If you could pick 5 albums to play for Brian Wilson...

[Boiled Egg]

as for those who'd rather discuss food with him - i don't believe you.  what a gigantic waste of your time that would be.  and imagine the thumping you'd get from people.  'you had a couple of hours with brian wilson, and you talked about scallops?  what?' 

Believe it. Not scallops though if I can help it, i'd like to see what he thinks of Portuguese custard tarts and see if he wants to try some nice British cuisine - this is assuming we're in a British restaurant of course. Otherwise Brian will have to invite me to his regular restaurant to see what I think of his favourite dishes, I like (among other things) Steak, Burgers, Chips (french fries), Lasagne, Fajitas, Stir Fry, All day Breakfast, Escalopes, Jacket Potatoes, Omelettes, Pizzas, KFC, Corn on the cob, Chicken, Waffles, Pancakes, Birthday cake, Tea, Oxo, Cup-a-soup, Spag Bol, Chocolate (especially Belgian and Swiss) and biscuits. So if Brian is reading this then any of the above will do, but i'm really open to anything.

2nded. In fact, the few times I joined in on the blueboard chats with "Brian," food is pretty much all I ever did discuss. And for what it's worth, "he" always responded. 

So, Luther, you throw him a virtual hamburger and he responds? The words 'familiar' and 'scenario' come to mind.

now he sounds like pavlov's beach boy.  (or do i mean one of b f skinner's beach boys?)

[The Heartical Don]

as for those who'd rather discuss food with him - i don't believe you.  what a gigantic waste of your time that would be.  and imagine the thumping you'd get from people.  'you had a couple of hours with brian wilson, and you talked about scallops?  what?' 

Believe it. Not scallops though if I can help it, i'd like to see what he thinks of Portuguese custard tarts and see if he wants to try some nice British cuisine - this is assuming we're in a British restaurant of course. Otherwise Brian will have to invite me to his regular restaurant to see what I think of his favourite dishes, I like (among other things) Steak, Burgers, Chips (french fries), Lasagne, Fajitas, Stir Fry, All day Breakfast, Escalopes, Jacket Potatoes, Omelettes, Pizzas, KFC, Corn on the cob, Chicken, Waffles, Pancakes, Birthday cake, Tea, Oxo, Cup-a-soup, Spag Bol, Chocolate (especially Belgian and Swiss) and biscuits. So if Brian is reading this then any of the above will do, but i'm really open to anything.

2nded. In fact, the few times I joined in on the blueboard chats with "Brian," food is pretty much all I ever did discuss. And for what it's worth, "he" always responded. 

So, Luther, you throw him a virtual hamburger and he responds? The words 'familiar' and 'scenario' come to mind.

now he sounds like pavlov's beach boy.  (or do i mean one of b f skinner's beach boys?)

  yeah, leave it to our Luther to travel the route of deep psychology...

[Dancing Bear]

1. Brian Wilson 1988
2. Imagination
3. Getting In Over My Head
4. What I Really Want For Christmas
5. That Lucky Old Sun

For two reasons....I doubt if he's listened to any of them more than a few times, if at all. And, I would be curious to see how long he could sit through each one.

This thread is weird, but this post was a real highlight.

[Exapno Mapcase]

Put another record on.

[The Heartical Don]

Put another record on.

Yeah. Something like: 'Dickie Cheney Sings For Children (And Grown-ups Too!). Right?

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Brian would hate Music Tapes, too. Julian Koster would get a punch in the face. (Sometimes he needs one anyway: a Christmas album on the singing saw? foda...)

Well, I'm starting think Brian's not a very nice guy. He hates on everybody else's new music, and then giving us his best doe-eyed toothy grin, tells us to buy something like Gettin' In Over My Head or Imagination, complete with slick modern production that would make Britney Spears proud. Maybe Koster would hit Brian in the face with a singing saw for those albums.

How can we be so sure Brian wouldn't like it? He likes Smile now, and perhaps may like some modern Smile like musicians.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD_0wegMc7Q    The Music Tapes - Majesty

Wow, another Music Tapes fan. If I was ever in a profession where I had my own lobby for guests to wait, "In an Ice Palace" would be on constant repeat.

Amen! And how did this quote end up on the Al Jardine topic?

[Mr. Cohen]

Amen! And how did this quote end up on the Al Jardine topic?

I like to have a couple tabs open in my browser. Using tabs is liking driving down the freeway while you're using your cell phone and trying to fix your hair. Eventually, you're going to crash into the wrong topic.

If I really felt like playing Brian something crazy, I'd play Black Moth Super Rainbow for him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC6aAs4kkbY

[Alex]

I wonder what he'd think of Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea.

[Smilin Ed H]

1. Brian Wilson 1988
2. Imagination
3. Getting In Over My Head
4. What I Really Want For Christmas
5. That Lucky Old Sun

For two reasons....I doubt if he's listened to any of them more than a few times, if at all. And, I would be curious to see how long he could sit through each one.


If he did take the time, he might find a lot of good songs swamped by indifferent production.  Of course, he'd also find a lot of drivel and a lot that lies in between.

[the captain]

I wonder what he'd think of Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea.

