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{{Infobox Album <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Albums --> {{Infobox Album <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = Smile | Name = Smile
| Type = ] | Type = ]
| Artist = ] | Artist = ]
| Cover = Brian-wilson-smile-cover.jpg | Cover = Brian-wilson-smile-cover.jpg
| Released = ] ] | Released = ] ]
| Recorded = ]–] ] <br/> <small> Overdubs: May–June 2004 | Recorded = ]–], ] <br/> <small> Overdubs: May–June 2004
| Genre = ], ] | Genre = ], ]
| Length = 46:59 | Length = 46:59
| Label = ] | Label = ]
| Producer = Brian Wilson | Producer = Brian Wilson
| Reviews = | Reviews =
*] {{Rating-5|4.5}} *] {{Rating|4.5|5}}
*] (97%) *] (97%)
*''The Music Box'' {{Rating-5|5}} *''The Music Box'' {{Rating|5|5}}
*] (9.0/10) *] (9.0/10)
*'']'' {{Rating-5|5}} *'']'' {{Rating|5|5}}
*] (10/10) *] (10/10)
*] (A+) *] (A+)
*] (10/10) *] (10/10)
*] {{Rating-5|5}} *] {{Rating|5|5}}
| Last album = '']''<br />(2004) | Last album = '']''<br />(2004)
| This album = '''''Smile'''''<br />(2004) | This album = '''''Smile'''''<br />(2004)
| Next album = '']'' <br />(2005)}} | Next album = '']'' <br />(2005)}}
'''''Smile''''' is a solo album by ], with lyrics by ]. Wilson, Parks and ] completed the legendary ], started in 1966 for Wilson's former band, ]. It was released in the fall of 2004 with back-up from members of his touring band, ]. '''''Smile''''' is a solo album by ], with lyrics by ] released on CD and two-disc vinyl. Wilson, Parks and ] completed the legendary ], started in 1966 for Wilson's former band, ]. It was released in the fall of 2004 with back-up from members of his touring band, ].


==History== ==History==
Line 29: Line 29:
Work on the original Beach Boys version of '']'' (what Brian Wilson called 'a teenage symphony to God') began in 1966, following the release of their album '']'', and based on the recording mode of their single "]". But a combination of tensions within the band, recording difficulties, Brian Wilson's dissatisfaction with the project itself, and his eventual mental breakdown led to the collapse of its sessions. Remnant recordings from the 1966-67 sessions have since surfaced on bootleg recordings and official Beach Boys greatest hits compilations. Work on the original Beach Boys version of '']'' (what Brian Wilson called 'a teenage symphony to God') began in 1966, following the release of their album '']'', and based on the recording mode of their single "]". But a combination of tensions within the band, recording difficulties, Brian Wilson's dissatisfaction with the project itself, and his eventual mental breakdown led to the collapse of its sessions. Remnant recordings from the 1966-67 sessions have since surfaced on bootleg recordings and official Beach Boys greatest hits compilations.


The 2004 ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' album is in 3 suites. The first section deals with early Americana, from Plymouth Rock to the Old West, farmlands, the building of the railroad and new housing. The album, appropriately for a 'teenage symphony to God' begins with 'Our Prayer/Gee' which segues into ']' which was conceived as the cornerstone of the entire Smile album. The 'Heroes and Villains' lyric 'My children were raised, you know they suddenly rise. They started slow long ago, head to toe; healthy, wealthy and wise.' seems to tie in with the childhood/fatherhood theme of the second suite. 'Roll Plymouth Rock' partly reprises the Heroes and villains theme. The easy-going 'Barnyard' features band members mimicking farmyard animals. The clanging sound of metal evident on 'Cabin Essence' is echoed in 'Workshop' in the third suite. The 2004 ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' album is in 3 suites. The first section deals with early Americana, from Plymouth Rock to the Old West, farmlands, the building of the railroad and new housing. The album, appropriately for a 'teenage symphony to God' begins with 'Our Prayer/Gee' which segues into ']' which was conceived as the cornerstone of the entire Smile album. The 'Heroes and Villains' lyric 'My children were raised, you know they suddenly rise. They started slow long ago, head to toe; healthy, wealthy and wise.' seems to tie in with the childhood/fatherhood theme of the second suite. 'Roll Plymouth Rock' partly reprises the Heroes and villains theme. The easy-going 'Barnyard' features band members mimicking farmyard animals. The clanging sound of metal evident on 'Cabin Essence' is echoed in 'Workshop' in the third suite.


