Honestly in a sense, the way SMiLE is - being constantly reimagined by the fans - feels like one of the highest honors for an album. To he continuously remade by those who have no stock or promise of profits yet do so anyway is praise of the highest calibre, a true sign of love from the audience. What If's can be truly wonderful.
I’ve said on Reddit and I’ll say it again, SMiLE is the greatest album of all time specifically for being unreleased and full of legendary amounts of concepts and music.
@@dartboardpicasso very good point! Interactive album, I love it! My Reddit post was also about how all the mixes that are able to come from the material. I wrote that if say SMiLE was actually released we would have the final track sequence for better or for worse. It wouldn’t have this level of obsession or analysis, and the parts that didn’t shine as brightly might have actually hurt the album. In this instance fans make countless mixes putting in the best parts.
compared to most any other rock star known for using drugs, brians drug use was fairly mild. he had a few years of messing with hash, amphetamines and barbiturates and took a small handful of LSD trips. despite his insistence that he ruined his life with drugs, he is sadly just severely mentally ill. im sure drugs played a role, but they are a huge red herring in the "downfall of brian/smile/BB's" story.
@@d1943i Impossible to know that for sure. Drugs like LSD might be fine for the vast majority, but every drug can harm a small minority of people. Thinking there's zero risk is naive?
Yeah one of the best parts of BWPS is the transition between “Holidays” and “Wind Chimes” with the “whispering wind sends my wind chimes a-tingling” refrain. It’s straight-up angelic
This is an astonishing piece of work, and is single handedly responsible for me changing my mind about the potential of AI. As a SMiLE freak of 35 years standing I can honestly say this is without doubt the best version I've ever heard. Kudos.
@@farrellmcnulty909 Sounds like projection. IDC much about AI here. I have a copy of The Beach Boys Smile Sessions and Brian Wilson's Smile. They work for me.
@@jml-rj5re I hear you. Sorry I got aggressive in my last comment. I was listening to the extra added harmonies on "I Wanna Be Around" on this thing when I saw your comment and I was in the zone.. I imagined it on a Capitol label in 1967 and being the stateside version of Pepper - with all this psychedelia on both sides of the Atlantic. It would've been great I have both Brian Wilson's version and The Sessions" and they're just great. The Sessions CD has really beautiful versions of Love to Say Da Da and Good Vibrations and when I heard those I knew the perfect versions were finally out.
@@farrellmcnulty909 The Wrecking Crew musicians (e.g., Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine, Tommy Tedesco, etc.) were freaking out, it was so good. Some of Brian's songs had passages in Multiple Keys at the Same Time!
0:00 - Our Prayer 1:06 - You’re Welcome 2:11 - Heroes and Villains 5:40 - I’m In Great Shape 6:03 - Barnyard 8:47 - Do You Like Worms? 12:19 - Cabin Essence 16:02 - The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine 17:08 - Wonderful 19:38 - Fire / Mrs. O'Leary's Cow 21:27 - I Wanna Be Around (Workshop) 22:28 - Vega-Tables 25:59 - Wind Chimes 28:56 - Child Is Father Of The Man 31:56 - I Love To Say Dada / In Blue Hawaii 33:39 - Child Is Father Of The Man (Reprise) 34:06 - Surf’s Up
"Child Is Father of the Man" and "Surf's Up" were hands down the highlights of this mix for me; the former gave me physical chills and the latter nearly reduced me to tears. Let us all remind ourselves, Smile was supposed to release in early 1967! You really outdid yourself with this mix along with trying to get it posted, my utmost respect to you and thank you for everything, Dae Lims, very excited for the future. It crushes my soul that this album was never released...
Even if it was completed, I'm not too sure how well it would have done. It feeds extremely hard into Brian's crumbling mental state at the time, and I'm not sure how palatable it would have been to most people. Dae Lims did an excellent job showcasing it with an extremely well done mastering.
@@canaconn2388 It would all come down to the conditions of the release and how Brian assembles it. I personally think that if every single thing went right with production and there was no outside issues and an on-schedule release date of January of '67, the absolute best case scenario, it would have been a home run. It was the height of the psychedelic movement and I think many people would have been open to listening to it and would probably like it (again, depends on how it's assembled/sounds). Who really knows though, events can play out in thousands of different ways, what we got was just one of them.
lol for real. I imagine Capitol receiving this and what they would have thought of their big cash cow Brian Wilson. To go from being the biggest American rival to the Beatles to this... @@canaconn2388
but by not releasing it.....Brian....inadvertently (or not?) created an enigma that people...who are wired in a certain way...have been trying to figure out for 55 years
I never thought that Surf's Up would make a good closing track, but man, the coda here is such a bold, defiant, triumphant rewriting of history and I absolutely love it. My god. It's like Brian traveled back in time to give the middle finger to everyone who worked against him and doubted. This reimagining of SMiLE is a trip. Well done.
This one is pretty impressive. Surf's Up is one of my favorite songs from the Smile sessions but certainly not for the Child is the Father ending. This completely changes the tone of the song... for the better??
Everything sounds great but the ending - ii ended way too soon... Surf's up should definitely last longer. How about ending it with the some a capella vocal chord ('a chiiiiild') Brian's solo band used when they performed it live?
@@DuetOjciecisynI agree that this version of Surf’s Up was working beautifully until the very end bit with all the talking. That’s probably not specifically what you were referring to, but my two pennies is that I think it would have worked so much better with a slow fade, perhaps as you suggested… into an a capella with the “child” refrain… then silence for a second… and *_THEN_* the talking bit. That’s how I would have done it at least, _if_ I had the know how and the proper technology. Aside from that one little thing, I think this was a near-perfect take on SMiLE.
After deep diving into Smile lore over the last 20 years and piecing my own version of Smile together using both Brian’s version and the material released in 2011, I listened to your version wondering what more could be done with Smile. Well, I am gobsmacked! My version and pretty much any other up to now, did not flow from song to song. The missing element was the lack of connective segues and overlaps into and out of each song. You now have accomplished that! And good call on using Surf’s Up as the finale and leaving out Good Vibrations. Surf’s Up (especially with the tweaks you added) will always, in my mind, be Brian’s masterpiece. Wonderful job!!
I feel like I just witnessed an alternate reality. Very moving. Thank you for working so hard on this. GREAT ending, you truly evoke the spirit of SMiLE
I'm not deep into Beach Boys, but this is excellently made. The fidelity is as clear as a modern recording. The mixing is on par and it sounds like what producers would have done if they'd had modern technology. The Beach Boys' harmonies are legendary and lend themselves to creative stereo mixing. This does not disappoint. Well done!
Well, 8 months have gone by and it is time for a more fulsome response. I could write a 10,000 word article on Dae Lims SMILE re-creation (and perhaps I will), but I'll try to be concise. I am one of the Smile "O.G.s"--that is, I was a Smile freak nearly 50 years ago. I consider myself one of the top 500 or so "experts" in the world (as are many of the people who have commented below). I made my first Smile mix tape in 1976. At the time I had never heard a Smile mix tape; I didn't even know it was a "thing"; I just wanted to make a coherent musical statement using the music that I loved. I had limited resources to work with--Smiley Smile, the "completed" versions of Surf's Up, Cabinessence, Cool, Cool Water and Our Prayer, as well as a couple of bootlegs. Fortunately today we have a wealth of source material. All of my mix tapes started with Our Prayer, then moved through Gee and Heroes & Villains. They always ended with Surf's Up. It turns out that many people had the same idea. I have always been astonished by the beauty and wonder of this music, and attracted by the "what if" aspect. None of us knows what Smile would've sounded like in a "final" version. Hell, Brian himself didn't know what he was going to do with it, so anyone who claims they "know" what a final version would have entailed is an idiot or a liar. Thus, any intelligent attempt to piece it together is valid. Much has been made of Dae Lims sequencing. It is not how I imagined it. An effort must be made to empty your mind of preconceived notions and receive the music as if it were brand new. In my view, this version of Smile, had it appeared in 1967, would be cited as the greatest album ever made! Yes, better than Pet Sounds and Pepper. I have listened all the way through dozens of times, and cannot finish it without tears in my eyes. In these 38 minutes, Dae Lims gives us a unique look at "what could have been". This project--conceived by Brian (with Van Dyke Parks) and recorded by Brian and The Beach Boys--with finishing touches by Dae Lims--stands as a monumental work of art. A longtime friend heard it and said he didn't care for it. "WTF?" was my response. He said, "it's not in the official order". I don't know if the "official" order he was referring to was the Beach Boys release of a few years ago or the 2004 Brian Wilson version. Again, there IS no official order, and BRIAN HIMSELF didn't know how he was going to finish it. An effort must be made to approach this honestly as if you were hearing it for the first time in 1967. This will not stop the "what would SMILE have been like" parlor game. Would Brian have included Good Vibrations? Would he have recorded additional instrumentation or vocals (almost certainly)? Would he have made a double album? The possibilities are endless and there will never be a definitive answer. There are so many nice touches that I can't list them without going off on a thousand tangents. The point is, Dae LIms has an uncommon degree of skill and taste. His A.I. voices are spot-on. He has a producer's knack for imagining what "should" be there. There are occasions where you can hear Dae singing, but generally the added voices are extremely realistic representations of Brian, Mike, Carl, Al and Dennis. my original review at the time of release 9 months ago: Good Lord this is gorgeous. Too many highlights to list, but I'll mention a couple, using examples from Surf's Up: the swelling chorus of voices at 36:42 and unexpected key change; the Brian falsetto @36:52; the Mike bass voice 37:05; the lonely tenor sax signature at 37:14; the growing discordant undercurrent at about 37:54 which gives way to the ending (which I won't give away--"follow the bouncing ball"). I am familiar with Rembrandt, Mozart, Martin Luther and the other greats of modern art and philosophy, but for me, this is the high water mark of Western Civilization. Do yourself a favor: pour a glass of wine, find a comfy chair, slip on some headphones, close your eyes and spend the next 38 minutes in a beautiful world. You won't want to come back! Don't cheat and forward to the end. Listen to it completely and be stunned.
Very well put! I think what is so monumental for me about this is that it is something I thought would never be possible. The infuriating thing about SMiLE for me has always been that the music is phenomenal, but every way of listening to it has always had very significant drawbacks. Brian’s 2004 version is very polished and complete sounding, but it lacks the Beach Boys, the Wrecking Crew, Brian’s angelic 66/67 voice, Brian at his best being in complete control of the production, and the overall otherworldly surreal quality that those original recordings have. The running order is also undeniably essentially a (very good) Brian Wilson approved fan-mix that doesn’t at all represent “how it would have been” (if such a thing even exists) On the other hand, fan-mixes using the original recordings all sound fragmented, unfinished (because they are,) and they lack cohesion. But Dae Lims has managed to create a version that not only does an excellent job of filling out the unfinished Beach Boys recordings in ways that sound and feel authentic (I love that all the added stuff is Brian Wilson melodies and Van Dyke Parks lyrics,) and in a way that flows incredibly well and feels cohesive, but, unlike BWPS, is also realistic for a ‘67 LP. And above all, it sounds COMPLETE! Listening to this version is the first time I’ve felt like I can listen to the music without any of the very significant drawbacks that previous versions have always had. So, for me, I really consider this to be the definitive “complete” SMiLE (Although I did swap “Gee” for “You’re Welcome,” despite liking Dae Lims’ choice.) I hope your friend comes around on this version, but if not, I say it’s their (very unfortunate) loss!
