest in those particular tracks except a handful...I mean, how do you promote those?

[hypehat]

I could see them being put out as part of a Smile boxset.... Not sure about redoing vocals. Maybe they'd just put the tracks on there

[punkinhead]

agreed


But think about it...it's like if they included the early experimental tracks on the PS boxed set (i.e. How Deep is the Ocean?, Three Blind Mice, Stella By Starlight)