I really think that Van Dyke should record his own interpretation of the album Smile. It is a fantastic album and his musical sensibilities would really give the album new life.
The background instrumentals... are absolutely beautiful. I want to be moved to tears so much because it's just... I can't even describe how, again, beautiful it is. ...No words.
What she's singing is actually in the song, it's just buried in the 47 other vocals. That's why it's been my favorite song since I discovered it at age 7 (1969) Everytime I hear it I STILL hear things I never noticed before.
I never fully appreciated the depth of the vocals on Heroes and Villians until I heard Brian's completed project released in 2004. (Has it been that long?) Now I cannot listen to the Beach Boys' version, knowing how the song was meant to be sung.
Van Dyke Parks? That guy is the ultimate badass merc. the original "I'm just going to do whatever I want to all over the place and it will all be great" guy. I mean who else has worked with the Beach Boys, Tito Puente, AND the mighty Sparrow? This guy is legend.
For those out there that don't believe in God....hey..,,, , I think she was kind enough to give us VDP!!! What a wonderful man of Music and Lyric. Time to giddyup, dowahdiddyup!!
Spectacular. Goes beyond the Beach Boys. Shows that not only a lyric writer, a true artist in every way and everyone in that room as well right in tune and time with one of the creators of this timeless classic. Bravo, Van Dyke Parks!
This is a great lesson on how to re-arrange a song to fit your strengths & weaknesses as a singer. If Van Dyke had attempted a faithful cover, it probably would have been pretty bad (who can cover the Beach Boys respectably?), but this is really good! It just doesn't sound much like the Beach Boys/Brian Wilson version at all. Still good. He has every right in the world to change it around, and personally, that's what I like in a live performance. I'm glad this was recorded. THANKS for posting it!
"Who can cover the Beach Boys respectably?" The Fendertones ! Look for it elsewhere on TH-cam. Meanwhile it's good to see VDP performing one of his lyrical masterpieces !
Major kudos to Van Dyke for his work on "Smile", "Orange Crate Art" and "Song Cycle" as well as for being a genuinely nice and dignified bloke. However, I much prefer Brian's arrangement.
That's because Van Dyke is a more symphonic arranger than Brian in a sense that Brian had way catchier musical arrangements than Van Dyke Parks even though Van Dyke is still incredibly talented.
As what I would call I neutral observer with no emotional attachment to the beach boys' version, I can say that this is an objectively beautiful moment which I am beyond grateful to have the ability to witness on demand. Keeping with the neutrality, I feel this version, while not "surf style" (which I feel is the true objection many have) offers more depth, character, and impact.
Song Cycle was a great album, but we all know that if SMiLE had been released back in '68 when it was supposed to, it would have crushed any other album then or since
Daniel Aranda - SMiLE was supposed to be finished and released by Christmas 1966, not in '68. Delays were announced, then the shelving by mid-'67, right about the time that SPLHCB was released. Incidentally, over the last 45 years, I've heard more than one account of Lou Adler supplying acetates to Lennon and McCartney of Brian's latest studio efforts during SMiLE, even McCartney coming to visit Brian in LA during the sessions and joining in the fun of Vege-Tables. Pet Sounds led to Sgt. Pepper, but so did the unreleased SMiLE.
I like this unique interpretation, but I was disappointed in the Children Were Raised section. Not sure if he stumbled on the words or what, but it's my favorite part of the original song.
I guess when you are the co-author of this song, you are entitled to butcher the arrangement, especially if you are Van Dyke Parks. And I have to say that I enjoyed it as well. Thank you Van Dyke for all you’ve done for popular music with so many different artists.
I understand his point of view at the time but I really wish he hadn't backed out of SMiLE when it was happening. Because he's so much more than just a lyricist, he could've help keep Brian focused through the process of organizing all the pieces of SMiLE into a coherent whole.
I get what you mean. It's not a very poppy album. You have to be a sophisticated person to truly appreciate it. I myself do not love the album but I think it's good for what it's worth.
You're so wrong. Typical pot smoking hippie? Couldn't be farther off. He does sound like the type of guy who would love to hear himself speak though. I do. He's no slouch, check out his debut album Song Cycle for proof of his musical genius
The girl's voice really drags it down for me. It's just too sweet for a song like this. The rest of the group sounds fine when they're just singing background, but her harmony sounds out of place.
