3 (Potential) Brian Wilson LPs

[Ron]

Jardine singing ooh  na na over Brian's layered harmonies and Beck's 12 string guitar.  Now I'm starting to get excited...

Isn't it ridiculous how easy we're all getting?  This is how they described the song

 - Al Jardine's lyrics are "oooh na na na boo boo"

 - Brian wilson produced it and wrote it

 - Jeff Beck plays a guitar on it and he's really good

 - It's spooky


And we're all "BRIAN, TAKE MY 15 DOLLARS BEFORE ANYBODY ELSE, I WANNA HEAR IT FIRST!!! TAKE MY 15 DOLLARS BRIAN!!!!"

[Ron]

Not thrilled with the "as Wilson approaches the final chapter of his career" text.

This could mean lots of things... not sure if it's meant to imply something specifically?

Brian will never stop writing songs.

I agree, I think it's a spoken, official, talked about out-loud part of his therapy.  Brian has psychological issues, and part of keeping all that in check is working and doing things he's great at like writing and recording music.  He's going to be doing this his entire life.

I know it's strange in the rock world, but in the country music world it's not that strange, most country singers perform their entire lives.  Little Jimmy Dickens still performs (he's in the hospital right now, god bless him) and he's in his 90's.  Ray Price is in his 90's.  etc. etc.

Brian will record music until he leaves us with an unfinshed project. 

[Ron]

Okay, I've got a question.  Here's the quote:

"Actually, the record that Wilson started working on with longtime collaborator Joe Thomas almost immediately after wrapping up the Beach Boys' 50th-anniversary tour last fall has morphed into what could be three records..." (and then it goes on to describe the nature of the work).

Is this meant to imply that Brian is seriously considering three separate releases, or is the writer making use of hyperbole when describing the sprawling nature of what will ultimately be one eclectic release?

Opinions?

It could go either way, but the title does say further "LP's"  .  Plural.  So the writer is definately saying there could be more than 1 album.

[Ron]

3 albums - not ONE for the Beach Boys? what a drag...

We're just going to have to come to the realization that other than the 50th anniversary, it's not going to happen again. That is my stance and I hate to take it because I want these albums to be BB albums with Mike and Bruce involved, but if both parties or one party isn't going to agree, then this is how it is going to have to be. If having Al and David on the albums with Brian is the closest we can get to the BB sound, then that'll have to be it. I just hope it's good and that JT doesn't mess the vocals up. Mike and Bruce can continue playing Barbara Ann and Kokomo until their faces turn blue. I also hate saying that, but this is apparently what it has come down to.

Despite what is being said here, I'm still expecting to hear one more new album from The Beach Boys.

I am very happy about the Brian solo album(s), yet I wouldn't be surprised if there is one more BB album, if only because of $$$.  The June 2012 Rolling Stone article said 28 tracks were cut for TWGMTR.  Thirteen (assuming DIA was part of that group) were released.  If there are leftovers that already have Beach Boys vocals on them, I believe Capitol and the group would choose to monetize those in the most profitable way, which would be releasing them as The Beach Boys.  

Yeah, but there's no indication all of those tracks were finished. Several of them were most likely for the suite, which it seems like Brian plans to release on his own. Given those factors, it would probably take extra studio time to finish another album, and more deference to Brian's people. Mike seems to have had his fill of that. And they would then be expected to promote the record, which, again, Mike seems to currently not have any patience for.

Finally, the band completed Soul Searchin' and You're Still A Mystery in the mid-90s (and a couple of other songs, from the sound of it), and we didn't see those for 18 years. So I don't think they really care, either.

Another thing to just throw out there too is that Brian was running sh*t, you can believe if he recorded 28 tracks he probably still owns them himself and can release them however he wants.  The nature of the released album kind of sounds to me like the last thing done were the vocals from the other members, the tracks that weren't released prob. never had vocals cut and half of them will likely pop up on Brian's album. 

Brian records 100 songs, pulls a few out, Mike likes the way that sounds, they put the vocals on and finish the tracks, put out the album, Brian keeps the other 90 songs.  That's how I see what went down.  Brian likely wrote songs before, during, and after the album that didn't make it and he still owns. 