The second suite deals with childhood and fatherhood. With its music box melodies, it has a specifically Victorian feel (Victoriana is echoed in the style of the packaging and lyric book too), which is chronologically in keeping with where the previous suite leaves off. ']', which ] praised, continues the Victorian feel, with arcane, mysterious lyrics and considerable wordplay. The second suite deals with childhood and fatherhood. With its music box melodies, it has a specifically Victorian feel (Victoriana is echoed in the style of the packaging and lyric book too), which is chronologically in keeping with where the previous suite leaves off. ']', which ] praised, continues the Victorian feel, with arcane, mysterious lyrics and considerable wordplay.


The third suite is regarded, at least mostly, as 'The Elements Suite' that Brian Wilson had talked about. It initially continues the Victoriana feel again with the waltz-like 'I'm in great shape', which gradually grows darker and then becomes reminiscent of the kind of score that would be used at moments of growing tension or drama in cartoons, such as those by ]. Indeed, lyricist Van Dyke Parks has said that Brian Wilson has a 'cartoon consciousness'. 'I wanna be around' suggests the literal physical repair of a broken heart, fitting in with the 'Workshop' theme. Like 'I'm in great shape', 'Vega-Tables', epitomises the interest in health and fitness that Brian Wilson was said to have at the time. The song, like several on the album, has a carefree, humorous quality. 'Vega-Tables' also represents the 'Earth' theme of the 'Elements' which is either all or part of the third suite. 'On a holiday', originally an instrumental, has a reprise of the 'Roll Plymouth Rock' lyric and a distinctly jaunty pirate theme with some nursery rhyme-style lyrics, e.g. 'And isn't that a moon for a milky way?' The song segues into 'Wind Chimes', the 'Wind' part of the 'Elements' with the line 'Whisperin' winds send my wind chimes a-tinklin'. This song has a ] feel. This is followed by the 'Fire' element, the Grammy-award winning 'Mrs O'Leary's cow', which has a helter skelter, ghost train/fun house kind of sound. The song is regarded as something of an expression of Brian Wilson's use of psychedelic drugs at the time and the title refers to the suspected cause of the ], a cow that knocked over a lantern. The following song, 'In Blue Hawaii' (the 'Water' element) also makes reference to a cow: ('Wholly Holy Cow!'). The song acts as a soothing solution to the intense heat of the previous song: 'I could really use a drop to drink. Somewhere in a placid pool and sink.' The album ends on 'Good Vibrations' (which has been described as a 'pocket symphony'), undoubtedly the best known song on the album yet not originally intended for it. 'Good Vibrations' broadly goes through 3 distinct phases (as Smile does) and makes use of theremin-like sounds from an ], which had previously been used mainly in horror films. There is an indication that 'Good Vibrations' is meant to be regarded as separate from or perhaps an encapsulation of the spirit of the rest of 'Smile'. This is strongly suggested by the last line of the penultimate song 'In Blue Hawaii', 'Aloha nui means goodbye', and the reprise of the harmonies from the first song 'Our Prayer' before 'Good Vibrations' begins. Nevertheless, the tone and the choice of instrumentation in the song seems to bear more similarity to the rest of 'Smile' than to 'Pet Sounds' that some, including several Beach Boys, would have liked to have seen 'Good Vibrations' feature on. The third suite is regarded, at least mostly, as 'The Elements Suite' that Brian Wilson had talked about. It initially continues the Victoriana feel again with the waltz-like 'I'm in great shape', which gradually grows darker and then becomes reminiscent of the kind of score that would be used at moments of growing tension or drama in cartoons, such as those by ]. Indeed, lyricist Van Dyke Parks has said that Brian Wilson has a 'cartoon consciousness'. 'I wanna be around' suggests the literal physical repair of a broken heart, fitting in with the 'Workshop' theme. Like 'I'm in great shape', 'Vega-Tables', epitomises the interest in health and fitness that Brian Wilson was said to have at the time. The song, like several on the album, has a carefree, humorous quality. 'Vega-Tables' also represents the 'Earth' theme of the 'Elements' which is either all or part of the third suite. 'On a holiday', originally an instrumental, has a reprise of the 'Roll Plymouth Rock' lyric and a distinctly jaunty pirate theme with some nursery rhyme-style lyrics, e.g. 'And isn't that a moon for a milky way?' The song segues into 'Wind Chimes', the 'Wind' part of the 'Elements' with the line 'Whisperin' winds send my wind chimes a-tinklin'. This song has a ] feel. This is followed by the 'Fire' element, the Grammy-award winning 'Mrs O'Leary's cow', which has a helter skelter, ghost train/fun house kind of sound. The song is regarded as something of an expression of Brian Wilson's use of psychedelic drugs at the time and the title refers to the suspected cause of the ], a cow that knocked over a lantern. The following song, 'In Blue Hawaii' (the 'Water' element) also makes reference to a cow: ('Wholly Holy Cow!'). The song acts as a soothing solution to the intense heat of the previous song: 'I could really use a drop to drink. Somewhere in a placid pool and sink.' The album ends on 'Good Vibrations' (which has been described as a 'pocket symphony'), undoubtedly the best known song on the album yet not originally intended for it. 'Good Vibrations' broadly goes through 3 distinct phases (as Smile does) and makes use of theremin-like sounds from an ], which had previously been used mainly in horror films. There is an indication that 'Good Vibrations' is meant to be regarded as separate from or perhaps an encapsulation of the spirit of the rest of 'Smile'. This is strongly suggested by the last line of the penultimate song 'In Blue Hawaii', 'Aloha nui means goodbye', and the reprise of the harmonies from the first song 'Our Prayer' before 'Good Vibrations' begins. Nevertheless, the tone and the choice of instrumentation in the song seems to bear more similarity to the rest of 'Smile' than to 'Pet Sounds' that some, including several Beach Boys, would have liked to have seen 'Good Vibrations' feature on.
Line 39: Line 39:
In interviews to promote Smile, Brian Wilson has concentrated on the happy, humorous qualities of the music, which are evident. However, there is also a clear and beautiful melancholy in Brian Wilson's voice and throughout the album eg. on 'Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine' and 'Surf's Up'. The lyrics to 'You Are My Sunshine' have been altered to past tense, adding a reflective somberness. The intensity of the chorus on 'Cabin Essence' and of 'Mrs O'Leary's Cow', for just two obvious examples, show that the humour became entwined with dark, powerful, intensity as evidenced by the famous stories surrounding Smile. As Brian Wilson long referred to the innovative Smile as 'inappropriate music', though, it is understandable that he would wish to concentrate on the unambiguously happy aspects of the project. In interviews to promote Smile, Brian Wilson has concentrated on the happy, humorous qualities of the music, which are evident. However, there is also a clear and beautiful melancholy in Brian Wilson's voice and throughout the album eg. on 'Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine' and 'Surf's Up'. The lyrics to 'You Are My Sunshine' have been altered to past tense, adding a reflective somberness. The intensity of the chorus on 'Cabin Essence' and of 'Mrs O'Leary's Cow', for just two obvious examples, show that the humour became entwined with dark, powerful, intensity as evidenced by the famous stories surrounding Smile. As Brian Wilson long referred to the innovative Smile as 'inappropriate music', though, it is understandable that he would wish to concentrate on the unambiguously happy aspects of the project.


