This is a slideshow set to my mix of The Beach Boys' classic 'Heroes And Villains' and 'I'm In Great Shape'. Written by Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks, the music for both songs was recorded during sessions in 1966 and 1967 for the legendary uncompleted 'Smile' album.
HEROES AND VILLAINS
Considered to be the wellspring of ideas for much of what was recorded for Smile's Americana motif, Heroes and Villains went through an extraordinary number of changes during it's long gestation period. Though longer edits of the song in the 5 or 6 minute range were reported to have been created by Brian Wilson in 1967 (usually in a Part 1 and Part 2 type format), the song was finally released as a single in July of 1967 in a three and a half minute truncated form. It only reached a disappointing (for the Beach Boys) #12 on Billboard's Top 100, and signaled the beginning of a steep decline in the group's popularity. The single version was also subsequently included on the album ‘Smiley Smile’, an album that failed to deliver on the ambition and virtuosity of the Smile sessions (though the album does have it’s staunch supporters). The question lingers even after 50 years of what a 6 minute Heroes and Villains would have sounded like. This mix is my own fantasy version of an extended Heroes and Villains that embellishes the story of The Hero(?) and Margarita with humor and pathos. It is also a lighthearted tribute to the Western movies and TV shows that many of us grew up with as children of the 60s. I believe this to be in keeping with the intent of the song's creators', Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks, but heaven only knows. In this mix I've included all of the sections from the original single except the "my children were raised' section which was substituted with an alternate version. I've added the popular "Cantina" section along with a couple of Heroes and Villains "feels' that I used to help push the story forward.
I'M IN GREAT SHAPE
This is to be considered a ‘Heroes and Villains’ sequel, the hero's journey to California to find his peace in the late years of life.
It has been widely speculated that the bits of music labeled as 'I'm In Great Shape' during the Smile sessions were to be part of a rumored "Barnyard Suite" that grew out of the ‘Heroes and Villains’ concept of life on the American frontier. The fan mix presented here is my attempt to combine the sessions for 'I’m In Great Shape', 'Barnyard', 'Do A Lot', and 'With Me Tonight' into a hypothetical "Barnyard Suite” for Smile. This video for my proposed "Barnyard Suite" is an idyllic depiction of frontier farm life in 1800s America. I hope you enjoy it.
This slideshow was created with much love and respect for the music and it's creators, Brian, Van Dyke, Michael, Dennis, Carl, Al, Bruce, and all the marvelous musicians who played it. I also want to offer my gratitude and admiration for the beautiful creations of the artists whose work is featured. Now- I hope you'll sit back and enjoy the show.
Watch the Smile playlist for the entire album here:
• The Beach Boys- Smile ...
Негізгі бет Музыка Beach Boys- Heroes and Villains & I'm In Great Shape ('At Three Score and Five')
Пікірлер: 38