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Post by John Manning on Jul 4, 2020 7:39:35 GMT -5
Love it. Classic Brian.
Had been primed for it long before hearing it, thanks to David Leaf’s book California Myth but the track matched every expectation.
The backing track is okay actually – a tad Bruce Johnston, sans embellishments, but the melody and chords, and those lyrics, are what keep my attention rapt.
Ten oota ten, then.
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Post by Mikie on Jul 4, 2020 12:10:48 GMT -5
"Still I Dream Of It", like "It's Over Now", showed that Brian still had the ability to cut powerful music when he was inspired. It's a beautiful song, quirky both lyrically and musically and one of Brian's best songs. Brian sings it with a sense of desperation as if he seems to be pining away for the lost inspiration that he had when writing great songs in the 60's. He was thinking about the origin of life. The introductory chords are dense, as in preparing for an approaching storm. This one has another great chord progression, intricate melody, and 'distressing' bridge that demonstrates that Brian was in an emotional decline. The nice tenor and falsetto are gone and he has trouble with a couple of the high notes (though this adds to the drama of the song). “Still I Dream of It” was written for Sinatra. Brian said, “He didn’t say yes to the song, and that bothered me. It was a beautiful song about loneliness and hope.” The words "Jesus loves the world and if that’s true, then why hasn’t he helped me to find a girl or find my world? 'Till then I’m just a dreamer". He returned to this viewpoint as if the previous 15 years never happened. Released on the 1993 GV box set and the 1995 "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" doc and CD. So it's just Brian and his piano on the demo. Curiously, the sonic quality of the demo included on the IJWMFTT set is far inferior to the bootlegged version at the time and the go-to boxed set recording. Not sure what happened there with their sources. The backing track with the orchestra by itself is very nice. A 10ski all the way!
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Post by Will/P.P. on Jul 4, 2020 17:15:28 GMT -5
Perfect in every way. 10/10 doesn't touch how much I love this song and performance.
Alan, pick some extras before moving on to M.I.U. - I know you want to... Let's not rush
to a weaker period. Let's do "New England Waltz". Would love more information on that.
Somebody help a brother out.
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Post by mfp on Jul 4, 2020 19:29:08 GMT -5
Incredibly moving, especially the soaring bridge. A 10 for this peek into Brian Wilson's world.
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Post by Al S on Jul 4, 2020 20:35:28 GMT -5
mfp has voted, thus the poll will lock.
Results imminent!
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Post by Al S on Jul 4, 2020 20:57:00 GMT -5
Looks like we're a mostly romantic bunch with Still I Dream Of It gaining a loving 16 votes in the 6 and over category.
3 - 1 vote 5 - 1 vote
7 - 3 votes 9 - 1 vote 10 -12 votes
As always, I'd love to hear more from those not so enamoured, your words could change my world.
Let's all take an hour or so to reflect on Adult/Child, Adult Child, Brian's Back etc as a whole and then report back to share our thoughts on what might have been!
L8R, peeps!
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Post by Al S on Jul 4, 2020 23:59:30 GMT -5
Have been avoiding most of this stuff. I enjoyed the Carl vocal songs, but not the ones slowed down (too slurry).
Still I Dream Of It: From the intro, was expecting, "...Loneliness...... is a cloak I wear" But going to that song and comparing, maybe not! My ears must be wearing out.
Well, it's not bad, going for 7. That's high for this 'album' from me.
Great post, Pendlewitch, I love getting some insights from those of you who aren't as hot to trot on the specific album or song we're focussing on. Epic track you mention!
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Post by Al S on Jul 5, 2020 0:23:56 GMT -5
Adult/Child - a strange little album and while unreleased is indicative a very interesting cross roads in the bands Post Love You development.
The band was split between the free livers (Carl and Dennis) eschewing embracing the sex, drugs and Rock & Roll lifestyle of pin-up party boys, diametrically opposed to the keepin'-it-clean axis of Goat-attack victim Al Jardine and Yogesh Mikie Lovearishi whose want to levitate prevented any levity in his dealings with the younger cousins.
