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Post by Rick Bartlett on Jan 24, 2024 9:41:02 GMT -5
So let's look at this all hypothetically....
Brian's not a young man, he's a tired soul, and there is probably not going to be many, if any, new 'albums' of material coming from
him any time soon.
I'm not talking about salvaging his prior unreleased recordings, but new ideas and recordings going forward.
I don't think anyone can really complain considering the miracle return to his solo career since the late 90's, and just how many projects he
has accomplished during that time.
It's quite extraordinary for a guy who was almost 'washed' up over 25 years ago, and yet he arose in a way I don't think anyone could have predicted.
But it's 2024.
Where does a guy like Brian go now?
I think longing for a complete new record is a 'dreamland' kind of fantasy, and it wouldn't seem possible, and that is understandable.
Brian is shortly approaching 82 years old.
But I wonder, has he been approached to do what some of his music buddies are doing, and that is to release a single or an E.P? periodically?
This seems to be quite a successful approach for aging artists.
Ringo Starr has been doing it successfully for some time, and with recent news, Billy Joel is returning to releasing a new single, the first in
decades of new material for him, so is this a way forward for a guy like Brian?
Remember he has already done one with the 'Walking Down The Path Of Life' CD some years back.
It would seem logical to me, instead of worrying about producing a full record and working months on end, just record when fitting, and when
one feels like they have something to offer, and then sell that as a package.
Fans love it, especially when you sell a new E.P. with a vinyl release, signed pic, cap, sticker or some sort of limited fan package.
A lot of bands and artists are doing this, and selling directly from their websites or merchandising company.
This all depends on Brian and his state of being of course, but I'm sure he probably still has bursts of energy and wants to fool around musically
with something, and this gives fans a key in to supporting him and doing things on a lower budget.
I would love it myself, I wonder how you guys feel on Brian doing such projects?
What alternative path do you see for Brian?
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Post by filledeplage on Jan 24, 2024 9:49:04 GMT -5
So let's look at this all hypothetically.... Brian's not a young man, he's a tired soul, and there is probably not going to be many, if any, new 'albums' of material coming from him any time soon. I'm not talking about salvaging his prior unreleased recordings, but new ideas and recordings going forward. I don't think anyone can really complain considering the miracle return to his solo career since the late 90's, and just how many projects he has accomplished during that time. It's quite extraordinary for a guy who was almost 'washed' up over 25 years ago, and yet he arose in a way I don't think anyone could have predicted. But it's 2024. Where does a guy like Brian go now? I think longing for a complete new record is a 'dreamland' kind of fantasy, and it wouldn't seem possible, and that is understandable. Brian is shortly approaching 82 years old. But I wonder, has he been approached to do what some of his music buddies are doing, and that is to release a single or an E.P? periodically? This seems to be quite a successful approach for aging artists. Ringo Starr has been doing it successfully for some time, and with recent news, Billy Joel is returning to releasing a new single, the first in decades of new material for him, so is this a way forward for a guy like Brian? Remember he has already done one with the 'Walking Down The Path Of Life' CD some years back. It would seem logical to me, instead of worrying about producing a full record and working months on end, just record when fitting, and when one feels like they have something to offer, and then sell that as a package. Fans love it, especially when you sell a new E.P. with a vinyl release, signed pic, cap, sticker or some sort of limited fan package. A lot of bands and artists are doing this, and selling directly from their websites or merchandising company. This all depends on Brian and his state of being of course, but I'm sure he probably still has bursts of energy and wants to fool around musically with something, and this gives fans a key in to supporting him and doing things on a lower budget. I would love it myself, I wonder how you guys feel on Brian doing such projects? What alternative path do you see for Brian? Underestimating someone older is a big mistake. Brian could have unfinished fragments of music all over the place. Can Brian be near a piano and not hit a key or two? I so doubt it. Any one of them is in the same category. The lure of that piano or guitar, would hardly leave them. Releasing stuff - with the 60s fanfare, probably not. Anything they write is always welcome in my book...🎼 |
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Post by bessieboporbach on Jan 24, 2024 10:10:09 GMT -5
