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Ha Camus! I'd knew you'd come around! Big Grin

Totally agree with Seany regards early 70s Beach Boys. They have some outstanding tracks such as "Sail On Sailor", "Feel Flows", "Til I Die", "Only With You" (proof that Dennis did have talent as a songwriter), "Cool Water" etc etc. Ironically enough they became less interesting and more a nostalgia act due to the major success of the 1974 compilation Endless Summer when the band realised the majority of people were more interested in the old stuff than the new. We as record buying public can be complete idiots sometimes!

What amazes me about "Heroes And Villians" is that Brian Wilson and band can perform it live and sound just as good as the record (er, CD). So Camus, if you haven't already, get the SMiLE DVD which has an excellent documentary and a brilliant live performance. You will be amazed.
Hope you got one of these at lunch as well Camus. Ideal for whiling away those long afternoons. I keep mine in my sandpit. Just convince your missus that it "involves no fun at all, as it's an integral part of your work research". As is the white grand piano you will put in the sandpit, along with your Brian Wilson doll as well. Just say an external consulting team found that work performance was enhanced by the presence of sand in conjunction with white pianos in the home environment, so it's now part of the mandatory focus shift/target objective for the next quarter, in the interest of keeping it all Corporate. It worked for me. Big Grin

Camus Live??!! & digitally tinkering with Heroes & Villains! Eeker Sounds more like Mighty Mix-Master Dj Camus (in da house). Only hope you kept it all in glorious mono. Wink


I'd be interested to see your live setlist Camus. Heroes & Villains is often best followed by Michael Sambello's "Maniac" , & nothing beats ending a set with "Hungry Eyes" by Eric Camen.

But oh to have a voice like Carl Wilson. Brother of Boy Genius, Brian.

Explorations into unchartered sonic adventures continue with "Cho Oyu 8201m-Field Recordings from Tibet", by Norwegian electronic music composer Geir Jenssen, who is better known for his work as Biosphere. A project that combines field recordings & atmospheres, with electronic music.
An album of field recordings taken from a trek to the second highest peak on the Nepalese side of the Tibetan border. Complete with Yak heards, distant tablas, sherpas, & the sound of oxygen tanks as they approach the summit, it's an armchair trek through the Himalayas. Whilst technically not music perse, it does make you listen to the background sounds of your own environment, & often they can seem like..well, music, with the possible exception of the car alarm.

Back to the pit.
quote:
War Of The Worlds - Jeff Wayne (I don't know why)

Because it's so bloody fantastic that's why Big Grin

One of my all time favourite albums that one. Love the theme for the red weed (also played as the capsule unscrews) and who can go past Richard Burton's voice? I have a soft spot for Parson Nathaniel, though I'm not a fan of Thin Lizzy.

Did you pick up the re-issue with all the outtakes and demos Dazz? Real ear opener that one.

I'm listening to the original unreleased Smile album.

Last night I watched the Smile concert on DVD, I only meant to sit down and watch Heroes and Villains, but it was so spectacularly good I ended up watching the entire concert in one sitting. I love the album now, it's brilliant. I had totally the wrong impression of Brian Wilson, even though I suspect the documentary is a bit biased in its version of events, it was great to see him happy and enjoying himself. I don't think I;ve ever seen Brian Wilson smile so much.

Has Mike Love ever gone on record with his version of events for the Smile album?
Glad you are enjoying Smile Camus.
I hope Pet Sounds becomes as enjoyable too.

Get out of my sandpit? Are you joking Dazz??!!
If there's to be an alien invasion narrated by Richard Burton, i'm staying put to listen to unfolding events on my Magic Transistor Radio. Don't worry Dazz, i'm fine in my sandpit, & i'm going to eat all my vegi-tables. Eeker

Mike Love & Smile. Well, where do you start. Mike Love attempted to sue Brian over what he saw as the "missappropriation of the Beach Boy image". Although Mike Love has sued just about everyone in The Beach Boys.

Initially Mike Love objected to Van Dyke Parks lyrics for Smile, probably because he was no longer co-writing songs with Brian, & hadn't done since before Pet Sounds (advertising copywriter, Tony Asher got that gig). Mike had some issues with Van Dyke's lyrics for the Smile album, notably...
"Ive been in this town so long that back in the city Ive been taken for lost and gone And unknown for a long long time".

