The Smiley Smile Message Board

Saw this posted on Brian's message board:

http://www.directcurrentmusic.com/dc-music-news-feed/2011/8/8/brian-wilsons-in-the-key-of-disney-due-1011.html

Anyone able to confirm?

you sly dog...

bring on October!

This website is our only source of info for both releases...hmmm...

Hope they are right, could be a great month

That's a nice name for the album....Sounds legit anyways.

I agree about the album name. Hope Brian doesn't wind up competing with himself.... maybe the sales of the Smile Sessions will spur sales of the other.

It's a terrific title for the album, and who knows the proximity of both releases may help the Disney album's sales: "Well, you've heard the brilliance of the Smile sessions, here's proof Brian's still got it!" I'm very excited for the release of this...

Once again, Direct Current Music has their finger on the pulse for release dates. 

Not so sure if early sales of the Disney album will be affected by 'piggy-backing' it on the SMiLE release, but....

I'm just curious as to what Disney songs will be appearing on the album.  Someone on here suggested that tune from Bambi; which I would agree could turn into a killer SMiLE-esque Brian Wilson track.  But methinks this one probably didn't make the cut.  :-(

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

I just can't get excited about this one.

Yeah I'm not really all that crazy about it either.  I never really could get into the Gershwin album either.  Some nice moments here and there but overall this is mostly an exercise in schmaltz more than anything else.  I can't imagine the Disney album being much better. 

Yeah it wasn't a bad album but it's not my kind of music. Also compare how Brian did Summertime with Sharon Marie. He was so much more inventive and original in 1964. Now it's not that he is a boring artist, but he tries to hard to sound like "Brian Wilson". At this point as a solo artist all I would truly want to hear is new originals.

Aside from the fact that this is the same site that said TSS was going to be released July 12th... no, August 9th... wait, August 23rd... oops, make that October 4th (which I also seriously doubt), color me sceptical. Two albums out (no matter how different) by the same artist at the same time on different labels ? Not good planning.

Agreed.  What was *really* disappointing for me was "I Got Rhythm".  Way too ham-fisted and forced with the Brian Wilson sound; actually sounds pedestrian!  And it pales considerably to the Happenings' truly most happenin' version of this song from the 1960's.  

I'm thinking this will make a nice companion disc to Reimagines Gershwin.

My finacee liked BWPS and TLOS a lot, but she though BWRG was imitation Beach Boys. It has moments (it's better then his ninties non Paley work) I like, but it really drove home to me that Brian is no longer doing anything different than he has done before. Some of the 1976-80 covers were pretty bad, but at least they were quirky and once in a whole they even brought new things to a song. Don't get me wrong, I think Brian's band is an excellent Beach Boys sound alike group, but only on the new stuff do they go beyond that. For me that includes Smile as much as I enjoy it, it's not anything "new" and it doesn't have the heart The Beach Boys gave it. He put aside a personal demon (or so the publc copy says) but once the Beach Boys set appears I can't image anyone wanting the 2004 version except for fans with an interest in Brian's story. That said TLOS is the one Brian solo album to me that really holds up completely now.

I loved BWRG, so did the kids my Dad my whole family!

I like BWRG and strongly prefer it to TLOS.

I have no idea if the Disney album will really drop on October 11 (or if TSS will see the light of day on Oct 4), but it's not a huge stretch to imagine Brian's people and Disney possibly trying to catch the wave of Smile publicity.  The reality is that if the Disney album arrives at basically the same time as TSS, many (if not most) of the reviews and articles about Smile will include a shout-out along the lines of "Oh, by the way, Brian also has a new CD of Disney songs."   A few publications might even do side-by-side reviews like they did when the IJWMFTT soundtrack and  "Orange Crate Art" came out a month or so apart in 1995.

Some of the songs that Brian recently mentioned recording for the Disney album include: When You Wish Upon A Star, Baby Mine (from Dumbo), A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes (from Cinderella) and Stay Awake (from Mary Poppins).

Possibly, but I think many fans over-hyping this new release are forgetting one important factoid: the original SMiLE was never properly finished.  And depending on which "expert/insider/fanatic" you ask, it may have been far from completion.  It will prove to be an interesting release, but I won't be surprised if it fails to quench the thirst of Beach Boys fans so desperate for finality. 

At least with SMiLE '04 you get a complete thought. 

Did anybody notice that whoever wrote the article seems to suggest that the album will be a Beach Boys recording? It's probably just a case of very poor writing, but...

While initially impressed with BWRG, it didn't really have any staying power with me. I haven't heard it for months and have no current desire to. Also unless Brian's management have gone insane there's no way they will release the Disney album the same as the Smile Boxset.

I'm the opposite way with BWRG -  didn't warm to it at first but now pieces of music keep resurfacing in my mind, and I have to go play it all again…  there're some choice moments on that album, some snippets and moments of utter genius – though I don't know Gershwin's catalogue well enough to know whethr it's GG's or BW's!   (and does it matter…?)

Is Al Schmitt involved? I love his work on BWRG.

BWRG is my favourite BW solo album.

From this web page I've gleaned that Glen Campbell, Todd Rundgren and Ry Cooder all have new albums out soon, so it was worth looking!

I'm looking forward to the BW video for 'Bear Necessities'.

I love that title. Don't trust the website wrt release dates, though - It would appear in order to get the exclusive, it just prints rough estimates from internal release schedules.

This sounds like a good album to get your kids interested in Brian Wilson, so later on, you can make your kids Beach Boys fans to keep the legacy alive.

I am excited and can't wait to hear the album. Brian's best music always had that innocence feeling about it that might make a good connection with the Disney material. I love the Gershwin album and think Brian sounds great on it, so I hope that will be the case with this one too.

Since the album's been finished for a few months, I do wonder what Brian is recording recently....

I know right? Lots of nice little moment on that album that make it worthwhile. I think Brian has accepted his fate as puppet in the hands of people with more interest in him than he has for himself and he mostly just goes along with it. He didn't even know half the Gershwin songs before doing that album. The vocals aren't phoned in, they're all pretty damn good, but I can't help feeling that I'm hearing a "Brian's Band" album featuring Brian on guest vocals. Gershwin arranged like BW's records (there's even Busy Doin' Nothin on the album... S'Wonderful) but by imitators and not the real deal. Brian as we can see in H's thread must be the real deal because he conceived of music & recordings which are still being closely analyzed decades later. Will we be so curious about the Reimagines Gershwin sessions as the Pet Sounds sessions? Why not - Brian is there! Oh, could it be because we all know deep down that it's just not the same anymore? Impression I get of 60s BW is: will stop at nothing to get the sound he wants and show it to the world. Now - is it ready for my parts yet?

(that was one opinion, here is another)

Reimagines Gershwin is a cool album and we're all crazy for doubting it. Sure it takes every trick from the BW bag of tricks but that's what Brian is now - he doesn't break new ground because he already did. Now he's telling us - check out Someone To Watch Over Me - got a Pet Sounds vibe you dig it? Yeah everyone loved Pet Sounds and is always saying they could hear more like it, so I did it! Or S'Wonderful - hey everyone remember that funny little Busy Doin Nothin song I did on Friends? Well S'Wonderful is kind of like that, you might dig it. Does he have to bring fire into the studio yet again and perform black magick to be enjoyable to us? On the Gershwin album we have two new songs that are pretty good all things considered. I definitely see myself grooving to Nothing But Love for many years. Brian's band is tame, safe, sober - but they still make good sounding albums with him.

I'll tell you what's timeless, nothing but love.

I have a feeling that this will delay The Smile Sessions even further than the still-to-be-officially-announced October 4 date in a move to spread out BW-related releases.

Can't wait for this. I'm a HUGE Disney fan.

I had exactly the same premonition, see the Smile Sessions Thread. The box just prior to Xmas? Could be. Or put on the backburner altogether? But they promised: this year...  :(

Direct Music is just going by what Capitol says. I read the July 12, August 9, October 4, and November 1 dates for the SMiLE release. But nothing's cast in stone until Capitol confirms it. Somehow, I trust this Disney date - the music is in the can and there's much less artwork and stuff to do for release.

Wow. Just the opposite in my house. TLOS got a LOT of airplay while BWRG got maybe two weeks worth after release, and now it's collecting dust on the shelf.  BWPG never even made it to the car stereo.....

BWRG remains a stunning, unexpected gem.

You just don't get BW vocals like that on an album in which he is uninterested or unengaged.

Disney is the devil, but there were some good movies with some good songs before he began to tae over the world.  Let's hope our boy has picked wisely and we don't get any latterday sh*t. Dave Digs Disney was okay, so there is hope.

No way Smilin Ed, we NEED Brian to cover this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64

You know how great this would be? Perfect opening song. Brian singing to the Wondermints.

You're a spineless, pale
pathetic lot
And you haven't got a clue

 :-D

Well, we can now start the "Brian's Disney Album Killed The SMiLE Box" conspiracy theories -- TSS has been bumped to November 1st. From an email I received from Dave Curtis at Direct Current Music just an hour ago:

Blimey...if that is accurate let us just hope some missing tapes/acetates have been uncovered!

Bummer - there goes my birthday present.

That Dave is pretty decent keeping you in the loop though.

Bummer.

Well, I guess that finally kills any vestiges of hope that they might rush to meet the 9/30 Grammy deadline.   :(

I'm almost 100% sure that WON'T be the reason for the bump, but we can dream.

Wasn't Gettin in Over My Head released around the same time as some "other " album?  This sounds lika a repeat.

I haven't liked Disney since Michial Eisner sold two of Mickey's fingers.

Brian at his age doing this stuff reminds me of Maurice Chevrolet doing Thank Heavens for Little Girls on the Ed Sullivan Show.   I didn't like the concept too begin with.    We'll see. ::) ::)

The news about the SMiLE date change has been broken on the website -- here:

http://www.directcurrentmusic.com/dc-music-news-feed/2011/8/9/the-beach-boys-smile-sessions-bumped-again-to-november-1.html

On topic: There's also an article about the Disney album on the site.

All this bumping of the release date is just tactic. Everyone knows about the legend and how many times it would be released "soon". Capitol is just playing with us, so that the legend continues for a few months and gets people's attention that way. That means more $$   In fact, if it really was like that, I think it's kinda clever

 :angry :angry :angry

 :'(

Let's not forget that no date has EVER been officially announced by Capitol.  So how can the date truly be bumped.

Excellent point, and one I've made many times. These release schedules that are quoted by the DC website are internal documents, not press releases. So for Phil and whoever else is fuming right now, remember: Capitol has never announced a release date, so at this point NOTHING has been "delayed" or "bumped." If still unreleased, The Smile Sessions will officially be "delayed" on January 1, 2012, and not a day sooner.

What about that end of the world thing in 2012?   Are we going to beat that with a release date?

Release date = end of world.

I don't see it. The non-aficionados don't really care, and aren't tracking this release and haven't really been thinking about it since the week of the announcement. So really this "strategy" is being aimed at us, the fandom and the record collecting fanatics. And all that's happening as a result is just argument and frustration. This hurts the release more than anything else, we don't need to be reminded that this album has been long delayed, we all got that point long ago.

No release date has EVER been stated by Capitol. There is no bumping, only expectation.

Why would Capitol make an official release date announcement when unofficially they have had to make 4 changes so far? This has nothing to do with screwing with the fans, just business decisions and spreading out releases to maximize profits most likely.

No. Emphatically, not.

On the day of the SMiLE Sessions release, we will all be simultaneously feverishly ripping off the shrink wrap when there will be a blinding white light and we will all become dust in the wind......

Speak for yourself. I will be saved...

I might break wind. But that's it.

Somehow I doubt these office bound penguins are "messing with us" about the release date of the SS. It's doubtful they even know what music is - there's a reason Brian used to speak to these people with pre-recorded answers on a tape recorder, guys.

I guess I should have use that smiley, right ?

That was a situation where Warners was interested in BWPS; the management said "y'want BWPS, y'gotta put this out, too."

There is no such situation with the Disney album and the Smile box as they are on two different labels.

True about the 2 labels but each could help the others profile.

I think the wait for the SS's will be worth it. I for one would sooner have the best product available in Nov than a sub-standard one back in July. We could of had pages of discussion on mistakes in the proposed booklet, snippets left out of the boxset due to the failure to dot the legal i's and cross the t's.
When this thing was announced in March there was talk about long lost and unknown snippets maybe turning up. If this is the case, get the ok to include it now rather than in a year or two having a expanded boxset and we will complain about having to buy it again! If doing this takes a bit more time, I can live with it.

In the meantime, the Disney recording was completed in May (I think), so if its ready to go....put it out!

So what's the news guys? Anyone know anything yet on the tracklist of In The Key Of Disney? I'm excited for it right now! It sounds kind of cool. Maybe no one's talking about it because it left everyone speechless.

I agree, I thought the album was great and still listen to it all the time.  My favorite song on it is "Someone to watch Over Me", he sings it very well.  This Disney album is going to rock.  Brian loved Gershwin and wanted to do those songs, and they were good.  He feels similarly about this Disney material.  I liked the Christmas album, though, for the same reasons so who am I to listen to.

IN MY OPINION, Brian's weakness is his lyrics.  Gettin' In Over My Head was pretty horrid lyrically.  TLOS was pretty good, because Scott wrote pretty good lyrics for it.  Van Dyke wrote those awesome links.  The Christmas album had some of the best written standards of all time.  The Gershwin album was lyrically great, with the exception of "Nothing but Love", yuck.  The Disney songs will be great because they're all well written. 

Brian can handle the music competently.  He can handle the arrangement competently.  He can't write to save his life anymore.  Since the Disney stuff is already lyrically nice, he'll really knock it out of the park. 

If his vocals are anything like they were on TLOS or (especially) BWRG, then we're in for a treat.

Yap. Guys, it's gonna be great.

It seems a significant oversight by Brian and everyone running his life for him that he should have two albums ready for release virtually simultaneously. If he was Radiohead of something then it might not make any difference as wealthy middle-classfans would just happily buy both.

Having said that, if there was someone thinking to themselves: Hmm, shall I buy the great lost Smile sessions, or shall I buy an album of Disney covers, you'd think that the decision - depending on the fan - should be quite easy.

Easy solution to having two Brian Wilson albums coming out at the same time: just make the Disney album part of the Smile Sessions box set!  ;D

Don't forget Al's CD Postcards with bonus tracks…    be good to know where Dave's album's at too.

Who said Brian was at fault? ITKOD was completely finished in May. Disney are the ones sitting on it.

Damn those Disney swine!

..waiting for the hype in the press during the weeks after the release date announcement and before the ultimate SMiLE SESSIONS release. ITKOD and the SMiLE SESSIONS (as well as Al's POSTCARD) then will be released within weeks of each other. At least, that's my guess. Let's hope all this will still happen in 2011. Maybe if the SMiLE SESSIONS release is postponed again, Disney releases ITKOD for the 2011 christmas market featuring a better marketing campaign then Brian's previous solo albums. I don't know...

He left the most important finger of all, though...

I don't know what world you live in, but in my world, it's not that big of a deal to buy two albums, within the same month.  Sorry.  It's just not.

You miss the point.

One word: marketing.

