The Best Album is Friends

[Jon Stebbins]

Undisclosed TV studio in 1968. Apparently includes an interview where Dennis, of all people, really raps enthusiastically about TM!

Nothing unusual about that since Dennis was the one who introduced the others to Maharishi and was the first of the BB's into (and out of) TM.

Sure, nothing unusual. What I meant to write was that it was more to do with the manner in which he was talking about TM, i.e. maybe a put-on.

I think he's being sincere in that footage, although you are right, his "manner" is different than in subsequent years. I think its due to the fact that he'd be ambushed with permanently "manner" altering doses of LSD two different times in the coming months. He was never really the same after that and I think this Friends/TM footage really illustrates the difference as his whole approach to speaking changed soon after.

[bgas]

Undisclosed TV studio in 1968. Apparently includes an interview where Dennis, of all people, really raps enthusiastically about TM!

Nothing unusual about that since Dennis was the one who introduced the others to Maharishi and was the first of the BB's into (and out of) TM.

Sure, nothing unusual. What I meant to write was that it was more to do with the manner in which he was talking about TM, i.e. maybe a put-on.

I think he's being sincere in that footage, although you are right, his "manner" is different than in subsequent years. I think its due to the fact that he'd be ambushed with permanently "manner" altering doses of LSD two different times in the coming months. He was never really the same after that and I think this Friends/TM footage really illustrates the difference as his whole approach to speaking changed soon after.

And, who knows what else changed.
Maybe the Dennis we know, the uber-creative one, might have never come thru without the two doses. 

[Rocker]

Undisclosed TV studio in 1968. Apparently includes an interview where Dennis, of all people, really raps enthusiastically about TM!

Nothing unusual about that since Dennis was the one who introduced the others to Maharishi and was the first of the BB's into (and out of) TM.

Sure, nothing unusual. What I meant to write was that it was more to do with the manner in which he was talking about TM, i.e. maybe a put-on.

I think he's being sincere in that footage, although you are right, his "manner" is different than in subsequent years. I think its due to the fact that he'd be ambushed with permanently "manner" altering doses of LSD two different times in the coming months. He was never really the same after that and I think this Friends/TM footage really illustrates the difference as his whole approach to speaking changed soon after.

Allright guys, now is the time that someone should upload the clip of Dennis talking.....

[bgas]

Undisclosed TV studio in 1968. Apparently includes an interview where Dennis, of all people, really raps enthusiastically about TM!

Nothing unusual about that since Dennis was the one who introduced the others to Maharishi and was the first of the BB's into (and out of) TM.

Sure, nothing unusual. What I meant to write was that it was more to do with the manner in which he was talking about TM, i.e. maybe a put-on.

I think he's being sincere in that footage, although you are right, his "manner" is different than in subsequent years. I think its due to the fact that he'd be ambushed with permanently "manner" altering doses of LSD two different times in the coming months. He was never really the same after that and I think this Friends/TM footage really illustrates the difference as his whole approach to speaking changed soon after.

Allright guys, now is the time that someone should upload the clip of Dennis talking.....

Can't you simply find it on youtube and post the link?  You're usually so good at this!

[Rocker]

Undisclosed TV studio in 1968. Apparently includes an interview where Dennis, of all people, really raps enthusiastically about TM!

Nothing unusual about that since Dennis was the one who introduced the others to Maharishi and was the first of the BB's into (and out of) TM.

Sure, nothing unusual. What I meant to write was that it was more to do with the manner in which he was talking about TM, i.e. maybe a put-on.

I think he's being sincere in that footage, although you are right, his "manner" is different than in subsequent years. I think its due to the fact that he'd be ambushed with permanently "manner" altering doses of LSD two different times in the coming months. He was never really the same after that and I think this Friends/TM footage really illustrates the difference as his whole approach to speaking changed soon after.

Allright guys, now is the time that someone should upload the clip of Dennis talking.....

Can'y you simply find it on youtube and post the link?  You're usually so good at this!

Thanks. But I never saw the clip of Denny talking about TM on youtube or anywhere else. If no one uploaded it during the last two weeks, I don't think it's there....

