Brian Wilson to release "Smile" -- 37 years after it was created . . .

[OneBlueSky]

Brian Wilson To Release Lost Classic SMiLE In Fall 2004
Reconstructed Album Performed Live For First Time In London

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/04-02/24.shtml

Perhaps the most highly-regarded unreleased record in rock history, the Beach Boys' SMiLE, is reportedly getting its official release 37 years after its creation, in fall 2004. According to a recent report from BBC News Online: "A few months ago Wilson revisited the SMiLE tapes in Capitol Records' vaults and went on to finish the album with his original lyricist, Van Dyke Parks."

Recorded between April 1966 and May 1967, SMiLE (working title Dumb Angel) was to be Brian Wilson's "teenage symphony to God," an album that would at once best the Beatles and surpass Wilson's latest masterpiece, Pet Sounds. Working with avant-garde lyricist Parks and the session players featured on Pet Sounds, Wilson crafted the album away from the other Beach Boys, who were then touring. Upon their return from the tour, the group met the album with mixed feelings, arguing that SMiLE's obscure lyrics and insanely dense compositions strayed too far from the norm to be considered for release.

As demonstrated on Pet Sounds, Wilson had developed a mastery of the studio as instrument, working with unconventional arrangements that combined modern rock instrumentation with orchestral touches as well as nonmusical objects including water jugs, Coke bottles, hammers, saws, and bicycle bells. Like the 1966 single/masterpiece "Good Vibrations," (which Wilson considers the band's defining achievement) each song written for SMiLE was recorded in pieces, in various studios, during different sessions, and edited later into completed mixes. Recording in this fashion was a long and painstaking process.

Wilson continued to experiment with the studio through the recording of SMiLE, but also suffered bouts with severe drug addiction and mental instability that further delayed the album's completion. In perhaps the most-cited example of Wilson's paranoia, he reportedly became convinced that his music was responsible for a series of fires in the vicinity of the recording studio. Another oft-repeated legend says the reclusive genius cancelled several expensive recording sessions due to 'bad vibes,' distancing himself from his musicians, bandmates, record label, and Parks alike.

- more . . .

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/04-02/24.shtml

[Jack The Tab]

1. I have always wanted to hear this recording...

ever since I read about it a few years ago.

I must say, I really really like the working title Dumb Angel. If anyone is looking for a band name, there you have it.

[robertpaulsen]

2. Psychedelic!

A friend of mine who is a Brian Wilson fanatic downloaded the songs he believes would have been on the Smile album. Even in this form, I thought it was a work of genius. Glad its finally getting an official release!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

5. Yeah, I had a couple of bootlegs. I wait with baited etc.

[emulatorloo]

3. I would so love to see one of these shows

I almost cried when the tour was announced.

Thanks so much for posting this. . .a great antidote from GD;2004

:)

[Westegg]

4. Wow... WOW!

A major rock 'n' roll event. MAJOR. This is legendary stuff, people. Believe the hype.

[underpants]

6. Oh Please tell me there is some way for Mike Love to make money off this

Because before Mike Love there was no music.

:grr::mad:

[OneBlueSky]

7. lol . . . good one . . . :) n/t

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