Heartbreaking. Prayers for Brian and his family.

Also shocked and saddened. We got to see Brian and Melissa at the Love and Mercy panel presentation in Westwood years ago.  It was wonderful, and their story was so moving.  I didn't become a BB (Brian Wilson) fan until 2005, and had a lot of catching up to do. My heart and prayers go out to Brian and his family in a million different ways. Love and Mercy for them all.

I like Rab's analogy, perfect or not, both in its spirit and structure. A symphony is a complex blending of instruments but a piano solo or rendition (even if with other instruments) is quite different. Of course the lack of vocals (if seen as another instrument or a narrative or poem) is absent, but I enjoy instrumentals, especially pianos (since that is what I play). I am looking forward excitedly, like Billy C, to the album but also to other music that Brian may offer to us in the future.

When I heard this on the news I also saw immediate parallels to the Brian/Landy situation, was mulling that over, then thought to come to this board.  It seems that when one has talent and money the hangers-on do damage in one of two ways: (1) ignoring the substance abuse or mental health issue to keep one's employment/favors or by (2) controlling the situation artificially by offering help in the form of extreme and prolonged, "therapy" or conservatorship where one benefits financially.  Both of these polarities are abusive and harmful to the person who needs care.

On a personal note, I may have mentioned here before that we have a long-time friend who suffered with mental health issues parallel to Brian's (schizoid-affective, bipolar) and in the same time frame, but our friend had no funds.  He ended up at a state hospital back in the day (terrifying, we were told), then he got out and received no help for twenty years of suffering.  There is a tragic parallel between some of the rich and the poor in that they often do not receive adequate, appropriate care.  Clearly that did not happen to Brian for too long and now, it appears, for Britney Spears.  Lucky for our friend, his wife (our closest friend) stayed with him; he finally got adequate treatment and care and was able to live a normal life. There is help for people who need it, but when we see in the news this abuse of the mentally ill, it keeps more people tentative or afraid to get the help they do need. I agree; something in the system must change.

It's a lovely video and I was saddened that Brian wasn't there; I missed seeing him. Still, I respect his decision, and just wanted to add that we cannot underestimate Brian's issues with mental health, especially with this quarantine. I think I might have have shared on this board before that I have a long-time friend with schizoaffective disorder and is also bipolar (he was misdiagnosed/mistreated for a very long time and is nearly Brian's age) and when he is physically sick or under intense or long-term stress, he has a relapse. He is lucky in that the jobs he had after adequate treatment and diagnosis always worked with him when he relapsed, but the recovery can take a while, and only happens after adjustments in medication and lifestyle, which won't really begin to happen for those over 65 until they are safe to break quarantine, as is probably the case with Brian.

Here's a a link to what seems to be the official, original playlist and order: https://www.woodstock.com/lineup/

Yes, thanks ChrisFarrell. I read this book a couple of years ago when I was reading many BB's books; it's unique in its perspective on Brian.

Ah I remember being a new fan as well. Twenty three years goes by quickly apparently!

 What are your favorites?

And to re-direct the topic back to Billy's question upthread to me (sorry--I would have responded sooner but was out all day). My favorites shift around regularly, but "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Please Let Me Wonder," "God Only Knows," "Love and Mercy," Pet Sounds, SMiLE, and most through the late 1970s, and some pre-Pet Sounds songs. Also love the quirky Zappa-like songs of Brian Wilson (a long-time Zappa fan). Back to the BBs, I love what most of you on the board love, but became a fan on the spot after going to a Brian Wilson concert with someone else and was blown away--then started listening and reading. I am amazed at the knowledge here on the board.

Congrats to Smiley Smile!  I'm new here but have been a reader (lurker) for years and love this board and its posters. I appreciate the knowledge of the posters; Debbie and Ray and the experts; and Craig, Billy, and Chuck. I'm also a new fan (of three years) and love hearing from those from way back.

Wow! It's being reported that Egypt Station is set for a #1 debut on Billboard 200. Would be his first #1 since Tug Of War.

I absolutely love this album, even though I've never been a devoted fan--the last album I bought of Paul's was RAM. But the connections throughout the work in tone, theme, pacing I find fascinating, so I agree with Rob Sheffield's statement in his review Rolling Stone that it has a "structure like a ride on the cosmic train":

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-paul-mccartneys-awesomely-eccentric-egypt-station-719365/

Keep on rockin', Al--Happy Birthday!

One of my all-time favorites, and have been fortunate to hear Brian perform it live, twice. I enjoy all versions, even the one with Brian wearing leather and "crooning" on stage, but love the Kennedy Center Honors with the boys' choir, Libera.