[Mahalo]

I wish I had a giant sized poster of this album cover for guests to see as soon as they walked into my house...

[rab2591]

I wish I had a giant sized poster of this album cover for guests to see as soon as they walked into my house...

Right!? It's their best album cover in my opinion.

Anyone know who made it?

[metal flake paint]

I wish I had a giant sized poster of this album cover for guests to see as soon as they walked into my house...

Right!? It's their best album cover in my opinion.

Anyone know who made it?

http://www.pipeline-operaglass.moonfruit.com/#/friends/4517887535

[Mahalo]

All this talk had me put Friends on... This album is Uber Awesome....

[Menace Wilson]

Dunno if I'd call Friends their best album, but it is my favorite.  If I were gonna be stuck on a desert island and could only pick one to play on my solar-powered CD player, Friends would be it.

By the way, check out this neat little video.  The combination of Alice And Wonderland footage with Passing By creates a strangely beautiful effect, imo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXz3N3RGEtw

[Dunderhead]

Reupping this thread to point out the sound of a baby on When A Man Needs a Woman, it's like the sound of a baby speaking at the "it's not going to be just you and me" part. Is it just me? Also I love the transition out of the instrumental interlude, very smooth bg vocals.

I'd also like to comment on the stereo mix, I don't know if this was redone for the twofers or if it's true to the original mix, but it's really fantastic! This was the first BB album to be in stereo and it's a really excellent implementation. The title track is especially excellent, it has this true airiness to it, and the bass is so rich and creamy. Diamond Head especially has incredible stereo depth. Love this album. Listen to it right now if you can!

P.S. Check out an alternate version of Friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg8SO24gygU
Is there a moog on this track? Listen especially on the "Let's Be Friends" part to the bassy thing around 1:12 it's super funky like a clavinet or something. Don't hear that in the album mix.

[stack-o-tracks]

Sounds kinda like Carl has a cold in that YouTube version....

[Menace Wilson]

P.S. Check out an alternate version of Friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg8SO24gygU
Is there a moog on this track? Listen especially on the "Let's Be Friends" part to the bassy thing around 1:12 it's super funky like a clavinet or something. Don't hear that in the album mix.

I think I recognize that mix from one of the Unsurpassed Masters discs.  Could be wrong though.

[letsmakeit31]

P.S. Check out an alternate version of Friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg8SO24gygU
Is there a moog on this track? Listen especially on the "Let's Be Friends" part to the bassy thing around 1:12 it's super funky like a clavinet or something. Don't hear that in the album mix.

I think I recognize that mix from one of the Unsurpassed Masters discs.  Could be wrong though.

Same as this methinks?? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS8P-DI2aoI

[Rocker]

P.S. Check out an alternate version of Friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg8SO24gygU
Is there a moog on this track? Listen especially on the "Let's Be Friends" part to the bassy thing around 1:12 it's super funky like a clavinet or something. Don't hear that in the album mix.

I think I recognize that mix from one of the Unsurpassed Masters discs.  Could be wrong though.

Same as this methinks?? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS8P-DI2aoI

Hey, that picture at 0:30 is cool. Never seen it before.

And what does Carl say at the end off-mic?

[Runaways]

I wish I had a giant sized poster of this album cover for guests to see as soon as they walked into my house...

Right!? It's their best album cover in my opinion.

Anyone know who made it?

Summer Days wins that award for me

[Mahalo]

I have my own Friends mix called, "My Perfect Friends"...

Side 1 (hypothetically)
1. Meant For You
2. Wake the World
3. The Night Was So Young (The melody to Wake the World and this are kinda similar, and with Be Here in the Morning there is a Day/Night Theme)
4. Be Here in the Morning
5. Friends
6. When A Man Needs A Woman
7. Passing By

Side 2
8. Do It Again (SOT version, Inst. insert b)
9. All I Wanna Do (Adds beautifully to the meditation theme of the album)
10. Anna Lee
12. Little Bird
13. Be Still
14. Busy Doin' Nothing
15. Summer Means New Love (Not a big fan of Diamond Head. I really need to be in the mood for Hawaiin music, and that is rare.)
16. Transcendental Meditation

[rab2591]

I have my own Friends mix called, "My Perfect Friends"...