@@stevenbrule5285 "The running order is also undeniably essentially a (very good) Brian Wilson approved fan-mix that doesn’t at all represent “how it would have been” (if such a thing even exists)"--this is something that everyone should keep in mind. I love Darian and he did a great job, but he is not B.W. circa 1967.
@@jeffcampbell4602 Yeah, exactly! A lot of people seem to treat the BWPS track-list as a sacred cow that should never be tampered with, which I understand, since it is the “official” order approved by Brian, but I think this mentality is misguided and fails to understand that BWPS and The Beach Boys’ SMiLE are two related but completely separate entities. The Beach Boys’ SMiLE is an unfinished album that will always be a tragically incomplete mystery, and BWPS is an excellent effort to assemble the music from The Beach Boys’ SMiLE sessions in a coherent way to perform it live with completely different people than the original sessions. But at the end of the day, I think the “definitive” SMiLE is whatever way each individual chooses to listen to the material. Whether that be BWPS, the official 2011 release of the Beach Boys’ sessions, someone’s fanmix, or your own personal mix, each way of listening is completely valid
@@jeffcampbell4602 Yeah, exactly! I think a lot of people treat the BWPS track-list as a sacred cow that should never be tampered with, which is understandable, since it is the “official” track-list approved by Brian himself, but I think this mentality is misguided and ignores the fact that BWPS and The Beach Boys’ SMiLE are two related but completely separate entities. The Beach Boys’ SMiLE is an unfinished album that will always be a tragically incomplete mystery, while BWPS is an effort to arrange the music from The Beach Boys’ SMiLE sessions in a coherent way to be performed live by a completely different group of people. But at the end of the day, I think the “definitive” SMiLE is whatever way each individual chooses to listen to the material. Whether that’s BWPS, the officially released Beach Boys’ sessions from 2011, someone’s fan-mix, or your own personal mix, all are completely valid
I can't get over how great the verses on Do You Like Worms sound. This whole release is revelatory big congrats! Now I'm downloading this asap to hear in my car.
@@jeffcampbell4602 it’s not there. It’s a joke. I’m making fun of the joke, because, again, McCartney didn’t even meet Linda yet and was engaged to someone else.
This deserves SOOO much more recognition than it has. Despite the limits of AI, especially in mid 2023 when this was made, this is something that I doubt even Peter Jackson and anyone at record studios with AI tech could pull off.
I'm 35 and just discovered Brian Wilson's genius last year. Been obsessed and also been avoiding all the A.I. recommendations but this one, this one is insane! It's like 90% Brian Wilson and 10% "if Brian Wilson had a computer in 1967 this is what it would've sounded like". Absolutely stunned.
Those Surf's Up changes hit hard. That's been my consistent favourite song since I first heard it years and years ago and I did not think it could be changed in a way to improve it but here we are.
Too complex to get all of the first time around. It's poetic, beautiful in its obscurity. I saw that no one mentioned it yet, but I LOVE the ending, reminds me of train/dogs in pet sounds and the interview in Today! It's a very cathartic ending that I can totally see Brian doing!
Absolutely fantastic job! Great to hear the new vocals that were missing before. I'm not sure what to think about the track listing yet, but that could be because I'm so used to Brian's 2004 version. Thanks Dae and keep it up!
I thought everyone was joking when they said this was the full SMILE experience, but truly it is a complete full new mix better then anything I've heard, you can hear every layer, every not, every vibration of every word from lil AI Brian's voice. It truly is a work of art
This conveys the weirdness and mystery of Smile better than any of the versions I've heard, official or otherwise. It manages to capture the creepy undertone of the Smiley Smile album with the production values of Smile. A+
I absolutely adore how, in your rendition of SMILE, you've captured the essence of Brian's vocal intentions on "Do You Like Worms," incorporating elements that seemed to resonate only through the deep background captured by talkback mics. It's this attention to detail, picking up on nuances that are often overlooked, that truly sets your version apart. This is precisely what I felt was lacking in the BWPS release of 2004. Ever since experiencing the SMILE box set, I've been hoping for someone to unearth and appreciate these hidden treasures, and you've done just that!
I actually find it really inspiring and Dae Lims obviously is a HUGE HUGE BB fan that has put a lot of love into his creations. The Smile reworking is a genuine work of genius. Set aside 40 mins and listen in its entirety. Too many moments of beauty to mention but I’m re listening to Our Prayer while the moon is out and it’s a spiritual experience
This stands alone. A highly creative mix. Definitely makes me rethink parts of my mix. The beauty of Smile is that so much is possible with it, and you realized so many tantalizing “what if”s from the sessions. It was fascinating to hear some of those obscure session oddities brought to life, like the rehearsal version of Gee and Brian’s mysterious instructional vocal on Worms. The spoken word section of CIFOTM is a really creative choice. I hope you do a single for Song For Children (and an updated fanmixer toolkit/vocal models) 😁
WOW!! Just stumbled upon this and can't even begin to express how impressed I am with the final outcome! Amazing job!! I can imagine the amount of dedication/commitment plus the level of pure brain straining hard work it must have taken to finish this, is likely far beyond what most of us are capable of. And that's not even factoring in the countless hours of material and multiple takes and alternate takes and revisions and all the other stuff on those tapes. I'm not sure if this was done by 1 person or a team of people, but either way. Thanks for doing this! Its amazing!!!
DUDE, you HAVE to release a vocals only version of Child is the Father of the Man, I Love to Say Dada, and Surf’s Up at the VERY LEAST!!! Love it so much! Had me wide-eyed like I was listening to it for the first time again.
Also, as someone with perfect pitch, the pitch correction of the second half of Vega-tables did not go unnoticed, always bugged me the original recording went a little sharp/played fast there 😂 my ears thank you again
Magnificent technical talent across the board here, sir! What you did here is really remarkable and groundbreaking in terms of the quality and care that fans should put when playing with this technology. You should really go in the Beach Boys fan history books. I have a lot of favorites here: the best mix of Wonderful I've heard yet, especially in your selectivity of what to add, the Mike Love leads on just the right tracks, and---my favorite A.I. Beach Boys vocalist---A.I. Jardine on I Love to Say Dada's last bit. Oh, and holy smokes---probably one of the coolest things I've ever heard: the integration of the 1967 piano demo's key change and the live 1973 version's usage of "Child"'s arrangement into Surf's Up ending. I dare say that your work on that ending embodies the myth and expectation of what Smile could have been and sounded like more than anything yet released. That is what Smile "should have" sounded like. In terms of this being the "definitive" version of Smile, I think that can only exist in each fan's individual mind. I hope that you found yours through your work on this.
I agree; there is no excepted universal definitive version of SMiLE by the Beach boys. It is probably the most organic album in pop history. About the new vocals, I haven't read all of the comments here, but has anybody mentioned AI Dennis on "child is father of the man "? I always had it in my head that Mike would sing those lyrics but Dennis is a much better idea.
The mixing and new vocal additions on this are amazing. The only thing I would change is switching “you’re welcome” for “Gee”. I feel like Gee builds the momentum better for H&V. But other than that, this is spectacular. Well done!
@@tednugent1100 I don’t like You’re Welcome, but the thing is, this isn’t my mix. Dae Lims can do whatever he wants. It’s his mix for our enjoyment. If I wanted to hear Gee there, I would listen to the Smile Box.
@@tednugent1100 Same. Welcome is more than welcome here. Definitely. Accustomed to Gee after Prayer is not a good argument. Open your ears, sisters. The only thing: the transition from 1 to 2 is not smooth enough? Can be fixed, it seems to me.
I will say, after listening to this several times, the "You're Welcome" placement is growing on me. Still personally prefer "Gee", but now understand more what Dae Lims was going for. It's definitely a good artistic choice.
I will rarely post a comment on any platform, but I really need to thank you, Dae Lims. I can't imagine all the decisions that went into creating an absolutely perfect SMiLE. This is very much the alternate universe SMiLE where Brian finished it. I appreciate the 38 minute album-like running time. I appreciate the lushness of the production, which feels like a progression from Pets Sounds. No tracks in your production sound "unfinished" like the ones we've all lived with for decades. Your arrangements fit in seamlessly along side Brian's. It's a blessing that you are both extremely musical, and that you've also mastered the AI tech to make these miracles happen. Thank you for your most excellent work!
Wow. This is genuinely the most awestruck I’ve been by a Beach Boys fan project in a long time. The AI material is so tastefully blended with the existing recordings! It feels like “filling in the blanks” rather than going overboard. Not to mention the creative liberties you DID take feel 100% plausible, and just sound so damn good. I found myself cracking SMiLES in more than a few spots, and the Surf’s Up finale is a work of art. I felt my hairs raise at that lift. I never would’ve fathomed something like this after hearing your AI model of 1970 Brian sing “All I Wanna Do” back in March. It’s incredible how far you and the technology have come, thank you for sharing this with us. Well done, Dae Lims. Well done!!!!
I hope Brian gets to hear this one day, especially “Child is the Father of the Man” through “Surfs Up”. To me the changes and added verses are absolutely perfect. I went back and listened to other “real” recorded versions of them and found myself missing the changes found here. It’s brilliant.
I have cried bc Brian is diagnosed with dementia and his wife recently died, so this is healing me. I am crying for happiness, gratitude, sadness, everything, this helps keep the energy of joy and healing in his art alive even when he is going through it
Normally, I'm a bit uncomfortable when people tinker with an artist's vision without their input, especially an artist like Brian Wilson. This, though, is incredible. I love it so much. I keep going back to revisit it and listen again. You really captured Smile as it probably would've been had Mike Love and the rest of the guys let Brian fully realize his vision in 1967. I also truly believe that if this had been released when intended, the world of music would've fundamentally changed. I think it would've changed a lot of the directions other pop artists were taking, including the Beatles. I would love to see what that alternate universe was like! Thank you so much for making this! My favorite is probably that you expanded Barnyard, which I feel should've been longer to begin with- it's just such a pleasant and fun tune. Also, your mix of Wonderful had me crying. I love this so much.
@@sweetsoftdog1105 I started listening to them as a young teenager, mainly their earlier stuff, and then around my senior year of high school I really listened to more of the post-Pet Sounds stuff and fell in love. I was a junior when the Smile Sessions came out and I remember just eating it up. Excellent stuff.
@@nevercomestheday it's almost a perfect album. It's like a sentimental Mark twins, Looney toons Pop opera. Its almost like Jack Stuaber. It doesn't sound like anything else at that time.
@@nevercomestheday ever heard Brian's song he wrote for his daughter's “Everything I Need” demo? It's a great example of why I believe Brian never peaked really. He was always capable of writing songs akin to his mid-60s greats but never had the right support team or confidence again. If not for the Beach Boys’ commercial appeal. It was Landry, and then it was Joe Thomas wanting him to be marketable in the '90s. Brian's best work is when he's left alone or has a like-minded collaborator
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE MONTHS BEFORE WE GOT TO HEAR THIS!!! Thank you a million times!!! Would you be able to upload a lossless version of the album and the isolated tracks to mega or something like that?
Outstanding work, technically, creatively and musically. I didn't think you would ever surpass the SMiLE A.D. mixes you produced several years ago, but you have. Mark Linett and Alan Boyd should give you a call. Brian Wilson should take you out for a steak dinner. I can only give you my sincere thanks.
phenomenal, i feel your works have been defying my expectations of AI art in that it is super creative, not lazy and very well crafted! keep up the great work, cant believe how well this is executed. you’re truly at the forefront of this AI music stuff and I’m so glad that you’re interested in exploring its incorporation in Beach Boys and Beatles work especially 🙌 it’s a real treat
Dae lims, you are an artist. Everyone has been looking forward to this, many Believe it to be the definite version of smile. In my mind this is the idea of smile. I don’t believe smile can be completed because I don’t believe smile is an album. I believe it is an idea or a way of thinking. “Smile is experimental music” This is the most experimental music we’ve seen in a long time. A new frontier of art is among us and this is the pioneer for much more experimental music. You have blown everyone away with what you have been able to express with this new medium. Thank you.
