The Sea Cat
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Edited Sep 03, 2010, 12:06
Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 11:49
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I've been playing some classic Beach Boys this morning, you know, the usual suspects and how marvellous they are. I've never heard any solo Brian Wislon( apart from the excellent Smile). I tried Dennis Wislon's Pacific Ocean Blue, and to be honest, I was quite disappointed after hearing of its acclaim. Is any Brian Wislon worth checking out ? I've read about the shady Eugene Landy's 'input' on some of his early work, so I'm a bit cautious.
Any recommendations or advice ?
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Popel Vooje
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Re: Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 12:16
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I'd say his first, self-titled one is worth getting, despite Landy's sometimes cringeworthy lyrical input. It's definitely not on a par with the likes of "Pet Sounds" or "Smile", but maybe it's as good as some of the later-period Beach Boys albums like or "20/20" or "Holland".
I'm not a huge fan of any of his subsequent solo albums, although "Lucky Old Sun" - written in collaboration with Van Dyke Parks - does have its moments. Overall though it largely fails to achieve its' grand conceptual goals, and the spoken word passages that link the songs together are just cheesy and embarassing. Same goes for the Christmas album, but then you probably guessed that already.
I've yet to hear "Imagination" or "Gettin In Over My Head" more than once each, but neither of them struck me as being particularly worthy of further investigation (although they're certainly not as awful as the albums the Beach Boys have made without Brian's participation since the early 80s).
I've yet to hear the new album of Gershwin covers either, so I can't comment on that - but I do feel a degree of satisfaction about the fact that he's now fit and functioning as a working musician despite all the shit he's been through in his personal life.
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The Sea Cat
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Re: Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 12:29
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I'll give the first one a go via the Library. Re. Beach Boys, apart from Pet Sounds/Smiley Smile and the classic period hits and assorted genius tracks like Surfs Up etc., I'm not very familiar with the later albums as I was a bit wary of a lack of Brian and the irritating and creepy Mike Love's prominence.
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Popel Vooje
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Re: Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 13:57
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The Sea Cat wrote: I'll give the first one a go via the Library. Re. Beach Boys, apart from Pet Sounds/Smiley Smile and the classic period hits and assorted genius tracks like Surfs Up etc., I'm not very familiar with the later albums as I was a bit wary of a lack of Brian and the irritating and creepy Mike Love's prominence.
Mike Love isn't really that prominent on the post "Pet Sounds" albums - Brian still wrote most of the music on "Wild Honey", and by the end of the 60s Carl and Dennis were both beginning to blossom as songwriters too, so whilst there is some filler on those albums, pretty much everything up to and including "Surf's Up" is worth owning IMO.
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ars moriendi
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Re: Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 14:31
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I'd agree with that... I've been listening to Sunflower quite a bit this summer, some great moments on that album.
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The Sea Cat
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Re: Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 14:59
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Thanks Popel. I'm going to check those albums out on your recommendation.
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The Sea Cat
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Re: Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 15:00
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I've ordered it from the library. It's remastered as well, apparently.
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IanB
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Edited Sep 03, 2010, 17:56
Re: Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 15:09
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There be monsters. His, yours, theirs. Stick with the 60s and early 70s.
BTW POB is a real grower and I highly recommend making a playlist or cd of all the Beach Boys songs associated with Dennis as writer or lead singer between 67 and 73. It's a really satisfying listen. The boy had "it".
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The Sea Cat
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Edited Sep 03, 2010, 15:11
Re: Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 15:11
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IanB wrote: There be monsters. His, yours, theirs. Stick with the 60s and 70s.
BTW POB is a real grower and I highly recommend making a playlist or cd of all the Beach Boys songs associated with Dennis as writer or lead singer. It's a really satisfying listen. The boy had "it".
I think I'll give POB another go then. I'll pick it up tomorrow and give it a few Indian Summer spins. Hopefully it'll take route.
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IanB
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Re: Brian Wilson Solo
Sep 03, 2010, 15:13
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The Sea Cat wrote: IanB wrote: There be monsters. His, yours, theirs. Stick with the 60s and 70s.
BTW POB is a real grower and I highly recommend making a playlist or cd of all the Beach Boys songs associated with Dennis as writer or lead singer. It's a really satisfying listen. The boy had "it".
I think I'll give POB another go then. I'll pick it up tomorrow and give it a few Indian Summer spins. Hopefully it'll take route.
Depends how much of a soft spot you have for Fleetwood Mac, Little Feat, the good Doobies records etc. If there isn't a small part of you that loves Band on the Run, One Of These Nights and Rumours then it might not be for you.
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