Side 1 (hypothetically)
1. Meant For You
2. Wake the World
3. The Night Was So Young (The melody to Wake the World and this are kinda similar, and with Be Here in the Morning there is a Day/Night Theme)
4. Be Here in the Morning
5. Friends
6. When A Man Needs A Woman
7. Passing By

Side 2
8. Do It Again (SOT version, Inst. insert b)
9. All I Wanna Do (Adds beautifully to the meditation theme of the album)
10. Anna Lee
12. Little Bird
13. Be Still
14. Busy Doin' Nothing
15. Summer Means New Love (Not a big fan of Diamond Head. I really need to be in the mood for Hawaiin music, and that is rare.)
16. Transcendental Meditation

I really like that mix (especially the addition of The Night Was So Young and All I Wanna Do) except I'd keep in Diamond Head - absolutely love that song. I'd also replace the SOT version of Do It Again with the Endless Harmony version...I think Brians(?) falsetto in that is the tops.

[Mahalo]

Thanx, it took me 3 or 4 tries until I settled on that... and the intro to that particular version of Do It Again knox me out..as well as the harmonies at 1:25...

[punkinhead]

I have my own Friends mix called, "My Perfect Friends"...

Side 1 (hypothetically)
1. Meant For You
2. Wake the World
3. The Night Was So Young (The melody to Wake the World and this are kinda similar, and with Be Here in the Morning there is a Day/Night Theme)
4. Be Here in the Morning
5. Friends
6. When A Man Needs A Woman
7. Passing By

Side 2
8. Do It Again (SOT version, Inst. insert b)
9. All I Wanna Do (Adds beautifully to the meditation theme of the album)
10. Anna Lee
12. Little Bird
13. Be Still
14. Busy Doin' Nothing
15. Summer Means New Love (Not a big fan of Diamond Head. I really need to be in the mood for Hawaiin music, and that is rare.)
16. Transcendental Meditation

Needing an instrumental?

no love for Nearest Faraway Place? Moni Kani?

[Dunderhead]

Nearest Faraway Place is much worse than Diamond Head imo. For a long time I couldn't really listen to Diamond Head, but it really is a great track.

For an alternate Friends I'd want to include I Went Sleep and/or Time To Get Alone.

[Mahalo]

For an alternate Friends I'd want to include I Went Sleep and/or Time To Get Alone.

I actually had both of those on my other mixes, but for the sake of keeping the disc short like the original Friends (as short as I could) I ended up saving those for another mix.

Mona Kani sounds like a great choice, never considered it... I guess since SMNL is not played that much in my own song cycles I decided to add it.... it really is a mellow tune...

[Dunderhead]

I think Walk on By and Old Man River both fit nicely too.

[Dunderhead]

Also I don't know how I feel about Do It Again. One way to conceptualize Friends is as an exploration of genres that were being done in the 60s especially around LA. Sunshine Pop, Psych, Exotica, Easy Listening, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Country Rock. It touches on all these different points and I think this album is the direct predecessor of The Turtle's Battle of The Bands. Friends doesn't have a unified concept like that LP does but it has a subtler spirit. That's why I like the addition of Do It Again as it touches on another key LA 60's music scene. The only problem I have is that I don't like Do It Again that much as a song.

[letsmakeit31]

P.S. Check out an alternate version of Friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg8SO24gygU
Is there a moog on this track? Listen especially on the "Let's Be Friends" part to the bassy thing around 1:12 it's super funky like a clavinet or something. Don't hear that in the album mix.

I think I recognize that mix from one of the Unsurpassed Masters discs.  Could be wrong though.

Same as this methinks?? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS8P-DI2aoI

Hey, that picture at 0:30 is cool. Never seen it before.

And what does Carl say at the end off-mic?

The Picture at 0.30 must be from I'd say late 70's?? 77 or 78?? Power of Google 
I don't know what Carl says at the end unfortunely Sorry I will listen more closely via headphone or even cut out and clean up the end bit will report back..