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CA Dreamin
Gender: Male
Location: LA 
- #1721
- Posted: 09/20/2025 15:04
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| Repo wrote: | OMG! It's even more complicated than I thought. I'm sure others may know this, but I just found out that there's even a THIRD version of this BeachBoys/Brian Wilson project...
Brian Wilson Presents Smile (2004) by Brian Wilson 
THIS version came out in 2004. The Smile Sessions came out in 2011.
So, considering these takes...
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| Filipe wrote: |
To be honest I'm really struggling to understand some of the decisions regarding the production on this album. Most Smile Sessions songs get a, IMO, worse treatment here.
I think having the context having heard "The Smile Sessions" (one of my favorite albums ever) prior really penalizes this album since it's hard not to see the versions here as downgrades.
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... I think it would be really helpful for us to continue to go in chronological order and critique Brian Wilson Presents Smile next and THEN The Smile Sessions < and then back to 1967 with Wild Honey.>
I think getting to experience Smiley Smile without the baggage of having hearing heard The Smile Sessions really helped me open up to Smiley Smile. As you guys point out, I had zero expectations of what it "should" sound like. So often how we first hear a version of a song feels the "right way" forever more, even if it's a cover! Just how are brain's are wired I guess!
Let me know if you guys think! 🤓 |
I'm shocked a music wiz like you was unaware of Brian Wilson Presents Smile (2004). I've listened to this version. It's solid, and similar to Smile Sessions. As BSotA mentions, it ties up loose ends and suggests what it could have been in 1967. Smile Sessions (2011) does the same using original recordings. Still, Wilson was in a different headspace by 2004, and there's dispute over how many musical changes he made when he returned to the project decades later. The truth is we'll never know what it would have been if it had been completed in 1967. It would not have sounded like Smiley Smile, the album that was actually released in '67. As for which album to discuss, again it's really complicated. Going in chronological order by recording date is murky because Smile Sessions (2011) has scattered recordings post-1967 (Ex. Our Prayer, Surf's Up, Cabin Essence). Maybe the best course of action would be to discuss all three simultaneously.
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on such a winter's day
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- #1722
- Posted: 09/20/2025 21:12
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To be honest, I agree wit hbaystateoftheart's suggestion.
Although you could consider that the recording of "The Smile Sessions" didn't actually finish in 1967 and was still kinda ongoing (since some of the songs were further refined and release throughout their 67-71 albums) I think the material is still quite similar and it would make sense for me to consider it as 1967 album.
As for the "Brian Wilson Presents Smile" album, even though it's not a super modern-sounding record, I feel that it's already much cleaner in a way that albums in the 60s could not be. I would definitely consider BWPS as a XXI century album.
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Repo
BeA Sunflower
Location: Forest Park
- #1723
- Posted: 09/22/2025 00:46
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Thanks for the great feedback, guys! Taking it all in and considering my own interests, I think the best plan of action would be to do The Smile Sessions next since it seems like most of the recording was finished by 1967 then actually going to Wild Honey, since that's also a 1967 release. It's absolutely BONKERS that Wild Honey was released just THREE MONTHS after Smiley Smile, but, NOT surprising. Capital Records must have positively shit themselves after hearing Smiley Smile. 
It will take me some time to do this ...
| CA Dreamin wrote: | | Maybe the best course of action would be to discuss all three simultaneously. |
... some justice, so I'll put this idea on the backburner & let it simmer until I feel I have a really good handle on all three of 'em. In the meantime, I'll try to consider The Smile Sessions, as best as I can, as an entirely separate piece of art. Hopefully I can get The Smile Sessions post up by next weekend (Sept 27th most likely) as I haven't really even started listening to it.
Thanks again, everyone and let me know if you have any further thoughts on how best to approach this! 🤓
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