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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2020 13:53:36 GMT
Hello all! I'm sorry for one month of absence, here's new thread to the Album of the Week series: This week's album is Classics Selected by Brian Wilson, a 2002 compilation album with tracks selected by Brian Wilson himself. I have never actually listened to the comp in its entirety, but looking at the tracklist I think it gives you a very good, more artistic overview to The Beach Boys' music than comps like Endless Summer and Sounds of Summer that are focused mostly on hits and early-60s classics. If I were to recommend a Beach Boys comp to someone, I would probably choose this one. However, I wish he had filled up the disc with even more selections (it clocks in at about 57 minutes). Something from Love You, or non BW compositions would've been great additions. The remake of California Feelin' is disappointing and hardly captures the potential of the composition, which is better presented on Al's version and MiC version. |
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 7, 2020 21:33:24 GMT
No apologies necessary, Wata, but we're glad you're back.
This is a tough one to rate. I love the track selection, for the most part: it was right in my sweet spot around that era.
On the other hand, I don't need or really listen to comps. Like, ever. I make my own playlists, which take a pretty good selection and perfect it for my own taste. If there are unreleased or rare tracks, I'll just pull them and listen to them on demand.
I also question Brian's input into the selection at least on the matter of "Sail On, Sailor," which he has said a few times he doesn't even like. Granted, he flip flops on things, so who knows, maybe that day he really did like it.
Lastly, I don't like "California Feelin." I don't think it is a good song. And I don't like this recording, either.
So it's an unnecessary comp of really great songs of questionable provenance with a clunker of a new song. What's the appropriate number for that?
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Post by kds on Jun 8, 2020 0:20:24 GMT
Good track list for the most part, but its pretty obsolete in the wake of the two volume BB comp Sounds of Summer / Warmth of the Sun.
I think California Feelin' is an OK song, but I don't think it warrants the attention in gets.
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Post by jk on Jun 8, 2020 10:20:43 GMT
Sorry, Wata, everyone, but I can't summon up enthusiasm for any BB comp, except for the comprehensive (no pun intended) Thirty Years box set. Even there, I have trouble with the inclusion of individual tracks from Pet Sounds...
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 8, 2020 12:04:21 GMT
I guess the SELECTED BY BRIAN WILSON part was just a marketing ploy, trying to capitalize on Brian's increasing activity as a solo artist and, again, Pet Sounds' continuing popularity. Well, that made me go out and purchase it!
Actually, I did purchase Classics Selected By Brian Wilson when it came out, but it was mostly to hear what Brian did with "California Feelin'". Underwhelming was my reaction, and, as has been mentioned, the song is overrated to begin with. How many versions do we have now and they are all...meh. I listened to this comp a few times and then put it away.
Positives? Several "aces" and mostly Brian's best artistic achievements, even with the earlier selections. Well, so much for the positives. 
My biggest complaint? This album clocks in at 56:57. C'mon! Why couldn't they fill the CD in with an additional 23 minutes of MORE classics selected by Brian Wilson? That would mean another 7 or 8 songs. That couldn't be accomplished from a then 40-year career?
The inclusion of "California Feelin'" taints the whole project IMO. Capitol just can't help themselves. They just can't stop putting marketing ahead of art. This could've been the only comp ever in the Beach Boys/BW's history that truly focused ONLY on Brian's art, and then they go and tack on this inferior track. Why? To sell albums. It worked on me... 
Of course the cynic in me makes me question the whole "theme" of the comp to begin with? Did Brian really choose ALL of these tracks? "Sail On Sailor", a song he has not only never praised, but has publicly criticized? Did Capitol insist on the inclusion of "Surf' Up", because Brian hasn't exactly praised that one either. "We're Together Again"? Huh? Who knew? That's the only song on the album that Brian didn't write, or at least he isn't credited.
I'm also slightly surprised that "Wonderful" was chosen, and especially the Smiley Smile version. The original SMiLE version of "Wonderful" was available, being previously released on the 1993 boxed set. I'm curious which version Brian really preferred or...selected.
One other minor complaint. This album is LOUD, damn loud! These tracks are very clear versions and when I want to use them on my personal comps, I have to apply some serious volume adjusting.
Classics Selected By Brian Wilson charted for one week reaching No. 159. Nuff said. A 3.
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Post by kds on Jun 8, 2020 12:13:48 GMT
I guess the SELECTED BY BRIAN WILSON part was just a marketing ploy, trying to capitalize on Brian's increasing activity as a solo artist and, again, Pet Sounds' continuing popularity. Well, that made me go out and purchase it!
