New live Brian EP just released...

[PongHit]

How did we miss this?

Released the same day as SUMMER LOVE SONGS...

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=314023995&s=143441

http://mp3.rhapsody.com/brian-wilson/that-lucky-old-sun-aol-sessions

... guess it's a digital-only release.

[shelter]

I really really H A T E download-only releases.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Only available in the US.

[smile-holland]

http://mp3.rhapsody.com/brian-wilson/that-lucky-old-sun-aol-sessions

and - o how lovely - US-customers only?

well, maybe I-tunes will work...


EDIT: hm, AGD outbeat me already on that...

[jeremylr]

I've been by Brian's site frequently this week, & there's been no mention of the live EP, which makes no sense.  Seems his management is giving the impression that they don't care about it.  With current record sales, you'd figure they'd milk/promote his EP relentlessly.  Oh well.


A question:  Does anyone have a date for when the EP was recorded?  Thanks,

Jeremy

[hypehat]

http://mp3.rhapsody.com/brian-wilson/that-lucky-old-sun-aol-sessions

and - o how lovely - US-customers only?

well, maybe I-tunes will work...


EDIT: hm, AGD outbeat me already on that...

try Amazon mp3 

[PongHit]

Does anyone have a date for when the EP was recorded?

Wasn't it February of this year?

[Rocker]

I've been by Brian's site frequently this week, & there's been no mention of the live EP, which makes no sense.  Seems his management is giving the impression that they don't care about it.  With current record sales, you'd figure they'd milk/promote his EP relentlessly.  Oh well.

The problem with Brian's management imho is that they think Brian's name will sell it and therefor there's no need for promotion. BTW I have the feeling that all Beach Boys think that about themselve. That's why some are still trying to get their album released by a major label.

[JB Wilojarston]

I've been by Brian's site frequently this week, & there's been no mention of the live EP, which makes no sense.  Seems his management is giving the impression that they don't care about it.  With current record sales, you'd figure they'd milk/promote his EP relentlessly.  Oh well.


Jeremy

If Brian & Co. licensed it to Capitol, it seems that the label wants to keep their promo and marketing focus on the new album, and  not have a live 'bonus' EP, relating to a catalog item, be a distraction and dilute their efforts.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I've been by Brian's site frequently this week, & there's been no mention of the live EP, which makes no sense.  Seems his management is giving the impression that they don't care about it.  With current record sales, you'd figure they'd milk/promote his EP relentlessly.  Oh well.

The problem with Brian's management imho is that they think Brian's name will sell it and therefor there's no need for promotion. BTW I have the feeling that all Beach Boys think that about themselve. That's why some are still trying to get their album released by a major label.

The problem with Brian's management is much simpler, and scarier, than that - they simply don't have the least idea of how to handle his career. About the only thing they've ever done right is get BWPS into the shops while the momentum was still rolling. They've not had a coherent, concerted touring policy since 2005, in the States anyway, they can't secure Brian a multi-release deal with any label and their recent handling of the band has been deplorable. They seem hooked on the concept of Brian as a major-league player when he is, if anything, a cult figure. I for one find it as amusing as it is ironic that the 'greatest hits' tours (which he hates, btw) consist almost entirely of Beach Boys material. Anything from Imagination or GIOMH ?  Nope. Take away the TLOS songs, and what you've got is, essentially, a Mike & Bruce setlist. Yet M&B get reviled for this, while Brian doesn't. Go figure.

[PongHit]

their recent handling of the band has been deplorable.

What do you mean by the above?

And why do you think BW hates the greatest hits tours?

[shelter]

And why do you think BW hates the greatest hits tours?

Because an artist's favorite songs aren't necessarily his best selling singles?

[Dr. Tim]

Hypehat is right, you can find it at Amazon in the music downloads section.  $4.99, just like Rhapsody.

It is odd the bl00 doesn't mention it, they're usually all over Brian's latest product like a cheap suit.  They'll fix that soon I'm sure, even conceding Andrew's points.  It IS a Capitol release, according to Amazon.

Tech tip for downloaders: it's a 256 kbps mp3, sort of mid-quality. All mp3 files build in a 1/20 sec. pause at the start of each file, hence the "mp3 blip" you hear at each track marker when you play the tracks in sequence and they segue, a la "Smile" or "TLOS".  To remove it, you have to have a program like Sound Forge to (1) load in the tracks; (2) convert them to WAV files; (3) cut them together to edit out the "blips", (3) re-insert track divisions if you glommed it all togther as one track; and (4) burn to CD.  Bit of a pain but it works.