No I didn't.  You even took a stab at "Middle Class fans" who would happily buy both if it were Radiohead.  You clearly were talking about financial matters.  Is $12 times 2, really that big of a deal for you?  Hell you're just going to download it anyways. 

I really don't get what you guys are hearing. I think one of the big problems with BW recordings these days (and back in 2004 for that matter) is in fact his vocal performance. He sounds kind of slurred, and not to mention heavily tuned at times. And this is the primary reason on why I rather would not see the Disney album be released (which it of course will be). Trying to make a new version of for instance 'When you wish upon a star' is in my opinion pointless. The original is so good both musically and vocally that I think a BW version per today would not go well with me. Brian anno 1966 on the other hand, I can only imagine being close to perfect.

To each his own, I guess. I think his voice sounds spectacular - and at his age, what we hear is nothing to sniff at.

Well, if you take age in to consideration, I would still say that Al sounds better, PMC sounds better, Ray Davies sounds better, etc, etc

They autotune Macca too - try listening to Good Evening NYC sometime.

Good for you, Ron.

Personally, every few weeks once the food supply & money supply runs very low, I end up getting by on a few slices of bread per day and feeling like there's a void in my stomach from the hunger. Purchasing the expensive Smile Sessions set and this new Disney album is not even worth thinking about at the moment. The only way I'll ever afford the former is if someone gives me $200 free, otherwise it would take a while to save up that much and not need to use it on more practical things.

Send all your canned goods to my house, please.

I am sure they do, but I guess i just think Macca sounds better, age considering.

Amen, ghost. The closer it gets to the end of the year the more likely I'll be getting it  as a birthday or christmas present, but if not I'm buying this boxset against my better judgement....

The album's artwork is now up at Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/BrianWilsonLive/status/104185569881489408/photo/1/large (http://twitter.com/#!/BrianWilsonLive/status/104185569881489408/photo/1/large)

 :o

...and there goes any hard-won maturity of the Gershwin cover, I guess!

Oh................dear..................Then again, I never thought much of TLOS cover and look what we got inside of that!

My actual reaction was a minute or so of stunned silence followed by..... "Oh wow".

That is crap. I might not even buy that on vinyl, you can hide a cd's artwork better.

(http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3051/axikouvcaaaynhkjpglarge.jpg)


Brian Wilson Drives Insane

(http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/4522/57228949.jpg)

(http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/5755/29356351.jpg)

(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/641/48617358.jpg)

Left rear hubcap's lookin' a bit scary. :tm

Well, the hub on the spare is looking quite happy!! :)

I like it - could have been a LOT worse. BW surrounded by a bunch of Disney characters ?

What about the angry face on the left rear bumper?...complete with the hamburger helper oven mit.

Besides the creepy faces peppered througout the cover, I really like the design.

Edit: granted, the font used for the name 'Brian Wilson' makes this album seem very country western...

I didn't think it was that bad until the font hit me

Yeah, I feel for you. There you are, spending 90% of your time posting your messages on this board from the library so you can save up the money that your mom and dad are giving you to buy food for the household: 

That would of been just plain weird. BW ,the adult/child surrounded by disney characters. :-D

Careful bgas, ghost might not really be 16. He might be grooming you… standby for an invite to a one-on-one SMiLE listening party any day now!

...while sporting his trademark "deer in the headlights" facial expression of course.

Hee heeeeeeee!   ;D

I'm split on the artwork..

None the less I'm excited for this album

I LOVE that cover. Makes much more sense then the Gershwin one imo.

I don't think I'm gonna get this one. BWRG was a little too on the corny side for me... Bring back the mini Moogs, hoarse vocals, and crude drumming!

If you cover up the creepy Mickey-head sun, it's a pretty cool cover.  And I agree, it's better than a horrible photo of Brian surrounded by children. 
I just hope that Disney actually promotes this project. 

As for the timing with the Smile Sessions, remember that the SS box is not a Brian Wilson solo project (well, it is, but you know what I mean).  As far as Capitol is concerned, it's a Beach Boys release.  If it does come out in November, that places it well for Christmas promotion.  Gee, didn't the Pet Sounds box come out on November 4th?  So it makes sense.

But I'm not putting faith in any release date until I see a pre-order listing on Amazon.  Then I'll know that it's closer to reality. 

Or that odd forced smile he has sometimes.

You got me, bgas. Better go do my Spanish homework now then...

This is going to be so awesome

(http://popcultureplaypen.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/disney-princessfaces.jpg)

Go for it, Earcandy!

The cover is seriously growing on me. It's beautiful

Mmmm the Arab chick is cute. So is Alice.

Your girlfriend/wife/partner must love you...

My girlfriend does love me, thank you  :)

Has anyone mentioned that the release date is October 25, according to Brian's Twitter? If someone did, I missed it.

never gonna happen man.

That's pretty much all I have to say about it.

Well, very reminding of the "Songs from here & back" cover of the Beach Boys. But it's okay. Has some Disney feeling, so what the hell. Bring it on. I'm much more interested in the music anyway

:rock :woot

http://www.examiner.com/beach-boys-in-national/brian-wilson-the-key-of-disney?CID=examiner_alerts_article

i like the artwork. a little generic, but i especially like the way the wood grain blends into the sand and surf.

the mickey sun is kind of clever, if a little creepy

I could have done without the selections from Lion King to be honest, but the rest looks promising.

Actually, I'm really looking forward to this! Can't wait to hear what his rendition of 'Kiss The Girl' sounds like!

Way too much modern stuff for my tastes. :-\ I'm glad there are a few classics on there.

Cool. Pleased about these since I'm familiar with them enough to recall the songs to mind in various ways. Not too familiar with the others might check them out, might wait to hear Brian's versions. I got a good feeling seeing You've Got a Friend & Bear Necessities at the top since I thought Brian would do these well and we know he has loved Randy Newman's music for a while...

what's the story with the font?

(http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/300x300/47338829.jpg)

Thanks for the link !

I tried to find the original Disney versions of the songs on youtube.

You’ve Got a Friend In Me :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHFy3YWpRx8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHFy3YWpRx8)

Bare Necessities :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcglnY_xGfc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcglnY_xGfc)

Baby Mine :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7JvL2ap3Cg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7JvL2ap3Cg)

Kiss the Girl :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lOBc3QZD9w (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lOBc3QZD9w)

Colors of the Wind :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTCuQ5FzhYg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTCuQ5FzhYg)

Can You Feel the Love Tonight? :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8FM8nyy_Fk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8FM8nyy_Fk)

We Belong Together :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7ZjO-Nf5Q (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7ZjO-Nf5Q)

I Just Can’t Wait to Be King :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGIoRUlzE2Q (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGIoRUlzE2Q)

Stay Awake :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yC_voMY6kY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yC_voMY6kY)

Heigh-Ho :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aURThUaRjCc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aURThUaRjCc)

Whistle While You Work :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY3aljAO7qU&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY3aljAO7qU&feature=related)

When You Wish Upon a Star :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKh6XxYbbIc&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKh6XxYbbIc&feature=related)

Which one does George Jones sing? Need to hear that....

"Rage Italic" is its name I think. You see it in everything, they might as well have used Comic Sans.
OH wait, no. I don't think it's Rage Italic. You can tell that it has some crude Photoshop filters, though.

i like the cover, i don't like the font as much. but the whole idea of the cover is great. makes sense.

Hmm:


•   “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” (from “Toy Story”)

Great choice. This is perfect for Brian.

•   “Bare Necessities” (from “Jungle Book”)

Obvious lol. Good use of Brian's "deep" vocals

•   “Baby Mine” (from “Dumbo”) *a doo-wop lullaby


As many have said, this definitely looked like a possibility from the start.

•   “Kiss the Girl" (from “The Little Mermaid”)

While not my favorite song from the movie, I think it'd be tough for Brian to do "Part of your World"  ;D

•   “Colors of the Wind” (from “Pocahontas”)

Prefer "Just around the River Bend" but this is better for Brian

•   “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” (from “The Lion King”)

HELL YES! This was my big hope for the album. Easily a top 3 Disney song for me.

•   “We Belong Together” (from “Toy Story 3”)

Haven't had the chance to watch Toy Story 3 yet  :(

•   “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” (from “The Lion King”)

Should be nice though perhaps "Circle of Life" would've been better

•   “Stay Awake" (from “Mary Poppins”)

Almost forgot about this song. Interesting choice

•   “Heigh-Ho/Whistle While You Work” (from “Snow White”) [instrumental]

Interesting choice for a instrumental medley.

•   “When You Wish Upon a Star” (from “Pinocchio”)

Let's be honest...we all saw this coming  :lol

Even more pumped now. Only disappointment is no Aladdin songs.

So happy about "Baby Mine" and "Color Of The Wind" which are my 2 favorite Disney songs.

And Ghost's alternate artwork is interesting although I am looking forward to Earcandy's spin on it.

I'm looking forward to this cd.

I never understood people that think like you.  If it's not your cup of tea, just don't buy the album.  Don't say you don't want it released, because that screws the rest of us over!  Why does the world have to conform to what you want it to be?  Let Brian release music if he wants, if you don't like it, don't listen to it.  "I rather would not see the Disney album be released" to hell with you. 

A. Less Internet
B. More Work

Thanks man! Looks great.  I hope the album sounds as fun as the cover looks.

There's a lot of music and artists I don't like but (Smiths/Morrissey excepted) I don't tell other fans their albums shouldn't be released: I just don't listen to them.

Work is for phosphorus deficient brains.

Thank you for the link.  The ONLY ONE I'm not excited about, is "Colors of the Wind", I don't see how in the hell he's going to pull that off.  The original was pretty crappy, I liked it because the video had the beautiful Vanessa Williams singing it, so hell it was good to watch, but I don't think the song's that great.  Take away Vanessa Williams, and I really don't see any reason for me to listen to it, lol.

Maybe he'll shock me.  The other ones, ALL sound interesting.  I agree the Lion King ones might be weak; I'm so used to Elton John's versions of those songs, it's really been oversaturated over the years, I've heard those two songs millions of times it seems.  Maybe Brian can put enough of a twist on them that they'll sound new again.  Bare Necessities is going to be awesome.  

The thing though that dissapoints me the most is all the great songs that he didn't record.  Hell he would have had to do 5 cd's though to satisfy everybody, so I understand.  

The most interesting point here? Brian has actually completed and had a record company release both albums of a "two-album deal." It's never happened before!

They had to have known that BWRG wouldn't sell a ton of records, and they went ahead and did the second one.

They keep suggesting that Brian was approached about doing a Disney album, and he said he wanted to do a Gerswhin album first. 

So  if that's true, maybe Disney did him a solid, and this is the album they really wanted to get behind? 

Wtih the success of Rod Stewart's cover albums, and Michael McDonald's cover albums, they might be trying to pull something like that out of their hat.  Brian can't support the album with tours the way those guys did, though.  Oh well it'll be interesting to see what happens.

Damn - beat me to it !  :)

I guess you could make a case for GIOMH and BWPS ... but why would you want to?

Which song will be Shortenin' Bread this time?
(Desert Drive, Going Home, I Got Rhythm,...)

SCrew ther fucking mouse.

Its going to be interesting to hear Brian's arrangement of "When You Wish Upon a Star"( Brian's inspiration for "Surfer Girl") complete with Beach Boys-esqe backing vocals.
Sounds like a perfect fit to me.

Thanks to a tip from Christian, I found it. The Possum sings "You've got a friend in me" with Kathy Mattea. Great job by George as could be expected
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8uJm7UBHFY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8uJm7UBHFY)

Are we putting bets on whether or not the first and last songs on the album are done a cappella?

Desert Drive and I got Rhythm have that riff?

where at?

When I saw the tracklist, the first thing that popped in my head was, I'll bet he does When You Wish .... acapella. 

I hope it's going to be "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150284295279235&oid=34250497240&comments

First songs up - Heigh Ho/Whistle While You Work

AND IT'S AMAZING

Can't find a version for the non FB brigade....

Yeah I lke the merging of the Pirate theme with Whistle While You Work.

This bodes really well for the project though - it's so silly, which is what I hoped it'd be.

the adult/child lives with this awesome song.

I was surprised by the track just posted on FB, better than I was hoping for. I can't wait to hear Brian do "You've Got A Friend In Me" (providing the track list is legit), even before we heard about this Disney album, that has always been one I wished Brian would cover, I have high hopes.

I like it very much. It has that Disney comic feeling with Brian's best childish side.

Holy smoke! Two new BW tracks in a single day.

This one is definitely cool, if a little dotty. Would be interested to know BW's contributions vs. the band's -- we know how involved he was with Gershwin. I wonder if that was continued with this project, or if he unloaded more of the production.

I so wanna sample this and rap over it.

I like it. This easily stands the old "Would I listen to this if it wasn't Brian Wilson?" test. While most of 'BWRG' didn't.

Very SMiLEish...wasn't sold at first but I like it.


Wait...what other new track?

Unless are you counting the medley as two?

Personally? I AM SO FARKING PISSED that he didn't cover the Tiki Room song!!!!!

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,10874.0.html

Love the happy fun sound of it!

Listen to that at 1:35! Sounds brilliant!

Reminds me a little of Teeter Totter Love...very Smilesque....terrific

Damn facebook! :(

Quirky and unexpected -  know what folk are saying about Smile-quirky - lacks that darker vibe but understandably so. Lovin' it, far more than the BH cover!!

Perhaps it was put a little bit wrong. But what got me into the BB all those years ago was Brian and his brothers' voices. And in my opinion, releases like this (and I hope I'm wrong) won't add to the legacy of Brian Wilson. And this primarily because of his voice, which I find to be very hard to listen to in his old days.  Like I said, this is my opinion, and it might just be me.

Take a chill-pill, buddy. I was just voicing my opinion.

So does that mean an artist should only release music that adds to their "legacy"?

(http://www.tripletsandus.com/disney/snow-white/jpg/Dwarfs/Seven-Dwarfs.jpg)


Grumpy reminds me of Brian ca. 1979  ;D

Not sure what you were trying to link there Rocker...

Perhaps not, I guess it depends on how much it would weaken his or her's legacy. If a famous and legendary actor got brain damaged, should he do more movies, even if it meant ridicule? I'm not saying this is the case with Brian, but I'm just saying that someone as brilliant as Brian Wilson should ideally pretty much deliver a perfect product. And how I perceive Brian's voice to be these days, I am scared that 'In the Key of Disney' will be far away from perfect. Sorry, if I'm being pessimistic here, but that's just how I feel.

Love it! It has a Vega-tables intro feel to it!

PS If you have youtube downloader and set the quality to best available, you can have a great quality copy of the track to listen whenever you like.... not that anyone would

 :angel:

I think that releases like this one are a major addition to his legacy. A rock legend that releases six (mostly very enjoyable) new studio albums in seven years time after decades of not being very productive, I'd call that an epic comeback. Sure, this album won't be "first purchase" material, but nobody expects a musician to release his most essential material when he's in his late sixties. Nobody expects that from McCartney, the Stones or Dylan, and nobody expects that from Brian Wilson. Everything new we're getting now is basically bonus material.

Tansen, you're actually not answering the question I posed. Or that you yourself asked:

"If a famous and legendary actor got brain damaged, should he do more movies, even if it meant ridicule?"

