Brian Reimagines Gershwin

[Runaways]

i wouldn't call it soft rock. minus the new songs.  they keep the vibe of the original compositions, but then almost throw em into the doo-wop era. which i love. particularly "i've got a crush on you".  can't wait for this to come out.

[carl r]

The unexpected thing for me - from the shards, snippets and odd songs I have heard - the (re?) emergence of Brian Wilson as a white soul singer, with a kind of semi-falsetto soul voice, at the age of 68. I guess all this touring - it has done something? Rebuilt his voice? Is it possible?

[The Heartical Don]

The unexpected thing for me - from the shards, snippets and odd songs I have heard - the (re?) emergence of Brian Wilson as a white soul singer, with a kind of semi-falsetto soul voice, at the age of 68. I guess all this touring - it has done something? Rebuilt his voice? Is it possible?

It is very well possible. See: in all concert halls, there are bacteriae and microbes (= tiny little animals with bad intentions) floating in the air. But the human body has a great defence system against these lifeforms: it builds up its immune system (= sort of a SDI thing) to ward off or destroy the suckers. This also happens in the area of the tonsils (= flesh bulbs) and glottys (= where the vocal cords are located, well, almost).
The result then is that by kicking and tearing apart of the small aliens, a callous (= shield-like) formation is made, that fortifies the voice, and makes it more expressive (= soulful).

Dr. Don

[Too Much Sugar]

A bit of a trivial question, but curious: so I bit on the $59.99 package of BWRG (autographed LP, etc.) and as I received my downloads of "The Like In I Love You" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me," they were sent as 320kbp MP3 files.  However, on the website, I was under the impression that you had the option between that and FLAC versions, the latter I was hoping for.  I was just curious if anyone else got the MP3 files too.  It's not really a big deal, since I'm getting the CD with it, but was just wondering if there were others. 

[Runaways]

i'm curious to what allmusic is gonna give this.  They haven't always had much proclivity to brian/beach boys.  So we'll see.  even though srsly it's like every beatles album gets 5 stars by them.

[Myk Luhv]

I don't know how much I can get behind a Brian Wilson album that doesn't include fat Moog synth bass and a steal of "Shortenin' Bread"!

[LostArt]

A bit of a trivial question, but curious: so I bit on the $59.99 package of BWRG (autographed LP, etc.) and as I received my downloads of "The Like In I Love You" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me," they were sent as 320kbp MP3 files.  However, on the website, I was under the impression that you had the option between that and FLAC versions, the latter I was hoping for.  I was just curious if anyone else got the MP3 files too.  It's not really a big deal, since I'm getting the CD with it, but was just wondering if there were others. 

Yeah, you're right.  On the home page it says that you can get these downloads as mp3s or FLAC, but when you click on a package it says mp3 only, and if you click on 'show contents', it makes no mention of FLAC.  Hmmm.  In addition, it appears that the Exclusive package (the one with the '1 of 200' autographed LPs) is already sold out.

[Mikie]

Just got an e-mail from Brian Wilson:

"Be one of only 300 people to purchase a limited and NUMBERED copy of the new album on vinyl!"

1. Numbered vinyl album of Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
2. Instantly download "Can't Take That Away From Me" in high quality Mp3 or FLAC audio
3. Physical CD of Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
4. Full Digital download of Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin on Aug 17th


So I guess this offering is different than the 200 autographed vinyl albums that were just made available?

What's next?  BWRG limited edition CD's w/black velvet slip case, jackets, shirts, kites, frisbees, coffee mugs, key chains, 4x4 posters, buttons, leaflets, bumper stickers, promo bio w/8x10 glossy ........glow in the dark condoms........

The Brian Wilson Reimagines Gerschwin marketing machine is in full force now!

[Ron]

Yeah, because they're really getting rich making an extra 20 bucks off of 200 people.  Hell, that's like 4 grand! Brian could pay his power bill this month with that.

The only reason they release these little bullshit special packages is because the die hard fans want something special, to prove they're a die hard fan.  Nobody's making a fortune off this stuff.  It's actually a GOOD gesture, not a money making grab. 

[Wylson]

Has really grown on me...

Favourite bits:
- The fact that you can hear Brian as part of the "answer" vocal on They Can't Take That Away From Me
- The vocal on Someone to Watch Over Me
- Crooning vocal on Love is Here to Stay

Okay, officially blown away by the album now.

Sadly my other half is not impressed, she only likes 'S'Wonderful' because "it sounds a bit like The Sims".

[Wirestone]

- The fact that you can hear Brian as part of the "answer" vocal on They Can't Take That Away From Me

Yes! He seems to be making a joke in the "the way we danced til three" part by singing it in a really tired / drunk voice.

