Brian - the 80s

[matt-zeus]

Recently I've been listening to a lot of Brians 80s stuff, not just his 88 solo but also Sweet Insanity and its outtakes. In my view these songs are some of the best stuff that Brian has done post-60s. Perhaps people are put off by the harsh 80s production, but being a child of the 80s I love it!
Particular favourites:
Lets Do it again/Black Widow - What a great song, much more substantial than any of the Beach Boys offerings of the same time. Does sound like 80s pop but still good.
I sleep alone - aside from the lyric not meant for Brian, melodically one of his greatest of the era
Turning Point - I really like 'You've touched me', and this is the original version but again still good.
Save the day - This is 'Fairytale', and though the lyrics are dubious the tune is great, arrangement was kept for the remake.
Heavenly Bodies - A bit disney-ish but Brians singing on this is really good and understated, not his usual shouting of the era.
Too much sugar - Great feel, swings along well.
Water builds up - Why this one wasn't re-recorded I don't know
Theres more but my brain is empty.

[c-man]

"Water Builds Up" is sheer genius...a happy, upbeat tune about rage! 
Brian sounds positively cheerful! 

[Lorenschwartz]

I agree--Brian's 80's material really came along fine. I wish SI was released.

Screw Diane Sawyer & (dateline??)20/20!!!!
 their interview w/ Landy caused SI to be dropped, i'll betcha.
Bri, i remember was Whacked out in that interview to be sure, anyone remember??...

SNL and Tim Robbins really mocked him good on this one!!!!!!!!!
featured in the same telecast as Sineades "War" tirade nonetheless!!!
one of SNL's best of the 1990's

[Jason]

Sweet Insanity was dropped because it sucked.

[punkinhead]

what did tim robbins do? perform smart girls?

[Wilsonista]

No, Robbins played Brian in a skit with Kevin Nealon and Dana Carvey. If I remember correctly, the show aired during the '92 presidential election and the premise of the skit had Nealon spoofing Larry King trying to interview Brian (spoofed by Robbins) but getting interrupted by Ross Perot (played by Carvey) dropping in and out of the presidential race. Robbins' Brian was very skittish, extremely nervous and very wasted. Funny, but maybe a tad bit too mean-spirited.

And yes, that was the same episode where Sinead O'Connor tore the picture of Pope John Paul II.

See what you kids missed by not having been born yet?

[punkinhead]

born yet? i just wasnt old enough to watch SNL...   

[Ron]

I really like "Water Builds Up".  Great melody. 

[MBE]

I don't like the production on this stuff. Some of the songs are OK. I am glad Brian has gone back to using real musician's. The 88 solo was pretty good though.

[Lorenschwartz]

No, Robbins played Brian in a skit with Kevin Nealon and Dana Carvey. If I remember correctly, the show aired during the '92 presidential election and the premise of the skit had Nealon spoofing Larry King trying to interview Brian (spoofed by Robbins) but getting interrupted by Ross Perot (played by Carvey) dropping in and out of the presidential race. Robbins' Brian was very skittish, extremely nervous and very wasted. Funny, but maybe a tad bit too mean-spirited.

And yes, that was the same episode where Sinead O'Connor tore the picture of Pope John Paul II.

See what you kids missed by not having been born yet?

thank you, thank you.

 PS-also...both nirvana's and o'connors 2nd performances of their '91-92
 appearances are not repeated. too bad for those true fans who didn't see it LIVE the first time.   
Love Teenage Fanclub too. w/ Jawson Priestly, as Host no less.

[I. Spaceman]

Got all those on tape and now DVD. Great, all.

[I. Spaceman]

I don't like the production on this stuff. Some of the songs are OK. I am glad Brian has gone back to using real musician's. The 88 solo was pretty good though.

Real musicians playing fake tack pianos, tympanis and fake harpsichords?

[the captain]

I'll take the sound of the instrumental tracks now anyday over those tracks from the '80s.

The vocals...well, depends on how many band members get to sing. I guess. What, just Brian? Next topic.

(If you can't say something nice...)

[Ron]

I dunno.  On the Christmas album, Brian was in fine form and in my opinion every lead he did on the album was far above average and most were verging on great with one or two classic performances.  Autotune it, doubletrack it, whatever you gotta do but the last album we've got from the man he sounded amazing on it. 

[Joel5001]

Classic performances?  Vocally?  Is the the Christmas album that came out last year?  With the shiny cover?  I'm confused; my version didn't have the classic performances.

[NimrodsSon]

"SOMEONE TO LOVE"!

Possibly the best song Brian ever wrote post-1970-ish

[Alan Boyd]

"Someone To Love" is great.  Even considering the fact that the verse progression is a direct lift from Dennis' "San Miguel."

[NimrodsSon]

Yeah, I didn't even realize that until now. Does anyone know who wrote "Someone to Love"? Is it a Wilson/Landy collaboration? It sounds a bit Wilson/Paley-ish to me.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I love his vocals on that track. Many of his vocals from that period sound like he was shouting, but parts of this sound like he's *screaming*...and I like it, much like I love his recent perfomances of "Drive-in".

[MBE]

I don't like the production on this stuff. Some of the songs are OK. I am glad Brian has gone back to using real musician's. The 88 solo was pretty good though.

Real musicians playing fake tack pianos, tympanis and fake harpsichords?

Yeah but overall he does use real instruments. Even when he dosen't, his style is more natural now. It doesn't sound processed compared to at least three quarters of what's current. I still think Brian was at his best pre 76 though.

[NimrodsSon]

I must have missed something--Brian used a fake tympani? In the live show, yes, but not on any recordings that I'm aware of.

[Ron]

Classic performances?  Vocally?  Is the the Christmas album that came out last year?  With the shiny cover?  I'm confused; my version didn't have the classic performances.

Yeah man!  "First Noel" "What I Really Want For Christmas" "Hark the Herald Angels" are all vocally great in my opinion.  I honestly think vocally they're nearly as interesting as anything he's done. 

[Rocker]

Yeah, I didn't even realize that until now. Does anyone know who wrote "Someone to Love"? Is it a Wilson/Landy collaboration? It sounds a bit Wilson/Paley-ish to me.

The melody in the verses is the same as "San Miguel" by Dennis...


Hmpf, sorry that was mentioned already....

[Lorenschwartz]

Yeah, I didn't even realize that until now. Does anyone know who wrote "Someone to Love"? Is it a Wilson/Landy collaboration? It sounds a bit Wilson/Paley-ish to me.

The melody in the verses is the same as "San Miguel" by Dennis...

i dont know why...but his funny spoken lyrics in the chorus & verses sound like he wanted
 David lee Roth to say 'em...it always sounded like he was tryin to be real "macho"on this track.

THATS WHAT I REALLY NEEEEDDD!!! I GOT A CASE ON YOU!!!!

[matt-zeus]

Currently enjoying this Brian compilation of outtakes. Must say that I think the best of this would better his 88 solo album. Can't get enough of 'Lets do it again'! Also really loving Turning point.

1. Concert tonight
2. Someone to love
3. Water builds up
4. Don't let her know shes an angel
5. Do you have any regrets
6. Brian
7. Hotter
8. Spirit of Rock'n'Roll
9. Rainbow eyes
10. Love ya
11. Make a wish
12. Country feelin'
13. Daddys Little girl
14. Lets do it again
15. Heavenly lovers
16. Turning point
17. Barbie
18. Save the Day
19. Lets stick together
20. Heavenly bodies
21. Just say no
22. Christmas time
23. I sleep alone