It just goes to show that no amount of studio gloss can make a silk purse out of an sow's ear. That is really something. I've always found the (in my opinion) over production of "Pet Sounds" off putting. This sounds like something from "SMiLE". Awesome. Thanks.
It really is stunning. But tell me, do the other voices sound familiar? Normally, I can distinguish Al from Mike from Brian, etc. But when the layers start at the end, I can't.
Regardless of who put the bomp in the bomp-bah-bomps at the end, it is one halvah track. Beautifully wistful melody and lyrics from the Beach Man. Now put the blanket down and come back outta that hole!
All is forgiven. Except now I'll probably have "God Only Knows" in my head all day.
I didn't think the Jagger song was so awful (I don't recall hearing it before). I just don't think his voice and mannered style are a good fit with the production. Or maybe it's just that it works so well in the Stones that it's hard to hear him another way.
On closer listening, I think it's Brian doing most of the vocals, bass, organ and click track with help from Carl on guitar and a vocal. That would make it technically both a demo and a rehearsal.
This made me melt, so insanely beautiful. Didn't Carl sing the final version? This sounds like all Brian?
Sal, for me it's a tie between "God Only Knows" and "Don't Worry Baby", both breathtaking in different ways. "DWB" I love because of the way it builds. I also think parts of "Good Vibrations" are stunning. The verses are gorgeous and sung amazingly.
In general, Brian's genius breaks my heart. I guess his backstory adds to that. He is so very special. And Carl sang like an angel. I cannot believe I can love the BB's so much while detesting Mike Love beyond words! ;)
Just to clarify: This stripped down version of 'GOK' was recorded in the summer of '67, along with a bunch of other tunes from the BB's then-setlist ("You're So Good to Me," "The Letter," "California Girls," etc. They were headed to Hawaii to record a new live album (with Brian onstage), but just in case they didn't play well they also wanted to have studio versions of the live arrangements to make up for whatever shortcomings the live tracks had. They already had a title for the album: 'Lei'd In Hawaii.'
The voices on the 'GOK' are split between Carl (who sings lead), Brian and Bruce Johnston, who perform the beautiful outro as per their original parts on 'Pet Sounds.'
Also, that's Brian humming the french horn line in the opening bars.
My cell won't support the video but I can only guess this was the cut on the Endless Harmony soundtrack...liner notes trumpeting Brian's contribution to this "live" rehearsal....well that's all I have on this....if I feel like kvelling I play the version with the occapella tag....divine....
How can you choose between "God Only Knows" and 'Don't Worry Baby" and "Darlin" and "Good Vibrations" and ... all the rest. Stunning version. Never heard it before. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, thanks! I go back and forth between several of the songs on Pet Sounds as my fave - Wouldn't It Be Nice, Wasn't Made for These Times - but this tips the scale to GOK!
It just goes to show that no amount of studio gloss can make a silk purse out of an sow's ear. That is really something. I've always found the (in my opinion) over production of "Pet Sounds" off putting. This sounds like something from "SMiLE". Awesome. Thanks.
ReplyDeletenice reference to halavah made the previous post all worthwhile. Mick should have taken early retirement.
ReplyDeleteIt really is stunning. But tell me, do the other voices sound familiar? Normally, I can distinguish Al from Mike from Brian, etc. But when the layers start at the end, I can't.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of who put the bomp in the bomp-bah-bomps at the end, it is one halvah track. Beautifully
ReplyDeletewistful melody and lyrics from the Beach Man. Now
put the blanket down and come back outta that hole!
All is forgiven. Except now I'll probably have "God Only Knows" in my head all day.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think the Jagger song was so awful (I don't recall hearing it before). I just don't think his voice and mannered style are a good fit with the production.
Or maybe it's just that it works so well in the Stones that it's hard to hear him another way.
I think it's all Brian. It reminds me of "Busy Doin' Nuthin'", which is essentially a home demo.
ReplyDeleteHere's my question: Has there ever been a better Beach Boys (or BW) song after this one?
ReplyDeleteThis song is so breathtakingly beautiful.
I had thought "Don't Worry Baby" was the pinnacle of BW's talent (well, the lyrics suffer a bit) until I heard this one.
God Only Knows is flawless -- even Bowie's version can't kill it.
The song is listed as a "live rehearsal," which is why I didn't think it was all Brian, but that info could be incorrect.
ReplyDeleteOn closer listening, I think it's Brian doing most of the vocals, bass, organ and click track with help from Carl on guitar and a vocal. That would make it technically both a demo and a rehearsal.
ReplyDeleteThis made me melt, so insanely beautiful. Didn't Carl sing the final version? This sounds like all Brian?
ReplyDeleteSal, for me it's a tie between "God Only Knows" and "Don't Worry Baby", both breathtaking in different ways. "DWB" I love because of the way it builds. I also think parts of "Good Vibrations" are stunning. The verses are gorgeous and sung amazingly.
In general, Brian's genius breaks my heart. I guess his backstory adds to that. He is so very special. And Carl sang like an angel. I cannot believe I can love the BB's so much while detesting Mike Love beyond words! ;)
what's wrong with halvah at a little league game?
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify: This stripped down version of 'GOK' was recorded in the summer of '67, along with a bunch of other tunes from the BB's then-setlist ("You're So Good to Me," "The Letter," "California Girls," etc. They were headed to Hawaii to record a new live album (with Brian onstage), but just in case they didn't play well they also wanted to have studio versions of the live arrangements to make up for whatever shortcomings the live tracks had. They already had a title for the album: 'Lei'd In Hawaii.'
ReplyDeleteThe voices on the 'GOK' are split between Carl (who sings lead), Brian and Bruce Johnston, who perform the beautiful outro as per their original parts on 'Pet Sounds.'
Also, that's Brian humming the french horn line in the opening bars.
And there you have it. Thanks Peter.
ReplyDeleteMy cell won't support the video but I can only guess this was the cut on the Endless Harmony soundtrack...liner notes trumpeting Brian's contribution to this "live" rehearsal....well that's all I have on this....if I feel like kvelling I play the version with the occapella tag....divine....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteHow can you choose between "God Only Knows" and 'Don't Worry Baby" and "Darlin" and "Good Vibrations" and ... all the rest. Stunning version. Never heard it before. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks! I go back and forth between several of the songs on Pet Sounds as my fave - Wouldn't It Be Nice, Wasn't Made for These Times - but this tips the scale to GOK!
ReplyDeleteAt least for now...
what a wonderful end to the day!
ReplyDeleteas cmealtha said, impossible to choose a favorite.
Wow.
ReplyDeleteJust wow.
Incidentally, the second verse sounds like Carl to me, but I could very likely be wrong.
How come no one ever mentions "Kiss Me Baby" ??
ReplyDelete