I missed the live chat. Here's the best I could come up for an actual "interview". Any answers with (
) at the end represent a question or name I just could not find. Here you go:
Brian Wilson OK EVERYBODY: HERE'S BRIAN: ASK AWAY:
Josh Morrow Gorgeous orchestrations and arrangements as always! My question is, did you
go back and listen to any particular recordings of these songs or did
you stay away from listening to other artists interpretations when you were
arranging?
Brian Wilson Josh: we learned from orignal artists and then did ours
Lauren Woods Mr Wilson, I want to thank you for making such a magical album, and all of the magical music you've made during your life. I'm 17 and I much prefer GOOD music like yours rather than a lot of pop music today! My question is: if George Gershwin was alive today, what would you like to say to him?
Brian Wilson Lauren: I would say George I love your music and Ira's and it was big thrill
Brian Wilson Jason: We're considering it - maybe next year (NO JASON?)
Brian Wilson There is some talk about Australia late October maybe (
)
Sam Capuano Did the arrangements come quickly?
Brian Wilson Sam: ORcheestration with Paul got togehter and pual wrote out charts and I told him what I wanted
Christy Sattler Robertson How do you come up w/ your songs/melodies? Do you hear it in your head like it just comes to you or to you have to play on the piano and experiment?
Brian Wilson Christy: I play the keyword and go whoa and go I like that chord and the melody starts to come
Phil Smith How excited are you releasing gershwin's work?
Brian Wilson Phil: OH im very excited about it and I hope young people like Gershwin
Sam Bird How do you keep your voice so great in your later years?
Brian Wilson Sam: I go to a vocal coach 2-3 times a week and it strenghtens me so I can sing
Giamaria Chemagne Wright Brian, Do you ever contemplate any of your older pieces and think, and in a moment think of something you could do to it? Thoughts change, our hearts change, and sometimes I see, even in my writing a new layer at times. Just wondering! I adore your work!! All of it!!
Brian Wilson Giamaria: we make double-sure we do it right
Jason Goodrow Hello Brian;
Are there other jazz era arrangers that influence how you voice your instruments? Do you have a favorite Ellington or Basie track?
Brian Wilson Jason: I like older jazz and new jazz - Gershwin's jazz
Robert Mike Fulton Brian, you've reconnected us with our popular music past! What an accomplishment to reinterpret Gershwin for this generation. Do you consider this your crowning achievement?
Brian Wilson Robert - this and TLOS - mostly this because of the greatest 20th century composer George Gesrhwin
Matt Cook Dear Brian. Me and my dad are big fans of you and the Beach Boys. Do you prefer the sound of the new band you have, and would you consider it more enjoyable playing the older songs with them?
Brian Wilson Matt - I like mostly the beach boys clasics with my band
Eric Hesek Congratulations on recording Gershwin. Other than Graduation Day, what Four Freshman song would you like to record and why?
Brian Wilson Eric - little girl blue because it's about a girl who's helpless in love with this man
Paul Jay Diamond Wonderful work. Brian, thank you for using the rhythms from your musical past. I heard many memorable sounds from "Farmer's Daughter" to "California Girls" mixed with Gershwin standards.
Bravo
Brian Wilson Paul - tried to make it sound like Wilson AND Gershwin
Robert Zepeda Jr Brian. Loved the new album. We know you were inspired by Gershwin and the Four Freshman when you were young. Any new artist/bands that you enjoy and find inspiring?
Brian Wilson Robert - nothing from the 80s on - but Spector, Rosemary clooney and four freshman were my entire music education
Kevin Witts Brian, Which of your own personal compositions do you consider the most "Gershwin-esque"?
Brian Wilson Kevin - heroes and villans because of french horn sound - Gershwin's spirit lives on in music makers
Geoff Howe Hi Brian! The new album reminds me a lot of the big band songs you did in the mid 70s, like "Still I Dream of It", "It's Over Now" and "Deep Purple". The incredibly lush orchestrations a very Gershwin-esque on those tracks, and you croon just as lovely on them! Would you consider performing some of these songs next to the Gershwin tunes when you tour next? That's would be really be a gas man.
