At long last, we can finally announce that SMiLE is coming to a shop near you. On November 1, Capitol Records will release The Beach Boys' 1967 lost masterwork as The SMiLE Sessions in three editions: a 5-CD/2-LP/2 7-inch single box (yes, 9 discs!), a slimmer 2-CD version and a 2-LP set. Where to start? First, I recommend digging that artwork at your left. Has it settled in that this set is becoming a reality? Good. Read on, friends.
The saga of SMiLE, 2011, was becoming as convoluted as that of SMiLE, 1967, beginning with an ill-timed leak from Beach Boy Al Jardine in February that led to a hasty retraction. A little more than a month after Jardine's initial statement, Capitol Records finally confirmed what everybody already expected, that SMiLE was finally on the way. Not even Mrs. O'Leary's cow could cause this hotly-anticipated project celebrating The Beach Boys' 50th anniversary to go up in flames. Well, it's taken a few months, but pre-orders are finally being accepted at Amazon.com (see below) for all three editions, and we've got track listings and a wealth of details on every release including the box set!
If you're one of those waiting to SMiLE this November, hit the jump for full specifications on all three versions, plus a condensed history of "the greatest lost album in rock history," one that has finally been found.
SMiLE was intended as the follow-up to the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. Producer, arranger and composer Brian Wilson enlisted Van Dyke Parks to supply lyrics for the album, scheduled for a January 1967 release. One song destined for SMiLE was released and became a million-selling single for the band, the "pocket symphony" known as "Good Vibrations." No less a luminary than Leonard Bernstein praised the music intended for SMiLE when Brian Wilson performed a stark, chilling rendition of "Surf's Up" on Bernstein's Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution television special. More than 400,000 album jackets were printed with Frank Holmes' now-iconic cover art, but SMiLE didn't arrive in January 1967 as promised, despite over 85 recording sessions having taken place, including more than two dozen alone for the endlessly inventive "Heroes and Villains." (Wilson's longtime engineer Mark Linett estimates the number of SMiLE sessions as 50, not counting those for "Good Vibrations.") SMiLE pushed the talents of Wilson, his brothers Carl and Dennis, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston to their limits, and emotions ran high when the decision was reached to scuttle the project. Had it been crushed under the weight of its own ambitions? The stripped-down "replacement" album, Smiley Smile, certainly seemed to indicate so. "Good Vibrations" was surrounded by lo-fi re-recordings of some material intended for the earlier album, resulting in the most surreal, psychedelic, and even eerie album ever released under The Beach Boys' name.
The original music intended for SMiLE trickled out over the years, sometimes in the original versions and sometimes in re-recordings, while ardent fans created their own SMiLE compilations from an ever-leaking stream of unauthorized material. Wilson debuted a finished, solo SMiLE to great, deserved acclaim in 2004, not to mention his highest-ever chart debut, strong sales and a Grammy Award. But was this the SMiLE intended for release in 1967? Wilson wouldn't hesitate in answering "no." This was a new SMiLE, created in 2004 as a unified composition of three musical suites by Wilson, Parks and Wilson's right-hand man and multi-instrumentalist bandmate Darian Sahanaja. It very reasonably reflected a lifetime of work by these gentlemen, and was thoughtfully derived from the legendary original album with some new additional material. Does anybody even know what SMiLE circa 1967 would have consisted of and sounded like? The answer, alas, is also "no."
Song titles were listed on the junked SMiLE LP covers, but were amended by the phrase "See label for correct playing order." The track listing and running order were never finalized. The closest thing to an official released version of SMiLE to date was contained on the 1993 Capitol box set Good Vibrations: 30 Years of The Beach Boys, when almost thirty minutes of the original SMiLE tapes were released. The songs included were "Good Vibrations," "Our Prayer," "Heroes and Villains," "Wonderful," "Cabinessence," "Wind Chimes," "Do You Like Worms," "Wind Chimes," "Vegetables," "I Love to Say Da Da" and "Surf's Up." ("Worms" would be retitled "Roll Plymouth Rock" for SMiLE 2004, and "Da Da" incorporated into "In Blue Hawaii.") iTunes even offers SMiLE playlists for purchase, drawn from the Good Vibrations box, bonus tracks contained on the Smiley Smile/Wild Honey two-fer CD and the albums Smiley Smile and Surf's Up. (For more on SMiLE's long history, click here for my original post from which the preceding three paragraphs have been adapted.)
