The Smiley Smile Message Board

Hey everyone: In 20 minutes (12:00pm PST) click on the blue button at the top of Brian's homepage and you'll be taken to a page where you can listen to the entire album - then ask Brian LIVE about it after it's over. See you there!

The chat is at 12:45pm PST

http://www.facebook.com/officialbrianwilson#!/officialbrianwilson?v=wall (http://www.facebook.com/officialbrianwilson#!/officialbrianwilson?v=wall)

Ugh! You have to be a member of facebook to participate. I deleted my profile a year ago and i'm sooooo glad I did.

I'd love to talk to Brian (or even just read what he has to say!) but I'm not getting back on Big Brother's site just to do it.

Just realised that now.

Don't have a facebook either. That's me out of the chat  :(

Ask your questions now facebook people

http://www.facebook.com/officialbrianwilson/posts/110937878959346 (http://www.facebook.com/officialbrianwilson/posts/110937878959346)

Heh -- Debbie Keil just turned up. Awkward!

I suddenly had an attack of excitement and left a message saying I enjoyed his singing on the new album. I think all possible questions had been covered elsewhere...

Wow, how interesting!  I wonder if you two are geezers, too?  It fascinates me that there are people here who have been fans from the first days - like me - and yet there are youngsters still just discovering the music, and then sites like this one. 
Your feelings about facebook make me wonder if you're up there, like Brian is, and like I am!  Fortunately, I've got a wife quite a bit younger than me, so I get to peek into that world...  I've just never wanted to have myself on facebook, either.  At least, not yet...

I'm 20 and just don't get facebook. I'm rarely on the Internet anyway.


Who's that?

"The Night Was So Young."

About her. And Brian.

That is indeed awkward haha.

Wonder if she asked a question

Why can't I make any comments on the thing? Does anyone here know Facebook better than me who can help me?

yeeaaah. trying to ask a question is just gonna give me like 1000 email notifications that somebody else commented on brian's status.

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

You can't blame me for askin'!  :lol

Shot down in flames  ;D

Ste:
BRIAN, what parts of "Nothing But Love" are Gershwin's ?

Brian Wilson:
Ste - can't cite example over the phone now


Uh? Ok...

Drew
 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

My guess is he's on the phone with Jean Seivers, who is doing the typing.

With Jeff lurking  ;D

He's now claiming the harmonica on "Nuthin'" was Melinda's idea.   :lol

Well, at least her musical instincts are getting better ...

Somebody just said on twitter that Brian answered her question, "he didn't see Inception"  :lol

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.

Well, the man does like Norbit...

Poor guy's NEVER gonna live that down!  :lol

New update: He listens to a lot of Diana Ross.

haha I'm one of the young ones (turning 22 in a few days). I found facebook to be a major timewaster, and their privacy policies are virtually nonexistent....for now I'm staying off.

Thanks to those of you who are posting your questions and answers on SmileySmile! Great to see the answers!

LOL that's one of the reasons why I disliked that song....too much harmonica!

Melinda's doing the typing, as usual.

Not while I'm around...  ;D

Excellent question and suggestion, though! I'm surprised he answered at all, that doesn't seem like the kind of question he would choose to answer, whether or not he's doing all the choosing. Amusingly terse response.

 :-D Bless his heart.

awesome:

"Jessie - once every two years -if you like pies - you should go there right now"

"Adam: I hear the Kinks everyday on 60s revolution radio. I like their stuff"

about using Moog synths again:  "Andrew: yeah, I would defintitely consider it - i love that instrument"

"Robert - I used to listen to Frank Zappa -crazy modern music"

Yes, you must see Inception to have good taste at all.

Derp :\

Brian's a Tchaikovsky fan.

OK in my book  :-D

No, but for most people, good taste precludes liking Norbit.

What's the Brian "Norbit" quote? lol

So i missed out on this. It seems that Brian has A LOT of idiot fans on fb though.... One asked him how to cope with bipolar disorder. I mean, jesus.

Trying to pick out some good Brianisms...

(in response to a question about how he writes)
Brian: I play the keyboard and go WHOA and go 'I like that chord' and the music starts to come.

He goes to a vocal coach 2-3 times a week....

He likes 'older jazz and newer jazz'....

He considers 'this and TLOS' to be his 'crowning achievements'.... *cough* Wife&Managers *Cough*

He says nothing the Beach Boys have done comes close to Gershwin..... Aww.

The Like In I Love You was the most difficult song to get 'right'

Melinda, FWIW, likes that song the best. His kids seem to like the entire thing. Aww...

