Post by Pete70s on Sept 24, 2003 10:30:06 GMT -5
For my second album review I was GOING to do one by my all-time favorite group, The Beach Boys. However, last weekend I pulled out a CD I haven’t listened to in a while, and I decided to review an album by THE Beach Boy. While I have discussed at great lengths my love of classic Beach Boys albums such as “Pet Sounds” and “Surf’s Up”, I have posted almost nothing about their individual solo careers. When I say I am a fan, I mean I AM A FAN! I even have Blondie Chaplin’s solo album!! (I’m not going to review that one, though..) So, without any further adieu, here is this week’s review:
Brian Wilson, 1988
1. Love And Mercy
2. Walkin’ The Line
3. Melt Away
4. Baby Let Your Hair Grow Long
5. Little Children
6. One For The Boys
7. There’s So Many
8. Night Time
9. Let It Shine
10. Meet Me In My Dreams Tonight
11. Rio Grande
2000 Re-issue contains the following bonus tracks
12. Brian On “Love and Mercy”
13. He Couldn’t Get His Poor Old Body To Move
14. Being With The One You Love
15. Let’s Go To Heaven In My Car
16. Too Much Sugar
17. There’s So Many (demo)
18. Walkin’ The Line (demo)
19. Melt Away (Early Version – Alternate Vocal)
20. Night Time (Instrumental Track)
21. Little Children (demo)
22. Night Bloomin’ Jasmine (demo)
23. Rio Grande (Early Version – Compiled Rough Mixes)
24. Brian On “Rio Grande”
25. Brian On “The Source”
26. (hidden bonus track) Christmas wish from Brian 1987
Many hardcore Beach Boys fans realize that there are many great Beach Boys albums spanning their illustrious career. But they also realize that there IS a difference between a “Beach Boys album” and a “Brian Wilson album”. There were 3 great “Brian Wilson albums”, in which he called ALL the shots and made the entire record HIS way. Ironically, they each came 11 years apart. The first of these, “Pet Sounds”, from 1966, is regarded by many as his “masterpiece” (no argument here). The second, “Beach Boys Love You”, from 1977, was an album he made as a form of therapy during his initial treatment with Dr. Eugene Landy, And this, his 1988 solo debut was the third great Brian Wilson album. (An argument can be made for his 1998 album, “Imagination”, being the fourth, but that would break the 11-year rule).
In order to fully appreciate this album, you must look back at the history behind it. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Brian Wilson, one of the greatest geniuses in rock ‘n’ roll history, was at his all time low. Mental illness and drug addiction had sunk their hooks into him He lived in a filthy house, ingesting ANY drug he could get his hands on. He ate nothing but steaks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (sometimes as many as 3 in one sitting), He ballooned up to well over 300 pounds. He rarely left his house, fearful of any social interaction. He’d recently divorced his wife Marilyn, and was living with a nurse who supposedly “took care of him”. In reality, she used him for his money and fame, and only contributed to his downfall. He was heavily into cocaine and heroin, and was a heavy drinker. He never bathed, smoked 5-6 packs of cigarettes a day, and stayed in bed, waiting to die. His slovenly lifestyle and limited input into the Beach Boys had led him to be fired from the group. The man who many called a “genus”, whose carefree songs of fun in the sun had defined a generation, was now a pathetic mess.
It became realized that the ONLY person who’d ever had any success with Brian was Dr. Landy (whom Brian had fired in 1977). Landy was brought back into the picture in 1983, and through a long, difficult process and controversial therapy, was able to bring Brian Wilson back to reality. (Side note: There were plans for Landy to help Brian’s brother Dennis as well, (who was fighting his own demons and wasn’t doing much better than Brian was at the time), but it never happened: Dennis Wilson drowned on December 28, 1983, a broken man. Brian would dedicate the album to his late brother.)
By 1984, Brian was well enough to work with The Beach Boys again, and he contributed to their 1985 album, “The Beach Boys”. Shortly after that album was released, Landy made plans for Brian to record a solo album. The initial sessions for Brian’s album began in 1986, working with his old friend Gary Usher, with whom he had co-written “409” and several other early Beach Boy classics. These sessions ended after Usher had a falling out with Landy, which is documented in Usher’s book, “The Wilson Project”.
Brian’s recovery was no small miracle, but it was a miracle in itself that this album ever got to see the light of day. In order to work with Brian, you had to get through Landy, whose manipulative, controlling ways made it very difficult for many of the people involved. Eventually the album was completed, at a cost of ONE MILLION DOLLARS! The credits read like a who’s who of popular music. Lindsey Buckingham, Jeff Lynne, Elliot Easton, Christopher Cross, and Terrence Trent D’Arby all contributed to the album, and it contained some of Brian’s strongest music since the Smile sessions.
“Love and Mercy”, the album’s opener, is a musical postcard from a man who has been to hell and back, who has looked death in the face, and realized that the only things that matter in life are “Love and Mercy”.
