Which 1969 Beach Boys album includes the Smile-era tracks “Our Prayer” and “Cabinessence”? The answer is 20/20.
Released by Capitol Records on February 10, 1969, 20/20 was the Beach Boys’ 15th studio album. Its title refers to the group’s 20th overall release when live albums and compilations are counted. The record reached No. 68 in the United States and No. 3 in the United Kingdom.
Both named songs originated during the unfinished Smile project. “Our Prayer” is a short, wordless a cappella hymn composed by Brian Wilson, while “Cabinessence” was written by Wilson with lyricist Van Dyke Parks. The tracks were recorded in 1966 but received additional vocal work from Carl and Dennis Wilson in November 1968 before appearing on 20/20.
A common mix-up is choosing Surf’s Up, because that 1971 album also contains material connected to Smile. However, the original Beach Boys recordings of both “Our Prayer” and “Cabinessence” were issued together on 20/20. “Cabinessence” closes the album, while “Our Prayer” opens it.