So let's look at this all hypothetically.... Brian's not a young man, he's a tired soul, and there is probably not going to be many, if any, new 'albums' of material coming from him any time soon. I'm not talking about salvaging his prior unreleased recordings, but new ideas and recordings going forward. I don't think anyone can really complain considering the miracle return to his solo career since the late 90's, and just how many projects he has accomplished during that time. It's quite extraordinary for a guy who was almost 'washed' up over 25 years ago, and yet he arose in a way I don't think anyone could have predicted. But it's 2024. Where does a guy like Brian go now? I think longing for a complete new record is a 'dreamland' kind of fantasy, and it wouldn't seem possible, and that is understandable. Brian is shortly approaching 82 years old. But I wonder, has he been approached to do what some of his music buddies are doing, and that is to release a single or an E.P? periodically? This seems to be quite a successful approach for aging artists. Ringo Starr has been doing it successfully for some time, and with recent news, Billy Joel is returning to releasing a new single, the first in decades of new material for him, so is this a way forward for a guy like Brian? Remember he has already done one with the 'Walking Down The Path Of Life' CD some years back. It would seem logical to me, instead of worrying about producing a full record and working months on end, just record when fitting, and when one feels like they have something to offer, and then sell that as a package. Fans love it, especially when you sell a new E.P. with a vinyl release, signed pic, cap, sticker or some sort of limited fan package. A lot of bands and artists are doing this, and selling directly from their websites or merchandising company. This all depends on Brian and his state of being of course, but I'm sure he probably still has bursts of energy and wants to fool around musically with something, and this gives fans a key in to supporting him and doing things on a lower budget. I would love it myself, I wonder how you guys feel on Brian doing such projects? What alternative path do you see for Brian? We are in uncharted historical territory with the whole generation of boomer icons of which Brian is a part, and indeed he is on the older end of it. Chuck Berry had an excellent album ready to go when he was 90 (he didn't quite live to see it released), most of which was apparently recorded in his 80s. There is probably no parallel yet for that kind of accomplishment in rock & roll, although there are a fair few artists in other genres, especially jazz, who remained productive into their 80s. Brian is now as old as Leonard Cohen was during the making of his two final albums, You Want It Darker and Thanks for the Dance; he is the same age that Sonny Rollins was when the latter retired from performing, and about the same age Pharoah Sanders was when he died recently, just to name a couple of examples. What does all this mean for Brian? Well, basically, I agree with you. If he has it in him to do an album, then let him go for it. The stuff on Long Promised Road is fun and I'd enjoy a full album of it. At My Piano is, honestly, quite marvelous. If he has work of that calibre in him, then heaven and earth should be moved to facilitate it. If he doesn't have that kind of thing in him, but he still wants to make music, then an occasional single would be great. Maybe he just wants to play a cover or two a la "Honeycomb" with a sympathetic band. Sure, release it. If it's good, it's good, if it's not, the legacy is secure. But if he doesn't feel up to making more music, I'm content with what we have. I don't get a strong feeling of "unfinished business" from Brian the way I do for, for example, Sonny Rollins. No artist owes the world anything, but for Brian in particular, insofar as I care at this point, my main concern is that he live out his remaining years happy. I may be in the distinct minority, but the Beach Boy whom I'd most like to hear more from at this point is Al Jardine. Even if it's "just" covers, I'd love a latter-day expansion of the Al discography. I can't get enough of his voice. |
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Post by AGD on Jan 24, 2024 11:54:22 GMT -5
But it's 2024. Where does a guy like Brian go now? I think longing for a complete new record is a 'dreamland' kind of fantasy, and it wouldn't seem possible, and that is understandable. Brian is shortly approaching 82 years old. But I wonder, has he been approached to do what some of his music buddies are doing, and that is to release a single or an E.P? periodically? This seems to be quite a successful approach for aging artists. Ringo Starr has been doing it successfully for some time, and with recent news, Billy Joel is returning to releasing a new single, the first in decades of new material for him, so is this a way forward for a guy like Brian? Remember he has already done one with the 'Walking Down The Path Of Life' CD some years back. You're forgetting, or ignoring, one very pertinent fact about the people you named: they have their full health and none of the issues that have afflicted Brian for close to sixty years. They have been performing regularly to a high standard. As for the "Path of Life" CD single, that was more than "some years back": it was over eighteen years ago, and was a fundraiser for the victims of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Since then, just albums, and remember, the last "proper" one of those was nearly nine years ago. Knowing Brian, I'd never count him out completely (he's surprised us before), but given the recent evidence and the passing of time, I'm not holding my breath for any new material. Let the man be to do what he wants.