“I was sittin’ in a crummy movie with my hands on my chin
Oh the violence that occurs seems like we never win
Love and mercy that’s what you need tonight
So, Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight
I was lyin’ in my room and the news came on TV
A lot of people out there hurtin’ and it really scares me
Love and mercy that’s what you need tonight
So, Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight
I was standin’ in a bar and watchin’ all the people there
Oh the loneliness in this world, well it’s just not fair
Love and mercy that’s what you need tonight
So, Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight”
This song has become the unofficial “theme” of his solo career. Each of the four times I’ve seen him in concert he has closed the show with a solo piano version of “Love and Mercy”. Unfortunately, it’s the only song from this album he performs on his solo tours.
“Walkin’ the Line” was originally written during the Gary Usher sessions in 1986, and is the only song from those sessions to make the album. It is an up-tempo number, which reflects Brian’s new outlook on life, hoping not to fall back into his old lifestyle. Terrence Trent D’Arby contributes background vocals.
“Melt Away” is the other “philosophical” song on the album. One of the albums best cuts, Brian says it’s “about the identity crisis I have in my life, the way I see myself and the “me” that everybody thinks I am”
“One For The Boys” is a beautiful a cappella tribute to his old band (or, perhaps it was his way of saying “I can do it by myself.. I don’t need you guys!”). Layers of wordless harmonizing that show the reasons why Brian Wilson is truly a genius!
“There’s so Many”- I challenge anybody to listen to this and not get chills!
“Night Time”- new wave Brian? Hey, it works!
“Let It Shine”-Jeff Lynne’s contribution to the album. He co-wrote and co-produced this with Brian.
“Rio Grande”- The albums centerpiece. An 8-minute suite made in the vein of Brian’s classic work on “Good Vibrations” and “Heroes and Villains”. In fact, this piece could have been titled “Heroes and Villains 1988”. It showed that Brian “still has it” after all those years! One of the “segments”, called “Night Bloomin’ Jasmine”, originated in 1979 and it is rumored to have been a collaboration with Dennis.
“He Couldn’t Get His Poor Old Body To Move”- Not on the original album, it was a b-side to the “Love And Mercy” 45. Co-Written and Co-Produced by Lindsey Buckingham, it is a somewhat autobiographical account of Brian’s life in the early 80’s.
Unfortunately, while the album was the ultimate comeback for Brian the human being and Brian the artist, it was not the commercial success he had hoped for. Partly to blame was the fact that the Beach Boys own “Kokomo” was #1 on the charts at the time of the album’s release, and it became overshadowed. It was out of print for much of the 90’s, but re-issued by Rhino with bonus tracks in the summer of 2000. Thankfully people can finally hear this wonderful album again!
Brian Wilson, 1988
1. Love And Mercy
2. Walkin’ The Line
3. Melt Away
4. Baby Let Your Hair Grow Long
5. Little Children
6. One For The Boys
7. There’s So Many
8. Night Time
9. Let It Shine
10. Meet Me In My Dreams Tonight
11. Rio Grande
2000 Re-issue contains the following bonus tracks
12. Brian On “Love and Mercy”
13. He Couldn’t Get His Poor Old Body To Move
14. Being With The One You Love
15. Let’s Go To Heaven In My Car
16. Too Much Sugar
17. There’s So Many (demo)
18. Walkin’ The Line (demo)
19. Melt Away (Early Version – Alternate Vocal)
20. Night Time (Instrumental Track)
21. Little Children (demo)
22. Night Bloomin’ Jasmine (demo)
23. Rio Grande (Early Version – Compiled Rough Mixes)
24. Brian On “Rio Grande”
25. Brian On “The Source”
26. (hidden bonus track) Christmas wish from Brian 1987
Many hardcore Beach Boys fans realize that there are many great Beach Boys albums spanning their illustrious career. But they also realize that there IS a difference between a “Beach Boys album” and a “Brian Wilson album”. There were 3 great “Brian Wilson albums”, in which he called ALL the shots and made the entire record HIS way. Ironically, they each came 11 years apart. The first of these, “Pet Sounds”, from 1966, is regarded by many as his “masterpiece” (no argument here). The second, “Beach Boys Love You”, from 1977, was an album he made as a form of therapy during his initial treatment with Dr. Eugene Landy, And this, his 1988 solo debut was the third great Brian Wilson album. (An argument can be made for his 1998 album, “Imagination”, being the fourth, but that would break the 11-year rule).
