Customer Reviews

Youngblood

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Carl Wilson was definitely revered as a member of the Beach Boys and by anyone who knew him, not only for his seemingly heaven sent vocal talents (whether singing rock n roll (when it was still rock n roll) or heartbreaking ballads) but for his angelic personality. Unfortunately neither of his two solo albums got much praise or air play and Youngblood was a commercial failure. Is all the material on Youngblood great? No, but some of the songs are good and the ones that are only decent are elevated by Carl's uniquely stellar voice.

Youngblood is a solid cover featuring how strongly Carl could pull off largely unfamiliar territory with the blues laced tune. My favorite cut from the album though has always been the upbeat (John Hall penned) What You Do To Me, kind of a guilty pleasure in context of the Beach Boys. Anyway you cut it you hear many different sides to the already very versatile Beach Boy lead guitarist.

Currently this will be the only solo work by the youngest Wilson brother available the Beckley-Lamm-Wilson collaboration aside) and is a very welcome (and long awaited) addition to Beach Boys' available solos catalog. If I was comparing this strictly with the Beach Boys catalog I'd probably give it a 3 or 2, but in comparing it with music in general(especially in 1983) it's easily a 4. You have to figure anything solo by a member of the greatest music producing band in history has to be at least good, (Mike Love aside) and Youngblood delivers. It's not Pacific Ocean Blue, but Carl again reinforces (despite often mediocre material) there was more than one "genius" in the Wilson family.

By David M. Beard
Editor and Publisher of Endless Summer Quarterly; The World's Leading Brian Wilson/Beach Boys Publication

While there are few defining solo musical efforts from the members of The Beach Boys, Carl Wilson, the youngest sibling to older brothers Brian and Dennis, did mange to briefly capture lightning in a bottle on this 1983 release. Faced with the lack of creative flexibility within the group dynamic, Wilson left the band after 1980's Keepin' The Summer Alive album to pursue personal music interests.

His first self-titled effort, released in 1981, was a meager eight-track submission with the lovely "Heaven" becoming the memorable hallmark. Youngblood was a far more focused event under the production of Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers fame). While neither album changed Carl's status in the music world, they did bring his bluesy and impassioned singing style as well as his rhythm & blues sensibilities to the forefront. Youngblood also demonstrated that Wilson was itching to compose guitar-led compositions.

"What More Can I Say?," "Rockin' All Over The World" and "Young Blood" are prime examples of Carl finding his inner "honky-tonk." There are also tracks of deep substance here; the Billy Hinsche (Dino, Desi & Billy) penned "One More Night Alone" and the toe-tapping "What You Do to Me" remain the collection's strongest recordings.

The liner notes, written by Hinsche, provide a compelling backstory and song-by-song analysis that sheds light on just about every facet of the period and the recordings.

While this album is not as dark and brooding as Dennis' Pacific Ocean Blue and Bambu albums, or as esthetically evolved as 2004's Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE, Youngblood is a vivid reminder of why The Beach Boys relied so heavily on the voice of the youngest Wilson, and why they have never been as good since Carl passed away in February of 1998.

nice singing,very good musicians but mostly so so songs and especially poor production(typical for mainstream artists of the time) make this album essential only for the diehards.

reminds me of Christopher Cross.

To say that the Beach Boys solo catalog as complied by Brian, Dennis and Carl was at best spotty, is like the Gieco commercials that say...You know what I'm getting at.... First off Brian has produced at least three true masterpieces "Imagination", "Love & Mercy" and "Smile". His last three offerings "Over My Head", "Lucky Old Sun" and "Reimagines Gershwin" all fall short in my estimation. Dennis's "Pacific Ocean Blue" is an acquired taste, one which I just don't get and probably never will. That brings us to Carl. While I'm really not familiar with anything other than "Yongblood", I won't comment on his first solo effort.

