Few gifted musicians get a second chance at life like Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys did. After entering the healing process for he mental illness that plagued much of his life due to abusive treatment he received by his father, Brian successfully established a solo career in 1988 with a self-titled LP and an autobiography. After several more releases, Brian has embarked upon a brand new project: a record containing Gershwin songs that is going to be available through online record stores August 17. Playbill reports the story on "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin", which is released on the Disney Pearl music label.
"Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" contains not only classics like "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Summertime" but also two new songs never released before by Gershwin, "The Like I Have in You" and "Nothing But Love." What is notable about these two songs is that Brian himself blends in music of his own with that of Gershwin. It is not unusual for two music geniuses to collaborate - and Brian is considered to be a musical genius by his critics and contemporaries - but Brian has also contributed orchestral arrangements for these songs. Combine that vocal harmony so popular with Brian's former band The Beach Boys with Gershwin, and that is a real masterpiece. Brian also transforms "'S Wonderful" into a jazzy Brazilian number, a song well suited for a bossa nova party on a Saturday night. Maybe some people might associate Gershwin melodies with the Great Depression, but Brian's clever restyling of the songs make them sound upbeat, happy, and ready for a swinging time. Having seen the Beach Boys perform live back in 1978, I know just how perfect Brian's new release is going to be where it comes to musical arrangement and vocals. The harmonies of "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" do not get any smoother than this.
Adding Gershwin to Brian's ever expanding resume is going to be the crowning glory of his music career, right alongside his "Pet Sounds" LP, considered to be one of the most influential records of all time, and his 2007 Kennedy Center Honor Award. Hopefully Brian Wilson will also plan on touring to help promote this new disc, since watching him perform live is always a pleasure, and Brian never disappoints when it comes to top quality music performances.
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