I always suspected that was the reason for this album's existence. It's also interesting to notice that this is a Beach Boys comp that is very very light on Mike Love. He sings lead on three of the 20 tracks. I did not realize it charted so poorly. Perhaps that's why the label released Sounds of Summer the following year, which still manages to make the charts every year when the weather warms. I'm giving this a 7. It's got 18 great songs. But, the execution is pretty poor.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 8, 2020 12:16:10 GMT
I decided on my rating, btw. 4.
If someone looking to buy a Wilson-heavy Beach Boys comp, not so into the surf and car stuff, I'd highly recommend it: like 8-9 territory. But for me, where the only real selling point is the new music? Bordering on zero.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 8, 2020 23:56:46 GMT
Classics Selected By Brian Wilson...And Sheriff John Stone 
01 Surfer Girl 02 I Get Around 03 Don't Worry Baby 04 In My Room 05 The Warmth Of The Sun 06 Help Me, Rhonda 07 California Girls 08 Wouldn't It Be Nice 09 God Only Knows 10 Caroline, No 11 Good Vibrations 12 Heroes And Villains 13 Cabin Essence 14 Our Prayer 15 Surf's Up 16 Busy Doin' Nothin' 17 Do It Again 18 Time To Get Alone 19 Cool, Cool Water (Single Version)
20 This Whole World 21 Marcella 22 Sail On Sailor 23 'Til I Die 24 Had To Phone Ya 25 The Night Was So Young 26 Match Point Of Our Love 27 Good Timin' 28 Goin' On
In my attempt to improve it:
- I filled out the CD. More music for your money.
- I re-sequenced the first few tracks slightly. I wanted to go from "In My Room (at night) to "The Warmth Of The Sun" (dawn of the day).
- "Wonderful", "We're Together Again", and "California Feelin" have been replaced.
- "Help Me, Rhonda" (a No. 1 song!), "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Cabin Essence", "Our Prayer", "Do It Again", and "Cool, Cool Water" (the single version was used so I could fit "Our Prayer") were added - see bolded. Don't those songs appear to be...classics...that Brian liked?
- I took the comp post-Holland and ended with KTSA, thus the inclusion of "Had To Phone Ya", "The Night Was So Young", "Match Point Of Our Love", "Good Timin'", and "Goin' On".
Yes or no? Better or worse? Was going post-1972 a mistake? Should those later songs not be allowed to stand with the earlier "classics"?
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 9, 2020 0:57:04 GMT
Re going post-72, I think it's a good move, especially when you're trying to lengthen the album.
The fact is, like it or hate it, Love You especially is an album Brian has regularly praised, and an album that fans seem to think is a good representation of him at that time (whether or not they like the final product). And 15BO seems very much in the same vein in many ways, and it's an obvious link. So I think at least continuing to there is not only fair game but a good idea. Almost any fan of BW could enjoy at least, say, three songs from between those two albums.
While it's entirely fair game, though, I'm not sure I'd find much to include after that. Those are the albums where I start looking for things to like, rather than liking things. And I find my moments, find my songs. But not much I'd feel good about setting alongside "It's OK" and "The Night Was So Young," much less "Good Vibrations."
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Post by lonelysummer on Jun 9, 2020 2:36:24 GMT
When I started collecting Beach Boys albums in the early 80's, I wanted the more significant compilations - Endless Summer, Spirit of America, Good Vibrations - Best of the Beach Boys, Ten Years of Harmony; got Made in USA when it came out. And that was pretty much it for me and Beach Boys comps, although I did pick up Be True to Your School recently.
There comes a point with any group or artist where the new stuff isn't selling anymore, so the record companies start cranking out the compilations. The thing is, in this age of iTunes and spotify and youtube, any of us can create a playlist that is much more to our liking than what the major labels offer us.
Actually, if I was thinking of a collection of Beach Boys songs that focus on Brian, I think the song selection for the IJWMFTT soundtrack is nearly perfect. It focuses on the more melancholy side of his music; the only sun and surf tune included is Do it Again.
What would be more interesting at this stage would be a Beach Boys comp focusing on Carl or Dennis songs.
