I bought the box set when it was released and it is gold. Incredibly well put together and sounds amazing. I lost down the rabbit hole for months and months. The sessionography was a great inclusion because of the rich instrumentation of the songs.
I have wondered if Smile was released in 1967 if it would have been accepted by the public. It would certainly have solidified the Beach Boy's position as an artistic, avant-garde, psychedelic band and not just fun surfers in the public's mind. Recent reissues of the Beach Boys late 1960s-early 70s LPS/CDs have the key songs that were originally for Smile such as "Good Vibrations", "Heroes & Villains", "Our Prayer", "Cabin Essence", "Cool Cool Water" & "Surfs Up" in true stereo as well.
Hendrix had changed things up in 67. Not sure Smile with its avant garde lyrics and unusual song structures would have been as well recieved outside of the hardcore and more alternative scene. Certainly not in the mainstream, with the exception of Good Vibrations. Though we will never know.
Great to see the full vinyl box set. It is extraordinary! I have the two cd box set. ( it also has a couple extra goodies- the poster & a Smile pin). It is a very special recording & has a unique history. Thanks for sharing that recording treasure.
I envy you. It was only 60 bucks when it came out but I didn't have the cash then. It's WAY higher than that now😩 It was released on vinyl separately and I had that, but unemployment happened and I don't have it anymore. It's also much higher now.
It was released as stand-alone lp, Brian, as that's what I have. I love Smile, but I'm not sure how it would have been received in 67; it's just a bit too weird. Some of the bootlegs had some interesting configurations as well. Wished I'd bought that box when it came out.
Off topic, but something else that might be worth an investigative vid if there's any source behind it: The word for decades has been that on 12 March 1971, after PM won the High Court dissolution of The Beatles partnership, with PM in LA on that day, JL threw a brick through his Cavendish Avenue window after scaling the gate. Can't recall where I read a few years ago that GH & RS were also in JL's Rolls outside when JL did this. Last year Sara on 'Meet the Beatles for Real' told me that over the years she has never found a corroborating source and therefore doubts it too. No one seems to know where the rumor began. Seems odd that no Apple Scruff has corroborated it over the years, though by 1971 they were thinning out. I just came across it again in one sentence of Howard Sounes's PM bio, FAB, 2010. Sounes has scrupulous endnotes, and conducted dozens of interviews, but when it comes to this single point, no endnote source is cited - - unless he's lumping it in with the Daily Telegraph 12 MArch 1971 report of the High Court verdict...but it would be odd if the Telegraph was THAT on the ball let alone able to print it on the same day as the verdict. Yet Sounes asserts it as unsourced fact: "That evening a thwarted John Lennon threw bricks through the windows of Paul's London home in a childish attempt to get even with him." (page 280). I wonder how many different refs to this rumour are referenced in Beatle books. JL's chauffeur or Apple Scruffs or the 3 Beatles or PM's housekeeper Rose would be the only sources if the rumor was legit.
Hey Brian do you have the "Made in California" set? This was a wonderful review of the Smile set, which i also own. Also would love to see your Sail on Sailor and Feel Flows thoughts and observations, again i own. Thanks for putting this together!
Hi, yes I do have Made In California except I just have the digital download. Same with Sunshine Tomorrow, Wake The World, and I Can Hear Music (the year end session releases from a few years ago: all amazing). I plan on doing a review of the Feel Flows box I have. I’m not a huge fan of the mastering, but love the material. I still need to pick up Sail On Sailor.
there are different theories to why he has extremely diminished hearing in his right ear; he might’ve been born that way, or it might’ve been from a neighborhood kid hitting him at a young age
My unpopular opinion: the SMiLE tracklist (and Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE) could be better. Bicycle Rider theme is played in Roll Plymouth Rock too soon after we hear it in Heroes & Villains
I got into Smile mythology in the eighties after buying a CD of outtakes at a record fair. A few years followed of being somewhat intrigued by it all, making mix tapes etc. I got the two disc set when it came out, and that’s enough. To be honest, it’s actually quite embarrassing. Smile was never going to work...ever. If released in the sixties, it would have finished them. Brian was a wealthy man child, pandered to by his family, friends, liggers and hangers on. You ca bet he’d never heard the word “no” after pet Sounds. Capitol would have dropped them. Brian retreats into downers, speedballs and junk food. Dead by 32. The band continues the chicken in a basket touring circuit until Dennis od’d or jailed for drunken murder. The core members continue like the Animals or Yardbirds with no original members....for eternity. Lyrics like “I threw away the candy bar and I ate the wrapper” aren’t Eleanor Rigby. It’s a curio of a man once rich in talent go nuts and it’s all down in eight tracks mono.. just how Brian wanted it.
Indigo, your summation of Smile, Brian and the Beach Boys is incorrect. Sure, Brian had his mental health & substance abuse issues, but he is victorious from his emotional abyss and well for a man his age and for what he has been through. Smile is still a great artistic triumph if not a commercial one and Brian's descent was after Smile and after the later reactions to Smile from certain band members and the record company. Dennis never overdosed either! You're right about the latter day, faux Beach Boys cynically playing their early hits for the money, but the music and legacy of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys isn't cynical at all. The Beach Boys are forever great!
I think the Hendrix factor was the real scene shifter that would have made the climate difficult for Smile to find its place if it had been released in 67.
I bought the box set when it was released and it is gold. Incredibly well put together and sounds amazing. I lost down the rabbit hole for months and months. The sessionography was a great inclusion because of the rich instrumentation of the songs.
