Posted on 08/28/2021 6:38:06 AM PDT by NOBO2012
Now that it’s nearly over I’ve finally figured out why it hasn’t seemed a proper summer: not enough pet sounds. No, not the barking and meowing kind,the woofer and tweeter type. Specifically, Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys masterpiece that audiophiles have been talking about reverentially for 55 years.
You're halfway through the album when you hear it — a heavenly harmony of instruments that features a harpsichord, organ, bass clarinet, string bass, sleigh bells, and a wonderful French horn. This is the intro to God Only Knows.
While the music itself is the output of The Wrecking Crew, the legendary session musicians, the rest of it is pretty much the sole creation of Brian Wilson who by all accounts was a musical genius, albeit sometimes a drug enhanced one. The album’s title is acknowledgement of that fact; it has nothing to do with actual animal noises but refers rather to the fact that Brian could hear sounds in his head that only dogs could hear.
Brian Wilson
The story of Pet Sounds is the story of art versus commerce, youthful optimism versus adult cynicism and the independent spirit versus the mundane status quo. It’s also a story of tremendous courage. In 1966, 23-year-old Brian Wilson hijacked the Beach Boys, a multi-million-dollar industry consisting of his two brothers, cousin and childhood friend, to give voice to the sounds he heard in his head and the emotions he felt in his heart. The result was an album that had leading musical figures struggling to match his technical innovation, lyrical depth and melodic genius. Half a century later, it’s questionable whether anyone has. - RS
It isn’t the carefree fun, fun, fun music about cars, surf and girls that previously made the Beach Boys synonymous with summer. What it is though is an artfully themed summation of all your youthful summers, especially the sadness of young, failed love and it’s attendant anguish and growth.
The album is an uncomplicated but masterful piece of music that reverberates unless you’re comatose. Paul McCartney has admitted that the album reduces him to tears. And he acknowledges that he’s long admired Wilson’s musical wizardry. Was Brian a genius? I suspect it depends who you ask but it is clear he was imbued with audio powers beyond the mere mortal, most likely enhanced by drug use.
I suggest you not focus on the “genius” aspect of it and even ignore the fact that it is an album recorded in mono that sounds like stereo – which is, objectively, quite a feat. Just enjoy it for what it is: a melancholy, melodic, poignant, painful and true set piece from our youth. Oh sure, there will be a few snobs and snots out there claiming the album is overrated; some people just like to be a contrarian. That’s okay, their loss. It’s a great album full of simple but heartfelt lyrics and amazing harmonies. Sometimes a song is just a song.
While my name isn’t Caroline I sure can relate to the “ where did that girl go?” part. I especially love this version, complete with some of the hiss and pop that made those old vinyl days of rock and roll real. Going digital leaves a lot behind.
If you’ve listened to Pet Sounds before, listen to it again. If you haven’t, listen to it today, and discover that the best of the Beach Boys has nothing to do with the beach — it’s in that piano introduction of "You Still Believe in Me," that beautiful chorus and wonderful French horn at the end of "God Only Knows," and that train from "Caroline, No." Acknowledge the band's true legacy in the wistful, heartbroken sadness of Pet Sounds. – Vox
P.S. Just an unscientific observation: most women I know like this album, but men - real men, not the metrosexuals of ruined generations - absolutely love it.
Caturday bonus: Music for Cats
Please be safe out there, especially those of you in harm’s way this weekend.
Posted from: MOTUS A.D.
I second that emotion.
Genius. Yes, no doubt that word describes Brian. If not him, then no one.
I remember the Beatles produced Sgt. Pepper in response to Pet Sounds.
I third it. Brian is eccentric and has mental health issues very likely exacerbated by drug use, but in terms of the sheer ability to compose and arrange music, the man was (is?) an incredible talent without peer. To listen to the session tapes from say the “I Get Around” era in 1964 through Pet Sounds and Smile in 1966-67 is to hear someone who was operating on a higher plane of ability than everyone else.
And this is not a fan fantasy. In the “Wrecking Crew” documentary from a few years back, you hear the same thing from the top studio musicians of L.A. of the ‘60s and ‘70s, the people who worked with everyone and played on 80% of the pop and jazz records and all the TV & movie soundtracks. People like Leon Russell, a musical genius in his own right, saying things like “Brian was a stone cold genius. It doesn’t get better than him.”
I knew a guy once that did so much LSD he thought he was a dog for a few weeks.
“Caroline No” is one of my favorite BB songs. The tale of the lost love that was once so strong hits home for just about everyone over 30, and I always turn up the train part at the end too. Don’t know why but it makes a perfect ending for the song.
BKMRK.
This 23 year old boy could hear things others could not. He knew what he wanted and was directing The Wrecking Crew, an assembly of mature musical titans, to do his bidding.
To their credit they followed his directions not knowing where it was all going. But after editing and assembly they were astonished at the final master.
The first pop recording with the name of God in the title.
try hard to be more what you want me to be
But I can't help how I act when you're not here with me
I try hard to be strong but sometimes I fail myself
And after all I've promised you so faithfully
You still believe in me
I want to cry..
Glenn Frey did an excellent cover of “Caroline No” (without the train) some years back.
I’ve got that CD and still play it often.....unless I’m in a lazy mood then I have Alexa play it....;)
“Caroline No”
I’m playing it right now.....;)
This is probably to most dead-on tribute to Brian Wilson. You can tell Brian was a huge influence on Andy Partridge.
The Dukes of Stratosphear (aka XTC)
Pale and Precious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRcXWGLummo
Big XTC fan since their first album . Saw them in Jan. 1980 at a relatively smallclub on Long Island calledMy Father’s Place . It was guitarist Dave Gregory’s first US gig with the group . They were fantastic and the crowd was great. “ You people DESERVE an encore “ Andy said after returning to the stage after the end of their set . Bought both DOS LPs as son as they were released and love them still . Yes , DOS was XTC but with Dave Gregory’s brother Ian on drums who never played on any XTC records . Must dig the vinyl out tomorrow and give them a spin .
The lead singer on “My World Fell Down” is a tenor and Glen Campbell sounds like more of a baritone. However, when each sings solo on the refrain, the voice in the middle sounds a lot like Glen’s.
This is another XTC song that was Brian Wilson inspired.
Chalkhills and Children
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0dXZfcw34Q
For me, this one hit close to home. In the summer of 1966, the machinists at several major airlines walked off the job. We were in Germany at the time, and when it was time to come home, the strike was still dragging on.
We managed to get to New York City on Trans-Caribbean Airlines, an airline I had never heard of before or since. After a couple days, we found a flight to Dallas on Delta Airlines, then a regional carrier confined mostly to the South. Then after a weekend in Big D, we boarded another Delta flight to Los Angeles. The Raiders' opus hit the playlist on Boss Radio 93 KHJ soon afterwards.
The Great Airplane Strike--Paul Revere & the Raiders (1966)
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