That Lucky Old Sun (CD/DVD)

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 5099923482821 Label: EMI Manufacturer: EMI Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: EMI Release Date: 2008-09-01 Studio: EMI
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Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Brilliant Comment: I can not believe that Brian and his marvellous band can produce another masterpiece. I was priviledged to witness this live at Royal Festival Hall in London last September and like the whole audience was gobsmacked. Please Brian keep recording, the music industry needs you. Customer Rating: Summary: Beyond disappointing ! Comment: I am a long-time Beach Boys fan. I have most of their albums and certainly all of their hits, which I listen to frequently. Brian Wilson's composition of numbers such as "When I Grow Up (to be a Man)", "Here Today", "Wendy" and of course, "God Only Knows" and "Good Vibrations", reveal, in their melodic construction and satisfying coherence, a talent nothing short of musical genius. Encouraged by five star reviews on this page, I bought this "That Lucky Old Sun" album. The album has some interesting harmonies but, for me, that's about it. I find the music aimless and lacking coherence. It's as if we are exposed to Brian's own vain, internal mental searching to re-find the magical keys of his previous great talent. So, in a way I found this album more than simply disappointing. I found it intensely frustrating to realise that such a once brilliant talent has apparently been finally lost to us and reduced to almost meaningless meanderings. My advice. Don't buy the album. Simply remember Brian Wilson for the great musical genius he once was and don't impoverish his memory with what you hear on this album. Customer Rating: Summary: A Classic Comment: I've found Brian's solo work a little "mixed" but this, possibly his most autobiographical work to date, is just fabulous. It takes as its theme the California that produced the fabulous Beachboys sound, and the image of surf and sun. It travels through a travelogue of L.A. an "apology" from Brian for the lost years, a moving statement on depression and its ultimate futility, a fond memory of his "Surfer Girl" and a moving tribute in "Southern California" to his brothers, Carl and Dennis. all backed by the beautiful harmonies of that band. Beautiful. You just wish, occassionally that Carl's voice could reinforce Brian's or even that the now notorious Mike Love, could have a nasal part to play. Beautiful! Customer Rating: Summary: California Sun Comment: It might be an exaggeration to describe Brian Wilson as the greatest composer of the American rock era but his immense influence on the popular music of the era is undeniable. With the Beach Boys, and on his solo albums, his genius for baroque melodies, exquisite harmonies and breathtaking arrangements is unparalleled and his art has not diminished. Themed around Frankie Laine's 1949 hit That Lucky Old Sun is a day in the life of Brian under the Californian sun. With a nod to his troubled past "At 25 I turned out the lights/Cause I couldn't handle the glare in my eyes" he also evokes the classic Beach Boys era, "Summer 61/A goddess became my sun/I fell in her ocean eyes/As endless as the skies/Forever she'll be my surfer girl." Brian's voice, at 68 years old, is now achingly expressive and with his trademark harmonies and That Lucky Old Band packed with baritone sax, clarinet, flute, French horn, trumpet etc his flair for the dramatic is as powerful as ever. There is a feel good factor about this album and, with his thanks to his loving wife Melinda, perhaps Brian Wilson, genius and legend, has laid the ghost of his troubled past to rest. Customer Rating: Summary: Brilliant!! 11 out of 10 Comment: I'll keep it short and sweet - forget Smile (which is pretty cool) because this is your genuine bonafide genius at work epic that frankly knock spots of what Brian has done solo before. Over the top? Listen and judge for yourself. This album is as much about "Brian Wilson" and his life as it is about LA and California. It is also probably one of the purest, most innocent, emotional and loving albums you're ever likely to hear. Some of the lyrics are frankly, heart wrenchingly poignant and beautiful. The production and musicianship is top drawer and the Van Dyke Parks narrative, IMO works, it wasn't out of place at all - it was a part of the "whole" and totally natural. Creatively though, it is simply awesome and thoroughly deserving of all the plaudits being heaped upon it. I can't praise this album enough - listening to it today was an experience, and one I shall be repeating a lot! Oh and by the way, there are also several out and out Brian Wilson classics contained on an album that doesn't have a moment that is anything less than stunning. Absolutely Brilliant!! More Reviews