After the success of "Pet Sounds" and being challenged by the Beatles "Revolver," Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys wanted to answer the challenge with some new sounds and new production. The complexity and musicality of "Good Vibrations" was still ringing in the air when Brian (additionally inspired by LSD and a sandbox in his living room) began arranging the pieces that were to become the album "Smile."

But it never quite happened.

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[Brian Wilson and lyricist Van Dyke Parks]

Rumor has it that just as the album was coming together Brian heard "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and decided "Smile" wasn't ready. Apparently it wasn't ready for 37 years because that's how long most of the tracks sat on the recording floor, while releasing a few packaged as "Smiley Smile." Ultimately re-worked and released a few years ago, most critics agree that Brian's current voice isn't close to the original flavor, leaving fans longing for the original outtakes. That's what you'll be hearing this week.

I put together the best versions of the original "Smile" tracks along with several from "Smiley Smile"--all in the original sequence as much as possible. A few tracks have bootleg quality, but most are well preserved and certainly worth the listen.