@@JulioLeonFandinho If you watch the documentary Brian wasn’t that involved in that project as many believe, he did contribute, but that was more Darians smile imo
@@patrickdykes9709if you watch the supplementary smile session footage from 2004, it’s obvious Brian was running a lot more of the show than the doc let on, as Brian was also hedging in case it wasn’t well received. He also did this in California Music in the 70s. Brian absolutely was involved in directing the project more than previously thought and the entire footage is there on RUclips. In no way was he passive once they got into the actual studio. I don’t know why everyone thinks Brian is kind of incompetent these days. I see no evidence of it. But I do see evidence of him being moody, avoidant, depressive and anxious (in other words, having Brian Wilson problems).
This AI Smile is decent and new, but is in no way the definitive version of Smile, not by a mile. I won't deny the creativity of this project, I like some of the sequences and vocal harmonies in this mix, but let's not go as far as to say this is the "new frontier of art" as the implications of using a real artist or singer's voice is more than questionable.
The only problem I can see with this is it is too good to be true. Clear as can be, HQ, opening new ways to appreciate the original artists. I really like this.
I can die happy after having heard this, the GREATEST assemblage of this legendary music ever done. No more "fan mixes" ever need be compiled. Yes, I myself would place the tracks in a different sequence, lose "You're Welcome" and would absolutely need to include "Good Vibrations", but-those caveats aside-this truly is a breathtaking technical achievement that leaves me very nearly speechless with awe. A million thanks to whoever (and WHATever) was responsible for this. 👍
In my edit of his mix changed exactly those things! Here is the download if you are interested: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1v1plPZIeE8cifcBea8NvzMlgR_hko28E?usp=sharing I mean his mix is already legendary, this is just to make it truly perfect for me at least.
Just finished my first listen. Wow this was everything I ever wanted. Ever since AI music became more accessible I always thought how amazing it would be to hear Brian’s new smile version converted to the older demo tracks. Thank you so much.
The best version of SMiLE I've ever heard. Thank you. On another note, I'm delighted about those fantastic verses in 'Do You Like Worms'. I left a comment about it on another video, hoping for that to happen in this release... and it did!
I wouldn't be surprised if this made quite a bit of publicity, the "Bookoff SMiLE" I think even made the news, and that was absolutely nothing compared to this.
This is absolutely stunning! I was amazed by numerous aspects, the new Barnyard, Worms, CIFOTM, and Surf's Up / ending are really really really good! I also love the Mike vocals flown in (Blue Hawaii!!). Really nice work and congratulations from a SMiLE fan and history fanatic ...
Is it just me or does anyone else find this album really enjoyable around the month of October or even Halloween time? I don't know why, Cabin Essence, Do You Like Worms? and Fire give me that impression. I'll listen to it any time of year, Any day like I am now but I especially love it around that particular time of year.
I first heard the sessions album in Nov 2014. I was obsessed with it for weeks. Idk what it is either but you totally have a point. The original intended release was supposed to be Dec '66. The Brian Wilson version was released Sept 28, 2004 and The sessions album was released Nov 2011. Songs like Fire, Holidays, Wind Chimes, Vegetables for some reason all fit. I've been hearing the album every 2-3 years around these times. Today is no exception. This album never seems to stop being relevant especially now with AI technology. This is one of the best versions of Smile I heard so far.
I grew up listening to this album, the bootlegs and then the versions released in the 2000's. It has always been an album that resonated with me deeply, but this version hits in areas I've never felt before. There are moments in this version, specifically in this insane version of Surf's Up, that reach kind of divine levels of beauty. Wow.
This is literally one of the most wonderful things I've ever heard (and I'm talking when "literally" meant LITERALLY). It's like someone went back in time with a laptop and let Brian realize Smile to completion, at the height of his powers, with modern sound quality. As amazing as Smile 2004 was, he didn't have all the voices there (even his own is not what it was in his 20's). Smile will always be a great "what if" album...this is a pretty brilliant speculation of what could have been. I can see that this is going to become a favorite genre of mine in the future...hearing classic masterpieces reimagined by A. I.
This is amazing! What a passion project. You must’ve had so much fun putting this together. Cannot wait to listen to this with headphones. I am amazed with the vocal arrangement on the Friday night segment. I would love to see a video on how you went about doing some of this. Some of your creative ideas underneath everything is also really cool. Thanks for giving me something new to listen to. What an interesting approach… Keep up the most excellent work.
This is the best thing I heard in 2023. So amazing, so well constructed... the final third of this album is absolutely mind meltingly great.... I bought Smile bootlegs in the 90s and have been following the trajectory from bootleg albums (Brian's Smile Party 😀), to the GV Box set, Brian's reconstruction, the Smile Sessions.... and here we are - what an amazing world we live in.
Great job! Thank you for your efforts in providing further art, enjoyment and entertainment centered around the music and artists (Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys) that so many of us love. “The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists.” - Charles Dickens
This is an absolute masterpiece. And it sounds as tight and crisp as any modern recording while still retaining the playfulness of the original recordings. Absolute masterful blend of the original material and modern additions to help it come to life in the most impressive way yet. Love you for this, truly a gift to the world of music.
The best way I can describe it is you finished an incomplete painting. you really tied everything together to feel cohesive and realized the teenage symphony to god.
This is isn't the final product,there was still work to be done when Brian Wilson was working on it.That doesn't take away thought that this video is amazing
This is absolutely stunning work you've done here! I would normally be very sceptical about this kind of thing but the love and respect you have for the source material shines through. While I do love the 2004 album, I have always felt the lack of the classic BW vocals and am resigned to the fact that the true, perfect version of Smile that exists in my mind will never be - but projects like this offer a fascinating insight into what could have been. The last three tracks were a particular highlight - that key change at the end of Surf's Up knocked me for six! I'm really intrigued to see what you'll do next.
There's just so much going on, I hardly know where to begin, so I'll just run through it all chronologically: You're Welcome: - I've seen people open with You're Welcome, but usually that pushes Our Prayer to the end or the start of side B. Interesting that you open with both. Feels a bit anticlimactic, but I'm okay with it. Heroes and Villains: - Really nice to hear pre-Smiley H&V verse in stereo! - If there's one missed opportunity here, I think it's not putting vocals over Prelude to Fade. I've seen some people sing "I've been in this town so long (so long) to the city..." followed by "stand or fall...", both of which are half-verses that just so happen (likely not coincidentally) to form one whole verse if you put them together. I imagine that this is how Brian and VDP originally wrote it... surely those lyrics in the Smiley version were written earlier? If it helps to envision it: The two so longs would be said sorta-overlapping as a call/response. "Stand or fall..." would begin at 4:34, with "...villains" being said at 4:46.) - Any particular reason why that "Part 2 with handclaps" (no clue what to call this section to distinguish it from the dozen other things called "Part 2" lol) has a faster tempo than usual? Not complaining, just wondering if it's inspired by something in the sessions or if it's just you trying something different for the sake of it. I'm in Great Shape: - I heard that acetate fragment cameo! - I didn't quite understand why you doubled "in the open country" back in your A.D. mix, but now I fully understand what you were going for. It's (in) great (shape)! Barnyard: - I really appreciate that you didn't just make every new vocal be Brian, and you went the extra mile of figuring out which Beach Boy should voice which parts. Mike being the Barnyard lead vocal makes a lot of sense! - Very interesting choice to use the various Barnshine variants to turn Barnyard into an entire track. Kinda reminds me of "Mama Says" on Wild Honey with how it's the same concept repeated in different styles. I would've kept the standard Sunshine fadeout attached to Old Master Painter, though. As it is, Barnyard feels maybe a little too long, and the 3rd section of Barnyard already incorporated elements of DYLW, so I think that could've worked as the fadeout. Do You Like Worms: - There are elements of Music Mann Recordings' version of the DYLW lyrics that I kinda wish were incorporated here (no clue if you've heard that particular fan rendition before), but sonically, this is absolutely the best reconstruction/completion of the true DYLW verse melody I've ever heard. Nice incorporation of Little Pad. - Finally, a DYLW mix where the chorus vocals don't drown out everything! (I was very annoyed when SoS Deluxe didn't fix this.) Finally, I can hear that kick drum! - The incorporation of the "skits" throughout (e.g. the end of DYLW) feels surprisingly authentic. Often, when people incorporate these, they tend to drag the pace down or become more annoying and indulgent than interesting. But your use of them here is tasteful: adding to the atmosphere without taking away from the music. Cabinessence: - Like DYLW before it, you've successfully unmuddied the Cabinessence chorus, and I hope everyone uses your mix as reference from now on. Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine: - Yay, HQ Dennis vocal! That said, the acetate making Dennis' vocal sound like it was an old record (which I guess it was in multiple ways at once, lol) works pretty well thematically, so I kinda wish a bit more of that effect had been kept here. Wonderful: - I detect a slight difference in Brian's vocals on Wonderful. Are you passing original vocals through the AI voice-changer to "upscale" them? If so, that's quite clever. - Not sure if it was because of my suggestion that Part 1 Tag made it here, but I'm happy to hear it either way, and I wasn't expecting vocals! Fire / I Wanna Be Around: - Not entirely sold on the vocals added to the Intro; I think maybe they should only come in during the second half of it to avoid feeling repetitive. - Nice to hear the Fall Breaks vocals with such clarity. - I really appreciate having workshop be shorter than most people make it, so it doesn't overstay its welcome. Vega-Tables - Interesting and respectable choice to go with a more stripped-down (relatively speaking) mix for Vega-Tables. I think hearing the "dig a hole in the ground" bits from the "Demo" version applied to the more refined track would've been interesting, but this is a good approach as well. - The fadeout is another place where you've fixed questionable mixing choices from the official 2011 mixes. Wind Chimes: - I like that vocal extraction has made it feasible to do things like switch to the early backing track for the 2nd verse while keeping the same vocals on top. Adds a nice bit of variety to the song. - Nice use of the extended break before the WC chorus. - The new Wind Chimes vocals sound just a little off(-key?) to me, but I really like what you were going for conceptually, and they're mostly alright. Child Is Father of the Man: - This is, without a doubt, the most-complete-sounding CIFotM on the web. - With regard to verse melodies, the only thing that could rival it is Music Mann's take on the track. (Video id CvJYqESksqM) In terms of execution, though: there is no competition. (Not a knock against Music Mann, since obviously he didn't have the same tools at his disposal. I'm still quite curious how his ideas would sound if given the AI treatment.) - These lyrics are impressive. - Good choice to use Dennis for the verses. - 31:22 is especially well-done. I can usually tell when the vocals aren't authentic, but for a few seconds here, it sounds so close that I can't tell the difference anymore. Love to Say Dada: - A.D.'s Love to Say Dada was one of my favorite renditions of the track, even with all the digital artifacting. To hear a lot of the same ideas refined using AI is very satisfying. - Yay, the Child breakdown section is here, and it sounds amazing! I actually once did something very similar in one of my own personal mixes, except that I faded the breakdown piano into the same section from one of the early takes of Cool Cool Water (pitch/tempo-shifted, of course), which meant I had to lose the drums and other instruments after the first couple of seconds. Nice to hear a fuller version of that. I also overlaid the Walk Child vocals, but was never quite satisfied with how they sounded due to the pitch-shifting, so I'm happy to see that rectified here. (On a side note: in my mix, I go from the Child section into 2nd Day; I'm kinda curious what that would sound like with vocals). Surf's Up: - This is the best sync of Brian's vocal to the Surf's Up backing track that I've ever heard. - I appreciate going all-in on trying something different (we've all heard the official mixes a thousand times), but I think I prefer the original vocals for "bygone, bygone". I get the sense you were going with an all-Brian approach for this track, and I respect that, but Carl's vocals for that bit are already basically perfect in my mind. - The sync of the BWPS backing track for the 2nd Movement is, again, the best that I've ever heard, and I appreciate that you kept it a bit more subtle than some of the other attempts I've heard in the past. It works really well. I do kinda miss the Moog from the 1971 version, though. - When I was listening to this the first time, I pondered "I bet he could do the Wild Honey key change here if he wanted to"... and then you did it, and it sounds amazing! A bold choice, and I'd say it paid off! - Anyone who's heard one of the live performances of Surf's Up from 1971-1973 knows how much of a punch the coda should pack. And I'm happy to say that your version surpasses all others. - I do have one complaint about the coda though: the lead lyric vocal just isn't as good. Again, I appreciate the attempt to go all-Brian here, but the original vocals by Alan are just so, so good. If I could change just one thing about this entire fanmix, it would be this. - I understand what you were going for with George Fell interrupting the fadeout on Surf's Up, but seeing as that this is the best version of the Surf's Up coda on the internet, this is probably the last mix I'd want to do that on, lol. It just feels a little too unsatisfying. I think I would've waited just a few more seconds to give a better sense of closure. Still, I'm glad George Fell is here. Other: - Kinda funny that the song with its name plastered thrice on the cover is nowhere to be found. I get why it isn't, but it's still pretty funny. - Nice animations on the SMiLE shop. Overall, it's clear that you know your stuff, and your effort has paid off. Like SMiLE A.D. before it, I expect this to be remembered as one of the most memorable SMiLE fanmixes on the internet. Thank you.