&

"Over and over,
The crow cries uncover the cornfield.
Over and over,
The thresher and hover the wheat field."

When asked what these lyrics meant, Van Dyke Parks gracefully left the studio. Mike continued to oppose Smile's release, his main gripe being that Brian had stopped touring in 1964 to focus on the music, & therefore didn't have to perform the increasingly complex songs live. There have been a number of books written on the subject, & a few snippets about it here. Although Brian & Mike are cousins, so erm...best not to ask really. Guess it's a family thing. Roll Eyes

The fact remains that Mike Love is more than happy to tour the world as The original Beach Boys, doing the jukebox of hits, while Brian continues to explore new terrain.

& Mike Love, if you ever happen to read this post (although it's highly unlikely) i have only one thing to say my friend,

"Dove nested towers the hour was
Strike the street quicksilver moon
Carriage across the fog
Two-Step to lamp lights cellular tune
Tha laughs come hard in Auld Lang Syne"..& then some.

Ok, i'm getting out of the sandpit now Dazz Eeker

Listening to the new Flanger album Nuclear Jazz. Flanger is a musical project by Burnt Friedman & Atom Heart (aka Uwe Schmidt). Electronic musics own Brian Wilson perhapse.
According to Van Dyke the line that Mike Love really had a problem with was 'Columnated ruins domino'. I noticed Van Dyke didn't expalin what it meant in the doco on the Smile DVD though. Van Dyke's a bit on the camp side isn't he? I don't have a problem with that line. It's tough to sing though, so bloody high.

I've added Surf's Up to the list too Seany.

The bit I loved the most on the documentary weas the standing ovation at the end of the first performance of Smile. He's just overwhelmed by the response, and then tells them to cool it as he want's to talk. I love it, he's so down to Earth.
I haven't got the War Of The Worlds box set. In fact I have never seen it in any music store in this state but I have read about it on the WoW website and Amazon. Sure would be interested though. Even more so if the 5.1 mix was on DVD-Audio rather than SACD format. I don't know anyone who has a SACD player in this country!

Fact is I'm such a fan of the work that I also bought the remix "ULLAdubULLA II" album (not bad) and for some reason, the recently released "Highlights" CD. Add to that the live DVD (which is excellent). Pity is that the show is NOT coming to Adelaide. Why?

I think Mike Love's opinion of SMiLE can be summed up by the single line answer he gave in "Endless Harmony", a great Beach Boys doco: "You want to ask ME about Smile?". That was it basically. Since the release of Brian's version, he has become a little more diplomatic. In a recent interview he said that it was Brian's project to do whatever he wants to do with it but he doesn't believe the new recordings can match the original Beach Boy recordings simply because no one can replicate the vocal sounds and blend of Brian's original band. He may have a point but listening to the CD and the live DVD, Brian's new band comes awfully bloody close.

As for Van Dyke Parks, he's an original. Pretty eccentric and talks campy (but he is married with kids so let's not spread silly rumours here). Not even Brian knows what Van Dyke is on about sometimes and he was there when Van wrote the lyrics! However sometimes it's the sound of the words against the melody that makes it mean well.... something!

It's enough to make you SMiLE.

It's good to read Seany has finally got out of the sandbox. I just hope he doesn't follow Brian's example and builds a teepee in his living room (although I fear I may of given him an idea) Big Grin

And just so I'm following the thread, I listened to Dave Brubeck Quartet's Time Out album yesterday. Nearly 50 years old and still cool as ***k.
Dazz, you're listening to another album I own and love Big Grin

The teepee, that cracked me up. They ask Brian what he did in the teepee, he looks a bit sheepish and says I ate sandwiches, they then cut to one of his friends who cracks up and says they all smoked a shedload of hash in the teepee Smiler

I wish that War of the Worlds was on DVD-A as well. I've never heard the 5.1 mixes as I don't own an SACD player, and I refuse to buy one, as I think it'll be the BETA of the audio world, if it isn't already.

Peeved thjat I bought only the stereo mix of Petsounds. I found the 5.1 edition in town the other day. Looks like I'll have to buy it again.

