Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin blew me away when I first listened to it. I love Gershwin, but to hear Brian Wilson reinterpreting this great music through Beach Boys melodies is incredible (think Pet Sounds)! Brian Wilson sings all five vocal parts and mixes them together into an amazing blend with strings and hand-picked band. Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin qualifies as the most surprising music CD I’ve heard in 2010. GRADE: A
TRACK LIST
1 Rhapsody In Blue (Intro) 1:07
2 The Like in I Love You 3:20
3 Summertime 3:13
4 I Loves You Porgy 3:37
5 I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ 2:44
6 It Ain’t Necessarily So 3:57
7 ‘S Wonderful 2:48
8 They Can’t Take That Away From Me 2:50
9 Love is Here To Stay 2:58
10 I’ve Got a Crush On You 2:41
11 I Got Rhythm 2:42
12 Someone To Watch Over Me 3:06
13 Nothing But Love 3:24
14 Rhapsody In Blue (Reprise) 0:37
This sounded fascinating when I first read about it and I’m glad to see you recommend it. And also glad to see Brian is still as creative musically as ever.
I’ve always considered Brian Wilson a musical genius, Jeff. But his drug problems stole a large part of his life.
I’d been putting this one off for a while, but your recommendation is enough for me to give it a try.
Be prepared for something very different, Bill. BRIAN WILSON REIMAGINES GERSHWIN isn’t for everybody.
I love this CD, but Brian does not sing all the vocal parts, except on Rhapsody in Blue. He relies on his very capable band for most of the harmonies. Still, it’s well worth hearing, and Brian Wilson’s leads and arrangements are wonderful.
Thanks for the correction, Amy. I agree: Brian Wilson’s leads and arrangements are wonderful!
Wow. Have to give it a try if my library has a copy.
This CD came out of left field, Patti. I first heard about it on NPR.
I read about this a week or two ago, and listened to some clips of it, but I prefer the real thing to vocalized re-imaginings. As you say, not for everyone, and certainly not for me, but may be intriguing to some.
I found BRIAN WILDON REIMAGINES GERSHWIN to be a creative project, much like The Beach Boys’ PET SOUNDS, Rick. As you say, not for everybody.
This is the first I’ve heard of it. Being a huge fan of Brian Wilson’s work I may just buy this one. Do people still buy music these days?
I’m Old School, Bob. I still buy CDs, but my kids just download all their music from iTunes. I have a feeling you’re going to like BRIAN WILSON REIMAGINES GERSHWIN. A lot.