Agree on the Brian vocal sync on Surf’s Up being the best attempt, the official Smile Sessions version is terrible. Also the smoothness on Brian holding “Johhhn” sounds great with no time stretching artifacts. I assume there’s some AI touch up there.
Say what you want about AI, but it’s been a goddamn blessing for Beach Boys fans. The fact I had to stop listening to this multiple times just to make sure I didn’t lose my shit at hearing all the extra additions and vocals is saying something. I knew I was in for something special when I heard Mike come in on I’m In Great Shape but then I get blindsided by that insane Barnyard redo, the era accurate melody on Do You Like Worms, the extra vocals on Wind Chimes, fucking Dennis singing lead on Child is Father and then everything about Love to Say Dada. This is superb
Congratulations for this masterful achievement! The piece spanning from 8:47 to 9:05 might be my favorite part of all Smile. It’s so absorbing I feel my soul expanding every time I hear it.
Absolutely fantastic work, this is my new definitive version of SMiLE! My only gripe is that "You're Welcome" feels like a weird choice after "Our Prayer," (although, it's growing on me,) and that you didn't use the "Whispering winds send my wind chimes a-tinklin'" snippet, which is one of the most beautiful things the Beach Boys recorded in my opinion. But seriously, I'm floored by just how complete this sounds, while still maintaining the spirit of the OG sessions.
Also, I'm skeptical of AI and its implications, but as my dad says "With everything there are good things and bad things" and the idea that we can get versions of SMiLE that sound this beautiful and complete definitely falls under the "good things" category for me. Your added vocals sound so convincing that I have to keep reminding myself that you (most likely) didn't somehow travel back in time and convince Brian to finish the album.
This has been on repeat DAILY for me. I can’t get enough of this, especially the little things like that transition from Mrs o Leary’s cow to I wanna be around or the new vocal harmonies. Even included George fell into his French horn. I applaud you sir! Smile has been on of my most favorite albums of all time and hearing this has opened a new chapter for me. Now all I suggest is that you take on good vibrations! I would love to hear an elongated smile mix!
@@natesworld3062 you know, the version that Brian actually finished in 2003, mixing old ideas with new ones and finalized songs, and led to the release of the Smile Sessions and served as a blueprint for it?
I've listened to pretty much all the bootleg releases of this title over the last 30 years - so hopefully the biggest compliment I can provide is that this version of the SMiLE album doesn't sound like AI at all....Do you feel brave enough to take on 'Good Vibrations' next Dae Lims?
I'm a hardcore Beach Boys .I've listened dozens of SMiLE re-creations and mixings. Ths is the best I've heard hands down. Amazing job!! Sounds like a commercial record. Kudos.
I gotta say, as a 53-year-old Beach Boys fan who has been making my own custom versions of Smile for over 30 years, your version is far and away the BEST one I've ever heard and it's not even close. The amount of care and thoughtful placing of all the fragments along with your tastefullly flawless AI additions made your version the first one I've ever heard that sounds like a "complete" album if that makes sense. Been playing it non-stop over the past few days and there are so many different parts to love that jump out with each new play. The way you seamlessly transition from Barnyard to the fade of the 3-minute single version of H&V is fantastic and a good example of how inventive you were with your mix while staying true to the creative spirit that Brian intended for this album. I use the word "inventive" because since BWPS, it's been a bit disheartening to see how many fan-edits slavishly copy the blueprint of BWPS even though it's quite clear that the original album most definitely would NOT have followed that track listing. I've only listened to half of your 2+ hour breakdown of how it all came together (I plan on listening to the other half today) and it was great to hear not only your thoughts regarding why and how you put certain tracks together, but also to hear you mention the sheer amount of work which went into getting the AI vocals just right. I picked up on this the first time I heard your version, because there were vocals that I knew just did not exist and had to be created, and yet they sounded EXACTLY like the BB. I'd never heard anything in AI sound even close to what you managed to accomplish. I cannot stress enough just how impressive your work here is. Kudos on getting props from VDP as he is another person I have long admired (his Discover America albums has been a favorite of mine since I picked it up on a whim in '92). Anyway, I don't know if you'll see this, but I just wanted to add my admiration for your work. If the BB or the folks at UMG had any sense, you'd be on the payroll immediately as your version of Smile will now be the definitive one for me (until you come out with v2.0 I suppose).
Fantastic. There's a true sense of wonder and mystery here, with little surprises around every corner. "Surf's Up" has found its place at the end... and the running time is right for a single vinyl record. Interestingly, the disjointed and fragmented nature of the editing and sequencing somehow makes me think of "Lumpy Gravy" and "We're Only in It for the Money" by Zappa (which are absolutely excellent late 60s albums as well)
Not fully done listening to this yet, am at Cabinessence, but I admire how crazy unique this is. Rather creative compared to before where we were rather limited with technology, wonder if this will inspire more to use AI with new SMiLE mixes as I am doing the same as well.
![The Beach Boys - Adult/CHiLD: The Other Lost Masterpiece [SIDE 1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D-c4YxJfa44/mqdefault.jpg)
![Michael Jackson - Hot Street [AI Remix]](/img/1.gif)
Honestly in a sense, the way SMiLE is - being constantly reimagined by the fans - feels like one of the highest honors for an album. To he continuously remade by those who have no stock or promise of profits yet do so anyway is praise of the highest calibre, a true sign of love from the audience. What If's can be truly wonderful.
I’ve said on Reddit and I’ll say it again, SMiLE is the greatest album of all time specifically for being unreleased and full of legendary amounts of concepts and music.
It is the first truly interactive album in that way. An abstract puzzle that can be assembled, disassembled, and now reconstructed.
@@dartboardpicasso very good point! Interactive album, I love it! My Reddit post was also about how all the mixes that are able to come from the material. I wrote that if say SMiLE was actually released we would have the final track sequence for better or for worse. It wouldn’t have this level of obsession or analysis, and the parts that didn’t shine as brightly might have actually hurt the album. In this instance fans make countless mixes putting in the best parts.
Can’t believe they programmed an AI to be as high as Brian Wilson was in 1967. Impeccable.
lol
😂😂
compared to most any other rock star known for using drugs, brians drug use was fairly mild. he had a few years of messing with hash, amphetamines and barbiturates and took a small handful of LSD trips. despite his insistence that he ruined his life with drugs, he is sadly just severely mentally ill. im sure drugs played a role, but they are a huge red herring in the "downfall of brian/smile/BB's" story.
@@d1943i Impossible to know that for sure. Drugs like LSD might be fine for the vast majority, but every drug can harm a small minority of people. Thinking there's zero risk is naive?
@@d1943idrugs definitely played a roll buddy. Especially pharmaceuticals
This album would’ve changed the world if it had come out exactly like this.
that surf's up has me in tears man, it feels like the ending credits for the beach boys
I hate the skit that comes out of nowhere instead of the fade-out.
@@ggthewhale yeah i wish they had just completed the fade out, i had to trim that part and fade it myself unfortunately
@@romalea yeah, same. it should fade out, and then have a skit after some silence, like sgt. peppers and day in the life does
One thing all the AI Smile Remixers have in common is a hatred of "Holidays"
Sure do ;)
(I kid, just doesnt fit imho!)
lol I had no idea
and it's one of my favorites from Brian Wilson Presents 😔😂
Yeah one of the best parts of BWPS is the transition between “Holidays” and “Wind Chimes” with the “whispering wind sends my wind chimes a-tingling” refrain. It’s straight-up angelic
Yeah... it's just another sort of a Trombone Dixie kinda song....and I don't think it ever had lyrics or melodies.....
This is an astonishing piece of work, and is single handedly responsible for me changing my mind about the potential of AI. As a SMiLE freak of 35 years standing I can honestly say this is without doubt the best version I've ever heard. Kudos.
Srsly? It's a good effort, but pales in comparison with the 2011 Sessions release.
@@jml-rj5re Bull - I think it complements it beautifully. Just mellow out, man. You're too uptight.
@@farrellmcnulty909 Sounds like projection. IDC much about AI here. I have a copy of The Beach Boys Smile Sessions and Brian Wilson's Smile. They work for me.
@@jml-rj5re I hear you. Sorry I got aggressive in my last comment. I was listening to the extra added harmonies on "I Wanna Be Around" on this thing when I saw your comment and I was in the zone.. I imagined it on a Capitol label in 1967 and being the stateside version of Pepper - with all this psychedelia on both sides of the Atlantic. It would've been great I have both Brian Wilson's version and The Sessions" and they're just great. The Sessions CD has really beautiful versions of Love to Say Da Da and Good Vibrations and when I heard those I knew the perfect versions were finally out.
@@farrellmcnulty909 The Wrecking Crew musicians (e.g., Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine, Tommy Tedesco, etc.) were freaking out, it was so good. Some of Brian's songs had passages in Multiple Keys at the Same Time!
0:00 - Our Prayer
1:06 - You’re Welcome
2:11 - Heroes and Villains
5:40 - I’m In Great Shape
6:03 - Barnyard
8:47 - Do You Like Worms?
12:19 - Cabin Essence
16:02 - The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine
17:08 - Wonderful
19:38 - Fire / Mrs. O'Leary's Cow
21:27 - I Wanna Be Around (Workshop)
22:28 - Vega-Tables
25:59 - Wind Chimes
28:56 - Child Is Father Of The Man
31:56 - I Love To Say Dada / In Blue Hawaii
33:39 - Child Is Father Of The Man (Reprise)
34:06 - Surf’s Up
you realise he put the times in the description, right?
