Wednesday 9 November 2011

WEDNESDAY CLUB - BEACH BOYS - Good Vibrations(Smile Sessions Highlights)

MIDWEEK CRISIS, why the long face, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we've got the Beach Boys and they are going to make you grin from ear to ear.
God Only Knows a Genius

 BEACH BOYS - Good Vibrations(Smile Sessions Highlights)

I feel as if I have to do this post as I believe it is that 'significant' in the 'World of popular Music'.

What could have been, if Hendrix didn't die. If Curtis didn't die, if Cobain didn't die, if Holly didn't die. If I/you, had not taken that different turn. It does not really matter, this is the way it has turned out. It is nothing we can change now.  But it is great to contemplate what may have happened.

With Brian Wilson, who had just been the Genius behind, arguably one of the greatest albums of all time. How could you follow up Pet Sounds? How do you follow up Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited, with Blonde on Blonde of course, How do you follow up the Beatle's Revolver, with Sergeant Pepper of course. How do you follow up Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, with Aladdin Sane of course. That kind of expectation, I believe, was more than Brian could deliver. The tragedy is the whole 'thing' was too much for him and he had a complete break down before 'that' follow up was delivered (the competition then, was so fierce, Beatles, Dylan, Stones). He disappeared from the scene for a long, long time (the reasons are well documented). It was as if he had gone for ever. What could have been ?.
Essential!

We knew there was a follow up album there, but why was it never released? The Rumours were there for 40 years (there were of course boots around).

When I heard Brian was releasing an album in 1988, I was so excited, but was ready for the fall. You can't come back after all that time. (They never come back). When I heard the first song, it blew me away (Love and Mercy). This was Brian Wilson, this was Brian Wilson the Genius I remember. The album although good, did not reach these heights. It was no Pet Sounds.

I saw Brian in concert a few years back with Shellhunter and I will honestly say it is in my top 5 concerts of all time, I will write a post about the experience one day.

The fuss is all about the follow up album to Pet Sounds, 'Smile'  it never happened, but now, with these two new 'session' releases (Double CD) and (4CD Set) this is as near as damn it as we will ever get to that long anticipated 'Smile' Album.

My opinion, (for what it's worth) there are some 'brilliant moments, up there with Pet Sounds', but alas! it is no 'Pet Sounds'. sorry!. Maybe things should be left as they are, maybe that's the way it's meant to be. Maybe!

Nevertheless, we all know the magnificent 'Good Vibrations' (is it one of the Best top 10 singles of all time?)  this is part of the 'Smile' sessions, enjoy, this it is fabulous, a great piece of History. 'Wear ear Phones!'

Oh! finally the first time I heard it, I was crossing the new Fourth Road Bridge for the first time in 1966. Just thought I'd tell you that!.

Check out Brian Wilson Live at the Roxy Theatre........it's a good one! 


BEACH BOYS - Good Vibrations(Smile Sessions Highlights)

Related Posts

WEDNESDAY CLUB - BEACH BOYS - Good Vibrations(Smile Sessions Highlights)
4/ 5
Oleh

5 comments

comments
avatar
Anonymous
9 November 2011 at 08:12

Very interesting. Overall, I'm pretty happy with 'Smile' but I'll admit that the 'finished' product (whatever that may be) is hardly a revelation...it's exactly as we all knew it to be. God bless Brian Wilson.

Reply
avatar
9 November 2011 at 21:33

Wonderful post, written with obvious passion. I was completely oblivious to all this carry on with the will they won't they release and don't know the full story of why Brian Wilson buckled. I also have never taken the time to listen to Pet Sounds as I have never felt it relevant to me. I gross misjudgment on my part I know.

Reply
avatar
sfw
10 November 2011 at 09:32

Thought the reason he buckled was his love for all things naughty....cakes an all!

Reply
avatar
12 November 2011 at 21:10

Cool to hear Brin Wilson's vision taking shape and the different layers needed to achieve that perfect sound. The Beach Boys will always be one of my favourites and seeing Brian Wilson perform Pet Sounds was amazing. You owe it to yourself to listen to it Fly.

Reply
avatar
12 November 2011 at 22:57

I've been meaning to listen to it for the last 25 years, I hope it's not a case of too much build up. Brin Wilson? Was he the Welsh member of the Beach Boys?

Reply