What do you think?

"And how I perceive Brian's voice to be these days, I am scared that 'In the Key of Disney' will be far away from perfect."

Does that mean it shouldn't be released?

The first question; most certainly not. No, I don't think an actor should do more movies in that case.
Question two is more ambivalent, I guess I came out a little too strong when I said it shouldn't be released - but like I've mentioned previously, I'd much more like to see Brian do more songwriting and producing than performing.

Well, you know the difference is that Dylan still got pretty much the same voice he've had for ages, Stones are the Stones, and Paul McCartney still has a great voice in my opinion. I'm not expecting brilliance in terms of songwriting from any of the acts, but the vocal quality is very important to me.

The first question; most certainly not. No, I don't think an actor should do more movies in that case.
Question two is more ambivalent, I guess I came out a little too strong when I said it shouldn't be released - but like I've mentioned previously, I'd much more like to see Brian concentrate on songwriting/producing than on performing.

Wonderful..

Anyone catch the "shortnin bread" riff  ;D

So you believe that the potential ridicule of the public should be given more weight than the desire of an individual to create art?

I enjoyed the track, very fun and reminiscent of "Vegatables" percussion wise, as others have mentioned.  I'm not familiar with too many Disney songs, so I'm looking forward to this release. 

As for the vocal quality issue, I'd say Brian still sounds pretty damned good for a guy pushing 70 who purposely wrecked his voice and has been through hell.  I don't expect him to sound 24, and the fact that he sounds his age rarely bothers me - it's only when he tries singing something that he sang better in his younger days ("Surf's Up" immediately springs to mind as the biggest offender).  But a project like this (and BWRG) allows him to use his voice on songs better suited for it, and I think he's sounded great on recent recordings, all things considered.

do you have to do facebook to hear this?  homey dont do facebook >:(

this is the only thing keeping me alive. i'm catatonically suicidally depressed but this ridiculous song has got me feeling good. brian's voice is the best on it. very distinctive - he's really coming into something cool i think with the gershwin album and this. i'm getting this Disney album before the Smile Sessions. if i have not ceased to be entirely, - ghost

this sounds better than BWPS. the electric guitar when it comes in has such a classic cartoonish sound. HI HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - damn, brian's voice is COOL. he sounds so BIG like a yetti.

i didn't donald - the link on page 6 of this thread takes me right to a player with a HD option, all very convenient actually

Heigh Ho/Whistle While You Work - very quirky, very cool and like someone mentioned before the intro is remniscient of the Vegatables intro. To me the vibe of this is similar to I Got Plenty Of 'Nuttin from BWRG. Good times to be a Beach Boys and Brian Wilson fan!

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

Brian's got some glaring omissions...

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8R4p6t9250

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9aNxs66i_c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSXM3Zg0eBo

UUGGHH. I've never been a Disney fan, but this stuff is even worse than I imagined. I think, when it comes right down to it, the only BW solo record I can stand is BW '88. Year after year I keep looking forward to the next new album, and each time it feels less and less like something BW had any hand in. The quirkiness seems forced but so does the BW-like music. Oh hell, I'm sure I'll buy it 'cos I love the man, but just like everything from Sweet Insanity on, it's gonna sit on the shelf filling in its place in the complete recorded works of BW area, with only a couple trips to the cd player.
But if you like it, this is awesome news and you must be psyched!

Been a tough 23 years, huh?

okay, so there are two elton john compositions, two randy newman tracks and a song that van dyke parks did an arrangement for. can't we focus on this instead of the "disney" part of it?

Yes!  That's exactly what I was hoping for too, for Brian to just let his hair hang down. 

This is even better than I imagined, the percussion stuff in the background was totally unexpected, I'm sitting here with the biggest grin on my face.  Brian, or whoever ghost produced this, lol still has it!  Wow!  I'm really happy about this song, what a fresh sound.  Go Brian! 

Two of the best voices in the Beach Boys are dead, and one of the others is a mentally ill grandfather.  Vocally it's just not going to happen anymore, man like the Beach Boys did it.  HOWEVER!  That same Mentally Ill Grandfather can still produce as well as he ever did.  Just listen to the soundscapes he creates, every once in awhile, like today, he knocks it out of the park like he used to.  Go Brian!!!

< edited, violation board rule #2 >  Brian makes music.  It's the 1 friggin' thing he's good at, if it were up to you, he wouldn't be allowed to do that either.  If Brian starts making the sh*ttiest music ever recorded, it still won't change the fact that he enjoys it and it's not up to you to decide if he gets to do it.

If an actor got Brain damage, yes he should still be allowed to act if he wants.  f*ck his legacy.  Who cares about that?  Live for the moment.  In this moment, Brian is recording, doing what he likes to do.  He's doing a damn good job of it, too, all sources considered.  

You must be the type of < edited, violation board rule #2 > that tells his 5 year old "No honey, you colored outside the lines, I will not hang it on the refrigerator... you're not very good"  


It is appriciated if the board rules are taken seriously: a personal opinion is allowed, calling names as a reply is not.

Just on the BW front.
It's just the voice is SOOOO not good (in a bad way, not not good like Randy Newman which IS actually good) and the music seems really indie-popped out (also, obviously, not good) that I don't really even hear ANY BW element that I recognize or think sounds good.
In my mind I picture the band going in, recording some mid-sixties-style-yet-slightly-modern sounding tracks, working up some backing vocals and then Melinda carts BW in and props him in front of a music stand while the engineers cringe knowingly to one another and whisper "we'll fix it in the mix" while Jeff jots down all the places he's going to have to cover for BW's leads with his own double-tracked co-lead.
And that's the last FOUR albums (not including TLOS which BW supposedly had a hand in writing at least)

Plus, why'd it have to be Disney!? Why not Spector or Phil Collins or ANYbody that Brian has actually expressed some liking towards? I mean, I know why it had to be Disney, but come on man!

agreed.

Sounds like you have some issues to work out. Given that we know for a fact that that's not how any of these albums were recorded.

Let's be honest, if there's one thing fairly consistent about BW's solo career it's the recurring question of whether or not he was heavily involved in any recent production effort. For his older fans it must've been this way ever since the seventies and personally I think it's a very interesting (if sometimes frustrating) topic to think about and discuss.

I agree the quirky elements here do sound rather forced. It's probably supposed to be "Smile-like" but for me it doesn't really work at all.

Really enjoyed the recent Buddy Holly cover version, though, and I think I'll have to check out the original.

In some cases, yes. Like I said, if Brian could really concentrate on writing some killer songs, and have a different band perform it, I think that would not only add to his 'legacy', but it would spawn great reviews, which again would put Brian in a good place. I just think he should channel his strength to what he's still good at.

It's hard to get a lock down on Brian's career. I've gotten the feeling that ever since Friends he's been less interested in his music career, he can still make some good songs, but definitely needs to be inspired. I just get the feeling that the inspiration is pretty much dried up. Basically everyone in the indie music world name checks Brian Wilson, I'm sure he could get somebody really hip to produce him and write some songs with him, but that's not going to happen. The Disney album is what it is, for better or worse its harmless.

So you must have missed the bajillion interviews over the years where he says he loves 'When You Wish Upon A Star', then.

I know the tracklisting doesn't quite live up to the potential (two from the Lion King is two too many), but the Disney songbook is some of the best music ever written, really. But different strokes. I think BW is getting more and more in control of his solo career in some respects. He told Disney he wanted to do a Gershwin album and they let him!

Personally I'm hoping 'When I See an Elephant Fly' and 'Feed The Birds' are b-sides....

that's a fun and daft track. hope it's all as quirky as this...

the first few minutes remind me a lot of the music of Louis Hardin AKA Moondog, another great American eccentric.

Grillo - I feel your pain if you've been disappointed with the many works of BW since the magnificent 88 album but I have to say I think you over-egg the pudding just a wee bit. BW was certainly more than supposedly involved in the writing of TLOS - a quick listen to that album and the associated extras (message man) etc will tell you that surely. no way to fake that signature style. thousands have tried. including me. :-D

Yeah, on first listen when that guitar came in I started smiling, and I didn't stop smiling until the song was over.  This song is lots of fun.

Since I first saw the tracklist I've been thinking about this song (don't know why this particular one, maybe because it was listed as an instrumental).  I was trying to imagine how it would be done, and I couldn't stop thinking about the second part of Brian's version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas.  You know...sort of a straight surf band arrangement.  Not that that would've been a bad thing, but this is so much cooler.  Nice job.  I'm gonna listen again right now.

Surely the many worlds of difference between Brian's vocals on something like Rainbow Eyes from GIOMH and Someone To Watch Over Me from BWRG indicate that 'fixing it in the mix' can only take you so far.

Well put.
For some reason, even though I know NOT to expect ANYTHING, I secretly expect to be moved by some incredible thing that only BW could have created each time I buy a new BW album, but that just doesn't happen anymore and I guess I just need to deal with it...
Anyone know any good counselors?  :)

That's interseting. AGD do you think that Brian doesn't have much input to this stuff ? BWRG sounded too inspired for just a phone-in from Brian. What about ITKOD ? If you got any infos....

Look VERY closely - it's not AGD  :lol

It's a trap

Worse, it's a boring troll.

It's bizzaro AGD!

Listen to Me is atrocious and pointless, and obviously done in about ten minutes.

Deep down in my soul I know that 'Heigh-Ho/Whistle While You Work' is also wrong in many ways, but wtf, I like it!

I'm incredibly impressed that so many of you people have actually heard any of the originals on this album apart from 'Bare Necessities', but then I suppose you've had to sit through them with your kids often enough, or maybe its just because most of you are American and Disney somehow is part of your social fabric, hell - part of your DNA!  :-D

I just need to check in here and say for sure that Mr. Bob Dylan does NOT have the same vocal sound he's had for ages. He sounded one way from his self titled to Blonde on Blonde, then sounded kinda different on John Wesley Harding, sounding freakin' awesome in different way on Nashville Skyline, sounded like he had a cold on New Morning, and then sounded like something approaching his classic vocal sound on Planet Waves, Blood on the Tracks, and Desire. But every album since then he kept getting more nasal. By Oh Mercy he sounded like his throat was pinched, Time Out of Mind he sounded even more pinched (but it worked), and now these days he has something resembling a croak, NOTHING like classic Bob.

Mick Jagger, well, I don't think he ever had that special of a voice, so yeah, he sounds fine. And Sir Paul? Yeah he sounds pretty good, but just a cursory listen to his albums shows a MUCH deeper voice than the old days.

I agree that Brian would have more commercial success with his old vocals, but they aren't there anymore. Honestly, I think thats why the post Holland Beach Boys never had too much success with their new material. The only original material that really became "hits" of any kind were "It's OK" which had a classic BB summer sound, "Good Timin'" which was a classic BW ballad with great classic BB harmonies which many love, and "Getcha Back", which made Brian sound somewhere close to his old vocal glories. Then you got "Kokomo" of course, which was a Jimmy Buffett-lite type deal attached to an '80's Tom Cruise movie.


Well, wanna know what I think? Here's a great band he could write for: THE BEACH BOYS!

You got Al on a few tracks, Mike will do his few leads, and have Brian take the lead on a few nice ballads, maybe "Please Let Me Wonder" type stuff, which he still sounds AWESOME on. Trust me, I'm not a BW vocals apologist, but I think Brian sounds great on a relaxed ballad type sound, and I think a new Beach Boys album with all of them putting in hard work, and producing TOGETHER, because let's be honest, Brian probably doesn't wanna produce at age 70, would probably get some good reviews and decent sales, which I bet ya would make Mr. Brian D. Wilson quite happy.

I love both the new tracks for different reasons. Heigh Ho my kids love, and Listen to Me is a nice polished vocal arrangement,what I'd expect from Brian doing Buddy. I think at this point Brian is making music for his family. My family appreciates that...

Goddamnit !!
 ::)

It took me a few posts to realize it wasn't AGD lol - I kept thinking how weird it was that he would voluntarily draw in horns on his avatar :-D

I think BW fans have been wandering the same old thoughts for decades now. The same discussions and comments arise every time a new release appears. A single person is prone to contradict himself within a very short time frame...
On a first listen Brian still has it; then it's not up to his legacy; then it's just that he has no interest in the project... Then someone says that he lost it 40 years ago. Then it's not that he lost it... he has it but keeps it to himself (and superfans in the know). Then the whole thing is fake: Brian sings indifferently to tracks he had nothing to do with, is heavily autotuned and a fake documentary is shot to show that he was at the helm. When the whole things begins to sound just right, we are reminded that the songs date  from 25 years back.

My toughts:
 there's lots of grey areas, indeed, we don't know many of the details. But keep in mind that the stuff that BW's band members do on their own pale in comparison to most of what they've done with the guy.

A collaboration with an indie musician would be BW singing dit dits to such hipster's songs.

For me, the real deal is a new collaboration with Mike Love. With Mike, it's Hawthorne CA 1961 all over again. It's the good and bad memories. It's Murry and it's Dennis. It's Judy Bowles and Al's folk attempts with a broken leg. It's aiming for a no. 1 hit. It's hanging out at the Which Stand while fearing and loving present and future. It's making room for his cousin's bass vocals and leads and his own 70 year old falsetto. It's competition and fear. It's rising up to the occasion even if something like "the shift" comes out. There's no fake there. A crappy song may come out of it, be it won't become any more real than that. It so real that it scares the crap out of everyone involved. It's so damn real that forces have been keeping it from happening for who knows how long.

Interesting thought. And basically echoing what I said earlier. A Beach Boys reunion I think is where we'd get the "realest" Brian, if only because I don't think Mike, Al and Bruce will deal with him if it seems like he is being "used" again, like he was with Dr. Landy.

Hang in there ghost. The smile sessions will have you back on track and I'm sure it won't be long now.

As for this disney song, I'm not sure what to make of it. It doesn't grab me in quite way the Gershwin stuff did. It feels a bit more glossy and I wonder how much of that may be down to trying to conform to the disney joe public, but I'll definitely reserve my judgement until I hear more. To be honest I have lower expectations for this and just hope it functions as a fun listen-with-the-kids album.

Fishmonk = Sgt. Smile = Andrew G. Foe.

I'm you Andrew, I am the secrets you keep bottled up inside. Join me. Join me Andrew and never be alone again.  >:D

Credit where credits due.

Andrew G Foe is a genius creation

This is going to get odd.

...........And Shady keeps encouraging him.   Genius creation, my ass.   "Post of the day."  "Post of the year."  "Best post ever."   Bull poo!!   You boys need to get off the effing computer and go find something constructive to do.   Seriously.

I'm not encouraging him , I just find the Andrew Foe thing funny..

I actually got a problem with everyone who's responsible for the closing of the smile thread.

I'd like to see them banned or at least get warnings

And you think his current band would?

No one was really more responsible than anyone else. People on both ends of the "debate" are assholes an equal amount but always believe that they're the ones being wronged and it's not their fault. Someone right now changed their avatar/name to make fun of me, I changed mine to make fun of AGD. The whole atmosphere here is really pretty pathetic, a bunch of nerds wetting themselves because somebody has evaluated the whole TSS situation differently than them. It's been interesting changing the names up, it's good to keep people on their toes as it seems many posters here care less about the content of posts than they do about who's posting it.

