norman whitfield

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READ THIS: 'Vega-Tables' from the LP, SMiLE. In 2004, Brian Wilson, made a surprise announcement that he was going to finish the mythical SMiLE record using his current touring band. He contacted Van Dyke Parks, and the duo re-recorded the album. SMiLE won the Grammy award for the Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the piece "Mrs O'Leary's Cow" (aka "Fire"). R&R Historical Footnote: In 1966 Brian Wilson commissioned Van Dyke Parks to write lyrics for the Beach Boys' next LP, the ambitious but ill-fated SMiLE. Parks and Wilson collaborated on songs for the album. Members of the Beach Boys strongly opposed SMiLE, notably Mike Love who negatively called Parks' lyrics "Acid Alliteration". The combination of resistance from the group and their record company, and Wilson's growing mental health problems and spiraling drug use, led Parks to quit the project in early 1967. It was shelved a few months later. Several Wilson/Parks songs from the SMiLE sessions later appeared on the Beach Boys' replacement album Smiley Smile, including "Heroes and Villains" and "Wind Chimes." Other songs slated for SMiLE, including "Cabinessence" and "Surf's Up," were compiled by Carl Wilson and included on subsequent LPs. SMiLE acquired legendary status as one of the great lost works of the sixties. SMiLE musician lineup: Brain Wilson, Jeffrey Foskett, Darian Sahanaja,Probyn Gregory, Nick Walusko, Nelson Bragg, Jim Hines, Bob Lizik,Paul Mertens,Scott Bennett,and Taylor Mills Music: Brain Wilson Words: Van Dyke Parks Personal Footnote: As described in my posted video, 'The Who: Baba O'Riley Archival Montage' including photos of 'yours truly', and the drummer for the Who, the late Keith Moon: Following the anniversary bash at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel -- later that evening, I met Brian Wilson in a party in Keith's suite (yep, Brian was donning a white bathrobe), along with Mick Jagger and my pal, the late Harry Nillson. The Dark Horse Records U.S. offices were located on the 'attrium/lower level' of Warner Bros. Records, along with all of the other 'custom record labels' distributed by Warner Bros. Records, including the Beachboys label, 'Brothers Records' and famed Motown songwriter ('Heard It Through The Grapevine, 'Car Wash', etc.) and producer, Norman Whitfield's, Whitfield Records label. Remarkably, Norman was quite outgoing and downright friendly to me--so I thought I'd ask him a few questions about his compositions, Motown experiences, etc. In any event, it turns out he mistook me for 'Brian Wilson' (I was bearded big and burly back then). Discoverying that, Norman abruptly stopped being so friendly (and conversing with me); indeed such a pity. Norman and I would later have a good laugh over the 'Brian Wilson mistaken identity' issue -- after record producer Marc Davis (whom I hired for a Five Stairsteps project--'Ooh Child' fame) sorted things out between Norman and I...more later.