Cool interview with Steve Levine

[juggler]

"Getcha back" often gets critisized because of the similarities to Springsteen's "Hungry heart", but it still is a very good single imo and tells a good story.

It speaks well of Springsteen's classiness and non-litigiousness that he didn't sue.  Certainly, if someone had so blatantly ripped off ML himself, there's no doubt that he'd have lawyered up toot suite.

[All Summer Long]

I enjoy some of the album but I just can’t get into some of the real 80’s stuff, it just doesn’t sound like the BB’s. And I’m not saying it had to had a surf sound or a Pet Sounds or SMiLE sound, but I’ve never been able to get into Carl’s songs and a couple others for that reason.

I am disappointed reading about Al's behavior at one point during the sessions. That just doesn't go with the image I've always had of Al. Thinking of Al making Levine CRY with his behavior would be like if I saw Brian Wilson slam dancing in a mosh pit at a punk rock concert. It just defies nature.

Agreed on that point. With the exception of this incident and the 1977 tarmac incident, it seems like Al was a good guy who tended to get a bit stubborn on certain things (Gary Usher; plus walking offstage once in the ‘90’s?, but maybe this was ‘97/‘98 and if so that would make sense).

[c-man]

"Getcha back" often gets critisized because of the similarities to Springsteen's "Hungry heart", but it still is a very good single imo and tells a good story.

It speaks well of Springsteen's classiness and non-litigiousness that he didn't sue.  Certainly, if someone had so blatantly ripped off ML himself, there's no doubt that he'd have lawyered up toot suite.

Actually, the similarities are in the rhythm style and overall arrangements, but not the melodies or lyrics - so I doubt a lawsuit could be successfully mounted.

[juggler]

"Getcha back" often gets critisized because of the similarities to Springsteen's "Hungry heart", but it still is a very good single imo and tells a good story.

It speaks well of Springsteen's classiness and non-litigiousness that he didn't sue.  Certainly, if someone had so blatantly ripped off ML himself, there's no doubt that he'd have lawyered up toot suite.

Actually, the similarities are in the rhythm style and overall arrangements, but not the melodies or lyrics - so I doubt a lawsuit could be successfully mounted.

IMO, it goes beyond the obvious rhythm and cadence duplication.  The two are so melodically similar in many places that you could swap lyrics between the two, e.g.:

He may have money and a brand new car

and

Lay down your money and you play your part


In any case, we'll never get a jury's opinion on this because Bruce obviously has no intention of suing.   Of course, one could also make the argument (and some have) that Hungry Heart is itself an homage to Brian & the Beach Boys on the basis of its instrumental track, backing vocals, arrangement and sped-up lead vocal.  So that might complicate any litigation a bit too, i.e.., an interesting situation where you record an homage to a band, and then said band turns around and rips off your homage to them.  Well, the whole thing has a certain "ouroboros" quality to it.

In any case, as a side note, presented for your listening pleasure, ML's rendition of Hungry Heart...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLpU-JAw9fk

[Rocker]

Steve Levine discusses Stevie Wonder and The Beach Boys


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbmoqda0Pbo



Levine plays some of Stevie Wonder's demo of "I do love you"!!

[Pablo.]

FWIW, during a press conference en 2013 I asked Stevie about IDL and he answered that it was a song he had written in the style of the BBs during the sixties...

[UEF]

  Of course, one could also make the argument (and some have) that Hungry Heart is itself an homage to Brian & the Beach Boys on the basis of its instrumental track, backing vocals, arrangement and sped-up lead vocal.  So that might complicate any litigation a bit too, i.e.., an interesting situation where you record an homage to a band, and then said band turns around and rips off your homage to them.  Well, the whole thing has a certain "ouroboros" quality to it.

Wonder if Mike will ever sue the Beatles for not crediting him for Back in the USSR - that must be worth a few quid

[Rocker]

  Of course, one could also make the argument (and some have) that Hungry Heart is itself an homage to Brian & the Beach Boys on the basis of its instrumental track, backing vocals, arrangement and sped-up lead vocal.  So that might complicate any litigation a bit too, i.e.., an interesting situation where you record an homage to a band, and then said band turns around and rips off your homage to them.  Well, the whole thing has a certain "ouroboros" quality to it.

Wonder if Mike will ever sue the Beatles for not crediting him for Back in the USSR - that must be worth a few quid

Pretty sure Mcca took care of that 

[jwoverho]

I'd never read or heard anything about Levine's time with the band and his work on the album before the interview. He seems like a very nice and straightforward person. He obviously has great respect and affection for Brian. His stories are an interesting glimpse at the man behind the public image.

When you consider his background and success at the time, the production is exactly in line with what you'd expect. They didn't hire him for a Beach Boys-style production, they obviously hired him to make a contemporary album. Steve definitely brought the modern technology available at the time to the group, and I'm sure it was a culture shock for a band used to working like the old days back at Western, Gold Star, Brother Studios, or even Brian's house.

It's not a bad album, it's just not what most people expected.

[Jim V.]

Towards the end he sneaks in, "My relationship with Bruce is as is" with a bit of a negative vibe... Wonder what their quarrels with each other would have been?

Based on first hand knowledge Bruce seems to turn directions on people at the drop of a hat, without rhyme or reason. I know of at least three occasions on the C50 tour, and there are plenty of other stories here.  I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Levine didn’t get along with him

Care to document any? C'mon don't leave us hangin'!

[Join The Human Race]

From what I've read, mostly by fans, Bruce can be hot and cold with people. Somewhere on this board, there's an anecdote of Bruce getting really pissed at a fan who mentioned Bruce's production on LA and KTSA. He seems like a very affable man, but he's also a businessman at the end of the day. If I recall, didn't he tell Carlin in an e-mail interview for CAW something along the lines of, "You fans really take this seriously, it's just a business to me."

I've never met him though, so again, most of what I know is what fans post along. I'm sure others can shed some light on that.