Fortunately, you don't have to do that with this one, all the tracks are separated, none segue together.  Performance-wise, it's OK.  I like the NPR live recording better.

I'd be a lot happier if they offered a FLAC of it (no lossy compression, no blips).

[Andrew G. Doe]

their recent handling of the band has been deplorable.

What do you mean by the above?

Jim & Bob.

And why do you think BW hates the greatest hits tours?

Don't think - know. Confirmed several times by folk who would know. New material engages him. GH doesn't, and it shows. Kenwood, anyone ?

[monkee knutz]

And why do you think BW hates the greatest hits tours?

Because an artist's favorite songs aren't necessarily his best selling singles?

"Why don't you go tell Bob Seger that!"

[variable2]

I've been by Brian's site frequently this week, & there's been no mention of the live EP, which makes no sense.  Seems his management is giving the impression that they don't care about it.  With current record sales, you'd figure they'd milk/promote his EP relentlessly.  Oh well.

The problem with Brian's management imho is that they think Brian's name will sell it and therefor there's no need for promotion. BTW I have the feeling that all Beach Boys think that about themselve. That's why some are still trying to get their album released by a major label.

The problem with Brian's management is much simpler, and scarier, than that - they simply don't have the least idea of how to handle his career. About the only thing they've ever done right is get BWPS into the shops while the momentum was still rolling. They've not had a coherent, concerted touring policy since 2005, in the States anyway, they can't secure Brian a multi-release deal with any label and their recent handling of the band has been deplorable. They seem hooked on the concept of Brian as a major-league player when he is, if anything, a cult figure. I for one find it as amusing as it is ironic that the 'greatest hits' tours (which he hates, btw) consist almost entirely of Beach Boys material. Anything from Imagination or GIOMH ?  Nope. Take away the TLOS songs, and what you've got is, essentially, a Mike & Bruce setlist. Yet M&B get reviled for this, while Brian doesn't. Go figure.

By your informed opinion, do you see any reason to think that all this will play itself out and Brian will overcome his 'management' and get his way at this point in the game, AGD?

It would be great to see Brian do tours showcasing his stronger solo stuff, maybe even uncovering some hidden gems by way of better arrangements than the album versions.. plus a smattering of Brian's choice of deep beach boys album cuts.

[JB Wilojarston]

Tech tip for downloaders: it's a 256 kbps mp3, sort of mid-quality. All mp3 files build in a 1/20 sec. pause at the start of each file, hence the "mp3 blip" you hear at each track marker when you play the tracks in sequence and they segue, a la "Smile" or "TLOS".  To remove it, you have to have a program like Sound Forge to (1) load in the tracks;

(2) convert them to WAV files;

(3) cut them together to edit out the "blips", (3) re-insert track divisions if you glommed it all togther as one track; and (4) burn to CD.  Bit of a pain but it works.

 RE: Step 2 - Why convert them to WAV files? Sound Forge can open, edit and save MP3's.

JBW

[Dr. Tim]

True, all these programs open, edit and save mp3's -- but to get rid of the "bliips" you have to resample the mp3 file as a full-bandwidth WAV file and save it that way.  Otherwise when you resave the file as an mp3 the blips come right back again - since ALL mp3s begin with a 1/20 sec. blip!

But like I said, if the tracks are separated by a short space, you meedn't go to all this trouble as you won't hear anything in between the tracks.

[JB Wilojarston]

True, all these programs open, edit and save mp3's -- but to get rid of the "bliips" you have to resample the mp3 file as a full-bandwidth WAV file and save it that way.  Otherwise when you resave the file as an mp3 the blips come right back again - since ALL mp3s begin with a 1/20 sec. blip!

But like I said, if the tracks are separated by a short space, you meedn't go to all this trouble as you won't hear anything in between the tracks.

Got it.

[TdHabib]

I've been by Brian's site frequently this week, & there's been no mention of the live EP, which makes no sense.  Seems his management is giving the impression that they don't care about it.  With current record sales, you'd figure they'd milk/promote his EP relentlessly.  Oh well.

The problem with Brian's management imho is that they think Brian's name will sell it and therefor there's no need for promotion. BTW I have the feeling that all Beach Boys think that about themselve. That's why some are still trying to get their album released by a major label.

