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Post by kds on Sept 17, 2021 14:23:23 GMT
Fourth thought? I don't know if I'll even buy this album. If I do, I can see myself playing it once and filing it away. I doubt I'll buy it. I think kds was right in comparing it to the orchestral album: it's a novelty, especially if it isn't Brian actually playing. But even if it is, I mean, OK. Brian isn't really a great pianist. Sure, he's the composer, and there is something cool about a composer playing his own music, but in the sense I said above, which is a novelty.
The songs are great. Some people would really enjoy it, and I hope they buy it. I hope it does well. But it's not especially interesting to me.
That's exactly how I feel. To me, it's just another in a long line of Beach Boys self covers. I'll probably give it a listen on Spotify, and never think about it again. And, that's another thing, it's not like Brian's a great pianist. It would be one thing to listen to Tony Banks do a piano interpretation of Genesis songs. But....yeah
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Post by lonelysummer on Sept 18, 2021 2:12:53 GMT
There's something really wrong with that bottom photo. It's Brian, but it's not. Looks like someone used some Faceapp on him.
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Post by lonelysummer on Sept 18, 2021 2:18:08 GMT
This is just product. Melinda probably said "Brian, you haven't had an album out in 6 years, we need to get something out there." It's basically another greatest hits album. Zero interest here.
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Post by B.E. on Sept 21, 2021 3:30:33 GMT
I think it's pretty cool that this didn't leak. I didn't hear anything...not a hint...about this until the simultaneous announcement (including full tracklist and album covers) and release of "God Only Knows".
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Post by jk on Sept 21, 2021 9:57:41 GMT
Cool, glad he's up to something. There's been talk elsewhere about how much of it Brian is actually playing. I noticed that. Will C (saltymarshmallow) at EH is someone whose opinion I respect and accept without question: "From someone with an inside word: "'I have it on good authority that Brian played on every track . It was recorded using one of those grand pianos that's midi capable to be able to capture his performance but it was done with overdubs and basically speaking co-produced by Darian. ... My understanding is that it's tough to count him off and nail a take now at his age, but they noted that he'd noodle around and after a bit he’s just start diving in and playing, so they were trying to figure out a way where they could let him do that and capture it all so that everything he played was recorded in some form.' "So, there you go." Yes, it's nice to see Brian musically active but I won't be buying it either. I've too many CDs played once cluttering up the collection...
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Sept 21, 2021 13:12:17 GMT
There's been talk elsewhere about how much of it Brian is actually playing. I noticed that. Will C (saltymarshmallow) at EH is someone whose opinion I respect and accept without question: "From someone with an inside word: "'I have it on good authority that Brian played on every track . It was recorded using one of those grand pianos that's midi capable to be able to capture his performance but it was done with overdubs and basically speaking co-produced by Darian. ... My understanding is that it's tough to count him off and nail a take now at his age, but they noted that he'd noodle around and after a bit he’s just start diving in and playing, so they were trying to figure out a way where they could let him do that and capture it all so that everything he played was recorded in some form.' "So, there you go." Yes, it's nice to see Brian musically active but I won't be buying it either. I've too many CDs played once cluttering up the collection... Yes, salty was the main person I was referring to when I made my comment haha. Good to hear that he confirmed Brian is in fact playing.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Sept 21, 2021 15:46:25 GMT
There's been talk elsewhere about how much of it Brian is actually playing. I noticed that. Will C (saltymarshmallow) at EH is someone whose opinion I respect and accept without question: "From someone with an inside word: "'I have it on good authority that Brian played on every track . It was recorded using one of those grand pianos that's midi capable to be able to capture his performance but it was done with overdubs and basically speaking co-produced by Darian. ... My understanding is that it's tough to count him off and nail a take now at his age, but they noted that he'd noodle around and after a bit he’s just start diving in and playing, so they were trying to figure out a way where they could let him do that and capture it all so that everything he played was recorded in some form.' "So, there you go." That's pretty much what I expected. Not surprising at all. What instruments and how much he plays them always takes a back seat for me where credits are concerned on Brian's solo albums. I'm more concerned with how much he contributed to the songwriting, producing, and arranging. And, those credits can be...interesting (I didn't say misleading )... as well.
For years, we've seen similar credits. On some Beach Boys' albums, especially the post-1968 ones, you'll see Brian listed as the first Beach Boy, even though he might've contributed the least. And, after his name, it will list "piano" or "keyboards", and the cynic in me always thinks/says, "Yeah, but on how many songs and how much did he actually play..."
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Post by Kapitan on Sept 21, 2021 19:36:37 GMT
I admit that I often wonder how much Brian has played on things over the years, but I don't really care much one way or the other. I don't think of him as a pianist/keyboardist (or bassist, obviously) so much as a songwriter, arranger, producer, and once upon a time, singer.
You can often at least guess based on what kinds of parts the keyboard instruments include. Brian's playing is often pretty basic, almost like the keyboardist's equivalent of "four on the floor." (Not literally that pattern, but I mean very basic patterns where he's playing block chords generally on each beat, with some little accents here and there--often rhythmic ones in the left hand.) When you hear a somthing "Nearest Faraway Place," you know that's not Brian Wilson even if you can't see the credits.
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Post by lonelysummer on Sept 22, 2021 4:02:12 GMT
I admit that I often wonder how much Brian has played on things over the years, but I don't really care much one way or the other. I don't think of him as a pianist/keyboardist (or bassist, obviously) so much as a songwriter, arranger, producer, and once upon a time, singer.
You can often at least guess based on what kinds of parts the keyboard instruments include. Brian's playing is often pretty basic, almost like the keyboardist's equivalent of "four on the floor." (Not literally that pattern, but I mean very basic patterns where he's playing block chords generally on each beat, with some little accents here and there--often rhythmic ones in the left hand.) When you hear a somthing "Nearest Faraway Place," you know that's not Brian Wilson even if you can't see the credits.
