Jones Beach conversation with Brian

[urbanite]

Ray,

Do you work in the studio with Brian, or just a friend of his?  Just curious.

I suspect that some gems were recorded as part of the reunion sessions, but held back for a secod album.  Any truth to that?  Have you heard the BB's song Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again?  If so, any comments on it. 

[Rocker]

Ray, thank you so much for your post ! It was a very interesting read.
Are you able, by any chance to name some new songs he mentioned to you ? No problem if you won't do that.

The only two I remember were "Angels in Love"  , and  "Night Came Gently". He mentioned a few other titles but I just can't remember.

Thank you !
Judging from the title, I wonder if "Night came gently" might've been part of the suite for TWGMTR at one point.

[Ray Lawlor]

Ray,

Do you work in the studio with Brian, or just a friend of his?  Just curious.

I suspect that some gems were recorded as part of the reunion sessions, but held back for a secod album.  Any truth to that?  Have you heard the BB's song Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again?  If so, any comments on it. 

No I am just a friend , but have  been lucky to spend a lsignificant amount of time in several different studio's with Brian on several different projects.  

I have never heard Wouldn't it Be Nice to Live Again but I would sure like to.  Dennis had so much ability and all I hear about that track is how great the vocals are by the brothers.   Therefore I need to hear it , like everyone else !

I have not heard anything that was held back for a second album , but I heard there is more stuff recorded  but I think I read that somewhere !

[EgoHanger1966]

Ray,

Do you work in the studio with Brian, or just a friend of his?  Just curious.

I suspect that some gems were recorded as part of the reunion sessions, but held back for a secod album.  Any truth to that?  Have you heard the BB's song Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again?  If so, any comments on it. 

No I am just a friend , but have  been lucky to spend a lsignificant amount of time in several different studio's with Brian on several different projects.  

I have never heard Wouldn't it Be Nice to Live Again but I would sure like to.  Dennis had so much ability and all I hear about that track is how great the vocals are by the brothers.   Therefore I need to hear it , like everyone else !

I have not heard anything that was held back for a second album , but I heard there is more stuff recorded  but I think I read that somewhere !

You said Brian sang a brief melody of one of the songs that hasn't been recorded/released yet. Can you describe what it sounds like? I realise that may be impossible, but a fan has to ask.....Thanks much!

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I have to mention this quick story: At Brian's Boston Symphony Hall show, June '99, we saw something really cool that didn't register until talking about the show afterward. During one of the "Pet Sounds" instrumentals, instead of leaving the stage since he had nothing to do, Brian turned around on his stool to face the band and listen. As he was listening to the music, his arms and hands started conducting, not obviously but in a very subtle reactive way, like it was a totally spontaneous, natural reaction to where he was in that band and what they were doing. And the person I saw the show with later mentioned it felt like we were watching him as he probably looked in the studio recording Pet Sounds in '66. It really stood out.

At the Woodlands show, Brian did the same thing during several of the instrumental solos, and fist-pumped at the end of Marcella.

[Ray Lawlor]

It would be impossible to describe it , he just did it real quickly    But that is a good question as I kind of asked myself the same thing last night

[elagpa]

Awesome Ray, read your post make me happy.

You know the Brian opinion about touring overseas? because in south america announced a visit of the Beach Boys without him (Mike/Bruce band) in october and if Brian is feeling good about play with the boys again, I can't explain why he isn't coming , I wanna see them so badly

thanx again!

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Probably just taking a little break, as I think those dates were scheduled before the reunion.

[Ray Lawlor]

Awesome Ray, read your post make me happy.

You know the Brian opinion about touring overseas? because in south america announced a visit of the Beach Boys without him (Mike/Bruce band) in october and if Brian is feeling good about play with the boys again, I can't explain why he isn't coming , I wanna see them so badly

thanx again!

