Bedroom Tapes & Brian/Piano

Cover by Judd

A new article has been published in LA Weekly that shines a light on one of Brian's more ambiguous periods. It gives details into songs not very well documented, some not known to have existed, and is an intriguing read all the way through. If you haven't read these yet, check 'em out here:

First, introductory article

Tracklisting of the Bedroom Tapes

Reading these two articles inspired me to go and collect what was available of these tapes. After I collected everything that was 'out there,' I then had to prune it down to only the unreleased tracks because posting officially released songs would be naughty/illegal.

Track listing goes like this (arranged chronologically, as best I could):

1. "Walkin'" - Incomplete, 1970 take.

2. "Back Home" - A piano demo from 1970 with Al and Brian.

3. "Add Some Music" - An alternate lyric version.

4. "Won't You Tell Me" - A rather awkward song with Carl and Brian sharing lead. 

5. "My Solution" - An infamous song Brian cut on Halloween.
6. "Awake" - An 1971 demo of the Spring song.
7. "Daddy Dear/Susie Cincinnati" - A rather rare demo that Brian recorded in Holland circa 1972.
8. "Good Timin'" - The incomplete track cut in 1974 - track and lead vocal.

Cover by Judd

Compiling the previous collection inspired me to collect this one. 

I've always had a love for piano demos, not entirely sure why. To do my best to explain it: it's like hearing a master craftsman using their favorite tool to convey their work. Pianos were Brian's instrument of choice and it gives you the chance to understand and see exactly how he wrote it and how it evolved into the song it became.

There's also an air of rawness and honesty to these demos. It's Brian being himself, singing the songs he wrote. What's not to love?

Track listing goes like this (also arranged chronologically, as best I could):

01. "Little Red Book" - A song cut in 1968, originally thought to be for Smile, but it's now believed to have been a gift for Marilyn. 

02. "Awake" - A 1971 demo for the Spring song. 

03. "Daddy Dear/Susie Cincinnati" - A rather rare demo recorded by Brian circa 1972 in Holland.

04. "Fairy Tale Music" - A demonstration performed for a journalist who stopped by to talk to Brian.

05. "That Special Feeling" - A demo recorded by Brian for his supposed first solo album.

06. "It's Over Now" - This song's details are unknown to me.

The Love You Auditions:

07. "It's Over Now" - A tad subdued in delivery, this is the first song Brian delivers, and the band responds with silence.

08. "They're Marching Along" - The purported second song auditioned and first one to elicit a response.

09. "Still I Dream of It" - Brian's soul-bearing wonder of a song again lands in silence.

10. "Love Is a Woman" - Another song to fall flat on its face.

11. "Mona" - Interesting to hear Brian sing this, but, once again, SILENCE.

12. "Airplane" - The first song to finally get some praise. Mike sounds excited as Brian croons through this song.

13. "Let's Put Our Hearts Together" - Mike really shows approval at the end of this one, and that probably made Brian a tad more confident.

14. "I'll Bet He's Nice" - Brian really settles in and absolutely nails this one. Goddammit, that bridge gives me goosebumps. 

15. "I'm Begging You Please" - A demo recorded in 1978 for L.A. (Light Album). One wishes he could have finished it and had a larger presence on the album. 

If nothing else, you should download one of these for the rare, disappeared-from-the-internet 1972 demo of "Daddy Dear/Susie Cincinnati." His falsetto is pretty great on it, but he seems to struggle through both as he can't really remember how either song goes. A fascinating listen, nonetheless.

Bedroom Tapes: this is a link

Brian/Piano: this is another link