You're the one changing avatars to insult people and we're pathetic? Ok.

We all are.

Well, you really opened my eyes there.

Here's why this song is awesome: it's like you've got so depressed that you break through to the other side - you switch from your right amygdala to the left and experience ecstatic insanity. The flute part of the song is so delightfully mad. It's Syd Barrett on a picnic having a good day.

I just put this track on as soon as I got home from hell [obligations] and it's lifting me right out of my misery. And I was miserable - mostly catatonic in my remote schizoid behavior, but at one point I cracked and stormed out of somewhere and walked a few miles crying just melting in my mind. Now I feel better. Although I guess the cabaniscabinessence didn't hurt either.

Another irony about this tune -- there is so much griping about Brian's voice (or lack of same), that it has gone without notice that he barely sings on this teaser track.

That 'Heigh-Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo' he gets is boss, though.  ;D

He's on all the stacks of vocals, just not mixed high at all.

Wow, I listened to a few times and couldn't hear him at all.

Since Brian's chorus hook is done we just need Mike Love to write a rap to the verses. The new Beach Boys #1 - Hey Ho.

1:15 and on puts the biggest smile on my face

Same here man. Feels good right?

Feels real good..

Pumped for this album

any news yet on which songs or versions have influenced Brian on this album? i'd like to hear versions he might have used as a basic template of the song to work from in Brianizing it.

although i guess it would be the ones that appeared in the movies? i haven't seen them all.

Isn't that him doing the bass voice in the beginning, and the bass (or maybe baritone) part of tweedle-dee-dee? I hear a lot of Darian in the harmonies. Is that Brian doing the first "heigh ho"? And I can hear Brian again when they sing in unison at the end.

Honestly, if I didn't know beforehand, I probably would have never known that was a song performed by "Brian Wilson".

However, I did find the Buddy Holly cover enjoyable, and that is the kinda way I hope he sings on the supposed new Beach Boys album. On songs like this and on most of BWRG I can definitely hear that this is the same guy who sang "Please Let Me Wonder" and the bridge to "Surfer Girl." His singing is really pretty on some of his newer material, and I hope this continues on the Disney album even though I don't really have much excitement for it.

I listened to "Heigh-Ho, etc." three times using the link on Brian's site (http://brianwilson.com/disney/).

I hear Brian's voice in the mix in places. That track has some major Spike Jones influence, methinks. Kind of appropriate considering that the Beach Boys' and Spike Jones' stars are next to each other on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  8)

I love this. I think its time I make a confession. One of my fav things of all time is ALL things Disney. I am a huge Imagineering nerd, and am willing to admit I've gone to WDW a bajlillion times (it helps I'm in Florida). Anyway, to put two of my favorite things together like this, there are no words to describe how ecstatic I am.

Me too I thought it was a bit strange that he would deface his own work of art,and  only just noticed it was Foe not Doe. :-D

My favourite part is the key change/chord at 1.38.A good chord key change warms my heart! 8o

My favourite part is the key change/chord at 1.38.A good chord/key change warms my heart! 8o

My favourite part is the key change/chord at 1.38.A good chord/key change warms my heart! Geek

M̸̝͈̰̫ͅy͕̠̠ ̗͐̐̆ͯͮ͢f̫͖̠̝͚̋ͧ͑ͣ͊̍̐ả̓̑v̵̋ͨͬo̶̮͕̫̹͛̌͗u͊̍́ͅr͉̩̩̳̋̒͂̑͆͑̾i̸̤̥̞͚̻̦ͩ́t̯͖̆͢e̗̭̤͈̣͙̾̒ͣ̕ ̞͉͇͒̏̊̋̌͠p̶̭ͦ̈́͆a̸̭ͬ̎̿̌͒̇r͎̥͖̼̻͖ţ͓̍̐̀̔ ̱͒̿̈́̔̐̋i̼̙̦̠͇̎s̙̥̗͕ͤͧͤ̓͒ͅ ̙ͤ̏ͣͦ̌t̰̞̠̼ͨ́̏̿̒͘ḫ̥̮͇͌ẹ̖̳̗͓͎̃ ͇͈̱ͨ̆̿̿kͣ̇͊͏͇̳̰̪͙̜̱e̫̻̭̜̣ͧ̓̈̂y͖̻ ̬̰͕ͯͪ͒͡ç͔͎͚͎͍͈̊͛̆h͚̔͊̃aͤ̆ͧ̇̏̃҉̮̜͚̯̳̠̭ṇ̀̅͞g̫͍͙͖̺͍͉̾̐ë́ͣ́ͪ̒̃/̺̦̫̉́̐ͦ̀c͉͂̓h͢o̺̥̺̼̫̟ͫ̎́r̝̗͇̲ͥ̄̈́ͭ̓̔́͜d̪͎̠͌̇͂ͤ͛͂̈ ̧͖̂ͧ̅a̤̦t̶͎̭ ̢͇̟̬͎ͪ͌͋̈̀1̮̦̗̻̳͚̯͛̆͂ͦ͆ͧ͞.̦͑͞3̟̗̳͔̈́͒8̝̤͙̟̯͓̯ͥ͌.ͮ̈͑̆Ȃ͕̣̎ ̧͉͂g̷̗̦̟o̞ͦͤ̿ͨ̍͂͠oͣ̍ͤͪ͜d͉̉ͤ̀̽͠ͅ ̱̺ͣc̃ͯ̎͠h́oͣ͠r̠̣͎̄ͧͧͨ̒̉d̳̯͔̺̙̓̅̏̃ͤ͝/̣ͩ̂̀kͩͣe͇̱̊̈́̓ͮ̉y͓͖͕̏̒ ̪ͫͤ͒͌̍̑c͈̟̭̜h͞a͍̳̪͎̱͉̋̃̍ͯ́̓̕n͖ͪ͝g̛͌͗͊͊ͣ̔e̲͊ͯ̅ͦ̈́ͫ̒ ̟͈̝̞͖̭͕͢w͚̪̘ͪ͂͊̃̇̆́a̧͕̩̩̪̦̓ͫ͑r̟̟̩͔̺̙͍̍̂̎m̲͗̏̓̚s͕̄́͗̈́́͝ ̞̗͕͈̯͚͔̆͒m̛ͥͪ͛̈́ͬͧy̕ ̴̜̘͎̞̰͆̆ͅḧ̸̭̥ͬ͆ͅͅë̺̺̱̯́̈́̅ͭ̐̔a̷͇͚͚͇͕̒͐ͨͪ͗ͥȓ̜t̝̪̫̝̪̒̓͗̈ͣͩ̊!̢̞̠̟̜̣̅͊̉͐

It's either the weed or you guys are messing around

Woops i think i need to see an opthamologist  before i edit another post. :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[
Sorry bout that!

And stay off the acid! :3d :3d :3d :3d

My interest in Disney pretty much begins and ends with the influence Snow White had on Suspiria, but this track is a lot better than I was expecting.  I still hope this is the end of the cover albums though.

This album is going to be great but

+1

Original material after this please

Agreed.

But it also seems pretty well established that Brian doesn't really write anymore. He probably could be goosed by a collaborator, but unless he initiates it, I don't see anyone pushing him into that.

So I guess that's what I enjoy about this two-album project -- he gets to play with other folks' songs, produce, do some arranging and sing. It's a pleasant, low-key way to record. He gets to spends a few weeks in the studio and puts out a record a year. What's not to like?

After hearing Whistle While You Work, all I can say is I'm really looking forward.... .................. to The Smile Sessions Boxset being released.

Yup.

"Heigh Ho. Heigh Ho. It's off to the beach we go. We'll have fun fun fun in the sun sun sun. Heigh ho. Heigh ho. Heigh ho".

That would be Phil Cohen, then, by boring the ass off of everyone since the day after the official announcement by wailing that it hadn't been released yet, therefore the project was in trouble.

didnt have much hope for this album but......that song has really piqued my interest

well it's completely obliterated mine - I'm off to lie down

:lol

Such an unusal time to release an album like this, in a cold gloomy October..

Am I the only one who, upon hearing the percussion kick in, thought for a second that the song was about to become "Smart Girls"????   :)

October isn't cold and gloomy in California. 

Any more songs released early? This brain thinks Brian is entirely appropriate for this Disney project. The man used to have a tent, slide, etc in his house when he was in his mid-20s. In The Key Of Disney is the new Smile, don't you get it?

 :grouphug

This song is a message of LOVE to us just as much as Pet Sounds ever was!!!! I'd like to thank Brian for releasing this esoteric message & method of love-realization even in work - and we all know how that drains the spirit. You just sing the song like Brian. You pull out your flute and start playing! Jeff's laugh is so crazy on this - I guess if you stay sober long enough you go totally insane too. Doobedodoot! Yo ho ho ho, a pirate's wife for me. Hi Ho it's home from work we go Hi Ho Hi Ho Hi Ho Hi Ho Hi Ho all seven in a row Hi Ho Hi Ho Hi Ho Hi Ho to mak your troubles go just keep on singing all day long Hi Ho Hi ho Hi Ho Hi Ho for if you're feeling low you positively can';t go wrong with a hi hi ho

By the way, has anyone ever listened to something like Don't Talk and imagined it was Brian singing... to YOU?

Yes....yes I have, actually.


In a way, yes. Too bad 'Adult Child' was already sorta used, as it would have been most appropriate in this case.

Oh damn!  Best Brian's lead in a long long long while??

"Colors Of The Wind"
http://youtu.be/cAMOY1Y0Qxo (http://youtu.be/cAMOY1Y0Qxo)


I'm impressed.

 :o

Maybe I'll have to get this just for the vocal performances.

Entirely forgettable... my main impressions, unfortunately. Brian writes better songs than this in his sleep, why is he covering this thing?

How did this person get this? Why does it sound so choppy? Why am I asking so many questions?  :P

It's a pretty good lead though.

I thought it was my internet connection that was making it choppy - guess not. I only listened to a minute of it (I'll wait to hear the whole thing on the 24th of October). I really like what I heard though - has a great feel to it and Brian's vocal is great!

I like it. The vocals on Brian's last two albums sound  credibly like the 23 year old Brian who has aged, rather than the 36 year old Brian trying to recover his voice. Very expressive and lovely.

The album has leaked this morning. I don't know however what the source of the youtube video is, because the leaked entire album isn't choppy.
And Brian's lead very good indeed.

PS It is funny that now Brian is performing Bare Necessities, since VDP did the original arrangement... and Brian's arrangement sounds a bit SMiLE-ey instrumentally (a notable use of vibraphone and banjo).

It leaked, wow

Brian's singing is very good. But on the whole, the song doesn't catch me. Too many dit dits imo. Sounds like a nice filler.

The whole album leaked a month ahead of time? Ouch.

Please tell me where...now I'm curious.

My school has a pretty strict piracy policy...

Will be YT watching  :lol

It's beautfiul, I love it  :love

Downloading the album now

Hope it's good quality, if it's not I'll go ahead and delete

Holy hell Brian sounds awesome. His vocals have gotten better with every release since BWPS.

Cool leads.
So so song selection (some of the newer ones are forgettable).
Unsurprising production and arrangements.

Unharmful, lukewarm release.
An ok companion to the Gershwin album.

I say use these quality leads for a BB original release.

Great lead! Well done!

Very enjoyable album so far

Once again, as in Gershwin, I am refraining from listening to this until I have a physical copy in my hands. I have good feelings in general about this project, and I hope that as with BWRG I will be rewarded.

"Colors" is pretty striking, vocally. A real thematic link to the 70s eco-era BB songs.

It's apparently also out in lossless (FLAC) format already too, jeez. (Or, uh, so I'm told...)

Can You Feel The Love Tonight?  was a bad idea..

The rest is wonderful

Could someone P.lay M.e these tracks sometime?

I like it, Brian sounds great!! The kids are smiling!!

Might some Please Massage me? I am sore.

Seconding this.

OK Heigh Ho/Whistle is delightfully mad. ONLY Brian & Co could have come up with that.

I've only skimmed the rest, Bare Necessities struck me as very good. When You Wish...the perfect album closer.

One does wonder if it is also a career closer for Brian?

OK It is an MP3 I am reserving judgement until I her it properly. But there seems to be a *hell* of a lot of processing on Brian's voice. No autotune detected but some strange processing.

well like Lennon said "imagine no processsing"

Even Brian & The Gang can't redeem "Colors of the Wind" - just a horrible song.

it isn't hard to do
no need for fake harpsichords or pianos
no digital glitches too

imagine all the people
living life in peace
woo oo o

First impressions --

-- The awesome leads are really here to stay, aren't they?

-- Standout to me is "We Belong Together," of all things.

-- BW seems to be playing in "When You Wish" -- very simple, cool piano part.

-- Somewhat less distinctive instrumental arrangements than BWRG ... every song does not revisit a classic BB era. A little sparer sound, too. Good or bad? It's down to personal taste.

-- Once again, BW's least-convincing lead is on the "rock" tune. He's never really gotten the hang of those, has he?

-- BW sounds exceptionally at home with this materiasl. If BWRG was the "Pet Sounds" of the latter BW covers albums, ITKOD is the "Friends."

They turned "Kiss the Girl" into a near perfect pop song

By that, we mean a direct Spector tribute. Very cool, actually!

too    much    foskett  
in the mix

he haunts me... seriously
i just see him with that weird smile
belly extending out like a giant baby's head

Ok 3rd listen, this good, very good!

for some reason the production of the songs remind me of how he produced the "shut down vol2" and the "little deuce coupe" albums not a real early beach boys sound but not a latter sound either kind of inbetween.

his voice kind of reminds me of how he sounded in the late 60's when he was doing songs like "good time" (landlocked stuff) maybe the demo for " AWAKE".. he sounds younger and his voice is higher not quite falsetto but very high and clean sounding not alot of gruff or anything like that. I'm wondering if they sped it up a little bit,,,it sounds really good.

How is "Stay Awake"? I think perhaps this is the one I want to hear most.

Yes, his voice sounds great on Colors Of The Wind.

I can almost hear his old (young) voice in this, especially in the verses.

I wasn't going to buy this album.

I'd much prefer an original work by him.

Heigh Ho I found a bit too Brian-by-numbers.

But this track is lovely if simply for his vocal performance.

Think I shall purchase.

Sounds like maybe Brian is playing the fake harpsichord. It kind of hobbles along.

stunned listening to kiss the girl......

never never never never thought i would hear brian like this again.

The Beach Boys album reunion could work because Al, Mike, Bruce, and Brian can sound good in the studio. Just hoping they got Carl and Dennis vocals to use in the vaults. Hell, finish "Sandy she needs me".

I think the Gershwin project proved that songs we expect Brian to do great on are sometimes the ones he phones in. The other ones -- where, for whatever reason the stakes aren't as high -- are where he outperforms.

Ok this is good.. I am buying many for gifting purposes

For me?

No, I think that's my job.

My friend Bob

the cd is kind of short,,I wish they could have done a couple more songs..I'm going to guess that maybe best buy will have extra tracks or something..

Ugh, I absolutely love this

Can't wait to hear "Baby Mine".

