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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 22, 2019 21:14:53 GMT
I'm going to start this thread a little differently from past Your Personal SMiLE Mix threads.
Instead of asking to see or hear your current personal SMiLE mix - though you are certainly welcome to post it and I'd love to see/hear it - I'm going to ask one, well, two basic questions. First, what song do you think Brian Wilson would've opened SMiLE with in 1967? And, second, regardless of the previous question, which song do YOU begin your personal SMiLE mix with?
I'm a big proponent of the December 1966 handwritten SMiLE list which was presented to Capitol Records so they could begin their artwork for the album. I'm not convinced that the order of the songs written on that list was the actual sequence of SMiLE at that time, but I do think the songs on that list comprised the actual album AT THAT PARTICULAR MOMENT IN TIME. I don't see "Our Prayer" or "Prayer" on that list. I don't think it was a hidden track to begin the album. I don't think it was actually a part of or an intro to "Heroes And Villains", thus not being spelled out. I just don't believe "Our Prayer" made the cut, as beautiful and timeless as it is.
I actually think the track known as "Intro To Heroes And Villains" or "Bag Of Tricks" or "those keystone cops sound effects" would've opened SMiLE. I think this section was actually the intro to "Heroes And Villains" for a period of time, and would've stayed that way long enough for it to be released on the actual album. This section didn't need a title, it would've just been incorporated into "Heroes And Villains", thus not requiring a separate title and not requiring a place on the December 1966 list. Also, had "Heroes And Villains" been released as the first single for SMiLE (not Smiley Smile), that intro could've been edited out if Brian wished to save time. Remember how that was done back in the day to save precious seconds.
All of that being said, for the most part over the years, I have been starting my personal SMiLE mixes with "You're Welcome" into "Do You Like Worms". Yes, I know it probably would've never happened that way (for several reasons), but it sounds so good!  But, if I did begin my mix with "Heroes And Villains", I'd have that "Intro To Heroes And Villains" right in front of it, blasting out of the speaker(s), blowing minds. What a great way to start an album!
What say you?
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 23, 2019 13:27:50 GMT
I can't* imagine it with anything other than Prayer, and I wouldn't want to!
*OK, I can. But I don't like to.
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Post by sebevedomy on Mar 23, 2019 14:35:30 GMT
I originally had "moaning laughter" preceding "Our Prayer" and I think it worked out pretty well, but then I decided to have "moaning laughter" open side 2, as a kind of inverse contrast of "Our Prayer" opening Side 1.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 28, 2019 1:11:06 GMT
Last call for opening SMiLE tracks! Anybody else? For those of you who think "Our Prayer" would've opened a SMiLE album in 1966/67, how do you feel about it NOT being listed/spelled out on the December 1966 handwritten tracklist submitted to Capitol Records? Was it a hidden track? A part of "Heroes And Villains" like an extended intro? Or do you dismiss the 1966 handwritten list?
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Post by B.E. on Mar 28, 2019 2:59:10 GMT
Last call for opening SMiLE tracks! Anybody else? For those of you who think "Our Prayer" would've opened a SMiLE album in 1966/67, how do you feel about it NOT being listed/spelled out on the December 1966 handwritten tracklist submitted to Capitol Records? Was it a hidden track? A part of "Heroes And Villains" like an extended intro? Or do you dismiss the 1966 handwritten list? I'm about as far away from a Smile expert as you'll find among the diehard fans. I can't remember which songs were included on the list or who wrote it. Is that known, definitively? Anyway, I do recall the "Our Prayer" dialog on TSS box set. Apparently, at the time of the recording, "Our Prayer" didn't rate as a song title unto itself. Did Brian change his mind? He may have flip-flopped a hundred times on how or if he'd use it. Or maybe he never wavered. Maybe it was an "intro to the album" all along. Honestly, I can't imagine Brian thinking he didn't want it on the album. In my opinion, it's one of the most important pieces (at least, I love it that much  )! I hate to even ponder Smile without it. I think it's easiest to use it as an intro, but I'm open-minded about sequencing.