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Post by bessieboporbach on Jan 24, 2024 12:06:57 GMT -5
"They have their full health" may be a red herring. Curtis Mayfield made an album after a stage disaster rendered him quadriplegic. Leonard Cohen could barely move when he recorded his final two albums, several years after he retired from touring.
"Where there's a will, there's a way" as they say. The question is: for Brian, is there a will? Nobody here knows. The sheer existence of the new stuff on Long Promised Road is pretty surprising, regardless of how one feels about it as music.
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Post by AGD on Jan 24, 2024 12:26:10 GMT -5
"They have their full health" may be a red herring. Curtis Mayfield made an album after a stage disaster rendered him quadriplegic. Leonard Cohen could barely move when he recorded his final two albums, several years after he retired from touring. "Where there's a will, there's a way" as they say. The question is: for Brian, is there a will? Nobody here knows. The sheer existence of the new stuff on Long Promised Road is pretty surprising, regardless of how one feels about it as music. Seriously? Do Ringo or Billy look or sound like they're going to keel over at any moment? |
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Post by bessieboporbach on Jan 24, 2024 12:30:50 GMT -5
"They have their full health" may be a red herring. Curtis Mayfield made an album after a stage disaster rendered him quadriplegic. Leonard Cohen could barely move when he recorded his final two albums, several years after he retired from touring. "Where there's a will, there's a way" as they say. The question is: for Brian, is there a will? Nobody here knows. The sheer existence of the new stuff on Long Promised Road is pretty surprising, regardless of how one feels about it as music. Seriously? Do Ringo or Billy look or sound like they're going to keel over at any moment? Does Brian? |
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Post by AGD on Jan 24, 2024 12:32:37 GMT -5
On his final tour... yes.
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Post by filledeplage on Jan 24, 2024 13:03:13 GMT -5
On his final tour... yes. Brian did struggle physically, no doubt, even as he was determined in moving from a walker/wheelchair to his keyboard bench to perform. But, stripping aside the physical stress of a tour, in the comfort of a home or home studio, the lure of that piano is probably not gone. It is who he/they is/are. And Brian can call upon those close to him, members of his family, or others, to assist in that process, should he care to do that. He should do what he wants with each day he has. That whole "boomer" label really annoys me. This is technically "boomer" music created by a then-younger boomer/s, now an octogenarian, is offensive, and ageist. I'd be pleased if he put together a single from time to time. The Beatles' Now and Then has enjoyed amazing success and they are in their 80s, albeit in better physical shape. But, Brian's fingers still move quite well over the piano. |
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airplanetag
Dude/Dudette
Posts: 60
Likes: 96
Favorite Album: The Beach Boys Love You
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Post by airplanetag on Jan 24, 2024 14:07:22 GMT -5
I've sometimes thought he could still do an instrumental album. Ideally he'd have done one in the 60s or 70s, but maybe it could still work today. I don't mean some kind of attempt at a classical symphony, just some low-key exotica ambient-ish tracks. He could pick some chord progressions he likes and then arrange them with instruments and sounds he likes, and maybe some wordless vocals here and there. If they kept everything spontaneous and minimal and didn't try to turn it into some sort of grand statement, I think the results could be nice. (I don't expect we will get any new recordings from him, though, and I'm fine with that.)