The guy with a job ?

Brian's contribution to Deidre, right?

Why didn't Bruce use those lyrics, seriously?

Just finished listening to it. I liked it as much as I liked BWRG. Which is to say that I liked it a lot.  :3d

It's beautiful

Remember who gave us all TSS and GV (Stereo) and
PLEASE BE MY SAVIORS.

I guess Brian's folks must be pretty annoyed it leaked eh?  Still, they should have released it earlier given the fact that it was finished ages ago.

After these good reviews from you folks and because that Youtube video seemed to miss about 25% of the samples, I think I'm gonna hold out until the official release, seems to be something nice to look forward to.

One question though, how does You've Got a Friend in Me sound?  That is a significant song for me personally, so I'm particularly interested in how Brian will deal with it.

I imagine that's how Brian gets through all situations he can't figure out.

Mike: Hey, Brian!
Brian: Hello, MIke.
Mike: Say... how about we write songs? Y'know, like we used? About girls and stuff.
Brian: Dit dit.
Mike: Listen, Brian. It'll be real relaxed. Just us two. Maybe some wine.
Brian: Dit dit... DITDIT! Dit!
Mike: C'mon, Brian...
Brian: Dit Dit, Bop, Dit Dit!

Brian: "Jeff Foskett is the Beach Boys. We're just his messengers."

How are people hearing this? Can someone Please help Me out? Thanx

Wow, i'm surprised at how much I like this.

Ordered on Amazon.

Great Googley moogley those are some great mp3s of "in the key of Disney" by Brian Wilson

The Best BW track since "Melt Away" no doubt.

 :lol

Hahhahahahahhahahahhahahahaha!

Dada with the home run.

Ghost, you need to write Jeffery with a list of grievances..

I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking. When you heard the unmistakable Foskett falsetto on You've Got A Designated Driver In Me did you think YES! NEW JEFF FOSKETT VOCALS! or die a little inside?

I'll do a couple paper routes to buy this CD just for Stay Awake I guess, which sounds like a remnant from Brian's heroin days.

STAY AWAKKKKKKE
DON'T CLOSSSSSSSE YOUR EYESSSSS
THOUGH THE WORLD IS FAST ASLEEP
THOUGH YOUR PILLOW SOFT AND DEEP
YOU'RE NOT SLEEPY AS YOU SEEM
STAY AWAKKKKKKKE
DON'T NODDDDDDDD AND DREEEEAM
STAY AWAKKKKKKKE
DON'T NOD AND DREAM


my friend who seems to have acquired the same leak as you devious criminals brought this album over by the way, I never download leaks, although 75% of the reason is because i once did for another band and got a deadly virus on the computer that almost wiped all my stuff out.

To be honest when I heard "Stay Awake" I did think throw a few synths on that bad boy and you got a Love You classic

Well it sounds like that Spring demo with Brian playing and singing, Awake... is that what it's called? Awake my darling...

But the chord changes in the 'don't nod and dream' aroused images in my mind of brian in a very spacey weird heroin high playing an organ hypnotically like how he played heroes and villains with dennis in the cocaine sessions .

Never had any particular problem with the Foskett vocals. I've bought some of his solo stuff. Nice guy, good singer, and one of the few who can really nail that BW falsetto range without sounding weird (although Matt Jardine was also excellent).

The ultimate problem is just that that particular part has such an important role in BW's music that whoever sings it definitely shades how it sounds. Like when Steve Whitmire took over for Jim Henson as Kermit. Still sounds strange.

That's the thing though, to me Jeff's voice DOES sound strange. Not in a good way, it tends to add something cringe worthy to the songs.

What I've liked most out of Jeff's entire career is his laugh in Hey Ho Whistle While You Turn Tricks.

You know, this works feel more minimalist than recent Brian albums...where are thou, Paul Mertens (or whatever his name is)? It honestly seems like maybe Brian was completely in charge of this one. Some of the arrangements remind me of when Brian tried to do 'big' arrangements for songs like "Blueberry Hill" on 15 Big Ones. Basically, the real, modern Brian, except someone locked all  the moogs in the cupboards.

Listen to "You've Got a Friend of Me". That's Brian rocking his heart out! That's how Brian envisioned rock 'n' roll when he was snorting cocaine in the early '80s and listening to that album the Ramones did with Phil Spector. Straight from this heart to you. I mean, this is the guy that produced "Drip Drop (Tear Drops on My Bed)". Embrace it, people. 

That guitar solo is supposed to melt your soul like it's butter. Randy Newman will be dancing for days after he hears it.

And listen to those animal noises Jeff Foskett does at the end of "Bare Necessities". There's a reason Brian thinks this guy is the coolest cat around. He's hip, man. Those monkey sounds came straight through Foskett's kundalini! Can't you see? Brian feels it. He really feels it.

I think I might have come too late to the party. Please, can someone help me? Or is it too late?

kiss the girl should be released as a single it's the most radio friendly on the cd and sounds like it could be a hit.

What an insult.

Apparently I got the "Amazon Exclusive Version" but... what's so special about it?!!

Yes! If "What Love Can Do" was a hit this can be too, even more so


Extra track

this'd be fun to hear

on "color of the wind"Brian sounds eerily like the way he sounded on "wonderful" (yes from smile) and "surfs up" maybe even a little bit like "IN MY ROOM" he has that young falsetto sound to his voice on these.almost like he's in his 20's kind of strange if you ask me  :o it's cool though

Let's just say when Brian settled his two album deal with Disney, he knew which one he really wanted to record. I like Stay Awake and Baby Mine a lot, though.

"Brian Wilson - Colors Of ..."
This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Walt Disney Records.
Sorry about that.

You snooze you loose!!

Interesting that the track selection is based on pairs of songs.

2 Elton John songs.
2 Randy Newman songs.
2 Alan Menken songs
2 songs from Disney's 60s films (Stay Awake and Bare Nec.)
2 songs from Snow White (as a single-track medley)
2 more late 30s, early 40s songs (Baby Mine and Star)

I likes what I hears....

Oh my God his vocals on 'Baby Mine' are absolutely beautiful. 3 songs in and I already feel his vocals on this are by far the best since the early 70s.

It pleases me very much to hear that people are saying good things about his vocals in the last few years.

REALLY enjoying the first half of the cd.  

The winner here for me is most definitely Kiss The Girl.  I have been repeating this tune for an hour as the chorus knocks me out!  I do not want to get too carried away with praise, but it is making the hair on the back of my neck stand up!  Sha la la la la la My oh My indeed.  While the only wall the mighty Phil Spector is currently creating is with his wig maker to look pretty for his cellmate, Brian is stacking the wall of sound a mile high with vocals, big drums, and castanets, and showing him who's boss.  Brian's vocals shine here.  I have already pre-ordered this cd and I can't wait to read the liners.  And Smile coming soon.  Beach Boys tickets in a couple weeks.  Saw Brian twice this summer.  What an embarrassment of riches.  

Dang i wish i could hear these songs. I heard the Pochahontas.song on youtube and I quite liked it

Leaked! Ouch! And what interesting timing...   ::)
I guess somebody shouldn't have trusted someone and gave him/her a copy of the album.
I'm assuming that somebody will be in serious troubles and that someone's ass will be seriously kicked.

maybe it was leaked this early on purpose. so the Beach Boys fans could spend some time listening to it before Smile comes out. marketing man. even leaks are part of marketing.

option 2 is that STE gave someone his press copy of the album and then that guy gave it to everyone else and now he's really bitter. I like the former option better though.

this is the closest you'll probably get to a drunk review from me, this is the "I passed out at 10 PM and woke up in the middle of the night" hangover review.

I love the Shortenin' Bread riff in "You've Got a Friend". I'm on track 2 right now. "Bare Necessities" sounds pretty cool too. I mean, I think Phil Harris sang it so much better, but I think what we have to consider is that this is a contractual obligation album. It's not so much why is he doing this but how.

I thought the drums at the beginning of "Baby Mine" were going to go into "Catch a Wave". Now, I can't picture the Disney version of this in my head. is this the version Dumbo's mother sings to him towards the beginning? I haven't heard/seen that movie in a really long time. So this is kind of boring. This is all just my first impression, opinions change.

The first 28 seconds of "Kiss the Girl" are extremely superfluous. I feel like Brian had very little to do with arranging this song. this song makes me sad for non-musical reasons, I probably won't be able to look at this properly for awhile.

before I start to say anything about "Colors of the Wind", let me just say I like this song more than any person should. I don't like the response vocals. I think in general this is way too slow. this song can really rock in the right hands. Brian's voice sounds very good though. The flute is way too prominent. "if you cut it down then you'll never know", one of the most awesome parts in the original, was completely ruined in this version.

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight". I never really liked the Elton John version, the version from the movie with the cast singing was better. but it makes a lot more sense for Brian to cover the Elton John radio version. too many backing vocals. I never thought I'd say that about a Brian Wilson album. maybe too many boring backing vocals, haha. "KINGS AND VAGABONDS", shouted, that would make a great backing vocal. woodblocks are cool but so very arbitrary. people sh*t on the arrangements on BW88 and Imagination so much, but at least they weren't ripping off Brian Wilson circa 1965 ripping off Phil Spector.

"We Belong Together", I don't remember this song. this damn arrangement though. how many Brian Wilson songs have that stupid intro? "I just can't take it... when we're apart" is very amusingly sung. Jeff is falsettoing off in the background. he's like that electric guitar virtuoso that shreds during every part of every song in the set. treats the whole show like an extended solo. this song is making me sad too. this song really puts the "long" in Belong.

"Just Can't Wait to Be King" is the boring Elton John version again. I really like the film version. "I'm gonna be a mighty king, so enemies beware" "Well, I've never seen a king or beast with quite so little hair", have someone in the band do the Zazu voice. I bet Probyn could do it well for some reason. This arrangement... meh. it's not BW generic, it's just generic generic. sounds like Bruce Springsteen channeling Bo Diddley. this might've worked in a stadium 30 years ago. there's those unnecessary Jeff whooings. man, the cast version of this song is so much better. the African chorus singing "LET EVERY CREATURE GO FOR BROKE AND SING". whatever.

"Stay Awake" I probably haven't heard since I was like 6. I can't really comment on this song. sounds slightly Smilesque I guess in the arrangement. Brian's voice is wearing on me.

and what the f*** is up with "Heigh-Ho/Whistle While You Work"? first of all, it's like someone didn't have anything to play so they put the keyboard setting on "sound effects" and he's just hitting random fucking buttons. maraca comes in for half a second. If any song had Brian's hands on it it would be this one. this song is legitimately amusing, but in the same way that John Lennon laughs at crippled kids I'm laughing at this song. this is the essence of Brian Wilson, this is everything anyone could hate or love about the man in one song. just needs some really terrible singing on it, haha. this was over too soon, could've gone on for a few more minutes. I didn't like this song when I heard it isolated from the album but it's definitely the highlight now.

I'm glad that "When You Wish Upon a Star" isn't the same arrangement as the Fred Mollin version from a few years ago which was basically "Surfer Girl", Darian and Jeff sang on it and Mark Linnet produced it, look it up if you haven't. but anyway, while I'm glad it's not the same arrangement, I'm not glad it's a worse arrangement. the drums play at random times. Jeff singing in random places just for the hell of it. the last few seconds was pretty good though.

So surprisingly good

I'm serious, Brian should go back and rerecord his BWPS vocals. He is so much better now

The tracks will have been watermarked, so someone's in deep sh*t.

What an album. Went for a walk and listened to most of the tracks. Will definitely be buying it for people for Christmas!!! I Just Cant Wait To Be King is the best song along with Kiss The Girl.

What exactly is a watermark? I've seen it mentioned in several messageboards now, usually talking about downloads.

Not necessarily, this could have leaked from the final product.
Still, I have a feeling they will be able to trace it back to the guilty party...

The record.company uses a digital marker unique to each copy sent out to press, etc

finding this rather bland. i really liked heigh ho so was hoping for more interesting arrangements like that and less boring ballad stuff.

we belong together starts like i got rhythm and youve got a friend starts like marcella

can you feel the love tonight is just a horrible song

Well just had to download this album...ill buy it do not worry i will buy it. Impressions, well Brians vocals are so much better than previous, but it depends what you compare it to. I guess now we are glad if he sounds somewhat like he did in the eighties, i think we all accepted sixties Brian´s voice is gone forever. Some poster said that there was to much harmonies just for the sake of it and i tend to agree. As for the songs well, i think his best vocals are on the verses of "colors of the wind", the staple like inclusion of "when you wish" acapella feels like it has been done a couple of times already on the two previous records.

I did not expect much from this records since these type of records never turns out that great, i mean how many epic cover records do we know of? So it was expected, all forgiven, now lets do the Rock and Roll album!

Maybe a time out from the band would do Jeff well...  ;D

Run to teacher yet?

My only complaint is there is too much faux-Brian falsettos from Foskett soaked into almost every song.

but pixeltwin that's the sound of jeff's kundalini rising each morning to greet the day - that toxic oooh ooooh ooooh on "you've got a friend" that he sings

I agree with the Jeff comment. Anyone else here think that Brian should do a ballad album, very naked, just piano and vibes maybe? I know he tried in the seventies to do a Sinatra style album (On broadway, Deep Purple dream etc) his voice were not really up to it back in the day but now..well perhaps a more toned down approach is the way to go. He seems to loose the slur when doing slow songs for some reason and it sounds so much better.

 :lol

Disney in the Key of Pet Sounds with special faux-Brian cliche provided by Jeff "The Kundalini c*ck" Foskett

j/k I do like this album a-plenty.  ;)

It amuses me that people are complaining about lots of harmony vocals and falsettos ....

On a Brian Wilson record!

I mean, what did you think was going to be on there?

Personally I was hoping for some dubstep

Precisely.  ;D

We love harmonies from The Beach Boys. The Wilson Trinity + MikeAl.

Not the imitation gold.

Does Ghost dislike Jeff or something? I don't really have a problem with him or his vocals, but maybe after 50 more posts or so on the subject I'll come around.

Haha, I have nothing against the guy himself, you know personally or whatever, I don't know him, he doesn't know me, thank god (both ways), but it just seems to me that Brian should be chillin' with people like Danny Hutton on tour and not Jeff. Let Brian go to the bar for a few drinks with Danny and play some Roses and Rainbows for everybody. Why does he have to hang out with Jeff? Jeff reminds me of my half uncle who is a fanatical Christian republican nightmare of an ego to be around. I think Brian's music would change a LOT without Jeff. He's a safety pillow though for Brian and many of you too so you will find this post in bad taste.

I recognize Jeff's talents - his laugh in Heigh Ho, on the BWPS DVD in his Blue shirt like Brian playing the ukelele, great physical humor for such a rotund man like Jeff to be playing that, and his enormous presence is amusing to behold sometimes.

However anyone see the tension in his aging? I notice this in a lot of people who have lived sober lives without finding an appropriate alternative ecstasy [internal alchemy], they just freeze and become static, their living essence becomes just the mask role they play, they lose all contact with real life, the birds that chatter in the trees and then die the next day, reality, the great mystery, the wondrous unreality mirage mentality.

