Beach Boys/Brian Wilson Promo CD Extravaganza Vol. 12: Conclusion
By DJ M on April 3rd, 2010
In Brian Wilson/B. Boys
Here's the belated conclusion of the Beach Boys/Brian Wilson Promo CD Extravaganza. Instead of one promo per post, this time you get three. It's been quite awhile since the last installment of the extravaganza. My interest in the Beach Boys waxes and wanes, and lately it's been on the wane. Nevertheless, I wanted to finish the extravaganza. So, here are the last three promos I wanted to showcase.
1. Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE
This is my prized possession of the bunch. CD-R advance US promo of "Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE." It came in a clear, slim-line jewel case. The front cover is a simple white card with basic black text printed on one side. The disc also has simple black text printing. The first scan is the front cover and the second is the top of the disc.
I was able to score an advance copy because I was writing a review of BWPS. I was elated to get my copy a few months in advance of the street date. I had been a fan of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys since late 1999 and my most favorite jewel in Brian Wilson's crown was the '60s version of SMiLE. I was anxious to hear if Brian could pull it all together in the '00s. I thought he and his compatriots did a masterful job. While nothing could supplant the original tracks (unfinished though they may be) BWPS stood up very well in comparison.
My initial interest in Brian Wilson's music stems from my curiosity about the '66/'67 SMiLE tapes. Until late 1999, I was not a fan of the Beach Boys. In fact, I detested them. From '94 until '99 the only music I listened to was avant garde jazz, experimental, Japanese noise, etc. The BBs were way too lightweight for my tastes at the time. The change in my attitude toward the BBs came from reading a passage in a book by David Toop called "Ocean of Sound". In the book, Toop compares some of the unreleased SMiLE tapes to free/avant-garde jazz. Since I was so into free jazz at the time, I was befuddled to see Brian Wilson's music compared to such outsider music. I just assumed Brian was a square. But Toop planted a seed in my head. Later, in 1999, I was looking through a record store in Lawrence, Kansas and came across a SMiLE bootleg called "Heroes and Vibrations". It was cheap, about $10, so I bought it. I was blown away by the music. (Actually, since it combines different versions of "Heroes and Villains" with different versions of "Good Vibrations," it's only half a SMiLE bootleg). After listening to this bootleg a few times, I was hooked. I had to hear everything else Brian recorded and I spent '99 until '08 gathering as much of his music I could. Lately, my musical interests have turned else where.
2. Beautiful Dreamer CD
This is a "silver" audio CD promo. As I recall, this was available as a limited edition (2,500) bonus if you pre-ordered the "Beautiful Dreamer" DVD directly from LSL Productions. The CD consists of three audio tracks: "Surf's Up Instrumental Version," a conversation with Brian Wilson and an interview with David Leaf. The first scan is of the front cover, a simple card with color printing on top and the edition # on the back. The second scan is of the back of the card. It has David Leaf's signature and it's #340 of 2,500. The third scan is the top of the CD. There's a printed tray card too, but I can't find that scan right now. I frist blogged about this disc at UNCANNY MARK 1.
3. Imagination- Words and Music (color version)
I already discussed the black & white version of this promo here. Now, we have the color version. The contents of this "silver" CD are the same as the black & white version, but the packaging is a little slicker; it mimics the packaging of the "Imagination" album itself. I bought this one at a used record store in Overland Park, Kansas. It was signed when I bought it. The store didn't know anything about the provenance of the signature. The signature looks like other Brian Wilson signatures I've seen. I assume it's authentic. The first scan shows the simple card cover, printed on one side, with Brian Wilson's signature. The second scan shows the top of the disc and the last scan shows the tray card.