Midnight's Another Day

[PongHit]

Yeah...those are some DENNIS-style strings,not the usual Brian-ish kind. For some reason the opening reminded me of something from The Final Cut edit...my wife agrees with me...she said it sounded like a Michael Kamen track.

Yeah, it's Dennis-y for sure...  Wait, do you mean the pink floyd album, THE FINAL CUT ?

[PongHit]

I hope that really is Brian posting on the BlueBoard. He really is getting a lot of love. He even responded to one of my posts! 

Me too; he repsonded to MRS. PongHit's post tonight also...

[Swamp Pirate]

A remarkable piece of music- especially at this stage of the game.  The instrumental track alone is worth the song.  Brian's vocals actually add the extra sense of vunerability and depth.  This is promising.

[GoofyJeff]

Holy f***

Wow

Amazing

I'm speechless.

Brian is *TRULY* back.  The weight of SMiLE off his shoulders has truly yielded some great music, and I have a feeling this is just the beginning.

[Wirestone]

Well, good.

It looks like the reports of a post-Smile burst of creativity from Brian were correct. I was worried when we didn't hear much in 05 or 06 (the new Christmas songs were nice, but hardly enough to judge).

Interesting point -- I don't hear the band on backing vox at all. All Brian, and some Scott Bennett in the scat portion toward the end.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Yeah...those are some DENNIS-style strings,not the usual Brian-ish kind. For some reason the opening reminded me of something from The Final Cut edit...my wife agrees with me...she said it sounded like a Michael Kamen track.

Yeah, it's Dennis-y for sure...  Wait, do you mean the pink floyd album, THE FINAL CUT ?

Yes indeedy. Parts of "Fletcher Memorial" in there to me. Actually, Brian and Roger Waters would make for an (ahem) "interesting" tandem.

[RickD]

 Wait, do you mean the pink floyd album, THE FINAL CUT ?

Roger Waters album   

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Touche.

[STE]

Well, let's see how he sings it in concert without the studio trickeries...

[Smilin Ed H]

Yeah, yeah and it would've sounded a whole lot better if Mike had sung lead.  Give him a break: studio trickeries (actually inviolving no little skill) are part and parcel of the game and have been for a long time; you're an intelligent guy so you know that. Why bother bringing it up?  Just enjoy it.  If you don't like it say so.  Be thankful it's better than anything on GIOMH.

[Wirestone]

Another note: This is by far the best truly new song I've heard from Brian since I became a fan (mid 90s). "Cry" was up there, but the production was problematic.

This is probably the best song and performance of his solo career. Love and Mercy has never had a studio version as good as this. Some of the unreleased Paley sessions stuff comes close (original vocal track of GIOMH, perhaps).

The thing that's best is that this is pure, unfiltered, undiluted. No equivocation -- just Brian. And a heart-rendingly sad song about isolation to boot -- "All these voices, all these memories, make me turn to stone. All these people make me feel so alone." This is the voice that gave us "In My Room" four decades ago. And he is still doing it.

[Zander]

An excellent song, the kind of thing  we all know Brian is capable of. It's exactly what I've been wanting to hear, a revitalised Brian singing wonderful lyrics and writing amazing chord structures. A credit to Brian / Scott and the band. 

Well done, I can't wait til September!

Zander

[XY]

Simple-sounding songs are often the best songs, but not always as simple as they sound.

What sounds relatively simple at the start develops into a beautiful sound collage designed by moving voices, like only a Brian Wilson can do...or talented BW students and followers. His lead vocal shows unexpected facets, which are new to the listener. He plays with his expression-strong and character-carrying voice, which reflects the wisdom of a lived life. A hopeful, positive look in the future, one doesn't wish the good ol' days back for a change.
The song leaves an overwhelming feeling, although the fundamental essence sounds very simple. It's the recording, the love in it, the singing, the details. Small memories-pieces on Dennis' songstyle, but often doubtless Brian.

[Rocker]

Awesome and exactly what I expected from Brian after finishing Smile. That's why I can't agree with people who say this doesn't sound like Brian, probably written by Van Dyke (I saw somewhere else some posts in that direction). Brian really nails it, although there are one or two little falws, but then again, this is just a demo he said on the blueboard. Great stuff and something that approves what I was thinking for all the years. When Brian really wants something to do, he still can do it. Can't wait for the album !