Both sides were holding Brian as a hostage Goose who laid the Golden Egg, and we see 2 albums produced within a short time (well, 3 given the Christmas tosh-off was whipped up at the same time as M.I.U.) each seemingly reflecting the lifestyles and tastes of those in-charge of Brian's favour.
It's truly crackers that the dubious Hey Little Tomboy is the link between these 2 albums (although My Dianne could easily have lived on Adult/Child) but I sadly acknowledge it's the closest to a traditional Beach Boys track (ie, with most to all members present and participating in some way).
For me, there are some real highs and lows and a general feel of unfinished business to all but the by contrast overbaked Big Band numbers (Still I Dream of It excepted from both categories), but overall it's a mostly enjoyable and original in it's vision, whatever that may have been.
7!
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Post by jk on Jul 5, 2020 5:01:10 GMT -5
True to my word I gave everything a listen (except "Tomboy"--there are limits, you know) and awarded it eight (my original nine was a little too generous on reflection). I love the orchestral tracks--they have a wonderful dark glow to them. (The gentle art of orchestration has always fascinated me.) What's up next? M.I.U.? That should be fun! Very nice work there, Mr. Smith.
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Post by John Manning on Jul 5, 2020 5:22:34 GMT -5
S’a curate’s egg, innit!
The classics are classic, the lows a tad low, and there’s some bright and cheery stuff too. Carve up Love You, Adult Child and MIU, combine the best, and you might just have one top notch commercial album, one eccentric underground classic and a trash can of stuff the fans can drool about for three or four decades before eventually being underwhelmed.
9/10.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2020 7:15:53 GMT -5
Missed the still I dream of it vote but it would have been a 10 for me. Phenomenal songwriting, a true Brian classic.
Adult/child gets a 5 from me. It is about as hit or miss as an album could be, with dizzying highs (it’s over now, still I dream of it) and nauseating lows (on Broadway). Not an album I play very often and don’t think it should have been released. A little sad to see the evidence that Brian was not fit to be producing beach boys records at this point
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Post by Mikie on Jul 5, 2020 13:57:24 GMT -5
Like "Love You", Brian composed, wrote, and sung most of Adult Child with Carl and Dennis occasionally swapping lead vocals. Brian still had great skills for writing melodies, arranging, and a good sense of humor. Only thing missing was his clear, high voice, ravaged by coke and a four-pack-a-day cigarette habit. Some songs centered around ecology, physical fitness, and eating healthy, and the goings on in Brian’s life in the 70’s. A combination of 1976 and 1977 Brian compositions and productions, oldie covers/productions, with a couple of tracks dating back to 1969/'70. Intended as a follow-up to Love You, sessions started a couple of months before “Love You” was released. During a brief time in 1977, Brian had a good therapist, Steve Schwartz, who replaced Landy. He died about six months after first seeing Brian, and Brian was reportedly devastated. During the Schwartz period, Brian composed songs that are regarded as highlights of his late Seventies work. Dennis was working on POB at the same time. The group disputed over the direction of the band, and were close to breaking up. When Mike heard the rough demos and big band arrangements on Adult Child, he supposedly asked Brian, "What the fuck are you doing?" While slated for release in Autumn 1977, the album was rejected by Warner/Reprise for not being commercially viable. Four of the songs ended up on the ’93 GV box. One was touched up and ended up on the MIU album. Another was re-recorded and ended up on the L.A. light album. It was probably a good thing that the best songs off A/C were eventually released the way they were. A 10 for me based on the good songs here. Photo of the Adult Child vinyl bootleg cover was taken by Jasper Dailey:
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Post by Fall Breaks on Jul 5, 2020 14:14:41 GMT -5
Mikie, do you know anything more about Dr. Schwartz and his climbing accident? I've tried googling but couldn't find anything.
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Post by Mikie on Jul 5, 2020 16:17:20 GMT -5
Mikie, do you know anything more about Dr. Schwartz and his climbing accident? I've tried googling but couldn't find anything. I searched myself, Fall Breaks, but couldn't find any details. Just that he fell to his death in a rock climbing accident.
