QueenZone discussion #970216

Martina... wrote: :D I happen to have Smiley Smile, the Beach Boys version of the album...it always makes me laugh, reminds me of summers spent climbing trees and just playing around when I was a kid. A very cute album with great vocals. It's definitely a masterpiece.

<font color=blue>Rick wrote: Nice topic and well, you said it all. You can write a book about SMiLE. Brian Wilson recorded many songs for this album, many sessions have already been bootlegged, but there is still much more in the archives. He was very creative during these sessions and under influence of LSD and marijuana. His co-writer Van Dyke Parks wrote the most bizzare, but beautiful lyrics. (Heroes And Villians was the first song they worked on). Smiley Smile is a creepy, strange, interesting, haunting and moving record. And only a shadow of SMiLE. I like it a lot. I love the vocal arrangements, especially "Our Prayer" is breathtaking, like stepping into a church with a huge gospel chant. A great way to open an album. SMiLE is also called: The best unreleased album in music history. Well, I will post more later... ;-)

<font color=blue>Rick wrote: Yes, I have the Purple Chick bootleg. In fact, I'm a big fan of The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson. I like them even more than Queen, to be honest. The Surf's Up footage with Brian behind his piano in his home is beautiful. He is such a genius.

iGSM wrote: Were the Beach Boys really Brian Wilson with a band? That's how I seem to understand it. I'm no huge BBs fan but I do enjoy Pet Sounds. I just understand that until he went a little drug addled it was him and a couple of other chaps helping him with the vocal workings/instruments. I don't know if that's a correct assumption?

<font color=660066>Pomponias Marrion wrote: It was about time the masterpiece got its own thread. ;)

<font color=blue>Rick wrote: SMiLE wasn't officially released. There are many bootleg versions of this 'album'. Nobody really knows in which form he (Brian Wilson) wanted it to be released. Although he released SMiLE in 2004 with a brand new band, called the Wondermints. That particular set of songs could be very different in 1967, if it was released. I wouldn't start with SMiLE, because it is so different than the rest of The Beach Boys albums. Solid albums to start with are the twofer The Beach Boys Today!/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!). Those albums contain some approachable songs and already contains some Pet Sounds-style songs, like In The Back Of My Mind (just listen to the stunning backing track and the beautiful voice of Dennis Wilson) and Let Him Run Wild. But the Sunflower/Surf's Up twofer is also stunning, especially Sunflower is a masterpiece. All members are fully there. This album is one of the best collaborations of the six Beach Boys, IMHO. Dennis is at his peak on this album. He wrote four of the twelve songs, which is remarkable. Bruce Johnston wrote two and sings lead on three songs, which is also a suprise. Mike's All I Wanna Do is just stunning, maybe his best song ever. Brian is more in the background on this album, but he contributed many to the lyrics/music and he sings quite a few leads. But remember he had some issues in those days. I think my favourite twofer at this point is Friends/20-20. And that one is really approachable too. It has all different types of music. Rock, waltz, instrumentals, ballads, acapella and much more. You won't be disappointed by buying this twofer.

SK<h6>Cabinessence<h6> wrote: To the top- Don't let one of the more serious topics sink to the bottom of unrelated :p So to all BB fans, which SMiLE substitute is your favourite? Smiley Smile Wild Honey 20/20 Sunflower Surf's Up

<font color=blue>Rick wrote: @SK: I don't have the Vigitone release and the SMiLE Sessions. Sounds interesting, though. :-) But, I'm more a collector of their live period. They were so good live. OK, they used other musicians live, but that doesn't matter. My favourite tour is the 1972 and 1973 tour, with Blondie and Ricky. They were simply rocking. The In Concert CD is stunning, but too many great songs are missing: not a single Dennis song :-(, like Cuddle Up, River Song (used for his solo LP Pacific Ocean Blue, I still need to get it, I heard it's great!), but also California Saga, Wild Honey, Surf's Up, Cool Cool Water, You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone, Here She Comes etc. are sadly missing on this disc. That reminds me of the wonderful twofer Carl And The Passions: So Tough!/Holland. Wow, what a great release and so much underrated. I love all songs on it. They sound very much of this time, great production, some great drums by Ricky and I love the Dennis' songs. More later...haha

SK<h6>Cabinessence<h6> wrote:

<font color=blue>Rick wrote: @SK: I don't have the Vigitone release and the SMiLE Sessions. Sounds interesting, though. :-) But, I'm more a collector of their live period. They were so good live. OK, they used other musicians live, but that doesn't matter. My favourite tour is the 1972 and 1973 tour, with Blondie and Ricky. They were simply rocking. The In Concert CD is stunning, but too many great songs are missing: not a single Dennis song :-(, like Cuddle Up, River Song (used for his solo LP Pacific Ocean Blue, I still need to get it, I heard it's great!), but also California Saga, Wild Honey, Surf's Up, Cool Cool Water, You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone, Here She Comes etc. are sadly missing on this disc. That reminds me of the wonderful twofer Carl And The Passions: So Tough!/Holland. Wow, what a great release and so much underrated. I love all songs on it. They sound very much of this time, great production, some great drums by Ricky and I love the Dennis' songs. More later...haha

Once again, couldnt agree more!Carl and The Passions is the most underrated album by them for sure. Also, I will upload "POB" for you, as it is out of print. ;). Just give me some time to find it in my collection.

iGSM wrote: I picked it up this afternoon and thought 'No...no...too much too soon'. I really do need to ease myself in to The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson (is what she to him! GIGGLE). Honestly though... the packaging looked pretty! I was a little uneased by a friend who said he saw Brian Wilson not too long ago and he said, to quote him precisely, 'I would rather eaten a cake made of shit and needles than listened to old man Wilson'. True or no?