Okay, maybe this is an extreme example, but just because you like theremin (which, as a Beach Boys fan, I'm assuming you do), doesn't mean you like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSOttziWtg

Well, it's one thing to not like Jeff's voice, but it's another to judge his character. Also, do you think maybe Danny Hutton is out on his own tour? Just because Jeff looks out for Brian on tour, doesn't mean his politics are right wing, for we all we know he may be a left wing radical. Can we stick to just discussing the music? Please!

Well, except for the fact that Jeff has had almost _nothing_ to do with the writing or arranging of Brian's solo records. The three people Brian has worked with in his band are Darian (sequencing for BWPS and TLOS), Scott Bennett (tracking and lyrics on GIOMH, co-writer on TLOS and Gershwin) and Paul Von Mertens (orchestral arranging on almost all the records).

Getting rid of those three would change the sound much more substantially. And possibly reduce the number of sax solos.


I believe Jeff is an evangelical Christian: http://www.worldmag.com/articles/10225. No idea if it affects his politics.

The music overflows into other areas of discussion, man. Where you gonna draw the dividing line?

Wirestone- Jeff doesn't do any arranging or writing but he saturates what is recorded or performed live with his sound.

I don't think its Jeff's voice persay, I think its the parts he sings, and I have a theory why.  Brian arranges all these backing vocals.  But the one part of the backing vocals he probably didn't fully think out in the 60s when he learned to arrange backing vocals was his own part, which he'd just sing. And so now, mirroring the way he always worked, Brian probably gives everyone their parts and then tells Jeff to "sing a falsetto."  And because Jeff isn't Brian, it comes out good but not spectacular. 

Just a theory. 

Anyway, I love the album.  Kiss the Girl is weirdly spectacular - yet another reminder that Brian should get around to that rock n roll album.  Baby Mine is gorgeous.  Hi/Ho is hilarious.  I have a feeling this album would go over super well with a 7 or 8 year old, which was, I believe, the point.  I can just imagine my 8 year old self making my parents play "kiss the girl" over and over while I jump around the living room. 

That said, at this point I just can't wait to hear this new-found voice and arranging and production flair applied to some new songs.  But its an embarrassment of riches really, to be a Beach Boys fan in 2011 :-)

Man, a lot of 7 & 8 year olds of today's world are way too hip for Brian Wilson.

I wish I was joking, too...

Yes.

Brian is in the coasting phase of his career, and Jeff is a professional coaster. I'm sure most of us would like to see Brian put out another Love You, but that's probably not going to happen. The bright side is people like Jeff will help Brian stick around long enough to put out another TLOS, or maybe even a BW88.

Any songs from Pinnochio Make the cut?

When You Wish Upon a Star ...

BW88 was the meeting of Brains & Genius. It will never be topped. Not every song makes the cut but those that do, do.

(http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/275011_854765509_1562110766_n.jpg)

Here's why you're wrong

C'mon, don't pull the AGD card on me.

Oh that wasn't directed at you I just saw the picture and thought it was very amusing with the quote. It's on AGD's facebook so I assume he doesn't mind it being posted... too much. He looks much younger there than his earcandy picture, trying to win some ladies? How come you're not married AGD? Don't you like girls?

Just not Katie Perry  >:D

Brian is backstage before another greatest hits concert, sitting there passively while Jeff tells him "funny" story after "funny" story. Finally, Jeff gets up to go to bathroom. Enter Ghost, stage left.

Ghost: Brian, look behind you. It's me. Ghost.
Brian: A ghost?!? Are you telling me you're really a ghost?
Ghost: No, Brian. Forget about that. Check this out... I got the burgers.
Brian's eyes light up.
Ghost: I got the fries.
Brian starts salivating.
Ghost: And check it out, man... I even got the cocaine! Why don't you forget about Jeff and this creepy oldies show and come with me? I got an organ with your name on it. C'mon, you're Brian, psychedelic genius. You should be making art, not this sh*t.
Brian: Gee Mr. Ghost, I dunno...
Ghost waggles the bags teasingly.
Ghost: Briiiiian?
Brian: Oh alright... let's get the hell out of here.
Jeff reenters stage right as Ghost and Brain sprint off the stage.
Jeff: Brian! Hey! Where are you going? We still haven't done our pre-show prayer session and bible study!

Yoko Ono

I think God has some second thoughts about that  ::)

about accepting Jeff into the fold? i bet  >:D

Umm....Bruce?!

Dude everyone knows Bruce is effeminate.

This album is mad boring thanks a lot guys for making me think it might have been otherwise. It is pretty funny though how every song ends with some organ drone and fade-out. Just in case we weren't aware that there's an organ on, like, every song!

Oh my god this is the weakest Bo Diddley beat I've ever heard -- and that should never be said about any Bo Diddley beat. Brian Wilson should be ashamed.

Boring is good sometimes, if you want the kids to fall asleep...

It's an album the requires a few listens to feel the magic..

After my first listen I was like, "meh", Now I can't stop listening

Some pop gems and nice ballads

So no, like, reading up on the teachings of Christ, or comparing the philosophies of the various religions? Just, "This counselor at camp told me to accept Christ or I wouldn't get into heaven, so I did." Well anyway, I think Jeff's voice is okay, but it lacks the warmth that Brian's used to have. But not many falsettos have that warmth anyway.

That's how I feel. The first listen was sort of a let-down, especially since people here were praising it. Then I listened again and really enjoyed it. I don't get why some people are saying they were hoping it would be experimental, or Smile-like. What percentage of BW's music is experimental? Smile, Pet Sounds, and Love You. He also did a lot of non-experimental stuff. He was grounded in the idea of sounding commercial, and he made a lot of commercial music. Music with interesting chords and some unusual instruments, but basically commercial (yet beautiful) music. Not avant garde.

Brian did a lot more "experimental" music than just Pet Sounds, Smile, Love You.

I was expecting at least a little more than paint-by-numbers Brian Wilson. I agree with whoever said this album certainly sounds like the one made after the album he really wanted to make! I'll listen again though when I get back from work or tomorrow though and see if any of it grows on me...

I've listened to this thing like 5000 times and it still hasn't given me even half the excitement I felt for the Gershwin album which had some good moments that I liked [Love is here to stay, Someone to watch over me, Nothing but love, Ain't necessarily so, etc...]

There is no way Pet Sounds is experimental. The songs and approach are pre-rock pop in nature. That certainly made it an unusual departure for a rock band, but Frank Sinatra had been doing lushly orchestrated concept albums for years before PS.

That occurred to me, but then I thought someone would say, "What about Pet Sounds? Barking dogs? Train?" I guess parts of Friends are more experimental than PS. But the point is that Brian's music is not all experimental. And he only made Smile once. Sort of.

I actually agree with you on your main point, Amy. Brian has made precious little music that could truly be considered "experimental." Parts of Smile, and a few modular compositions afterward. And that's pretty much it.

Doesn't mean he's not a genius or a talented guy. And he has certainly added a lot of eccentric or unusual touches to his music through the years. But his genius is more in the creation and extension of a personal sound and songwriting approach that has endured for decades -- and become massively popular.

Some great moments on this album. Brings back a lot of memories of movies I used to watch on VHS back in the 90s when I was but a young child

I never realized how deep that Pocahontas song is until I heard Brian Wilson sing it. :hat

Beautiful, beautiful album..

I officially love it

I just realized something,how many people think that "You've got a friend in me" kind of sounds like "What a fool believes" especially the keyboard part and the tempo...

My 4 year old daughter's favorite movie of all time is Little Mermaid. So, I couldn't wait to get her reaction to 'Kiss the Girl'. Well...let's just say I have heard that song on repeat for the past 30 minutes. :lol

Classic...when I finally got her to 'allow' me to put on a different song, she then asked me "Daddy....did Sebastian take singing lessons"?

Something about BW's version of that song actually chokes me up a little bit. Not sure why. Just something about how the re-created Wall of Sound meshes with the "Sha-la-la-la-la-la" and the chord changes. It's not like it's re-composed by Brian or anything, but its still profound in its way.

I really wonder what Alan Menken thinks of this ...

Anyone else think of the "Hes a doll" intro when the guitar and bass comes in?

No, but my daughter started singing "I want Candy" during the intro to "I Just can't wait to be king" :D

wow, such an earlier understanding of the Bo Diddley beat. It took me til I was at least 10 to hear "I Want Candy" in the intro to other songs.

It must be pointed out that since my wife & I are children of the 80s and I have burned countless 80s mix cds, Jaymie likely picked it up from hearing us play the Bow Wow Wow version :lol
That said, I think she might be a prodigy of sorts. Usually when any of us are singing, she's very quick to pick a harmony part.

My response to this album is that it's...fine. Not much more that can be said. The covers are all professionally done and the vocals are certainly a million times better than past abominations like GIOMH and Speed Turtle. But nothing stands out to me about any of the songs and these versions could have been recorded by anyone. Not an album I would be in a hurry to listen to again really.

Yup, somewhat under-awed overall. Always great to hear Brian's voice on anything but I think I prefer GIOMH to this – at least it contains some good, characteristic original Wilson compositions. Won't scrub my orders (plural) but won't be playing this one too often me thinks.

stay awake sounds like it would have been a great time for "old man river" or "and your dream comes true" harmonies, i'd assume they didn't though

No, It has the usual backing vocals but Brian's solo vocal dominates it.

Now it hit me what is missing in this record, at least the version i heard, Dynamics. So lets hope for a better mix when this comes out officially.

I remember when the TLOS mp3s were available, and they sounded terrible. Brian sounded terrible. I almost didn't buy the CD upon release based on those mp3 tracks. The CD sounded light years better due to blending Brian's vocals in the mix. They were way out front and did not sound very appealing.

When I was 5 I had Little Mermaid posters in my room, I now sit in my office at 25 with Brian Wilson tour posters up. Has this album brought my life full circle already?  ???

I've listened to this a few times through now and find that it isn't nearly as bad as I had braced myself for. I started to dread this when the track list came out (Lion King? Colors of the Wind??), then when Heigh-Ho was posted as a preview track it confirmed my dread that this would be as someone else said BW "by-the-numbers" and self-referencing. While there certainly is some of that, it isn't at the obnoxious levels I was expecting. It's overall a pleasant album, although predictable at times and a bit too AC for my tastes, but I know I'm not at all the target demographic. I imagine this is made for grandparents to put on when they are watching the little ones.  

Bare Necessities is my early favorite, I like the arrangement and instrumentation. It's a fun track and as Steve Martin says, a banjo will always put a smile on your face.

* I want to add that listening to this makes me really hope Brian still has one more original album left in him. Even if it is more of this safe, AC type stuff, I would love for him to put out something that is his own.

I wish Brian would give up the seemingly excessive use of saxes and flutes in his songs. They sound so tacky.

I can go with this. The one blind spot in the BW solo discography -- Mertens has a big hand in the orchestral arrangements, which I guess means he also gets to have several wind solos each record. Blech.

The worst, to my mind, was GIOMH. Why on earth would you dub a sax solo over the sublime organ break in Soul Searchin? Grumble grumble grumble.

Brian has a lot of original albums left in and already outside of him. Besides the Usher sessions, Sweet Insanity and the Paley sessions (at least a couple of albums' worth of unreleased solo songs), he wrote and recorded an entire follow up to TLOS with Scott Bennett.

The issue is that no one wants to release them. Correction: No major label wants to release them, which is all the BW camp seems to care about.

 An embarrassment.

Brian should fire all those guys and hire people from this board. We know the music better than they do anyway.

Those would be some of my only complaints. Like, a flute isn't going to make us think that "Colors of the Wind" is authentic Native American. But whatever, I get it I guess. Some of the arrangement choices and -- as has been stated -- overbearing background vocals are my only complaints. But I was already expecting these things as they're a part of BWs work nowadays.

I don't care for "We Belong Together" as a song in general, although I think the band did a great performance of it and I listen to it anyway because of the piano. I just think it's a boring song, I wish they would've chosen some of Randy Newman's work from "The Princess and the Frog" instead.

I really really like this album and have been looking forward to it since it was announced. I was more excited for it than Gershwin actually. I've been listening to a lot of non-Beach Boys/BW stuff lately, and hearing him again gave me that old familiar, pleasant feeling. Changed my mood drastically for the week. His voice just has that profound effect on me. And of course the band did a great job making these songs stand out and kick some ass.

I want to give credit to the music, of course. Disney has employed some GREAT songwriters over the years. I can't say enough good things about Alan Menken.

Only slightly off the subject, but I've been a big fan of "The Newsies" since I was a little kid (don't laugh). Does anybody else agree with me that that would have been awesome for Van Dyke Parks to have worked on that? Menken did an excellent job, so it's not about replacing him or anything, I just think it's really suited to VDP's work, especially considering he's worked with Disney before.

I suppose you're right, the material exists. The Paley sessions are worth a second look by BW and co., especially You're Still A Mystery. I could only see one or two songs being releasable from what's left of the Usher sessions and Sweet Insanity though, that material just isn't very good. I haven't heard any post-TLOS material, in fact this is the first I've heard of it at all, so I can't judge that stuff. At any rate, I am excited for at least one more mostly original BW album.

I think it's hard to separate the Usher and SI stuff from the production, which is generally leaden and awful. I think the best Usher song was "So Long," which has already been released in reworked form as "You've Touched Me." But there are others --

All Over Me
Magic

Which haven't been booted, as far as I know. Also --

Just Say No
Magnetic Attraction
Christine

All of which are decent songs that beg for new lyrics and arrangements. And from S.I., you have four decent ones ...

Water Builds Up
Do You Have Any Regrets
Brian /  Thank You (without the Landy lyrics)
Love Ya

The point is, you could easily fashion an album from those. And then another one (or two) from the remaining Paley songs.

Still a Mystery
It's Not Easy Being Me
Some Sweet Day
Elbow 63
Slightly American Music
Must be a Miracle
Going Home
Chain Reaction Of Love
God Did It
What Rock and Roll Can Do
Frankie Avalon
Marketplace
Mary Anne
I'm Broke
Boogie's Back in Town
This Song Wants to Sleep With You
In My Moondreams

I agree. Mertens' all-out flute assault on "Don't Let Her Know She's An Angel" was unforgivable. He needs to go. Compare TLOS demo to the finished product. I liked it a whole lot more before Mertens tarted it up.

I am intrigued by Wirestone's comment that Brian and Scott have already recorded a follow up to TLOS.  First I've heard of that.  Confirmation?  AGD?

So a major label won't release it.  So fuckin what?  I get that Brian and his team are old-school in thinking that's important, but it's also a big mistake.  Do it yourself! Work a distribution deal with XL, or Saddle Creek, or Yep Roc.  Market hi-rez downloads at a discount through HD Tracks!  There's lots of ways to do it, and no excuse not to, if he's proud of the work. 

I think much of that is actually Scott Bennett's fault/responsibility. He co-produced the album sessions and mixed the record.


I probably sounded more certain than I meant to there. It's a bit of an extrapolation, but Brian talked a lot after the TLOS about making a rock album (the eternal rock album) and the "Pleasure Island" project. And it was confirmed, I seem to recall, that he had continued to record and write with Scott. Some new song titles were mentioned in interviews. Now, whether that means it's essentially a group of demos (along the lines of the TLOS demos) or something more elaborate, who knows.

