8 Comments

And once again, I follow the leader and get lost in a shit load of music for about a good hour! I never had a Spotify account until I started following your leads. I usually just listen to my iPod (yes, I still have one of those), because it has over 10,000 songs. Obviously I can't give that up. I trade music with my brother.

Expand full comment
author

Glad to have you aboard, Ben.....thanks! The merging of Libera with the music of Brian was such a genius move by (I'm guessing) the Choir's founder and director, the late Robert Prizeman. Loving Brian, obviously, for decades, and then, out of the blue, discovering Libera, and without warning, watching the Kennedy Center Honors to watch the two converge!!! Magical musical moments like that are beyond rare!

Expand full comment

The Kennedy Honours are amazing with the little gifts they dole out...like the Wilson Sisters doing "STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN".

Expand full comment
author

You bet.....KCH, the Grammys, Rock Hall inductions, and other venues....cool places to watch for artists getting the opportunities to play music by their influencers!

Expand full comment

I enjoyed reading this, Brad. I'll have to check the album out. I'm not a huge Beach Boys fan (OK, not really at all) but I'm always fascinated by pieces about Brian and his songwriting and studio wizardry, and this one got me interested. Thanks!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Marshall! I appreciate the kudos, as well as your disclosure on BBs and Brian! Brian is a living treasure, and one of my life heroes (along with Bugs Bunny and Quanah Parker...all displayed an intriguing combination of talent with personality).

Like many bands, the BBs were a product of several different "eras," output-wise. Albums like Sunflower, Holland, and my fave, Surf's Up (generally, early '70s) are shining examples of Brian stretching his gift, and doing more than 2-minute surf hits:

'"Til I Die," long version, with alternate lyrics; Brian singing, producing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tkKvDUAiUc (the chord changes, the harmonies!) and "Surf's Up," demo with Brian singing. Lyrics by Van Dyke Parks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDn_UPjXZEw Read the informative notes by the content provider below the vid. Enjoy!

Expand full comment

Excellent story as usual. I enjoy hearing the stories about the songs by my faves. Can’t say that “Love and Mercy” was ever included in my road songs mixed tapes. But it has it’s place.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Paul! I dig writing about 'em as much as you enjoy reading about 'em! More to come...I know you'll stay tuned! When Brian's '88 album came out (with "Love and Mercy"), it was greeted, predictably, with a lot of attention and curiosity, it being his first solo work! Brian's a living treasure. I hear ya......"Love and Mercy" while road-trippin'? I gotta go with "I Get Around" and "Help Me Rhonda" as mix-tape mainstays!

Expand full comment