VDP was the worse thing that ever happened to the Beach Boys. I mean, here's this beautifully tuned piece of machinery racing along the American highways into a beautiful future in 1966 and along come VDP and turns them into a 49 Ford pick up and drives them into a tree."Gee, Brian...wouldn't it be great to make an album of all old-timey, old fashioned crap that I, ME, VDP, LOVES!"Never the same after that disaster.
I really think that Van Dyke should record his own interpretation of the album Smile. It is a fantastic album and his musical sensibilities would really give the album new life.
I agree
"SMiLE" is deeply imbued with Parks' musical sensibilities.
He wasn't solely a lyrical collaborator.
That's kinda what Song Cycle is imo
Parks is the quiet pop genius that America deserves to fall in love with over and over again
I would love to hear "Van Dyke Parks presents SMiLE"
Sounds as if it was lifted off the Song Cycle sessions back in '67!! Amazing.
You could play this song with any arrangement and its going to be stellar. this is holy music.
This is unreal. Such a creative rendition.
Oh wow, this rendition is crazy, and so much in the same vein as Park's other stuff. It really sounds like it could fit on Song Cycle. Just awesome.
My favorite version! Thanks Van Dyke! You’re brilliant
The background instrumentals... are absolutely beautiful. I want to be moved to tears so much because it's just... I can't even describe how, again, beautiful it is. ...No words.
Love his Abstract/Left-of-center lyrics and arrangements...Brilliant!
That was absolutely wonderful. So glad I could enjoy it with the other 82,547 viewers !!!
Very good i like this version EXCELLENT 👍
What she's singing is actually in the song, it's just buried in the 47 other vocals. That's why it's been my favorite song since I discovered it at age 7 (1969) Everytime I hear it I STILL hear things I never noticed before.
I never fully appreciated the depth of the vocals on Heroes and Villians until I heard Brian's completed project released in 2004. (Has it been that long?) Now I cannot listen to the Beach Boys' version, knowing how the song was meant to be sung.
Van Dyke Parks? That guy is the ultimate badass merc. the original "I'm just going to do whatever I want to all over the place and it will all be great" guy.
I mean who else has worked with the Beach Boys, Tito Puente, AND the mighty Sparrow?
This guy is legend.
Goosebomps! What a great string arranger he is.
I love this so much. Van, you are a god to me. You spoke to the future with this, and more, amore.
This is just superb.
As co author of this song, Van had his own arrangement in mind and Brian his own.My love for Van lets me like both versions.
For those out there that don't believe in God....hey..,,,
, I think she was kind enough to give us VDP!!!
What a wonderful man of Music and Lyric.
Time to giddyup, dowahdiddyup!!
wow! what a cool arrangement of this timeless classic! what daring! what panache!
wordofgord
Spectacular. Goes beyond the Beach Boys. Shows that not only a lyric writer, a true artist in every way and everyone in that room as well right in tune and time with one of the creators of this timeless classic. Bravo, Van Dyke Parks!
His voice is great for an old man
I wished Brian sings the song.🎵🎶😍
WOW! I love anything with a cello! And wonderful to see how they are set up for recording.
Superb. Alive with space and living frame. Sufjan and the Singing detective meets Viktor Ullmann.
This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing it!
that's really great...
I liked this arrangement very much!
This is a great lesson on how to re-arrange a song to fit your strengths & weaknesses as a singer. If Van Dyke had attempted a faithful cover, it probably would have been pretty bad (who can cover the Beach Boys respectably?), but this is really good! It just doesn't sound much like the Beach Boys/Brian Wilson version at all. Still good. He has every right in the world to change it around, and personally, that's what I like in a live performance. I'm glad this was recorded. THANKS for posting it!
He co wrote the song.
"Who can cover the Beach Boys respectably?" The Fendertones ! Look for it elsewhere on TH-cam. Meanwhile it's good to see VDP performing one of his lyrical masterpieces !
Beautiful ✨
This is so cool!
beautiful......
good old music I enjoy
Major kudos to Van Dyke for his work on "Smile", "Orange Crate Art" and "Song Cycle" as well as for being a genuinely nice and dignified bloke. However, I much prefer Brian's arrangement.