@@vincevirtua oops 😅
LOVE that you used that brief DYLW melody we hear Brian mumble on the talkback during that studio session
"Child Is Father of the Man" and "Surf's Up" were hands down the highlights of this mix for me; the former gave me physical chills and the latter nearly reduced me to tears. Let us all remind ourselves, Smile was supposed to release in early 1967! You really outdid yourself with this mix along with trying to get it posted, my utmost respect to you and thank you for everything, Dae Lims, very excited for the future. It crushes my soul that this album was never released...
Even if it was completed, I'm not too sure how well it would have done. It feeds extremely hard into Brian's crumbling mental state at the time, and I'm not sure how palatable it would have been to most people. Dae Lims did an excellent job showcasing it with an extremely well done mastering.
@@canaconn2388 It would all come down to the conditions of the release and how Brian assembles it. I personally think that if every single thing went right with production and there was no outside issues and an on-schedule release date of January of '67, the absolute best case scenario, it would have been a home run. It was the height of the psychedelic movement and I think many people would have been open to listening to it and would probably like it (again, depends on how it's assembled/sounds). Who really knows though, events can play out in thousands of different ways, what we got was just one of them.
lol for real. I imagine Capitol receiving this and what they would have thought of their big cash cow Brian Wilson. To go from being the biggest American rival to the Beatles to this... @@canaconn2388
but by not releasing it.....Brian....inadvertently (or not?) created an enigma that people...who are wired in a certain way...have been trying to figure out for 55 years
Only track missing is Good Vibrations intended to be placed at the end of the album.
I never thought that Surf's Up would make a good closing track, but man, the coda here is such a bold, defiant, triumphant rewriting of history and I absolutely love it. My god. It's like Brian traveled back in time to give the middle finger to everyone who worked against him and doubted. This reimagining of SMiLE is a trip. Well done.
This one is pretty impressive. Surf's Up is one of my favorite songs from the Smile sessions but certainly not for the Child is the Father ending. This completely changes the tone of the song... for the better??
How is this possible and what is the process could s0meone explain..amazing production
Everything sounds great but the ending - ii ended way too soon... Surf's up should definitely last longer. How about ending it with the some a capella vocal chord ('a chiiiiild') Brian's solo band used when they performed it live?
Surf's Up is the closer for the incredibly underrated album Surf's Up and I think it works perfectly
@@DuetOjciecisynI agree that this version of Surf’s Up was working beautifully until the very end bit with all the talking. That’s probably not specifically what you were referring to, but my two pennies is that I think it would have worked so much better with a slow fade, perhaps as you suggested… into an a capella with the “child” refrain… then silence for a second… and *_THEN_* the talking bit.
That’s how I would have done it at least, _if_ I had the know how and the proper technology. Aside from that one little thing, I think this was a near-perfect take on SMiLE.
After deep diving into Smile lore over the last 20 years and piecing my own version of Smile together using both Brian’s version and the material released in 2011, I listened to your version wondering what more could be done with Smile. Well, I am gobsmacked! My version and pretty much any other up to now, did not flow from song to song. The missing element was the lack of connective segues and overlaps into and out of each song. You now have accomplished that! And good call on using Surf’s Up as the finale and leaving out Good Vibrations. Surf’s Up (especially with the tweaks you added) will always, in my mind, be Brian’s masterpiece. Wonderful job!!
The verses on Do You Like Worms have never gone harder than on this version. Thank you
Absolutely floored by that part. How do you do this?
I feel like I just witnessed an alternate reality. Very moving. Thank you for working so hard on this. GREAT ending, you truly evoke the spirit of SMiLE
friendly reminder: download, download, download
Definitely. Done.
How ?
@@dca8821 some youtube audio downloader. Don’t talk about flac now.
@@dca8821 just google youtube to mp3
Any site will do
@@dca8821 You can do,it by using a screen capture device...
This is one of the best AI music works I've seen by far. Amazing.
Nice to see you king
That was my fave part too. Love those jazz chords.
Agreed. Just imagine if Al could've been more hands-on in the production with Brian back in 1966.
I'm not deep into Beach Boys, but this is excellently made. The fidelity is as clear as a modern recording. The mixing is on par and it sounds like what producers would have done if they'd had modern technology. The Beach Boys' harmonies are legendary and lend themselves to creative stereo mixing. This does not disappoint. Well done!
Well, 8 months have gone by and it is time for a more fulsome response. I could write a 10,000 word article on Dae Lims SMILE re-creation (and perhaps I will), but I'll try to be concise.
I am one of the Smile "O.G.s"--that is, I was a Smile freak nearly 50 years ago. I consider myself one of the top 500 or so "experts" in the world (as are many of the people who have commented below). I made my first Smile mix tape in 1976. At the time I had never heard a Smile mix tape; I didn't even know it was a "thing"; I just wanted to make a coherent musical statement using the music that I loved. I had limited resources to work with--Smiley Smile, the "completed" versions of Surf's Up, Cabinessence, Cool, Cool Water and Our Prayer, as well as a couple of bootlegs. Fortunately today we have a wealth of source material. All of my mix tapes started with Our Prayer, then moved through Gee and Heroes & Villains. They always ended with Surf's Up. It turns out that many people had the same idea.
I have always been astonished by the beauty and wonder of this music, and attracted by the "what if" aspect. None of us knows what Smile would've sounded like in a "final" version. Hell, Brian himself didn't know what he was going to do with it, so anyone who claims they "know" what a final version would have entailed is an idiot or a liar. Thus, any intelligent attempt to piece it together is valid. Much has been made of Dae Lims sequencing. It is not how I imagined it. An effort must be made to empty your mind of preconceived notions and receive the music as if it were brand new. In my view, this version of Smile, had it appeared in 1967, would be cited as the greatest album ever made! Yes, better than Pet Sounds and Pepper. I have listened all the way through dozens of times, and cannot finish it without tears in my eyes. In these 38 minutes, Dae Lims gives us a unique look at "what could have been". This project--conceived by Brian (with Van Dyke Parks) and recorded by Brian and The Beach Boys--with finishing touches by Dae Lims--stands as a monumental work of art.
A longtime friend heard it and said he didn't care for it. "WTF?" was my response. He said, "it's not in the official order". I don't know if the "official" order he was referring to was the Beach Boys release of a few years ago or the 2004 Brian Wilson version. Again, there IS no official order, and BRIAN HIMSELF didn't know how he was going to finish it. An effort must be made to approach this honestly as if you were hearing it for the first time in 1967.
This will not stop the "what would SMILE have been like" parlor game. Would Brian have included Good Vibrations? Would he have recorded additional instrumentation or vocals (almost certainly)? Would he have made a double album? The possibilities are endless and there will never be a definitive answer.
There are so many nice touches that I can't list them without going off on a thousand tangents. The point is, Dae LIms has an uncommon degree of skill and taste. His A.I. voices are spot-on. He has a producer's knack for imagining what "should" be there. There are occasions where you can hear Dae singing, but generally the added voices are extremely realistic representations of Brian, Mike, Carl, Al and Dennis.
my original review at the time of release 9 months ago: Good Lord this is gorgeous. Too many highlights to list, but I'll mention a couple, using examples from Surf's Up: the swelling chorus of voices at 36:42 and unexpected key change; the Brian falsetto @36:52; the Mike bass voice 37:05; the lonely tenor sax signature at 37:14; the growing discordant undercurrent at about 37:54 which gives way to the ending (which I won't give away--"follow the bouncing ball"). I am familiar with Rembrandt, Mozart, Martin Luther and the other greats of modern art and philosophy, but for me, this is the high water mark of Western Civilization.
Do yourself a favor: pour a glass of wine, find a comfy chair, slip on some headphones, close your eyes and spend the next 38 minutes in a beautiful world. You won't want to come back! Don't cheat and forward to the end. Listen to it completely and be stunned.
Very well put! I think what is so monumental for me about this is that it is something I thought would never be possible.
The infuriating thing about SMiLE for me has always been that the music is phenomenal, but every way of listening to it has always had very significant drawbacks.
Brian’s 2004 version is very polished and complete sounding, but it lacks the Beach Boys, the Wrecking Crew, Brian’s angelic 66/67 voice, Brian at his best being in complete control of the production, and the overall otherworldly surreal quality that those original recordings have. The running order is also undeniably essentially a (very good) Brian Wilson approved fan-mix that doesn’t at all represent “how it would have been” (if such a thing even exists)
On the other hand, fan-mixes using the original recordings all sound fragmented, unfinished (because they are,) and they lack cohesion.
But Dae Lims has managed to create a version that not only does an excellent job of filling out the unfinished Beach Boys recordings in ways that sound and feel authentic (I love that all the added stuff is Brian Wilson melodies and Van Dyke Parks lyrics,) and in a way that flows incredibly well and feels cohesive, but, unlike BWPS, is also realistic for a ‘67 LP. And above all, it sounds COMPLETE!
Listening to this version is the first time I’ve felt like I can listen to the music without any of the very significant drawbacks that previous versions have always had. So, for me, I really consider this to be the definitive “complete” SMiLE (Although I did swap “Gee” for “You’re Welcome,” despite liking Dae Lims’ choice.)
I hope your friend comes around on this version, but if not, I say it’s their (very unfortunate) loss!
@@stevenbrule5285 I agree with every word.
@@stevenbrule5285 "The running order is also undeniably essentially a (very good) Brian Wilson approved fan-mix that doesn’t at all represent “how it would have been” (if such a thing even exists)"--this is something that everyone should keep in mind. I love Darian and he did a great job, but he is not B.W. circa 1967.
@@jeffcampbell4602 Yeah, exactly! A lot of people seem to treat the BWPS track-list as a sacred cow that should never be tampered with, which I understand, since it is the “official” order approved by Brian, but I think this mentality is misguided and fails to understand that BWPS and The Beach Boys’ SMiLE are two related but completely separate entities.
The Beach Boys’ SMiLE is an unfinished album that will always be a tragically incomplete mystery, and BWPS is an excellent effort to assemble the music from The Beach Boys’ SMiLE sessions in a coherent way to perform it live with completely different people than the original sessions.
But at the end of the day, I think the “definitive” SMiLE is whatever way each individual chooses to listen to the material. Whether that be BWPS, the official 2011 release of the Beach Boys’ sessions, someone’s fanmix, or your own personal mix, each way of listening is completely valid
@@jeffcampbell4602 Yeah, exactly! I think a lot of people treat the BWPS track-list as a sacred cow that should never be tampered with, which is understandable, since it is the “official” track-list approved by Brian himself, but I think this mentality is misguided and ignores the fact that BWPS and The Beach Boys’ SMiLE are two related but completely separate entities.
The Beach Boys’ SMiLE is an unfinished album that will always be a tragically incomplete mystery, while BWPS is an effort to arrange the music from The Beach Boys’ SMiLE sessions in a coherent way to be performed live by a completely different group of people.
But at the end of the day, I think the “definitive” SMiLE is whatever way each individual chooses to listen to the material. Whether that’s BWPS, the officially released Beach Boys’ sessions from 2011, someone’s fan-mix, or your own personal mix, all are completely valid
I can't get over how great the verses on Do You Like Worms sound. This whole release is revelatory big congrats! Now I'm downloading this asap to hear in my car.
- Love the part in Vegetables where Paul clearly says " Oi, Linda, look at me playing the carrot on a Beach Boys record!" 😉
McCartney was still with Jane Asher, making that even more glorious, when Vegetables was recorded.
timestamp?🤔
@@jeffcampbell4602 it’s not there. It’s a joke. I’m making fun of the joke, because, again, McCartney didn’t even meet Linda yet and was engaged to someone else.
