Brian Wilson [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Brian Wilson

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 5, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1988
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00004WH69
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #65,398 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Brian Wilson's solo debut finally arrived in 1988 to much fanfare and near unanimous critical hosannas. Unfortunately, its commercial impact was negligible, a disappointing outcome for both Wilson, who takes pride in his string of '60s hits, and his boosters, for the 11-song self-titled record represents the zenith of the pop genius's post-Beach Boys oeuvre. "Love and Mercy" heralds Wilson's return to form; lyrically gracious and musically grand, it's an opener quite nearly on a par with "Wouldn't It Be Nice." From there, Wilson and an assortment of coproducers (Russ Titelman, Jeff Lynne, Andy Paley, and Lenny Waronker) intermix brisk, playful rockers ("Night Time," "Little Children") with sumptuous pop concoctions (the a cappella "One for the Boys," "There's So Many"), wrapping things up with an ambitious suite, "Rio Grande." The reissue is generously fleshed out with interview segments, demos, and late-'80s rarities, including the delightful B-side "He Couldn't Get His Poor Old Body to Move." --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brian's Solo Masterpiece, September 6, 2000

By	Paul Schneider (Cary, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I know that Pet Sounds is acknowledged as Brian's masterpiece, but listening to the remastered version of this album definitely buts it in the same league. Whereas Pet Sounds reflected the melancholia and insecurity Brian was feeling in 1965, his self titled 1988 release showcases a much more optimistic and loving artist. Love and Mercy, Melt Away, There's So Many and Let It Shine rank among Brian's best melodies, and Rio Grande is an experimental gem that would have fit nicely onto the aborted Smile album. The album's shining moment is One For The Boys, an a capella tribute to his former bandmates, which features Brian's multi-tracked harmonies. If Carl Wilson had sung on this album, it would rank as The Beach Boys' best work. This version also contains 11 bonus tracks (including many demos) that prove this wasn't just pieced together by producers, as was rumored at the time.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great re-issue of a flawed yet welcome comeback album, September 26, 2000

By	Jules (Birmingham, England) - See all my reviews

Rhino really know how to repackage, remaster and deliver the goods with those bonus tracks. Lots of contemporaneous b-sides, out-takes, demos and bits of Brian talking here. Wonderful! The album itself suffered a little from the 80s drum and keyboard sounds (a common problem of the times) and having too many hands on deck (including the controversial Gene Landy), but it was still a welcome return to the kind of form we never thought Brian Wilson would ever reach again. And he still has yet to match this album with any subsequent official release (what exists in the vaults and in the hands of bootleggers is a different story.....). Love and Mercy should have been a hit, Melt Away and There's So Many are gorgeous - Brian's melodic flair is very much intact here. Rio Grande is a breathtaking finale. All that Brian's Back nonesense seemed so much like hot air in 1976, in 1988 it rang a lot truer! Beach Boys fan or just a lover of great tunes that come from the heart? Buy this CD.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!!!, September 19, 2000

By	sweet insanity (Jukesville, Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

Finally available after a ten year hiatus. I had to get the out of print version on E-bay. But this version is worth it. Sonically better than the original release, with many unreleased tracks. The harmonies on this album are gorgeous-check out One For the Boys. Brian hadn't reached a musical peak since Love You. As I think back, why wasn't this album a hit in 1988? The songs are soooo much better than the dribble that was out at the time---Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Rick Astley?? Love and Mercy should have been Top Ten material. The same can be said about Imagination, released in 1998. That is music---not Korn, Limp Bizkit blah blah blah. They wouldn't know how to write a decent song if their lives depended on it. This album just proves that Brian and his music are timely and timeless. Now if Brian could release Sweet Insanity......