Now I'm just imagining a Brian album produced by Mike Mogis.... drool

And given reports that Brian was recording (with Joe Thomas?!) and writing recently, I would be that we'll have a new solo project -- or the germs of a new BB album -- within the next year or so.

Sorry, but who is Joe Thomas?

So the Smiley Smile board's recommendations to Brian are as follows:
--Get rid of Paul Mertens
--Forget about labels and just release stuff independently

I suppose I agree with both. I do enjoy the Disney album, but I really hate sax solos (saxes in Salt Lake City, on the other hand...) and flute solos.I don't find them that offensive here, but I do think the album would be stronger without them. I guess Mertens went to school and is a traditional arranger, whereas young Brian was the opposite, and that's what people are missing. (Accordians on top of guitars, anyone?) And it would be great if Brian would release stuff through his Web site, but maybe he feels more secure with a contract. And maybe having an obligation to a label motivates him. At least, I wish he could just release some one-off recordings, as he has posted from time to time (like Heaven, etc.).

Exactly.

Untrue. 

There are tracks left over from the summer 2006 demo sessions, but post TLOS there was little, if any, new recording until the BWRG sessions.

http://www.mediafire.com/?9ahfs8l047m2x8m

Heigh Ho Haight Asbury

AGD, has Brian ever worked on the "pleasure island" project he always talks about?

Not to my knowledge - it's like the fabled rock & roll album that he's been talking about since late 1999: something to say during an interview.

In my opinion, this is a tune that really deserves a proper release, with a new arrangement obviously, but with the same great lyrics: "Magnetic attraction, I thought I was safe with a heart of steel / Magnetic attraction, drawn to a magnet that's the way I feel" might sound corny to some of you, but to me they're quite clever and I wish I could come up with similar lyrics. I'm pretty sure it would have had hit potential in the 80s and it would still be a good song today.

Wasn't it alleged that much of the leftovers from the summer 2006 demo sessions were actually part of Brian's intended running order to TLOS that was nixed by someone other than Brian?

I dunno. I had heard that Scott and Darian sequenced the thing and that Brian added Southern California late in the game.

I think Brian has little to do with the composition of that song. Or so it seems from the Wilson Project account and the way it sounds.

If I remember correctly a photo of Brian at the piano that appeared shortly after TLOS showed a handwritten song list supposedly for Pleasure Island. A most interesting and quirky lineup.

That's a little extreme. Mertens is damn good and I think Brian needs him. I assume you're just talking about the one song (DLHKSAA) and not the entire TLOS album(?)

Would that be the consensus of the board here that in general the TLOS demos sound better than the final product?

Very much so

It's tough. I think the demos are appreciated as the closest thing to a full-on, Brian-produced album of Brian songs that we've had since the 70s. He seems to play most of the keyboards, and does most of the vocals along with Scott.

That being said, there are some poor vocal performances in that demo group (Live Let Live), and some stuff sung by Scott (Southern California) that's fixed in the final album.

The final album is like the demos in one respect -- most of Brian's lead vocals are taken from them, according to Scott.

DLHKSAA is on GIOMH, not TLOS.

"I agree. Mertens' all-out flute assault on "Don't Let Her Know She's An Angel" was unforgivable. He needs to go. Compare TLOS demo to the finished product. I liked it a whole lot more before Mertens tarted it up."

That's probably what Bubba Ho-tep was alluding to, Billy.  Maybe I didn't copy his quote well enough the first time.....

Ahhh...gotcha.

Mike Love should be the only one allowed to play sax on Brian Wilson recordings. (inaudible sax solos) Perfect!

What about Jay Migliori or Steve Douglas?

Hey all, I just wanted to address something. I am NOT ghost. My friend has informed me that alot of people have been speculating and claiming Ghost is me. I have been working on my dissertation about why animals are cool, so haven't had time to post

has anyone else enjoyed this yet? it's cool, i just put it on after forgetting i had even made it and it's very satisfying for me right now , i am enjoying it immensely

i'm afraid that you are me, and i am you, and we are all together.

Goo, goo, ga choo!

I certainly don't think so. The demos are short and, frankly, thin. I was thrilled to get the final product.

Some of the demo vocals were flown in to the final product?? (Definitely NOT true for "Southern California"!) Who cares? From what I understand, that's not the most uncommon thing in the world.

But yeah, give me the final product for TLOS any day. Overall, it's a far more pleasurable listening experience. Don't get me wrong, I loved the demos when I first heard them, but when I got my vinyl TLOS (HA!!! We got TLOS in the US before they did in the UK for once!!!), it rendered the demos useless for me. (Then again, I do like hearing the Scott version of "Southern California" now and then, and I do prefer his "California Role" vocal over Brian's.)

Paul Mertens is a terrible thing to happen to me. He actually changed his name so that Von is in it. He wears a Kimono and plays the flute. Not a fan, although he is a good and kind man.

hahahah did he really change his name to add Von?

hmmmmmmmmmmmm i think i should be paul VON mertens from now on, to sound distinguished in brian's band, perhaps one day... the paul von mertens band  :3d

When TLOS came out, they had some sort of something or the other somewhere, where you could talk to Scott, or he was on a message board posting, or something.  Anyways, I asked him something about Brian playing piano, and he said that Brian played "Beautiful, layered keys" on every song on the album but two.  I don't know if the booklet supports that, but it's what Scott claimed.  I much prefer the released album over the demos. 

I'm not going to listen to this album online, I already listened to Whistle While You Work and loved it.  I'm going to wait another month and buy the cd to hear it... I think since albums have started leaking online over the past 10 years, it's helped ruin music.  There's something about only hearing a song or two off of it, the singles so to speak, then getting the album and popping it in and listening for the first time. 

Just listened to a few of the TLOS demos and I agree; as demos usually go they're a little thin and raw. I don't have the vinyl, but just listening to the Mp3 demos makes me appreciate the further work that went into it to get it right.

Disney. Time to try to get into that. Maybe it'll grow on me like Gershwin did. Maybe not.....

I'm thinking it could be a grower. The only track I still wanna listen to is Stay Awake, but that's top 10 BW solo, imo

So where are people hearing this?

Nevermind...I found this on my own.  :-)

So I managed to find this album on the Interwebs, and have just listened to snippets of each song.  Of course, I have no idea if what I downloaded was the final mix or not, but in any case my early impressions of this are that this album so far sounds unremarkable.  There are some interesting things going on with "When You Wish Upon A Star", but otherwise nothing really grabbed me thus far.  Will give it a better listen when the album officially releases.

Nope... if you've heard them you'd realise that slotting them into the TLOS 'concept' would require a mighty big hammer.  ;D


True, dat - very late in the game.

I believe they need to take a step back when recording things, every Brian Wilson song does not need to contain saxes, one million harmonies, and a whole string section, or a falsetto. This is what they are doing wrong, they delegate so that things do not get overwhelming for Brian. Paul you do the string, Brian you compose the harmonies, Jeff think of a falsetto. Everyone brings their piece and try to squeeze it in, Brian is to nice to say no i do not think this should have this or that. It becomes a layer that does not necessarily fit together and gel good.

This was not what Brian did in the hey day, he controlled everything and built up the songs from the ground up in the studio. He came very prepared, with chord patterns, string arrangement, the works. I understand that they do not want to break the man by making him do it all, but perhaps this is the key. Just asking what do we play now? should there be strings? can you arrange the strings?

And most important of all, let the man do what he wants to do, if he wants to do a Phil Spector album or Rock and Roll album let him DO IT!

I enjoyed the Gershwin album a fair bit, but wasn't prepared to like this in any way, shape or form particularly after hearing Heigh Ho which did little for me. On first listen I was underwhelmed but there was something about You've Got A Friend in Me which got under my skin, and listening again this morning that first track, and Baby Mine are weaving their peculiar Wilson magic.

I think it's easy to be cynical about his involvement and, ironically, the more overt Beach Boys stylings on this and the Gershwin one seem more like Wondermints ideas to me (plus I must add my voice to the growing list off those put of by Foskett's falsetto). However, there are more subtle things which seem unmistakably Brian. The slight speeding up of the way he phrases You've Got A Friend In Me and the curious (i.e. great) descending synth part for instance, and the amazing melting chords and harmonies on the verses of Baby Mine. I haven't got much further as I'm finding it difficult to soldier through some of the newer Disney material but am pleasantly surprised to find I'm getting into at least some of this.

There was a good interview where one of the musicians was talking about Nothing But Love, that Brian suggested the sustained ascending keyboard note in the drum break and that the guy couldn't imagine how it was going to work and then heard it and it worked brilliantly. I always notice the part now. It reminds me of Smiley H&V - the way Brian used the sustained Baldwin note to set up the la la la section. My point is it's easy to be distracted by the more overt Beach Boys touches in these new BW albums and start griping about Wilsonisers and so forth, but I do believe he is still very much present in these records and his fingerprints are all over them.

The thing most people convienently forget is that a) the musicians contributed ideas in the 60's sessions too - listen to the God Only Knows session, or is that somehow not what he wants to do?

and b) most band members have said how Brian responds positively to what we would call the 'cliches' like bass harmonica and things in modern day productions - it's the sound he wants, still.

Plus, these are v talented musicians who have worked positively with Bri for over ten years, they  more than deserve the right to contribute to his music, imo.

How late in the game?

What a price for this gem:

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B005IFQUPQ/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF (http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B005IFQUPQ/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF)


1855,99 €uro, that's 2.500 US$

I could fly to LA and get my copy at the store in Disneyland for that money

On the buzzer. Wilson was in control for most of this..BrillianT

a) Yes they did, they suggested small things and Brian was fast to respond. Now its more lets add this and see if Brian responds. That is what made the 60´s productions so great, he was involved in every detail and open to suggestions but just as fast to turn down suggestions.
b) There is no doubt Brian wants real instruments being used, i do to even if i make modern music i tend to avoid synths and reverb drenched drum machines, that is just good taste.

What i am talking about here is everyone wanting so desperately to contribute to the record by adding their own small licks, flutes, saxophones, and its not cohesive, it is a mash of everything. Perhaps they need a good producer, someone who can say no thats been done before or there are to many things happening and its not cooking. This is not an easy job, it involves cutting peoples work out, saying no strings or saxes here. This Bo Diddley beat is lame play it with some balls, or Brian your slurring the words concentrate on these phrases.. It is a pure producing job and there is two ways of doing it, either make Brian really produce from the ground up or hire a good producer.

Yes they have worked with him for 10 years and they deserve to add to the music, but some times you add to the music by stepping back and serving the song.

Just wondering here...just how, exactly, do you know who contributed what?  Were you there during the recording?  Do you know for a fact that Brian was told by...ummm...someone to compose the harmonies?  Just who is this mysterious 'they', who is doing this delegating 'so that things do not get overwhelming for Brian'?  And please, feel free to be specific.  I'm dying to hear your reply.   

Can we ban this guy for his racist spelling or what? He says he doesn't type LyKe tHiS because he's an adult - yet he writes "true dat" every few days like he's Kanye West or something. yo yo yo agd  :afro

It's an overall conspiracy in which everyone is involved, LostArt. No one wants Brian to show his eccentricity and start writing Funky Pretty's again rather than SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAS. Vomit. How's that nostalgia Brian, still living for the past?

Ok source that Brian did all the vocal arrangements for the Disney album: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pop-legend-brian-wilson-puts-his-stamp-on-in-the-key-of-disney-128334483.html

and he did compose them for the Gershwin project:

http://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2011/09/15/concert-review-brian-wilson-at-birmingham-symphony-hall/

Apparently spent eight hours a day on the Harmonies, as for the Disney project a cant imagine him doing eight hours of string arranging when paul has done it on most previous projects:

 http://www.albumlinernotes.com/That_Lucky_Old_Sun.html

"Orchestral arrangements: Paul Von Mertens"

http://www.albumlinernotes.com/Brian_Wilson_s_Christmas.html

Additional string and horn arrangements by: Paul Von Mertens

I could go on and on you get my drift.... and it was stated in various interviews that they where blown away by the string arrangements Paul did on TLOS. I dont know what else data you want, i think it is pretty obvious by style what music bits was contributed by Brian, you sort of hear it in the Dit dits, there is one chromatic singing in color of the wind in one place that is so Brian. The beginning of Baby blue is also so Brian, same goes for shortening bread riff. So yeah there is a lot of Brian in the record but the Brian bits are not the ones in question. Just as you can hear that the bass harmonica solo in Pet sounds was improvised (same goes for sax solo on God only knows demo) you can tell what bits were added by band members simply because they are not as good and inventive as Brian, dont get me wrong they are good, not just as good.

By this point the story of his life (as in "rise, fall and redemption") has become an integral part of the art itself I guess. "Southern California" didn't offend me despite the undeniable kitsch factor but I found some of the lyrics of "Goin' Home" rather cringe-worthy... "At 25 I turned out the light... but now I'm back..." Reminds me of some of the more "psychological" Sweet Insanity lyrics.

Bring on the new "Funky Prettys" instead!

And i could as previous poster add the question, prove that Scott wrote that line!! It cant be done but given the history it is pretty obvious, when Brian write cringe worthy stuff it still puts a smile on your face, "pat her on the butt", "Tom boy" etc..

If I remember correctly there was an interview at the time where Brian said he thought that "Goin' Home" was written about Scott's life rather than his own. I thought it was rather telling he would say that.

sorry yall, i think this album is pretty bad.

Yeah i hear you, it was not directed at you rather the other poster demanding a source for everything :)

There's a huge difference. Brian's own lyrics are often so honest and unfiltered that they provoke a very immediate response. Till I Die. Not even Van Dyke Parks or Jack Reilly or whoever else could've wrote better words for that song. Brian nailed it, himself. The problem is, Brian's too honest. The lyrics you quoted are perfect exampls - Brian's daring honesty. Who else would release an album of such questionable lyrics as Love You? And get away with it? Take it, one little inch at a time now

You've missed the point of my post.  I know Mertens did the string and woodwind arrangements...that's common knowledge.  I know Brian arranges the vocal harmonies...that's also common knowledge.  I know Scott Bennett wrote the lyrics to TLOS.  This is the first line of your post:

 "I believe they need to take a step back when recording things, every Brian Wilson song does not need to contain saxes, one million harmonies, and a whole string section, or a falsetto. This is what they are doing wrong, they delegate so that things do not get overwhelming for Brian. Paul you do the string, Brian you compose the harmonies, Jeff think of a falsetto. Everyone brings their piece and try to squeeze it in, Brian is to nice to say no i do not think this should have this or that."

I am wondering who you think it was that told Mertens to do the string arrangements, and who it was that told Brian to do the vocal arrangements, and who it was that told Foskett to make up a falsetto.  What is your source for your claim that "Brian is too nice to say no, I do not think this should have this or that"?  

obviously Melinda ruling her kingdom like the queen of Wilson

Source, please.

