Van Dyke Parks

[RobotWisdom]

http://www.heavysugarradio.com/2008/09/van-dyke-parks-song-cycle-1968-ryko.html

[the captain]

There is no question that things moved more quickly then than now. Clearly, the corporate world--and let's not kid ourselves, while it was getting there then, it is nothing but that now--has a certain machinery that includes project planning. focus groups, marketing plans and the like. Everything is slow. Everything includes consultants. Everything costs money. I believe that Song Cycle was ridiculously expensive, but I have serious questions that it remains the fourth most expensive album ever, all things considered. Mr. W. Axl Rose is STILL racking up costs on an album that's nearing what, 15 years overdue? For Parks to hire real, live musicians and actually paying someone to write out their parts was undoubtedly expensive. But really, I doubt it's anywhere near fourth all-time anymore. I question the list. Just off the top of my head, Zappa's London Symphony Orchestra albums HAD to be at least equally expensive.

[The Heartical Don]

There is no question that things moved more quickly then than now. Clearly, the corporate world--and let's not kid ourselves, while it was getting there then, it is nothing but that now--has a certain machinery that includes project planning. focus groups, marketing plans and the like. Everything is slow. Everything includes consultants. Everything costs money. I believe that Song Cycle was ridiculously expensive, but I have serious questions that it remains the fourth most expensive album ever, all things considered. Mr. W. Axl Rose is STILL racking up costs on an album that's nearing what, 15 years overdue? For Parks to hire real, live musicians and actually paying someone to write out their parts was undoubtedly expensive. But really, I doubt it's anywhere near fourth all-time anymore. I question the list. Just off the top of my head, Zappa's London Symphony Orchestra albums HAD to be at least equally expensive.

But isn't 'Chinese Democracy' a word pun, about something that won't happen anyway? I'd think that if I wanted to fool people, I could come up with something like this too...

[the captain]

 If you do, share some of the wealth with me.

[Aegir]

But isn't 'Chinese Democracy' a word pun, about something that won't happen anyway? I'd think that if I wanted to fool people, I could come up with something like this too...

OF COURSE!!!!!

I don't know why I never thought of that. Damn that Axl Rose, trying to trick us like that. Pfft.

[Peter Reum]

I finally have seen something I want to respond to here, and VDP is my prime candidate for a very limited edition boxed set that would collect the best of his tracks from his albums. and some other tracks, such as those from the early Loss Leader albums that are worth using. We could start with the Steeltown Two and work forward to the present day.

[dogear]

Hi Peter, greetings from Germany. Good idea, but I thinks there are far too many songs with VDP participation - they would fill several boxed sets.

Box 1 VDP as  producer
Box 2 VDP as  arranger
Box 3 VDP as  player

[roll plymouth rock]

Collecting VDP is quite a job- just counted over 50 album, 120 CD und about 20 45s in my collection and it's far from complete.

hey dogear - your collection sounds cool! what would you say your favorite vdp 45s are? i collect 45s too and wouldn't mind some vdp tips

[dogear]

"Come to the sunshine/Farther Along" MGM K13570 and
"Number Nine (partly sung in German)/Do What You Wanta" MGM K13441 are a must - they're from the pre-Smile era. (1965/66)

Mojo Men: "Sit Down I Think I Love You" Reprise 0539 great VDP arrangement (1967)
George Washington Brown (=VDP) "Donovan's Colours" WB 7026 (1967)
"The eagle and Me/On the rolling Sea" (Both non-LP) WB 7409 (1970)
"Ocapella/Ode to Tobago" WB7609
"John Jones/Riverboat" WB 7632 (never seen this one) both from Discover America (1972) -
last 45 release in the US,
there is a German "Opportunity For Two/Many a Mile to go" WB 9292647 (1984) though.

