SMiLE postscript

Gentle Giant · November-9th-2005, 04:42 PM

Sorry, but I couldn't find my original thread about Brian Wilson's SMiLE release (probably Alistair hacked into the system and destroyed it

). I just read the following and I don't know whether to laugh or to get a 12-gauge and go looking for Mike "Don't Feel No" Love.

Mike Love filed a lawsuit against his former band mate Brian Wilson in Los Angeles Federal Court on Nov. 4 over Wilson's Smile project which was finally released in 2004 to much acclaim. Love's suit alleges that Wilson's promotional blitz for the album "shamelessly misappropriated Mike Love's songs, likeness, and the Beach Boys trademark, as well as the Smile album itself." The suit seeks damages amounting to millions of dollars that it claims were "illicit profits" and and additional $1 million-plus for international advertising "designed to correct the effects of its unfair competition and infringing uses." Other defendants include the Mail on Sunday and Sanctuary Records Group. Love, who cowrote many early Beach Boys classics with Wilson, alleges that the publicity campaign for Wilson's solo Smile album negatively affected sales of Beach Boys albums. He was particularly aggrieved when Wilson recently gave permission to the British newspaper The Mail to distribute 2.6 million copies of a Beach Boys' compilation disc for free in their paper. - E! Online

Let's be clear. Mike Love hated the original Smile and was a big reason why Brian was unable/unwilling to finish it. Furthermore, they're not his songs, and to argue that people were more interested in buying SMiLE than Holland or Beach Boys Party gets you a big DUH in my book. What a fucking turd.

Alastair · November-9th-2005, 07:03 PM

Mike Love is an ass. I'm with you 100% on this one

I"m surprised that no-one has objected to all these free CDs given away with newspapers before though. Don't know what it's like in the US, but every weekend the popular press are giving away free music. And then the record companies moan that no-one is buying their product...

stereojack · November-10th-2005, 10:25 AM

Poor Mike Love just can't stand to see Brian getting all the attention these days, while his Beach Boys are playing state fairs and the like.

Gentle Giant · November-10th-2005, 11:12 AM

Quotes from a press release:

Mike Love stated that, “Once again the people around Brian, my cousin and collaborator on many hits, who I love and care about, have used him for their own financial gain without regard to his rights, or my rights, or even the rights of the estates of his deceased brothers, Carl and Dennis, and their children.”

Mike Love said, “Unfortunately, history repeats itself. Because of Brian’s mental issues he has always been vulnerable to manipulation. I simply want to stop the infringers and stop the deception!”

If anyone has mental issues, it's Mike. Brian's doing just fine, thank you.

cookie · November-21st-2005, 02:19 PM

I'm glad you posted another Smile thread. I tried to find the old one a while back and it was gone. I just wanted to say that I bought it after one of my freshman students raved about it (in addition to your raving, GG) and I thought it was just wonderful. I listened to it one night on the way to a gig and there were places that made me grin and even laugh out loud with delight. So glad I bought it.

Don't know what Mike Love's major malfunction is, but boy, I've gained newfound respect and admiration for Brian Wilson!

BTW: the idea that Smile undermines sales of Beach Boys recordings is ridiculous. In fact, after I bought Smile, I *finally* bought my own copy of Pet Sounds!

Gentle Giant · November-21st-2005, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie

I'm glad you posted another Smile thread. I tried to find the old one a while back and it was gone. I just wanted to say that I bought it after one of my freshman students raved about it (in addition to your raving, GG) and I thought it was just wonderful. I listened to it one night on the way to a gig and there were places that made me grin and even laugh out loud with delight. So glad I bought it.

Don't know what Mike Love's major malfunction is, but boy, I've gained newfound respect and admiration for Brian Wilson!

BTW: the idea that Smile undermines sales of Beach Boys recordings is ridiculous. In fact, after I bought Smile, I *finally* bought my own copy of Pet Sounds!

Thanks for this post, cookie. Really warms my heart. If you're feeling in the holiday mood, check out Brian's website, where you can hear a few full tracks from his new Christmas album. It's not accurate to say he "Smile-izes" the classic Xmas repertoire, but he really is almost back at the peak of his powers in terms of creating lush yet complex vocal harmonies.

stereojack · November-23rd-2005, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

Thanks for this post, cookie. Really warms my heart. If you're feeling in the holiday mood, check out Brian's website, where you can hear a few full tracks from his new Christmas album. It's not accurate to say he "Smile-izes" the classic Xmas repertoire, but he really is almost back at the peak of his powers in terms of creating lush yet complex vocal harmonies.