[Goin’Bald]

I think this is everything a good song holds. Firstly Scott Bennett’s lyrics are excellent and catch the mood of the song. Secondly Brian’s really into the song, he lives it and makes it quite intimate. Thirdly, the music is superb. Starting slowly and building to a climax. With a slow song that is quite hard, but he manages it. Mind you, the song is over 4 minutes long. But there is so much to be heard in the background, you simply won’t get tired of it. The fading piano at the end is just what the song needed. Maybe just a little bit more harmonies from the other members of the band to give it a finer blend.

[carl r]

Nice! "Epic" 70s style production, horn's like "Without You" (Nilsson's version) ebbing harmonies and some serious oceanic metaphors.. for me it's a James Bond theme smash HIT, got the lot - a solid A

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

This is just a demo?! Honestly,it sounds finished. I hope it's not ruined in the final stages, then...

[GoofyJeff]

I think (HOPE) that Brian meant demo simply in the sense that it is something he and Scott put together so the rest of the band could learn their parts.

I think (HOPE) that the production on the finished product will stay true to what we've heard so far.

[The Shift]

You guys are all being very premature in your praise.

Me, I'm waiting for AGD's analysis and permission to like it before I decide

           

Just sorry that I'll be in CA when it's debuted in Londres, 'specially as I still have tickets for the opening night...

[Amy B.]

AGD praised the song on the blueboard, so you have his permission.   

[XY]

They probably gave him a bag of money that he doesn't write something bad this time.

[LostArt]

AGD praised the song on the blueboard, so you have his permission.   

Yeah, just a very few words.  He did say that the production is outstanding, and I agree 100%.  He also said that the song is the perfect vehicle for Brian's current voice, and again, I agree.  His voice is great on this one.  The low notes in the beginning are not perfect, but compare them with the low notes in, say, The Waltz.  Much improved here.  And the high notes are great with minimal shouting.  His falsetto will never be as it once was, but he's adapting to his 65 year old voice.  At about 3:35 to 3:50, his voice almost sounds like John Lennon's later period higher register .  The song itself is very good.  Scott Bennett's lyrics are great.  Brian's vocal arrangement is great.  I think they could release this 'demo' recording the way it is, with just a few touch-ups here and there.  If they do re-record it, I hope they stick with this arrangement and production style.  I am really looking forward to hearing this song in the context of the larger piece.  Very promising indeed.

[Rich E P]

I just posted this message over at the blueboard.  if you feel the same way please go over there back me up!

Dear Brian and Melinda and Scott,
I just wanted to say again how much I LOVE Midnight's Another Day ... just as it is! It is perfect and beautiful in its simplicity. Brian's fragile vocal (at the start), angelic backing vocals and instrumental arrangement. I would pay alot of money to have this song released on cd JUST THE WAY IT IS. If it is just a demo and there is going to be a rerecord of the song can I BEG that this version on the website be formally released in some way on cd. Either as a bonus track on (the hopefully soon to be released Lucky Old Sun cd) or a b-side of a cd single? I just love this version sooo much and I can't think of any way to improve it. If there are other who feel the same please show some support for the release of this song completely unaltered.
Cheers
Rich Panteluk
Once again big congratulations to Brian Wilson and Scott Bennett for bringing us this musical treasure!

[matt-zeus]

I like it! Shades of Pink Floyd (Wall/Final Cut era) come to mind as noted, and also some 70s Lennon, some nice chord changes in there which is what I want from Brian, bits which make me go 'Mmm, thats nice'
Makes me glad that i'll be seeing him in about 5 weeks doing it!!

[Amy B.]

I just posted this message over at the blueboard.  if you feel the same way please go over there back me up!...
Once again big congratulations to Brian Wilson and Scott Bennett for bringing us this musical treasure!

Hi Rich- I agree with you and posted as much to Brian last night. Here was our exchange:
Love the song, Brian

(posted by Amy Birnbaum on August 6, 2007 at 6:32 pm)

Message:

Thank you so much for this treat. I hope you plan to release the whole thing on CD!


Amy

(posted by Brian Wilson on August 6, 2007 at 6:35 pm)

Message:

As we did with Smile, it will depend on the responce we get for all of you. When we come home from the UK, we will decide whether we will record it. This recording is just a demo at the present. L&M Brian

A demo

(posted by Amy Birnbaum on August 6, 2007 at 6:45 pm)

Message:

I like it just like this!

Amy

(posted by Brian Wilson on August 6, 2007 at 7:07 pm)

Message:

Yes, me too, maybe I will leave it alone. L&M Brian


I'm sure I'm just being humored, but at least he or someone over there is aware that some people like the current version.