I have wondered if Smile was released in 1967 if it would have been accepted by the public. It would certainly have solidified the Beach Boy's position as an artistic, avant-garde, psychedelic band and not just fun surfers in the public's mind. Recent reissues of the Beach Boys late 1960s-early 70s LPS/CDs have the key songs that were originally for Smile such as "Good Vibrations", "Heroes & Villains", "Our Prayer", "Cabin Essence", "Cool Cool Water" & "Surfs Up" in true stereo as well.
Hendrix had changed things up in 67. Not sure Smile with its avant garde lyrics and unusual song structures would have been as well recieved outside of the hardcore and more alternative scene. Certainly not in the mainstream, with the exception of Good Vibrations. Though we will never know.
Great to see the full vinyl box set. It is extraordinary! I have the two cd box set. ( it also has a couple extra goodies- the poster & a Smile pin). It is a very special recording & has a unique history. Thanks for sharing that recording treasure.
I want this set. I don’t mind the redundancy. I find it fascinating.
I envy you. It was only 60 bucks when it came out but I didn't have the cash then. It's WAY higher than that now😩 It was released on vinyl separately and I had that, but unemployment happened and I don't have it anymore. It's also much higher now.
Bouncing in first. TOP FIVE BOX SET OF ALL TIME? ok then. I'm listening, Brian!
Good Vibrations cost between $75,000 and $100,000 to record
You're Welcome and thanks for doing the video about the box set. Sounds awesome.
Hey ! I would hang that 3d box on the wall
X
The word you're looking is shadow box. Check out Joseph Cornell the great artist who specialized in making them.
Yes! Thank you
It was released as stand-alone lp, Brian, as that's what I have. I love Smile, but I'm not sure how it would have been received in 67; it's just a bit too weird. Some of the bootlegs had some interesting configurations as well. Wished I'd bought that box when it came out.
Off topic, but something else that might be worth an investigative vid if there's any source behind it:
The word for decades has been that on 12 March 1971, after PM won the High Court dissolution of The Beatles partnership, with PM in LA on that day, JL threw a brick through his Cavendish Avenue window after scaling the gate. Can't recall where I read a few years ago that GH & RS were also in JL's Rolls outside when JL did this. Last year Sara on 'Meet the Beatles for Real' told me that over the years she has never found a corroborating source and therefore doubts it too. No one seems to know where the rumor began. Seems odd that no Apple Scruff has corroborated it over the years, though by 1971 they were thinning out.
I just came across it again in one sentence of Howard Sounes's PM bio, FAB, 2010. Sounes has scrupulous endnotes, and conducted dozens of interviews, but when it comes to this single point, no endnote source is cited - - unless he's lumping it in with the Daily Telegraph 12 MArch 1971 report of the High Court verdict...but it would be odd if the Telegraph was THAT on the ball let alone able to print it on the same day as the verdict. Yet Sounes asserts it as unsourced fact:
"That evening a thwarted John Lennon threw bricks through the windows of Paul's London home in a childish attempt to get even with him." (page 280).
I wonder how many different refs to this rumour are referenced in Beatle books. JL's chauffeur or Apple Scruffs or the 3 Beatles or PM's housekeeper Rose would be the only sources if the rumor was legit.
Hey Brian do you have the "Made in California" set? This was a wonderful review of the Smile set, which i also own. Also would love to see your Sail on Sailor and Feel Flows thoughts and observations, again i own. Thanks for putting this together!
Hi, yes I do have Made In California except I just have the digital download. Same with Sunshine Tomorrow, Wake The World, and I Can Hear Music (the year end session releases from a few years ago: all amazing). I plan on doing a review of the Feel Flows box I have. I’m not a huge fan of the mastering, but love the material. I still need to pick up Sail On Sailor.
I have the stand alone double LP. It’s awesome but I wish I got the box set. It was to expensive for me at the time
Lenticular?
Yes
I think Brian was partially deaf in one ear cos of physical abuse from his father 😢
there are different theories to why he has extremely diminished hearing in his right ear; he might’ve been born that way, or it might’ve been from a neighborhood kid hitting him at a young age
My unpopular opinion:
the SMiLE tracklist (and Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE) could be better. Bicycle Rider theme is played in Roll Plymouth Rock too soon after we hear it in Heroes & Villains
As someone that only listens to vinyl, I like how the cds are all housed in a separate cover, so they can stay hidden.
What do you have against CDs?
I got into Smile mythology in the eighties after buying a CD of outtakes at a record fair. A few years followed of being somewhat intrigued by it all, making mix tapes etc. I got the two disc set when it came out, and that’s enough. To be honest, it’s actually quite embarrassing. Smile was never going to work...ever. If released in the sixties, it would have finished them. Brian was a wealthy man child, pandered to by his family, friends, liggers and hangers on. You ca bet he’d never heard the word “no” after pet Sounds. Capitol would have dropped them. Brian retreats into downers, speedballs and junk food. Dead by 32. The band continues the chicken in a basket touring circuit until Dennis od’d or jailed for drunken murder. The core members continue like the Animals or Yardbirds with no original members....for eternity. Lyrics like “I threw away the candy bar and I ate the wrapper” aren’t Eleanor Rigby. It’s a curio of a man once rich in talent go nuts and it’s all down in eight tracks mono.. just how Brian wanted it.
Indigo, your summation of Smile, Brian and the Beach Boys is incorrect. Sure, Brian had his mental health & substance abuse issues, but he is victorious from his emotional abyss and well for a man his age and for what he has been through. Smile is still a great artistic triumph if not a commercial one and Brian's descent was after Smile and after the later reactions to Smile from certain band members and the record company. Dennis never overdosed either! You're right about the latter day, faux Beach Boys cynically playing their early hits for the money, but the music and legacy of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys isn't cynical at all. The Beach Boys are forever great!
I think the Hendrix factor was the real scene shifter that would have made the climate difficult for Smile to find its place if it had been released in 67.