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Post by lonelysummer on Jul 9, 2022 1:45:44 GMT
The new version is one I will get from the library, but I doubt I will buy it. I feel that Brian's story was told very well in the original - and the 85 update; and in Carlin's book. What I am waiting for now is a comprehensive biography of the GROUP. I guess the closest I've seen so far is Timothy White's book, but that's bogged down with a lot of California history that is not specifically Beach Boy related.
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Post by carllove on Jul 9, 2022 5:59:24 GMT
I finished reading it tonight - and here are my initial observations:
I enjoyed the 1978 portion very much. It depended mostly on interviews and followed a linear track of The Beach Boys US releases. Some of the observations about Brian and his recording techniques were quite revealing. I love the Darryl Dragon’s quote about how Brian is the “master of production when everything is happening at once”, and how Darryl believes that when eight and sixteen tracks were brought into the studio, it messed up Brian a little because “you can’t work with timbres of sound”. So much great insight throughout the first book as to what made Brian so special in the studio. I feel like David was way too kind in his portrayal of Murry, but I didn’t see the abject Mike bashing that I was expecting. David even makes an effort to give Mike more credit for his contributions to the band, on pages 321 and 322 of the newest update. He also revises his view of Dr. Landy, which I felt came across much too positive in the 1985 addition.
The 1985 and 2022 updates, rely more on personal observation and the 1985 chapter “Shades of Grey” is heavy with speculation and opinion about Brian and his various issues. That was perhaps my least favorite part of the book. I’m more of a facts person, though I do enjoy the personal anecdotes.
I would recommend the book. I liked it enough to finish it in a day and a half and I did work eight hours today!
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 9, 2022 12:04:30 GMT
carllove, how would you say David Leaf summarizes Brian's solo career, post-Landy?
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Post by B.E. on Jul 9, 2022 12:26:30 GMT
carllove, thanks for not revealing too much, because I couldn’t resist reading your review! (I hope to purchase and start reading the book today.) …but I didn’t see the abject Mike bashing that I was expecting. This was a suspicion of mine.
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Post by carllove on Jul 9, 2022 19:30:08 GMT
carllove, how would you say David Leaf summarizes Brian's solo career, post-Landy? David gives a lot of credit to VDP and Darian for guiding Brian on his solo journey post Landy. There is enough discussion of Orange Crate Art, that I feel I need to obtain a copy. The pages covering Brian Wilson Presents Smile, are the most numerous and given the information in them, my favorite part of the update. I had to immediately watch David’s documentary Beautiful Dreamer after I completed the book. A lot of mention is given to Brian’s live performances - though I did notice that there is little to no discussion of them post 2007. He posts numerous glowing concert reviews. There is some stuff about Imagination, TLOS and At My Piano, but David does state that Brian Wilson is “easily Brian’s best solo album”. He is not highly critical of the albums subsequent to Brian Wilson, but he does not gush over them either. A great deal of the anecdotes in the update concern touring in the 2000’s. You do have to wonder how great an album Brian Wilson could have been, if it is true as David suggests, that Brian deliberately sabotaged some of the tracks in an act of passive/aggressiveness due to his displeasure with Landy’s involvement. It could also be true that it might never have been made without Landy’s influence.
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Post by B.E. on Jul 9, 2022 19:43:47 GMT
carllove, how would you say David Leaf summarizes Brian's solo career, post-Landy? David gives a lot of credit to VDP and Darian for guiding Brian on his solo journey post Landy. There is enough discussion of Orange Crate Art, that I feel I need to obtain a copy. The pages covering Brian Wilson Presents Smile, are the most numerous and given the information in them, my favorite part of the update. I had to immediately watch David’s documentary Beautiful Dreamer after I completed the book. A lot of mention is given to Brian’s live performances - though I did notice that there is little to no discussion of them post 2007. He posts numerous glowing concert reviews. There is some stuff about Imagination, TLOS and At My Piano, but David does state that Brian Wilson is “easily Brian’s best solo album”. He is not highly critical of the albums subsequent to Brian Wilson, but he does not gush over them either. A great deal of the anecdotes in the update concern touring in the 2000’s. SJS, from what I've read from others, the purpose of the update regards David's personal involvement and observations post-1985. So, the projects that he has more personal knowledge of, he writes more about. It's not a straightforward, or comprehensive, approach to Brian's life/solo career or the Beach Boys career since then. (But, I haven't read it yet.)
