Smile

[slimjim]

I was under the impression that Smile was one of the unknown mysteries of music, i.e. never completed. So how come, Brian WIlson's forthcoming tour proclaims that he will be playing it? What will we hear?

[mikewith]

Hello slimjim... 18 days, 10 hours and counting 'til we find out! There are any number of bootlegs out there featuring most of the tracks that were slate for Smile (in, for example, the running order on the unfinished but published cover art). And of course several of the tracks were released officially on other albums -- Good Vibrations, Vegetables, Surf's Up, Cabinessence etc etc. But you're right - we don't know if any of them ever reached the stage that Brian wanted them to reach. Though I suspect many of them did. Importantly (for me), judging by the Pet Sounds tour he will be faithful to the sound he had in his head in '67 rather than any concept of what a 2004 record should sound like, and for that we must give thanks. We shall doubtless have much to say after the concerts!

[mikewith]

Forgot to add - many of those bootlegs are available in one form or other online and most fans will have wanted to hear them. Have oyu? Now, though, I'm trusting in Brian and have put the boots away.

[slimjim]

Thanks for the answers. Haven't heard any bootlegs. Funny thing is, that it was through a recommendation on this site a few years ago that I started listening to BW. Went to see him at RFH 18 months ago and was blown away. Pet Sounds is now a permanent fixture in my car multichanger. Going to see him again in a few weeks (can't wait!) but didn't really know anything about Smile until I saw the promotional stuff. Investigated further and got the gist of the story (trying to beat Sgt Pepper, drug-fuelled, breakdown, a step too far, etc). Isn't it marvellous that he has lived to tell the tale? Which is, presumably, exactly what he will be doing on this tour (through his music).

[mikewith]

It's going to be a very intense, emotional experience listening to Smile and seeing Brian share it with people for the very first time. Whether you are relatively new to all this or whether you've been dreaming about Smile for years (and years, and years!) It'll be almost impossible for the music to live up to the expectations... or will it? I'm there the first two nights and the last, so by then I should have some answers...

[mikewith]

slimjim - here we go. In less than three hours the concert will have started and, if the Pet Sounds tour is anything to go by, we'll be an hour or so away from the opening notes of the opening song.... Our Prayer?.... Do You Like Worms?... who knows. I WANT TO KNOW!! And soon, I will. It's blowing my mind. Hope you enjoy it. Hope we all do - especially Brian!

[slimjim]

We're going Tuesday night. I'll let you know how it goes.

[mikewith]

slimjim. You're going to love it. Last night was... I'm speechless.. but... immense.