That's because Van Dyke is a more symphonic arranger than Brian in a sense that Brian had way catchier musical arrangements than Van Dyke Parks even though Van Dyke is still incredibly talented.
This is actually impressive
That is what talent and education can accomplish.
As what I would call I neutral observer with no emotional attachment to the beach boys' version, I can say that this is an objectively beautiful moment which I am beyond grateful to have the ability to witness on demand. Keeping with the neutrality, I feel this version, while not "surf style" (which I feel is the true objection many have) offers more depth, character, and impact.
striking
Song Cycle was a great album, but we all know that if SMiLE had been released back in '68 when it was supposed to, it would have crushed any other album then or since
SMiLE was scheduled for 1967, the bulk of it recorded in late '66
the part that starts about 2:43 sounds like a part in Black Sheep - which he co-wrote
qué belleza
Daniel Aranda - SMiLE was supposed to be finished and released by Christmas 1966, not in '68. Delays were announced, then the shelving by mid-'67, right about the time that SPLHCB was released. Incidentally, over the last 45 years, I've heard more than one account of Lou Adler supplying acetates to Lennon and McCartney of Brian's latest studio efforts during SMiLE, even McCartney coming to visit Brian in LA during the sessions and joining in the fun of Vege-Tables. Pet Sounds led to Sgt. Pepper, but so did the unreleased SMiLE.
Wow
I like this unique interpretation, but I was disappointed in the Children Were Raised section. Not sure if he stumbled on the words or what, but it's my favorite part of the original song.
I guess when you are the co-author of this song, you are entitled to butcher the arrangement, especially if you are Van Dyke Parks. And I have to say that I enjoyed it as well. Thank you Van Dyke for all you’ve done for popular music with so many different artists.
He grew his brand of antebellum post-pop in the wake of the dust bowl created by the drug revolution. We let this sharecropper blow away in the wind.
This should have been recorded
I understand his point of view at the time but I really wish he hadn't backed out of SMiLE when it was happening. Because he's so much more than just a lyricist, he could've help keep Brian focused through the process of organizing all the pieces of SMiLE into a coherent whole.
Song Cycle was worlds better than Smile, Pet Sounds, or anything else Brian's done. And both Pet Sounds and Smile are great albums.
any one had a look at geraint watkins does with this song highly reccomended
not my style, but very unique and well played nevertheless
Nobody else but Mike Love had anything to do with An American Family.
Love Van Dyke, by far my favorite Beach Boys era.But I just can't get into Song Cycle.Ive really tried to.This is good but too much Song Cycle for me.
I get what you mean. It's not a very poppy album. You have to be a sophisticated person to truly appreciate it. I myself do not love the album but I think it's good for what it's worth.
John Cale is still with us, just sayin'...
You're so wrong. Typical pot smoking hippie? Couldn't be farther off. He does sound like the type of guy who would love to hear himself speak though. I do. He's no slouch, check out his debut album Song Cycle for proof of his musical genius
I’m glad Mike Love overruled him on using a cello on Good Vibrations. This interpretation doesn’t work.
What are you talking about? Good Vibrations has cello, and it's there because of Van Dyke Parks.
Well, that's just not true, quite an overstatement.
Sounds like an outtake from 'Waiting for Guffman'.... Ugh!!!
The girl's voice really drags it down for me. It's just too sweet for a song like this. The rest of the group sounds fine when they're just singing background, but her harmony sounds out of place.
Well it’s different I guess, each to his own, not quite my cup of tea.
Mike Love is that you?
mike love is king
Sorry. Mike Love is rotten to the core.
VDP was the worse thing that ever happened to the Beach Boys. I mean, here's this beautifully tuned piece of machinery racing along the American highways into a beautiful future in 1966 and along come VDP and turns them into a 49 Ford pick up and drives them into a tree."Gee, Brian...wouldn't it be great to make an album of all old-timey, old fashioned crap that I, ME, VDP, LOVES!"Never the same after that disaster.
Mike Love, is that you???
Mike Love attacc again lol
sounds like a mark prindle review
Even the Fendertones do it better than this. This is just plain awful it sounds nothing like it's supposed to!
Why don't you do better? Jeez.
This is his style
What do you mean? He helped write it lol
Sorry but this is a mess and the singing is creepy. They mutilated one of Brian's most brilliant creations!
This sucks.