If this does indeed focus on the music from a technical standpoint--which it seems to, and as AGD's note that he did work on Ives would indicate--I'm thrilled. I find it amazing how little the authors of each of the previous books seem to know or understand about music. I recall getting very angry reading Gaines and noticing he'd use incorrect terms for song types, or dismiss albums out of hand. (I think he said something about Today! and Friends in particular as being virtually worthless albums, musically speaking. Most people would disagree.)

There was a counter culture that had it's own codes of behavior that, although they changed rapidly with the times, were as restrictive as the "straight" culture in some ways. 

That's what makes being hip---in any time and by anyone's definition--such a piece of sh*t. It doesn't matter because all you have to do is follow someone's code. It doesn't matter. Fashion, antifashion...same thing, just different sides. Hip is bullshit. So whether Melcher was "hip" depends on who you are and what your definition of hip is.

I just think the phrase was unnecessary. To say he was taking Al under his wing implies 1) that Al NEEDS someone to coddle him, as if he were some 18-year-old who had never done a show in his life, as opposed to a grown man with an extensive history of being part of a very successful band, and 2) that Brian Wilson is currently capable of somehow guiding or leading anyone, which I doubt he is, by the way.

It isn't a matter of what else Al would be doing.

And Alan, well, I'm glad at least Brian has taken him under his wing again. His Family and Friends were excellent.  Al Jardine is just as important as any of them. And by "them" I mean all those folks who were a part of the greatest rock band ever.

And with all due respect, a 60-yr-old man doesn't need to be to be taken under anyone's wing, especially when he is a singer, guitarist and songwriter who was a part of the Beach Boys for 30 years. Brian is taking him under his wing? Please...what the f***...

[POB]

I've spoken with people involved in the making of POB - don't believe all of the credits (not unlike Brian's 1988 album). There's one interview where Dennis claims he played tuba on one track...

Oh, but not you're ruining those fun little myths that make being a fan so fun for people. What's next, no Santa Claus? No, I believe Dennis played everything with virtuosic talent. Oh, and Brian finished a secret SMiLE in his head in 1967.

If Melcher WAS hip in the 60s and 70s, then what the hell is he doing collaborating with Mike Love in the 80s and 90s?

vdp worked for mike love in those latter years (on kokomo or whatever), and it's tough to get less hip than that. First of al, hipness is a fucking stupid, artificial construct anyway, and second, musicians need to work first and foremost. "hip" doesn't mean sh*t.

Oh, I agree taht daniel had to be putting them on about having never heard ps. That''s why I said they claimed it...as much a student of classic pop as he was, there is no way he'd be unaware.

As for the scene about the book...I had the same reaction. Those poor people, I suppose (as is the case with many who just take things at face value), they'd have no idea how bogus that book is.

2) It sounds like he never heard the song before and this is the first take of him trying to record it. They must've got him on a really bad day or something.

I'd say about half of his recorded output could be described that way.

Also, according to his bandmates in the recent documentary about him, that may be close to tue--they claim when they met him, Daniel claimed he had never heard pet sounds.

I like Daniel, too, somewhat (although not as much as you, based on your avatar). I certainly don't think of him as the genius many people do. In fact, I think his illness causes people to overrate his abilities--I believe that's a common thing for people to do with artists. But I do like some of his performances and plenty of his songs. It says a lot about my feelings about him, though, that I prefer the Discovered Covered tribute disc to his own work most of the time.

If Dennis had somehow made it to see today alive, there would be a good a chance that Brian wouldn't have, considering the way they fed off one another's addictions. So Brian may not have been on the road these past years touring at all, much less with Pet Sounds and Smile. And if Brian still were alive, there's a decent chance he'd be a 320-pound addict and recluse hammering out day-long versions of Shortn'in Bread in his house.

We ought not let out strong feelings of people's music and its beauty alter the sometimes unpleasant facts.

lol. i can say with glee that it sounds exactly like i guessed it might.

I added some instruments to the arrangement. You can hear it at:

www.myspace.com/thebeaumondes

Here is an acoustic guitar-and-vocals version of TtGA that I recorded this afternoon.

http://download.yousendit.com/7CF533DA6E2767FC

There are so many different kinds of musicians, and even different kinds of education for musicians, that it is a waste of time to try and justify one musician's abilities or talent with some kind of grade along those lines. Whether Brian was a technically brilliant pianist by the traditional definition (which he absolutely, 100% wasn't) has nothing to do with him being a great musician. As others here have said, his primary strengths were composition, arrangement and production -- not to mention his singing ability in the 60s. The fact that he had all of these various skills already makes him an AMAZING musician. Whether his piano skills were rudimentary, competent or virtuosic is almost completely irrelevant, other than as an amusing aside.

