The Smiley Smile Message Board

New interview with Brian conducted by Explorers Club leader Jason Brewer. A few interesting things here....Brian seems interested in performing The Night Was So Young at future shows, and cites Busy Doin' Nothing as a song he doesn't like to perform.

http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/brian-wilson-disciple-and-explorers-club-leader-jason-brewer-talks-with-the-beach-boys-mastermind/Content?oid=5517765

Brian's got a point with BDN - it's a pretty tricky melody to sing, and after a while it would start to feel like a bit of a chore to do.

Not that anyone was indicating otherwise, but Brian did perform “The Night Was So Young” some years back. According to setlists.fm, they did it at least 13 times in 2002, and at least three more times in 2004.

But yeah, it would be cool if an interviewer can just throw a song title at Brian and actually get him to add the song to the setlist. Brian seems quite enthused about the song, at least that particular moment in the interview, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually add the song.

I wonder if Brian’s antipathy towards singing “Busy Doin’ Nothin’” means it’s gone for the foreseeable future.

Yeah, I'd like to hear "The Night Was So Young", too. I hope Brian's band leader thinks it's a good idea.

The Explorers Club apes Brian and the Pet Sounds sound better than anybody out there.  Technique, instrumentation, production, harmonies-- it's all there.  In fact, I often mix their Freedom Wind album into my Pet Sounds era playlists.  I can't wait for their new album.

EDIT: Now that I've read the interview, I'm stoked that Darian and Probyn contributed to the new album in some capacity!  Too bad Brewer couldn't get the man himself to at least add background vox. 

Yes, they did do TNWSY and it was done incredibly well. No one had the slightest idea it was part of the setlist whatsoever. Would still love to hear him perform some of Carl & Dennis' songs as a tribute to his brothers, as well.  

What an enthusiastic interview; I love it. Funny that tedium is nearly a theme in the face of all the enthusiasm.

One of my favorite interviews these days, but given the love Brewer has for Brian's music, that makes sense.  I think it's pretty obvious that Brian doesn't suffer fools gladly when being interviewed in the sense that he just loses interest and gives automatic answers.  People who know their stuff can often get great comments.  I'm looking forward to his new bio...when Brian's good in interviews, he's great.

Great material Jason.  Miss your band around the Minn. area.  Gave your drummer  at the time a Dennis  Wilson shirt.  Hope he is doing well. I know it made his day.  Fun to talk with the man (Brian)  .  Years ago I was with Dennis and had an idea for a song (invisible ink)  more drink was consumed than lyrics.  Fun to get a chance with the real boys.

Interesting that Brian is a fan of the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up." Would he do it on his r'n'r tribute album?

I'm partial to the Folksmen's bluegrass version of "Start Me Up" -- it's hilarious.  :lol

Why would Brian's band leader need to think it's a good idea?

I believe because in the article Brian said he would run it by him. I have to assume here that songs don't make it into the set until Mertins creates an arrangement for it.

Ah thanks. Totally forgot/missed that part.

It could also just be a polite way of ending that line of questioning by deflecting the whole matter on someone else.

Brian's range these days is perfectly suited to sing the Love You and MIU era stuff...he did a great version of TNWSY  when I saw him in Chicago in 2002.

With Foskett out of the picture, who's the band leader right now? Wasn't there some kind of consensus a couple of years ago that Brian didn't play stuff like TNWSY because Foskett doesn't like Love You?

I'd rather hear him do some BW88 material. Melt Away is just dying to be played live!

Jason, you did a wonderful job ! Congratulations...

"BW: I like digital. It's a lot easier and a lot more perfectionist — you can perfect the pitch and the sound."
I read this and can only think that the imperfections (minor or not) are also what made his best work his best, and ironically, all of this overt-'perfecting' only tampers and turns the music far from said perfection.

I would love to hear "The Night Was So Young" live.  ;D

Couldn't agree more! So glad today's tools for pitch correction weren't around for their 60s and 70s output. Even an overly polished and slightly boring album like M.I.U. sounds interesting compared to stuff like NPP.

 :3d

Glad you guys were able to check out the article --- I had fun talking with Brian --- I think we will post the audio from the interview soon. 

Can't wait!  (Can't wait for the new album, either!)

I think Darian is the current bandleader. 

Paul is the music director. Not sure if that's the same thing....

In any case I'd wager Darian is more appreciative of the Love You material than Jeff Foskett.

I'd seriously pay Brian real money if he'd only play 'Melt Away' live. I adore that song so so much.

One of my favorites.  I'd love to hear that one live, too.

Very sensitive interview.

Probably not the best BW show I've seen, but definitely the best setlist I've seen him do, which included "Melt Away".

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/brian-wilson/2002/house-of-blues-chicago-il-3db8dcf.html

wow that chicago 2002 set list --- that would be a dream show :)

Dear Brian and band.  Please play this setlist when you perform in Appleton in a couple of weeks.  Thank You.    :thewilsons