“Do You Like Worms”
B. Wilson-Parks – The Smile Sessions – 2011.10.31 [iTunes]/2011.11.01 [Worldwide]
Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks’ original mostly-instrumental, when presented in this collection, seems to still be in its unfinished condition. While the individual pieces by themselves sound good, they do not really benefit each other as a comprehensive composition, especially owing to the fact that few of the couplets that Parks wrote for this song were known to have been recorded. It would later be completed as “Roll Plymouth Rock” for Wilson’s SMiLE 2004 album, but even that version has its own share of problems. [4/10]
“Movin’ Out [Anthony’s Song]”
Joel – The Stranger & Single [17/US] – 1977.09.29 [Album]/1977.11.01 [Single]
This is definitely a great composition. This piano-driven tune does a good job at recounting some stories of some working-class members overworking themselves just to “make it big.” [9/10]
“Taxman”
Harrison – Revolver – 1966.08.05 [Both Versions]
This song is the end result of a maturing George Harrison, who decided to write about something that was near and dear to his heart: over-taxation. The overall composition is engaging and the lyrics dig deep into the conscience of a particularly nasty tax collector. [8/10]
“Slip On Through”
D. Wilson – Sunflower & Single [Never charted] – 1970.06.29
I couldn’t think of a much better song to be the opener to what could be called the Beach Boys’ “Sgt. Pepper.” The instrumentation is fantastic, the atmosphere it creates is appropriate, and Dennis Wilson delivers a fantastic performance throughout. [10/10]
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