@@JW-hn9ck now it's my turn to say oi
If you play it backwards, it says "The Carrot is Dead... With Cranberry Sauce..."
How many people have wanted to rush up to Brian Wilson- hand him a recording and beg him to listen? You have a legitimate reason.
That finale for Surf's Up defied all my expectations, thanks for making this.
This deserves SOOO much more recognition than it has. Despite the limits of AI, especially in mid 2023 when this was made, this is something that I doubt even Peter Jackson and anyone at record studios with AI tech could pull off.
I'm 35 and just discovered Brian Wilson's genius last year. Been obsessed and also been avoiding all the A.I. recommendations but this one, this one is insane! It's like 90% Brian Wilson and 10% "if Brian Wilson had a computer in 1967 this is what it would've sounded like". Absolutely stunned.
The new Cabinessence mix is stunning, I don't think i've heard it with this clarity before.
Those Surf's Up changes hit hard. That's been my consistent favourite song since I first heard it years and years ago and I did not think it could be changed in a way to improve it but here we are.
Too complex to get all of the first time around. It's poetic, beautiful in its obscurity.
I saw that no one mentioned it yet, but I LOVE the ending, reminds me of train/dogs in pet sounds and the interview in Today! It's a very cathartic ending that I can totally see Brian doing!
Absolutely fantastic job! Great to hear the new vocals that were missing before. I'm not sure what to think about the track listing yet, but that could be because I'm so used to Brian's 2004 version. Thanks Dae and keep it up!
I have to revisit this comment two months later. I absolutely love this SMiLE version. You deserve all the credits and even more!
Pretty sure this will be one of the most remarkable smile bootlegs ever
I thought everyone was joking when they said this was the full SMILE experience, but truly it is a complete full new mix better then anything I've heard, you can hear every layer, every not, every vibration of every word from lil AI Brian's voice. It truly is a work of art
This conveys the weirdness and mystery of Smile better than any of the versions I've heard, official or otherwise. It manages to capture the creepy undertone of the Smiley Smile album with the production values of Smile. A+
Exactly, psychedelic to the core.
I absolutely adore how, in your rendition of SMILE, you've captured the essence of Brian's vocal intentions on "Do You Like Worms," incorporating elements that seemed to resonate only through the deep background captured by talkback mics. It's this attention to detail, picking up on nuances that are often overlooked, that truly sets your version apart. This is precisely what I felt was lacking in the BWPS release of 2004. Ever since experiencing the SMILE box set, I've been hoping for someone to unearth and appreciate these hidden treasures, and you've done just that!
I actually find it really inspiring and Dae Lims obviously is a HUGE HUGE BB fan that has put a lot of love into his creations. The Smile reworking is a genuine work of genius. Set aside 40 mins and listen in its entirety. Too many moments of beauty to mention but I’m re listening to Our Prayer while the moon is out and it’s a spiritual experience
"Our Prayer" is gorgeous.
This stands alone. A highly creative mix. Definitely makes me rethink parts of my mix. The beauty of Smile is that so much is possible with it, and you realized so many tantalizing “what if”s from the sessions. It was fascinating to hear some of those obscure session oddities brought to life, like the rehearsal version of Gee and Brian’s mysterious instructional vocal on Worms. The spoken word section of CIFOTM is a really creative choice. I hope you do a single for Song For Children (and an updated fanmixer toolkit/vocal models) 😁
"Look" and "Holidays" do need a home somewhere! I like the single idea.
WOW!! Just stumbled upon this and can't even begin to express how impressed I am with the final outcome! Amazing job!! I can imagine the amount of dedication/commitment plus the level of pure brain straining hard work it must have taken to finish this, is likely far beyond what most of us are capable of. And that's not even factoring in the countless hours of material and multiple takes and alternate takes and revisions and all the other stuff on those tapes. I'm not sure if this was done by 1 person or a team of people, but either way. Thanks for doing this! Its amazing!!!
DUDE, you HAVE to release a vocals only version of Child is the Father of the Man, I Love to Say Dada, and Surf’s Up at the VERY LEAST!!! Love it so much! Had me wide-eyed like I was listening to it for the first time again.
Also, as someone with perfect pitch, the pitch correction of the second half of Vega-tables did not go unnoticed, always bugged me the original recording went a little sharp/played fast there 😂 my ears thank you again
@@thatnerd2032 I hope that Rick Beato could hear this and make a complete breakdown of the mix.
@@thatnerd2032it feels like it's a bit too slow now
Magnificent technical talent across the board here, sir! What you did here is really remarkable and groundbreaking in terms of the quality and care that fans should put when playing with this technology. You should really go in the Beach Boys fan history books.
I have a lot of favorites here: the best mix of Wonderful I've heard yet, especially in your selectivity of what to add, the Mike Love leads on just the right tracks, and---my favorite A.I. Beach Boys vocalist---A.I. Jardine on I Love to Say Dada's last bit. Oh, and holy smokes---probably one of the coolest things I've ever heard: the integration of the 1967 piano demo's key change and the live 1973 version's usage of "Child"'s arrangement into Surf's Up ending. I dare say that your work on that ending embodies the myth and expectation of what Smile could have been and sounded like more than anything yet released. That is what Smile "should have" sounded like.
In terms of this being the "definitive" version of Smile, I think that can only exist in each fan's individual mind. I hope that you found yours through your work on this.
I agree; there is no excepted universal definitive version of SMiLE by the Beach boys. It is probably the most organic album in pop history. About the new vocals, I haven't read all of the comments here, but has anybody mentioned AI Dennis on "child is father of the man "? I always had it in my head that Mike would sing those lyrics but Dennis is a much better idea.
The mixing and new vocal additions on this are amazing. The only thing I would change is switching “you’re welcome” for “Gee”. I feel like Gee builds the momentum better for H&V. But other than that, this is spectacular. Well done!
it may be novelty but rn I'm on the Your Welcome train... sorry Gee heads!
@@tednugent1100 Same. Welcome sounds nice there.
@@tednugent1100 I don’t like You’re Welcome, but the thing is, this isn’t my mix. Dae Lims can do whatever he wants. It’s his mix for our enjoyment.
If I wanted to hear Gee there, I would listen to the Smile Box.
@@tednugent1100 Same. Welcome is more than welcome here. Definitely. Accustomed to Gee after Prayer is not a good argument. Open your ears, sisters. The only thing: the transition from 1 to 2 is not smooth enough? Can be fixed, it seems to me.
I will say, after listening to this several times, the "You're Welcome" placement is growing on me. Still personally prefer "Gee", but now understand more what Dae Lims was going for. It's definitely a good artistic choice.
Amazing job filling in the vocals for so many tracks. Absolutely stunning!
I will rarely post a comment on any platform, but I really need to thank you, Dae Lims. I can't imagine all the decisions that went into creating an absolutely perfect SMiLE. This is very much the alternate universe SMiLE where Brian finished it. I appreciate the 38 minute album-like running time. I appreciate the lushness of the production, which feels like a progression from Pets Sounds. No tracks in your production sound "unfinished" like the ones we've all lived with for decades. Your arrangements fit in seamlessly along side Brian's. It's a blessing that you are both extremely musical, and that you've also mastered the AI tech to make these miracles happen. Thank you for your most excellent work!
Wow. This is genuinely the most awestruck I’ve been by a Beach Boys fan project in a long time. The AI material is so tastefully blended with the existing recordings! It feels like “filling in the blanks” rather than going overboard. Not to mention the creative liberties you DID take feel 100% plausible, and just sound so damn good. I found myself cracking SMiLES in more than a few spots, and the Surf’s Up finale is a work of art. I felt my hairs raise at that lift.
I never would’ve fathomed something like this after hearing your AI model of 1970 Brian sing “All I Wanna Do” back in March. It’s incredible how far you and the technology have come, thank you for sharing this with us.
Well done, Dae Lims. Well done!!!!
cant find All i Wanna Do, just a Lennon/McCartney version, can you share the link please?
Where do I listen to this version of "All I Wanna Do"?
I hope Brian gets to hear this one day, especially “Child is the Father of the Man” through “Surfs Up”.
To me the changes and added verses are absolutely perfect. I went back and listened to other “real” recorded versions of them and found myself missing the changes found here.
It’s brilliant.
I hope he doesn’t honestly
my poor man Brian is like 82 and has dementia and the idea of Smile tortured his soul for life please leave him alone
WOW JUST WOW THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST VERSION OF SMILE IVE EVER HEARD GREAT WORK THANK YOU !
I have cried bc Brian is diagnosed with dementia and his wife recently died, so this is healing me. I am crying for happiness, gratitude, sadness, everything, this helps keep the energy of joy and healing in his art alive even when he is going through it
This is pretty special. The technology is really coming along, but it also takes a human to make it all blend seemlessly. Excellent job.
interesting how surfs up goes an a totally different direction by the end. it sort of gives you the tension release that the original won't do.
Normally, I'm a bit uncomfortable when people tinker with an artist's vision without their input, especially an artist like Brian Wilson. This, though, is incredible. I love it so much. I keep going back to revisit it and listen again. You really captured Smile as it probably would've been had Mike Love and the rest of the guys let Brian fully realize his vision in 1967. I also truly believe that if this had been released when intended, the world of music would've fundamentally changed. I think it would've changed a lot of the directions other pop artists were taking, including the Beatles. I would love to see what that alternate universe was like! Thank you so much for making this! My favorite is probably that you expanded Barnyard, which I feel should've been longer to begin with- it's just such a pleasant and fun tune. Also, your mix of Wonderful had me crying. I love this so much.
Howd did you find the beach boys?
@@sweetsoftdog1105 I started listening to them as a young teenager, mainly their earlier stuff, and then around my senior year of high school I really listened to more of the post-Pet Sounds stuff and fell in love. I was a junior when the Smile Sessions came out and I remember just eating it up. Excellent stuff.
@@nevercomestheday it's almost a perfect album. It's like a sentimental Mark twins, Looney toons Pop opera. Its almost like Jack Stuaber. It doesn't sound like anything else at that time.
@@sweetsoftdog1105 I agree, it’s very unique not only for the time, but honestly there’s still never been anything else like it.
@@nevercomestheday ever heard Brian's song he wrote for his daughter's “Everything I Need” demo? It's a great example of why I believe Brian never peaked really. He was always capable of writing songs akin to his mid-60s greats but never had the right support team or confidence again. If not for the Beach Boys’ commercial appeal. It was Landry, and then it was Joe Thomas wanting him to be marketable in the '90s. Brian's best work is when he's left alone or has a like-minded collaborator
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE MONTHS BEFORE WE GOT TO HEAR THIS!!! Thank you a million times!!!
Would you be able to upload a lossless version of the album and the isolated tracks to mega or something like that?
Was thinking the same thing. Even a less compressed version that what RUclips provides would be very much appreciated. A game-changing mix!
Outstanding work, technically, creatively and musically. I didn't think you would ever surpass the SMiLE A.D. mixes you produced several years ago, but you have. Mark Linett and Alan Boyd should give you a call. Brian Wilson should take you out for a steak dinner. I can only give you my sincere thanks.
