Customer Reviews

Like a Brother

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An interesting project featuring Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys, Robert Lamm of Chicago and Gerry Beckley of America. It was Wilson's final project before his death from Cancer in 1998. The songs are solid, of not exceptionally memorable, and the singing is wonderful. Wilson, especially, who sings lead on nearly half of the album, soars vocally. Perhaps most affecting is the title cut, a song written by Carl about his troubled older brother Brian. It features Beach-Boys like harmonies and instrumentation and a magnificent, pained vocal from Carl. This album isn't perfect, but as a momento of one of the most underappreciated voices of Rock and Roll, it fits the bill.

"Like A Brother", the work of the late Beach Boy Carl Wilson, America's Gerry Beckley and Chicago's Robert Lamm is highly recommended for those who appreciate harmony. The production is both mellow and melodic, with each of the three men bringing the style of their signature band's to the project. There is an airy and relaxed feel to the proceedings: the listener can tell that these three men clearly enjoyed creating this music.

Special note is given to Carl Wilson's wonderful vocals. His "I Wish For You" (the last song that he ever recorded)is exquisite. His wonderful voice is sorely missed.

The Lonely Surfer

This disc combines the talents of Gerry Beckley (America), Robert Lamm (Chicago) and Carl Wilson (The Beach Boys). As you'd expect, the combination of 3 talents from groups that trade heavily in harmony turn in some beautiful harmony themselves on what was a nearly completely ignored disc. The production is somewhat "80s" in sound, thanks to production by Phil Galdston (writer of Vanessa Williams' #1 smash "Saving the Best for Last") and Steve Levine (who produced a 1984 Beach Boys album that brought them back onto the charts with "Getcha Back" as well as several Culture Club efforts).

While those proclaiming it a lost masterpiece here are greatly overstating things, it's nonetheless a charming disc that deserved a better fate commercially.

HIGHLIGHTS:
"I Wish for You" sounds like a coulda been AC hit as another reviewer noted. It's Carl's tender good-will anthem. ("A heart that can heal when you love in vain/A friend who can hold you through all of the pain/I wish you hope through your share of tears/I wish you peace all your living years") Chicagoan Lamm turns in a tribute to dead Chicago bandmate Terry Kath with "Feel the Spirit". (Kath accidentally shot himself while playing Russian roulette) "Watching the Time" is a mid-life reflection from America's Beckley. "Run Don't Walk" is a 'missing you on the road' anthem with a peppy hook. The album closes on a highnote with the title track. It's Carl's love letter to brother Brian Wilson, who was estranged from him at that point. (Producer Galdston shares a great story about the song on the Beach Boys fan club site [http://www.beachboysfanclub.com/lab.htm])

LOWS:
"Today" has a great hook, but the verses leading up to it are weak making it one of the lesser songs and an unfortunate choice to lead off the CD. "Run Don't Walk" would've been a better option. I'll be in the minority here, I guess, but I was disappointed in the cover of Harry Nilsson's "Without Her". The bouncy feel given the song seemed completely inappropriate to the lyric despite some tasty group harmonies. It just felt out of sorts to these ears. Carl penned a great lyric for "They're Only Words" but then chose to set it to a blaring guitar arrangement that ruins what might have been the album's highlight.

BOTTOM LINE:
There's nothing so immediately grabbing here that it's likely to convert non-fans of America, The Beach Boys or Chicago. That being said, if you're a fan of any of them you'll probably find some stuff here worth hearing, though I'd keep an eye out for it used as the price has soared on this due to Beach Boys/Carl Wilson collectors (out of proportion to its musical value). If you absolutely ADORE the sound samples, don't try and get this one...instead you'll want the Japanese import version on JVC Victor (do a search for ASIN B00005L9B1) which adds 3 more tracks.

The CD by Beckley-Lamm-Wilson is a wonderful mix of all three artists. Gary Beckley adds his "America" style, Robert Lamm throws in not only his "Chicago" style, but also his very soulful solo style and the late Carl Wilson really pulls it all together with that wonderful "Beach Boy" sounds of the past. The song "Feel The Spirit" is a tribute to the late Terry Kath of Chicago and it is a great song indeed. I really like the entire CD and would recommend it to any fans of Beckley, Lamm or Wilson.

This CD is a fitting tribute to the late Carl Wilson. As one of the founding members of the Beach Boys, this is his last recording. A coming together of 3 of my favorite bands...Gerry Beckley of America, Robert Lamm of Chicago and of course, Carl. Each take turns with lead vocals and you can hear each of their own band's personal influences on all the tracks. I particulary liked "Feel The Sprirt", "Sheltering Sky" and the ode to Brian Wilson, "Like A Brother". Well worth adding to your collection.

This CD is worth it for "I Wish For You". Carl's passing is deeply felt when you hear that song and realize you'll never hear him on any new work. Carl also rocks on the fast-moving "Run Don't Walk"--a song the Beach Boys SHOULD have recorded. Gerry Beckley's vocals are in fine form, and quite pleasant.

I'm not that big a fan of Robert Lamm's lead vocals, but his leads are OK. I will forever be in Beckley-Lamm's debt for not shelving this album after Carl died.

All in all, if you're a fan of these three men in their respective groups (America, Chicago, & The Beach Boys) this is a must-have.

With most of the songs on this CD being sung (and several being written) by Carl Wilson, it is only fitting that the real two gems are sung by him. "Today", which is written by John Waite (remember the group THE BABYS?), is an untempo number with a great melody and Carl really sings his heart out on it. It is well produced and it could have easily been a top ten hit. But it is Carl's own song "I Wish For You" that shines like a bright star in a dark sky. With a gorgeous melody, this is a ballad with a slightly upbeat tempo. His words are meant for his wife and children after he is no longer there for them. He wishes them Love, Hope and Peace and ("Someone to hold you through all the tears"). But it is the wonderful melody and Carl's gentle yet forceful voice that will keep you playing the song over and over again. Beckley does a fine Job on his songs. Robert Lamm seems to struggle vocally on his. Buy this CD before it goes out-of-print music lovers. It is more than well worth it.

I had looked forward to the Wilson-Lamm-Beckley CD for months and I am not disappointed. Carl Wilson's sweet vocals remind me of the loss the world suffered when Carl died. Highly recommended!

The blended voices and talents of three of the most talented artists of our time: Carl Wilson, Gerry Beckley, and Robert Lamm are quite simply, beautiful. Having grown up listening to the Beach Boys, America, and Chicago I can appreciate the wonderful but yet haunting lyrics and music laid down on this CD. Carl Wilsons voice still has that Beach Boys quality although he is no longer with us. Gerry Beckley is and always has been one of my favorite singers and musicians. His group "America" is my all time favorite, having heard them perform again just 6 days ago. Robert Lamm and Chicago go hand in hand and his voice has made the difference on many of their early recordings. Put these three together and you have a musical masterpiece. I love it. Thanks go out to Gerry Beckley who pushed this project through and saw it completed after the death of Carl Wilson. If you like any of the above mentioned supergroups then you are going to love "Like A Brother"

Carl Wilson's athletic vocals and contributions from Beckley and Lamm make this a solid album. The song, "I Wish For You" highlights this album and Wilson delievers a beautiful and powerful vocal. I got chills listening to it the first time.