Now, we're getting the "official" Beach Boys SMiLE, and at 5 CDs' and 2 LPs' worth of material, there should be plenty to savor, and plenty that even the most diehard Beach Boys collectors have never heard. Each edition of The SMiLE Sessions is built around an assembled set of core session tracks, the running order of which has been modeled after Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE from 2004. (It mostly adheres to the 2004 version, though "I'm In Great Shape" has been resequenced.) The box set adds early song drafts, alternate takes, instrumentals and vocal-only mixes, plus studio chatter. Artist Frank Holmes' stunning original graphic design has been preserved for all configurations, and the box set's 3-D shadow box lid finally invites listeners into The SMiLE Shop, only 44 years after its promised grand opening! You can find the Amazon pre-order links in all of the below three descriptions!
The box set (measuring 13" x 13" x 2.5") boasts a staggering and immersive array of material, and some rarities that even the most diehard fans never expected to see official release, such as the Jasper Daily/Brian Wilson collaboration "Teeter Totter Love" and "additional material" like "Three Blind Mice" and the June and October 1967 takes of "Cool, Cool Water":
- 5 CDs / 2 LPs / 2 7" singles. The CDs and singles are housed in a 6-panel folder featuring photos of the original session tapes.
- Three-dimensional shadow box lid featuring the original artwork of Frank Holmes.
- 60 page case-bound book with liner notes by Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, Frank Holmes, Peter Reum, Tom Nolan, Dominic Priore, plus anecdotes by Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford and Diane Rovell (The Honeys), Dean Torrence (Jan and Dean), Mark Volman (The Turtles), Michael Vosse, David Anderle, and Danny Hutton (Three Dog Night), plus: Timeline, Sessionography, Lyrics, Frank Holmes' drawings, Producer's Notes and over 60 previously unreleased photographs.
- 7" vinyl singles feature "Heroes and Villains" and "Vega-Tables" sleeve art.
- 2 LPs housed in a gatefold contain "full track listing of proposed unfinished album" plus "stereo mixes and session highlights (not available on CDs)" and 12" x 12" booklet created for original release with photos by Guy Webster and drawings by Holmes.
- 24" x 36" poster of Frank Holmes' cover art.
The 2-CD SMiLE Sessions is nothing to sniff at, either (photo above). It, too, will be an attractive package in a lift-top box with the original Holmes artwork and measuring 5.5" x 5.5" x 1". It contains 2 CD wallets, a 1" SMiLE button, a smaller (14.5" x 20") poster of the art, plus an abridged 36-page booklet with notes by Brian Wilson and others.
Then there's the vinyl-only edition (photo to left), with a 12" x 12" gatefold with the original art, inner sleeve art (not present on the box set vinyl packaging), lyrics, and a replica of the booklet created for SMiLE '67 with Holmes' drawings and Guy Webster's photos. Lastly, digital configurations will also be available.
Well, the story of SMiLE still isn't completely over, as we've yet to obtain finalized track listing information for these titles. When that arrives, we'll update this post and pass it on to you. But for now, bask in those "wonderful" images, chew on your favorite vega-table and get ready. SMiLE is finally, officially, almost here. It's due in stores on November 1 from Capitol Records and there's a terrific promo video viewable here. In addition, there are a number of special promotions offered only at thebeachboys.com including:
- The SMiLE Sessions 2CD edition paired with a limited edition SMiLE t-shirt;
- The SMiLE Sessions 2CD edition paired with a limited edition autographed lithograph;
- The SMiLE Sessions limited edition box set with light-up SMiLE Shop window on lid, autographed; and
- The SMiLE Sessions limited edition box set with light-up SMiLE Shop window on lid, autographed, paired with a custom-made SMiLE surfboard by Hobie.
The countdown has begun!