What does the A.D. stand for, becuase I was wondering where that came from in his name, you know, cus dae lims is smile ad backwards
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣@@Ryan-oq8gy NEVER thought of it 😅
@@Ryan-oq8gy Perhaps a religious reference? Anno Domini (indicates that an event occurred after Jesus or god came to be). I might be wrong, of course.
phenomenal, i feel your works have been defying my expectations of AI art in that it is super creative, not lazy and very well crafted! keep up the great work, cant believe how well this is executed. you’re truly at the forefront of this AI music stuff and I’m so glad that you’re interested in exploring its incorporation in Beach Boys and Beatles work especially 🙌 it’s a real treat
Oh, the transition from Fire to I Wanna Be Around and the latter's vocal harmonies are sublime.
Dae lims, you are an artist. Everyone has been looking forward to this, many
Believe it to be the definite version of smile. In my mind this is the idea of smile. I don’t believe smile can be completed because I don’t believe smile is an album. I believe it is an idea or a way of thinking. “Smile is experimental music” This is the most experimental music we’ve seen in a long time. A new frontier of art is among us and this is the pioneer for much more experimental music. You have blown everyone away with what you have been able to express with this new medium. Thank you.
Smile was completed at last in 2004 by his creator, I don't know what the hell are you talking about
@@JulioLeonFandinho If you watch the documentary Brian wasn’t that involved in that project as many believe, he did contribute, but that was more Darians smile imo
yup! well put
@@patrickdykes9709if you watch the supplementary smile session footage from 2004, it’s obvious Brian was running a lot more of the show than the doc let on, as Brian was also hedging in case it wasn’t well received. He also did this in California Music in the 70s. Brian absolutely was involved in directing the project more than previously thought and the entire footage is there on RUclips. In no way was he passive once they got into the actual studio.
I don’t know why everyone thinks Brian is kind of incompetent these days. I see no evidence of it. But I do see evidence of him being moody, avoidant, depressive and anxious (in other words, having Brian Wilson problems).
This AI Smile is decent and new, but is in no way the definitive version of Smile, not by a mile. I won't deny the creativity of this project, I like some of the sequences and vocal harmonies in this mix, but let's not go as far as to say this is the "new frontier of art" as the implications of using a real artist or singer's voice is more than questionable.
The only problem I can see with this is it is too good to be true. Clear as can be, HQ, opening new ways to appreciate the original artists. I really like this.
I can die happy after having heard this, the GREATEST assemblage of this legendary music ever done. No more "fan mixes" ever need be compiled. Yes, I myself would place the tracks in a different sequence, lose "You're Welcome" and would absolutely need to include "Good Vibrations", but-those caveats aside-this truly is a breathtaking technical achievement that leaves me very nearly speechless with awe. A million thanks to whoever (and WHATever) was responsible for this. 👍
This is only the beginning I bet
i'm really excited for an0nymuse's mix. i have a suspicion it'll be even better.
In my edit of his mix changed exactly those things! Here is the download if you are interested: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1v1plPZIeE8cifcBea8NvzMlgR_hko28E?usp=sharing
I mean his mix is already legendary, this is just to make it truly perfect for me at least.
Just finished my first listen. Wow this was everything I ever wanted. Ever since AI music became more accessible I always thought how amazing it would be to hear Brian’s new smile version converted to the older demo tracks. Thank you so much.
Holy Smokes. Only on 'Do You Like Worms' and this is a stunning interpretation you have done here. Everything sounds so full and complete.
I’m only 14 minutes in and this has absolutely blown my mind! What a rendition!!
The best version of SMiLE I've ever heard. Thank you.
On another note, I'm delighted about those fantastic verses in 'Do You Like Worms'. I left a comment about it on another video, hoping for that to happen in this release... and it did!
“I wanna be around” is so good
Absolutely wonderful, the last two tracks are definitely the highlights.
ADding onto this, will there be a FLAC release sometime in the near future? Maybe isolated tracks for fanmixers to use?
Listening for the first time now. The end of Surf's Up was so beautiful that I unexpectedly burst into tears.
it's good that you're not too tough to cry
The key change turned something that sounded so melancholic into triumph! It’s just incredible!
FINALLY! Bad thing I'm taking classes at the hospital but surely this will be the greatest moment of my day.
THANK YOU! YOU ARE A GENIUS
I absolutely cannot believe what I'm hearing!!!!!!!!!!!! This is incredible. We have to get this to Brian Wilson somehow.
I wouldn't be surprised if this made quite a bit of publicity, the "Bookoff SMiLE" I think even made the news, and that was absolutely nothing compared to this.
This is absolutely stunning! I was amazed by numerous aspects, the new Barnyard, Worms, CIFOTM, and Surf's Up / ending are really really really good! I also love the Mike vocals flown in (Blue Hawaii!!). Really nice work and congratulations from a SMiLE fan and history fanatic ...
Is it just me or does anyone else find this album really enjoyable around the month of October or even Halloween time? I don't know why, Cabin Essence, Do You Like Worms? and Fire give me that impression. I'll listen to it any time of year, Any day like I am now but I especially love it around that particular time of year.
Totally. Something is eerie about it. But warm. Feels like fall.
@@dylmoon1130 That's the thing about SMiLE. It's both cheerful and dark (especially if you know the story of the album).
AYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY LMFAO
I first heard the sessions album in Nov 2014. I was obsessed with it for weeks. Idk what it is either but you totally have a point. The original intended release was supposed to be Dec '66. The Brian Wilson version was released Sept 28, 2004 and The sessions album was released Nov 2011. Songs like Fire, Holidays, Wind Chimes, Vegetables for some reason all fit. I've been hearing the album every 2-3 years around these times. Today is no exception. This album never seems to stop being relevant especially now with AI technology. This is one of the best versions of Smile I heard so far.
@@vegasvanga5442 I actually planned on listening to the smile sessions cd I have on my Hi-Fi later tonight. Just returned here to comment lol.
If There Was A Awards for AI Album of the Year…THIS WOULD BE IT.
💯
Glorious, and in this alternate universe, Good Vibrations remains a standalone single.
I grew up listening to this album, the bootlegs and then the versions released in the 2000's. It has always been an album that resonated with me deeply, but this version hits in areas I've never felt before. There are moments in this version, specifically in this insane version of Surf's Up, that reach kind of divine levels of beauty. Wow.
Obsessed with that new version of Barnyard. Such a killer revamp of the song.
I know right? I nearly shit myself at the beat switch lmao
The bassline gets me every time, makes me wanna get stoned 🤣
I would love to hear a lossless version of your incredible creation. I've been enjoying this so much. Thank you.
Ditto
On soulseek
google it. You'll find FLAC files
Not only new amazing additions, also amazing mixing/producing work. Adds a new experience to each song
This is literally one of the most wonderful things I've ever heard (and I'm talking when "literally" meant LITERALLY). It's like someone went back in time with a laptop and let Brian realize Smile to completion, at the height of his powers, with modern sound quality. As amazing as Smile 2004 was, he didn't have all the voices there (even his own is not what it was in his 20's). Smile will always be a great "what if" album...this is a pretty brilliant speculation of what could have been. I can see that this is going to become a favorite genre of mine in the future...hearing classic masterpieces reimagined by A. I.
Dennis singing You Are My Sunshine blows me away!
The definitive version of SMiLE! Long-awaited and absolutely glorious. Thank you.
This is amazing! What a passion project. You must’ve had so much fun putting this together. Cannot wait to listen to this with headphones. I am amazed with the vocal arrangement on the Friday night segment. I would love to see a video on how you went about doing some of this. Some of your creative ideas underneath everything is also really cool. Thanks for giving me something new to listen to. What an interesting approach… Keep up the most excellent work.
This is the best thing I heard in 2023. So amazing, so well constructed... the final third of this album is absolutely mind meltingly great.... I bought Smile bootlegs in the 90s and have been following the trajectory from bootleg albums (Brian's Smile Party 😀), to the GV Box set, Brian's reconstruction, the Smile Sessions.... and here we are - what an amazing world we live in.
Great job! Thank you for your efforts in providing further art, enjoyment and entertainment centered around the music and artists (Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys) that so many of us love.
“The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists.” - Charles Dickens
Welp, you nailed that. The alt "Worms" melody, the 2nd verse on Child, the sublime Blue Hawaii -- yup, that's pretty much the best.
This is an absolute masterpiece. And it sounds as tight and crisp as any modern recording while still retaining the playfulness of the original recordings. Absolute masterful blend of the original material and modern additions to help it come to life in the most impressive way yet.
Love you for this, truly a gift to the world of music.
The best way I can describe it is you finished an incomplete painting. you really tied everything together to feel cohesive and realized the teenage symphony to god.
This is isn't the final product,there was still work to be done when Brian Wilson was working on it.That doesn't take away thought that this video is amazing
Help! I can’t stop listening to “Do You Like Worms”
This is absolutely stunning work you've done here! I would normally be very sceptical about this kind of thing but the love and respect you have for the source material shines through. While I do love the 2004 album, I have always felt the lack of the classic BW vocals and am resigned to the fact that the true, perfect version of Smile that exists in my mind will never be - but projects like this offer a fascinating insight into what could have been. The last three tracks were a particular highlight - that key change at the end of Surf's Up knocked me for six! I'm really intrigued to see what you'll do next.
There's just so much going on, I hardly know where to begin, so I'll just run through it all chronologically:
You're Welcome:
- I've seen people open with You're Welcome, but usually that pushes Our Prayer to the end or the start of side B. Interesting that you open with both. Feels a bit anticlimactic, but I'm okay with it.
Heroes and Villains:
- Really nice to hear pre-Smiley H&V verse in stereo!
- If there's one missed opportunity here, I think it's not putting vocals over Prelude to Fade. I've seen some people sing "I've been in this town so long (so long) to the city..." followed by "stand or fall...", both of which are half-verses that just so happen (likely not coincidentally) to form one whole verse if you put them together. I imagine that this is how Brian and VDP originally wrote it... surely those lyrics in the Smiley version were written earlier? If it helps to envision it: The two so longs would be said sorta-overlapping as a call/response. "Stand or fall..." would begin at 4:34, with "...villains" being said at 4:46.)
- Any particular reason why that "Part 2 with handclaps" (no clue what to call this section to distinguish it from the dozen other things called "Part 2" lol) has a faster tempo than usual? Not complaining, just wondering if it's inspired by something in the sessions or if it's just you trying something different for the sake of it.
I'm in Great Shape:
- I heard that acetate fragment cameo!
- I didn't quite understand why you doubled "in the open country" back in your A.D. mix, but now I fully understand what you were going for. It's (in) great (shape)!
Barnyard:
- I really appreciate that you didn't just make every new vocal be Brian, and you went the extra mile of figuring out which Beach Boy should voice which parts. Mike being the Barnyard lead vocal makes a lot of sense!
- Very interesting choice to use the various Barnshine variants to turn Barnyard into an entire track. Kinda reminds me of "Mama Says" on Wild Honey with how it's the same concept repeated in different styles. I would've kept the standard Sunshine fadeout attached to Old Master Painter, though. As it is, Barnyard feels maybe a little too long, and the 3rd section of Barnyard already incorporated elements of DYLW, so I think that could've worked as the fadeout.
Do You Like Worms:
- There are elements of Music Mann Recordings' version of the DYLW lyrics that I kinda wish were incorporated here (no clue if you've heard that particular fan rendition before), but sonically, this is absolutely the best reconstruction/completion of the true DYLW verse melody I've ever heard. Nice incorporation of Little Pad.
- Finally, a DYLW mix where the chorus vocals don't drown out everything! (I was very annoyed when SoS Deluxe didn't fix this.) Finally, I can hear that kick drum!
- The incorporation of the "skits" throughout (e.g. the end of DYLW) feels surprisingly authentic. Often, when people incorporate these, they tend to drag the pace down or become more annoying and indulgent than interesting. But your use of them here is tasteful: adding to the atmosphere without taking away from the music.
