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Post by B.E. on Jun 24, 2023 1:08:02 GMT
This was posted at EHF. Al briefly mentions working with Brian "on a new album that Brian is putting out". Hear it at 24:19. www.area831podcast.com/episodes/al-jardineThe episode appears to have been posted on June 13th.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 24, 2023 1:17:15 GMT
That's interesting and surprising. Also that the host didn't follow up on that, but instead changed the subject? ("Wow. Besides that, you've got a lot of philanthropic work...") Wow is right.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 24, 2023 12:46:41 GMT
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Post by B.E. on Jun 24, 2023 21:55:53 GMT
Additional information from newbbfan at EHF (who I believe used to post here):
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 25, 2023 11:31:16 GMT
I'm trying to imagine a best-case scenario here.
Maybe Brian & Co decided to try to finish up an album's worth of music that's been floating around unfinished? For example, whatever of the Jeff Beck-era sessions we haven't yet gotten? Any other Thomas-era fragments?
What's more, I hope Brian has the good sense to be exceedingly generous in doling out lead vocals. Al, Blondie, Matt, and Darian (for example) all can manage much better than he can. Let him be judicious in his own parts.
I have a very hard time believing that Brian suddenly got a burst of inspiration to do an album of all new material, a la Paul Simon with his recent Seven Psalms. I'd be interested if he did, but I doubt it.
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Post by B.E. on Jun 25, 2023 13:47:21 GMT
Not only that, but this project might not even come to fruition. Al seems to have let us all know very early on, potentially. Then again, wasn't there a report last fall that Brian was in the studio working on something? It seemed like it was a one-off session, but maybe they were working on a track (whether new or completing an unfinished one) that will eventually be included on a final solo album. I agree, though, it's highly unlikely that the album will consist of wholly newly written songs. There will probably be a couple new-ish written songs alongside material Brian's written (or co-written) over the past 10, 15, 20 years - many of which probably already partially recorded. And there's nothing wrong with that. Finish it and release it. No use in hanging onto music forever.
It probably won't be too dissimilar to Long Promised Road, except the older material won't be that old and there will be new work done on those tracks. And unlike Long Promised Road, the leads will be passed around to numerous singers.
And there will probably be a couple covers. Like a "Proud Mary" or something.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 27, 2023 12:03:45 GMT
I am more than a little surprised at how little chatter this generated. I know we're a small group, and I know there isn't a lot to run with based on Al's minimal comments.
But Brian Wilson might be working on another album! Even if it's touching up leftovers from the Paley sessions or some Thomas material or the Beck sessions, even if his voice is diminished pretty significantly, it's still (theoretically, assuming it happens) more music from Brian Wilson at a time when I think most of us were resigned to archival releases being it from here on out.
I'm curious, why the lack of interest? Is it that there just isn't much to discuss, or do people actually not care or want another album?
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Post by kds on Jun 27, 2023 12:11:43 GMT
For me, I think I just take anything Al says with a bit of a grain of salt. It kind of reminds me of when Bruce was hinting at a Beach Boys reunion not that long ago.
I wouldn't mind another Brian Wilson studio album, but until something is announced from Brian Wilson, or one of his social media pages, I'm just not expecting anything.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 27, 2023 12:14:32 GMT
For me, I think I just take anything Al says with a bit of a grain of salt. I don't know, it seems to me Al just has a habit of telling the truth (as he understands it) before he's supposed to.
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Post by kds on Jun 27, 2023 12:16:36 GMT
For me, I think I just take anything Al says with a bit of a grain of salt. I don't know, it seems to me Al just has a habit of telling the truth (as he understands it) before he's supposed to. And, that could be the case. But, it would be surprising if, after nine months or so of radio silence from Brian Wilson, we suddenly get a new studio album.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 27, 2023 13:20:01 GMT
I think the possibilities are all of the above, what Kapitan and kds said. Over the Beach Boys' career, their new(est) album has been either the benefactor - or victim - of the previous album. I was very critical of Long Promised Road and I stand by that assessment. Who really wants a More Of Long Promised Road, but that's the vibe or feeling I'm getting. I would be very surprised if Brian had another one of his famous creative spurts, or even felt the need to share more of his unreleased songs. Now, maybe his wifeandmanagers and "team" does, and that's important. Maybe even the bottom line. More music therapy?
