Looking back at Brian's Disney album

[Nicko1234]

He's released 10 solo studio albums. Three are mostly previously unheard solo material, one is assembled from Paley sessions and Sweet Insanity tracks, one is recut Beach Boys tunes and one is Smile. That's six of the total. Of the remaining four, one is a Christmas album (with five of the songs written by BW), one is a collaboration with Van Dyke Parks (for which BW did vocal arrangements), one is the Gershwin record (which Brian wrote two songs for), and one was the Disney album. I guess you can quibble over percentages, etc., but that hardly seems like a career focused on cover versions.

It seems like the career of a guy who didn't get record deals for his 90s solo tunes, who wasn't that enthused about re-cutting them (the one album where he did that -- GIOMH -- didn't go over well), and who otherwise was interested in revisiting his past and past collaborators.

I didn`t say it was entirely focused. Just too focused in my opinion. Especially as there have been the Beach Boys covers in addition to the genuine covers (and I`m not talking about Smile there). 3 of the last 4 solo albums have been covers albums after all. That is obviously largely down to the record companies though.

[Awesoman]

Until I came across this album on my ipod today I literally forgot it ever existed, it was so random 

I gave it a listen and bar a few nice moments, "Colors of the wind", "Baby Mine" and "Kiss the girl", it's borders on awful.

Any thoughts?

I never really listened to it.  Totally dismissable in my book. 

[Robbie Mac]

I want to like it, but I can't. It's well-sung, beautifully played and arranged, but I am not really a fan of the Disney songs and the choice of the lame modern day Disney songs drags the album down several notches for me.

[Smilin Ed H]

I want to like it, but I can't. It's well-sung, beautifully played and arranged, but I am not really a fan of the Disney songs and the choice of the lame modern day Disney songs drags the album down several notches for me.

Ditto. I do like the Christmas bonus track and it's made its way onto my BW/BB Christmas album plus one of my more general Christmas compilations.

[chrs_mrgn]

It was the best of times, the worst of times, an age of reason with a rage for rhymes
Sound and fury, sounds of Disney, cries for peace amidst the Mickey
Black and white issues and the animation, fear and loathing in the Disney nation
Stormy seas and sunny skies above, now we're looking back, looking back with love

[Smilin Ed H]

By George, I think you've got it.

[Bean Bag]

For me, it's his best solo album, after Imagination (and BW Presents SMiLE of course).  I think it's the most overlooked gem in his solo catalog.  It came off WAY better than expected.  It all feels so damn natural.  That's what gets me most.  As if it was therapeutic for him to do this -- and not be forced to write another song about himself and his troubles.

Nothing feels contrived or overly analyzed... none of that.  I don't get this relaxed, easy feeling as much with the Gershwin or Christmas album.  I really think he loved this effort... maybe because expectations weren't so high?

Not only are the performance fantastic, but the material is SO DAMN refreshing.  These songs DO NOT show up on rock albums.  Maybe jazz occasionally.  So they're not stale.  He does a great job of turning these songs into modern FM ready hits.  You wouldn't know they're "Disney Songs."  Yet, the melodies have sweetness and heart, given their source.... it's not surprising.  Dumbo.  I love Dumbo, and always loved Baby of Mine.  And Brian nailed it!!!

The album is the perfect combination and example of the innocent and ingenious Brian Wilson mystique, alive n' well.  Seriously, this material fits him like a glove. 

[shelter]

I enjoyed this album when it came out, it's not unpleasant. And to Brian's credit, I really could not imagine a song like 'Colors of the Wind' working with his voice, but it kind of does. And how can you not enjoy those versions of 'The Bare Necessities' and the 'Heigh-Ho' medley? So much fun. I did get bored with this album pretty quickly though. And it's certainly the most unnecessary album Brian ever made.

[Robbie Mac]

It was the best of times, the worst of times, an age of reason with a rage for rhymes
Sound and fury, sounds of Disney, cries for peace amidst the Mickey
Black and white issues and the animation, fear and loathing in the Disney nation
Stormy seas and sunny skies above, now we're looking back, looking back with love

Those are better lyrics than the ones on the actual Looking Back With Love.

[Wirestone]

Bean Bag, you really nailed it for me. It's the relaxed, natural vibe of the album that's so refreshing. I compared it at the time to Friends -- there's something very low-key and pleasant about the whole thing. And like Friends, it's less about any individual track (although there are good ones), than about the feel of everything working together.

[bringahorseinhere?]

half or more of the Disney songs I had not heard anyways...

so for the most part, these were 'new' songs to me and I had nothing to compare to..

favourite? colours of the wind, hands down...... Brian sounds so cool and relaxed on this one

RickB

[Cabinessenceking]

There is somethign lacking in this album. It feels plastic and polished. It is lacking in soul to my ears. The production is terribly stale imo, it's as if it was decided that giving it pet sounds instrumentation then everything would be a-okey.

[Myk Luhv]

Jeez, I'm glad I don't expect a lot from Brian Wilson's solo career otherwise I might be disappointed too. I'm just glad we get things like "Message Man" and "Being With The One You Love" and even "Somebody To Watch Over Me" or "Baby Mine" every so often. Otherwise I'm pretty lukewarm to the whole enterprise to be perfectly on the level. If I get blown away at some point by something he puts out, well, that'd be nice too...

[18thofMay]

For me, it's his best solo album, after Imagination (and BW Presents SMiLE of course).  I think it's the most overlooked gem in his solo catalog.  It came off WAY better than expected.  It all feels so damn natural.  That's what gets me most.  As if it was therapeutic for him to do this -- and not be forced to write another song about himself and his troubles.