'I don't give piano lessons but that's too bad'

Most bizarre quote so far is 'Bach is in 'California Girls' (Hums joy of jesus)'  ???

He hates his voice on 'When I Grow Up' - Thinks it sounds 'tiny'. I think he means 'Tinny'.

He likes 'Mamma Mia'  :thud

'I get recognized all the time - what is going on here I say. Well, I must be famous - I feel a little bit pararnoid acutally'. Aww...


Oh Brian. Lots of interesting questions got asked, but were swamped in a deluge of 'how did you think of pet sounds' type things. Gah. IDIOTS!

Ah, he's mentioned that before- see this interview, a few seconds in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSy-p1Lejfw
The Bach influence manifests in the rhythm; dum-de-dum-de-dum-de-dum.

Neat he answered both of my questions.

Basically, a few years ago a reviewer asked him if he'd seen any movies recently, and he said Norbit. Next question was what's your favorite movie of all time. Answer: Norbit.

"Inception" might be WAY to complex for Brian. I've seen it twice, I loved it beyond belief, but I don't pretend to understand all of it.

Norbit is a cool movie.

Well, if Brian was freaked out about the "Mr. Wilson" line in the movie Seconds back in `66, imagine how wigged he'd be over Inception.  Brian's the last person out there that needs to have his "mind warped".  :hat

Arrgh...Facebook is blocked on my work computer. Hopefully this will be archived.

I don't think that the person calling him Bryan will be answered.  ::)

"Hey, Bryan, how are things between you and Mykal recently? Also, if a reunion were to happen, would you include Brunettie Chaplin in on it?"  :lol

Everybody knows that a Beech Boyz reunion would be incomplete without Ellen Geraldine.  ;)

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!

Hey Roger Lancelot,

Thanks so much for taking the time to post that - a great idea. There are more revelations there than in so many other interviews I've read, and you really feel that he is actually thinking about and responding to the questions.  This is clearly the best way to interview Brian! I found the following interesting to hear:


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

And this was the funniest exchange for me:

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

There ARE some very interesting bits in there. I wish I would have known about it sooner as I would have asked something. Still with over 750 questions asked (some of them very cringe-worthy!) it's as about honest as you can catch the guy.

By the way, it was very hard to edit that in a comprehensive way. I did the best I could between cooking for everybody, etc. At least we have something to go by for now.

My initial reaction to this, was oh christ why is Melinda involved in these type of decisions but I thought about if for a while and I guess in some ways it's entirely natural. I'm an illustrator and take my work very seriously. My partner is a therapist with no art training, and she can barely draw a cat, but I totally value her opinion. If she doesn't like a picture, quite often there's a good reason for it, and if she likes something I've done, then I know I'm on to something. She makes suggestions and I listen to her and sometimes take them on board.

I'm sure it pisses the band right off though!

My reaction to this is... you really believe that's true ? Brian & Paul worked on the arrangements summer 2009, when Melinda was up at Arrowhead with the children.

IT BURNS!!!

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I don't know, and your point above certainly casts doubt on Melinda's musical involvement. For me, as is usually the case with these things, there are too many variables to consider the likelihood of this being true or not (Is Brian misremembering, Is Melinda typing etc?), and as such I will consider it at face value: If Melinda does make suggestions that Brian listens to, it's not as ludicrous or depressing as it sounds imo.

I'm currently working with a singer over the internet - I write melody's/record instrumentals and send them to her via email. She writes lyrics and she gives me suggestions on the music. yadayadayada. Then we get together and record the vocals.....my point is this: in this internet age it isn't unrealistic that Brian sent a demo of the song over email to see what Melinda thought.

Then again, I don't know how in-touch Brian is with the technological world.

Exactly! If it wasn't for Melinda, we wouldn't have BWPS!  :lol

Ain't no thang. Brian can ask whoever the hell he likes for an opinion on his tunes, and he can take them to heart if he wants to.

As for whether it was actually possible, it could have happened during the tracking sessions. If Brian wasn't sure about having a vocal on it, which is what it sounds like, Melinda could have suggested harmonica. Not like it actually turned out worse, is it?

very true, and probably what I like most about this album is that, the quality speaks for itself and somehow (as far as I'm concerned anyway) the questions of who did what seem less important, certainly when all elements; production, arrangements, link tracks, singing etc. seem to be in perfect harmony. That said, Brian's involvement seems more apparent this time and quotes such as the following certainly lend credence to this:

"Brian, what did you like best about this - the writing, the arranging, or the singing?"