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Post by Al S on Jul 5, 2020 22:09:02 GMT -5
Missed the still I dream of it vote but it would have been a 10 for me. Phenomenal songwriting, a true Brian classic. Adult/child gets a 5 from me. It is about as hit or miss as an album could be, with dizzying highs (it’s over now, still I dream of it) and nauseating lows (on Broadway). Not an album I play very often and don’t think it should have been released. A little sad to see the evidence that Brian was not fit to be producing beach boys records at this point Your vote has been added!
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Post by AGD on Jul 6, 2020 0:39:18 GMT -5
Adult/Child - a strange little album and while unreleased is indicative a very interesting cross roads in the bands Post Love You development. The band was split between the free livers (Carl and Dennis) eschewing the sex, drugs and Rock & Roll lifestyle of pin-up party boys...You might want to google the meaning of "eschewing".
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Post by AGD on Jul 6, 2020 0:43:25 GMT -5
Mikie, do you know anything more about Dr. Schwartz and his climbing accident? I've tried googling but couldn't find anything. The only thing I recall was Brian saying he was a quiet guy, didn't say much, just listened. After Landy, that must have been a complete tonic.
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Post by Al S on Jul 6, 2020 1:11:13 GMT -5
Farewell Adult/Child, thanks for dropping in & being subject to our merciless ponderings and many accolades! Here's a rough view of how and when most of us found the album enjoyable or otherwise. Except for Deep Purple, most of us found the Big band numbers and the vintage tracks a good listen - the only other new track that fared well was It's Trying To Say, and there was a split floor for the controversial Hey Little Tomboy. Overall, the album clocks in a 63% or so favourable rating across a scant 13 voters - I'll update the results later. Thanks again all and sundry and we'll be kicking around a couple of odds and sodds (actually, only one that spring to mind) before we get down and dirty re M.I.U. Album.
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Post by Al S on Jul 6, 2020 1:14:31 GMT -5
Adult/Child - a strange little album and while unreleased is indicative a very interesting cross roads in the bands Post Love You development. The band was split between the free livers (Carl and Dennis) eschewing the sex, drugs and Rock & Roll lifestyle of pin-up party boys...You might want to google the meaning of "eschewing". LOL, correction - I might want to try laying off the Cab Sav the night before trying to be a clever clogs. I will change to "embracing".
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Post by mfp on Jul 6, 2020 1:58:11 GMT -5
An 8 for Adult/Child, On Fraudway being the only dud.
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Post by Will/P.P. on Jul 6, 2020 7:09:37 GMT -5
I didn't make it in yesterday. I am a 9/10 for the wonderful "what if" Adult/Child project.
Things would never be the same again... Important stuff, like being friends.
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Post by Will/P.P. on Jul 6, 2020 7:33:09 GMT -5
Adult/Child - a strange little album and while unreleased is indicative a very interesting cross roads in the bands Post Love You development. The band was split between the free livers (Carl and Dennis) eschewing the sex, drugs and Rock & Roll lifestyle of pin-up party boys...You might want to google the meaning of "eschewing". Those free livers though, were eschewing - "To avoid something intentionally". That would be the studio.
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Post by Will/P.P. on Jul 6, 2020 7:47:31 GMT -5
Adult/Child - a strange little album and while unreleased is indicative a very interesting cross roads in the bands Post Love You development. Both sides were holding Brian as a hostage Goose who laid the Golden Egg, and we see 2 albums produced within a short time (well, 3 given the Christmas tosh-off was whipped up at the same time as M.I.U.) each seemingly reflecting the lifestyles and tastes of those in-charge of Brian's favour. That line is what stood out for me in your post.
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Post by Mikie on Jul 6, 2020 9:31:04 GMT -5
Very nice bar chart, Alan, depicting song ratings for Adult Child!
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Post by pendlewitch on Jul 6, 2020 14:13:08 GMT -5
Epic track you mention! <video for the Walker brothers' The sun ain't gonna shine any more> Alan, you're spamming your own thread 😁
Regarding Adult/Child, I'm in agreement with John and Barto, but I think the lows are even lower and the highs not really so high. Bit late, but it would have been 4 from me.
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