==Resurrection== ===Resurrection===
On ], ], 37 years after it was conceived, a complete version of ''Smile'' was performed by Wilson along with his backing band, which includes former Beach Boys guitarist ], members of ] and percussionist Nelson Bragg, in a live performance at the ] in ]. This performance was made whole by the addition of either lost or newly-composed lyrics that filled the gaps left open by the original 1966-67 Beach Boys sessions. This show was followed by subsequent performances elsewhere in Britain. On ], ], 37 years after it was conceived, a complete version of ''Smile'' was performed by Wilson along with his backing band, which includes former Beach Boys guitarist ], members of ] and percussionist Nelson Bragg, in a live performance at the ] in ]. This performance was made whole by the addition of either lost or newly-composed lyrics that filled the gaps left open by the original 1966-67 Beach Boys sessions. This show was followed by subsequent performances elsewhere in Britain.


Recording of the new version of ''Smile'' began in April 2004 with his ten-piece touring band, augmented by a ten-piece string section and an acoustic bassist. The basic tracks were taped at Sunset Sound in just four days, with overdubbing and mixing continuing through April, May, and June. Recording of the new version of ''Smile'' began in April 2004 with his ten-piece touring band, augmented by a ten-piece string section and an acoustic bassist. The basic tracks were taped at Sunset Sound in just four days, with overdubbing and mixing continuing through April, May, and June.


