Customer Reviews

Brian Wilson: That Lucky Old Sun

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Brian Wilson shows us once again why he is regarded as one of the best writers and performers by musicians and fans alike. This highly anticipated DVD was well worth the wait. The DVD itself is high quality, with superior picture and sound. Each track from the Lucky Old Sun CD is played in order. I purchased the CD when it was originally released several months ago, and have listened to it many times. Watching Brian and his spectacular Band, which Brian has molded together over the past 15 years, play each track to perfection, is a experience we rarely get to enjoy in todays musical climate. As a bonus, one of the extras on this DVD is another high quality recording of Brian and his band performing several live tracks including a few Beach Boys numbers. This DVD also includes a track by track commentary by Brian and Scott Bennett, giving us insight into the inspiration behind the music on Lucky Old Sun. A great DVD.

WHat a time to be a Brian Wilson fan! First this GREAT new concept album and then a tour to support it! We got the chance to see Brian perform this NUGGET live twice in the New York area over the past month and it sounded as good in person as it does on the CD. It is good to know that one of the most influential song writers in the history of rock and roll (or any other medium) continues to make music that can move you! I simply cannot say enough in support of this terrific effort by the founder of The Beach Boys. Go out and get it or, better yet, order it right here on Amazon.Com

Michael Patterson

I recently ordered the DVD, "That Lucky Old Sun" by Brian Wilson. This DVD was outstanding. The music was great, the concert footage was great, the documentary was great, the performances were great, and the whole thing was very interesting. I would highly recommend this DVD for any Brian Wilson fan or Beach Boys fan. Though the years have slowed him, Brian is still a major talent and force in the music world. "That Lucky Old Sun" DVD is a home run for Brian.

As a huge fan of the Beach Boys, Brian and the TLOS album, I was destined to like this dvd. For me personally, the bonus features are the best part of the dvd, though - particularly the Yahoo set and the Black Cab Session.

I was very disappointed in the way the producers decided to present the actual TLOS "concert". First off, the performance was in front of a very small audience at Capitol Records. Although the crowd was enthusiastic, the actual concert I saw in November at the Ryman in Nashville was much more energetic and I'm not sure this dvd fully captures that energy. Secondly, the vocals on the dvd are, to my ear, over-produced. There is far more effect on Brian's vocals on the dvd than on the studio album and it contributes to making the dvd sound more like a studio recording than a live concert. Additionally, Brian's vocals are so heavily overdubbed that at times it looks like he's lip-synching to a record. Overdubbing the occasional bad note is one thing. Completely re-recording and replacing the vocal performance that accompanied the video, on the other hand is something altogether different. My personal preference is for music dvd's to contain the actual performance that was heard by the audience - mistakes and all. The occasional off-pitch notes are like flaws in fine leather in that they verify the authenticity of the product. Brian was in such fine voice on the TLOS tour that the overdubbing was, in my opinion, unnecessary and more of a distraction than an improvement.

Don't take my observations as suggestions that the dvd is not worthwhile, though, because TLOS is a moving, finely crafted work and the dvd is a treasure for fans of Brian Wilson. I thoroughly enjoyed the dvd and highly recommend it to others as well.

AFTER SEVERAL PLAYS DAYS APART, I FIND THE BEAUTY OF THIS CD/DVD. THIS IS GOOD STUFF AND NOT TO BE MISSED BY ANYONE. THIS IS NEW STUFF AND NEW DIRECTION. BRIAN CONTINUES TO MOVE HIS LEGACY FORWARD AND WE ALL SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR HIS CONTINUING MUSIC MAKING SKILLS!

Although Brian Wilson's previous live DVDs of "Pet Sounds" and "Smile" in their entireties are marvelous, in some ways "That Lucky Old Sun" is the most remarkable of all. It's one thing -- and quite a good thing at that -- for him to re-create some of his greatest music some 35-40 years after it was written with the invaluable assistance of one of the finest backup bands in the history of popular music. But it's quite another for him to produce brand-new music of such unexpectedly superb quality. Not only are the melodies and arrangements first-rate, but toward the end it becomes some of the most emotionally naked music he's ever recorded. The one flaw in "That Lucky Old Sun" is that, after a strong start, it drags a bit toward the middle, with "Mexican Girl" in particular not living up to the rest of the suite. But that's a minor quibble, especially since the best material of all is in the final third. If you're a Brian Wilson and/or Beach Boys fan, this is essential viewing. And even if you're not, you just might find it a real eye-opener. If you'll excuse the pun, I consider myself one "lucky old son" to own this DVD!

Okay, I am a huge Brian Wilson fan in any case. But this is his best effort since his peak back in the sixties. The more I listen to it, the more I like it.

This album is a must for any hardcore BDW (or Beach Boys) fan. For others it might not be their thing, and the autobiographical pieces will not be understood. But for the true Wilson fan, this is a phenomenal album.

Definitely 5 stars.

I have had the CD for "That Lucky Old Sun" ever since it came out and the music has really grown on me. I think, considering his life and his personal difficulties, that its amazing Brian continues to write such fantastic music. So I purchased this DVD and was pleasantly surprised by the live performance and mostly the Documentary and behind-the-scenes footage of Brian and his band in the studio.

If you're a fan of Brian and/or the "That Lucky Old Sun" album, this is definitely worth the money.

Brian and his band are as good as ever. I saw this concert live in New York while he was on tour. This DVD captures the essence of the live performance. What a memory for the concert. A Modern day mini opus to Los Angeles!

Wonderful harmonies, interesting and surprizing. Music as only Brian Wilson can create. The best part is that it is so interesting and can be listened to again and again and always hear something new and exciting. What a group of music people to propel these harmonies.