Brian Wilson Geoff: no we won't
Sean Williams What was it like working with your band again on the new record?
Brian Wilson Sean - it was great -band was on the dime. Took about 2 1/2 -3 months to do the album
Ste BeachBoys BRIAN, what parts of "Nothing But Love" are Gershwin's ?
Brian Wilson Ste Beach boy fan - can't cite example over the phone now
Aric Effron did you ever go to one of those Gershwin Hollywood Bowl classical concerts in LA in the 60s?
Brian Wilson Aric - yes I do remember going but it was a long time ago
Mike Zonshine How does producing an album of Gershwin's music differ from producing your own music?
Brian Wilson Mike of course the differenece -the quality of Gershwin's music runs so high and nothing with the Beach Boys comes near to this
Andrew Spoeth Brian, on this album, what was the most difficult song to get just right, and why?
Brian Wilson Andrew, well i would have to say the like in ilove you, because we kept trying to capture the gershwin feeling and it took us a little bit longers
Dominiks Vēveris Hello Brian, I'm teenage fan from Wiltshire, England. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of this new album, and from the clips I've heard it doesn't disappoint. Having been a major innovator in music for nearly five decades, what is your own reflection on how music and the industry has changed over this period? Do you find that modern music often lacks the vocal harmonies found in the fifties and sixties, that you so exemplified?
Brian Wilson Dominikis: modern music lacks heart and sould I have to say that but there is some good stuff floating around
Jamie Arnett Brian, first off, thanks for this fantastic album! I would like to know what Melinda and the kids thought of this record? What are their favorite tracks?
Brian Wilson Jaime: Melinda and the kids LOVE the record and Melindas I think is The like IN I love you. Kids like the whole album!
Damon Surgener Brian...how difficult was it to get down the harmonies on this record compared to your other works? Thanks Damon.
Brian Wilson Damon -each album is different - harmonies were more difficult on this one to prove it to Gershwin and public would like
Jay Clayton Brian, do you visualize your arrangements first and then try to match the sound in your mind, or do you experiment with instruments and sounds and then shape the arrangement accordingly?
Brian Wilson Jay - I get the background tracks first and then put on the vocals
Matt Cook Will you be sending Mike Love a copy?
Brian Wilson Matt - I think we're going to send him a copy!
Daniel Eça
Hi, Brian! Greetings from Brazil.
Well my question now is something that aways made me curious. Do you intend to write some classical music just like Paul Mccartney did? It would be at least very interesting, once you are a proud fan of Bach....
Brian Wilson Daniel: Bach is in California Girls - (hums joy of jesus ...)
Tyler Clemens will you give me a piano lesson? Mores then willing to drive anywhere for it
Brian Wilson Tyler: I don't give piano lessons but that's too bad
Jude Connelly Hi Brian - 68 and making some of the the best music of your career. What's your secret?
Brian Wilson Jude - food eat and exercise - keeps me feeling young
Adam Fangman Who's your favorite classic composer?
Brian Wilson Adam: Bach and taichowsky
Danny Hickey What's your favorite song you've written?
Brian Wilson Danny: My favorite song is God Only Knows. Least favorite is when I grow up to be a man. For some reason my voice sounded tinty - never liked itd
Leonard Lumbers Brian, were you tempted to arrange "Rhapsody In Blue" with a "Be My Baby" backbeat? That would've been the wildest thing imaginable!
Brian Wilson Leanard: you know what - it wouldn't fit
Dan Ferentzy Brian, great album! Back in the Beach Boys days did you ever think of cutting anything Gershwin related?
Brian Wilson Dan - no I didn't.
Jessie Leon Do you still go to Marie calendars?
Brian Wilson Jessie - once every two years -if you like pies - you should go there right now
Matt Heisey I was wondering how much you had to work with when collaborating on "nothing but love" and the "the like in i love you"? Were they just short melodies, fragments, lyrics, etc? Thanks!