I think what's most interesting about this album is that Brian's fundamental voice -- the tone, general pitch, etc. -- hasn't changed that much. But the way he's using it on ballads is almost entirely different. You first heard it on the "Midnight's Another Day" demo and a couple of tracks on the TLOS album. He's phrasing in an intelligent, controlled way, and he's not pushing. He's also not pushing the limits of his range.

[Amy B.]

I can't help but wonder what George Gershwin would have thought of this album. I know that his contemporary, Irving Berlin, was very conservative, HATED rock and roll and scorned anything modern. But I believe that if Gershwin had survived into the R&R era, he would have been more open minded. Not that I know a whole lot about him, but he did like to explore new avenues of music.

[SG7]

I am definitely impressed by this new album. Knowing how much Brian loved Gershwin, I had a feeling it would be something worthwhile. My favorite tracks have to be Plenty of Nuttin', The Like in I Love You, and Someone to Watch Over Me. It just sounds like he is having a good time on this. I didn't quite feel that way when TLOS came out, but this shows some serious enthusiasm on Brian's part.

[Bill Ed]

Although, the one thing I have noticed is that he always does a much better job when interviewed by a younger, attractive woman.

Is this a good example of what you're talking about?

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=42599209

[Bill Ed]

It seems the link I posted doesn't work. Well, here it is again. If this doesn't work, try googling "Brian Wilson Zooey".

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=42599209

[Wrightfan]

Thank goodness I got the autograph package when I did. Sold out in a day 

[Shady]

Thank goodness I got the autograph package when I did. Sold out in a day 

Ahh you got one.

Missed out myself because of the international shipping deal and I didn't get paid till today..

Heartbroken 

[Ron]

It seems the link I posted doesn't work. Well, here it is again. If this doesn't work, try googling "Brian Wilson Zooey".

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=42599209

I like how when he first tries hitting on her, he tells her he saw the Beatles.  She seems genuinely pleased and interested.  He then tries to tell her he saw Andy Williams.  She doesn't seem quite as thrilled about that one.

[buddhahat]

It seems the link I posted doesn't work. Well, here it is again. If this doesn't work, try googling "Brian Wilson Zooey".

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=42599209

I like how when he first tries hitting on her, he tells her he saw the Beatles.  She seems genuinely pleased and interested.  He then tries to tell her he saw Andy Williams.  She doesn't seem quite as thrilled about that one.

Thanks for posting - I've never seen this.

[buddhahat]

Wow this album certainly sounds great on headphones! It's really beautifully put together.

[Wirestone]

Brian on the "Ron and Fez" satellite radio show. Some interesting -- and very BW -- nuggets.

On "It Ain't Necessarily So"

"I think of all the songs they wrote, they was the most uncertain lyric. The lyrics didn't seem like it was going anywhere. Like, 'Little David was small but oh my,' 'Moses was found in a stream.' That doesn't sound like George Gershwin. That's the only song I've heard them do that I didn't like."

On the music industry:

"I feel connected, but I feel disconnected because the industry has DIED. And it's very hard to come by a melody. It's very hard to get a melody because you go, for what? For who? Where? Why? Who's going to buy it? There's no market.

On the continued success of BB/BW music:

"It's a thrill, but there's an air of paranoia. I can't go somewhere without someone saying, 'Hey, can I have your autograph?' Which is -- where are you from? What's going on here?"

[Wirestone]

New article:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/please-report-for-duty-brian-wilson/article1672217/

[Mikie]

On the continued success of BB/BW music:

"It's a thrill, but there's an air of paranoia. I can't go somewhere without someone saying, 'Hey, can I have your autograph?' Which is -- where are you from? What's going on here?"

I don't understand what he's saying here.  "Where are you from?" "What's going on here?"  Is he complaining that he doesn't like or he wonders why people approach him for autographs?

And:

"It's very hard to get a melody because you go, for what? For who? Where? Why? Who's going to buy it? There's no market."  I can understand his reasoning, but then what motivates him to keep writing and recording?

[Wirestone]

When you hear the autograph bit, it's like he's asking the autograph seeker those questions. Who are you and why do you want my autograph? That sort of thing.

As for the industry, I think he's kind of explaining why the industry is seeking cover albums. It's not that interested in / doesn't know how to sell new music from veteran artists like him. So folks turn to the past.

[Mikie]

Yeah, I kinda figured that about the autograph thing. But after all the autographs he's signed the past 50 years, I mean does he ask himself the same questions when he signs them? Kinda weird. I know he feels honored, but still. Must be the Librium talking......or whatever medication he's on (half joking). When he has signed stuff for me through the years, I don't think he thought that about me. I don't think.  No way I coulda read his mind though!