On ], ], Brian Wilson released his newly recorded studio version of ''Smile'', to critical praise. ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' is the greatest scoring album of at least the last 7 years based on ]'s estimations of various critics reviews. For the new version, Wilson, Wondermints leader Darian Sahanaja, woodwind player/string arranger ], and lyricist Van Dyke Parks based their arrangements on the original, unreleased Beach Boys tapes to give ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' a coherent and fresh, updated sound. On ], ], Brian Wilson released his newly recorded studio version of ''Smile'', to critical praise. ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' is the greatest scoring album of at least the last 7 years based on ]'s estimations of various critics reviews. For the new version, Wilson, Wondermints leader Darian Sahanaja, woodwind player/string arranger ], and lyricist Van Dyke Parks based their arrangements on the original, unreleased Beach Boys tapes to give ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' a coherent and fresh, updated sound.


Interestingly, although Brian was reported to have only included "Good Vibrations" in the original ''Smile'' track listing at Capitol's insistence, a new version of the song&mdash;featuring Wilson's ''Pet Sounds'' collaborator Tony Asher's original lyrics, rather than the later Mike Love lyrics&mdash;was included as the closing track of the album. Careful listening, though, shows that a reprisal of the 'Our Prayer' harmonies and the line 'Aloha nui means goodbye' effectively puts a full stop, or at least a semi-colon, on Smile after 'In Blue Hawaii' with Good Vibrations seeming more an encapsulation of the rest of the album's spirit or, indeed, a stand alone statement, just as the The Beatles 'Paperback Writer' or 'We Can Work It Out' were. Interestingly, although Brian was reported to have only included "Good Vibrations" in the original ''Smile'' track listing at Capitol's insistence, a new version of the song—featuring Wilson's ''Pet Sounds'' collaborator Tony Asher's original lyrics, rather than the later Mike Love lyrics—was included as the closing track of the album. Careful listening, though, shows that a reprisal of the 'Our Prayer' harmonies and the line 'Aloha nui means goodbye' effectively puts a full stop, or at least a semi-colon, on Smile after 'In Blue Hawaii' with Good Vibrations seeming more an encapsulation of the rest of the album's spirit or, indeed, a stand alone statement, just as the The Beatles 'Paperback Writer' or 'We Can Work It Out' were.


The new ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' album was followed by two U.S. tours, with its featured stop in ]'s ] (this concert was broadcast on radio's ] network). Wilson and company also took the show to ] and ], as well as many countries throughout Europe. The new ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' album was followed by two U.S. tours, with its featured stop in ]'s ] (this concert was broadcast on radio's ] network). Wilson and company also took the show to ] and ], as well as many countries throughout Europe.


The ] cable network released a documentary film about the making of ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' known as "Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile." in the fall of 2004. And a ] of a live version of the new ''Smile'' (shot in an ] studio) was released in May 2005, along with the Showtime/"Beautiful Dreamer" documentary. The ] cable network released a documentary film about the making of ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' known as "Beautiful Dreame
r: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile." in the fall of 2004. And a ] of a live version of the new ''Smile'' (shot in an ] studio) was released in May 2005, along with the Showtime/"Beautiful Dreamer" documentary.


In 2005, ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' won graphic artist Mark London and Rhino Records the 2005 ALEX award for Best Vinyl Package. In 2005, ''Brian Wilson Presents Smile'' won graphic artist Mark London and Rhino Records the 2005 ALEX award for Best Vinyl Package.


==Track listing== ==Track listing==
All songs by ] and ], except where noted. All songs by ] and ], except where noted.