At least Brian is still playing. A little. When was the last time Bruce played ANYTHING? In a studio, or on stage? Well, it's true he's very good at adjusting the mic stand, and I've also seem him put his hands together, and pull them apart. But no, I won't be buying this album. And that cover photo just looks strange. What did they do to Brian's face? I assumed this is all Melinda's doing, but one of the experts PM'ed me to say it's not Melinda's idea. Who then? Darian? Oh right, the great savior that was gonna get Brian to some real weird, Smile-type stuff. I think the only way you're gonna get Brian to do Smile style music is for him to drop some more acid, and I really don't recommend that.
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Post by Kapitan on Sept 22, 2021 11:23:30 GMT
He's an old man. Old men rarely experiment with their art. There is nothing wrong with settling in to a comfortable life, artistic or otherwise.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Sept 22, 2021 11:56:06 GMT
I admit that I often wonder how much Brian has played on things over the years, but I don't really care much one way or the other. I don't think of him as a pianist/keyboardist (or bassist, obviously) so much as a songwriter, arranger, producer, and once upon a time, singer.
You can often at least guess based on what kinds of parts the keyboard instruments include. Brian's playing is often pretty basic, almost like the keyboardist's equivalent of "four on the floor." (Not literally that pattern, but I mean very basic patterns where he's playing block chords generally on each beat, with some little accents here and there--often rhythmic ones in the left hand.) When you hear a somthing "Nearest Faraway Place," you know that's not Brian Wilson even if you can't see the credits.
I assumed this is all Melinda's doing, but one of the experts PM'ed me to say it's not Melinda's idea. Who then? Darian? Oh right, the great savior that was gonna get Brian to some real weird, Smile-type stuff. Now THAT - whose (spelling?) idea was the project in the first place - ranks pretty high on my list of concerns with Brian's work. History will show, I think, that Brian was always more successful when he was calling the shots as far as what the group/he was attempting in the first place. When the project was his idea, he seemed to be more enthusiastic and productive. It's when he was "just going along" was when the results were less than satisfying. And, of course, that's also when the conspiracy theories about Brian's degree of input and participation, or lack of, start to surface. And that's common sense and to be expected. It's part of the equation. More interest/motivation means more input means more Brian. And vice versa. Oh, and BTW, I have no idea whose idea this album was/is.
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Post by kds on Sept 22, 2021 12:36:19 GMT
He's an old man. Old men rarely experiment with their art. There is nothing wrong with settling in to a comfortable life, artistic or otherwise. Exactly. Plus, over the last several decades, Brian has settled into a groove (for better or for worse depending on who you ask) of "safe" albums and touring on his legacy. Which is really to be expected.
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Post by lonelysummer on Sept 22, 2021 19:34:07 GMT
He's an old man. Old men rarely experiment with their art. There is nothing wrong with settling in to a comfortable life, artistic or otherwise. Exactly. Plus, over the last several decades, Brian has settled into a groove (for better or for worse depending on who you ask) of "safe" albums and touring on his legacy. Which is really to be expected. That's fine, but the Brianistas shouldn't expect us to greet another album of remakes like it is a gift from the gods. I remember seeing IJWMFTT in the stores several times before I decided to buy it. I was broke, and an album of remakes didn't have me scraping to together the pennies and dimes to get it. An all new album - at that time - would have had me visiting the pawn shop if I had to! But when I did get the album a couple months later, I was very glad I did. I'd seen the tv special, and it was a revelation, hearing Brian singing those songs in stripped down arrangements in his mature voice. 25 years later, another set of remakes just doesn't inspire me at all. It's pretty clear that Brian, as a songwriter, is done. He's an oldies act that has to get some product out there occasionally to fulfill...well, I'm not quite sure what it fulfills.
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Post by kds on Sept 22, 2021 19:46:43 GMT
Exactly. Plus, over the last several decades, Brian has settled into a groove (for better or for worse depending on who you ask) of "safe" albums and touring on his legacy. Which is really to be expected. That's fine, but the Brianistas shouldn't expect us to greet another album of remakes like it is a gift from the gods. I remember seeing IJWMFTT in the stores several times before I decided to buy it. I was broke, and an album of remakes didn't have me scraping to together the pennies and dimes to get it. An all new album - at that time - would have had me visiting the pawn shop if I had to! But when I did get the album a couple months later, I was very glad I did. I'd seen the tv special, and it was a revelation, hearing Brian singing those songs in stripped down arrangements in his mature voice. 25 years later, another set of remakes just doesn't inspire me at all. It's pretty clear that Brian, as a songwriter, is done. He's an oldies act that has to get some product out there occasionally to fulfill...well, I'm not quite sure what it fulfills. Yeah, but really, who gives a damn what Brianistas think? They'll buy it and fawn all over it, and snipe at anyone who would dare say a cross word about it. A tale as old as time. Let 'em have their binkies. I'll save my $9.99 this time around.
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Post by Kapitan on Sept 22, 2021 19:50:56 GMT
Exactly. Plus, over the last several decades, Brian has settled into a groove (for better or for worse depending on who you ask) of "safe" albums and touring on his legacy. Which is really to be expected. That's fine, but the Brianistas shouldn't expect us to greet another album of remakes like it is a gift from the gods. Sure. But are there any Brianistas here acting as if we ought to do that? I think there are ever-fewer of them in general, and this board's members tend to be quite level-headed and clear-eyed about things like this, I think.
I get why people might like it. I get why people might not. I lean more toward the latter, but I'll listen when it is released and decide for myself at that time. Brianistas, Mike-haters, whatever other groups there are out there can jump in a lake.
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