I wonder what people here think about Brian's newer projects. I thought "Gettin' In Over My Head" was pretty lame, maybe because he was putting all of his energies into "Smile" (which I love). The previous album "Imagination" was OK but not outstanding. I'm approaching the Xmas album with extreme caution.

Gentle Giant · November-23rd-2005, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stereojack

I wonder what people here think about Brian's newer projects. I thought "Gettin' In Over My Head" was pretty lame, maybe because he was putting all of his energies into "Smile" (which I love). The previous album "Imagination" was OK but not outstanding. I'm approaching the Xmas album with extreme caution.

On his site, you can not only hear 5 tracks in their entirety, there's also a 19-minunte "making of" video that shows he is still a master producer and arranger. I agree that GIOMH is a mixed bag at best, not least because of the guest stars. Also, as Jazzooo has pointed out, the vocals are mixed to the point of shrillness. Imagination has actually aged pretty well.

The difference with the Christmas album is that this is standard material that he knows inside out, which gives him a launching pad to do some really interesting things with. And the two new numbers feature lyricists up to par with him: Jimmy Webb and Bernie Taupin.

BTW, if you're "the" Jack of Stereo Jack's, it's great to have you here! (And even if not, it's still good to have a SMiLE lover on board!)

stereojack · November-23rd-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

BTW, if you're "the" Jack of Stereo Jack's, it's great to have you here! (And even if not, it's still good to have a SMiLE lover on board!)

I confess, it's me.

Just about everybody I've talked to has given "Smile" the thumbs up, even those of us who were skeptical when we heard he was making it.

Your comments about the Xmas album have got me intrigued. Will check out the clips at his web site.

Gentle Giant · November-23rd-2005, 11:29 AM

Again, welcome. It's been a while since I've been in Stereo Jack's but last time I was there I found that rare Bill Evans/George Russell album, Living Time, in beautiful condition.

BRIAN'S UPCOMING T.V. APPEARANCES (UPDATED):

* November 28: Charlie Rose
* November 30: Christmas at Rockefeller Center
* December 6: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
* December 11: Extreme Home Makeover
* December 13: The Today Show
* December 13: The View

frankiepop · December-1st-2005, 12:56 AM

go mike!

Brian Olewnick · December-1st-2005, 08:36 AM

"Christmas in Rockefeller Center," 8 p.m. Wednesday, NBC. A celebration of the lighting of the famous New York tree, with music by Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood, Brian Wilson, the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Gentle Giant · December-1st-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

"Christmas in Rockefeller Center," 8 p.m. Wednesday, NBC. A celebration of the lighting of the famous New York tree, with music by Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood, Brian Wilson, the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Earth, Wind & Fire.

I missed the show last night, alhough I'm guessing it would have been hard to sit through. Probably Matt and Katie hosting?

Brian was charming but typically goofy on Charlie Rose. Brian's a hard interview because he's very conscious about giving people the answers he thinks they want to hear, and weird shit from the past just comes out. Like in response to a question about Pet Sounds, he said he was trying to beat Phil Spector, but he failed. For his part, Charlie is very good with Brian, clearly loves him, and gives him a lot of latitude (i.e., doesn't challenge him to make a bizarre answer clearer, knowing it would throw him off).

Root Doctor · December-1st-2005, 09:46 AM

The Mike Love/Bruce Johnston band were on Imus the other day. They made Vic Damone sound like Metallica.

Chris D · December-1st-2005, 10:18 AM

The "Beach Boys" played a casino up the road a couple of years ago. The weekly reporter whose story I happened across wrote mostly about Love's lame (and fruitless) attempts to pick her up.

frankiepop · December-1st-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris D

The Mike Love/Bruce Johnston band were on Imus the other day. They made Vic Damone sound like Metallica.

The "Beach Boys" played a casino up the road a couple of years ago. The weekly reporter whose story I happened across wrote mostly about Love's lame (and fruitless) attempts to pick her up.

sounds like mike is tearin' it up!
go mike!

Gentle Giant · December-2nd-2005, 09:28 AM

Not much under the cap:

"Hey, cousin, you want a nice car? Big house? All the chicks you want? Then shut up and sing what I tell you to sing!"

Gentle Giant · December-6th-2005, 09:04 AM

Here's an odd couple: Brian was recently interviewed by Public Enemy's Chuck D, which will be broadcast on 12/11.

frankiepop · December-10th-2005, 11:45 AM

gonna have to get my tv back on and buy a tivo for all this action television. how can i miss all this?

how bad do you think chuck d wants out from under that armpit.

brian do the right thing & write mike his check. it's christmas you know.