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Post by bessieboporbach on Jan 24, 2024 14:35:46 GMT -5
I've sometimes thought he could still do an instrumental album. Ideally he'd have done one in the 60s or 70s, but maybe it could still work today. I don't mean some kind of attempt at a classical symphony, just some low-key exotica ambient-ish tracks. He could pick some chord progressions he likes and then arrange them with instruments and sounds he likes, and maybe some wordless vocals here and there. If they kept everything spontaneous and minimal and didn't try to turn it into some sort of grand statement, I think the results could be nice. (I don't expect we will get any new recordings from him, though, and I'm fine with that.) has so many interesting little touches (elements dropped from the arrangements vs. elements unexpectedly emphasized, small variations in syncopation and phrasing) that I can't understand why Brian's fans aren't raving about it, unless they all went in for the canard that it wasn't him playing and didn't pay close attention. (Realistically, if it were someone other than Brian playing, you'd have thought they'd have gotten someone whose technique was a little more professional!) Not that I'm under any illusions about the project being Brian's idea, which it clearly was not, or even the tracks included being his choices. I'm also guessing the "Gymnopedie" arrangement of "Friends" came from Darian rather than Brian, but it would be extremely interesting if that were not the case. |
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Post by Rick Bartlett on Jan 24, 2024 16:42:11 GMT -5
Some good points, but I also don't buy into this ideal of an artist must 'have their full health' and an artist is 'too old' to still
make some great music.
The original Jimmie Rodgers was a very sick man and created some of the most timeless music of the century, and guys
like Hank Williams who suffered severe pain continued until they literally taken from this world.
There's the great Johnny Cash who had been very sick for the last years of his life, and made some of his greatest works
with Rick Rubin on the American label.
Johnny was still recording a few days up til when he finally passed...
I'm sure there are plenty others.
One thing is sure, it's all a guessing game right now and not having seen Brian for some time, sure complicates the 'what if's'.
All I know, by the few photos that have emerged, he looks wonderfully well and relaxed with the world, so it can't be all bad.
I wish him all the best.
Now.... How's that 'Rock n Roll' record comin' along?
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Post by bessieboporbach on Jan 24, 2024 20:55:44 GMT -5
Some good points, but I also don't buy into this ideal of an artist must 'have their full health' and an artist is 'too old' to still make some great music. The original Jimmie Rodgers was a very sick man and created some of the most timeless music of the century, and guys like Hank Williams who suffered severe pain continued until they literally taken from this world. There's the great Johnny Cash who had been very sick for the last years of his life, and made some of his greatest works with Rick Rubin on the American label. Johnny was still recording a few days up til when he finally passed... I'm sure there are plenty others. One thing is sure, it's all a guessing game right now and not having seen Brian for some time, sure complicates the 'what if's'. All I know, by the few photos that have emerged, he looks wonderfully well and relaxed with the world, so it can't be all bad. I wish him all the best. Now.... How's that 'Rock n Roll' record comin' along? I think everything you've said here is quite reasonable and thoughtful. As I noted upthread, there are many inspiring examples of artists overcoming severe physical frailties to make music; as long as the inspiration is there, it's pretty much never impossible. I have to confess I don't really expect any significant further music from Brian, but I would be very surprised if he went totally silent for the rest of his days the way Sonny Rollins (for example) was compelled to. At a minimum I'd expect him to throw a line or two on somebody else's song, or some little performance for some institutional honor, or a tribute don't or something. As a side note, I also think "Brian looks & sounds like he will die soon" would be an astoundingly ghoulish and callous thing for a "fan" to say even if it were true, which I certainly don't think it is. But there has always been a certain contingent of the Beach Boys fan world that would like to lay claim to the story and the legacy, and on some level has always wanted the inconvenient fact of Brian's (and Mike's) continued existence to get out of the way of those claims. The fact that Bruce could theoretically walk into the studio tomorrow and make an album of avant-garde electronic noise, or of Lady Gaga songs, will forever be a thorn in the side of a certain type of fan who is strongly invested in their version of the story. Just look at the outcry when Lou Reed dared to work with Metallica: fundamentally it was based on a conviction that "my Lou wouldn't do that." But he did. |
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ryankc
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Post by ryankc on Jan 24, 2024 21:34:41 GMT -5
I don't need any more music from Brian. His solo career is very spotty to me. The only album I like from start to finish is 1988. I listen to Sweet Insanity and Paley Sessions more than his other official albums. There are sporadic tracks that I enjoy, but a lot of his solo music is trying to be Adult Contemporary or imitative of younger Brian. Brian historically goes with the path of least resistance. Some of the albums he has made as a solo artist sound like the path of least resistance. I can only speculate.