[Ron]

such tremendous news. and on Brian's birthday. let summer begin!!!

this article is the antidote to the enormous bummer Mike pulled when he refused to do any more dates with his cousin and fellow bandmates. Brian is full of new music, just as he was full of enthusiasm and pride to be back in the Beach Boys, back on top, touring the world, kicking ass and taking names.

anyone who wants to sit and lament the fact that these THREE(!!!) album's worth of material aren't "Beach Boy" records needs to face the fact that there is only one person responsible for that happening. And anyway, Brian IS the Beach Boys... so these are Beach Boys albums after all. Mike and Bruce are not worth the hassle. They can have Stamos, the rest of the us get BRIAN F*CKING WILSON. And Al. And Dave. And Jeff Beck of all people... why the hell not??!!!

I agree, as much as I love Mike and Bruce and want to hear them on tracks, Brian Wilson is the whole fuckin' show.  Period. 

[rab2591]

Okay, I've got a question.  Here's the quote:

"Actually, the record that Wilson started working on with longtime collaborator Joe Thomas almost immediately after wrapping up the Beach Boys' 50th-anniversary tour last fall has morphed into what could be three records..." (and then it goes on to describe the nature of the work).

Is this meant to imply that Brian is seriously considering three separate releases, or is the writer making use of hyperbole when describing the sprawling nature of what will ultimately be one eclectic release?

Opinions?

It could go either way, but the title does say further "LP's"  .  Plural.  So the writer is definately saying there could be more than 1 album.

Though the official word from Brian's website is that he's recording and producing 1 album for Capitol. Doesn't mean there won't be more, but after a bit of thought, I'm not getting my hopes up that this will turn into more anytime soon.

It would be amazing if he released 3 albums at once...perhaps in a nice package with a small book.

[Ron]

The key word is indeed potential. I have painstakingly calculated that these shows have an 85% chance of being potentially fantastic and the spurt of recording Brian is on to have a 67% chance of making it to our ears in some form over the next few years leading to potentially a 100% chance of 47% of us whining about aspects of it and 34% of us highlighting tracks in distinctive colors and making grand playlists of Proposed Infinitely Superior Selections (PISS)...

You sound like Scott Steiner!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5acti_scott-steiner-maths_sport

[Ron]

Okay, I've got a question.  Here's the quote:

"Actually, the record that Wilson started working on with longtime collaborator Joe Thomas almost immediately after wrapping up the Beach Boys' 50th-anniversary tour last fall has morphed into what could be three records..." (and then it goes on to describe the nature of the work).

Is this meant to imply that Brian is seriously considering three separate releases, or is the writer making use of hyperbole when describing the sprawling nature of what will ultimately be one eclectic release?

Opinions?

It could go either way, but the title does say further "LP's"  .  Plural.  So the writer is definately saying there could be more than 1 album.

Though the official word from Brian's website is that he's recording and producing 1 album for Capitol. Doesn't mean there won't be more, but after a bit of thought, I'm not getting my hopes up that this will turn into more anytime soon.

It would be amazing if he released 3 albums at once...perhaps in a nice package with a small book.

We can hope!  He's never tried that, hell why not?   They could charge 20 bucks for it and production costs wouldn't be much more than with 1 cd, it'd be a good value for the consumer and would give him the opportunity to try something different than the tired 1 cd idea that's been beat to death. 

[EgoHanger1966]

Question--does  Al Jardine get more lead vocals on  Brian Wilson's next  solo album than he did on the last Beach Boys album?

If the answer is anywhere above one, than yes! 

[bossaroo]

Not thrilled with the "as Wilson approaches the final chapter of his career" text.

This could mean lots of things... not sure if it's meant to imply something specifically?

Brian will never stop writing songs.

I agree, I think it's a spoken, official, talked about out-loud part of his therapy.  Brian has psychological issues, and part of keeping all that in check is working and doing things he's great at like writing and recording music.  He's going to be doing this his entire life.

I know it's strange in the rock world, but in the country music world it's not that strange, most country singers perform their entire lives.  Little Jimmy Dickens still performs (he's in the hospital right now, god bless him) and he's in his 90's.  Ray Price is in his 90's.  etc. etc.

Brian will record music until he leaves us with an unfinshed project. 

Ray Price is 87, but yeah he's gettin' up there.