⚫ #"]/]" (Brian Wilson/William Davis and ]) - 2:09
⚫ #"]" - 4:53
⚫ #"]" - 3:48
⚫ #"Barnyard" - 0:58
⚫ #"Old Master Painter/]" (Haven Gillespie and Beasley Smith/Jimmie Davis) - 1:04
⚫ #"]" - 3:27
⚫ #"]" - 2:07
⚫ #"Song for Children" - 2:16
⚫ #"Child Is Father of the Man" - 2:18
⚫ #"]" - 4:07
⚫ #"I'm in Great Shape/]/Workshop" (Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks/] and Sadie Vimmerstedt/Brian Wilson) - 1:56
⚫ #"]" - 2:19
⚫ #"On a Holiday" - 2:36
⚫ #"]" - 2:54
⚫ #"]" (Brian Wilson) - 2:27
⚫ #"]" - 3:00
⚫ #"]" (Tony Asher, ], and Brian Wilson) - 4:36


⚫ # "]/]" (Brian Wilson/William Davis/]) - 2:09
⚫ # "]" - 4:53
⚫ # "]" - 3:48
⚫ # "Barnyard" - 0:58
⚫ # "The Old Master Painter/]" (Haven Gillespie/Beasley Smith) - 1:04
⚫ # "]" - 3:27
⚫ # "]" - 2:07
⚫ # "Song for Children" - 2:16
⚫ # "Child Is Father of the Man" - 2:18
⚫ # "]" - 4:07
⚫ # "I'm in Great Shape/]/Workshop" (Brian Wilson/Van Dyke Parks/]/Sadie Vimmerstedt) - 1:56
⚫ # "]" - 2:19
⚫ # "On a Holiday" - 2:36
⚫ # "]" - 2:54
⚫ # "]" (Brian Wilson) - 2:27
⚫ # "]" - 3:00
⚫ # "]" (Brian Wilson/Tony Asher/]) - 4:36
===Bonus tracks=== ===Bonus tracks===
<ol start="18"><li> "Heroes and Villains" (Instrumental) - 4:46</li>
⚫ The following track appeared on the second edition release of ''Smile''.
#<li value=18> "Heroes and Villains" (Instrumental)" - 4:46 <li>"Cabin Essence" (Instrumental) - 3:27</li>
<li>"On a Holiday" (Instrumental) - 2:36</li>
<li>"Wind Chimes" (Instrumental) - 2:54</li></ol>

⚫ The first of these tracks appeared on the second-edition CD release of ''Smile'', all of them constitute side four of the vinyl release.


==Reception== ==Reception==
Line 86: Line 92:
''Smile'' hit #13 in the US during a chart stay of 17 weeks. It reached #7 in the UK. ''Smile'' hit #13 in the US during a chart stay of 17 weeks. It reached #7 in the UK.


==Further reading== ==Singles==
]
]
Three singles were released to promote the album:
*"]" was released on CD and 7" vinyl prior to the album's release and included live versions of "Our Prayer" and "Good Vibrations" from the live debut of Smile recorded at ], in ] on ]-].


*"]" was released in the ] as a one-sided 10" single on clear vinyl. The track was remixed as the Freeform Reform Version by the London band ].
⚫ One of the principal sources of original information on ''Smile'', and the basis for much of its legendary status, was ]'s article which appeared in the first issue of '']'' in October 1967. Almost equally influential was Domenic Priore's 1987 book ''Look, Listen, Vibrate, Smile''.


*"]" had a limited release of 5,000 on blue, green, and yellow vinyl backed with "Wind Chimes."
⚫ In ]'s novel ''Glimpses'', the time-traveling protagonist meets and befriends Brian Wilson, and encourages Wilson to complete ''Smile'' over the objections of his bandmates. ''Glimpses'' won the ] ] for Best Novel.

==Personnel==
*] - ], ], and ]
*] - ]

===]===
*] - vocals, keyboards, ]s, ]
*] - vocals, ], ]s, ]
*] - vocals, guitar, ]
*] - vocals, guitar, ], ], whistles
*] - ], mallets, ], ]
*] - ], guitar, ]
*] - ], ], ], ]
*] - vocals, ], leg-slap
*] - vocals, keyboards, mallets, drill, ]
*] - vocals, guitar, ], ]s

===]===
*] - ]
*] - ]
*] - ]
*] - ]
*] - violin
*] - ]
*] - saxophone, ], ]
*] - cello


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}
⚫ One of the principal sources of original information on ''Smile'', and the basis for much of its legendary status, was ]'s article which appeared in the first issue of '']'' in October 1967. Almost equally influential was Domenic Priore's 1987 book ''Look, Listen, Vibrate, Smile''.

⚫ In ]'s novel ''Glimpses'', the time-traveling protagonist meets and befriends Brian Wilson, and encourages Wilson to complete ''Smile'' over the objections of his bandmates. ''Glimpses'' won the 1994 ] for Best Novel.


