Track listing: 00:00 - Abused 02:49 - Cecilia/Amanda 05:36 - Brand New Game 09:07 - Let's Turn the Record Over 10:47 - A Living Will 13:17 - From a Poison Well 16:31 - How to Take a Fall 19:17 - The Real Estate 22:20 - Taking a Fall 25:10 - Stick Man 29:16 - Suicide Machine 31:57 - See You in Heaven 36:44 - Dancing in the Highway 41:03 - Place Pigalle
@@JohnnySheridan217 so some of these apparently were released as B-sides (I think 2 of the songs from this album), but the rest can be found through other means. If you haven't already done so, search for the "Grand Mal" compilation album-it's an ongoing project to collect Elliott Smith rarities into a single album and it's a gold mine :)
Man, I truly think if Elliott would’ve had time to lay vocals down for “See You in Heaven” it would’ve been one of his best songs ever. Maybe even “Ms. Misery” big. Also thank you for making this album. He’s my biggest influence of all time hands down but every once in awhile I’ll take a break from his music just to stay up to date with the alt-country/americana scene. This past time of coming back I’ve heard quite a few songs I’d never heard previously. Mostly from this album so big big ass thank you, brethren. You’re doing God’s work!
Elliott is the most underrated musical artist of the last fifty years - his output of incredible music is extraordinarily- his posthumously released recordings alone are greater than the vast majority of top selling and well known artists - I have a very humble respect for his work.
Maybe underrated in terms of popular recognition in the media, but his influence on indie/alt pop/rock is arguably greater than any other artist in the past 50 years. So many popular artists cite Elliott as an inspiration for them.
Growing up in Michigan and surviving winter after winter which seemed to stretch for years this guy was paramount and quintessential to the parsed sunshine, melding into gray.
It is sad how the majority of his music still remains unreleased He wrote countless songs what has been released officially is such a small percentage of his entire output
Yes. At the same time he released five solo records in his seven year career. Plus one well-regarded posthumous album. And you are likely aware of the excellent "New Moon" compilation which contains all unreleased songs. Cheers.
@@herbertrichard614 yep got all but one of his records all are fantastic the only thing I'm missing is the heaven adores you soundtrack But even with all that has been made available there is still tons of unreleased material I forget how many songs exactly are on the grand mal rarities but from my recollection there was at least 6 cds worth of music I think Elliott was at the very least one of the greatest songwriters ever and certainly deserves to have his entire recorded output released particularly for physical media Just my opinion of course
Especially the way it can be used between piano and forte. Really spices a composition up and gives it emotion. Super happy I caught the habit of doing that when learning his songs in my teenage years.
I know it's been said before, but I am consistently amazed that the stuff he didn't think was ready or worthy of release blows away so much of the dreck that the industry craps out.
A lot of it, like Suicide Machine, were meant to be on From a Basement on the Hill, but were omitted by Smith's family and friends on the actual release of the album.
very well done compilation and concept.. Elliott would've just turned 55 a couple days ago if still here...but his brilliant songwriting and music will always live on
Thank you, this is so fu**in' good... and I'm glad I didn't know any of these songs. Sometimes I realize I'll never hear a new ES song and it hurts like hell, but today I feel like I have cheated death.
"Suicide Machine" really fleshed out his Harrisonian progression aping and is such a tragically ebullient and misinterpreted denial of the caricature his less articulate critics painted him to be
I met him a few times back in Portland when my band recorded at fabulous jackpot studios . He was so ,so nice and just like whatever . Though this was the time when we used to go see him play in front of 12 people
One of the best albums Elliott ever made and it wasn’t ever officially made into an album. So sad! I would buy the vinyl if I could. Such a testament to how underrated he was. RIP KING
more brilliant songs period, like, Elliott's top > Lennon's top IMO. And I fucking love Lennon. The Beatles, or lots of the most popular famous in the world are/were so famous for creating something new, or revolutionizing something, which the Beatles drastically did to rock music. And together, they were brilliant. Elliott didn't revolutionize music, but he _mastered_ it hah. IMO. He could out guitar, out piano, out write, out melody and outperform (granted he's not too high and/or drunk lol) any of the Beatles all day. Hell, he could probably out drum Ringo.
Elliott was a one man songwriting machine the Beatles needed 4 guys all writing songs and they still didn't have as much material as Elliott not counting their solo albums of course
@@gregoryirwin263 Exactly! And he almost didn´t write weak songs, as far as I know. I don´t understand how he can still be unknown to most people. But maybe the fame he deserves will come one day...
