Buy Used
Used - Like New See details
$4.08 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
Sold by newtownvideos.

or
 
   
Sell Us Your Item
For up to a $0.30 Gift Card
Trade in
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Smile

Brian WilsonAudio CD
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (665 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.



Amazon's Brian Wilson Store

Music

Image of album by Brian Wilson

Photos

Image of Brian Wilson

Videos

Brian Wilsom Reimagines His Favorite Disney Classic Songs

Biography

He is one of popular music's most deeply revered figures, the main creative force behind some of the most cherished recordings in rock history. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to call Brian Wilson one of the most influential composers of the last century.
Wilson’s remarkable journey began in a modest Hawthorne, California home that was filled with music. His mom and dad both played ... Read more in Amazon's Brian Wilson Store

Visit Amazon's Brian Wilson Store
for 32 albums, 7 photos, videos, discussions, and more.


Product Details

  • Audio CD (September 28, 2004)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Nonesuch
  • ASIN: B0002LI11M
  • Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (665 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,185 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

1. Our Prayer/Gee
2. Heroes and Villians
3. Roll Plymouth Rock
4. Barnyard
5. Old Master Painter/You are My Sunshine
6. Cabin Essence
7. Wonderful
8. Song For Children
9. Child is Father of the Man
10. Surf's Up
11. I'm in Great Shape/I Wanna Be Around/Workshop
12. Vega-Tables
13. On a Holiday
14. Wind Chimes
15. Mrs. O'Leary's Cow
16. In Blue Hawaii
17. Good Vibrations

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Greatest Album That Never Was finally is. The Beach Boys' uncompleted 1967 album Smile has remained the elusive touchstone of Brian Wilson's brilliant, star-crossed career for decades. Artistic Holy Grail and troubling professional Waterloo for Wilson, a tantalizing prism of unfulfilled promise to his loyal cadre of fans, its story has become pop music's Rashomon. Finally completed via spring 2004 recordings with his stellar, longtime touring band (none of the original '60s sessions were used, though they've been recreated here with often stunning authenticity), it's arguably as alien to contemporary pop as it might have seemed in its intended '67 context--even to ears freshly primed by the glories of Pet Sounds.

Collaborator Van Dyke Parks's impressionistic, often mischievous lyrics conjure a collage of arcane 19th-century Americana that's equal parts artful ellipse and aloof nostalgia. But wed to Wilson's innovative composition and recording techniques (echoing beat author William Burroughs's fabled cut 'n' paste methodology and exemplified by the modular "Good Vibrations"), the resulting semisuite confections challenge the boundaries of both song and album form, but with an insouciant charm that's as different from Pet Sounds as that landmark was from "I Get Around." Turns out those hypothetical comparisons to Sgt. Pepper's weren't so far off the mark. --Jerry McCulley

Smiling with Brian
Amazon.com Music Editor Peter Hilgendorf called Brian Wilson to congratulate him on the release of Smile, and to talk about the recording and some of the history behind this highly anticipated release. Listen now.

Catch Up with Brian Wilson and the Legend of Smile:
Here are a few lists to help unravel the stories and sounds of Smile.

Product Description

One of the most mythic albums in rock-the one that pushed Wilson over the edge and sat unfinished in the vault for decades-returned in 2004 when Brian resurrected it , re-recorded it and earned his most rapturous raves in decades. The CD contains Heroes and Villains; Surf's Up; Mrs. O'Leary's Cow; Roll Plymouth Rock , and the rest of the captivating creations of Wilson and Van Dyke Parks. To watch a revelatory documentary about the history and ultimate triumph of SMiLE and see its complete performance in LA (plus an ocean of bonus features), go for the DVD!

Customer Reviews

I am a huge fan of Brian Wilson and his work with the Beach Boys. LPL  |  134 reviewers made a similar statement
"Smile" is like that. H. Laser  |  119 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 59 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Brian! An unqualified masterpiece.. October 8, 2004
Format:Audio CD
In the "Tribute Concert to Brian Wilson" on DVD, released a couple of years ago, Sir George Martin took the stage and narrated a short film about how Brian Wilson was the biggest influence (and challenge) to The Beatles. How they were blown away when they heard "Pet Sounds." (Paul McCartney has called "God Only Knows" the greatest song ever written.. ) ..

He talked about how it took his own combined talents as their producer, the writing talents of Lennon and McCartney, and the instrumental virtuosity of all four Beatles to create their records, but Brian Wilson did ALL of that for the Beach Boys.. wrote the songs, arranged them, sang them, played instruments and ran the board during production and editing. What George Martin was saying was that it took him and all four Beatles to do what Brian could do alone.

Now who am I to argue with Sir George. As much as I love and adore The Beatles' music, he was right. I can almost picture John and Paul sitting slack jawed when they first heared "Pet Sounds." To which they answered with "Revolver" to which Brian was going to answer with "Smile" but then.. you know the rest.

