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Post by kds on Apr 22, 2020 14:17:36 GMT
This original Beach Boys documentary was somewhat rendered obsolete by 1998's EH doc. But, it's still a pretty good watch.
It does include some full length clips within the doc, such as the 1968 Sullivan performance of Good Vibrations. Personally, I think the full songs break up the narrative too much, and would've preferred they be included separately, but that's probably more of a me thing.
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Post by lonelysummer on Apr 24, 2020 19:32:21 GMT
Endless Harmony does a better job of telling the story, but American Band is a more enjoyable watch for me. I get tired of all the talking heads in EH; I don't really need Sean Lennon, Elvis Costello, Eric Clapton and Jackson Browne telling me about the group - i'd rather hear from the band themselves. I was one of the lucky few who got to see American Band in the theater back in early 1985, that was a real treat. Most of this footage was very rare at that time. Especially love Brian solo at the piano singing Surf's Up, and the early live footage of the guys - proving that this band could really rock on stage. Of course I got choked up when they showed Dennis near the end.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 24, 2020 19:54:57 GMT
I haven't watched this one in so long, I think I need to revisit it before I really try to say much of anything. I recall liking it but thinking along the lines of KDS, that it had been generally made less important by what has come since.
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Post by kds on Apr 25, 2020 0:27:28 GMT
Endless Harmony does a better job of telling the story, but American Band is a more enjoyable watch for me. I get tired of all the talking heads in EH; I don't really need Sean Lennon, Elvis Costello, Eric Clapton and Jackson Browne telling me about the group - i'd rather hear from the band themselves. I was one of the lucky few who got to see American Band in the theater back in early 1985, that was a real treat. Most of this footage was very rare at that time. Especially love Brian solo at the piano singing Surf's Up, and the early live footage of the guys - proving that this band could really rock on stage. Of course I got choked up when they showed Dennis near the end. I could be wrong, but I think the doc also showed the first (official at least) glimpse of Fire / Mrs. O Leary's Cow.
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Post by lonelysummer on Apr 26, 2020 20:34:42 GMT
Endless Harmony does a better job of telling the story, but American Band is a more enjoyable watch for me. I get tired of all the talking heads in EH; I don't really need Sean Lennon, Elvis Costello, Eric Clapton and Jackson Browne telling me about the group - i'd rather hear from the band themselves. I was one of the lucky few who got to see American Band in the theater back in early 1985, that was a real treat. Most of this footage was very rare at that time. Especially love Brian solo at the piano singing Surf's Up, and the early live footage of the guys - proving that this band could really rock on stage. Of course I got choked up when they showed Dennis near the end. I could be wrong, but I think the doc also showed the first (official at least) glimpse of Fire / Mrs. O Leary's Cow. That is true. I recall someone saying - might have been Leaf - that it was strange how much time was focused on the Smile sessions, despite some band members reported dislike/hatred of that music.
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Post by kds on Apr 27, 2020 0:27:31 GMT
I could be wrong, but I think the doc also showed the first (official at least) glimpse of Fire / Mrs. O Leary's Cow. That is true. I recall someone saying - might have been Leaf - that it was strange how much time was focused on the Smile sessions, despite some band members reported dislike/hatred of that music. Its almost like that hatred/dislike from band members toward Smile is a myth.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 27, 2020 0:36:36 GMT
That is true. I recall someone saying - might have been Leaf - that it was strange how much time was focused on the Smile sessions, despite some band members reported dislike/hatred of that music. Its almost like that hatred/dislike from band members toward Smile is a myth. On one hand, I think you're right that it's a myth. But I also think there was some truth to it. Not to be pedantic, but hey, that's who I am ... so, there are a couple definitions of myth. One is basically an origin story, a heroic tale, a history that, if we're honestly, isn't quite history. The other is the more colloquial false belief. I think this is somewhere around halfway between those two meanings.
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Post by kds on Apr 27, 2020 0:44:18 GMT
Its almost like that hatred/dislike from band members toward Smile is a myth. On one hand, I think you're right that it's a myth. But I also think there was some truth to it. Not to be pedantic, but hey, that's who I am ... so, there are a couple definitions of myth. One is basically an origin story, a heroic tale, a history that, if we're honestly, isn't quite history. The other is the more colloquial false belief. I think this is somewhere around halfway between those two meanings.
I do think there's some truth, especially with the radical lyrical departure. And I wouldn't blame any of the other Boys one bit for that. When they stopped singing about cars and surfing, the lyrics of Today, SDSN, and Pet Sounds were relateable. Then, suddenly here comes Parks with his abstract lyrics.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 27, 2020 1:06:24 GMT
I wouldn't doubt--or blame them--if it went even into the music. It was radically different, and they were hugely successful. There is nothing wrong with looking out for your interests as you see them.
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Post by kds on Apr 27, 2020 12:45:24 GMT
I wouldn't doubt--or blame them--if it went even into the music. It was radically different, and they were hugely successful. There is nothing wrong with looking out for your interests as you see them. It also had to be a little troubling that Brian couldn't seem to piece the album together. Especially at a time when bands were expected to churn out product consistently.
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