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Post by sebevedomy on Mar 28, 2019 8:19:48 GMT
Last call for opening SMiLE tracks! Anybody else? For those of you who think "Our Prayer" would've opened a SMiLE album in 1966/67, how do you feel about it NOT being listed/spelled out on the December 1966 handwritten tracklist submitted to Capitol Records? Was it a hidden track? A part of "Heroes And Villains" like an extended intro? Or do you dismiss the 1966 handwritten list? I like to think think it would have been a part of the "Heroes and Villains", like an extended intro. As for the handwritten list...I guess i don't really pay much attention to it. I make my own thing. People find all sorts of ways to structure it. To me, the theme of the album is mainly an exploration on aspects of duality (which is an easy connection as I think most of Brian Wilson's work in general concerns duality on some level, including Pet Sounds) -- and I'm working towards a SMiLE that best illustrates that theme which I find in it. Historical authenticity is not so important to me, though I am interested in others' attempts at recreating that.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 28, 2019 12:37:45 GMT
Last call for opening SMiLE tracks! Anybody else? For those of you who think "Our Prayer" would've opened a SMiLE album in 1966/67, how do you feel about it NOT being listed/spelled out on the December 1966 handwritten tracklist submitted to Capitol Records? Was it a hidden track? A part of "Heroes And Villains" like an extended intro? Or do you dismiss the 1966 handwritten list? I'm about as far away from a Smile expert as you'll find among the diehard fans. I can't remember which songs were included on the list or who wrote it. Is that known, definitively? Anyway, I do recall the "Our Prayer" dialog on TSS box set. Apparently, at the time of the recording, "Our Prayer" didn't rate as a song title unto itself. Did Brian change his mind? He may have flip-flopped a hundred times on how or if he'd use it. Or maybe he never wavered. Maybe it was an "intro to the album" all along. Honestly, I can't imagine Brian thinking he didn't want it on the album. In my opinion, it's one of the most important pieces (at least, I love it that much )! I hate to even ponder Smile without it. I think it's easiest to use it as an intro, but I'm open-minded about sequencing. 
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 14, 2019 1:14:37 GMT
Well, according to the short survey done on this forum, it looks like "Our Prayer" IS the popular choice as the SMiLE opening track. I've given my opinion several times - probably ad nauseum - why I don't think "Our Prayer" would've been the opening track on SMiLE, and I'll make one more parting shot before moving on. It is a little interesting that "Our Prayer" also DID NOT serve as the opening track for Smiley Smile. That album opened with "Heroes And Villains" too, Smiley Smile is a "vocal" album, and, well, it might've fit - unless you think Smiley Smile is too esoteric or humorous and "Our Prayer" is too...serious.
So, moving from the possible/probable opening track to the possible/probable closing track. I never gave serious consideration to any other song other than "Surf's Up" as the closing song on SMiLE. Needless to say, I was shocked when BWPS appeared with "Good Vibrations" - Good Vibrations!!!  - as the closer. There were/are a couple of other considerations. I always like the feel of "Heroes And Villains" (with the false barnyard section) fading over the horizon or off into the sunset. Or, speaking of fading off into the sunset, how about "You Are My Sunshine" as the album closer?
What do YOU think?
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Post by jk on Dec 17, 2019 10:25:05 GMT
I'm resurrecting this topic to post three SMiLE mixes by a former BBT poster whose enthusiasm for SMiLE has since passed into legend (for it is she: these three were made and originally posted under the name Mujan). These two-movement mixes can be found at Vimeo (her alias there is Carbon Freeze) and more detailed descriptions are available online (she's posted literally hundreds of pages on the subject of SMiLE), and most probably at her blog (I don't feel it's ethical to reproduce and/or link everything here).
One thing I must add is that all three mixes are well laced with skits and narrative, in chime with Brian's original idea.
The first is my go-to SMiLE mix (sans "Good Vibrations") but I intend to investigate the others more thoroughly in the fullness of time.
Aquarian SMiLE
Side One:
(You're Welcome)
Heroes and Villains
Cabin Essence
Do You Like Worms
Mrs O'Leary's Cow
Vega-Tables
Heroes and Villains
Side Two:
(Prayer) Holidays
Wind Chimes
Child is Father of the Man
Wonderful (Look)
Second Day
Surf's Up
Dumb Angel [Olorin Edition]
Side 1
Good Vibrations
The Elements [Fire/Water Chant/Workshop/Breathing]
Wind Chimes
Wonderful
Child is Father of the Man
Surf’s Up
Side A
Do You Dig Worms?
I’m in Great Shape
Vega-Tables
Heroes and Villains
Cabin Essence
My Only Sunshine
Dumb Angel [Romestamo Cut]
Side 1
(Prayer)
1. Do You Dig Worms
2. Heroes and Villains
3. Cabin Essence
(Taxi Cabber)
4. The Elements
5. Vega-Tables
Side A
6. Good Vibrations
7. Wind Chimes
8. Wonderful
(Ice Cream Man)
9. Child is Father of the Man
10. My Only Sunshine
11. Surf's Up
(George Fell Into His French Horn)
The order of the track lists may be of interest with regard to questions raised in this topic.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Dec 17, 2019 17:57:05 GMT
I'm resurrecting this topic to post three SMiLE mixes by a former BBT poster whose enthusiasm for SMiLE has since passed into legend (for it is she: these three were made and originally posted under the name Mujan). These two-movement mixes can be found at Vimeo (her alias there is Carbon Freeze) and more detailed descriptions are available online (she's posted literally hundreds of pages on the subject of SMiLE), and most probably at her blog (I don't feel it's ethical to reproduce and/or link everything here). One thing I must add is that all three mixes are well laced with skits and narrative, in chime with Brian's original idea. The first is my go-to SMiLE mix ( sans "Good Vibrations") but I intend to investigate the others more thoroughly in the fullness of time.
