RIP Brian Wilson...
- Thread starter MtNittany
- Start date
I’ve seen it. It’s just not a good album to me. Maybe if it was if my time I’d like it more but it was before my time and it just does nothing for me.
That said, this is probably not the right time or thread for me to post about it. The best musicians of his time all say he was a musical genius and they know a hell of a lot more than me.
Astral Weeks and Pet Sounds are two albums that should not have happened based on the creators’ prior history, the time period and technology, the uniquely complicated arrangements and the work they did after those albums. Both works made me wonder whether divine intervention is a real thing.
I last saw Brian Wilson perform at the Hershey Theater; a lovely, intimate venue for those who have not yet had the pleasure.
He never stood and didn't speak much to the audience for about half the show. I felt like I was watching an incredibly shy man who had to be on the stage kinda against his will. The music was, of course, beautiful and fun. Brian's bands were always well rehearsed and professional. Al Gardin was there as well. A really enjoyable evening of some of the best popular music ever written. After a while you sensed Brian loosening up and he became fun and engaging. He was just like this big, goofy kid of a guy who was having a blast playing music with his friends. It was a beautiful thing to experience for me.
Good vibrations, Brian!
He never stood and didn't speak much to the audience for about half the show. I felt like I was watching an incredibly shy man who had to be on the stage kinda against his will. The music was, of course, beautiful and fun. Brian's bands were always well rehearsed and professional. Al Gardin was there as well. A really enjoyable evening of some of the best popular music ever written. After a while you sensed Brian loosening up and he became fun and engaging. He was just like this big, goofy kid of a guy who was having a blast playing music with his friends. It was a beautiful thing to experience for me.
Good vibrations, Brian!
Astral Weeks blew me away for the same reasons you cited. I never grasped the apparent greatness of Pet Sounds, but I will give it another very close listen to see what I’ve missed up to now. FWIW, I never got Radiohead either, though the critics love Radiohead.
Chicago Theatre. One block from my office.
We can walk to Ravinia. Seeing Beck and Weird Al there this summer. Will add some more, but which are TBD.
The Miracle of Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks”
A new book takes up the sui-generis masterpiece and unearths the largely forgotten context from which it emerged.
For Van, I would say Madame George on Astral Weeks. Blending jazz, blues, and strings is not something this artist should have been able to pull off at that time in his career. It was basically his second album.
Good question for The Beach Boys. I would say God Only Knows on Pet Sounds primarily because he’s blending harmonies at a time when frankly audio engineering was not that advanced. No wonder it took countless takes. Keep in mind Wilson was 23 years old at the time and he’s directing a room full of accomplished musicians with a great deal more experience.
Pet Sounds - Wikipedia
I’m going to go for a walk here when the plumber leaves (f*#% me!!!!!!) and I’m going to give Pet Sounds another shot. You never know when a particular album will strike you.The Miracle of Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks”
A new book takes up the sui-generis masterpiece and unearths the largely forgotten context from which it emerged.www.newyorker.com
For Van, I would say Madame George on Astral Weeks. Blending jazz, blues, and strings is not something this artist should have been able to pull off at that time in his career. It was basically his second album.
Good question for The Beach Boys. I would say God Only Knows on Pet Sounds primarily because he’s blending harmonies at a time when frankly audio engineering was not that advanced. No wonder it took countless takes. Keep in mind Wilson was 23 years old at the time and he’s directing a room full of accomplished musicians with a great deal more experience.
Pet Sounds - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
I listened to 3 songs and came to the same conclusion I always do, pop music isn’t for me and God only knows is a gorgeous song.
Update: Still don’t like it. I don’t get the appeal.
Never knew Glen Campbell was one of the original Wrecking Crew at Phil Spectors studio with Brian Wilson. I knew he toured with the Beach Boys but didn't realize he was part of the wrecking crew.
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Lukather and Glen had a little jam session years ago and Steve asked Glen which Beach Boys songs he played on, b/c it was all unaccredited back then. Glen responded, "Well all of them." Same w/ Carol Kaye. GC thought the world of Brian, and I think Brian thought the world of Glen.
Glen was proud of the time he spent recording and touring w/ the band (playing bass guitar and singing high notes) - even though he wouldn't have done it for anyone else. His time w/ The Champs made him realize the money was in the studio or solo performances.
How visionary Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson changed music – and my life
Brian Wilson, leader, songwriter and producer of the Beach Boys, has passed away at age 82.
theconversation.com
Al Jardine Remembers Brian Wilson, and Their Last Meeting: ‘We Had a Good Laugh… I Thought He Was Going to Be With Us for Some Time’
Al Jardine shares memories of fellow Beach Boy Brian Wilson and talks about their last meeting a month ago before the singer's unexpected death.
variety.com
The Genius of Brian Wilson (RIP) and How He Turned “Good Vibrations” Into the Beach Boys’ Pocket Symphony
This week, Brian Wilson became the last of the Wilson brothers to shuffle off this mortal coil. Dennis, the first of the Wilsons to go, died young in 1983 — but not before offering this memorable assessment of the family musical project: 'Brian Wilson is the Beach Boys. He is the band.
www.openculture.com
I have more modest goals but thank you.You'll get there one of these days.
A Salute to Brian Wilson: Darian Sahanaja on Growing Up on Brian, Then Basking in His Musical Inner Circle for a Quarter-Century
Darian Sahanaja, a crucial part of Brian Wilson's band since 1999, shares his thoughts about the late Beach Boy's brilliant legacy and last years.
variety.com