The Beach Boys, The SMiLE Sessions (Box Set) (Capitol Records, 2011)
CD 1
- Our Prayer
- Gee
- Heroes and Villains
- Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock)
- I'm In Great Shape
- Barnyard
- My Only Sunshine (The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine)
- Cabin Essence
- Wonderful
- Look (Song For Children)
- Child is Father of the Man
- Surf's Up
- I Wanna Be Around / Workshop
- Vega-Tables
- Holidays
- Wind Chimes
- The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O'Leary's Cow)
- Love To Say Dada
- Good Vibrations
- You're Welcome (Bonus Track)
- Heroes and Villains (Stereo Mix) (Bonus Track)
- Heroes and Villains Sections (Stereo Mix) (Bonus Track)
- Vega-Tables Demo (Bonus Track)
- He Gives Speeches (Bonus Track)
- SMiLE Backing Vocals Montage (Bonus Track)
- Surf's Up 1967 (Solo version) (Bonus Track)
- Psycodelic Sounds: Brian Falls Into A Piano (Bonus Track)
CD 2
- Our Prayer "Dialog" 9/19/66
- Our Prayer 10/4/66
- Heroes and Villains: Verse (Master Take) [Heroes and Villains Session: 10/20/66]
- Heroes and Villains: Barnyard (Master Take) [Heroes and Villains Session: 10/20/66]
- Heroes and Villains: I'm In Great Shape 10/27/66
- Heroes and Villains Intro (Early Version) circa 12/66
- Heroes and Villains: Do A Lot [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/3/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Bag Of Tricks [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/3/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Mission Pak [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/3/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Bridge To Indians [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/3/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Part 1 Tag [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/3/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Pickup To 3rd Verse [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/3/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Children Were Raised [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/27/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Part 2 (Cantina track) [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/27/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Whistling Bridge [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/27/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Cantina [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/27/67]
- Heroes and Villains: All Day [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/27/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Verse Edit Experiment [Heroes and Villains Session: 1/27/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Prelude To Fade [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/15/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Piano Theme [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/15/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Part 2 [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/20/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Part 2 (Gee) (Master Take) [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/20/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Part 2 Revised [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/20/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Part 2 Revised (Master Take) [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/20/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Part 3 (Animals) (Master Take) [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/20/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Part 4 [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/20/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Part Two (Master Take) 2/27/67 [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/27/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Fade 2/28/67 [Heroes and Villains Session: 2/27/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Verse remake [Heroes and Villains Session: 3/1/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Organ Waltz / Intro [Heroes and Villains Session: 3/1/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Chorus Vocals [Heroes and Villains Session: 6/14/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Barbershop [Heroes and Villains Session: 6/14/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Children Were Raised (Remake) [Heroes and Villains Session: 6/14/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Children Were Raised (Master Take Overdubs Mix 1) [Heroes and Villains Session: 6/14/67]