If you like Steel Band Music other 45 which he produced are worth a mention:
Esso Trinidad Steelband: Superstar/Singer man WB 7532 (1971)
Goldie Hawn: Pitta Patta Reprise 1126 (1972)
Dino Martin: Sitting in Limbo Reprise 1129 (1972)

Oddity: Frank Stallone (Rocky's brother) "A Case Of You/Sea Song" produced By Nilsson, arrangements and accordion by VDP Scotti Brothers 11613 (European Release 1980)

Fresh from 2006: Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs The Pillowcase EP, VDP plays piano on "The Village Green Preservation Society" Parasol/Shout Factory 038

[The Heartical Don]

I finally have seen something I want to respond to here, and VDP is my prime candidate for a very limited edition boxed set that would collect the best of his tracks from his albums. and some other tracks, such as those from the early Loss Leader albums that are worth using. We could start with the Steeltown Two and work forward to the present day.

Seconced, thirded, fourthed, and fifthed. There must be lots of hidden gems out there... somewhere I have the commercial for Datsun cars he did. It is so... weirdly beautiful, with those nymphs chanting the name of the car. Really, it exists outside of time. Ahead of time, or very backwards, or left or right or everywhere.
Say, Peter, can you make that a limited+1 box set edition (just in case)?

[roll plymouth rock]

fyi (from bbb):
It has been brought to our attention that Van Dyke Parks is appearing in concert, along with Imara George (daughter of Little Feat's Lowell George) on Sunday, November 23rd at:

The Jazz Cafe
Camden Town
London

Tickets for "Standing Room Only" =
Tel 0870 0603777

Tickets for Restaurant Area =
Tel: 0207 768 88899

Please check out the Jazz Cafe website, for more information:

jazzcafe.co.uk


The gig has been described as "An Intimate Evening with Van Dyke Parks and Imara George".

[the captain]

That's Inara George. They released an album together earlier this year, An Invitation, on Everloving Records.

[dogear]

Watch this:
www.kcrw.com/music/programs/mb/mb080912inara_george_and_van

[The Heartical Don]

Watch this:
www.kcrw.com/music/programs/mb/mb080912inara_george_and_van

Great! How can one record this onto CD or DVD? Is there such thing as a programme? And: thanks!

[carl r]

if I were a TV exec I would give VDP his own show, an hour every few weeks, and say "just do what the hell you want"

I'm sure it would be extremely entertaining, and often educational.

[The Heartical Don]

if I were a TV exec I would give VDP his own show, an hour every few weeks, and say "just do what the hell you want"

I'm sure it would be extremely entertaining, and often educational.

I agree. There is a Dutch documentary where he and Randy Newman are together, having a nice chat. If you are in the mood you'll wet your pants laughing all the way through.

[SG7]

Would kill to see this man perform near me!!

[the captain]

Ditto. I'm straight and gay marriage is illegal here, but I'd probably propose to him anyway. A word-nerd who plays a mean piano? Yes, please.

[punkinhead]

Hey Jay, whatcha mean by VDP's "two hens" quote?

[Aegir]

Watch this:
www.kcrw.com/music/programs/mb/mb080912inara_george_and_van

To hear these songs with traditional instrumentation is so... weird. I think part of the appeal of the CD is the weirdness of the disconnect of the vocals from the rest of what's going on. But here they all go together.

[dogear]

true

[The Heartical Don]

Ditto. I'm straight and gay marriage is illegal here, but I'd probably propose to him anyway. A word-nerd who plays a mean piano? Yes, please.

Two more advantages. He loves his red wine, and allegedly he is a great cook (does exotic African soups, for instance). Yes. He'd make a great wife. Luther, go for it!

[the captain]

Ditto. I'm straight and gay marriage is illegal here, but I'd probably propose to him anyway. A word-nerd who plays a mean piano? Yes, please.

Two more advantages. He loves his red wine, and allegedly he is a great cook (does exotic African soups, for instance). Yes. He'd make a great wife. Luther, go for it!

Well I love red wine and also to cook. Maybe I'd make the great wife. In fact ... are VDP and I a lesbian couple? wtf?

[The Heartical Don]

Ditto. I'm straight and gay marriage is illegal here, but I'd probably propose to him anyway. A word-nerd who plays a mean piano? Yes, please.

Two more advantages. He loves his red wine, and allegedly he is a great cook (does exotic African soups, for instance). Yes. He'd make a great wife. Luther, go for it!

Well I love red wine and also to cook. Maybe I'd make the great wife. In fact ... are VDP and I a lesbian couple? wtf?

  brilliant...

[Alex]

Can I get the sloppy VDP seconds?