Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun (CD/DVD)
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Free Music Notes for That Lucky Old Sun (CD/DVD)
Free Music Review: Lucky Old Sun
Hit: 5 Stars
This album blew me away. I will say that I am already a long time Brian Wilson fan. Over the years he's rarely done anything that I didn't like. Even the least of his works stand head and shoulders above most everything else I hear today as far as melody, lyrics and dynamics (all the things that make a song what it is). This album could be better with the younger Brian Wilson at the top of his vocal powers singing it, but there is something redemptive, true and real about having him do it himself, warts and all, as there always is when the writers get to sing their own tunes. I loved the "narration" between the tunes with the words standing alone as spoken poetry that could be set to a melody, but it sounds remarkably fresh doing it this way, even though it is not a new idea and has been done before. I loved the concept of it being an album about growing up in LA in the late 50's and early 60's. I'm 55 and it really struck a chord with me, though i grew up on Long Island in New York. In many places the sound and feel of the music reminded me of the Beach Boy albums from the early to mid 70's when they were writing and recording incredibly good material only to have no one interested in hearing or purchasing it. THey were relegated to being a nostalgia act way before their time for it was due. It must have been very frustrating to them as viable, creative artists with something to say and people only wanted to hear Sufin' USA. This album is very theatrical sounding and I wonder if Brian is thinking of a Broadway style show with it as the centerpiece. I know the album was performed live in England as a debut performance, but I mean as an actual play. The bottom line with "That Lucky Old Sun" is it is a wonderful recording that warmed my head and heart to listen to and I consider it another triumph in the long and hopefully continuing career of Brian and his collaborators. I'm not highly educated as to how much, if anything Brian has to do with the lyrics to these songs and any of his other songs over the years (I know he writes the music and sometimes both as the credits indicate) but a tip of the cap goes out to the lyricists who complete these wonderful melodies. Instrumental music is in and of itself beautiful to listen to and some people even prefer it. But, the right lyrics set to the right music is the thing that transports us into another world, and conjures up deeply felt emotions and sometimes can bring us right back in an instant to a time and place far removed from the present and make it possible to relive the moment again, or, indeed to experience once more as if for the first time. If you would like a piece of that, get this recording.
Steve Subject-Rocky Point, New York
Free Music Review: Another miracle!
Hit: 5 Stars
The unimaginable has happened, and Brian Wilson has created a new masterpiece, with his latest album (a heartfelt tribute to the mythic Los Angeles of his youth). "That Lucky Old Sun" is a worthy successor to both "Pet Sounds" and "Smile", and contains the familiar layered harmonies and glorious melodies of Brian's previous greatest works, plus some as the same quirkiness as "Smile". Those unfamiliar with Brian's more recent work, may need a couple of plays to adjust to his current sound, and the brief narrative sections that were written by "Smile" co-creator Van Dyke Parks. However, everything flows together well, and the album is Brian's most accessible and tuneful creation since the beginning of his solo career. The resulting effect is extremely uplifting. Much of the success of the album is due to Brian's supremely-talented backing band - most especially lyricist Scott Bennett (who also helped with the production). As far as the songs go, there is not one weak link, and a wide variety of musical styles are incorporated. Personal favourites include "Forever She'll Be My Surfer Girl" and "Good Kind of Love" on which blonde vocalist Taylor Mills particularly shines (in 2007 Taylor released a fine solo album of her own, titled "Lullagoodbye"). A real highpoint of "That Lucky Old Sun" is the stunning "Midnight's Another Day"- a powerful and moving ballad, which many consider to be Brian's greatest song since "Surf's Up". The album concludes with the sublime harmonies of another true gem in "Southern California". "That Lucky Old Sun" is an album to purchase and treasure, and one to listen to regularly in its entirety. The accompanying DVD includes interviews with Brian and all of the long-term male members of his highly likeable band. It also contains live performances of two of the album tracks, "Good Kind of Love" and "Forever She'll Be My Surfer Girl".Free Music Review: A work of art from a true artist