Aquarian SMiLE
Side One:(You're Welcome) Heroes and Villains Cabin Essence Do You Like Worms Mrs O'Leary's Cow Vega-Tables Heroes and Villains
Side Two:
(Prayer) Holidays
Wind Chimes Child is Father of the Man Wonderful (Look) Second Day Surf's Up Dumb Angel [Olorin Edition]Side 1 Good Vibrations The Elements [Fire/Water Chant/Workshop/Breathing] Wind Chimes Wonderful Child is Father of the Man Surf’s Up
Side A Do You Dig Worms? I’m in Great Shape Vega-Tables Heroes and Villains Cabin Essence My Only Sunshine
Dumb Angel [Romestamo Cut]Side 1(Prayer) 1. Do You Dig Worms 2. Heroes and Villains 3. Cabin Essence (Taxi Cabber) 4. The Elements 5. Vega-Tables
Side A6. Good Vibrations 7. Wind Chimes 8. Wonderful (Ice Cream Man) 9. Child is Father of the Man 10. My Only Sunshine 11. Surf's Up (George Fell Into His French Horn) The order of the track lists may be of interest with regard to questions raised in this topic. I remember these but I don't remember which one I preferred. I think it was Dumb Angel (Romestamo Cut) - and I think I asked her to consider opening with "You're Welcome" and putting "Our Prayer" before "Surf's Up" (I couldn't help it  ). I'd sure like to HEAR these mixes!
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Post by jk on Dec 17, 2019 21:12:03 GMT
I remember these but I don't remember which one I preferred. I think it was Dumb Angel (Romestamo Cut) - and I think I asked her to consider opening with "You're Welcome" and putting "Our Prayer" before "Surf's Up" (I couldn't help it ). I'd sure like to HEAR these mixes! Here you go, Sheriff. Regrettably, Olorin was taken down at Vimeo and is only available in a reversed form on Youtube. Aquarian SMiLEDumb Angel [Olorin Edition] Dumb Angel [Romestamo Cut]
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Dec 17, 2019 23:16:34 GMT
I remember these but I don't remember which one I preferred. I think it was Dumb Angel (Romestamo Cut) - and I think I asked her to consider opening with "You're Welcome" and putting "Our Prayer" before "Surf's Up" (I couldn't help it ). I'd sure like to HEAR these mixes! Here you go, Sheriff. Regrettably, Olorin was taken down at Vimeo and is only available in a reversed form on Youtube. Aquarian SMiLEDumb Angel [Olorin Edition] Dumb Angel [Romestamo Cut] Thanks, jk. I need me some SMiLE. I'm going to enjoy revisiting these over the next few weeks.
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Post by jk on Dec 18, 2019 11:36:37 GMT
Thanks, jk. I need me some SMiLE. I'm going to enjoy revisiting these over the next few weeks. You're welcome, Sheriff. I feel I need look no further than these wondrous mixes (I may be biased, of course). It's great that Cassandra's SMiLE legacy hasn't slipped from view. I can't think of a better candidate to author a SMiLE Bible but it seems she's moved on. That's life.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Dec 18, 2019 12:38:49 GMT
Thanks, jk. I need me some SMiLE. I'm going to enjoy revisiting these over the next few weeks. You're welcome, Sheriff. I feel I need look no further than these wondrous mixes (I may be biased, of course). It's great that Cassandra's SMiLE legacy hasn't slipped from view. I can't think of a better candidate to author a SMiLE Bible but it seems she's moved on. That's life. She is a SMiLE scholar, no doubt about that. I would still encourage her to publish her writings in some fashion. They are that good.
BTW, I snuck a quick listen in last night of Dumb Angel (Romestamo Cut) - I bumped some Christmas music  - and enjoyed it very much.
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Post by jk on Feb 16, 2020 20:11:06 GMT
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But, if I did begin my mix with "Heroes And Villains", I'd have that "Intro To Heroes And Villains" right in front of it, blasting out of the speaker(s), blowing minds. What a great way to start an album!
)! I hate to even ponder Smile without it. I think it's easiest to use it as an intro, but I'm open-minded about sequencing. 
- as the closer. There were/are a couple of other considerations. I always like the feel of "Heroes And Villains" (with the false barnyard section) fading over the horizon or off into the sunset. Or, speaking of fading off into the sunset, how about "You Are My Sunshine" as the album closer?
). I'd sure like to HEAR these mixes!
- and enjoyed it very much.