==External links== ==External links==
Line 109: Line 148:
{{Brian Wilson}} {{Brian Wilson}}


⚫ ]
] ]
] ]
⚫ ]


] ]

Revision as of 21:57, 1 April 2008

Untitled

Smile is a solo album by Brian Wilson, with lyrics by Van Dyke Parks released on CD and two-disc vinyl. Wilson, Parks and Darian Sahanaja completed the legendary unfinished album project, started in 1966 for Wilson's former band, The Beach Boys. It was released in the fall of 2004 with back-up from members of his touring band, Wondermints.

History

Main article: Smile (Beach Boys album)

Work on the original Beach Boys version of Smile (what Brian Wilson called 'a teenage symphony to God') began in 1966, following the release of their album Pet Sounds, and based on the recording mode of their single "Good Vibrations". But a combination of tensions within the band, recording difficulties, Brian Wilson's dissatisfaction with the project itself, and his eventual mental breakdown led to the collapse of its sessions. Remnant recordings from the 1966-67 sessions have since surfaced on bootleg recordings and official Beach Boys greatest hits compilations.

The 2004 Brian Wilson Presents Smile album is in 3 suites. The first section deals with early Americana, from Plymouth Rock to the Old West, farmlands, the building of the railroad and new housing. The album, appropriately for a 'teenage symphony to God' begins with 'Our Prayer/Gee' which segues into 'Heroes and Villains' which was conceived as the cornerstone of the entire Smile album. The 'Heroes and Villains' lyric 'My children were raised, you know they suddenly rise. They started slow long ago, head to toe; healthy, wealthy and wise.' seems to tie in with the childhood/fatherhood theme of the second suite. 'Roll Plymouth Rock' partly reprises the Heroes and villains theme. The easy-going 'Barnyard' features band members mimicking farmyard animals. The clanging sound of metal evident on 'Cabin Essence' is echoed in 'Workshop' in the third suite.

The second suite deals with childhood and fatherhood. With its music box melodies, it has a specifically Victorian feel (Victoriana is echoed in the style of the packaging and lyric book too), which is chronologically in keeping with where the previous suite leaves off. 'Surf's Up', which Leonard Bernstein praised, continues the Victorian feel, with arcane, mysterious lyrics and considerable wordplay.

The third suite is regarded, at least mostly, as 'The Elements Suite' that Brian Wilson had talked about. It initially continues the Victoriana feel again with the waltz-like 'I'm in great shape', which gradually grows darker and then becomes reminiscent of the kind of score that would be used at moments of growing tension or drama in cartoons, such as those by Disney. Indeed, lyricist Van Dyke Parks has said that Brian Wilson has a 'cartoon consciousness'. 'I wanna be around' suggests the literal physical repair of a broken heart, fitting in with the 'Workshop' theme. Like 'I'm in great shape', 'Vega-Tables', epitomises the interest in health and fitness that Brian Wilson was said to have at the time. The song, like several on the album, has a carefree, humorous quality. 'Vega-Tables' also represents the 'Earth' theme of the 'Elements' which is either all or part of the third suite. 'On a holiday', originally an instrumental, has a reprise of the 'Roll Plymouth Rock' lyric and a distinctly jaunty pirate theme with some nursery rhyme-style lyrics, e.g. 'And isn't that a moon for a milky way?' The song segues into 'Wind Chimes', the 'Wind' part of the 'Elements' with the line 'Whisperin' winds send my wind chimes a-tinklin'. This song has a new age music feel. This is followed by the 'Fire' element, the Grammy-award winning 'Mrs O'Leary's cow', which has a helter skelter, ghost train/fun house kind of sound. The song is regarded as something of an expression of Brian Wilson's use of psychedelic drugs at the time and the title refers to the suspected cause of the Great Chicago Fire, a cow that knocked over a lantern. The following song, 'In Blue Hawaii' (the 'Water' element) also makes reference to a cow: ('Wholly Holy Cow!'). The song acts as a soothing solution to the intense heat of the previous song: 'I could really use a drop to drink. Somewhere in a placid pool and sink.' The album ends on 'Good Vibrations' (which has been described as a 'pocket symphony'), undoubtedly the best known song on the album yet not originally intended for it. 'Good Vibrations' broadly goes through 3 distinct phases (as Smile does) and makes use of theremin-like sounds from an Electro-Theremin, which had previously been used mainly in horror films. There is an indication that 'Good Vibrations' is meant to be regarded as separate from or perhaps an encapsulation of the spirit of the rest of 'Smile'. This is strongly suggested by the last line of the penultimate song 'In Blue Hawaii', 'Aloha nui means goodbye', and the reprise of the harmonies from the first song 'Our Prayer' before 'Good Vibrations' begins. Nevertheless, the tone and the choice of instrumentation in the song seems to bear more similarity to the rest of 'Smile' than to 'Pet Sounds' that some, including several Beach Boys, would have liked to have seen 'Good Vibrations' feature on.

