Brian Reimagines Gershwin

[Wirestone]

Article on the mastering from Portland (Maine) Press-Herald.

http://www.pressherald.com/life/audience/good-vibrations_2010-08-15.html

Also, a silly picture.

[The Heartical Don]

I am definitely close to writing a lot more about this album. It has real depths.

How about this, though -- for the first time in over 40 years, a Brian Wilson record has theremin? And not on one song, but on four (?!).

There are layers to this thing. Layers.

Thanks for the comments and the link to the mastering stuff. I am one of the 'restraint' type of people, so I still have to wait 22 days.

[Mike's Beard]

Have taken the day off work on Tues just to buy this... of course I have to hope the one music shop in my crappy little town stocks a copy or two....

Have only listened to one song so far as a tester as to whether to buy it or not as my fandom for Bri's solo work is only a fraction of what it is for Beach Boy's stuff. In fact I'd go so far as to say TLOS did absolutely nothing for me. Having heard TLIILY I can safely say if the rest of the album is up to this standard or better it'll be worth every penny.

[buddhahat]

Have taken the day off work on Tues just to buy this... of course I have to hope the one music shop in my crappy little town stocks a copy or two....

Have only listened to one song so far as a tester as to whether to buy it or not as my fandom for Bri's solo work is only a fraction of what it is for Beach Boy's stuff. In fact I'd go so far as to say TLOS did absolutely nothing for me. Having heard TLIILY I can safely say if the rest of the album is up to this standard or better it'll be worth every penny.

Well I don't want to say you won't be disappointed as we all have different tastes. What I will say is that about half of TLOS left me cold so I know where you're coming from. Also, TLIILY didn't do a huge amount for me at first but I have grown to love it within the context of the album. Personally I think there are about 7 cuts on the album that are as good or better than TLIILY, so hopefully there's much for you to get into. I found it to be a slow burner though so stick it out if it doesn't immediately grab you (or not if you are one of those people that knows instantly if he will enjoy an album or not. I am definitely not one of those people and have written off countless albums only to hear a song on the radio and think - wow that was actually really good!)

[Wirestone]

This album will not be to everyone's taste. It is a pre-rock covers record, it has strings, it is carefully mixed, etc. There are folks who probably want their Brian grittier. I assume the backlash threads will appear later this week, and in a year or so, some will talk about how overrated the whole thing was.  

But the album makes its own case, as I wrote before. And it makes its case -- to my ears at least -- as persuasively as any of BW's work since the 1960s.

Edit: A review in the Boston Herald from Al Kooper (yes, the Al Kooper): http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1274651&srvc=home&position=also

[Ron]

I think I might be the only dude waiting on this board till the official release date to hear this album, but DAMN it is good that Brian is stiil kicking ass. It is as if he can't help it, in a Chuck Norris sort of way....

I'm waiting patiently too.

Me three!

[mtaber]

Hey, official release date or not, if I walk into a store and the CD is sitting there, I'm buying it!

"I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'", "Nothing But Love" and "It Ain't Necessarily So" are favorites so far... but love it all...

[Rocker]

I think I might be the only dude waiting on this board till the official release date to hear this album, but DAMN it is good that Brian is stiil kicking ass. It is as if he can't help it, in a Chuck Norris sort of way....

I'm waiting patiently too.

Me three!

Make that four

[Mikie]

"Even Ludwig, whose role on the final outcome of "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" is profound, never spoke with Wilson directly about this project. Most of his interaction was with chief mixer Al Schmitt. Nobody gets to speak with Brian," Ludwig said.

Huh? That really surprises me. Brian doesn't talk to the guys who mix his album? All that work writing, producing, arranging, and getting the instruments and vocals just right for the recording, and he's not involved in the final release? What if he doesn't like the final product? Or does he just hand the tapes over to the engineer and say, "Here it is - I trust you to do a good job"? Does Brian do that with Mark Linett, or does he have more input?

[buddhahat]

This album will not be to everyone's taste. It is a pre-rock covers record, it has strings, it is carefully mixed, etc. There are folks who probably want their Brian grittier. I assume the backlash threads will appear later this week, and in a year or so, some will talk about how overrated the whole thing was.  

But the album makes its own case, as I wrote before. And it makes its case -- to my ears at least -- as persuasively as any of BW's work since the 1960s.

Edit: A review in the Boston Herald from Al Kooper (yes, the Al Kooper): http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1274651&srvc=home&position=also

Thanks for the link. Great to read Kooper's opinion of the album.

Not sure if this one has been posted yet. The New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/surfin_gershwin_boRUTp7Y8WMwzJ9jGOq2dN

Love this quote:

“It was really challenging to do those songs the way I think the Gershwins would have wanted them done,” Wilson says. “I felt Gershwin’s spirit when I was working on those songs — oh my God, yes. It was like I was with him and Ira, and they helped me sing those songs. I felt like they talked to me and taught me how to express myself in their music. They showed me how to get behind the notes, so the words were sung the right way.”

