Brian Wilson...

Brian Wilson

Just finished my re-read well worn copy of the Brian Wilson autobiography “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (available in all good book shops and Amazon easily enough) It’s a controversial book in as much as whether Brian Wilson had anything to do with its writing and completion is a matter that has been brought up time and time again. At the time of its completion Brian was actually still in a psychological 24 hour a day programme with a doctor who would become the infamous Dr Landy. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Dr Eugene Landy saved Wilsons life as he was over 300lbs (over 21 stone) smoking 4 packs of cigarettes a day and shovelling enough food and cocaine into his body at such a rapid rate that would make Keith Richards blush. Dr Landy sorted all this out, got him trim, healthy, clean and de-toxed and able to converse and go about his daily routines without any bother. He also traded one addiction for another and made Wilson totally dependant on him and his “programme” and at a whopping $35,000 a month plus expenses wasn’t a popular option from the other Beach Boys and his family although he got Brain back on his feet and back from oblivion.

Brian Wilson’s story is a saga and he was never going to be a flash in the pan live fast die young rock and roller, he was in it for the long haul. Whether he is firing on all cylinders any more is another discussion but considering what he’s been through the fact he is so lucid can still sing like a bird and produce like a pro is testament to his staggering abilities that haven’t diminished (for proof of this see his magnum opus SMiLE completed finally in 2004 from its initial birth in 1966)

Like a lot of the bands of the 60s that reached massive heights The Beach Boys have turned into McDonalds and Coke and people assume they know all about them because they’ve heard “Surfin USA” or an early hit like that or “California Girls”, songs that have been played to death on the oldies stations without delving into the goldmine of music and non single tracks that make up Brian Wilson’s musical legacy. Due to the lack of respect companies like Capitol gave Wilson and his music all the tracks are available on sites such as Spotify and you can buy 2 for 1 album’s 3 for £20 at most record shops so their loss has been our good luck. Spotify the following tracks to here why everyone from Elton John, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Sean Lennon, Fleet Foxes to Bob Dylan all agree that Brian Wilson is still the benchmark to aim for when producing and creating true musical beauty.

Add Some Music to Your Day –

01) Till I Die
02) Caroline No
03) God Only Knows
04) Time To Get Alone
05) Sail On Sailor
06) Blue Hawaii
07) Surfs Up
08) Love And Mercy
09) Soul Searchin’ (with Carl Wilson)
10) Let’s Put Our Heart’s Together (will Marilyn Wilson)