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Post by carllove on Jul 9, 2022 19:51:10 GMT
David gives a lot of credit to VDP and Darian for guiding Brian on his solo journey post Landy. There is enough discussion of Orange Crate Art, that I feel I need to obtain a copy. The pages covering Brian Wilson Presents Smile, are the most numerous and given the information in them, my favorite part of the update. I had to immediately watch David’s documentary Beautiful Dreamer after I completed the book. A lot of mention is given to Brian’s live performances - though I did notice that there is little to no discussion of them post 2007. He posts numerous glowing concert reviews. There is some stuff about Imagination, TLOS and At My Piano, but David does state that Brian Wilson is “easily Brian’s best solo album”. He is not highly critical of the albums subsequent to Brian Wilson, but he does not gush over them either. A great deal of the anecdotes in the update concern touring in the 2000’s. SJS, from what I've read from others, the purpose of the update regards David's personal involvement and observations post-1985. So, the projects that he has more personal knowledge of, he writes more about. It's not a straightforward, or comprehensive, approach to Brian's life/solo career or the Beach Boys career since then. (But, I haven't read it yet.) Yes B.E. - You are correct. For instance, since the majority of Imagination was recorded outside of California, or when David was involved with other projects, there is little about the making of that album. Since David was intimately involved in the development of BWPS, we are lucky to hear wonderful details of how it was produced and even get to see some of it in Beautiful Dreamer.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 9, 2022 20:34:41 GMT
carllove, how would you say David Leaf summarizes Brian's solo career, post-Landy? David gives a lot of credit to VDP and Darian for guiding Brian on his solo journey post Landy. There is enough discussion of Orange Crate Art, that I feel I need to obtain a copy. The pages covering Brian Wilson Presents Smile, are the most numerous and given the information in them, my favorite part of the update. I had to immediately watch David’s documentary Beautiful Dreamer after I completed the book. A lot of mention is given to Brian’s live performances - though I did notice that there is little to no discussion of them post 2007. He posts numerous glowing concert reviews. There is some stuff about Imagination, TLOS and At My Piano, but David does state that Brian Wilson is “easily Brian’s best solo album”. He is not highly critical of the albums subsequent to Brian Wilson, but he does not gush over them either. A great deal of the anecdotes in the update concern touring in the 2000’s. You do have to wonder how great an album Brian Wilson could have been, if it is true as David suggests, that Brian deliberately sabotaged some of the tracks in an act of passive/aggressiveness due to his displeasure with Landy’s involvement. It could also be true that it might never have been made without Landy’s influence. Interesting in a few ways. One is that Leaf seems to have been outside of Wilson's circle to some degree after Smile, and I wonder whether that is relevant in terms of lack of discussion post 2007. Another is, Brian Wilson is "easily Brian's best solo album"? I'd have to disagree pretty strongly with that one.
You definitely have me more interested than before to read this, and I already was planning to.
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Post by carllove on Jul 9, 2022 20:48:26 GMT
David gives a lot of credit to VDP and Darian for guiding Brian on his solo journey post Landy. There is enough discussion of Orange Crate Art, that I feel I need to obtain a copy. The pages covering Brian Wilson Presents Smile, are the most numerous and given the information in them, my favorite part of the update. I had to immediately watch David’s documentary Beautiful Dreamer after I completed the book. A lot of mention is given to Brian’s live performances - though I did notice that there is little to no discussion of them post 2007. He posts numerous glowing concert reviews. There is some stuff about Imagination, TLOS and At My Piano, but David does state that Brian Wilson is “easily Brian’s best solo album”. He is not highly critical of the albums subsequent to Brian Wilson, but he does not gush over them either. A great deal of the anecdotes in the update concern touring in the 2000’s. You do have to wonder how great an album Brian Wilson could have been, if it is true as David suggests, that Brian deliberately sabotaged some of the tracks in an act of passive/aggressiveness due to his displeasure with Landy’s involvement. It could also be true that it might never have been made without Landy’s influence. Interesting in a few ways. One is that Leaf seems to have been outside of Wilson's circle to some degree after Smile, and I wonder whether that is relevant in terms of lack of discussion post 2007. Another is, Brian Wilson is "easily Brian's best solo album"? I'd have to disagree pretty strongly with that one.
You definitely have me more interested than before to read this, and I already was planning to.
Yes - It’s right there on page 347. I was surprised to hear that as well. It’s a great read though. I’m glad I didn’t wait until September to get the book. I don’t think I’ve ever read that many pages of any book in that short of time. I couldn’t put it down.