"you know I'd have to say all three: writing, producing, arrangeing and singing. All four I do."

that proves it was really Brian, lol.  He couldn't figure out how to sing through the keyboard.  Everytime they ask him something like this in an interview, he starts singing off key, lol.  LOVE IT!

I'm with Prince, the internet is dying.  It's like sooooooo yesterday.  I also don't have a facebook page, not because of privacy but because I don't get the point of having half-ass friends I've never met, and I'm not pretentious enough to think people want to know everything I'm doing every minute of the day.  If I was famous, I'd probably have a facebook page.  In life, my friends know where I am and how to get in touch with me, lol. 

Damn.  Now that he mentions that, I see the connection. 


Is your confusion because you don't hear it, or because you don't know the song?  It's called "Jesu: Joy Of Man's Desiring", one of Bach's most famous writings.  They play it at weddings, it has that beautiful muted melody in it, amazing piece of work. 

Anybody hear that in there anywhere?  I wonder what the hell he's talking about... the intro I guess could be similar, and the shuffle of the song could kind of pad that melody.  Hmmmm, i'll have to listen to that today. 

Thanks!  Yeah, i'll play this today.  Don't you think the intro kind of mimicks it as well?  Slowed wayyyyyy down of course. 

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



O.K., I want everyone's opinion.  Is he saying "No, we wouldn't do that, it wouldn't fit".... or is he saying "Leonard, of course we tried that but gosh darn it didn't work like I wanted it to"

LOL

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


This is a beautiful quote.  Good, or bad, when someone asks him about why people think his music is special; he immediatly thinks of Mike.  I've seen moments of the same thing out of Paul McCartney interviews where he talks about John Lennon.  Now Mike's no John but it's interesting that Brian still considers him part of the reason for his success. 

For my money he knows outright without trying it that it won't fit.

Do my eyes deceive me or do we have a Bottom Fan!!!   :h5 :thumbsup :woot

That was cool. To this day I think whenever Brian arranges vocals he's thinking how he would do it as a BB's track and delegates accordingly.

I didn't know what it was, until I played it in Spotify and recognised it instantly! I get that a lot with classical music - name me a piece and I'll be all  ??? until you play it and I start humming along. I keep meaning to expand my knowledge of 'the classics', but it's difficult when you recognise a lot of the melodies from schmaltzy rubbish that quotes it. I couldn't really appreciate Tchaikofsky's 'Romeo & Juliet' because i kept on recognising bits..... Very distracting  :(

 

I think he said as much in an interview one time that he can still picture their voices when he arranges/produces.

Which isn't surprising at all...I'm sure after doing it that way for decades, it's so engrained in him that he couldn't do it any other way. 

That was definitely one of the better "interviews' with Brian I've read in awhile...some very funny responses, ones that could have only come from Brian's head.  The most shocking thing to me is that he doesn't own a copy of "Be My Baby"?  This is a guy who once had Desper make a continuous loop of just the intro (or was it the chorus?) for him to listen to over and over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig20VnG5DpE

Yeah, based on that, I can't imagine why he wouldn't have a copy of it anymore! :lol

He's got "Be My Baby". At minimum the song is in his jukebox and I remember a fan gave him the Phil Spector box set "Back To Mono" a few years ago.

Seeing him answering those questions on the phone makes me really happy that he answered my questions.

Maybe he still thinks in terms of actual records, meaning he doesn't have the "record" single?

Now THAT is cool.  Somebody should tell Brian that it could be like FDR's fireside chats, and he'll get excited and do these every sunday evening.  LOL

In part 2 of the phone answers, he actually briefly elaborates (well, by singing it) on how he borrowed bach for CG - it's in the way the ascending notes relate to the rhythm of the shuffle by the looks of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-u5UqsHsMo&feature=player_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-u5UqsHsMo&feature=player_embedded)

Man, thanks for the link.  He actually sings falsetto messing around on there.

It's cute that he's sort of hugging the cushion.

Can someone tell me - did fans speak to him? I haven't read this entire thread and it's confusing to me. I thought people wrote their questions on Facebook? How did they get to Brian by phone? In those videos is he speaking to fans on the phone? That must have been uncomfortable, one after another, everyone being so respectful.

Someone was reading his facebook page and phoning him the questions, then typing his responses.

And the questions looked to be paraphrased on the video, compared to what people are posting here as the verbatim FB questions.

Ah. Thanks for clearing it up.

One of the absolute coolest things he ever did was when he was raising money for charity, he called people to answer their questions.  That was fucking awesome, from a supposed shut-in.  That guy's got a heart as big as the sun.