- Heroes and Villains: Children Were Raised (Master Take A Capella) [Heroes and Villains Session: 6/14/67]
- Heroes and Villains Piano Demo (incorporating "I'm In Great Shape" and "Barnyard") Brian with Van Dyke Parks and "Humble Harve" Miller, KHJ Radio 11/4/66 (Bonus Track)
- Psycodelic Sounds: Brian Falls Into A Microphone 11/4/66 (Bonus Track)
- Psycodelic Sounds: Moaning Laughing 11/4/66 (Bonus Track)
CD 3
- Do You Like Worms: Part 1 [DO YOU LIKE WORMS (ROLL PLYMOUTH ROCK) Session: 10/18/66]
- Do You Like Worms: Part 2 (Bicycle Rider) [DO YOU LIKE WORMS (ROLL PLYMOUTH ROCK) Session: 10/18/66]
- Do You Like Worms: Part 3 [DO YOU LIKE WORMS (ROLL PLYMOUTH ROCK) Session: 10/18/66]
- Do You Like Worms: Part 4 (Bicycle Rider) [DO YOU LIKE WORMS (ROLL PLYMOUTH ROCK) Session: 10/18/66]
- Do You Like Worms: Bicycle Rider Overdubs (Heroes and Villains Part 2) 1/5/67 [DO YOU LIKE WORMS (ROLL PLYMOUTH ROCK) Session: 10/18/66]
- My Only Sunshine: Parts 1 & 2 11/14/66 [MY ONLY SUNSHINE (THE OLD MASTER PAINTER / YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE)]
- My Only Sunshine: Part 2 (Master Take With Vocal Overdubs) 2/10/67 [MY ONLY SUNSHINE (THE OLD MASTER PAINTER / YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE)]
- Cabin Essence: Verse [Cabin Essence Session: 10/3/66]
- Cabin Essence: Chorus [Cabin Essence Session: 10/3/66]
- Cabin Essence: Tag [Cabin Essence Session: 10/3/66]
- Wonderful (Version 1) 8/25/66
- Wonderful (Version 2) [Wonderful (Version 2 "Rock With Me Henry") Session: 1/9/67]
- Wonderful (Version 2 Tag) [Wonderful (Version 2 "Rock With Me Henry") Session: 1/9/67]
- Wonderful (Version 3) 4/10/67 ? [Wonderful (Version 2 "Rock With Me Henry") Session: 1/9/67]
- Look 8/12/66 [LOOK (SONG FOR CHILDREN)]
- Child is Father of the Man (Version 1) 10/7/66
- Child is Father of the Man (Version 2) 10/11/66
- Surf's Up: 1st Movement 11/4/66
- Surf's Up: Talking Horns 11/7/66
- Surf's Up: Piano Demo (Master Take) 12/15/66
- I Wanna Be Around 11/29/66 [I WANNA BE AROUND / WORKSHOP (FRIDAY NIGHT)]
- Vegetables: Verse (Master Take Track) 4/4 - 4/11/67 [VEGA-TABLES (VEGETABLES) Sessions: 4/4-4/11/67]
- Vegetables: Sleep A Lot (Chorus) [VEGA-TABLES (VEGETABLES) Sessions: 4/4-4/11/67]
- Vegetables: Chorus 1 (Master Take) [VEGA-TABLES (VEGETABLES) Sessions: 4/4-4/11/67]
- Vegetables: 2nd Chorus (Master Take Track And Backing Vocals) [VEGA-TABLES (VEGETABLES) Sessions: 4/4-4/11/67]
- Vegetables: Insert (Part 4) (Master Take) [VEGA-TABLES (VEGETABLES) Sessions: 4/4-4/11/67]
CD 4
- Vegetables: Fade 4/12/67 [VEGA-TABLES (VEGETABLES) (continued)]
- Vegetables: Ballad Insert 4/14/67 [VEGA-TABLES (VEGETABLES) (continued)]
- Holidays 9/8/66
- Wind Chimes (Version 1) 8/3/66
- Wind Chimes (Version 2) [Wind Chimes (Version 2) Session: 10/5/66]
- Wind Chimes (Version 2 Tag) [Wind Chimes (Version 2) Session: 10/5/66]
- The Elements: Fire 11/28/66 [THE ELEMENTS: FIRE (MRS. O'LEARY'S COW)]
- Da Da (Taped Piano Strings) [LOVE TO SAY DADA / COOL, COOL WATER; Da Da Session: 12/22/66]
- Da Da (Fender Rhodes) [LOVE TO SAY DADA / COOL, COOL WATER; Da Da Session: 12/22/66]
- Love To Say Dada: Part 1 5/16/67 [Love To Say Dada Sessions: 5/16-5/18/67]
- Love To Say Dada: Part 2 5/17/67 [Love To Say Dada Sessions: 5/16-5/18/67]
- Love To Say Dada: Part 2 (Master Take) 5/17/67 [Love To Say Dada Sessions: 5/16-5/18/67]
- Love To Say Dada: Part 2 (Second Day) 5/18/67 [Love To Say Dada Sessions: 5/16-5/18/67]
- Cool, Cool Water (Version 1) 6/7/67
- Cool, Cool Water (Version 2) 10/26/67 & 10/29/67
- You're Welcome 12/15/66 [SMILE ADDITIONAL SESSIONS]
- You're With Me Tonight 6/6-6/7/67 [SMILE ADDITIONAL SESSIONS]
- Tune X (Carl Wilson) 3/3/67-3/31/67 [SMILE ADDITIONAL SESSIONS]
- I Don't Know (Dennis Wilson) 1/12/67 [SMILE ADDITIONAL SESSIONS]
- Three Blind Mice 10/15/65 [SMILE ADDITIONAL SESSIONS]
- Teeter Totter Love (Jasper Dailey) 1/25/67 & 2/9/67 [SMILE ADDITIONAL SESSIONS]
- Psycodelic Sounds - Underwater Chant 11/4/66 (Bonus Track)
- Hal Blaine Vega-Tables Promo Session 11/11/66 (Bonus Track)
- Heroes and Villains: Early Version Outtake Sections 1/67 - 2/67 (Bonus Track)
CD 5
- Good Vibrations: Gold Star 2/18/66 (The Pet Sounds Session)
- Good Vibrations: Gold Star 4/9/66
- Good Vibrations: Western 5/4/66 (First Chorus)
- Good Vibrations: Western 5/4/66 (Second Chorus & Fade)
- Good Vibrations: Sunset Sound 5/24/66 (Part 1)
- Good Vibrations: Sunset Sound 5/24/66 (Parts 2 & 3)
- Good Vibrations: Sunset Sound 5/24/66 (Part 4)
- Good Vibrations: Western 5/27/66 (Part C)
- Good Vibrations: Western 5/27/66 (Chorus)