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Post by kds on Jun 9, 2020 12:14:31 GMT
What would be more interesting at this stage would be a Beach Boys comp focusing on Carl or Dennis songs. I'm mildly surprised they've never tried that, but that'll probably have to wait until the label no longer thinks they're able to milk Pet Sounds and the greatest hits.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 9, 2020 12:24:17 GMT
What would be more interesting at this stage would be a Beach Boys comp focusing on Carl or Dennis songs. I wonder how feasible that really is. Carl obviously was a great singer, a strong bandleader, a pretty solid producer (though it's hard to see how much of that work was his versus the engineers and other band members during those late 60s and early 70s years). But if the project was meant to feature his songs, well, his songs were not very strong for the most part. A few are really strong, like "Long Promised Road," "The Trader," and (while I'm not as big a fan) "Feel Flows." Some people like his LA songs. But it feels like a comp of Carl Wilson's Beach Boys songs would basically just be all of Carl Wilson's Beach Boys songs. There just aren't enough to choose a "greatest hits" from, unless it's an EP.
Dennis? I'll let Dennis fans talk about that.
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Post by kds on Jun 9, 2020 12:50:18 GMT
Re going post-72, I think it's a good move, especially when you're trying to lengthen the album.
The fact is, like it or hate it, Love You especially is an album Brian has regularly praised, and an album that fans seem to think is a good representation of him at that time (whether or not they like the final product). And 15BO seems very much in the same vein in many ways, and it's an obvious link. So I think at least continuing to there is not only fair game but a good idea. Almost any fan of BW could enjoy at least, say, three songs from between those two albums.
While it's entirely fair game, though, I'm not sure I'd find much to include after that. Those are the albums where I start looking for things to like, rather than liking things. And I find my moments, find my songs. But not much I'd feel good about setting alongside "It's OK" and "The Night Was So Young," much less "Good Vibrations."
I have my suspicions about how much Brian actually likes Love You (and I'm not just saying that because it's my least favorite BB album featuring Brian). But, no Love You tracks on "Beach Boys Classics Selected by Brian Wilson." I don't know how much say Brian had in the Sounds of Summer / Warmth of the Sun comps (a 59 track collection), but Love You is one of just three BB albums not represented. Rarely does a Love You song crack Brian's setlist.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 9, 2020 14:33:14 GMT
Re going post-72, I think it's a good move, especially when you're trying to lengthen the album.
The fact is, like it or hate it, Love You especially is an album Brian has regularly praised, and an album that fans seem to think is a good representation of him at that time (whether or not they like the final product). And 15BO seems very much in the same vein in many ways, and it's an obvious link. So I think at least continuing to there is not only fair game but a good idea. Almost any fan of BW could enjoy at least, say, three songs from between those two albums.
While it's entirely fair game, though, I'm not sure I'd find much to include after that. Those are the albums where I start looking for things to like, rather than liking things. And I find my moments, find my songs. But not much I'd feel good about setting alongside "It's OK" and "The Night Was So Young," much less "Good Vibrations."
I have my suspicions about how much Brian actually likes Love You (and I'm not just saying that because it's my least favorite BB album featuring Brian). But, no Love You tracks on "Beach Boys Classics Selected by Brian Wilson." I don't know how much say Brian had in the Sounds of Summer / Warmth of the Sun comps (a 59 track collection), but Love You is one of just three BB albums not represented. Rarely does a Love You song crack Brian's setlist. I think Love You was and continues to be a favorite album of Brian's. He has made some positive comments about the album through the years in his interviews when discussing "favorites". I have to wonder how much input Brian had with any of the BB comps including Classics Selected By Brian Wilson. Did/does he really care? If Brian really selected his personal favorites it might be very surprising. BTW, the 1993 boxed set features FOUR Love You songs as does Made In California. Finally, I think the fact that Brian rarely performs a Love You song in concert is because of the party line - give the people what they want - hits, hits, more hits, and no solo material (unless he's pushing a new release). The last three or four years Brian has been featuring more rarities due to their album's anniversaries (Wild Honey, Friends, etc.). Yeah, i guess he/they could've found a reason to feature some (any!) Love You songs, but, again, there's probably limited demand.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 9, 2020 14:42:33 GMT
I agree with SJS. However, KDS, it's not like you don't have a point. I don't think we can prove anything on this, but rather just list evidence that happens to appear on both sides--totally typical for BW.
For the record, I think Brian would have been wise to include a few Love You songs in his set lists over the past decade or so. After all, his voice could handle many of those leads far more easily than it can most of the earlier material. I think back to the rarities being re-introduced into the set lists around the BAD tour; wouldn't "The Night Was So Young" or something have fit well?
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