Carl and his solo career

[Smilin Ed H]

I like a few songs from the first album; fewer from the (horribly AOR) second and about the same for Beckley-Lamm-Wilson. I don't like the production of the latter and I'm not a fan of the soporific ballads Carl produced from the late 70s onwards.

[petsite]

I have to say that seeing Carl live on April 20, 1981 at The Agora Ballroom was SO SO cool. I saw the group on Feb. 12 at The Summit and as I have relayed elsewhere on this board, it was NOT a great night. Seeing them beforehand at their hotel left me sad. Then the concert just left me depressed. What a waste. But Carl was cool. He talked to the audience and answered questions afterwards to all of us fans. Such a great guy!

Bob

[Lonely Summer]

I think if pushed Carl could have done something good in late sixties/early seventies. If his work on the Flame is anything to go by it may have been pretty dynamic. His tastes seem to have taken a turn by the late seventies and I think that's the main problem with Carl after Holland. He really seemed to like the kind of music on his solo albums and that's what's wrong with them honestly.

I like that kind of music - at least when Carl sings it!

Well Carl's voice never was a problem and if I have to listen to AC 80's I would pick Carl over many others. Still I only really like a few songs from each.

I wish everyone had had a chance to see Carl live with the band he had. The songs on the first album come across as kind of mellow on record, but live, that band was smokin'! I think it was a case of during the making of the record, everyone was just getting the feel of the tunes. They really came alive on stage. Youngblood has a bit more of a rocky sound on disc, but I think those songs also benefitted from the live treatment. Maybe, just maybe, someday, someone will release a live disc of the Carl Wilson band. I know there are one or two good tapes out there from radio broadcasts, I think Pete Fornatale and WNEW hosted one of them.