Customer Reviews

Stars in the Sand

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This is a beautiful album.
Jeffrey Foskett is a much-travelled and talented musician and singer. He is currently in a kind of spotlight as musical director of the "Brian Wilson Presents Smile" CD and live performance. And while he plays a superb role in that epic adventure, it is his solo work we address here.
Put simply, "Stars in the Sand" is gorgeous, and shows Foskett at his eclectic best.
The album (yes, I've been around a long time) opens with a strong and personal song - "Living Alone," and maintains the momentum until the final track - though more on that later.
A couple of covers are worth mentioning - The Wilsons' "Everything I Need" (with "the man" himself guesting on vocals) and the Sunrays "I Live for the Sun." Also, he bravely takes on "Hurting Each Other" - instantly inviting comparisons with the purity of Karen Carpenter - the result is a beautiful song indeed.
However, it is Foskettt's own co-compositions that highlight the album. From the Pet Sounds feel of "Through My Window," through "It's My Fault," to the Chicagoesque "Mystery of Moonlight," the wonder continues.
The final track - Sedaka's "Laughter in the Rain," is really quite something - thank heavens there are explanatory notes (by Foskett himself) to explain the history and context of each track.
Amazingly (to me anyway), Foskett provides nearly every vocal on every song - I guess this makes a live performance a tad difficult, but it is a masterpiece of voice and production.
This is an album to enjoy from the first playing. I hope we hear more from this wonderful guy.

Let's talk chicken and egg (or child and father) here. It would be easy to attribute Foskett's mastery of the Wilson sound palette to his extensive recent work with The Man, but "Thru My Window" (alone worth the price of the package and, along with the Wondermints' "Tracey Hide", the best examples of Brian Wilson Songs He Never Wrote) predates Jeff's many years of studio and touring work with Brian. So what gives? Obviously Mr. Wilson recognizes talent, and Foskett has hitched his wagon to the brightest star in the heavens, so both of their brilliance is in evidence here. Like his last one, this is one of the few efforts these days that leaves you anxious for the next one.

What an Excellent musical experience. I can't wait to hear more solo material from Jeffrey Foskett. I love his work with Brian Wilson, and now I know he is also great as a solo artist.

The other reviews about Foskett and Wilson are spot on, but I bought this cd initially because of the Marshall Crenshaw tracks (You're My Favorite Waste of Time, The Best Thing About Me is You), and discovered the rest of the tracks are real gems. It's also one I don't have to turn down when my kids are around, plus they love Fish, and Cool and Gone. But, YMFWoT has become our family's anthem and we love dancing to it in the kitchen. This is a great everyday, almost any occassion cd. And, if you're a Crenshaw fan, his tracks are two of the nicest recordings.

What a glorious album of music from the great Brian Wilson's main sideman. From the opening strains of track 1 to the final notes of Sedaka's "Laughter in the Rain" this album is a total joy from start to finish. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys first rate pop music - you won't be disappointed!!