The problem with Brian's management is much simpler, and scarier, than that - they simply don't have the least idea of how to handle his career. About the only thing they've ever done right is get BWPS into the shops while the momentum was still rolling. They've not had a coherent, concerted touring policy since 2005, in the States anyway, they can't secure Brian a multi-release deal with any label and their recent handling of the band has been deplorable. They seem hooked on the concept of Brian as a major-league player when he is, if anything, a cult figure. I for one find it as amusing as it is ironic that the 'greatest hits' tours (which he hates, btw) consist almost entirely of Beach Boys material. Anything from Imagination or GIOMH ?  Nope. Take away the TLOS songs, and what you've got is, essentially, a Mike & Bruce setlist. Yet M&B get reviled for this, while Brian doesn't. Go figure.

AGD, Serious question: do you think the situation will improve in the future, either in the studio or live and why?

[variable2]

I've been by Brian's site frequently this week, & there's been no mention of the live EP, which makes no sense.  Seems his management is giving the impression that they don't care about it.  With current record sales, you'd figure they'd milk/promote his EP relentlessly.  Oh well.

The problem with Brian's management imho is that they think Brian's name will sell it and therefor there's no need for promotion. BTW I have the feeling that all Beach Boys think that about themselve. That's why some are still trying to get their album released by a major label.

The problem with Brian's management is much simpler, and scarier, than that - they simply don't have the least idea of how to handle his career. About the only thing they've ever done right is get BWPS into the shops while the momentum was still rolling. They've not had a coherent, concerted touring policy since 2005, in the States anyway, they can't secure Brian a multi-release deal with any label and their recent handling of the band has been deplorable. They seem hooked on the concept of Brian as a major-league player when he is, if anything, a cult figure. I for one find it as amusing as it is ironic that the 'greatest hits' tours (which he hates, btw) consist almost entirely of Beach Boys material. Anything from Imagination or GIOMH ?  Nope. Take away the TLOS songs, and what you've got is, essentially, a Mike & Bruce setlist. Yet M&B get reviled for this, while Brian doesn't. Go figure.

AGD, Serious question: do you think the situation will improve in the future, either in the studio or live and why?

that's pretty much what i asked.. i'd like to hear AGD on the topic

[Rocker]

And why do you think BW hates the greatest hits tours?

Don't think - know. Confirmed several times by folk who would know. New material engages him. GH doesn't, and it shows. Kenwood, anyone ?

I could understand this. He's doing these songs for decades now and probably has some bad memories connected with them. But why doesn't he change the setlist? He's in the position now to do so. In the Beach Boys it was another game, because there were 5 others who could outvote him. But now he's the one responsible for everything. Even if he has help from his people, in the end it all comes down to him.

[PongHit]

New material engages him. GH doesn't, and it shows.

From my vantage point in the audience, I agree.  During the first set, he seems less interested, but during SMILE or LUCKY OLD SUN, he's far more engaged.

[Sheriff John Stone]

In my opinion, I think the reason that Brian doesn't build his concerts around his solo material is obvious.

First, it would hurt ticket sales. Yes, there is a large percentage of people who will go to Brian's concerts to see Brian, and they are interested in ALL of his work, including the solo stuff and Beach Boys' rarities. But, I don't think Brian could sustain a solo touring career based entirely on that audience.

I think there is a significant percentage who think, "Hey, he's the guy who wrote all of those Beach Boys' songs. Let's go and hear some of those old classics. Those Beach Boys' songs are great." Brian needs that group of people also.

I think there's a third reason, which is also my opinion. I don't think Brian particularly cares for his solo albums. I rarely hear or read him refer to those albums/songs. And, think about it, how many songs from each album would be worth performing? Three at the most? Well, that would kill about about a half an hour of a show. And, I wonder what the reception from the audience would be? You could almost hear them counting until the next Beach Boys' classic is performed.

Just to piggyback on AGD's point about Brian's sets appearing a lot like Mike & Bruce's....Obviously I agree. To some people, what Brian is doing (the solo thing) makes sense. But, to me anyway, I still ask, "What's the point?" Both his concerts - and his albums - sound like The Beach Boys, but he doesn't want to be with the Beach Boys. I continue to wonder....

[phirnis]

And why do you think BW hates the greatest hits tours?

Don't think - know. Confirmed several times by folk who would know. New material engages him. GH doesn't, and it shows. Kenwood, anyone ?

I could understand this. He's doing these songs for decades now and probably has some bad memories connected with them. But why doesn't he change the setlist? He's in the position now to do so. In the Beach Boys it was another game, because there were 5 others who could outvote him. But now he's the one responsible for everything. Even if he has help from his people, in the end it all comes down to him.

Does it? I've often found myself wondering... if he does indeed favor records like Love You (or Friends) over other BB material, why don't we get to hear much more of that in concert? Why wouldn't he play songs like "Solar System", "Mona", "Airplane", and "Roller Skating Child"?