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Nov 7, 2011 special edition of Connections on WPKN with Eric Cocks. Features an extended exploration of The Smile Sessions produced by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. These legendary sessions deserve the full praise they've earned over the years. Finally released in November 2011, they may be even better than expected.

The first hour of the show explores these gems, before going on to a wide variety of new and vintage music.

A little background... When Brian Wilson started work on the Smile Sessions in 1966 at age 24, it was anticipated as the follow up to Pet Sounds. It would have included Good Vibrations, Heroes and Villains, Surf's Up, Cabin Essence and a number of other innovative songs co-written with Van Dyke Parks. Many of the recordings were modular in nature, often tracked one section at a time. Even before they were fully formed as songs, these components could later be spliced together to form complex songs with seamless transitions. Verses from one song could become choruses in another, or entirely rewritten. Many of these sections were recorded multiple times, with different feels, instrumentation or harmonies. The changes could be major or subtle.

Brian put the instrumental tracks together with the very best session musicians in LA, who had a wonderful rapport with him. You can hear them joking and having fun with Brian and each other as they create these amazing tracks. You can also hear the depth of Brian's genius as he makes subtle changes in the architecture of sound. Absolutely amazing!

After the first hour, the show moves on to music from Shelby Lynn, Harry Nilsson, The Float Associates, Mojo Mancini, a new single from Joseph Arthur, Sam Phillips, Snooks Eaglin, The Kinks, T-Rex, Kristeen Young with David Bowie, Mates of State, The Donkeys, Kathleen Edwards, Ringo Starr, Annette Peacock, The Drums, Delta Spirit, St Vincent, The Birdwatchers, Petra Haden, The Yardbirds, Lonnie Farris, The Who, James Maddock, Halloween Alaska and more...

Thanks for tuning in!

Additional episode of Connections can be found in the archives, including:

Sam Phillips Interview: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/14471

Tommy James Interview: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/23882

Warren Zanes Interview: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/24817

Dylan and The Beatles in Mono Part 1  and more... http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/18173

The Beatles and Dylan in Mono Part 2 and more... http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/22105

Dylan and The Beatles in Mono Part 3 and more... http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/23973

The Beatles and Dylan in mono Part 4 and more... http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/24753

For further info, updates and occasional videos, feel free to join the FaceBook page: Connections on WPKN

Thanks for supporting this amazing station and the freedom it represents! You can always donate online at wpkn.org or call in during business hours at 203-331-9756. Tell 'em Eric sent you...

Connections... with Eric Cocks

Explores the connections between songs, songwriters, musicians, producers and people... often in surprising ways.

Vital, intelligent music with true artistic vision.

Includes extended features on specific artists such as Bob Dylan, The Kinks, The Beatles and far more. Also comedy by Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Eddie Izzard, Paul Krassner and others with a rock and roll renegade attitude. In depth explorations of early electronic music (and how it relates to current music). Vital new music that deserves to be heard. Surf music. Garage bands. British invasion. Rock and Roll. John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Jimi Hendrix, Laurie Anderson, William Burroughs, Robert Anton Wilson, The Blues Magoos, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Dr Fiorella Terenzi, Beethoven, Bo Diddley, The Rolling Stones, Alex Chilton, Tom Petty, The Pretenders, Blondie, demos, rarities, unreleased new music and far more may be part of any given show. Also live interviews of performers, writers, producers, engineers, session musicians and people behind the scenes. Plus unexpected surprises...

Previous in depth interviews include Sam Phillips, Peppy Castro of The Blues Magoos, author/comedian Paul Krassner, Chris Frantz, Neil Innes, Tommy James, legendary session musician Carol Kaye and more. All are available in archives for about 385 days. (Maybe that'll get extended one day.)  Stay tuned for future interviews and special features.

The show will keep changing over time.

Tune in every 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 9 am to noon eastern. Also special editions at other times. Available live at http://wpkn.org or listen later in archives.

For further info, updates, news, videos and special features, please check the FaceBook site: Connections on WPKN

Thanks for tuning in!