Brian Wilson doesn't release music to release art. He releases music to get a pay check. He personally probably doesn't give a sh*t as long as he's got enough money to continue living in comfort. But he's out there doing all these sh*t to make money for his empire. Women rule the empire because they care about trivial things. Man is in the clouds rolling with God, every man is a Christ waiting to flower into full manifestation. Brian is a Buddha and a Saint. He's just out there working - what they do is all for the dollar. They have a team of bankers who tell them what kind of stuff will sell to the most people - the masses - the people who will see a Disney album and just buy it, for the kids or whatever. Nothing too weird Brian, we want to sell some units this time.

Uh. Source much?

What's with you guys and sources? Don't you have brains that are capable of thought? Think for yourselves, it's all so plain to see. You think Brian sits around wishing he could make a mediocre cover album of Disney songs? Getouttahere, it's all for $.

You don't think that Brian, after being approached by the Disney company to record an album of Disney songs, might have thought "I like those old Disney songs, maybe it'd be fun to make an album of Disney songs for my kids"?   

But, but.... you can't bitch about THAT on the internet!

Sigh all these source requests, well watch the movies from inside the studio, does he seem like the producer of the sixties? Do you think he sits up all night and write string arrangements these days? Look at the Brian Wilson presents smile, what is his big input on thing? "The bottom note is a little pitchy" , "I think you should go honk honk" , "One of the strings are not loud enough" , "Use a pick". Its not like "holy sh*t the surfs up strings are missing ill go home and write fresh ones!" it´s the band trying to get drag ideas out of him trying to make some kind of fair picture of what was supposed to be there.

Look at the interviews, the interaction footage with the band you get a fair idea of who does what. My point was someone who does not play an instrument in the band needs to take the producers helm, because Brian is not going to come back and say that something sucks or does not fit in.

And to ask Brian to contribute more, i think nowadays he is just the type of guy that needs to be asked. Brian what do you remember from surfs up? ahh there were some strings... Can you write new ones? Sure i can do that.

I'm not sure Brian even knows the name of those kids.

You ever hear old people run through a list of names in their family before getting to the right one? Just imagine Brian going through a list of everyone who's ever been in his family including those damn dogs & kids now.  :-X

.

This is just my 2¢, but my feeling that ghost is fast wearing out his welcome. Not every post requires a comment from you, you know.

And to those who will say "ignore him, then", it's hard when he's posting in every thread.

Man, I thought I was bad with posting stuff that was critical of Brian. The difference was that my little exposes were with a grain of intelligence.

Ghost, did Mommy Ghost and Daddy Ghost not show you enough attention when you were a child? Did they prefer locking you in a bedroom with Ding Dang in a loop with a mountain of cocaine and a Moog synthesizer in hopes that you would one day leave this plane of existence? I would have jumped, too.

All joking aside...what the f*** are you taking about?

True, dat. I'll ease off a bit, let the sheep come back to graze for a while.

Nope. He wishes he could make a good one.

And he did.

its a good thing im back then  >:D

(consults list...)

You're next.

I have a lot of doubt that Brian gives two squirts about real instruments. He has indicated in interviews over the last 30 years that he likes the convenience that drum machines, synths and other technologies allow. Why go to the trouble of directing musicians on some weird, expensive instrument when he or someone else can plop down in front of some keys. He could have used real instruments on all the tracks on 15 Big Ones, but chose not to and that was 35 years ago.

Just because Brian's music you like the most uses real instruments doesn't mean that's his preference. I think that was his only option during his heyday, and since the late 60's and 70's when he's had a choice he has typically taken the easiest road.

I have been posting against Ghost in some of those threads when he posts something really stupid, which is a lot.

Ghost is all about the shock factor..

It works maybe 40% of the time. The rest of the time it's just gross

Tht said, It's cool having him around. Some of his comments are priceless

Some of his comments are priceless and really funny on rare occasions, I just didn't like stunts like 8 straight posts about farting in the "friends" thread. A good warning sign of a shock posting is if he starts a thread.

So... if I start syaing nothing but the word "f***" repeated 500 times two out of every five times I post, that works ? I'll give it a go, see how much everyone likes it. It's all about the shock factor, y'know.

Isn't that why we are here; to be shocked? Shoot, forget about learning anything new and fascinating and real.

i find the gay bath house quality of this board's unspoken social policy to be very interesting - it's like to stick around on this forum without being ran out of town you have to be a lame over 30 average worldly guy who collects the Beach Boys like baseball cards or comic books. anytime someone expresses an opinion that goes against the status quo of beach boydom, officer agd 9000 or one of his boys comes in to correct history and rewire your neural circuitry to his specific program. your facts are dead things, my aesthetic appreciation of the music is living breathing reality. my insights are each moment fresh and real, unique and non-repeating, like snowflakes. your facts are coffins housing dead instants of memory. the music still lives in recordings. it is rare to see agd 9000 really flow about the MUSIC and his divine experience of it. I think he just needed a good engrossing hobby/obsession and took to this to fill the void.

by the way i'm not referring to AGD the man himself offline, as i think that once this window is no longer open we all enter a different state of mind corresponding to the particular object of experience, then. in other words, it's not like i sit around thinking, damn that agd. but when i come on this board, it is fun to think such things.  ;D

this is the WWF. i'm a bad guy wrestler that occasionally shoots to the top and has everyones love, but then falls right back down again. dig it.

Hey ghost, shut the fu*k up, he explained! ;)

"Hello? Whine-one-one? This is GHOST! Mommy and daddy didn't give me enough attention when I was a child! They dropped me on my head and neglected me all my life! Now the whole world knows how much I absolutely SUCK!!! I need TEH WAAAAHMBULANCE!!!"

The current Shakespearean struggle of this board, Knowledge (AGD) vs. Insanity (ghost).

That's all true. You have uncanny psychic powers. Please, tell me more.

Shut up.

Dude, your incessant rambling about the weirdest of topics just for its own sake is no longer appealing. It's pissing people off. Knock it off or you're going to be banned. And that goes for everyone here.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a_RKnA-5nsI/TLfS8BzbEmI/AAAAAAAAAsI/RQBWDCr-iM8/s1600/sad-puppy.jpg)

Ghost! U R lyke soooo wierd!!1

This made me laugh so hard I almost chocked to death! I'm sure everybody realizes that both of these posters are the same person. Classic!  :lol

The more I listen the more this album reminds me of "Imagination"

Funny -- some folks on another board have been saying similar things. And it's easy to forget that Brian's current band has had several folks from the Imagination sessions as crucial members from the beginning. Scott Bennett and Mertens are both on that record -- Mertens is on quite a lot, too. Original BW band drummer Todd Sucherman was all over Imagination as well.

So I guess my point is that Imagination was actually a starting point for this band in some ways. And it's not like the Wondermints were ever a grunge-y, punky outfit, either.

-----

It also gets exhausting to deal with this whole BW and puppetmaster Melinda thing -- the griping has gone on for more than 10 years now. It's borderline chauvinistic. It's BW's choice and his life. He picks strong people to surround himself with so he doesn't have to make the tough calls or unpleasant decisions. It means no one ever holds him accountable. If folks don't like this album -- and I'm sure a lot of people don't and won't -- let's blame Brian, not his band or his management or wife. His name is on it. He's responsible.

It's not that simple at all though is it.

Thing is, he still has to answer to it, simple or not. Same reason that he was scared s**tless the night of the Smile debut...whether it was mainly him, VDP, Darian, Rich Sloan, or Glee Love who wrote and finished the material, Brian's name was ultimately on the project, so he would have had to answer for it. Same with anything else bearing his name as the artist.

I can kinda see that, but unlike Imagination his vocals aren't processed to all hell and stacked to high heaven. He doesn't have that 'robotic' sound he had until his last couple of solos. Plus, the mix doesn't sound tinny and plastic-y.

I just have a personal limit to how much I can feel involved in any of the BW psychodramas. They're interesting from a biographical standpoint, and if one is doing scholarly analysis of the albums, I suppose a limited amount of this would be interesting.

But ultimately I've grown really sick of it. Brian lives a complicated, tortured life. He has sought out and attached himself to a series of Murry surrogates over the years, people who drive him to achieve but also serve the role of "heavy" to the people in his life he doesn't want to deal with. As is the case with some abuse victims who don't fully deal with their trauma, he has sought to replicate and fix that relationship repeatedly. Add in the mental illness and the pampered life of a rock star, and you have someone who -- while I admire his work and the soul shown in his music -- I find exhausting as a person.

So I take the work on its own terms, with a light sprinkling of background. I let the 69-year-old with the emotional maturity of an angsty preteen handle himself.

Wirestone is right y'all, deal with it.

Also, would Brian bother to do any music in mono these days? I mean, if he's allowed! ::)

Wirestone, you are hugely on the money.

of course brian would mix in mono if it was for himself or how he really wanted it. are you that stupid that you think he'd want to use stereo? first of all stereo sucks. second of all mono rules. phil spector - pet sounds. don't you get it? brian wilsin IS mono. the proof that an album is not entirely 100% a brian wilson creation with his artistic stamp of approval is if it's in stereo. brian can't even hear stereo so he can't mix it. that means the only way brian envisions a mix of his own damn music for YOU is in mono so you should really get into it and see the stereo for what it is, more fan mixes using content that brian oversaw while it was recorded to tape, and then mixed it in his own unique way.

although the difference would really be negligible if it weren't for the word that broke the thing in two and made it an entirely new work of eisdom that became doubly important over the years being that time rusteth not on the heart of the mind which heareth words with eyes and ears with sounds the snake that uncoils and rises high is the cross the crucifixion the resurrection of these times when the soul burns forth. of all things know one thing that no thing is something and something is nothing.

Brian may have wanted it to be mixed in mono, but it's 2011...no way it would be released in mono.

Ghost you are turning "shock and awe" into "crash and Burn"...

Do we have to go through this with this clown every freaking year?

It would appear so.

i was just being.... fasheeshush, about anything in stereo not being 100% BW - it's technically true since he can never mix stereo for us in a way that will make sense to us as stereo listeners if he really cannot hear it. so any mix has to involve someone else ghosting the mix for him as he goes between each speaker building a mental map of the sound placement in a stereo field. remember, brian wilson, intelligent mind, but can his imagination be trusted? perhaps it is the nature of stereo itself to fragment but brian's original mono mixes always sound inimitable and very dynamic to me. the stereo mixes of his work starting with the friends album lose something that a legitimate BW mono mix would have given them, i do believe. i'm curious to hear of any brian mono mixes of love you stuff - does it exist?

does any brian made mono mix exist of any of his music after 1967? or did he just give up on mixing to mono entirely? i've always suspected he takes a day for himself during his albums and mixes himself a nice mono mix for his own enjoyment when the mood strikes him. otherwise, how could he ever reference his own work or listen to it for nostalgia or enjoyment if he can't hear it properly in stereo?

my face right now,

(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhz5c9MZVT1qbocqg.gif)

f*** you man and everyone here that thinks like you

i make so many quality posts about brian wilson & the beach boys and you know it and everyone here knows it. so i balance it out with a little esoteric humor for the hip cats in attendance. so what. you in particular are just mad because i won't apologize to you for using homosexuality as a humorous resource in another thread. what's up your butt all of a sudden.

talk about being personally offended - i have to read posts from you people telling me to commit suicide better next time, to leave, that i'm not welcome round these here parts of town, and so on. what's with the witch hunt here? can't handle a little intelligent free style thought?

whatever. i'll just stop posting if it will please the majority here but every time i leave i think - well, wait a second, a couple of people hate me there right? but what about that other handful that say they enjoy my posts? why shouldn't i stick around for them? why do the guys that hate me get to win?

Oh wow.

Ah, message board train wrecks! It's so ... 2003. I hear the young people do it all through sexting and Facebook now.

i don't think that's how deafness in one ear works

(unless you mean through headphones)

Just trying to keep this board free of the crap thats in sexting and facebook that trolls like ghost are putting on here.

no i am saying just that, that if he hears with only one ear then he will perceive the sound of two stereo speakers playing a stereo mixed song will just be one blur or sound depending on exactly how he is positioned in relation to the speakers and their relation to each other and evrything else. he cannot accurately judge mixes of his albums whatsoever. this is my opinion based on how i try to imagine being mostly deaf in one ear. he can create a rough sketch in his mind of an imaginary stereo sound but it's just an estimation on kind hearted BW's part to appeal to the stereo freaks. Brian would fucking LOVE me for being into mono. he'd be like oh man, come to my secret music room, i've got a juke box full of spector!  :hat

just fill your ear with marshmellows, cover it with your hand, and stand in the middle of the speakers. that should be enough to fold down stereo.

brian probably listens to mixes through speakers and then gives his approval if everything sounds on the ball. the placements of the speakers or your position don't really matter much if he's close to them and they're being played loud enough.

So sad to read posts like this. Ghost is a troll because he writes creative posts from another view than you and most other people do?

Weak.

Ah yes, the creativity of comparing gay people to those with a terminal disease. If only everyone had such powers of imagination!

You know, teenagers kill themselves over crap like that. They really do. It's not funny, it's not appropriate, and I don't care about it for myself, but I care about it because this is a public space and it's worth thinking about other people's feelings before having your "fun."

That ain't cool at all, Ghost; either serious or joking.  Any respect I (and others) here have left for you is rapidly deteriorating. Wirestone should get an apology from you after that tirade against him. He didn't do anything wrong - on the contrary, he's posted some real good thoughtful stuff on this and other threads lately.

Agree 100% Mikie.

oh you mean, just like i've posted good and thoughtful stuff? get over it guys, take smile-brian your little fanboy with you too

Please stop. I like you ghost, and you do post some really good things at times, but some of the things you have said have crossed the line.

Let's end this here. No more personal attacks. This is a final warning.

oh and wirestone - the "terminal disease" was intended to point out how you were being unnecessarily personally offended by jokes about a sexuality which is something vague and not specific to you personally. to be offended in such a situation is amusing to me since it means you basically offended yourself. you chose to let the words tickle your offended part of the brain.

anyway, after i posted it i realized the immense humor in using that example - terminal disease - in such a context. aids and all that. oh, how i laughed as i did not edit the post.

Dude...seriously?!

Jesus H. Christ, ghost. You're one stupid motherfucker.

if you can't make fun of death dying sexuality etc... well that's just no fun, who says life is serious? this was my revelation falling from a bridge , life is hilarious. even the bad stuff

"Kiss The Girl" is the best Brian song in a decade


 ;D

Yuck, thats one twisted "revelation"

If it was so good the first time, why not try it again? If we're lucky, the hospital you end up in won't have an internet connection  ;D

Yes it is. Love the production and his vocals. It actually sounds like a hit.

don't ever develop even a passing interest in spirituality, friend, because it will go RIGHT over your head.

You're both wrong - Stay Awake is the business, imo. Brian's vocal is so fragile. it's actually a perfect little production.

Still can't get over how great Brian's vocals are on this album.

Can't really argue with that. Hell, I'll thrown in Baby Mine as well.

Me too. God, I love this disc.

Someone the other day suggested that BW re-record his vocals on BWPS now as his voice has improved so much over the last two years, and as obviously not happening as that is, it's still a great idea. His voice is getting so good nowadays. During portions of the Gershwin album and at the RFH he sounded as good as the eighties.

Banned. Good fucking riddance. I have seen some assholes in my day but this one takes the cake.

Time for "Brian Wilson presents GIOMH"

It's probably bad form to say, but -

Ta.  :)