- Good Vibrations: Western 5/27/66 (Fade Sequence)
- Good Vibrations (Inspiration): Western 6/2/66 (Part 1)
- Good Vibrations (Inspiration): Western 6/2/66 (Part 3)
- Good Vibrations (Inspiration): Western 6/2/66 (Part 4)
- Good Vibrations: Western 6/16/66 (Part 1)
- Good Vibrations: Western 6/16/66 (Part 2 & verse)
- Good Vibrations: Western 6/16/66 (Part 2 continued)
- Good Vibrations: Western 6/18/66 (Part 1)
- Good Vibrations: Western 6/18/66 (Part 2)
- Good Vibrations (Persuasion): Western 9/1/66
- Good Vibrations: Western 9/1/66 (new bridge)
- Good Vibrations: Session Masters
- Good Vibrations single version stereo track
- Good Good Good Vibrations (first version with overdubs) 3/66
- Good Vibrations: Alternate Edit 8/24/66
LP 1
- Our Prayer (Side One) [LP Vinyl]
- Gee (Side One) [LP Vinyl]
- Heroes and Villains (Side One) [LP Vinyl]
- Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock) (Side One) [LP Vinyl]
- I'm In Great Shape (Side One) [LP Vinyl]
- Barnyard (Side One) [LP Vinyl]
- The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine (Side One) [LP Vinyl]
- Cabin Essence (Side One) [LP Vinyl]
- Wonderful (Side Two) [LP Vinyl]
- Look (Song for Children) (Side Two) [LP Vinyl]
- Child is Father of the Man (Side Two) [LP Vinyl]
- Surf's Up (Side Two) [LP Vinyl]
LP 2
- I Wanna Be Around / Workshop (Side Three) [LP Vinyl]
- Vega-Tables (Side Three) [LP Vinyl]
- Holidays (Side Three) [LP Vinyl]
- Wind Chimes (Side Three) [LP Vinyl]
- Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (Fire) (Side Three) [LP Vinyl]
- Love to Say Dada (Side Three) [LP Vinyl]
- Good Vibrations (Side Three) [LP Vinyl]
- You're Welcome - Stereo Mix (Side Four) [LP Vinyl]
- Vega-Tables - Stereo Mix (Side Four) [LP Vinyl]
- Wind Chimes - Stereo Mix (Side Four) [LP Vinyl]
- Cabin Essence - Session Highlights and Stereo Backing Track (Side Four) [LP Vinyl]
- Surf's Up - Session Excerpt and Stereo Mix (Side Four) [LP Vinyl]
Vinyl 45
- A side: HEROES AND VILLAINS Part One [Vinyl 45]
- B side: HEROES AND VILLAINS Part Two [Vinyl 45]
Vinyl 45
- A side: VEGA-TABLES [Vinyl 45]
- B Side: SURF'S UP [Vinyl 45]
The Beach Boys, The SMiLE Sessions (2-CD) (Capitol Records, 2011)
CD 1
- Our Prayer
- Gee
- Heroes and Villains
- Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock)
- I'm In Great Shape
- Barnyard
- My Only Sunshine (The Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine)
- Cabin Essence
- Wonderful
- Look (Song for Children)
- Child Is Father of the Man
- Surf's Up
- I Wanna Be Around/Workshop
- Vega-Tables
- Holidays
- Wind Chimes
- The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O'Leary's Cow)
- Love To Say Dada
- Good Vibrations
- You're Welcome (Bonus Track)
- Heroes and Villains (Stereo Mix) (Bonus Track)
- Heroes and Villains (Sections) (Stereo Mix) (Bonus Track)
- Vega-Tables (Demo) (Bonus Track)
- He Gives Speeches (Bonus Track)
- Smile Backing Vocals Montage (Bonus Track)
- Surf's Up 1967 (Solo Version) (Bonus Track)
- Psycodelic [sic] Sounds: Brian Falls into a Piano (Bonus Track)
CD 2
- Our Prayer Dialog (9/19/66) 3:02
- Heroes and Villains (Part 1) 3:08
- Heroes and Villains (Part 2) 4:18
- Heroes and Villains: Children Were Raised (1/27/67) 2:07
- Heroes and Villains: Prelude to Fade (2/15/67) 3:42
- My Only Sunshine (11/14/66) 6:52
- Cabin Essence (10/3/66) 5:19
- Surf's Up: First Movement (11/4/66) 4:55
- Surf's Up: Piano Demo (12/15/66) 3:53
- Vegetables Fade (4/12/67) 4:25
- The Elements: Fire Session (11/28/66) 8:27
- Cool Cool Water Version2 (10/26-10/29/67) 3:32
- Good Vibrations Session Highlights 8:20
- Psycodelic [sic] Sounds: Brian Falls into a Piano (11/4/66) (Hidden Track) 1:10
The Beach Boys, The SMiLE Sessions (2-LP) (Capitol Records, 2011)
LP 1: Side 1
- Our Prayer
- Gee
- Heroes and Villains
- Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock)
- I'm In Great Shape
- Barnyard
- My Only Sunshine (The Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine)
- Cabin Essence
LP 1: Side 2
- Wonderful
- Look (Song for Children)
- Child Is Father of the Man
- Surf's Up
LP 2: Side3
- I Wanna Be Around/Workshop
- Vega-Tables
- Holidays
- Wind Chimes
- The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O'Leary's Cow)
- Love To Say Dada
- Good Vibrations
LP 2: Side 4
- You're Welcome (Stereo Mix)
- Vega-Tables (Stereo Mix)
- Wind Chimes (Stereo Mix)
- Cabin Essence - Session Highlights and Stereo Backing Track
- Surf's Up - Session Excerpt and Stereo Mix
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/beachboys#p/a/u/0/fvB0glRsolw]
Tom says
One word: Wow.