Mike seems to idolize Tony Bennett, who's 86.

I think it's great that performers want to keep performing into their 90s, but picturing Mike in his mid-80s singing about cheerleaders and drag races is kind of sad.

[Ron]

True!  But what's sadder, hearing mike sing about cheerleaders, or hearing him singing about "Bring back... bring my baby back..."

These guys used to sing about all the women they knew now they sing about all the women they used to know.  There's really nothing else to sing about besides women though so I dont' really have any suggestions for them. 

[Pacific Coast]

HYPERBOLE: claims not intended to be taken literally.

"'I'm on a roll. I have so many songs, I can't believe it. I keep thinking, 'What's this record gonna be? I have no idea!'

Actually, the record that Wilson started working on with longtime collaborator Joe Thomas almost immediately after wrapping up the Beach Boys' 50th-anniversary tour last fall has morphed into what could be three records: an album of new pop songs, recorded with his touring band and Beach Boys Al Jardine and David Marks (both of whom will also join Wilson at solo shows this Summer); a set of mostly instrumental new songs with an unlikely collaborator, British guitar legend Jeff Beck (who may also appear on the Wilson solo album); and a complex, melancholy group of interwoven tracks he calls "the suite," created in the modular style of SMiLE, and dealing with loss, vulnerability and hope as Wilson approaches the final chapter of his career."

In other words, Brian is working on a record, singular, that is a mixed bag that can be classified around three dominant themes: new songs that could've been a new Beach Boys record, instrumentals that evolved from jamming with Jeff Beck, and presumably, the "My Life" tracks cut from TWGMTR.

It is not unusual for an artist to write and record more songs than necessary for an album, then cull the production to the best work for the finished release, and later, recycle the leftovers into a followup release. That's what I assume is happening here.

[joshferrell]

so Al is singing "nanny nanny boo boo, stick your head in doo-doo" on the new cd...

[Iron Horse-Apples]

so Al is singing "nanny nanny boo boo, stick your head in doo-doo" on the new cd...

I certainly hope so. 

I honestly wish Brian would give us some more of that humorous, quirky stuff, but I'm not holding my breath.

[rab2591]

I haven't been a fan long enough to know:

Has Brian ever been this excited about a solo album? Perhaps social media and the internet have changed how we view the recording of an album (and thus the reason more statements are coming from Brian), but has he ever been this vocal and excited about a project?

[joshferrell]

I haven't been a fan long enough to know:

Has Brian ever been this excited about a solo album? Perhaps social media and the internet have changed how we view the recording of an album (and thus the reason more statements are coming from Brian), but has he ever been this vocal and excited about a project?

it seems like every time there's a new release from him he gets all excited about it and says how much he likes it..so this isn't anything new..it's very Brian.

[Ron]

HYPERBOLE: claims not intended to be taken literally.

"'I'm on a roll. I have so many songs, I can't believe it. I keep thinking, 'What's this record gonna be? I have no idea!'

Actually, the record that Wilson started working on with longtime collaborator Joe Thomas almost immediately after wrapping up the Beach Boys' 50th-anniversary tour last fall has morphed into what could be three records: an album of new pop songs, recorded with his touring band and Beach Boys Al Jardine and David Marks (both of whom will also join Wilson at solo shows this Summer); a set of mostly instrumental new songs with an unlikely collaborator, British guitar legend Jeff Beck (who may also appear on the Wilson solo album); and a complex, melancholy group of interwoven tracks he calls "the suite," created in the modular style of SMiLE, and dealing with loss, vulnerability and hope as Wilson approaches the final chapter of his career."

In other words, Brian is working on a record, singular, that is a mixed bag that can be classified around three dominant themes: new songs that could've been a new Beach Boys record, instrumentals that evolved from jamming with Jeff Beck, and presumably, the "My Life" tracks cut from TWGMTR.

It is not unusual for an artist to write and record more songs than necessary for an album, then cull the production to the best work for the finished release, and later, recycle the leftovers into a followup release. That's what I assume is happening here.

In the title of the article it says "Plans new LP's". 

[JohnMill]

My POV is sort of in line with Timmy C's although slightly different.  I'm going to take a "wait and see" approach on these new Brian Wilson recordings although even I must admit it's somewhat strange that if these were "Beach Boys" recordings and not Brian Wilson recordings I'd be more optimistic about their potential. (someone explain that one because even I can't figure it out).