Cabinessence:
- Like DYLW before it, you've successfully unmuddied the Cabinessence chorus, and I hope everyone uses your mix as reference from now on.
Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine:
- Yay, HQ Dennis vocal! That said, the acetate making Dennis' vocal sound like it was an old record (which I guess it was in multiple ways at once, lol) works pretty well thematically, so I kinda wish a bit more of that effect had been kept here.
Wonderful:
- I detect a slight difference in Brian's vocals on Wonderful. Are you passing original vocals through the AI voice-changer to "upscale" them? If so, that's quite clever.
- Not sure if it was because of my suggestion that Part 1 Tag made it here, but I'm happy to hear it either way, and I wasn't expecting vocals!
Fire / I Wanna Be Around:
- Not entirely sold on the vocals added to the Intro; I think maybe they should only come in during the second half of it to avoid feeling repetitive.
- Nice to hear the Fall Breaks vocals with such clarity.
- I really appreciate having workshop be shorter than most people make it, so it doesn't overstay its welcome.
Vega-Tables
- Interesting and respectable choice to go with a more stripped-down (relatively speaking) mix for Vega-Tables. I think hearing the "dig a hole in the ground" bits from the "Demo" version applied to the more refined track would've been interesting, but this is a good approach as well.
- The fadeout is another place where you've fixed questionable mixing choices from the official 2011 mixes.
Wind Chimes:
- I like that vocal extraction has made it feasible to do things like switch to the early backing track for the 2nd verse while keeping the same vocals on top. Adds a nice bit of variety to the song.
- Nice use of the extended break before the WC chorus.
- The new Wind Chimes vocals sound just a little off(-key?) to me, but I really like what you were going for conceptually, and they're mostly alright.
Child Is Father of the Man:
- This is, without a doubt, the most-complete-sounding CIFotM on the web.
- With regard to verse melodies, the only thing that could rival it is Music Mann's take on the track. (Video id CvJYqESksqM) In terms of execution, though: there is no competition. (Not a knock against Music Mann, since obviously he didn't have the same tools at his disposal. I'm still quite curious how his ideas would sound if given the AI treatment.)
- These lyrics are impressive.
- Good choice to use Dennis for the verses.
- 31:22 is especially well-done. I can usually tell when the vocals aren't authentic, but for a few seconds here, it sounds so close that I can't tell the difference anymore.
Love to Say Dada:
- A.D.'s Love to Say Dada was one of my favorite renditions of the track, even with all the digital artifacting. To hear a lot of the same ideas refined using AI is very satisfying.
- Yay, the Child breakdown section is here, and it sounds amazing! I actually once did something very similar in one of my own personal mixes, except that I faded the breakdown piano into the same section from one of the early takes of Cool Cool Water (pitch/tempo-shifted, of course), which meant I had to lose the drums and other instruments after the first couple of seconds. Nice to hear a fuller version of that. I also overlaid the Walk Child vocals, but was never quite satisfied with how they sounded due to the pitch-shifting, so I'm happy to see that rectified here. (On a side note: in my mix, I go from the Child section into 2nd Day; I'm kinda curious what that would sound like with vocals).
Surf's Up:
- This is the best sync of Brian's vocal to the Surf's Up backing track that I've ever heard.
- I appreciate going all-in on trying something different (we've all heard the official mixes a thousand times), but I think I prefer the original vocals for "bygone, bygone". I get the sense you were going with an all-Brian approach for this track, and I respect that, but Carl's vocals for that bit are already basically perfect in my mind.
- The sync of the BWPS backing track for the 2nd Movement is, again, the best that I've ever heard, and I appreciate that you kept it a bit more subtle than some of the other attempts I've heard in the past. It works really well. I do kinda miss the Moog from the 1971 version, though.
- When I was listening to this the first time, I pondered "I bet he could do the Wild Honey key change here if he wanted to"... and then you did it, and it sounds amazing! A bold choice, and I'd say it paid off!
- Anyone who's heard one of the live performances of Surf's Up from 1971-1973 knows how much of a punch the coda should pack. And I'm happy to say that your version surpasses all others.
- I do have one complaint about the coda though: the lead lyric vocal just isn't as good. Again, I appreciate the attempt to go all-Brian here, but the original vocals by Alan are just so, so good. If I could change just one thing about this entire fanmix, it would be this.
- I understand what you were going for with George Fell interrupting the fadeout on Surf's Up, but seeing as that this is the best version of the Surf's Up coda on the internet, this is probably the last mix I'd want to do that on, lol. It just feels a little too unsatisfying. I think I would've waited just a few more seconds to give a better sense of closure. Still, I'm glad George Fell is here.
Other:
- Kinda funny that the song with its name plastered thrice on the cover is nowhere to be found. I get why it isn't, but it's still pretty funny.
- Nice animations on the SMiLE shop.
Overall, it's clear that you know your stuff, and your effort has paid off. Like SMiLE A.D. before it, I expect this to be remembered as one of the most memorable SMiLE fanmixes on the internet. Thank you.
Agree on the Brian vocal sync on Surf’s Up being the best attempt, the official Smile Sessions version is terrible. Also the smoothness on Brian holding “Johhhn” sounds great with no time stretching artifacts. I assume there’s some AI touch up there.
when in DYLW does it use Little Pad?
Great comment, I second everything you said!
@@captainkirk1001 during the verse, the “na na na”s is the same melody as “sure would like to have a little pad”
@@alekinlorcrow3270oooh i hear it now thanks!
Child is father of the man is nuts, I’m sure that’s EXACTLY what Brian intended to put out. You did it again! Great work
Say what you want about AI, but it’s been a goddamn blessing for Beach Boys fans. The fact I had to stop listening to this multiple times just to make sure I didn’t lose my shit at hearing all the extra additions and vocals is saying something. I knew I was in for something special when I heard Mike come in on I’m In Great Shape but then I get blindsided by that insane Barnyard redo, the era accurate melody on Do You Like Worms, the extra vocals on Wind Chimes, fucking Dennis singing lead on Child is Father and then everything about Love to Say Dada. This is superb
Agree 100%. Al has been the unsung hero of the Beach Boys since the 60s.
It's literally a family reunion. This is as close as we'll get to an official Beach Boys release of Smile.
My dude…that transition into I Wanna Be Around👌🏼👌🏼wonderful work
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the craft. This is GLORIOUS.
Congratulations for this masterful achievement!
The piece spanning from 8:47 to 9:05 might be my favorite part of all Smile. It’s so absorbing I feel my soul expanding every time I hear it.
Same here. Same goes for the ending of Heroes and Villains, The Vocals on Wonderful and Love to Say Dada. All Freaking Good.
Somehow Wind Chimes is now a standout. Absolutely stunningly amazing work
You'd win a Grammy, straight up if you were to release this with the Beach Boys blessing. I'm flabbergasted and crying.
Absolutely fantastic work, this is my new definitive version of SMiLE! My only gripe is that "You're Welcome" feels like a weird choice after "Our Prayer," (although, it's growing on me,) and that you didn't use the "Whispering winds send my wind chimes a-tinklin'" snippet, which is one of the most beautiful things the Beach Boys recorded in my opinion. But seriously, I'm floored by just how complete this sounds, while still maintaining the spirit of the OG sessions.
Also, I'm skeptical of AI and its implications, but as my dad says "With everything there are good things and bad things" and the idea that we can get versions of SMiLE that sound this beautiful and complete definitely falls under the "good things" category for me. Your added vocals sound so convincing that I have to keep reminding myself that you (most likely) didn't somehow travel back in time and convince Brian to finish the album.
This was a really good time! I really like what you did with heroes and villains and barnyard, and CIFOTM/surfs up was a highlight for sure.
This has been on repeat DAILY for me. I can’t get enough of this, especially the little things like that transition from Mrs o Leary’s cow to I wanna be around or the new vocal harmonies. Even included George fell into his French horn. I applaud you sir! Smile has been on of my most favorite albums of all time and hearing this has opened a new chapter for me. Now all I suggest is that you take on good vibrations! I would love to hear an elongated smile mix!
Have you ever listen to BWPS before?
@@cabinessence_timely_helloI don’t think I have, what is it?
@@natesworld3062 Brian Wilson presents Smile
@@natesworld3062 you know, the version that Brian actually finished in 2003, mixing old ideas with new ones and finalized songs, and led to the release of the Smile Sessions and served as a blueprint for it?
@@cabinessence_timely_hello oh yes of course haha, I was thrown off by the acronym. My bad
I've listened to pretty much all the bootleg releases of this title over the last 30 years - so hopefully the biggest compliment I can provide is that this version of the SMiLE album doesn't sound like AI at all....Do you feel brave enough to take on 'Good Vibrations' next Dae Lims?
He's always excluded good vibrations in his mixes, way before he used ai.
Bravo!
I'm a hardcore Beach Boys .I've listened dozens of SMiLE re-creations and mixings. Ths is the best I've heard hands down. Amazing job!! Sounds like a commercial record. Kudos.
I gotta say, as a 53-year-old Beach Boys fan who has been making my own custom versions of Smile for over 30 years, your version is far and away the BEST one I've ever heard and it's not even close. The amount of care and thoughtful placing of all the fragments along with your tastefullly flawless AI additions made your version the first one I've ever heard that sounds like a "complete" album if that makes sense. Been playing it non-stop over the past few days and there are so many different parts to love that jump out with each new play. The way you seamlessly transition from Barnyard to the fade of the 3-minute single version of H&V is fantastic and a good example of how inventive you were with your mix while staying true to the creative spirit that Brian intended for this album. I use the word "inventive" because since BWPS, it's been a bit disheartening to see how many fan-edits slavishly copy the blueprint of BWPS even though it's quite clear that the original album most definitely would NOT have followed that track listing. I've only listened to half of your 2+ hour breakdown of how it all came together (I plan on listening to the other half today) and it was great to hear not only your thoughts regarding why and how you put certain tracks together, but also to hear you mention the sheer amount of work which went into getting the AI vocals just right. I picked up on this the first time I heard your version, because there were vocals that I knew just did not exist and had to be created, and yet they sounded EXACTLY like the BB. I'd never heard anything in AI sound even close to what you managed to accomplish. I cannot stress enough just how impressive your work here is. Kudos on getting props from VDP as he is another person I have long admired (his Discover America albums has been a favorite of mine since I picked it up on a whim in '92). Anyway, I don't know if you'll see this, but I just wanted to add my admiration for your work. If the BB or the folks at UMG had any sense, you'd be on the payroll immediately as your version of Smile will now be the definitive one for me (until you come out with v2.0 I suppose).
Sorry Dae Lims, yes it is true, we are already clamoring for a smA.I.Le 2.0
I can't wait to hear this arrangement in a live setting someday. The ideas for how to do this are definitely wheeling in my head..
I second that motion.
Fantastic. There's a true sense of wonder and mystery here, with little surprises around every corner. "Surf's Up" has found its place at the end... and the running time is right for a single vinyl record. Interestingly, the disjointed and fragmented nature of the editing and sequencing somehow makes me think of "Lumpy Gravy" and "We're Only in It for the Money" by Zappa (which are absolutely excellent late 60s albums as well)
Not fully done listening to this yet, am at Cabinessence, but I admire how crazy unique this is. Rather creative compared to before where we were rather limited with technology, wonder if this will inspire more to use AI with new SMiLE mixes as I am doing the same as well.
Surfs Up goes crazy. The ending, while likely not what Brian envisioned, hits the cathartic nodes he was going for.