There's a disctintly "eighties" vibe throughout, a sound that was greatly influenced by the likes of The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Hall & Oates and Chicago's 80's output. This is really evident in the two fine uptempo songs "She's Mine" and "What You Do To Me". Both feature the the inimitable Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on lead guitar. But the real gems here are the beautiful ballards "Givin' You Up", "One More Night Alone", "Of The Times" and "If I Could Talk To Love". Indeed Carl was much like George Harrison the "Quiet Beatle", the shy one, the unsung talent that no one seemed to take notice of. And much like George and The Beatles, Carl's contribution to The Beach Boys was overshadowed by his older brother Brian and never fully appreciated until his all too soon passing. Carl the musician began to emerge on Surf's Up. His compositions "Feel Flows" and "Long Promised Road" were real standouts. With the follow-up album Holland his contributions of "Sail On Sailor" and "Trader" were further evidence of his blossoming talent. Carl's maturity continued and his confidence grew as he embarked on a solo career. With his second solo outing, "Youngblood" Carl began to shine and take center stage as never before. Rather then tour with Mike Love and company on the nostalgia circuit he worked with some of LA's finest studio musicians and wrote his best songs. Listen to this really fine offering by one of rock music's most underreatted talents. To say that "Yongblood" rocks and might even make you cry, is like saying "Did the Waltons' take far too long to say goodnight"....No that really doesn't tell you the whole story....Just listen....Listen to the voice of an angel.

Carl Wilson was essential to the Beach Boys and when he ventured out for two solo albums in the 80's this CD completes the audio picture before rejoining the Beach Boys. Great listening and essential for all collectors.

i had both albums years ago but this is the better he re recorded john fogertys ROCKIN ALL OVER THE WORLD which is a lot better than the jf version carl even sang the song in washington dc 1984 titled THE BEACH BOYS DC BEACH PARTY a must for the serious collector and im one of them bud lucas yerington nv

Carl Wilson was always the quiet one in the family, the peacemaker. In this CD, Carl's voice lets you know why - he's got the voice of an angel and now that he's gone from us, I'm sure that's what he is. If you love natural tenors, you've got to love
Carl's songs...he sings from his big heart and he's left us with this gift. I recommend it highly and promise you you'll never regret getting it.

Carl Wilson was one of the Beach Boys and responsible for his vocal contribution to some of their most beautiful songs. He only made two solo albums which were not very succesful at the time. Now "Youngblood" (1983) has been made available on CD for the first time in almost 30 years. And we are eagerly awaiting for the 1981 album "Carl Wilson" to also be made available.
Carl Wilson had one of the most beautiful voices in the pop history. And on "Youngblood" ballads like "If I Could Talk To Love" and "One More Night Alone" make this album a wonderful buy. Just find out for yourselfLike a Brother

Carl did 2 (and a half) solo albums in his lifetime this one,"carl Wilson (which was his first),and "Like a brother" which was with Gerry Beckley and "RObert Lamm" and was finished after he died (hence calling it half an album),to be honest with you the "Carl Wilson" album wasn't really that good,but this album was great!!they could have placed both albums on one cd as a two for one deal but they didn't,this album is better than "Carl Wilson" for number of reasons,first off his "Carl Wilson" album was mostly r&b songs with the same chord progressions which made the songs sound way too much alike,this album is mostly piano/snth type songs which (in my opinion) fit's carls style better,there are also some really beautiful songs on here,the first one has a couple too,but for the most part this second album has more of a "beach bOys' sound with the harmonies and the synths..if they release "Carl Wilson" they should put ALOT of bonus songs and outtakes to make the cd worth buying,but this one is fine...

It's been over 15 years since I heard this album on vinyl. Now, CD quality without the hissing, scratches, and skips makes this an even better album than I remember. It's so great to hear Carl's voice again. This album rocks. So many of the songs remind me of my youth when I was growing up especially "Giving You Up." The soft spoken lyrics that build to a crescendo at the end always electrifies me.