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/surfin_gershwin_boRUTp7Y8WMwzJ9jGOq2dN#ixzz0whADsWAD

[the captain]

Kooper says:

The standout feature is the excellence of Wilson’s vocals. During the last few years, his live singing has run the gamut from shaky to soaring. “Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin” proves he still has the abilities of his Beach Boys youth totally intact and he’s happy to share them.

*cough cough* BULLSHIT *cough*.

[Andrew G. Doe]

"Even Ludwig, whose role on the final outcome of "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" is profound, never spoke with Wilson directly about this project. Most of his interaction was with chief mixer Al Schmitt. Nobody gets to speak with Brian," Ludwig said.

Huh? That really surprises me. Brian doesn't talk to the guys who mix his album? All that work writing, producing, arranging, and getting the instruments and vocals just right for the recording, and he's not involved in the final release? What if he doesn't like the final product? Or does he just hand the tapes over to the engineer and say, "Here it is - I trust you to do a good job"? Does Brian do that with Mark Linett, or does he have more input?

The relevant word here is "directly".  Brian heard the mix and loved it.

[Wirestone]

Bob Ludwig didn't mix the album. He mastered it -- and that's not something Brian would be hands-on about, besides approving or rejecting the final product. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastering)

According to the august Mr. Doe, Brian did his own mix of the album with Mertens, Linnett and Darian. Disney chose not to release it. They hired Al Schmitt (likely for Grammy reasons), who turned out a mix that differed little from Brian's original vision.

[Mikie]

Ah, so there was an earlier mix that Brian was involved with and he approved of. Then Schmitt re-mixed it and Ludwig mastered it. That explains that.

Geez, Linett was involved in a mix that was rejected? Wow. Wonder what the differences were.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Bob Ludwig didn't mix the album. He mastered it -- and that's not something Brian would be hands-on about, besides approving or rejecting the final product. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastering)

According to the august Mr. Doe, Brian did his own mix of the album with Mertens, Linnett and Darian. Disney chose not to release it. They hired Al Schmitt (likely for Grammy reasons), who turned out a mix that differed little from Brian's original vision.

Geez, I need to get me some new eyes.  

[Andrew G. Doe]

Ah, so there was an earlier mix that Brian was involved with and he approved of. Then Schmitt re-mixed it and Ludwig mastered it. That explains that.

Geez, Linett was involved in a mix that was rejected? Wow. Wonder what the differences were.

The original mix, as indicated by the credits, was by Brian, Darian & Paul.

[Wirestone]

Correction noted. I was thinking that it might have been a "mix by Mark, mix produced by BW and DS" situation (I think that was the credit used in BWPS and the XMas record).

And apologies if I stepped on any toes -- just wanted to nip the mixing/mastering thing in the bud.

[Ed Roach]

from the LA Times today:

It's finally time to talk about "Brian Wilson Reimagines George Gershwin".

Last year The Times broke the news that the estate of composer and songwriter George Gershwin had enlisted Beach Boys visionary Brian Wilson to complete unfinished music that Gershwin had left behind at his death. Well, now it's complete. The resulting album, via Disney Pearl, will features two songs that Wilson built from Gershwin's unfinished music, "The Like in I Love You" and "Nothing But Love" and includes Wilson's versions of classic Gershwin compositions such as "Summertime," "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "I Loves You Porgy." (Tuesday)

[gsmile]

Brian Wilson: "Nothing but Love took about a week of hard work"

Cool to hear that he was really invested in this tune; it shows!  This song gave me chills the first time I heard it, and still does every time.  I just beam ear to ear when I hear the little "Wilson-isms" poking through.

[Shady]

The albums #3 on Amazon Canada right now.


Hail Canada

[runnersdialzero]

Everything about this is really, really, REALLY well done, but I just can't get into about 80% of it.

[mtaber]

I think it helps to have some familiarity with Gershwin ahead of time.  The material (save the 2 "new" songs) is already rattling around in my head from the distant past... one instance where it helps to be an old-timer!

This album is better with each listen... can't believe how good "Nothing But Love" is...

[rab2591]

WOW. I just realized that 'Plenty O Nothing' has a lot of inspiration from 'Wouldn't It Be Nice'....from the intro to the rhythm of the verse....

[Shady]

BUY YOUR COPY TOMORROW
 

[Bicyclerider]

Ah, so there was an earlier mix that Brian was involved with and he approved of. Then Schmitt re-mixed it and Ludwig mastered it. That explains that.

Geez, Linett was involved in a mix that was rejected? Wow. Wonder what the differences were.

The original mix, as indicated by the credits, was by Brian, Darian & Paul.

So when will this original Brian mix circulate?  something new to collect!!!!