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Post by gigantiskpyjamas on May 5, 2023 14:37:18 GMT -5
What’s wrong with you people? I came here happily looking for the “Reimagines Gershwin” thread only to find there ISN’T ONE! Unbelievable.
Here’s the background info:
Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin is the eighth studio album by Brian Wilson, released on August 17, 2010 by Walt Disney Records as part of the Disney Pearl Series. The album consists of covers of ten George and Ira Gershwin songs, bookended by passages from Rhapsody in Blue, along with two new songs completed from unfinished Gershwin fragments by Wilson and band member Scott Bennett.
I think this is a brilliant album but perhaps it’s my age showing.
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Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on May 5, 2023 14:46:46 GMT -5
I feel embarrassed, as this is my favorite Brian Wilson solo album. Brian sounds like he thoroughly enjoyed making this record and I thoroughly enjoy listening to it.
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Post by boogieboarder on May 5, 2023 20:24:32 GMT -5
I downgraded this album because it sounds too much like a Beach Boys album. Does that make sense, since I LOVE the Beach Boys? Well, back in the mid-90s, I started listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and many other jazz singers and players. What a discovery! And those songwriters ... Cole Porter, Rogers and Hart, Gershwin! And those arrangers ... Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Quincy Jones!
So, putting on the CD, I was expecting to hear The Four Freshmen meet Gershwin. Instead, it just doesn't sound right to me to hear all the swing and jazz removed, and the "California Girls" rhythm on "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and the like.
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Post by Awesoman on May 6, 2023 11:50:32 GMT -5
I know a lot of fans dig this one but personally I could never get into it (and I like my share of Gershwin). At best I'm mostly indifferent to it. Most of the arrangements just don't do anything for me. You've got a clunky, straightforward rocker with "I've Got Rhythm" which pales in comparison with the Happening's terrific version from the 60's (is it just me or does it seem like *every* one of Brian's attempts at a rocker contain that same plodding beat? Glad he never got around to that rock & roll album). Same problem with the generic-sounding "They Can't Take That Away From Me". "I Loves You, Porgy" is just straight-up awful, and Brian unfortunately can't do songs like "Summertime" justice when they just beg to have a powerhouse vocalist send them into the stratosphere.
On the positive side I do appreciate the bossa nova grooves of "S'Wonderful" which is probably my favorite song off the album and "The Like In I Love You" is quite pleasant. And I'll take this over the forgettable follow-up Disney album he made any day of the week.
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