Weekend Music Threefer -- Brian Wilson

 

One of the great musical geniuses of the rock and roll era passed away on June 11.  Brian Wilson.  How do you capture the impact of this founder and heart of The Beach Boys, one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and successful bands of all time?  You could spend at least a day listening to his genius over the course of his roughly 60- year career as a songwriter, musician, and producer, and it would be a day well spent.  (This literally happened to us in our college years when a friend who was a fanatical Beach Boys fan wouldn't let us leave his apartment until we'd listened to every Beach Boys album he had up until that time. Have to admit it was worth it.)  Rather than keep you cooped up, though, we've selected just three of his songs as a completely inadequate tribute to him:  "Surfin' U.S.A." (1962), "God Only Knows" (1966), and "Sail on, Sailor" (1973).  But if you want one near- perfect aural experience, go listen to his masterpiece album "Pet Sounds."  

To someone who's given the world so much joy: sail on, sailor.

 

BONUS: The BBC captures some of the tributes to Brian Wilson here.

 

Weekend Music Twofer

 

How perfect is it that Beach Boys' founder Brian Wilson was born on the Summer solstice 82 years ago yesterday, since the sonic genius was responsible for creating an entire Music of Summer zeitgeist -- sun, surf, cars, and California?!  Recently placed in conservatorship, Wilson is considered one of the most influential and innovative songwriters and producers of the 20th Century.  When asked in 2015 what his favorite composition was, he responded "Darlin'" (sung by brother Carl, R.I.P.), which also happens to be one of our favorites, too.

We're also featuring another "summer sound" by a politically and socially active Philadelphia- area band now based in, where else, Los Angeles.  Mt. Joy has a single, "Highway Queen," which can only be described as rollicking, from an upcoming album (TBA).  Here they are performing it at LA's Troubadour.  Hope you enjoy.

Sunday Reflection

Legendary composer and musician Brian Wilson turns 79 today. As the driving force behind the Beach Boys, the always creative and free spirited Wilson made a huge impact on pop and rock music that is popular to this day. We found these thoughts that he's expressed over the years.

On his fans:

"First of all, I want people to understand that I'm here to create for them. To create music for people so they'll know that I'm a source of love. And they can depend on my name."

On composing:

"I think in terms of emotions, and feelings. So sometimes what I say may not always be clear. But creatively, there's a lot to be said for that way of thinking."

On the Beach Boys' supposed rivals:

"There's no outdoing The Beatles."

(photo: Wilson's piano "sandbox" in his California home)

Weekend Summer Birthday Song

Here in the northern hemisphere, tomorrow is the first day of summer.  Today happens to be the 72nd birthday of Beach Boy genius Brian Wilson (btw, who would have guessed 30 years ago that Brian would be the surviving Wilson brother!?).  In honor of him, and to usher in the summer season, what better song to play than one of the earliest Beach Boys hits, lyrics by Wilson (with the tune creatively borrowed from Chuck Berry), "Surfin' USA."  We especially like the name checks of the great surfing beaches - "Haggerty's and Swami's, Pacific Palisades, San Onofre and Sunset, Redondo Beach, LA..."  Enjoy your weekend.