"If such an album existed, what would it sound like? What would the title be? What would be the cover art?" Thank-you for putting this part in.. I'm keen to take a listen. Good on you for following a passionate idea and keeping his legacy going. Though this is a fan-made mixtape, you have gone the extra level in showing your inner ES geek to the world with prowess so I'll accept the idea of faux-album when listening and be grateful that.
Thanks so much for your comment, Adrian! I do hope you like the album. I put some thought into the songs/order, but it certainly could have been done better.
I feel like this should be an actual record, I really do. I feel like I can speak for anyone here listening to this when I say that I'd buy this in a second.
It's hard not to resist wondering what a next album would have been like and I like the thought you gave it here. I have two critiques. One is the lack of his "noise songs". Those were truly representative of the direction he was going musically. He was listening to MBV and making some heavier denser music. Or at least more open, layered. I agree the lyrics might have gotten more direct in some ways. Based on Basement though, I think they could also become more surreal and harshly realistic at the same time. I'm thinking of the kind of things he says in Kings Crossing. A little of both there. Who knows!? Oh yeah, the other thing is I can't handle this picture for so long.
@@alexmiller Yes! You could read the book "Torment Saint: The life of Elliott Smith". When he was recording From a Basement on a Hill, he was listening Shoegaze music.
This was really the worst loss in music history, he makes other artists look like a joke, he put so much of his soul into his songs. He is and forever will be the best musician.
Elliott has so much unreleased material out there its mindblowing, his official releases are just the tip of the iceberg, and thank god for this because he left such a void for all of us that its a bless to have all this, this selection is great, cheers man!
Right. Elliott recorded pretty much everything he wrote. That is from the age of 13. Similar to Vincent van Gogh, Smith worked right to the end of his life. Thanks, old buddy.
I discovered Elliott by accident. A DJ was talking about the song Late by Ben Folds and mentioned the 'mean guitar player' was ES. Curious, I bought a copy of Figure 8 and was immediately hooked. I agree with above comment that he created brilliant material comparable with the The Beatles, but he sang from such raw honesty that you've got to say he compares favourably to even the FabFour. Discovering Grand Mal was such a treat - Mr Goodmorning - a classic.
I love your mix/remaster on Abused ... I used to have this fantasy of someday getting a screenplay/movie made out there and using that song prominently in the main set piece
So I can't recall for sure, but I might have used a remastered version by a Soundcloud artist named Ashen Steeple. Here is a link to that version: soundcloud.com/ashensteeple/es-abused-fan-remaster
it sounds so good cranked in surround. The whistling harmonics are genius. I usually just loop it all day.... But jokes aside, I really love the way that fades into Twilight... All this crazy, old fashioned drums and whistling and.. chirping.. fades out to silence... the crickets, and then maybe one of his most pretty songs. Elliott's songs can be called lots of different things, but when it comes to "pretty.", specifically.. Twilight has to take the cake. I Didn't Understand and the Last Hour honourable mentions.
It is so much better to bear the weight that existence sometimes is with the company Elliot´s compositions. This man did so much for us, I will forever be grateful.
this guy was in his own category and every song on here has at least one thing about it that makes the songwriter in me say holy shit that's genius and if you don't agree I'm sorry you have to go through life unable to see all the colors there are because this stuff is rainbows for your ears, son.
There're so many stories to string together from Grand Mal. Thanks for sharing your own vision of how it could've gone! Goes without saying but he left us far too young.
Great work. I was signed by BMG back in the day, and saw Elliott for free about five times. Was at a party in LA a long time ago, and the host played me the studio version of Sorry My Mistake. It was quite like Independence Day. Amazing. It exists!
Thanks for all the hard work putting this together for all us fans! That said, one of the things that distinguishes Elliott--besides his amazing and original guitar work, his ability to go from guitar-and-voice to full color arrangements and his delightfully skewed take on life and ability to put this across in song--is his quality control. I can't say that I'd trade any of theze for an official album track (tho "Place Pigalle" comes closest). THAT said, I also rarely ever listen to Roman Candle or New Moon, so consider the source. And, of course, I'm only comparing Elliott to himself as no one else even comes close. Thanks again!
It seems to me that Elliott is smiling at me through the picture, as if he is happy now with where he is at, unlike when he was Melancholyc on the world.
