The Smiley Smile Message Board

Has that been confirmed as the name of the new album?

Just read on facebook that it has been. I know that's no source but I hate that name so much I'm hoping it's a rumor

It's a possibility, could be refined at a later date.

Howsabout Rhapsody In Brian?

Wow!...Wouldn't that be Nice... Rename the blessed thing! C'mon. Actually, if it stinks it really won't matter what it's called.

At some point KikMC you're gonna have to tell us what you DO like about the BBs. Either that or head off to the Carpenters Message Board and wind their fans up instead...

Hell, no, the fun's just starting.  ;D

The Carpenters... now THERE was a band with a smokin'-hot drummer!

Kirkmc's ramblings seem very similar to that 'Nobody' guy from a few months ago who eventually just went away after annoying virtually everyone on the board.

Back on topic, a more appropriate title for this project might be Gettin' In Over My Head...................... 

No, don't think so. My feeling is, Brian will rise to the challenge. I think something exciting could result.

Word on the street from band members, etc. in December / January was very positive.

They actually have a pretty good record of telling it like it is. Of course, those were the instrumental sessions. We haven't heard as much out of the vocal sessions.

Anyone remember this?

http://www.last.fm/music/Peter+Sellers/_/Peter+Sellers+Sings+George+Gershwin?autostart

I hope Brian rises to the challenge too but I feel that the Gershwin project is a really big ask. I'm not building my hopes up too much which is a good thing because if it sucks I won't be too bothered but if it's great then it'll be a nice surprise, apathy = win win situation!

My personal opinion (I'm jaded) is that Brian's gonna knock this one out of the fucking park.  All he has to do is switch the songs around and make it more 'his' style, it's got to be good.  A lot of Brian's weakness over the years (even IN the Beach Boys) was poorly written songs, he just remedied that.  I think in general when he has a well written song, he makes something great out of it.  I felt the Christmas album was great, those were all well written songs that Brian put his stamp on, almost every one is really on a strong level with some of the best covers of those ever.  I see this project as very similar. 

The best thing about the Wilson sings Gershwin project, to me, is the fact that for the first time in a long time Brian is doing something 'arty' and in the semi-classical vein. When was the last time he did that? The Gershwin influences are sprinkled heavily in Brian's music in the past, this seems like a natural progression.

I too have high hopes - mostly for the acapella Rhapsody In Blue, which if he pulls it off might become my favourite piece of music ever by default.

I don't even have a problem with the name - A nice Harry Nilsson nod.

"Gershwin Only Knows"
"George Fell Into His French Horn, Vol. 2"

Think you'll find there was a light slapping of wrists between the track sessions and the vocal sessions.  ;D

They were forbidden to talk about it to the press in general. But when you have band members who have thousands (literally) of Facebook friends apiece, and they post status updates -- well, there you go. Bennett and Simons, we're looking at you.

Thank you.

We looking at a summer release for the album?

Given that it's been announced semi-officially on Brian's Facebook page that the album is finished, I'd say summer looks probable.

I actually like the title "Brian sings Gershwin". It remindes me of an "old fashioned" album of standards. Something along the lines of what Sinatra would do. I think it's classy. *he says to himself, quickly ducking away from the rocks being thrown*

(At some point KikMC you're gonna have to tell us what you DO like about the BBs. Either that or head off to the Carpenters Message Board and wind their fans up instead...)

How about opening your eyes to the thread a few topics down entitled "What do the BEach Boys  Mean To You"? Course no one answered that one but three of  us... Hard question, or something? Sleep well. P.S. why does some poster think I'm someone else? I've not posted here before-truly...However from the looks of things it seems some people spend  waaaaaay too much time here....Doe!

Yeah, actually I like the title too, isn't pretentious.  They've kind of ran out of good album titles, it's all been done. 

Well he likes "Cuddle Up". http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,8625.msg145244.html#msg145244

And I agree. The title is appropriate. Like Sinatra or Fitzgerald. I hope this turns out to be something good. I've liked Gershwin since before The Beach Boys so I hope Brian does him some justice, which I'm sure he's capable of.

How cool would it be if Brian gave his own treatment on Gershwin's Here Come De Honey Man (original spelling) from Porgy & Bess (1935) - aprilfoolishly introduced as Holidays on the first SMiLE bootleg  (the Evans/Davis version from 1958).

Gershwin earlier did what Philip Lambert calls (in his Inside the Music of Brian Wilson-book) the"musical wedge shape" from Who Ran The Iron Horse in a theme from An American In Paris  (1928) - or actually the other way around of course!)

Can someone here identify where the 'wedge' is placed - maybe even with a subtitle - in American In Paris (which I've only heard on radio)? Could be that the 'wedge' is more like the one from Fire Intro/Rio Grande...

Is Brian doing Gershwin's Lullaby. I know it was on Orange Crate Art, but that was Parks' own version.
(BTW - the main riff/hook seems to resemble more the 'wedge' I  mentioned from Who Ran The iron Horse?)