(I thought of this when the last post mentioned other talented but non-reading musicians--the ranks of which include plenty of absolutely unbelievable jazz and blues musicians along with rockers, by the way.)

Remember what xmas is all about?

Greed, gluttony and commercialism. Right?

The song was every bit as good as I'd have guessed it would be.

In other words, it is absolutely worthless sh*t.

He played a part of Wind Chimes in the SMiLE shows. The audience went crazy, but I remember some people posting that they thought it made him look like a trained monkey, just doing a simple bit for the people's amusement. I thought it was cool to have him do a little piece.

I'm no musician, butI always wonder when people talk about how well Brian plays piano. In terms of untrained piano players, is he really that great? I mean, sure, he's good. But, for example, here's Paul McCartney playing Lady Madonna:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CSOXEr_xWsY

And Ben Folds Five playing Theme from Dr Physer:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dKRqs-uKVO8

It seems like Brian is called "exemplary" at so many things, but his piano playing more "ordinary." Maybe I'm wrong?

I think you're right on...and wrong. He isn't in any way a brilliant pianist, technically speaking. (Didn't Spector kick him off a session?) He is a great musician, though, and I think it comes through in his piano playing. His parts are pretty simple, and even examples of more complicated playing aren't very impressive. His Rhapsody in Blue, or his fast little boogie woogies he does every so often, are very rough around the edges both in terms of rhythm and note-correctness.

All that said, I love his feel, and his songs are just so damn good that I'd take him pounding out those simple block chords all day long.

I like Brian's piano style. Without checking liner notes, you can usually pick his parts out in that they tend to be block chords, and a lot of left-right-left-right hand stuff (as opposed to single note lines or more complex parts).

As for that "best left hand..." stuff, I don't think it should be mistaken as some kind of statement that Brian is a virtuosic pianist or anything. In some ways his playing is very simple. But I think that statement means he really, really came up with cool bass parts and kept them in a fantastic groove.

Wow. I have been listening to this Jan 07 disc...

First of all, for any talk over the past two O.M. albums about them incorporating 80s dance or electronica into their music, THIS is the one that actually does it. Kevin Barnes is seriously channeling Prince (in a good way) here.

But second...it is like a completely different composer. Barnes is DARK through a lot of this. I am actually shocked by this, as a fan of Of Montreal. Don't misunderstand--it's very good. VERY good. But so unexpected, even though I've seen a few of these songs performed live and heard various, previously-leaked versions. Holy sh*t...this is not your usual Of Montreal.

I'll say this, I prefer it to the Shins upcoming 07 disc by a factor of 10.

Has anyone got or heard Sufjan Stevens' Christmas album? My understanding is that he's releasing (or just released) a compilation of his previous Xmas EPs and songs with some new ones.

I don't really like Christmas music as a rule, but if I have a few of the more tolerable ones around (BBs, Spector, Motown, etc.), it helps when people are over and want to listen. Everyone can be happy.

Anyway, wondering if anyone likes it. I'm not a HUGE Sufjan fan by any means, but I could imagine it being listenable a time or two a year.

I disagree that the bridge is good, and comparing it to Sunshine (or much of anything on Imagination, for that matter) doesn't do it any favors in my eyes.

Good advice, but Luther, 10-15 years ago it would have been easier to find a music salesperson who had knowledge of legit and alternate releases. Now you get the 'deer in headlight' look.

That's why the right store is essential!

I try not to think too much about the technology side of things. If music is available in some format, eventually people will use that format. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, and everyone has his or her tastes and preferences. But to me, worrying about analog v digital, vinyl v CD, and so on is a waste of time. I'm just not that interested in those debates very often. So as long as I can purchase the music I love (and the people who make it can make a living, or at least continue releasing music), the rest of it is secondary.

There are plenty of file-sharing networks out there, and you can find any number of unreleased things on them. But be aware you might also find things that aren't what you're looking for, including (but not limited to) viruses and legal trouble. I'd say hunt around your local independent music store(s), if you have any. There are usually ways to find such things with the help of knowledgeable salespeople.

That is, of course, assuming you don't have any friends or acquaintences who have such things.