Classics: Selected by Brian Wilson [Original recording remastered]

The Beach Boys | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 2, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B0000682VW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,382 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Just when you thought that the Beach Boys canon was complete, the band's mad genius, Brian Wilson, has taken it upon himself to compile his 20 favorite hits from his band's oeuvre, and believe me his favorites are as idiosyncratic as you might think. Fortunately for fans, Wilson has also chosen some of the band's best-beloved songs for this collection, including the deceptively simple but symphonically constructed "California Girls," the wistful "Surfer Girl," and the rowdy and harmlessly macho "I Get Around," as well as the band's artistic high-water mark, "Good Vibrations," all of which reminds fans once again what a sublime poet he is. Most of the Beach Boys' mindless hot-rod songs and surf anthems are absent; instead, Wilson has selected some of the band's more reflective and intelligent tunes, including the brooding "In My Room," the equally downcast "'Til I Die," and the melancholy "The Warmth of the Sun" (which, Wilson reveals in the brief accompanying notes, was written as a tribute to President John F. Kennedy on the night of his assassination). These strangely confessional notes are worth the price of the entire CD, shedding a brief light on some of the dark corners of Wilson's troubled life, as well as including warm remembrances and snatches of Beach Boys trivia--that "California Girls" is his favorite song, and that he considers the chord pattern on "This Whole World" to ramble. Also included in the collection is the recently recorded "California Feelin'," a song Wilson wrote in the early '70s but never was "officially" recorded. It gives an interesting trajectory to the disc, showing the changes in Wilson's voice and delivery and marking the psychic journey from Beach Boy to man. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description

This 20 track HDCD remastered collection includes a brand new (2002) recording from Brian 'California Feelin' (originally written for the band in the 70s but never recorded). 20 tracks. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars California Feelin', July 11, 2002

By 

Darrell R. Hahn (Carmel, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classics: Selected by Brian Wilson (Audio CD)

Most people who buy this will probably have an appreciation of Brian Wilson, so they don't necessarily fall into the "I saw the Beach Boys live in 1998 at the XYZ Fair" crowd. That said, the hardcore fans will buy this for the newly-recorded version of "California Feelin."

The overall song selection was interesting. "Wonderful" is the Smiley-Smile version, not the Smile version. I belive the same is true of "Heroes And Villains" (so it's not the pumped-up version that was a bonus track on the two-fer CD's). "Surf's Up" is the 1971 version from the album of the same title (which did combine 1967 Brian with 1971 Beach Boys), but is placed on the CD as though it were a 1967 version.

As for "California Feelin," I'd have to say it was a disappointment. Brian can sound good, single-tracked, when he tries, but at times it sounds like he's quadruple-tracked, with each voice ending a held-over note at different times. Sounds kinda sloppy. I was hoping this would be an official release of the 70's version with Carl on vocals, but no luck. The song seems to drag a bit, too, although it's been a while since I heard the original.

Overall, not a bad purchase, it's great to listen to in the car, and for hardcore fans probably worth purchasing for "California Feelin," even though it is somewhat of a disappointment.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars aptly titled!, July 3, 2002

By 

todd vittum (North Palm Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classics: Selected by Brian Wilson (Audio CD)

"Classics" The word has been overused but not this time. Some familiar material, a slice of SMiLe, some early 70's nuggets, and a freshly minted one. True classics hold up over time, these have, and will continue to do so. "This Whole World" rivals other "pocket symphonies". "Marcella" could have been a grown up "Surfer Girl" 10 years later. Now it is 40 years later and "Don't Worry Baby" was just a featured song in the film "Never been Kissed". All these make this release well worth seeking out, but it is the semi legendary song that The Beach Boys never officially recorded "California Feeling" (written circa '76)that sets this apart. This drive down the coast with The Wondermints as The Wrecking Crew, and Jeffery Foskett as Carl, and Brian as...well Brian! is a new classic. Brian Wilson picked these, and thought them to be classics. It is evident that this disc is aptly titled. "Classics" a word not overused but a disc that might be overplayed.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD made me a die-hard Beach Boys fan!, March 31, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Classics: Selected by Brian Wilson (Audio CD)

Wow! A year ago before I bought this album I thought the Beach Boys were a pretty decent oldies act. I had one of their cheap ten song greatest hits cds. I always heard people talk about the Beach Boys being on the same level of greatness as the Beatles are. Well, I took a chance a bought this cd hoping to get more insight into the more obscure Beach Boys stuff. In a word I was "amazed" at what I heard! There is a perfect mix of some of there classic radio hits and essential album tracks and even a rare,deep cut. You really get to hear the Beach Boys evolve into a mature band. They did surfer pop, psycldia, folk, R&B, new wave, disco and progressive rock. Needless to say, I now love the Beach Boys more than the Beatles (that's a pretty big statement cause I love them alot too). The only real flaw is the closing track "California Feeling" they should have put on it a track from Wild Honey, Love You, M.I.U. or L.A. Well buy this cd then submerge yourself in their studio albums I espicially love their 70s albums and their mid to late 60s albums.