Next time i'm doing something horrible and i don't wanna tell the person on the other line what it is i'll just quote Stickman; I'm just uuuuuhhh... "Shooting blanks into emptiness..."
Thanks for uploading these. I haven't heard these in about 10-15 years. I dug a lot back then to find everything I could that he released. Dudes music brought me through some rough times. Love em.
This man created the best songs overall when it comes to musical composition and lyrics and still isn’t as popular as he should be. We as fans have to make more people aware of his work.
It's really too bad he unintentionally left a lasting picture of him in misery... I can see a glimpse of him trying to let the smile out and he was trying to better his outlook and cleanse his body of self inflicted poisons but at that time it was too commonplace, and in his case with the fanbase he was influenced to keep entertained, profitable to be depressed and morose. Almost like if you got better you sold out and turned lame. Rest in paradise with your red label Yamaha 180 acoustic guitar you're allowed to smile now Stephen
Song by song..from the Sincerest Elliott Smith Stan.. 1) a very private song imo 2) see song 1 3) great add...brand new game is like nearly a GREAT song 4) great inclusion 5)a living will is a total jam, and completely finished production-wise 6)huh? This intro is kinda blowing my mind...an alternate version of first timer? Lol these are weird...sometimes i like the early versions..its amazing regardless ty so much for sharing this❤ 7) Legit track, although not a single or anything...(note, currently hoping that "taking a fall" appears here) 8) genuine wow and wtf?!? Its like if kiwi maddog was a whole song with lyrics 9) my heart🥺 what a song this is... 10) stickman is a great call 11) its a b-side to me,which isnt shade per se, but Suicide Machine is valid, if a bit lacking. Imo this is why the song wasnt realeased(rather than the nature of tracks 1,2..) 9)
Alright big Elliott fan here gonna need some help…. Are these actually legit?!?! Does he really have this many unreleased songs with this good of quality. Seems too good to be true?
"Have You Seen Her" is a great suggestion, I just wish there was a clean, studio recording too. Thanks for checking this video out, I'm glad you like it :)
breathing down my neck, they look upset. like a father whos foods been stolen. and im shaking now like hair in the drain, like a white water rush filling up my lungs cant feel my tongue this is what they mean when they say, you never get what you want
i know this is so quirky but in that year would you think he would realesed this album or having this era after "on the basement hill", Such nice stuff and recopliation. ❤
Bold move this, it's obviously impossible to predict a future that sadly never was, but I appreciate both your bravery in trying and the fact 40+k people took the time to listen. I never forgot the music this man made and I'm forever glad his legacy is still going in so many shapes and forms.
Okay.... This guy... LoL.. There is another guy who a lot of people like too.. Not really my thing but you should maybe check him out. His name is Jesus.
Man it really is cpol feeling imjpho to be able to listen to unreleased music... as it feels.. idk just feels as if it were what it would be like if it were to just now today come out etc
this is really beautiful. the name chosen is still fascinating to me... For instance, I think Elliott Smith occasionally used and played with Hindu imagery ("Shiva opens her arms now..." in "Son of Sam" for example). Well chosen. :)
Dancing on the Highway is one of my least liked ES songs, but Place Pigalle is in my top five! Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share it, Sfigato.
Oh man, that’s one of my favorites. Have you heard the version that doesn’t have the guitar loop from Figure 8 playing over the whole song? I prefer it, because it’s easier to hear the melody and differentiate the parts of the track.
Nah, Poison Well is an example where the original idea (First Timer) was perfect. I think he was trying to release the song in an official recording and remade it/changed it, but it doesn’t work as well as the original acoustic version. I believe it was written during Either Or and Poison Well was recorded for From a Basement On a Hill.
Here’s the only live performance of First Timer (1997) and the lyrics are different from the recorded version released on New Moon, which was also recorded in 1997. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_Bg9DHGQQTs.html
That is true, but there are over 80 songs on Grand Mal, and of varying quality. I just wanted to combine some of those recordings into one feasible album. I am aware of what this is.
I don’t quite have the time to respond adequately right now, but you go to Elliott’s Wikipedia article and ctrl+f the name “Kali” then you should be able to find info on this!
This is superb artistic work! I think I shall be listening to this album many times over. It would be great to see also a video where you show the artistic development of your work.
![Elliott Smith - KALI THE DESTROYER [hypothetical album, 2022] (](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
