Uncanny

LETTERS FROM A TAPEHEAD BLOG

SOUTH MARYLAND NEWSPAPERS "Now [Bill Klink's] decided to take on the ocean on every beach mentioned in the Beach Boys song, 'Surfin' USA,' because 'it provided a sense of direction. I figured out where those beaches were and then went to them.' He's tackled the ones in California, and plans to venture to Australia and the western Pacific for others."

NPR

IDOLATOR "Let’s leave Pet Sounds alone for a while. Can we? Please? It’s been a good 20 years since Brian Wilson’s orchestral-pop opus of vanishing innocence became a de rigueur name drop for every self-identifying 'music connoisseur.' Let’s move on to Pacific Ocean Blue, the 1977 solo album from Dennis Wilson, the only Beach Boy who surfed, a former Charles Manson pal, and a drunk of some note at the time of its recording."

LOS ANGELES CHRONICLE "DVD bonuses include an additional 30 minutes of material focusing on the Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson, Manson follower Squeaky Fromme, and more." The film is called "The Six Degrees of Helter Skelter."

Below is some information from a Japanese website about a new Beach Boys bootleg. I think most of this stuff has already been released on other bootlegs.

The Beach Boys- "Live in London" (Book+1CD+1DVD)

The Palladium, London, December 1th 1968.
The Astoria, Flnsbury Park, London, December 8th 1968.

CD:
1. Stage Noise
2. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
3. Darlin’ 4.Sloop John B
5. California Girl
6. Do It Again
7. Wake The World
8. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
9. God Only Knows
10. Good Vibrations
11. Barbara Ann
12. All I Want To Do
13. Darlin’
14. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
15. Sloop John B
16. California Girl
17. Do It Again
18. Wake The World
19. Aren’t You Glad
20. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
21. Their Hearts Were Ful Of Spring
22. Good Vibrations
23. Announcement
24. God Only Knows
25. Barbara Ann

DVD: 1968 EUROPEAN TOUR documentary directed by David Morse (54min)

ROLLING STONE goes behind the scenes of Brian Wilson's recent NYC performance.

RADIOWROLD "For almost three years I have been involved with "The Record Producers," an ongoing BBC Radio 2 and 6 music documentary series. The program features interviews with a range of hit-making producers including Hugh Padgham (Sting, XTC, Phil Collins); Trevor Horn (Seal, Pet Shop Boys), Tony Visconti (David Bowie, The Moody Blues) and Jam & Lewis (Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Usher). Just recently, I completed the 13th episode, an in-depth interview with Brian Wilson, a dear friend with whom I have worked with on a number of recording projects over the years."

DYLAN, ETC. BLOG

CHARLESTON CITY PAPER "According to [Jason] Brewer, melody 'is just not present in pop music anymore. And it bugs the crap out of me. Pet Sounds opened up this thing in my brain — singing, vocals, vocal groups — that's what groups my age don't do. That's where I can get an edge with music.'"

This is one of the most interesting, and in depth, articles about the exciting band The Explorers Club. Some of the more intriguing tid-bits include: Brewer is collaborating with former Brian Wilson associate Andy Paley; The Explorers Club is getting some unofficial management help from Marc Nathan, a senior A&R director at Capitol Music.

I think that The Explorers Club debut album, "Freedom Wind," was one of the best releases of 2008. Check out our previous posts about The Explorers Club.

LA TIMES

WORCESTER TELEGRAM

AMERICAN SONGWRITER "I had the privilege of witnessing, as he was respectfully introduced, 'The Mozart of Rock,' Brian Wilson perform his repertoire of golden hits that have helped serve as the very foundation of American pop and rock music, in addition to his new album That Lucky Old Sun in it’s entirety. Going in, I didn’t really know what to expect from the show, but as it turns out, unless you’ve seen him before, you really can’t imagine."

CABIN ESSENCE BLOG