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Post by B.E. on Jul 9, 2022 21:08:12 GMT
I liked seeing that (seemingly) unabashed praise for Brian Wilson. I think it's his best solo album, too.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 9, 2022 21:20:30 GMT
I liked seeing that (seemingly) unabashed praise for Brian Wilson. I think it's his best solo album, too. While I don't think so, I wouldn't raise an eyebrow at "arguably his best solo album." But "easily"? Strong disagree.
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Post by B.E. on Jul 9, 2022 22:11:23 GMT
I liked seeing that (seemingly) unabashed praise for Brian Wilson. I think it's his best solo album, too. While I don't think so, I wouldn't raise an eyebrow at "arguably his best solo album." But "easily"? Strong disagree. I actually don't agree with "easily" either. I just got a kick out of it.
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Post by carllove on Jul 9, 2022 22:42:28 GMT
Here is my review.
What truly is the dream of every Beach Boys fan? To be a fly on the wall observing Brian Wilson in the height of his creativity, producing one of his masterpieces. We get that here, in the most current revision of David Leaf’s seminal 1978 opus to the creative genius that is Brian Wilson.
With Brian Wilson Presents Smile, we finally were able to hear the finished, long awaited masterpiece as Brian originally imagined it back in 1966. With David Leaf’s update, we are privy to the circumstances that lead to and the behind the scenes descriptions of how, all of the parts fell together with an unanticipated ease to produce a recording and series of concerts that not only met lofty expectations, but in some ways, exceeded them.
This alone is worth the price of the book. However, it is the original 1978 edition, with which this release begins, which really shines. The progression is linear, and follows the order of the US releases of the albums of The Beach Boys and is rich in interviews with family, friends and insiders. Audrey Wilson is quoted frequently much to my delight. Bruce Johnston comes across as insightful and honest in his observations and assessments. Everyone within The Beach Boys pantheon, with the exception of Mike Love, is quoted here. Still the greatest delight is in hearing about the process of how such amazing recording prowess was achieved and why it was. This is where Brian Wilson shines. The man who can only hear sounds in mono is also able to hear the sounds in his head before he actually hears them with his good ear. The analysis as to how and why that came to be is brilliant. So Yes, the original edition is important in that it makes us think about Brian’s process and how mind blowing his abilities are as well as giving us the intricate details from the source information of the history of The Beach Boys.
The second part, from 1985, delves deeply into the fall and rise of The Beach Boys and the effect of the initial treatments of Eugene Landy on Brian. A whole chapter is devoted just to Brian, his mental illness, and what he needs to beak out and become whole again. I felt a bit angered that in this segment, Landy was given a bit of a pass, but then I began to read the update and my disappointments were rectified.
Hindsight is 20/20 and no where is it more apparent than on the various Beach Boy Message boards. While I had seen much praise for David’s original book and the revision, I also heard a lot of blame given to Mr. Leaf for his dismissal and criticisms of Mike Love. Frankly, reading the first book for the first time with this edition, I did not feel that assessment to be fair. As rare and as expensive to acquire as the original book had become, It is my opinion that this view was something that had taken on a life of it’s own via hearsay and second and third hand accounts. Even so, David offers a bit of an olive branch to Mike on pages 321 and 322 and even resists mentioning the exact dialog of Mike’s unfortunate Rock and Roll Hall of Fame diatribe. This indeed elevated David in my eyes, and shows that he was listening to the fans.
My only criticism of this edition, is that the point of view of the formats of the books change so drastically that it is a bit jarring. Thankfully David prepares us with forwards that explain the shift from interviewer and historian, to observational insider, so that does soften the blow. So you get to see what happens through David’s eyes in the final two books, the proverbial fly on the wall. And that is not a bad thing at all. In fact it’s wonderful.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 9, 2022 23:02:37 GMT
Potential spoiler Q&A for people not wanting details...
With Brian Wilson Presents Smile, we finally were able to hear the finished, long awaited masterpiece as Brian originally imagined it back in 1966. With David Leaf’s update, we are privy to the circumstances that lead to and the behind the scenes descriptions of how, all of the parts fell together with an unanticipated ease to produce a recording and series of concerts that not only met lofty expectations, but in some ways, exceeded them.
I think your earlier post said you watched Beautiful Dreamer after reading the book. Would you say the book has more and/or different information on that period leading up to BWPS than the film showed?
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Post by B.E. on Jul 9, 2022 23:20:44 GMT
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