I have to say, seeing the poor condition Brian was in during his 2022 tour, left a sour taste in my mouth. Brian's 80th birthday was here in Kansas City. I could have easily gone to see him, but I just knew based on previous videos, Brian was not going to be in good shape. Seeing the clips from that show prove my point. I have my criticisms about Mike and Bruce, but you can tell, to this day, they are still with it on stage and actively into the music. No one expects Brian to be like Mike Love on stage, but we have seen what Brian engaged looks like on stage. This wasn't it. Brian (and the BBs) have given us a lot and I can't possibly think of anything else I want from them.
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barto2
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Post by barto2 on Jan 24, 2024 21:35:15 GMT -5
He had a damn nice album name in 'sensitive music for sensitive people' a few years ago. Curious what's in the vault from 2012 onwards
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Post by Al S on Jan 25, 2024 1:25:58 GMT -5
Man, if I was 82, had led an astonishingly creative & productive life mixed with personal adversities and was planning what to do with my cut of the Iconic money, an album might not be a high priority; as opposed to some hassle free doing nothing and hanging with the various kids and grandkids.
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Post by John Manning on Jan 25, 2024 2:00:35 GMT -5
Man, if I was 82, had led an astonishingly creative & productive life mixed with personal adversities and was planning what to do with my cut of the Iconic money, an album might not be a high priority; as opposed to some hassle free doing nothing and hanging with the various kids and grandkids. By the time I’m 82 I plan to have been retired at least 17 years. |
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Post by longtime lurker on Jan 25, 2024 6:18:55 GMT -5
I don't need any more music from Brian. His solo career is very spotty to me. The only album I like from start to finish is 1988. I listen to Sweet Insanity and Paley Sessions more than his other official albums. There are sporadic tracks that I enjoy, but a lot of his solo music is trying to be Adult Contemporary or imitative of younger Brian. Brian historically goes with the path of least resistance. Some of the albums he has made as a solo artist sound like the path of least resistance. I can only speculate. I have to say, seeing the poor condition Brian was in during his 2022 tour, left a sour taste in my mouth. Brian's 80th birthday was here in Kansas City. I could have easily gone to see him, but I just knew based on previous videos, Brian was not going to be in good shape. Seeing the clips from that show prove my point. I have my criticisms about Mike and Bruce, but you can tell, to this day, they are still with it on stage and actively into the music. No one expects Brian to be like Mike Love on stage, but we have seen what Brian engaged looks like on stage. This wasn't it. Brian (and the BBs) have given us a lot and I can't possibly think of anything else I want from them. Agree totally, especially with your 2nd paragraph. Sure I'll be getting pushback for saying this, but the man really had no business going on tour from the 20teens onward. Dunno if it was contractual obligations or pressure from "family", but I honestly don't think it was because BW himself had a burning desire to continue touring by that stage. |
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Post by Awesoman on Jan 25, 2024 8:14:52 GMT -5
So let's look at this all hypothetically.... Brian's not a young man, he's a tired soul, and there is probably not going to be many, if any, new 'albums' of material coming from him any time soon. I'm not talking about salvaging his prior unreleased recordings, but new ideas and recordings going forward. I don't think anyone can really complain considering the miracle return to his solo career since the late 90's, and just how many projects he has accomplished during that time. It's quite extraordinary for a guy who was almost 'washed' up over 25 years ago, and yet he arose in a way I don't think anyone could have predicted. But it's 2024. Where does a guy like Brian go now? I think longing for a complete new record is a 'dreamland' kind of fantasy, and it wouldn't seem possible, and that is understandable. Brian is shortly approaching 82 years old. But I wonder, has he been approached to do what some of his music buddies are doing, and that is to release a single or an E.P? periodically? This seems to be quite a successful approach for aging artists. Ringo Starr has been doing it successfully for some time, and