Yes I asked him about that as I heard about a show being booked in Latin America but he had no idea what I was talking about.  I believe that it does not involve Brian , Al or David ; just Mike and Bruce and  their band.   Brian loves touring overseas , particularly in the UK and Australia....Japan too.  I think he played in Sao Paulo in the mid-2000's if I recall. 

[Awesoman]

This is all good to hear, but doesn't Brian's mood change dramatically every day?  Maybe one day he is all about the Beach Boys, then the day after that all he wants is a big steak in front of him while he watches Norbit.

Seriously? Really, does this type of stuff have to drag down almost every thread?

Not trying to drag anything down; just asking an honest question.  I'm pleased as punch that Brian apparently is enjoying this reunion tour and wants to keep it going. 

[elagpa]

Yes I asked him about that as I heard about a show being booked in Latin America but he had no idea what I was talking about.  I believe that it does not involve Brian , Al or David ; just Mike and Bruce and  their band.   Brian loves touring overseas , particularly in the UK and Australia....Japan too.  I think he played in Sao Paulo in the mid-2000's if I recall. 

oh, I'm peruvian and that's sad news to me. Thanks for sharing a little of your friendship with Brian!

[southbay]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would venture to say that Mr. Lawlor may in fact be downplaying his role in Brian's circle. I say this out of respect to Mr. Lawlor. Those who know Brian's inner circle recognize Ray Lawlor as a friend of Brian and his family and we should in fact thank him for taking the time to post his insights here, they are the real deal. Mr. Lawlor's name  in fact can be found in various liner notes as being thanked by Brian; in addition, Mr. Lawlor can be seen in certain videos (could have been Beautiful Dreamer) sitting at the studio console with Brian and talking as friends would. He is in fact not just some random guy who asked Brian a question....

Thanks for stopping in Ray.  We appreciate the insights of those who are in the know.  Please tell Brian we are all enjoying his work on the tour and album.  Please drop in here when you can.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Ray,

Do you work in the studio with Brian, or just a friend of his?  Just curious.

I suspect that some gems were recorded as part of the reunion sessions, but held back for a secod album.  Any truth to that?  Have you heard the BB's song Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again?  If so, any comments on it.  

No I am just a friend , but have  been lucky to spend a lsignificant amount of time in several different studio's with Brian on several different projects.  

I have never heard Wouldn't it Be Nice to Live Again but I would sure like to.  Dennis had so much ability and all I hear about that track is how great the vocals are by the brothers.   Therefore I need to hear it , like everyone else !

I have not heard anything that was held back for a second album , but I heard there is more stuff recorded  but I think I read that somewhere !

Well, I had my doubts about how much Brian was enjoying the reunion. He seemed a bit more up beat during the SMiLE and TLOS tours. But its good to hear that he is happy! I was also going to mention that I had never heard your name before, and wasn't sure what your connection with Brian is. Now I see that you are a friend of his. When/where did you meet Brian?

[Heysaboda]

No !  Just two friends talking ; no tape recorders or anything like that . Just a broad conversation of life in general, records, baseball, and Brian's return to The Beach Boys

Very cool, Ray!  Thanks again so much!

So, which baseball team does Brian like this summer?  Dodgers?

[c-man]

AWESOME! 

[Ray Lawlor]

No !  Just two friends talking ; no tape recorders or anything like that . Just a broad conversation of life in general, records, baseball, and Brian's return to The Beach Boys

Very cool, Ray!  Thanks again so much!

So, which baseball team does Brian like this summer?  Dodgers?
Brian is the only one I think, in the solar system who likes the NY Yankees and the Boston Red Sox

[18thofMay]

Thankyou for stopping in and posting Ray! Great to hear Brian loves Australia, It is the best country in the world!!!

[Juice Brohnston]

Thanks Ray,

I was lucky enough to be backstage in Montreal for Brian's birthday celebration, and he seemed happy and relaxed.  It's pretty obvious, but the fact is, most of how we fans see Brian is onstage, and it's no secret it's not where he is most comfortable... as he said recently "It scares the hell out of me!"