In order to fully appreciate this album, you must look back at the history behind it. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Brian Wilson, one of the greatest geniuses in rock ‘n’ roll history, was at his all time low. Mental illness and drug addiction had sunk their hooks into him He lived in a filthy house, ingesting ANY drug he could get his hands on. He ate nothing but steaks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (sometimes as many as 3 in one sitting), He ballooned up to well over 300 pounds. He rarely left his house, fearful of any social interaction. He’d recently divorced his wife Marilyn, and was living with a nurse who supposedly “took care of him”. In reality, she used him for his money and fame, and only contributed to his downfall. He was heavily into cocaine and heroin, and was a heavy drinker. He never bathed, smoked 5-6 packs of cigarettes a day, and stayed in bed, waiting to die. His slovenly lifestyle and limited input into the Beach Boys had led him to be fired from the group. The man who many called a “genus”, whose carefree songs of fun in the sun had defined a generation, was now a pathetic mess.
It became realized that the ONLY person who’d ever had any success with Brian was Dr. Landy (whom Brian had fired in 1977). Landy was brought back into the picture in 1983, and through a long, difficult process and controversial therapy, was able to bring Brian Wilson back to reality. (Side note: There were plans for Landy to help Brian’s brother Dennis as well, (who was fighting his own demons and wasn’t doing much better than Brian was at the time), but it never happened: Dennis Wilson drowned on December 28, 1983, a broken man. Brian would dedicate the album to his late brother.)
By 1984, Brian was well enough to work with The Beach Boys again, and he contributed to their 1985 album, “The Beach Boys”. Shortly after that album was released, Landy made plans for Brian to record a solo album. The initial sessions for Brian’s album began in 1986, working with his old friend Gary Usher, with whom he had co-written “409” and several other early Beach Boy classics. These sessions ended after Usher had a falling out with Landy, which is documented in Usher’s book, “The Wilson Project”.
Brian’s recovery was no small miracle, but it was a miracle in itself that this album ever got to see the light of day. In order to work with Brian, you had to get through Landy, whose manipulative, controlling ways made it very difficult for many of the people involved. Eventually the album was completed, at a cost of ONE MILLION DOLLARS! The credits read like a who’s who of popular music. Lindsey Buckingham, Jeff Lynne, Elliot Easton, Christopher Cross, and Terrence Trent D’Arby all contributed to the album, and it contained some of Brian’s strongest music since the Smile sessions.
“Love and Mercy”, the album’s opener, is a musical postcard from a man who has been to hell and back, who has looked death in the face, and realized that the only things that matter in life are “Love and Mercy”.
“I was sittin’ in a crummy movie with my hands on my chin
Oh the violence that occurs seems like we never win
Love and mercy that’s what you need tonight
So, Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight
I was lyin’ in my room and the news came on TV
A lot of people out there hurtin’ and it really scares me
Love and mercy that’s what you need tonight
So, Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight
I was standin’ in a bar and watchin’ all the people there
Oh the loneliness in this world, well it’s just not fair
Love and mercy that’s what you need tonight
So, Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight”
This song has become the unofficial “theme” of his solo career. Each of the four times I’ve seen him in concert he has closed the show with a solo piano version of “Love and Mercy”. Unfortunately, it’s the only song from this album he performs on his solo tours.
“Walkin’ the Line” was originally written during the Gary Usher sessions in 1986, and is the only song from those sessions to make the album. It is an up-tempo number, which reflects Brian’s new outlook on life, hoping not to fall back into his old lifestyle. Terrence Trent D’Arby contributes background vocals.
“Melt Away” is the other “philosophical” song on the album. One of the albums best cuts, Brian says it’s “about the identity crisis I have in my life, the way I see myself and the “me” that everybody thinks I am”
“One For The Boys” is a beautiful a cappella tribute to his old band (or, perhaps it was his way of saying “I can do it by myself.. I don’t need you guys!”). Layers of wordless harmonizing that show the reasons why Brian Wilson is truly a genius!
“There’s so Many”- I challenge anybody to listen to this and not get chills!
“Night Time”- new wave Brian? Hey, it works!
“Let It Shine”-Jeff Lynne’s contribution to the album. He co-wrote and co-produced this with Brian.
“Rio Grande”- The albums centerpiece. An 8-minute suite made in the vein of Brian’s classic work on “Good Vibrations” and “Heroes and Villains”. In fact, this piece could have been titled “Heroes and Villains 1988”. It showed that Brian “still has it” after all those years! One of the “segments”, called “Night Bloomin’ Jasmine”, originated in 1979 and it is rumored to have been a collaboration with Dennis.
“He Couldn’t Get His Poor Old Body To Move”- Not on the original album, it was a b-side to the “Love And Mercy” 45. Co-Written and Co-Produced by Lindsey Buckingham, it is a somewhat autobiographical account of Brian’s life in the early 80’s.
Unfortunately, while the album was the ultimate comeback for Brian the human being and Brian the artist, it was not the commercial success he had hoped for. Partly to blame was the fact that the Beach Boys own “Kokomo” was #1 on the charts at the time of the album’s release, and it became overshadowed. It was out of print for much of the 90’s, but re-issued by Rhino with bonus tracks in the summer of 2000. Thankfully people can finally hear this wonderful album again!
