One of the most anticipated albums of all time finally made its official public appearance last year. SMILE, was to be the Beach Boys’ finest hour, and was originally due to be released some 38 years ago. For various reasons, Mr. Wilson was never able to complete his magnum opus, until a couple years ago. Alas, the most inexplicable album in rock history was finally demystified—and came out sounding as perfectly pop as could be imagined. Coming in as one of 2004’s best releases, the story behind the original album, as well as the finished release, is fascinating.
In a nutshell (as small a one as possible), Wilson—who had long since quit touring with the Beach Boys to concentrate on creating the groundbreaking PET SOUNDS album—was working on SMILE, with his collaborator, lyricist Van Dyke Parks. As Wilson’s grandiose ideas began to take shape, recording budgets were overrun, while industry and fan anticipation ran high. His unbounded obsession with the material, countered by the general disapproval of his fellow Beach Boys—and an increasing dependency on drugs and booze—eventually drove him to a nervous breakdown. The anxiously awaited album was ultimately shelved under a cloud of suspicion and speculation, leaving a hand full of bootlegs to fill the void.
This new 2-DVD release begins with the Showtime TV documentary BEAUTIFUL DREAMER: BRIAN WILSON AND THE STORY OF SMILE. The documentary chronicles the whole bizarre tale of the elusive masterpiece and its ultimate release. Directed by renowned producer and Wilson-biographer David Leaf, BEAUTIFUL DREAMER traces the decades-old saga of Wilson’s mythical work. The story is told through a montage of vignettes, and interviews with friends, musicians, producers and musical peers, including Elvis Costello, Roger Daltrey, Jeff Bridges and Beatles producer Sir George Martin. There are also some entertaining bits with Wilson himself.
The second disc features a live version of the entire album recorded in Los Angeles. Aside from Wilson’s emblematic return, the highlight of the concert is his stellar band that seamlessly brings the complex vocal and musical parts to life. Beach Boys standards “Heroes and Villains” and “Good Vibrations” that eventually appeared on other albums, sound as vibrant as ever, while the obscure “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow,” is bizarre but intriguing.
The package also features tons of bonus material including a theatrical trailer, highlights from SMILE’s 2004 world premier at London’s Royal Festival Hall, a photo gallery and a poster, all in a textured slipcase. BRIAN WILSON PRESENTS SMILE is an entertaining and personal story of one of rock’s great visionaries, and his most ambitious body of work. Highly recommended.
+ Jim Kaz
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