Seany, Pet Sounds has really grown on me too. I still prefer Pepper over it, but Smile beats them all. My favourite song of it at the moment is Wonderful. Thanks for the Mike Love links, most interesting. He's a bit sue happy isn't he?

Just listening to Vege Tables off Smiley Smile. They sure managed to suck all the life out of it on that recording.
Well did just recently hear the dvd version of the live stage show of War Of the Worlds played over the stereo system at work. Quite liked it, the only wussy part was the No Nathaniel no, bird, bit wussy on the vocals. Otherwise loved it, and didn't realise the stage show was coming to Australia. But prices were very hexy so I heard from 2nd horses mouth. So might just stick with the original 70's? recording.

Did go out and get Liam's album, loving it, only one not too hot on, which is the album title. Kicks Dad's butt.

Finally got Dusty in Memphis today, with the extra 20 something songs on it. Was imported, and only $25 so pretty good value at JB Hifi.
Still have to be able to have a decent listen.

Also grabbed 2 of Julie London's 50's/60's compilation albums, now that woman can sing. Sultry and deep is the voice, fantastic !



quote:
Originally posted by Dazz:
Looks like I'll be hunting down the deluxe edition of "Steve McQueen" now (must be a time for a trip into the city).


I bought it in June. The acoustic songs are very good. Some are better than the original like "desire as" and "Bonny". Now, i always listen the acoustic CD and not the original.
One of my summer CD.
I'm having way too much fun assmebling the original Smile album. It's all out there just waiting for you to assemble yourself. Spent Saturday morning assembling the first three tracks. After finally tracking down the Good Vibrations boxset I was delighted to find that the Heroes and Villains (sections) track contained the beginning (after Our Prayer) the trombone line for the opening, and the orchestral ending. A few edits later and I was moving onto Roll Plymouth Rock, which was contained in Do You Like Worms? and another track. About 10 edits later I had that one down too. Even better, I found the first half of the 1971 version of Surf's Up as an instrumental mix, which I then added Brian Wilson's 1966 vocal from the Surf's Up demo too, thereby getting rid of Carl Wilsons inferior vocal.

I know other people have done this too, but it's so much fun. There's very little of the original Smile that wasn't recorded in some form or other.

I can now appreciate the point of Brian Wilson's modular recording technique. I never realised that when he recorded the sections he had no plan of how to put them all together. The freedom of re-arranging them into varying order that still makes sense is pretty amazing. Do You Like Worms is nothing like the order that was eventually settled on for 2004's Roll Plymouth Rock.

Mrs Camus is getting sick of Smile now, though I noticed when I watched the live DVD again she sat there spellbound until the end.

I still can't get over how awful the Smiley Smile versions of Vega Tables, Windchimes and Wonderful are. Wonderful in particular has all the wonder sucked out of it, so funereal and dirge like with such a low vocal. No wonder people were shocked when Smiley Smile came out. Compared to Smile it's dreadful. I like how Fire (Mr's O'Leary's Cow) became Fall Breaks And Back To Winter. I really like She's Goin' Bald.
Recently:
Gruff Rhys - Candylion
Neil Young - Harvest, After The Gold Rush
Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise, Michegan
Crowded House - Time On Earth
David Bowie - Hunky Dory
Dillard & Clark - The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark, Through The Morning, Through The Night
Gram Parsons
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Neil Finn
Fairport Convention
The Avlanche
Kind Of Blue - Miles Davis (superb, absolutely superb. Even my cat likes it!)

Klaatu - Klaatu (you want weird and sometimes wonderful? Try this Canadian trio from the 70s)

Gee Camus, you ain't half been busy. You're become as obsessed with SMiLE as I am and I'm not 100% sure if that's a healthy thing! Apart from the majestic "Surf's Up" from 1972's album of same name, Beach Boys' versions of SMiLE tracks that weren't the singles are so lame and lacklustre, it's little surprise some people were turned off by the project believing them to be original SMiLE recordings. I hope the 2004 versions restored the faith. I'm pretty sure it did.

And thanks a lot for the It Don't Come Easy demo. Very good indeed! Smiler although there's always a place in my heart for the Ringo version.
quote:
Gee Camus, you ain't half been busy. You're become as obsessed with SMiLE as I am and I'm not 100% sure if that's a healthy thing!