The album was supposedly conceived as a musical journey across America from east to west, beginning at Plymouth Rock and ending in Hawaii, as well as traversing some of the great themes of American history and culture, including the impact of white settlement on native Americans, the influence of the Spanish, the Wild West, and the opening up of the country by railroad and motorway. It seems chronological, moving from early America through the Victorian era and ending with the 1960s drug culture (eg. Mrs O'Leary's Cow) and the Hawaii of 'In blue Hawaii' which, in terms of American statehood (since 1959), was very recent when the album was first conceived.

In interviews to promote Smile, Brian Wilson has concentrated on the happy, humorous qualities of the music, which are evident. However, there is also a clear and beautiful melancholy in Brian Wilson's voice and throughout the album eg. on 'Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine' and 'Surf's Up'. The lyrics to 'You Are My Sunshine' have been altered to past tense, adding a reflective somberness. The intensity of the chorus on 'Cabin Essence' and of 'Mrs O'Leary's Cow', for just two obvious examples, show that the humour became entwined with dark, powerful, intensity as evidenced by the famous stories surrounding Smile. As Brian Wilson long referred to the innovative Smile as 'inappropriate music', though, it is understandable that he would wish to concentrate on the unambiguously happy aspects of the project.

Resurrection

On February 20, 2004, 37 years after it was conceived, a complete version of Smile was performed by Wilson along with his backing band, which includes former Beach Boys guitarist Jeff Foskett, members of The Wondermints and percussionist Nelson Bragg, in a live performance at the Royal Festival Hall in London. This performance was made whole by the addition of either lost or newly-composed lyrics that filled the gaps left open by the original 1966-67 Beach Boys sessions. This show was followed by subsequent performances elsewhere in Britain.

Recording of the new version of Smile began in April 2004 with his ten-piece touring band, augmented by a ten-piece string section and an acoustic bassist. The basic tracks were taped at Sunset Sound in just four days, with overdubbing and mixing continuing through April, May, and June.

On September 28, 2004, Brian Wilson released his newly recorded studio version of Smile, to critical praise. Brian Wilson Presents Smile is the greatest scoring album of at least the last 7 years based on Metacritic's estimations of various critics reviews. For the new version, Wilson, Wondermints leader Darian Sahanaja, woodwind player/string arranger Paul Mertens, and lyricist Van Dyke Parks based their arrangements on the original, unreleased Beach Boys tapes to give Brian Wilson Presents Smile a coherent and fresh, updated sound.

Interestingly, although Brian was reported to have only included "Good Vibrations" in the original Smile track listing at Capitol's insistence, a new version of the song—featuring Wilson's Pet Sounds collaborator Tony Asher's original lyrics, rather than the later Mike Love lyrics—was included as the closing track of the album. Careful listening, though, shows that a reprisal of the 'Our Prayer' harmonies and the line 'Aloha nui means goodbye' effectively puts a full stop, or at least a semi-colon, on Smile after 'In Blue Hawaii' with Good Vibrations seeming more an encapsulation of the rest of the album's spirit or, indeed, a stand alone statement, just as the The Beatles 'Paperback Writer' or 'We Can Work It Out' were.

The new Brian Wilson Presents Smile album was followed by two U.S. tours, with its featured stop in New York's Carnegie Hall (this concert was broadcast on radio's NPR network). Wilson and company also took the show to Australia and New Zealand, as well as many countries throughout Europe.

The Showtime cable network released a documentary film about the making of Brian Wilson Presents Smile known as "Beautiful Dreame r: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile." in the fall of 2004. And a DVD of a live version of the new Smile (shot in an L.A. studio) was released in May 2005, along with the Showtime/"Beautiful Dreamer" documentary.