My guess--and obviously it's just a guess--is that he wouldn't like it. Over the years in various interviews he's talked about not liking things purely based on the singer's voice. And while I think Mangum's voice is really touching, it's not good in the sense that Brian Wilson seems to like singing. I really believe that on the whole, he'd rather hear an album of any words whatsoever--or none at all--being sung well in harmony than something really creative and personal but not necessarily sung well. But Mangum certainly does like BW.

[punkinhead]

be careful, he might take some of the melodies and re-write lyrics to em!

[Jonas]

Am I the only one who thinks Aeroplane Over the Sea is an overrated collection of garbage?

[the captain]

No.

[SG7]

my 5


1. Stereolab - Cobra and Phases in the Milky Night

2. The Ronettes Feat. Veronica (of course!)

3. The instrumental version of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black album

4. Duffy - Rockferry

5. Nico - Chelsea Girl

[Chris Brown]

3. The instrumental version of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black album

I didn't know this existed...I presume the Spector influence is more apparent that way?

[Alex]

Am I the only one who thinks Aeroplane Over the Sea is an overrated collection of garbage?

No, both you and Luther are the only ones who think that.

[lance]

I love that album, but I have come across others who did not like it. At this point the hype may be hurting AOTS--the comments I hear are usually along the lines of "It's not THAT good" or "I"m not impressed" or "I don't see what all the fuss is about."

But for me, it's in my top ten of all time, maybe my top five.

[the captain]

Am I the only one who thinks Aeroplane Over the Sea is an overrated collection of garbage?

No, both you and Luther are the only ones who think that.

Actually I love it, believing its among the best five albums of all time. I was just answering his question.

[SG7]

3. The instrumental version of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black album

I didn't know this existed...I presume the Spector influence is more apparent that way?

Yes and plus a lot cooler!

[Jim McShane]

Here's my 5:

1. Florida Suite by Frederick Delius - a beautiful, very descriptive tribute to Florida in the early 20th century by a fairly obscure English composer. I think BW would love the aural imagery - you can almost feel the humidity in the air!

2. Bali by Wondermints - I wonder if Brian ever heard the whole album all the way through. Clever, witty, almost tongue-in-cheek at times.

3. Ravel - Orchestral Works (Montreal Symphony, Charles Dutoit conducting) - two works off here in particular are such magnificent orchestrations! The Mother Goose Suite has all the playfulness and childishness BW loves, yet is a very sophisticated piece of music. And Le Tombeau De Couperin is in the same vein, only even richer if that's possible.

4. Waltz For Debby - Bill Evans Trio - virtuoso live performances by the Bill Evans Trio of classic jazz/pop songs, just the kind of thing that might inspire. Sadly Evans' superb bassist Scott LaFaro was killed in a car crash a few days after this was recorded...

5. The Association - their self-titled album - if there was ever an album that could surpass the BBs/BW Band in vocal "gorgeousness", this might be it. Excellent songs, superbly played and magnificently sung. Maybe it would create a competitive spirit in Brian.

Or maybe I'm completely full of crap and he'd hate allof these! 

[The Heartical Don]

Here's my 5:

1. Florida Suite by Frederick Delius - a beautiful, very descriptive tribute to Florida in the early 20th century by a fairly obscure English composer. I think BW would love the aural imagery - you can almost feel the humidity in the air!

2. Bali by Wondermints - I wonder if Brian ever heard the whole album all the way through. Clever, witty, almost tongue-in-cheek at times.

3. Ravel - Orchestral Works (Montreal Symphony, Charles Dutoit conducting) - two works off here in particular are such magnificent orchestrations! The Mother Goose Suite has all the playfulness and childishness BW loves, yet is a very sophisticated piece of music. And Le Tombeau De Couperin is in the same vein, only even richer if that's possible.

4. Waltz For Debby - Bill Evans Trio - virtuoso live performances by the Bill Evans Trio of classic jazz/pop songs, just the kind of thing that might inspire. Sadly Evans' superb bassist Scott LaFaro was killed in a car crash a few days after this was recorded...

5. The Association - their self-titled album - if there was ever an album that could surpass the BBs/BW Band in vocal "gorgeousness", this might be it. Excellent songs, superbly played and magnificently sung. Maybe it would create a competitive spirit in Brian.

Or maybe I'm completely full of crap and he'd hate allof these! 

Great list, mr. McShane. A truly great, and quite esoteric list. Chapeau!

[Aegir]

Jim's is the only list I can see Brian liking.

[buddhahat]

4. Waltz For Debby - Bill Evans Trio - virtuoso live performances by the Bill Evans Trio of classic jazz/pop songs, just the kind of thing that might inspire. Sadly Evans' superb bassist Scott LaFaro was killed in a car crash a few days after this was recorded...

Didn't someone, maybe Tony Asher, hip Brian to this around the time of Pet Sounds, so it may well have inspired his best work!? Anyway, great choice. I love Bill Evans, especially Undercurrent.

[buddhahat]

Don't know if anyone's already mentiond this, but I'd love to play The Zombies' Odyssey & Oracle to Brian. It's the album from the period that comes closest to sounding like Pet Sounds imo, with all the delicate vocal arrangements. Brian must have heard it - I wonder what he thought? It's a beautiful album.