[Ray Lawlor]

Thanks Ray,

I was lucky enough to be backstage in Montreal for Brian's birthday celebration, and he seemed happy and relaxed.  It's pretty obvious, but the fact is, most of how we fans see Brian is onstage, and it's no secret it's not where he is most comfortable... as he said recently "It scares the hell out of me!"

Excellent ! Hope you enjoyed the birthday party ! Wish I could have been there but I had to work !   Hate when that happens

[Wirestone]

I think most people are overlooking something very basic.

When Brian tours solo, he's the man. He has to carry the load and interact with the audience on nearly every song. He's more outgoing not necessarily because he wants to be, but because he has to be. There's no one else there to do the job. Jeff will carry some of the weight, but he makes it very clear that Brian's the man.

On the Beach Boys tour, there's no question about the front man. It's Mike. Brian is able to be as withdrawn as he wants to be, or as outgoing. And in a live situation, in front of huge crowds, he's more withdrawn than not. But it's not because he dislikes sharing the music, or hates the other guys. It's because he knows Mike can take care of the "entertaining the crowd" bit.

My reaction, on watching him in Bangor, is that Brian is reasonably comfortable and relaxed, and enjoys singing lead for about 30 minutes of the 2.5-hour show. Otherwise, he gets to play along with his great band and watch guys he's shared an amazing journey with put on an amazing show.

[Heysaboda]

No !  Just two friends talking ; no tape recorders or anything like that . Just a broad conversation of life in general, records, baseball, and Brian's return to The Beach Boys

Very cool, Ray!  Thanks again so much!

So, which baseball team does Brian like this summer?  Dodgers?

Brian is the only one I think, in the solar system who likes the NY Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

LOL -- Brian must know something we don't!  HA!

By the way, it's very very VERY generous of you to post these updates.  Much appreciated by all of us!

And, Brian must be very happy to have this wonderful gorgeous new album go to #3!

 

[Ray Lawlor]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would venture to say that Mr. Lawlor may in fact be downplaying his role in Brian's circle. I say this out of respect to Mr. Lawlor. Those who know Brian's inner circle recognize Ray Lawlor as a friend of Brian and his family and we should in fact thank him for taking the time to post his insights here, they are the real deal. Mr. Lawlor's name  in fact can be found in various liner notes as being thanked by Brian; in addition, Mr. Lawlor can be seen in certain videos (could have been Beautiful Dreamer) sitting at the studio console with Brian and talking as friends would. He is in fact not just some random guy who asked Brian a question....

Thanks for stopping in Ray.  We appreciate the insights of those who are in the know.  Please tell Brian we are all enjoying his work on the tour and album.  Please drop in here when you can.

thank you for the kind words.  I hope I conveyed the fact that Brian is having a great time during the concerts and is excited to be back with the guys  

[Autotune]

Thanks Ray!
Your insights are much appreciated!

[Ray Lawlor]

Thankyou for stopping in and posting Ray! Great to hear Brian loves Australia, It is the best country in the world!!!

Australia is awesome, Brian loves it there, all anyone has to do is ask him. When I mentioned earlier that I had a hard time keeping up with Brian walking; a good example was in Sydney. The walk started at the Inter-Continental Sydney, went around the Opera House , then all the way on the walkway in the park that runs parallel to the water. Two laps around the Opera House and back to the Inter-Continental. 90 degrees out; I was struggling to keep up with Brian and praying I would live long enough to get a cold beer. He wanted to go again in a few hours.

I would love to head out there on this tour , but don't think I can.  Cafe Sydney right on Bligh St.  Tremendous !

[Custom Machine]

Thanks for posting this info, Ray.  I too look forward to the five principals continuing to tour together as well as an additional studio album, plus, of course, the live 50th Anniversary CD.