Former Beach Boy and frustrated dentist Al Jardine spilt the beans in a recent interview with The Examiner that Capitol Records plans to release the unfinished SMiLE tapes this summer as a box set.
At least one self proclaimed Beach Boys “insider” that posts on a music message board that I frequent said that Al is “in serious shit for saying what he did”. Which may be the closest thing to a confirmation we have for now.
The long delayed follow up to 1966’s Pet Sounds album SMiLE, was never released, falling victim under the weight of it’s own lofty ambitions, conflict within the group in regards to it’s experimental direction, and a then-pending lawsuit between the band and their record company.
Here’s Al’s direct quote:
“Capitol Records plans to issue a Beach Boys version of Smile sometime this summer to begin the celebration of The Beach Boys 50th anniversary. Smile is the Holy Grail for Beach Boys fans, so it will be good.
I dont have many details on it, although we didn’t do any new recording. I’m happy to see it finally come out. Brians changed his mind about releasing the material, but it was inevitable, wasnt it? (Al chuckles).”
Personally, this has been rumoured to be coming out forever. I’ve got a pretty good bootleg version on my shelf, but have always craved an official release with superior sound quality. I’m skeptical, but also first in line with a fistfull of cash.
Subsequent rumors that detailed the possibility of a “Limited Edition” version with actual vials of sand from the indoor sandbox and resin scrapings from the hookah that was set up inside the puptent at Brian Wilson’s house have proven to be false.