The one comment I will make in regards to "The Beach Boys" and these new Wilson recordings is just this:  While I respect (although not necessarily agree) with Mike Love's decision not to go forward with the C50, the fact that Brian Wilson might be going through one of his most creative and prolific phases of his career right now could leave a lot of egg on the face of those who chose not to forge ahead with the C50.  "The Beach Boys" could've been the beneficiary of a mother load of great Brian Wilson songs and that opportunity has now for all intents and purposes passed.  The thing is I doubt Mike Love even cares, he's happy touring the circuit with his incarnation of "The Beach Boys" and that is just fine I suppose.

Anyhow back to the new Wilson records: I figure if they aren't going to be "Beach Boys" records they might as well be released as solo Wilson records.  They are his material and he obviously has every right to get them to his public period.  I wonder if he'll go the route Springsteen went with "Human Touch" and "Lucky Town" and release two separate albums concurrently with one another?

The five hour energy thing was great btw and yeah Custom Machine I do expect at least one more Beach Boys record someday although it may be long past the point when it will actually matter by then.  

PS: I believe it was mentioned that Mike Love actually did some work on one of his archival tracks for MIC?  Any word on whether Brian or the rest of the boys fixed up any of their tracks?

[Wirestone]

I suspect that the "plans new lps" thing definitely has its origins in the Wilson camp, given that the author of the piece is the guy who will be co-writing Brian's new autobiography. I'd guess the problem is that the Jeff Beck instrumental material is very different from the songs Brian (and likely Joe) cooked up on their own. And the life's suite material is an entirely separate batch of stuff, which I don't get the impression that Brian has worked on much since wrapping TWGMTR. So this stuff could well co-exist on a single record, but it's probably a little too diverse to do so. I'd guess the new Capitol record will feature mostly new BW/Thomas comps, with one or two of the Beck/Wilson tracks. The suite stuff will keep, especially because Joe has aready made noises about doing it as a single, separate record.

[Peter Reum]

I am encouraged. I appreciate Brian's bursts of creativity. One of them was called Pet Sounds, and another was called Smile.

[bgas]

I am encouraged. I appreciate Brian's bursts of creativity. One of them was called Pet Sounds, and another was called Smile.

A LONG time ago, in a galaxy far,far away....

[Sheriff John Stone]

The one comment I will make in regards to "The Beach Boys" and these new Wilson recordings is just this:  While I respect (although not necessarily agree) with Mike Love's decision not to go forward with the C50, the fact that Brian Wilson might be going through one of his most creative and prolific phases of his career right now could leave a lot of egg on the face of those who chose not to forge ahead with the C50.  "The Beach Boys" could've been the beneficiary of a mother load of great Brian Wilson songs and that opportunity has now for all intents and purposes passed.  The thing is I doubt Mike Love even cares, he's happy touring the circuit with his incarnation of "The Beach Boys" and that is just fine I suppose.

I basically agree with your comments, but this has been going on in varying degrees since Brian began releasing solo recordings in 1987. Every time Brian would announce a new solo project, the announcement included something about Brian being in this great place, going through another creative phase, and writing some of the best songs of his career. And, the Beach Boys - in some configuration - were standing there, waiting in the wings, wishing/hoping that Brian would be sharing this new music WITH THEM. Well, he never did, and, in a few weeks the hype of that particular solo project faded, the music turned out to be NOT what it was hyped to be, and we got another ultimately disappointing album.

I agree with you, JohnMill, the Beach Boys could've, and in my opinion, should've benefited from those Brian Wilson songs, at least the 4-5 cream of the crop ones. If you take the stronger BW songs and fill in the album with contributions from the rest of group (including Carl Wilson when he was alive), the Brian Wilson solo albums had a much better chance of succeeding, critically and comercially. Just by adding the Beach Boys' voices to the BW solo songs would've improved them significantly.