In 2005, Brian Wilson Presents Smile won graphic artist Mark London and Rhino Records the 2005 ALEX award for Best Vinyl Package.

Track listing

All songs by Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks, except where noted.

  1. "Our Prayer/Gee" (Brian Wilson/William Davis and Morris Levy) - 2:09
  2. "Heroes and Villains" - 4:53
  3. "Roll Plymouth Rock" - 3:48
  4. "Barnyard" - 0:58
  5. "Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine" (Haven Gillespie and Beasley Smith/Jimmie Davis) - 1:04
  6. "Cabin Essence" - 3:27
  7. "Wonderful" - 2:07
  8. "Song for Children" - 2:16
  9. "Child Is Father of the Man" - 2:18
  10. "Surf's Up" - 4:07
  11. "I'm in Great Shape/I Wanna Be Around/Workshop" (Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks/Johnny Mercer and Sadie Vimmerstedt/Brian Wilson) - 1:56
  12. "Vega-Tables" - 2:19
  13. "On a Holiday" - 2:36
  14. "Wind Chimes" - 2:54
  15. "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" (Brian Wilson) - 2:27
  16. "In Blue Hawaii" - 3:00
  17. "Good Vibrations" (Tony Asher, Mike Love, and Brian Wilson) - 4:36

Bonus tracks

  1. "Heroes and Villains" (Instrumental) - 4:46
  2. "Cabin Essence" (Instrumental) - 3:27
  3. "On a Holiday" (Instrumental) - 2:36
  4. "Wind Chimes" (Instrumental) - 2:54

The first of these tracks appeared on the second-edition CD release of Smile, all of them constitute side four of the vinyl release.

Reception

SMiLE received high critical acclaim from music critics, earning a 97 on Metacritic. It is currently one of the highest ranked albums in their database. Rolling Stone gave the album five out of five and said, "Smile is beautiful and funny, goofily grand." Robert Christgau who was skeptical of the album back in the 60's was also impressed, "I considered the legend of Smile hot air back then, this re-creation proves he had plenty more to make of it." Cokemachineglow writer Scott Reid praised the album for surpassing hype, "Defying most all fan fears, not to mention several laws of logic and nature, SMiLE has arrived as incredible and ground-breaking a record as any of us could have hoped."

The album also received multiple nominations for the 2004 Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (for Mark Linett). The album won one Grammy, in the category of Best Rock Instrumental Performance (for "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow," the same track which had caused Wilson such mental anguish at the end of the original recording sessions).

Charts

Smile hit #13 in the US during a chart stay of 17 weeks. It reached #7 in the UK.

Singles

File:Brian Wilson - Good Vibrations.jpg
Vinyl release of "Good Vibrations" from the album.
File:Brian Wilson - Our Prayer.jpg
Clear vinyl release of "Our Prayer" remix.

Three singles were released to promote the album:

  • "Our Prayer" was released in the United Kingdom as a one-sided 10" single on clear vinyl. The track was remixed as the Freeform Reform Version by the London band Freeform.
  • "Wonderful" had a limited release of 5,000 on blue, green, and yellow vinyl backed with "Wind Chimes."

Personnel

Wondermints

Stockholm Strings 'n' Horns

References

  1. Brian Wilson: SMiLE (2004): Reviews
  2. Smile : Brian Wilson : Review : Rolling Stone
  3. Robert Christgau: CG: Brian Wilson
  4. http://www.cokemachineglow.com/reviews/wilson_smile2004.html
  5. CNN.com - Kanye West leads Grammy nominations - Dec 7, 2004
  6. USATODAY.com - Grammy Award nominees in top categories
  7. CNN.com - List: Major Grammy nominations - Dec 7, 2004
  8. 2004 Grammy Awards - Grammy Nominations - Grammy Winners 2005

One of the principal sources of original information on Smile, and the basis for much of its legendary status, was Jules Siegel's article "Goodbye Surfing, Hello God!" which appeared in the first issue of Cheetah Magazine in October 1967. Almost equally influential was Domenic Priore's 1987 book Look, Listen, Vibrate, Smile.

In Lewis Shiner's novel Glimpses, the time-traveling protagonist meets and befriends Brian Wilson, and encourages Wilson to complete Smile over the objections of his bandmates. Glimpses won the 1994 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel.

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