Has Brian ever commented on Van Dyke Parks' Song Cycle?

[willy]

Just curious... I wonder what he thought if anything.

[The Heartical Don]

Not that I know of. I'd be very surprised if Brian ever said something about VDP's solo work.

[punkinhead]

Not that I know of. I'd be very surprised if Brian ever said something about VDP's solo work.

Even OCA?

[The Heartical Don]

Not that I know of. I'd be very surprised if Brian ever said something about VDP's solo work.

Even OCA?

That is not a piece of VDP's solo work. See: it was done by Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks.

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that he was a big fan of Discover America

[The Heartical Don]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that he was a big fan of Discover America

Interesting... for me, Discover America is the best VDP album, production-wise. Crisp, open sound, lots of detail, wonderful female backing vocals, a big touch of exotica, great rhythms (calypso, reggae-like, but also old fashioned dance stuff), and I could write volumes about the arranging. No one can arrange a song like VDP can. You're constantly put on the wrong foot, and just when you seem to lose balace, he offers a nice way out. Little Feat played on that album (well, on a number of tracks).

So it sounds natural that Brian loves it.

[GoogaMooga]

Now I want to get both Song Cycle and Discover America. I've already got Orange Crate Art and think it's wonderful.

[willy]

Now I want to get both Song Cycle and Discover America. I've already got Orange Crate Art and think it's wonderful.

Just go get 'em and pick up Clang of The Yankee Reaper too. Wonderful stuff. Van Dyke's voice may be an acquired taste to some, me I love it.

[shelter]

From Peter Ames Carlin's book, about the OCA sessions:

Brain dragged his feet into Van Dyke's first session, interrupting the start of his first take to ask an excruciatingly simple question: "Wait a minute. What am I even doing here?" Van Dyke hit the talk button without missing a beat. "You're here because I can't stand the sound of my own voice!" Brain thought about that for a second, nodded his head, and stepped up to the microphone. "Well, that makes sense. Okay, take one!"

 

[buddhahat]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that he was a big fan of Discover America

Interesting... for me, Discover America is the best VDP album, production-wise. Crisp, open sound, lots of detail, wonderful female backing vocals, a big touch of exotica, great rhythms (calypso, reggae-like, but also old fashioned dance stuff), and I could write volumes about the arranging. No one can arrange a song like VDP can. You're constantly put on the wrong foot, and just when you seem to lose balace, he offers a nice way out. Little Feat played on that album (well, on a number of tracks).

So it sounds natural that Brian loves it.

Have to admit I rather swiftly wrote VDP's solo stuff off after not getting on with Song Cycle, but on reading your review above I am checking this album out. Sounds great - love the calypso. Thanks for the heads up!

[?]

Now I want to get both Song Cycle and Discover America. I've already got Orange Crate Art and think it's wonderful.

Just go get 'em and pick up Clang of The Yankee Reaper too. Wonderful stuff. Van Dyke's voice may be an acquired taste to some, me I love it.

Acquired taste is putting it mildly.  Van Dyke sounds like an elf prancing through the forest.  But I love it too.   

[GoogaMooga]

Now I want to get both Song Cycle and Discover America. I've already got Orange Crate Art and think it's wonderful.

Just go get 'em and pick up Clang of The Yankee Reaper too. Wonderful stuff. Van Dyke's voice may be an acquired taste to some, me I love it.

I'll get that one, too, thanks for the tip! 

[The Heartical Don]

The title song of Clang Of The Yankee Reaper may be the best song that Ray Davies never wrote.

[wallabie]

"Clang of The Yankee Reaper" is the only album of VDP which is "easy to follow"... all the other one´s are more or less avantguard. I totally LOVE Song Cycle. But the VDP Album I really love the most is "Live at the Ash grove". Wow, he is playing and singing so wonderful and the setlist is brilliant.

[The Heartical Don]

"Clang of The Yankee Reaper" is the only album of VDP which is "easy to follow"... all the other one´s are more or less avantguard. I totally LOVE Song Cycle. But the VDP Album I really love the most is "Live at the Ash grove". Wow, he is playing and singing so wonderful and the setlist is brilliant.

I love LATAG immensely. It's really 'An Evening With' in an intimate setting...

[willy]

It certainly is... Van Dyke's between-songs patter is top notch. A true one-off!

[GoogaMooga]

I bought Song Cycle on CD about 20 years ago, but traded it in, too quirky, I thought. But now I'm more open-minded. 

[rogerlancelot]

I bought Song Cycle on CD about 20 years ago, but traded it in, too quirky, I thought. But now I'm more open-minded. 

I originally downloaded an mp3 version 6 or 7 years ago minus the bonus track ("Eagle & Me"). I sat on it for months until one day I decided to check it out. During the first song ("Vine Street") I kept recognizing melodies all over the place such as "The Entertainer" and "Ode To Joy" woven in the musical fabric. It kept me interested. The next song "Palm Desert" had me HOOKED first listen! I wound up playing that damn thing over and over and showing it to anybody who would let me (family & friends). Reactions were very mixed. The musician and poet friends were very positive about it whereas I think everybody else listened just to be polite. I quickly bought it soon after and then slowly collected the rest. I think the only one I don't have is the live one.

[SG7]

I love Song Cycle, but Jump is a big favorite of mine