Hit: 5 Stars
Simply put (with the exception of the resurrected "Smile"), this is, by far, the best of Brian's solo CDs. From the stellar songwriting to the heavenly harmonies, to the brilliant, inventive production, this song cycle, a sun-splashed celebration of Southern California, is a work of genius. And by "genius," I don't mean "surprisingly good for a guy of his age." I mean real genius, truly emblematic of Brian at the height of his abilities. It can't be overstated: Many of these songs can proudly stand alongside the best of Brian's sixties' output and still shine as brightly as, well, the titular sun. "Forever She'll Be My Surfer Girl," "Live Let Live," "Midnight's Another Day" and the delicately gorgeous "Southern California" are particular standouts. The backing vocals and instrumentation provided by Brian's touring band is never less than perfection; equal to or surpassing the Beach Boys and the best session musicians Brian recorded with in his glory days. The completion of "Smile" seems to have sparked a resurgent confidence in Brian, not only in songwriting and production, but also in his own vocals. This is Brian's best singing since the early seventies; he largely eschews the multi-tracked lead vocals of his earlier solo work to sing gloriously and earnestly unadorned, with a directness of emotion that is a Wilson trademark. Never one to hide behind the trendy post-modern irony so prevalent in today's popular music, Brian bares his emotions freely and honestly; his music pours from the depths of his heart and his soul. That's the lifeblood of his work and his fans love him for it. And, after all these years, Brian's creativity, astonishingly, continues undiminished. This is a work of art from a true artist. I can't recommend it highly enough.Free Music Review: A modern classic.
Hit: 5 Stars
After listening to the album That Lucky Old Sun by Brian Wilson I am reminded of a brighter time and an optimism that filled my world of the 60's and 70's. I am also more of the opinion that Brian Wilson was the heart and soul behind the Beach Boys as we came to know them; a point many believe but some argue with. The naysayer's need to hear this music! Listening to the songs on That Lucky Old Sun is like listening to the Beach Boys of years ago and yet there is something new here; something richer than before. Perhaps the music on this CD reflects a life full of creativity and full of pain. This music just makes you feel good.
One aspect of this CD that I truly like is the short narratives that run less than a minute each. They add an interlude in the flow of the music, though they are musical also.
The additional DVD provides information on the making of the album along with two live performances. A great one-two punch!
I'm hoping that some of these songs get picked up for "air play" on the radio though stylistically this CD is from another era. "Venice Beach", "Forever She'll Be My Surfer Girl," and "Mexican Girl" are my favorites. The short narrative "Cinco de Mayo" is wonderful with the Latin beat. Ah, forget it. The whole CD is a treat.
Recommended without reservation.
Peace forever.
Free Music Review: Brian's back!
Hit: 5 Stars
That Lucky Old Sun is the best work, song in and song out, that Brian has created and produced since Sunflower. This is not a redux of "Gettin' In over My Head" from '05. These songs are full, as are the harmonies, the melodies are irresistable (especially "Southern California") and Brian's band, The Wondermints is well, wonderful!
Don't let me mislead you however, Brian's voice does not sound like the Sunflower era or the sixties. But what Brian has done though, is manifest his own "California myth" that he so ingeniusly created in the sixties, through his music, and with the help from his literary partner, Van Dyke Park, who crafted the narratives, has given us an updated version that makes the listener yearn for that California lifestyle.
"Morning Beat" and "Going Home" are the two best uptempo songs I can remember him creating since "Your Imagination" in '98 and before that you would have to go back to the sixties. "Morning Beat" reminds the BW fan a lot of the fun in "Do It Again" with the great rock harmonies and beat changes. Brian and the band just sound like they are having a hell of a lot of fun in "Going Home". "Midnight's Another Day" is the best ballad he has written and produced since "God Only Knows." Really, it is that good!
So is the entire record!