Nothing feels contrived or overly analyzed... none of that.  I don't get this relaxed, easy feeling as much with the Gershwin or Christmas album.  I really think he loved this effort... maybe because expectations weren't so high?

Not only are the performance fantastic, but the material is SO DAMN refreshing.  These songs DO NOT show up on rock albums.  Maybe jazz occasionally.  So they're not stale.  He does a great job of turning these songs into modern FM ready hits.  You wouldn't know they're "Disney Songs."  Yet, the melodies have sweetness and heart, given their source.... it's not surprising.  Dumbo.  I love Dumbo, and always loved Baby of Mine.  And Brian nailed it!!!

The album is the perfect combination and example of the innocent and ingenious Brian Wilson mystique, alive n' well.  Seriously, this material fits him like a glove. 

Agreed!

[Amy B.]

I just put this album on because of this thread. Brian sounds cool and confident. He sounds like he's enjoying himself. If this was just something for him to have fun with, I think that's great.

[Mr. Cohen]

I thought the choice of covers really sucked. Disney has some songs that give good arrangers serious breathing room. To be honest, I feel like Brian had very little to do with the song selection. I think they let him pick a couple tunes, he put some work into those, and then Darian and Jeff carried the rest of the project. I don't think it's a coincidence that the songs from films like Mary Poppins, Snow White, and etc. tended to be the best. Do you see the Brian Wilson we know and love really giving a flying crap about a Toy Story 3 song?

In terms of Brian involvement, I'm guessing this was the modern equivalent of American Spring.

[ArchStanton]

I had a three-year old when this came out who is now five, so I've listened to it quite a bit. She enjoys it, and it's grown on me. A fun project. That said, I can see where it wouldn't be for everyone.

[Outtasight!]

I reckon with all those kids Brian has probably seen all the toy story films many times over. In the key of disney is pure enjoyment from start to finish imo.

[Mr. Cohen]

Brian doesn't watch Toy Story at home, ever. He watches the Golden Oldies station.

[Lowbacca]

For me, it's his best solo album, after Imagination (and BW Presents SMiLE of course).  I think it's the most overlooked gem in his solo catalog.  It came off WAY better than expected.  It all feels so damn natural.  That's what gets me most.  As if it was therapeutic for him to do this -- and not be forced to write another song about himself and his troubles.

Nothing feels contrived or overly analyzed... none of that.  I don't get this relaxed, easy feeling as much with the Gershwin or Christmas album.  I really think he loved this effort... maybe because expectations weren't so high?

Not only are the performance fantastic, but the material is SO DAMN refreshing.  These songs DO NOT show up on rock albums.  Maybe jazz occasionally.  So they're not stale.  He does a great job of turning these songs into modern FM ready hits.  You wouldn't know they're "Disney Songs."  Yet, the melodies have sweetness and heart, given their source.... it's not surprising.  Dumbo.  I love Dumbo, and always loved Baby of Mine.  And Brian nailed it!!!

The album is the perfect combination and example of the innocent and ingenious Brian Wilson mystique, alive n' well.  Seriously, this material fits him like a glove. 

AGREED [3] - I really like Reimagines Gershwin too, though. That and Disney do feature a couple of gorgeous seasoned BW vocals.

[Mayoman]

Brian doesn't watch Toy Story at home, ever. He watches the Golden Oldies station.

Norbit.

[Ron]

For me, it's his best solo album, after Imagination (and BW Presents SMiLE of course).  I think it's the most overlooked gem in his solo catalog.  It came off WAY better than expected.  It all feels so damn natural.  That's what gets me most.  As if it was therapeutic for him to do this -- and not be forced to write another song about himself and his troubles.

Nothing feels contrived or overly analyzed... none of that.  I don't get this relaxed, easy feeling as much with the Gershwin or Christmas album.  I really think he loved this effort... maybe because expectations weren't so high?

Not only are the performance fantastic, but the material is SO DAMN refreshing.  These songs DO NOT show up on rock albums.  Maybe jazz occasionally.  So they're not stale.  He does a great job of turning these songs into modern FM ready hits.  You wouldn't know they're "Disney Songs."  Yet, the melodies have sweetness and heart, given their source.... it's not surprising.  Dumbo.  I love Dumbo, and always loved Baby of Mine.  And Brian nailed it!!!

The album is the perfect combination and example of the innocent and ingenious Brian Wilson mystique, alive n' well.  Seriously, this material fits him like a glove. 

I agree wholeheartedly.  I think it was a perfect fit. 

[Ron]

Bean Bag, you really nailed it for me. It's the relaxed, natural vibe of the album that's so refreshing. I compared it at the time to Friends -- there's something very low-key and pleasant about the whole thing. And like Friends, it's less about any individual track (although there are good ones), than about the feel of everything working together.

Yeah... I think if you listen to his vocal on "When You Wish Upon a Star"... although that songs been done to death, listen to how he sings it.  If he would sing all of his music that intelligently, with that mature of a voice, with that nuance, with that breath control, pauses in the perfect place, etc.   It's masterful.  I wish he would do that with everything anymore... what could have been guys.  I think we missed a lot of great music out of this man due to illness or just not caring about the material.  He L-O-V-E-S that song, and sings it on the level of Sinatra, just masterful singing. 

[Orange Crate Art]

I feel like a broken record today, but... I don't like it.

[TMinthePM]

Gershwin - Disney - That's Whay God Made the Radio : Three late period classics, a true return to form.