The Smiley Smile Message Board

Says in this here article that not only can you get a fancy signed lithograph with your copy of Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin, you can also HEAR THE ENTIRE THING LIVE NEXT YEAR.

http://www.billboard.com/features/brian-wilson-reaches-back-for-gershwin-project-1004108050.story?%2Ffeatures%2Fbrian-wilson-reaches-back-for-gershwin-project-1004108050.story%3Fpage=1#/features/brian-wilson-reaches-back-for-gershwin-project-1004108050.story?page=2

 ;D

What exactly do they mean by "indie retailers"?

It's a great article. Especially the notion that this is something Brian has been thinking about for awhile -- is this true? I remember reading awhile back that he had been listening to a lot of standards -- and that the session where he recorded "Walking Down the Path of Life" and the new version of "The Spirit of Rock and Roll" included a take on "Strangers in the Night.", and he's also talked about wanting to cut "Strangers in the Night."

I wonder if those thoughts then evolved toward doing something Gershwin related. People certainly talked to him enough about it during the Smile project.

I have to say, if everything I'm hearing is true:

-- Brian pre-produced the album by making a CD of the tracks he wanted and their sequence (the Porgy and Bess medley is surely not a mistake)
-- Brian had been thinking about just this project for some time
-- Brian directed his band in the studio and did some of his finest solo lead vocals --

Then this is the most truly "Brian Wilson" Brian Wilson album since Love You -- and possibly, as AGD said, Pet Sounds itself. That is, it's a coherent album's worth of music that was conceived, directed, produced and sung by Brian. And what's more, it's totally terrific.

Amazing.

Wow, what a fantastic article.  Tons of things flood into my mind.  To Wirestone: I would LOVE to hear Brian's version of Strangers in the Night.  I've always loved that song (I guess everybody does).

Striking that apparently (or so they say) that it was Brian taking the ball and running with it to get the Gershwin thing going.

Also, i'm impressed with Disney's committment and belief in the project.  It could all be bullshit, but it really sounds to me like they think this is a fantastic record... if they're willing to film a t.v. special etc. for it, that shows a respect for Brian and the project.

Another thing I think is, if Brian pulls these songs off live in public, that's something.  Really, that would be something to hear if he can sing Live like that.  I mean I know he's good live, and I love his voice even when he stumbles, but if he can sing that stuff competantly live that will be something to behold. 

REALLY excited about this album right now.  When does it come out, next tuesday?

Non-big box, presumably. Where exactly they place that defining line, I don't know. (But haven't most of the "mid-majors" died anyway? Seems like it's mostly just Best Buy types or true indies anyway, at least around here.)

I am extremely excited about this whole project... can't wait till the 17th!!!

BTW, is Brad Rosenberger (as mentioned in that article) a guy that has been a long-time fan?  Seems there was a fellow by that name many years back with whom I corresponded...

So the Brian Wilson audience and the Su Bo audience are, according to Disney, the same audience?

Should I laugh or cry? I know America is different to England, but it can't be that different?

I think what they were saying is that some people who don't normally buy albums bought the Susan Boyle album because it was something different... and they're hoping they'll get those same casual listeners to say "Damn that sounds interesting" and buy Brian's too, on top of Brian's fanbase.

I don't recall ever seeing that about "Strangers", and in any case, it's incorrect - said session was just "Path" & "Spirit". I do recall an article in a Canadian paper in 2005 where he said he wanted to do "Strangers", but that's all.

Andrew: I looked back at articles, etc., and you're right. I'm absolutely wrong, and must have conflated that interview (in which he also mentioned "The Spirit of Rock n Roll") with the actual sessions. Dur.

No sweat - I've done far worse.  And in print, too ! :)