Andee says
F**king hell - whoa
Mike says
I'll be getting this for sure, just curious how different it will sound from Brian's 2004 release. Honestly speaking this would have been even bigger news had Brian not already released it. But still looking forward to this very much.
Rodney says
The contents of the box (http://amzn.to/SMiLEbox) seem extraordinarily generous considering what the list price is (the bootleg box was going for over $200 more than 10 years ago).
Chris says
As a huge fanatic of the band and many others (including the Beatles, the Who, the Rolling Stones, etc.), I gotta say... ABOUT TIME! I just pre-ordered it and I'm looking forward to it!
Chris says
You know, the big box set!
ward says
The 2-CD is a no-brainer. But oh how I wish they would have a 5-CD version with the book. No vinyl, no 45s.
Rich Dudas says
I'm guessing that the separate vinyl set and 2CD set contain nothing different from what is included with the box set ??
Joe Marchese says
It appears that the separate vinyl set will have some artwork not present on the box set vinyl, but nothing in the way of audio. (Similarly, the 2-CD set is said to have a SMiLE button not present in the mega-box.) All audio offered in conjunction with The SMiLE Sessions does appear to be contained in the big box.
Pete says
Amazon has the full track listing now.....
Great blog BTW
Phil Cohen says
By the way, the "side four" of the 2-L.P. set will have material that is not included in any of the CD's.
Joe Marchese says
Thanks, Phil; you can see above that I have that info bolded in the contents description.
Niall says
Got my order in.
Really interested in The Dennis track
Gerry says
This is tremendously exciting. The Smile album contained as lots of you know from listening to bootlegs over many years beautiful, precious music that is very different in feel from Brian's recording of it in 2004.
I guess we would not have the final release of this without Brian's album, but it is still amazing on lots of levels, such as Mike Love finally agreeing to this. As recently as just over a year ago Love was still in interviews slagging off Smile and making his cheap, nasty little digs.
Have checked Amazon US and Amazon UK and still not up on the latter; hope it will be soon as want to pre-order.
Matt says
I do miss regular box sets. With the advent of the Super Deluxe Box, the 4-5 disc set with a standard cardboard box and book seem to be going by the wayside. I'm not one who needs all the bells and whistles, I'd rather get the limited packaging used for the Tom Petty Live Anthology , than the mini school desk for the Alice Cooper Old School Box. At least this box and the Alice Cooper Box contain mostly unreleased material, unlike U2's box. Anyway I'll still buy the box, which is why they will keep making them.
Ken Shane says
Sadly, according to YouTube, EMI has blocked the promo video in the US. Hopefully another source will turn up.
Dauber! says
Ken -- the promo video is still up at Amazon. In fact, chances are that's what was cross-posted to YouTube.
Joe Marchese says
A close review seems to indicate four tracks "exclusive" to the 2-CD set; some of that material may be derived from content on the box set but presented in an exclusive edit: Part 1 of "Heroes and Villains" (3:08), Part 2 of "Heroes and Villains" (4:18), "Cabin Essence" - 10/3/66 (5:19), and "Good Vibrations: Session Highlights" (8:20). (Keep in mind that the box features an entire disc of "GV" session highlights from which this track is possibly derived.) Hope this answers some of the questions out there.