with recent news, Billy Joel is returning to releasing a new single, the first in decades of new material for him, so is this a way forward for a guy like Brian? Remember he has already done one with the 'Walking Down The Path Of Life' CD some years back. It would seem logical to me, instead of worrying about producing a full record and working months on end, just record when fitting, and when one feels like they have something to offer, and then sell that as a package. Fans love it, especially when you sell a new E.P. with a vinyl release, signed pic, cap, sticker or some sort of limited fan package. A lot of bands and artists are doing this, and selling directly from their websites or merchandising company. This all depends on Brian and his state of being of course, but I'm sure he probably still has bursts of energy and wants to fool around musically with something, and this gives fans a key in to supporting him and doing things on a lower budget. I would love it myself, I wonder how you guys feel on Brian doing such projects? What alternative path do you see for Brian? Best to have modest expectations at this point. If we get anything new from Brian Wilson I would consider it bonus points. But if he has nothing left to offer us that's OK too. |
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Post by bessieboporbach on Jan 25, 2024 8:28:10 GMT -5
It's kind of funny, isn't it -- both That's Why God Made the Radio and No Pier Pressure have such a self-conscious air of finality about them, whether that came from Brian or one of his collaborators. It was all a bit premature and might have boxed him in a bit. NPP in particular might have been more enjoyable had it not been trying so hard to be a major statement.
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Post by Autotune on Jan 25, 2024 11:29:00 GMT -5
There are unreleased sessions from the previous decade or so, including the music with Jeff Beck. Perhaps one or two hours worth of unreleased music can be put together.
As for Brian recording or releasing new music... I don't think it's a matter of Brian *doing what he wants* only... It's more a matter of Brian doing what he CAN. He didn't look like an active recording artist at the BB tribute. All that said, we have been surprised in the past, so who knows.
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ryankc
Dude/Dudette
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Post by ryankc on Jan 25, 2024 18:56:10 GMT -5
Do we know what was recorded but never released from the Jeff Beck sessions? Danny Boy is the only song I can recall off the top of my head. What Beck said about his time together with Brian is interesting and possibly telling about how active Brian is as a writer:
“For four days I sat there and didn’t even know Brian was in the room. He was so quiet; he never uttered a syllable. And yet they gave me these parts that allegedly he’d written."
“He doesn’t speak. He’s clearly in need of attention – but that’s just my opinion.”
"It was one of the few times when Brian actually looked at me, during the four-day session. He said, 'That's the most beautiful song ever.' And he spoke to me quite normally."
"Brian never said a word. It was the most bizarre thing. I don't know what's going on with Brian, but perhaps it's best left alone, not mention too much about that. Perhaps he's so cool, he never speaks to anybody."
Beck is an outsider, so maybe his perspective on Brian is just that; limited. But you put that anecdote with Brian's last few years of touring and it's easy to let the mind wander.
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Post by Mikie on Jan 25, 2024 19:04:10 GMT -5
I realize that I'm a little greedy, but I still want my 'Pleasure Island" CD.
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Post by jds on Jan 25, 2024 19:13:50 GMT -5
It's especially telling that, apparently, BW is no longer capable of even sitting in the control both and occasionally saying "Great! Out of sight!" while other people make albums that will be released under his name.
Just leave the guy alone. I'm open, under protest, to the Brian-Paley sessions being released, but: Beck-Brian sessions or Pleasure Island is probably just morbid and/or the best material was already released.
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Post by AGD on Jan 26, 2024 2:34:19 GMT -5
Do we know what was recorded but never released from the Jeff Beck sessions? Danny Boy is the only song I can recall off the top of my head. The only other title I've ever seen mentioned was "Metropolis" at London's Cold Storage studio on September 5th 2013. It's possible Brian wasn't present. |
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