Brian Reimagines Gershwin

[Yorick]

Anyone know a good place for Private Massages?

[Wylson]

Yorick, if you find a good place for Private Massages let me know.

[mtaber]

Yorick- your post rubs me the wrong way...

[Runaways]

anybody know what a pulmonary membrane is??

[Shady]

It's out there

[rab2591]

Hey there, I'm the author of the NY Conversation piece - found this board via pingbacks from my blog, and was rather chuffed to find that you guys had been reading it.

A couple of small points I wanted to clarify:

- 'That Lucky Old Sun' didn't "pass me by" - but nor, in all honesty, did I realise it was an entirely original record. I'd got the impression that it was a mixture of covers and originals, somewhat like the two Gershwin songs that he finished on this album - I think it was the title that kinda threw me, given that it's a song that's been recorded by a variety of people over the years. I must admit that I'm more a casual appreciator of Brian's music than a rabid fan. I've heard the album a couple of times in passing; I'll have to investigate it further. So yes, fair point, well made.

- I wasn't "ridiculing" Brian, and I'd be aghast if I came across that way. Where I say, "and he knows it", I didn't mean that he knows his music is for dinosaurs. But I did get the impression - and it's just an impression - that he knows this may be how others see him: as someone to be put on display and respected as a legend, rather than a living, breathing artist. Which is a shame, because he does clearly still have a lot to give, after all these years.

Anyway, thanks for your comments and for reading. I hope you all do get copies of the album, because there's some really beautiful music on there.

Thanks for clarifying and I see your point. I really hope Brian doesn't feel that way because you're right: he is still a brilliant artist.

[Yorick]

After hearing the album on the stream -- it is everything Andrew said. And more. I have never been this impressed by a BW solo album on first listen.

Totally agree with this! Just like the old Beach Boys stuff, it has instant appeal and hopefully it will also prove to have the underlying depths!
I am very impressed with the record, especially the first eight songs or so. Brian sounds so engaged! He hasn't sung this good on any of his solo records IMO. I am very interested in finding out how much of the arrangements Brian sketched out for the band and how much input his band had. Cause judging by the sound of it, it could just as well be his band doing their best in making it sound Brian Wilson/Beach Boys-like (they are the best ones around for that except for the man himself). I just can't imagine Brian sticking to the SMiLE 2004 template for every record that follows.
Don't take this as criticism in any way, it's the end result that counts and the result is GREAT! Just interested...

[jeffcdo]

Was the stream only live?  Is it archived somewhere?

[Shady]

Ok just heard it, excuse me while I pick my jaw up from the floor.

This is truly an incredible and unique piece of art. This is Brian in his prime. His voice on "It Ain't Necessarily So" reminds me of Dylan on "Ain't Talkin". Just cool and..well perfect.

Forget sales and critical acclaim. This is a treat for us fans and Brian's second classic in a row.

5 stars. 

[Yorick]

Favourite bit so far: 28 seconds into 'S Wonderful: "You've made my life so glamorous". The bite with which Brian sings that sentence is just fucking Sinatra like, amazing!!:D

[Wirestone]

Yorick -- It's my impression this was essentially a collaboration between Brian (handling song selection, lead vocals, vocal arrangements and basic band arrangements) and Paul Mertens (arranging string and horn sections, and likely doing the link tracks, as well as figuring out how to toe the line between not enough and too much). They may have even worked on some of those orchestral arrangements together. I'll have to see the notes.

(The band is essentially an extension of Brian's mind these days. I talked to a band member, and he said most of them know what Brian likes -- instrument choices, how he generally wants the parts to sound -- without him having to specify every detail. And that's not a bad thing when you have someone as mercurial as current-day BW.)

Still, this feels like a BW project through and through, with Paul's embellishments and the band throwing in ideas now and then (I have my suspicions that someone with the initials DS inserted that Farmer's Daughter reference, although that's a total guess). And I think that's how Brian has always thrived -- with lots of creative people around him trying to make the best record possible.

[Amy B.]

Another article about the project--sheds a more light on the background.

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/157950/t/Beach-Boy-Wilson-reimagines-%E2%80%98Gershwin%E2%80%99/Default.aspx

[Shady]

I'm in love with this album 

His vocals on "I've Got a Crush on You", wow.

[buddhahat]

I'm in love with this album 

His vocals on "I've Got a Crush on You", wow.

Please Might you share this love, Brother Shady!!??

[Mr. Cohen]

I'm not as excited as I hoped so far. The production sounds like Imagination without the echo effects. It sounds like it was played by a slick AC band, and honestly, I'm sick of Paul Mertens. He has one rule with his arranging: don't make it exciting. He's trying to stay out of the way of Brian's parts, which by definition makes them blander. Brian pulls some vintage tricks out of his hat here, and that's nice. But I'm not impressed by the feel his band gets in the studio. They're talented, but where is the soul?

[urbanite]

I'm not excited either because I can't get past Brian's lead vocal. 

[brother john]

I'm in love with this album 

His vocals on "I've Got a Crush on You", wow.

Please Might you share this love, Brother Shady!!??

I second this call for musical emotion, Oh hey guys, I'm being cute and testing the moderators!retty much...

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Please Make sure you're all reading the board rules.

Quit being so damn blatant.

[Paulos]

Ohhh, this is good, this is very good! 

[the captain]

Quit being so damn blatant.

After the past week or two of this, I was wondering when the reminder was coming.

[GuyO]

Someone care to put me in a position, so I can join the discussion, pretty please?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,122.0.html

Pay close attention to #3. Don't make me get all ghetto...

[TdHabib]

Please Make sure you're all reading the board rules.

Well, Billy if you wanted a PM you should've just asked...

[Don_Zabu]

Oh my god, BWRG is so fodaing brilliant, I am literally pissing my balls inside out this typing this, I've had so many orgasms out the ears, I might have permanently lost control of my parts...

[Wirestone]

Oh my god, BWRG is so fodaing brilliant, I am literally pissing my balls inside out this typing this, I've had so many orgasms out the ears, I might have permanently lost control of my parts...

Let's print this review on the back of the album.