Customer Reviews

Classics: Selected by Brian Wilson

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

"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.

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.

This is a great album! Contains classic songs, some of them not familiar to the casual fan, but these songs are all amazing, and of course we got the genius himself, Brian Wilson, to thank for his outstanding contributions to the world of music. Even includes the drug-induced classic jam "Wonderful," and of course the great song "Surf's Up." A must have for music lovers everywhere!

This is the album that shows off the pure genius of founding member of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson. Every song is indeed a classic, and we even get a newly recorded (though not as lushly produced) track, "California Feelin'." For any fan of music, THIS is the place to start your Beach Boys collection. Even more so than "Pet Sounds" or "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" - as this shows the range of this seminal group. You get the treats "Surf's Up" and "Sail On, Sailor" in addition to the more commercial pop records like "I Get Around." The sound is crystal clear - mastered in HDCD with stereo mixes of "California Girls" and "Heroes and Villains." This is by far the best starting point in the vast Beach Boys canon.

First up, this album isn't really a "greatest hits" album. Instead of including of being handpicked by money - hungry Capitol exceutives, they asked the man who made the music to pick his 19 favorite Beach Boys tracks and put them on a single disc. This is Brian Wilson's personal collection.

This album doesn't feature as much as hits as you'd expect. Brian heavily relies on the reflective ballads like the sublime "In My Room", the morbid "Til I Die", and the eloquent "God Only Knows". Granted, Brian does show his respect for the big hits, as he includes "Good Vibrations", "California Girls" and "I Get Around". I'm sure some selections will surprise you - "Time To Get Alone", "Don't Worry Baby" (these are my two favorites) and "Wonderful" make this an obscure collection that will no doubt appeal to hard - core fans.

As an added bonus, Brian also includes a brand - new recording. "California Feelin'" was written by Brian for The Beach Boys in the early 1970s', but was never officially released. (It has been floating on various bootlegs over the years). it is a very good song and features harmonies very reminiscent of The Beach Boys themselves.

Overall, this really an excellent album. It really shows what fondness Brian jas for his material, and his notes on the songs in the booklet are really well thought out. Brian, welcome back.

The last thing even the most rabid Beach Boys fan needs is another compilation CD, but this one is worth adding to the collection. Sure, the first half is made up of well-worn, oft-compiled warhorses, but the second half spotlights some generally overlooked gems, and Brian Wilson's own notes add to the package, even if most of his thoughts on these tracks have been heard or read before elsewhere. It's not "Smile", but it's recommended.

what can i say but these songs are above comparison and are too good for the charts songs that make you cry chear you up songs to last a lifetime or should i say forever the beatles made music but the beach boys made hard to make music but easy to listen to it is so good that brian is in good health and may he stay like that forever ladi da

Who would have imagined Wonderful and Busy Doing Nothing showing up on a "greatest hits" album? Brian, that's who! This CD has some of the best "makes me feel good inside" music anywhere and is a great listen. Carls voice is at its classic best in Marcella and Time To Get Alone. Brian singing Caroline No and Surf's Up is priceless! With the exception of the newly recorded "California Feelin'", can you cull these from your Beach Boys CD's a make it yourself, and will some of you do that? Sure, but then you miss out on two great pleasures. 1)Seeing Brian's name on the cover art and 2)paying royalties to the man who brought you these timeless great songs! Buy it now! It's worth every penny! Long live Brian Wilson! Have a great summer!

This is the compilation brian wilson's fans have hoped for.
The real best of the beach Boys !
And now, what about the release of the smile sessions ?