The catch phrase going around about "Smile" is "Imagine if Sgt. Pepper had been shelved and released 37 years later." It is a very apt and fitting description of the feeling, the tears of joy, that any fan of Brian's will get when they play this album.
... Read more ›
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
70 of 79 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterstroke September 28, 2004
Format:Audio CD
When the original SMiLE sessions were taking place, it was whispered that the material was far too bizarre to be released. The audience just wouldn't get it. In retrospect, the album that was (and now the album that is) was light-years ahead of its time. With so many artists having been influenced by the bits and pieces of the original SMiLE that have been lovingly put back together in true humpty-dumpty fashion, it turns out that the album that never was actually was a watershed moment in music history. Just take a listen to bands such as The Fiery Furnaces, The Olivia Tremor Control, The Flaming Lips, Dungen, The Shins, All Night Radio...the list goes on. Those bits and pieces of SMiLE gestated and gave birth to these bands, and without SMiLE and its predecessor Pet Sounds, these bands would arguably not even exist.

However, The Beach Boys' SMiLE is a fragile document of what could have been. Until now. When I first heard that Brian Wilson was going to RE-RECORD the album, I almost lost it. I thought "How could he? This will be an embarrassment and will ruin what little we have of the original, sung through post-millennia filter that will cloud Brian Wilson's vision!" Boy, was I wrong. This is not a reproduction. It is a pure and unadulterated channeling of those original sessions as if they were directly tapped through some break in the space/time continuum. This is not SMiLE redux, this IS SMiLE. Arguably, Brian's Voice lost a touch or two in the intervening decades (!), but still sounds terrific. And the backup band The Wondermints recreate the sound of "what could have been" flawlessly. Although it isn't Mike Love and Carl Wilson singing harmonies, that does not matter much. This is Brian and Van Dyke's album. It always was.
... Read more ›
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Far Exceeded Expectations October 21, 2004
Format:Audio CD
I wasn't sure what to expect when I purchased this CD. It was in a very plain jacket, with no liner notes although I did buy it overseas, so maybe the American version has some notes. I listened to it for the next week as it was the only CD I had in my pocession. The more I listened, the more I really appreciated this quilt work of music. At first I thought it a collection of disjointed sounds but as I listened more it all seem to come together to form some very beautiful sounds. The remakes of some of the songs from the first 'Smile' were even better than the originals. I strongly recommend this to any Beach Boys fan as well as anyone who enjoys well crafted pop music.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
26 of 30 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Hear 'SMiLE' with an open mind and fill your heart December 5, 2004
Format:Audio CD
Though no youngster, I've come to the music of Brian Wilson very lately; only really aware of the Beach Boys bigger hits. Word of a fabulous 'lost' album had barely filtered through other late 20th century distractions;

'Pet Sounds' (I'm ashamed to say) was one of those classic list-topping records that I still hadn't gotten round to buying. A SMiLE-addicted friend and a semi-drunken conversation ignited this latent spark, and so last Friday I bought both SMiLE and Pet Sounds, and taking advantage of an empty household over the weekend, have gorged myself on these aural banquets. I look forward to feasting on them for many years to come.

I think I have an advantage over a lot of the other reviewers here, in that both albums are brand new to me and don't come with the historical baggage that seems to mire a lot of devoted Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fans; who on reading quite a lot of the reviews here seem to have invested too much emotion and time into the SMiLE myth. I hear these songs as the simply heart-stoppingly gorgeous creations they are.

Brian's voice is still a beautiful instrument, I disagree that it has been slightly dulled by the years and the songs just make me ache. I'm going to buy all my friends SMiLE this Christmas and myself the rest of the Brian Wilson/Beach Boys back catalogue. Everybody deserves SMiLE!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Unusual
I have been listening/dancing to the Beach Boys since their first recordings. This music, although still composed by Brian, is for the most part very different from his Beach Boys... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Robert J. Rice Jr.
1.0 out of 5 stars One star way too much...better none at all.
This crap deserves a BIG ZERO. It's crap. This is what the world waited for...from Brian Wilson? I can find wonder in all kinds of music, from opera to rock to jazz, reggae, soul,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dennis D.
5.0 out of 5 stars GLAD TO FINALLY HEAR THIS GEM
I SAW THE SPECIAL ON TV AND BRIAN WILSON IS A GENIUS THAT HAD ISSUES WHICH LED TO HIS MENTAL BREAK DOWN AND THIS PROJECT BEING SHELVED.... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Passat_GLX
5.0 out of 5 stars Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson is one of the truly great song writers in my opinion. He wrote some the the best music for the Beach Boys.
Published 2 months ago by Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for Beach Boy fans
Probably not their best album, but if your a Beach Boys fan you probably want this in your collection. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mark Muellner
5.0 out of 5 stars LEGEND
LEGEND-Brian's music comes alive after so many years. Fabulous DVD to have in your collection particularly if you are a beach boys fan.
Published 5 months ago by Pauline Dixon
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
It's very difficult to do anything other than string a series of adjectives together to describe how wonderful this album is, and what a gift Wilson has offered. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Eliphas Levi
2.0 out of 5 stars Way Over-hyped
As a lifelong Beach Boys fan I had hoped SMILE would live up to the billing and hype of the reviewers...was I wrong! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Surf Deep
5.0 out of 5 stars The Masterpiece Begging To Be Heard
There have been so many articles, stories and forum comments written about this album, it's hard to believe that original sessions from 1966 & 1967 were just released in the last... Read more
Published 17 months ago by M. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Album
Loved this album. One of the best in the history of music! Smiley Smile/Wild Honey album is great too! And the new Smile Sessions album will be best! Thanks Brian Wilson!
Published 20 months ago by icecreammusicman
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 




What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?



Look for Similar Items by Category