Maybe they could call the album Last Call. Again, I agree with some of the posts above. Is there one more good song available from Sweet Insanity? Anything left from the Wilson-Paley sessions worth resurrecting? A Jeff Beck collaboration would get some publicity, if they want to go there (legally/copyrights). Any outtakes from That Lucky Old Sun, No Pier Pressure, or even a track from At My Piano that didn't make that cut? I would be interested in more of those Wilson-Thomas songs, depending on the quality. They worked for That's Why God Made The Radio. And, of course, there's always a cover or two to include like "Honeycomb", which could serve as a "new" BW-produced track.
I have no idea what they would do with the vocals. It would sound awkward - like it did on Long Promised Road - to have an album that combined old vocals with new vocals, especially with somebody like Brian Wilson who has an ever-changing voice. Maybe that's why Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin are lurking, for more lead vocals. More No Pier Pressure? And, that brings up the idea...again...of another off-the-wall guest vocalist.
OK, I'll just say it, and I know it will be met with overwhelming (probably unanimous) disagreement. I think there is 0% chance of this happening, but I would:
1. Call Joe Thomas and contract him to produce the album and help Brian finish any songs that need finishing (see above possibilities for songs).
2. Call Mike Love and "allow" him to start/finish (like "Goin' To The Beach")/fake/take credit for/actually write two or three songs with Brian (or however many would satisfy him but no more than three). Make sure Joe Thomas provides quality control. That's essential.
3. Call David Marks to provide lead guitar on the album and feature him on at least one rockin' song (maybe the cover/oldie).
4. Call Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and, yes, Blondie Chaplin, and have them submit one song each to be recorded. A David Marks-penned song is optional.
5. Call various members from Mike & Bruce's band and Brian's band to flesh out the harmonies where needed.
That's seems like a lot of things to accomplish, to pull together. I would just turn the project over to Joe Thomas and let him do his thing. Let him and his team do the grunt work. He knows what to do and how to do it. He's done it. Then, when their calendar - and health - permits, bring in Brian, Mike, Al, Bruce, and Blondie to lay down their vocals. If a David Marks or Blondie Chaplin wants to contribute to the recording of the tracks, hey, let 'em. But I would make it as easy as possible for The Beach Boys and limit their "work" to vocals. How hard would that be? To sing?
Of course none of this will happen, but that's what I want. I know what I don't want...another Brian Wilson solo album. Not in 2023-24. And, this is all speculation anyway. This...rumor...of a new BW album could be just another example of Al being Al. I assumed Brian was retired, so this caught me totally off-guard.
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Post by Kapitan on Jun 27, 2023 13:49:35 GMT
I assumed Brian was retired, so this caught me totally off-guard.
Same here. But that's why I want to speculate! And my speculation would be that Brian more or less is retired, and this is him overseeing (or blessing) the completion of some mostly-done music. Whether it's Sweet Insanity, Paley sessions, or various other outtakes from along the way, who knows. But I'd bet it's largely done, possibly with some new instrumental tracks done to even-out the sound/style (meaning de-80s-ify, for example, if it's using Sweet Insanity; Sahanaja and Mertens & Co. know perfectly well how to put something into his more classic style even if he's not there), with the really new recording being mostly Al/Blondie/Matt's vocals, with less of Brian. And I don't mind that one bit. I might not love it. Who know what the material will be? (Hopefully not covers. Pleasure Island, anyone!?) But I'm curious, at the very least.
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Post by kds on Jun 27, 2023 14:42:11 GMT
This is just speculation on my part, but there have been hints of a GIOMH reissue.
Maybe a remixed album will be released with some unreleased tracks, and maybe fleshed out by some "new-ish" tracks that Al and the band are completing.
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Post by lonelysummer on Jun 28, 2023 1:23:23 GMT
There was a time when talk of a new Brian Wilson album would excite me. Today, not at all. I don't know what they can unleash on us in 2023 that could compare to BW88, Imagination, or TLOS. Brian hasn't appeared to be in good health for several years now; the last two releases, LPR and the piano album, were nothing to write home about. Al can say whatever he wants - he always does. He's lost a lot of credibility with me. What I would like in 2023 is the long rumoured documentary. I suppose that project came to a halt because a certain band member is still pissed off at the other guys.
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Post by B.E. on Jun 28, 2023 11:30:09 GMT
Al can say whatever he wants - he always does. He's lost a lot of credibility with me. Why is that? I think most fans appreciate a band member not being so tight-lipped and scripted. He comes across as honest.
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