Rick Henn had talent no doubt.

I should imagine he still does. Check out this great interview from 2000 with Richard Henn: 

http://www.21st-centurymusic.com/ML210002.pdf

A few more quick thoughts (with more coming):
Future Islands - boring. But then again I'm not as big on the gloomy early 80s sounding synth-based pop that is all over these days. (Not to mention my tendency to dislike baritone voices.)

What an awesome performance they put on at Glastonbury! Well, everywhere it seems. What a band, what a frontman! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK96dS6vuR8

Ye gods, that was quick. What a vicious disease. The poor man didn't stand a chance...

R.I.P., sir. Thank you for some classic bass lines----and some great memories.

Hi all,

I left after the opening act sang his first song.  Steve wasn't going to come on until 9:15.  I am Mom's caretaker.  I couldn't stay.  The box office shold have said when people called that there was an opening act. 

Too bad for you. But in the future you need to think realistically and not go to concerts if you're going to have to leave before toddlers' bedtime; I'd say your expectations arw WAY off.

Tut tut, sir. That last remark was unnecessary. Anyway, I do believe you've got your facts wrong (for once). 

At last----some good news among all the bad. :=)

The BB shred has its humorous side for me but shredding in general is a pain in the arse.

[Pretzel Logic]

I wanted to revive this thread since I'm starting to get into them more.
Like the Beach Boys, I grew up listening to my dad's Steely Dan compilation (the Showbiz Kids one).

What do you guys think about them? Any favorite albums? Or perhaps some of you have read Fagen's book, Eminent Hipsters... I know my dad has. heh.

I like them. My favourite albums of theirs (chronologically) are Pretzel Logic, The Royal Scam, Gaucho and Two Against Nature. Oh, and Fagen's The Nightfly. The sleeve notes to Aja are a hoot. And i enjoyed their biography, Reelin' in the Years...

Mocking Brian for mispronouncing the cellist's name? Kind of a low blow.

If you mean 'arco,' that's a technique, not a name.

If anything it was a low bow.

 

[Smile]

I get the impression that the likes of Steve Miller fans----your more serious-minded music lovers----would have loved Smile if it had been released in '67 (in response to a remark made in the "Van Dyke Barks" topic).     

I love this topic. It's passionate but not aggressively so.

i just feel every time I see The Beatles compared to what Brian and the Boys did that it should be "The Beatles and George Martin". That man was so incredibly important to their sound and to their success, I feel.

The concept "Sgt Pepper's band putting on a show"...rather quaint, don't you think?  "Let's put on a show"....Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney did that at MGM in 1939. The "concept" disappears after "With a Little Help from My Friends" (definitive version by Joe Cocker) only to resurface at the end.
  
 "I Am the Walrus" obliterates PEPPER in about 5 minutes of demented brilliance.

The concept breaks surface briefly at the end of "Within You, Without You"----the tittering audience.

Agreed, agreed, agreed about "Walrus"!    

There is also a live version from 1972.  Look around.  It's from one of his very best albums Recall the Beginning...Journey from Eden

Is this the one you mean, Will? It's preceded by a brief interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4B9S6TkmBg

[Anthology]

Hi all,

Tonight I am going to see Steve Miller at The Anderson Center at Binghamton University.  I am looknig forward to it.  I know that people will be singing along with him.  Some might dance.  It will be somewhat rowdy.  Yet it is still only Wednesday.  People won't be that rowdy.  I am looking forward to hearing Fly Like An Eagle, Abracadabra and Jungle Love.  I am looking forward to a fun and music filled night.  I will be sitting indoors and not on the lawn.   

Lucky you. I have his Anthology comp----not a dud in sight:

http://www.amazon.com/Anthology-Steve-Miller-Band/dp/B00000DRBK

Love - Roxy Music 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n3OepDn5GU

[If Only I Could Remember My Name]

What are the most spiritual albums or songs?

If spiritual can mean taking the listener to another place, one that immediately comes to my mind is Davd Crosby's If Only I Could Remember My Name.

Another is Trout Mask Repllca, although the world it transports me to is a little frightening at times. 

As for songs, I'Il go for "I Only Have Eyes For You" by The Flamingos.

Beach Boys albums? Pet Sounds, to be sure, and side two of Surf's Up.
Songs? So many... Just one? "All I Wanna Do".

Having seen the recent VDP Tweet of the I Get Around Shred on Brian's Birthday, I decided to look up other shreds.  This one is particularly hilarious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9hHKYfXIE0

With all due respect, that great shred by the Boys is the sum total of all shreds I ever want to have to see hear.  

Bad news, to be sure. Have courage, sir. You are in our thoughts, as is the uplifting music you have given us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daWSplj60hg

I think it's true that Brian seems to have "seasons" with a changing group of whoever his "new best friend" is. To those listed above, you could add Tony Asher, Roger Christian, David Leaf, and others. And while Van Dyke's lyrics for Smile were a definitely cut above past BB albums, I don't think they rise to the level of genius. Clever, yes. Smart, yes. But if there's genius involved, surely he would have had other BIG successful projects since 1967. He's made a living, done some noteworthy things, but let's face it: if any random person knows VDP's name, it's because of Smile.
Furthermore, what else did Tony Asher do that is Pet Sounds-level? Why aren't top-notch musicians clamoring to collaborate with Mike Love as their lyricist?
Brian elevates the people he works with, and few of them have ever risen any higher than during their brief sojourns with him.

Very astute comment, sir.

Who cares about that bore? care about cats-pets.

Cat Stevens a bore? No way. ;=)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcqk_SEsLPU

I guess this is Sandboxed because the moderators thought the thread was going to move into a discussion of Ray's well-known and controversial current political views, but the man has made a solid contribution to American music.  In his 1969 interview with Jann Wenner, Dylan made it a point to say he liked his stuff. Also, several of his tracks like "Sunset Strip" display a considerable appreciation of Brian's songwriting and arrangements.

I still feel a comedy song like "Bridget The Midget" (or maybe "The Streak") would be just the thing for Brian's forthcoming rock'n'roll album. :=)

I am listening to this. A lot.

What is "this", if I may ask? I don't recognize the cover...

As for me:

Officially up on Rolling Stone.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/brian-wilsons-better-days-20150622

Thank you!

What an utterly awesome version.

Anyone who wants to read this amazing interview, download it here for free

https://userscloud.com/59xnbrm5i534

Norton doesn't like that link.

Pop-up hell over here. I closed it down pronto.

[Wild Honey]

  WILD HONEY is one Beach Boys album I rarely listen to anymore. Once a favorite, now in some respects (to me) the least of the post PET SOUNDS albums on Capitol. Maybe I should listen again. I've noticed here and there it's often a favorite among rock critics who like but do not love The Beach Boys: Robert Christgau, Greil Marcus, maybe Dave Marsh. But who cares what Dave Marsh likes, LOL.

That's not a very kind thing to say about the man who wrote a book about "Louie Louie".

And yes-----maybe you should listen again to Wild Honey...