Brian Wilson A few bars of one went into a new song - just a few bars and we did the rest
Daniel Westdorp Brian, any thoughts about what makes your music so special to such a variety of people?
Brian Wilson Daniel: I think people like us because Mike and me - voice arranging and voices blending in background ,background tracks I produced. Just cant be beat - really good
Rick Schroeppel Brian, was this easier or harder than a regular album, or about the same?
Brian Wilson Rick - about the same but this took a little extra care because we wanted to present George and Ira proudly- get really good stuff
Drew Gutrath Brian there is a little "Farmers Daughter" in I Got Rythm. Was this a conscious decision or did it come up organically? Also what is your favorite food.
Brian Wilson Drew =- conscious - my buddy foskett came up with fade tag of Farmers Daughter. He thought of that
Luigi Delgado Brian, when did you get this idea of doing a Gershwin album?... Could you imagine how this could have been with Carl and Denny's voices in the album?
Brian Wilson Luigi: Disney people came to us about a year ago and asked us if we wanted to do an album and we said "sure thing"!
Noel Copiaco I Got Rhythm. That is your rhythm, Brian. I like the way you faded it away and channeled "Lana".
Brian Wilson Noel- yes, Gershwin inspired. Amazing how Gershwin has inspired everybody
Jonathan Alan Chesser What was your first reaction when Gerswhin's estate approached you to finish his unifinished songs?
Brian Wilson Jonathan: A little scary but we did it.
Philip Russell Hi Brian, Album is fab! Two new songs S'WONDERFUL.
How much material (of these two newbies) did you have to work with? Was it a virtual start from a couple of bars, and how long did it take you and Scotty to finish them?THey are great
Brian Wilson Nothing but Love took about a week of hard work
Carol Boylen Brian....aloha from Hawaii! New album is awesome. I've noticed a lot of popular music from the 40's and 50's had a similar pattern: orchestral opening, verse, orchestral middle and final verse. many of them sound so much alike. But with your Gershwin album, I don't hear that. Was it a conscious decision to make each song sound fresh?
Brian Wilson Carol - yes treat each song differently - all 12 of those songs. each one was mountain to climb - really hard
Brandt Ranj If you could have had George reimagine one of your songs what would it have been?
Brian Wilson Brant - California Girls
Drew Gutrath Why did you decide to I Got Plenty O' Nuttin as an instrumental?
Brian Wilson Drew: my wife and I were talking about that - if we have the right melody. She said about a harmonica on the lead and that's exactly what we did.
Q: What TV shows and movies do you like to watch? Have you seen "Inception"?
Brian Wilson Jeopardy and wheel of fortune. I didn't see INception.
Kevin Witts Brian, Which of your band members typically takes Carl's parts in the vocal blend when you play live?
Brian Wilson Kevin: Carl is taken by Probyn and Darian sometimes. Nicky Wonder did the bass voice at end of Nothing but Love
Graziano Moramarco Brian, you are one of the few geniuses in 20th and 21st century music and, through this new album, you pay homage to another genius. Who you consider to be the other greatest composers/songwriters of the last century?
Brian Wilson Graziano: Burt Bacharach if there's anyone close to Gershwin
Adam Fangman Have you ever listened to The Kinks?
Brian Wilson Adam: I hear the Kinks everyday on 60s revolution radio. I like their stuff
Emma Hardwick Oops, I forgot to ask you a question! AFTER YOU TAKE A BREAK, what are your plans? I live between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, will you be heading up this way to play for us, at Lake Tahoe? I hope so. Brian you are still the best! Thank you!!!!!!!!
Brian Wilson Emma - well yeah, we're kinda waiting to see what happens with the album
Andrew Locke Hi Brian, your music is an inspiration! My question is: in the late 70s you played around a lot with a Moog synth you owned. One of my favorite albums ever is "The Beach Boys Love You" mostly because of all the amazing Moog baselines you put in all the songs. Have you ever considered working on new music that incorporated some of those weirder textures and different instruments?
Brian Wilson Andrew: yeah, I would defintitely consider it - i love that instrument
Rick Schroeppel Brian, what did you like best about this - the writing, the arranging, or the singing?
