I'm perplexed by "God Only Knows." I admit its brilliance, but I don't fully resonate to it. For me, the perfect pop love song is "Here, There, and Everywhere" (which wouldn't exist without "God Only Knows"). It's not that "God Only Knows" is bad in any way, it's just an odd song with odd chords and odd rhythms. It's brilliant and emotionless like a Handel fugue. I can't say it's the greatest love song ever, and I can't say it's not the greatest love song ever. I'm supposed to have a reaction to it which I just don't have.
My favorite album is Ram. 2nd, Pet Sounds. 3rd, Band on the Run. 4th, Brian Wilson Presents SmIle. 5th., Sgt. Pepper. So you can see my taste. "Good Vibrations" is my favorite stand-alone single. "A Day in the Life" is my favorite album track.
I just can't quite fit "God Only Knows" into all of this. But it must fit somewhere.
I realize it's not "cool" to hype other media sources here, but I must recommend today's podcast of Terry Gross's interview of Brian from 1998. It was re-broadcast today on NPR. You can find it on Apple iTunes pods, and several other places, I imagine. He sounds like the humble genius he was, obviously a little "damaged" by his lifelong emotional demons, but without a trace of self pity, and only so grateful for his new wife and life, with their children whom he so obviously loves and cherishes. Admitting he felt he had not been a good father to his older two daughters. Who grew up to be, nevertheless, lovely women. I'm so glad Brian did have a very loving, happy last thirty years of life. He suffered in ways we don't really understand. But many of us are feeling such gratitude and love for the joy he gave us. Through his incredible, incredible music.
Sadly, my first memory of "Good Vibrations" is a Sunkist commercial. But as I got older and listened closely to the original and subsequently "Pet Sounds" Brian Wilson became my favorite genius. I'm grateful I got to hear him play "Pet Sounds" at the Hollywood Bowl with the L.A. Philharmonic. I'm celebrating Los Angeles this week with the Beach Boys music.
Growing up in the '60s, I wasn't much of a Beach Boys fan. But I sure did appreciate Brian Wilson's abilities. The way he could tug at the heart with a musical phrase or a few perfectly-chosen words was genius. Whether he chose to be simple and spare or lush and symphonic, his music resonated with almost anyone who listened to it.
I am a trained singer and sing with a choir - I have sung with one man for 24 years. The Beach Boys had a quality to their harmonies that comes from singing together for. long time ... and trying to blend together.
Very hard to do without have real experience singing together.
I'm perplexed by "God Only Knows." I admit its brilliance, but I don't fully resonate to it. For me, the perfect pop love song is "Here, There, and Everywhere" (which wouldn't exist without "God Only Knows"). It's not that "God Only Knows" is bad in any way, it's just an odd song with odd chords and odd rhythms. It's brilliant and emotionless like a Handel fugue. I can't say it's the greatest love song ever, and I can't say it's not the greatest love song ever. I'm supposed to have a reaction to it which I just don't have.
My favorite album is Ram. 2nd, Pet Sounds. 3rd, Band on the Run. 4th, Brian Wilson Presents SmIle. 5th., Sgt. Pepper. So you can see my taste. "Good Vibrations" is my favorite stand-alone single. "A Day in the Life" is my favorite album track.
I just can't quite fit "God Only Knows" into all of this. But it must fit somewhere.
Thx, man. Heard The Beach Boys for decades.
This just made my 10 list of bands.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1YYoNQu5BB/
I realize it's not "cool" to hype other media sources here, but I must recommend today's podcast of Terry Gross's interview of Brian from 1998. It was re-broadcast today on NPR. You can find it on Apple iTunes pods, and several other places, I imagine. He sounds like the humble genius he was, obviously a little "damaged" by his lifelong emotional demons, but without a trace of self pity, and only so grateful for his new wife and life, with their children whom he so obviously loves and cherishes. Admitting he felt he had not been a good father to his older two daughters. Who grew up to be, nevertheless, lovely women. I'm so glad Brian did have a very loving, happy last thirty years of life. He suffered in ways we don't really understand. But many of us are feeling such gratitude and love for the joy he gave us. Through his incredible, incredible music.
There are no Beach Boys without Brian.
Period.
Paragraph.
Sadly, my first memory of "Good Vibrations" is a Sunkist commercial. But as I got older and listened closely to the original and subsequently "Pet Sounds" Brian Wilson became my favorite genius. I'm grateful I got to hear him play "Pet Sounds" at the Hollywood Bowl with the L.A. Philharmonic. I'm celebrating Los Angeles this week with the Beach Boys music.
Growing up in the '60s, I wasn't much of a Beach Boys fan. But I sure did appreciate Brian Wilson's abilities. The way he could tug at the heart with a musical phrase or a few perfectly-chosen words was genius. Whether he chose to be simple and spare or lush and symphonic, his music resonated with almost anyone who listened to it.
RIP, Brian.
I am a trained singer and sing with a choir - I have sung with one man for 24 years. The Beach Boys had a quality to their harmonies that comes from singing together for. long time ... and trying to blend together.
Very hard to do without have real experience singing together.