Thanks Wirestone, that's more info than I had on the birth of some of these songs.

Do we know which songs were written for NPP and which are from the Wilson/Thomas writing sessions of the late nineties?

It's a great song and recording.

Wunderlust was recorded some time ago. Maybe as far back as 2004.

I'm surprised such low sales gets such a high position in the US charts. Still a decent showing.

The Dylan album has been floating my boat since its release. Beautifully sung and sensitive arrangements. Briefly replaced in my listening schedule byRon Sexsmith's Carousel now both have made way for NPP. Bob and Brian in the same year coming up with the goods, heaven! All I need is a quality new album by Townshend or The Who and the holy triumvirate will have delivered. Check out Bob's version of Lucky Old Sun. Outstanding.

Sounds like the big band ideas which Brian recorded for Adult Child, I wonder if the idea for that album was perculating at that point and a more jazz inflected recording of this song was being considered.

Not a review, just an initial reaction. I'm on my 4th listen through and I still have no firm opinion. The album as a whole is starting to pull into focus but I've not got a handle on it yet. With me this is usually a good thing. By the 10th time through I should have formed my view.

The whole damned thing just clicked today. I listened grinning from ear to ear and then felt very emotional with the Last Song. That's why I listen to Brian Wilson, I get strong emotional connections to the music. He's done it again. It's different from anything else he's done, jezuz those chorus' are massive! Fun stuff, introspective songs, sad songs of regret, it's  all here and I'm glad I got into it. Brian sounds great and Al's never sounded cooler. Lovely stuff. If I have a criticism it would be that runaway dancer breaks the flow of the album. I like it but I'm not sure it fits. Ho hum small gripe....I'm going in again!

Not a review, just an initial reaction. I'm on my 4th listen through and I still have no firm opinion. The album as a whole is starting to pull into focus but I've not got a handle on it yet. With me this is usually a good thing. By the 10th time through I should have formed my view.

Discussing Joe Thomas on this thread is stupid.

I dunno. I can't think of many albums worse than SIP and KTSA. With most bands' worst albums, I tend to at least find something on them that is pretty good so I don't have to admit they're bad albums.  For fun though let's compare the BB's worst stuff to other bands' worst.
The Beach Boys: Summer in Paradise
The Beatles: Let It Be
The Who:  Numbers
The Doors: The Soft Parade
The Rolling Stones: Dirty Work
Pink Floyd: Ummagumma
Billy Joel: Streetlife Serenade

whoa, The Who by Numbers is a major album. Perhaps Townshend's best writing (along with Quadrophenia and Chinese Eyes). Seriously good album. The last great work by Moon to boot.

To correct myself, the piece is called To the Last Whale a. Critical Mass b. Wind on the Water.

I just listened to this album (If Only I Could Remember My Name) earlier today - it was wonderful as pure music to have playing in the background.  It struck me not so much as an album of "songs", but more an overall vibe from start to finish.  Not quite sure how to express what I mean, but I was happily surprised by this, not something I'd ever heard before.  Are any of his other solo albums like this? 

Listen to 'Critical Mass/To the Last Whale' from Wind on the Water. Beautiful. The first part is Crosby, the second is Nash and it is wonderous.

I'm rather partial to If Only I Could Remember My Name.

I'm with you. Boy he can stack those vocals.

I really don't care to join in the Mike debate but both Crosby and Love have a big hand in some of, in my opinion, the greatest albums made to date. Pet Sounds, Today, Friends, (insert your favourite BB's album), Younger than Yesterday, Notorious Byrd Brothers, Crosby Stills Nash, Deja Vu, Wind on the Water. Both are beyond having their musical legacy questioned. Crosby is still producing the goods, his latest is a fine album.

Elvis decline is very depressing. I agree that his live shows held up through 1975 but by '76 it was very obvious that something was seriously wrong. The reissues over the last 15 years have however made his 70's output make a lot more sense. The Burning Love album is a case in point. It shows he was still on top form, something not obvious from the original releases during the period.

I tend to think this is one of his weakest efforts. Pretty drab and boy do I love Elvis. Several notches down from Promised Land.

I adore this album, must have played it 30 times already. It's the first one I've truly loved since love & theft. Bob's voice is beautiful (yes, I said that), the arrangements are warm and the songs are wonderful. Lucky Old Sun blows me away. Stunning. Why try to change him now?

Hi Brian, how many songs did you write for life suite? How many were recorded and will we ever hear it in it's entirety? Thanks man.

Welcome to the smiley board Brian. I'm looking forward to the new album as I always do. I think this one will be a little bit special. I've only got about half a million questions to ask you! Best wishes.

Gotta disagree with The Who's Real Good Looking Boy being on the list. Great song with some brilliant lyrics, 'in this long line there's been some real strange genes, you got them all, with some extra's thrown in ". Smart Girls is alright in my book. Nothing amazing but pretty humorous.

I'm missing Mac. Met him several times after his gigs. Lovely guy. Love all his work and play it regularly. It's music you can live with, nothing game changing but inclusive, relatable music which oozez humanity. I expected him to be around a lot longer. What a career and what a life. Thanks Mac.

Just get the Wilson-Paley tracks issued. All of 'em!

Want One, seriously good, dense, elaborate album. Gorgeous  music.

The New York album is 25 years old. It should have had an anniversary edition. Still time I guess.

They could release this on DVD.
http://www.discogs.com/Lou-Reed-The-New-York-Album/release/4822691

Yeah, it's a good one as I recall. I've not watched it in years since I binned the video recorder.