Brian Wilson Rick - you know I'd have to say all three: writing, producing, arrangeing and singing. All four I do.
Matt Tripodi How's your falsetto doing these days?
Brian Wilson MAtt: very well actually - I go to the vocal coach a lot
Donald Campfield Brian: HOW do you remember the chords/arrangement between home and the studio?
Brian Wilson Donald: In my head
Brian Wilson Nicky - no we didn't, no (
)
Marc Harry Any chance 'I've Got Rhythm' could be a hit single???
Brian Wilson Marc: I think that could be a single but I think "They can't take that away from me" would be nice single
Brian Wilson Ira was so great, Porgy - who could think of that but Ira (
)
Kram Gnuhc Any plans to score a film/ movie, TV show etc ??
Brian Wilson Kram - I don't know how to score. Wouldn't be able to do that Like Randy Newman. Not my forte.
Eugene Sedita Hello, Mr. Wilson
What were you looking for in the process of selecting a George Gershwin tune to complete? "The Like In I Love You" is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.
Brian Wilson Eugene: I do not remember I just know that those two had specail harmonic sounds
Brian Wilson I listen to krth 101 and I listen a lot to Diana Ross (
)
Robert Molijn Mr Wilson, how about Frank Zappa? Just wondering?
Brian Wilson Robert - I used to listen to Frank Zappa -crazy modern music
Raul Escudero HI BRAIN! So many of your songs can move me to tears because they are so beautiful and soul-stirring. Are there any songs you can think of that do the same to you?
Brian Wilson Raul: The Ronettes sometimes and the long and winding road
Rob Kenny Was "Rhapsody in Blue" the first song you ever learned on piano??
Brian Wilson Rob - yeah, actually that was, yeah!
Headstart Hats Brian, which do you prefer - Vinyl, CD or Download?
Brian Wilson Headstart: CD, yeah!
Wendy White Ever thought of doing a musical based on Beach Boys songs, like "Mama Mia"
??
Brian Wilson Wendy: I liked it when I saw it. Very creative
Veronica Kathleen Brian, so what does it feel like to have so many admirers? Is it hard to stay down to earth?
Brian Wilson Veronica: not not really, I get recognized all the time - what is going on here I say. Well, I must be famous - I feel a little bit pararnoid actually
Jonathan Alan Chesser Brian is the Ronnette's "Be My Baby" still something that you listen to quite frequently?
Brian Wilson Jonathan: I dont' have a copy but I listen on the radio
Brad Kelly Brian, what's your favorite venue to play at, and do you hope to plan that as part of your tour for this album?
Brian Wilson Brad - Boston - symphony hall and Royal Festival hall
Nicky Lammertink Did you record any songs that were left off the album?
Brian Wilson Taylor and I did "Let's call the whole thing" off is an outtake that's on iTunes
Daniel Westdorp Brian, are there any other projects like this on the way?
Brian Wilson Daniel: not really, no
Brian Wilson We worked in some themes - Wilson reimages Gershwin. we did harmonies so people could apprecaite. (
)
Jessie Leon Are you going to tour for this album? Heard it today it sounds great!!!!!
Brian Wilson Jessie - maybe some day
Matt Tripodi Are you ever going to reopen The Radiant Radish?
Brian Wilson Matt; Oh No, no! It's a whole new store now!
Daniel Eça How many instruments can you play?
Brian Wilson Daniel: keyboard, a little drums and bass, mostly keyboard and bass. I don't even know how to play a guitar
Allan Overland Brian- what did it feel like after hearing the new album for the first time? How did it compare to pet sounds? Again, I love this record! Thanks, Allan
Brian Wilson Allan: Well, it's quite an experience - a deeply moving experience. You can't get any better than Wilson sings Gershwin. That's good music right there
David Slavin Brian, any chance for a Gershwin follow up album?
Brian Wilson David I doubt it. This one is quite enough.
Brian Wilson Thank you so much everybody - I really hope you like the album! See you soon!
Author
