It’s taken nearly forty years to get to this point. Back in 1966, one of rock ‘n’ roll’s young stars wanted to make an album that would knock everyone’s socks off. A rock opera named ‘Smile’. Something to compete with the British invaders — specifically the Beatles. Remember, we’re talking 1966: a time when LBJ was president, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were still here and TV shows like ‘Bonanza’, ‘Red Skelton’, ‘Batman’ and ‘Family Affair’ were all the rage.
The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson wanted to use the same recording techniques he pioneered on his album ‘Pet Sounds’ — recording intricate parts of songs then editing them together into one coherent masterpiece.
Armed with the music he wrote, and lyrics by Van Dyke Parks, Wilson began recording what was to be known as 'Smile' 38 years ago. The publicity about the recording project was amazing. All the rock magazines of the times were competing for the latest details. The buzz was overwhelming. It was impossible to avoid at the time.
But there were other forces at work. Wilson’s nervous breakdown and the subsequent decades of regeneration have been well documented. ‘Smile’, and the recording sessions became legend — the most famous album never to be released.
And after the ‘Smile’ session tapes were shelved some of the songs did manage to escape — including mega hits ‘Good Vibrations’, ‘Surf’s up’ plus ‘Heroes and Villains’. Others graced the next few Beach Boys albums in the late ’60s such as the fragmented ‘Smiley Smile’ and ‘20/20’. But the public was never able to hear the entire album that Wilson had in mind.
Until now. About a year ago, Brian Wilson started to pick up the pieces. He and Van Dyke Parks got back together and finished ‘Smile’. Wilson, who’s been recording/performing his material again decided to try to produce a live version of 'Smile' with his current band.
On February 20 of this year, he performed 'Smile' live in London at Royal Festival Hall. The standing ovations seemed to last forever. British newspapers hailed it as pure genius. Finally, it was time to record it for posterity.
The musicThat’s the history behind Tuesday’s release, but no one can prepare you for what this album sounds like. Don’t forget, this is basically what was going through Wilson’s mind nearly 40 years ago — as filtered through his mind today. There’s lots of revisionist stuff inside — but somehow it all works beautifully.
The rock opera has 17 songs divided into three parts — each anchored by an original 'Smile' session hit from the 60s: ‘Heroes and Villains’, ‘Surf’s up’ and ‘Good Vibrations’. There are other favorites included like ‘Vege-tables’ (originally recorded without the dash in the title), ‘Our Prayer’ and ‘Wind Chimes’.
Some of the songs’ most famous lyrics have been revised. There’s a new verse in the middle of ‘Heroes and Villains’. And, when you hear the first verse of ‘Good Vibrations’ ("I-I love the colorful clothes she wears. And she’s already workin’ on my brain. I-I only looked in her eyes, but I picked up something I just can’t explain”) you know you’re listening to the 2004 version.
‘Smile’ recounts little slices of life in American history. There’s probably lots of hidden meaning in the lyrics. I’ll leave that to the historians. On the other hand, there are some lyrics that are easy to figure out. Let’s take the background vocals on the song ‘Cabin Essence’ — where the singers sing what is basically a sound effect: “Do-ingg, do-ingg, do-ingg, do-ingg.” Not high art — but they serve the purpose.
What I can tell you is that the album is beautifully recorded. Wilson’s love of Phil Specter’s Wall of Sound recording technique is perfectly realized in this disk. There are layers upon layer of sound — and all of them easily discernable. Strings, horns, voices, sound effects all come together in a magnificent work.
Wilson recorded this new version of 'Smile' in the same studio used for the original ‘Good Vibrations’ and ‘Heroes and Villains’ sessions — Studio One at Sunset Sound in Hollywood. The original sound console, wired with tubes instead of transistors, was used to record the vocals. Sound quality here is pretty amazing.
So is Brian Wilson’s singing voice. This guy can really belt out the tunes when he has to — and the falsetto is still there. Pretty good for a guy in his early 60s. He’s a role model for all baby boomers. Even though Brian didn’t sing lead on all the ‘Smile’ originals that were originally released he’s made each and every song his own.
Overall, ‘Smile’ is well worth hearing — and owning. I know there’s a revisionist trend that's popular now that deconstructs many songs/rock groups from the past. In many cases what they have to say is valid. Some of the hit music from the past really stinks. But, not this album.
Thirty-seven years after its anticipated release, ‘Smile’ is nothing more or less than advertised: at times it’s beautiful, thoughtful, rocking and even silly at points. As a whole it really is an American masterpiece. Wilson and Parks have done a wonderful thing, bringing this music to the public. I’m grateful that they never gave up hope.
Wilson and his band are going to be performing 'Smile' live in a limited number of venues in the next few weeks. I hope to be among those lucky few who will get to hear it. I hope you are too.