I get your point about Mike Love no longer caring. I think I know what you're getting at, but I'm not sure "caring" is the accurate term. I think Mike still cares; I also think he is disappointed that things didn't work out with Brian - again. But, things have changed. While there was a time when Mike Love was happy to just be working - in any capacity - with Brian Wilson, that no longer appears to be true. In my opinion, Mike appears to have his own terms now, and if they're not met, he will pass. I think he still cares, but, probably because of "his history with Brian", Mike will only agree to his terms. And, that's too bad. For a lot of people.

Finally, I think Mike is looking at history in another aspect. With each Brian Wilson solo project, Mike had to read and hear all of the hype, including some negative things said about him and the Beach Boys. But, Mike and the guys waited it out, and, with very few exceptions, Brian's solo albums would come and go in a relatively short period of time and make little if no impact. I could picture Mike saying, "I told you so". I wouldn't be surprised if he feels the same way about this project. History is on his side...

[Wirestone]

I am encouraged. I appreciate Brian's bursts of creativity. One of them was called Pet Sounds, and another was called Smile.

A LONG time ago, in a galaxy far,far away....

Another was called That Lucky Old Sun, and another was Brian Wilson Reimagines Gerswhin. And both were terrific.

[Wirestone]

The one comment I will make in regards to "The Beach Boys" and these new Wilson recordings is just this:  While I respect (although not necessarily agree) with Mike Love's decision not to go forward with the C50, the fact that Brian Wilson might be going through one of his most creative and prolific phases of his career right now could leave a lot of egg on the face of those who chose not to forge ahead with the C50.  "The Beach Boys" could've been the beneficiary of a mother load of great Brian Wilson songs and that opportunity has now for all intents and purposes passed.  The thing is I doubt Mike Love even cares, he's happy touring the circuit with his incarnation of "The Beach Boys" and that is just fine I suppose.

I basically agree with your comments, but this has been going on in varying degrees since Brian began releasing solo recordings in 1987. Every time Brian would announce a new solo project, the announcement included something about Brian being in this great place, going through another creative phase, and writing some of the best songs of his career. And, the Beach Boys - in some configuration - were standing there, waiting in the wings, wishing/hoping that Brian would be sharing this new music WITH THEM. Well, he never did, and, in a few weeks the hype of that particular solo project faded, the music turned out to be NOT what it was hyped to be, and we got another ultimately disappointing album.

I agree with you, JohnMill, the Beach Boys could've, and in my opinion, should've benefited from those Brian Wilson songs, at least the 4-5 cream of the crop ones. If you take the stronger BW songs and fill in the album with contributions from the rest of group (including Carl Wilson when he was alive), the Brian Wilson solo albums had a much better chance of succeeding, critically and comercially. Just by adding the Beach Boys' voices to the BW solo songs would've improved them significantly.

I get your point about Mike Love no longer caring. I think I know what you're getting at, but I'm not sure "caring" is the accurate term. I think Mike still cares; I also think he is disappointed that things didn't work out with Brian - again. But, things have changed. While there was a time when Mike Love was happy to just be working - in any capacity - with Brian Wilson, that no longer appears to be true. In my opinion, Mike appears to have his own terms now, and if they're not met, he will pass. I think he still cares, but, probably because of "his history with Brian", Mike will only agree to his terms. And, that's too bad. For a lot of people.

Finally, I think Mike is looking at history in another aspect. With each Brian Wilson solo project, Mike had to read and hear all of the hype, including some negative things said about him and the Beach Boys. But, Mike and the guys waited it out, and, with very few exceptions, Brian's solo albums would come and go in a relatively short period of time and make little if no impact. I could picture Mike saying, "I told you so". I wouldn't be surprised if he feels the same way about this project. History is on his side...

Depends on what you mean by impact, I suppose. If by sales, then I guess so, although BWPS and TLOS both did well. If you're talking about general critical response and fan reaction, I'd say Brian has built up a solid body of work, easily outpacing anything the Beach Boys managed since the mid-70s, if not before. I'm not sure what disappointments you're talking about.

[Shady]

I am encouraged. I appreciate Brian's bursts of creativity. One of them was called Pet Sounds, and another was called Smile.

A LONG time ago, in a galaxy far,far away....

Another was called That Lucky Old Sun, and another was Brian Wilson Reimagines Gerswhin. And both were terrific.

In my book "Good Kind of Love" is a perfect pop song. Give me an album full of songs like that and Brian has done it yet again.