Yeah, totally obsessed with it now, it's possibly the best album I've ever heard.

Do you have any of the original sessions as boots Dazz?

No worries re: It Don't Come Easy, glad you enjoyed it.
quote:
Originally posted by Semi-Detached:
Buena Vista Social Club


Do you dig Cuban music in general, or that soundtrack? I really resent Ry Cooder's intrusiveness on Chan Chan (even though I love Ry Cooder on lots of other stuff). I have 4 versions of Chan Chan, two by the composer, Compay Segundo, one by Cubamar and one by Armando Garzon with Quinteto Oriente, which is probably closest to the way it was meant to be (and likely recorded and performed back in the day), with Compay's part being the "segundo" or second vocal. Armando has a delicious tenor...
quote:
Originally posted by Camus:
According to Van Dyke the line that Mike Love really had a problem with was 'Columnated ruins domino'. I noticed Van Dyke didn't expalin what it meant in the doco on the Smile DVD though. Van Dyke's a bit on the camp side isn't he? I don't have a problem with that line. It's tough to sing though, so bloody high.

I've added Surf's Up to the list too Seany.

The bit I loved the most on the documentary weas the standing ovation at the end of the first performance of Smile. He's just overwhelmed by the response, and then tells them to cool it as he want's to talk. I love it, he's so down to Earth.


Van Dyke Parks goes into a bit more detail in a Dutch doco on his work & life, which you can see here. It is in 6 parts, & is quite an interesting insight into the background behind Smile & what was trying to be achieved. I won't be much help with the Dutch translation, although i think it might be something about windmills, cheese & the creative process. Could be wrong there though.

I've been listening to & enjoying (in my teepee, of course), the new Atom TM album Son of a Glitch, & Hoy Hoy by Little Feat. & a new electronic sound composer called Deepspace. Perfect for star gazing from the teepee. Eeker
quote:
Originally posted by Semi-Detached:
Black Sabbath

double-H: I love Cuban music and that soundtrack. Haven't checked it out as much as I'd like yet. Great summertime music.


Yes Gav, Cuban music is a freakin wonderland to explore...

What Sabbath are you listening to, you dinosaur? Paranoid was the first album I owned when I was 13!

Cheers!
Does that make you dinosaur jr Gav? Big Grin

Speaking of the ice age, i've been listening to someone who was a hit before your mother was born, & her mothers, mothers, mother as well. Yes folks, Wolfgang Armadeus Mozart. The Falco of the 18th Century. & for all you stone age romeo's out there, the Hoodoo Gurus will be touring in September with Radio Birdman, & the legendary Stems! What a lineup. Almost as good as the Rads, the Tats & the Oils. 3 bands for 3 bucks. ah memories. Cool
I've been listening to Music For Zen Meditation by Jazz clarinettist, & beat generation dharma bum Tony Scott. Now living in Italy, he recorded this album in Japan in the late 50's, inspired by the whole zen flavour that was pervading the beat movement of the late 1950's, he went to Japan to check out the real deal.

Also have been enjoying Paul Horn's Inside The Great Pyramid. There is something hauntingly otherworldly about the sound of a saxaphone recorded inside a pyramid. So simple, yet so beautiful.

Also unearthed an old 1980's cd of music with humpback whale sounds, by Steven Halpern. Now what ever happened to the humpback whale on albums? Bring them back!
Kazzie did you get tickets to see the Indigo Girls? Think they went on sale last week. Seen them twice, they're excellent. Too poor this time round to go.

Listening pleasure today would be Mr Joseph Richards. Do yourself a favour people.
Finn album. Saw a copy for $9 at jb hifi chermside, couldn't believe it, what a bargain, get your skates on. Different cheapo packing by the look of it though, to my copy.
Barefoot Truth

These lads originally called themsleve just 'barefoot' but they got a cease & desist letter from Jessica Simpson's dad Joe. Seems he was putting together a boy band with the same name Smiler Take a wild guess as to which band just lost their contract from poor sales???

Anyway, new 'album' on the way!
www.barefoottruth.com

They've asked if I would head up their fan site. Gonna ask Gryphon if he'd be my mentor!!!

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