Inside the Music of Brian Wilson
The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:19th May '07
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Philip Lambert's infinite need to delve deeper into the musical oeuvre of Brian Wilson - by understanding the technical basis of his sound worlds; exploring the music Wilson heard as a child - creates a different type of biography, taking the perspective from within Brian Wilson's music, instead of from his personal life, though they are interwoven.
Tracing a line from Brian Wilson's very first musical loves (George Gershwin and the Four Freshmen) through to the Smile and Pet Sounds tours, this book details over 50 years in the musical life of one of America's foremost pop composers. It looks at the birth and evolution of his musical ideas, also discussing a number of songs.Inside the Music of Brian Wilson is, as author Phillip Lambert writes in the prologue completely, and intensely, focused on the music of Brian Wilson, on the musical essence of his songs and the aesthetic value of his artistic achievements. It acknowledges the familiar biographical contexts of his songs, but it tells completely new stories about the birth and evolution of his musical ideas, identifying important musical trends in his work, heretofore undisclosed inter-song connections within his music, or between his music and that of others, and the nature and extent of his artistry. It aims not just to identify great songs, but to explain exactly what makes them so.Lambert, a renowned musicologist, brings to this work to life with both his professional expertise and an infectious personal appreciation of the power of pop music. His clear, engaging tone and accessible writing style allows even a musically inexperienced reader to follow him as he traces Wilsons musical evolution, with a particular focus on the years leading up to the writing and recording of Pet Sounds and SMiLE, albums which many consider to be the masterpieces of his oeuvre. Inside the Music of Brian Wilson is the definitive book on Wilsons music and is essential reading for fans of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and great pop music.Includes THREE amazing Appendixes:Appendix 1: Brian Wilson Song Chronology*Appendix 2: Four Freshmen Albums, 19551961 Appendix 3: Favorite Songs and Influences Through 1961*The most complete song chronology ever published.
Here, author Lambert dissects every element of Wilsonworld and also provides an abundance of associated stories and intriguing insight. As a source of information, the book is invaluable...this is a welcome addition to the existing surf-sodden library. -- Fred Dellar * Mojo, May 2007 *
This book is long overdue. Lambert's knowledge allows him to root Wilson's music exactly, and to detail its growth and the composer's ability to take the unexpected routes...its scholarly approach will fascinate. -- Kingsley Abbott, Record Collector
-Mention. * San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, June 10, 2007 *
Now, Philip Lambert chimes in with Inside the Music of Brian Wilson, which does in fact break new ground...Lambert demonstrates that in the work of composers such as Wilson, popular music can be much more than three minutes of ear candy. -- Blurb from reviewer Erik Himmelsbach
Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius is a pick any Beach Boys fan needs: while Brian Wilson's life has received extensive documentation in other biographies, here the focus is solely on his music, not his life and what a welcome change that is, for fans of his sound...Rock music collections will find it an invaluable exploration. * The Internet Bookwatch, July 2007 *
Was awarded the title of "Best History" in the "Recorded Rock Music" category of the ARSC's annual book awards. * ARSC's annual book awards *
Mention in Memphis Flyer
Lambert offers a detailed musical analysis of Wilson as a creative genius, with the Beach Boys as only part of the story. He discusses the various musical influences on Wilson before he began composing for the Beach Boys in 1961 (they quickly became popular); analyzes Wilson's numerous compositions and his albums, an output capped by Pet Sounds (1966); and considers his work with other composers and performers into the 21st century. Including a complete song chronology (ending in 2005), a list of the recording dates of each song, and helpful discography, this is a fascinating-- and extremely technical-- study. Highly Recommended. * Choice *
He is ultra-detailed but enthusiastic, and you will be gagging to hear the obscurities that he describes so fully My Buddy Seat captures the energy and wildness of a joyride in the hills so best take this only if you have access to iTunes. * The Times, 06/07/07 *
Lambert's work is extraordinary for what it is, examining the young songwriter piece by piece as Wilson teases out his own voice. It's not exactly poetry, but it is of extraordinary value. -- Jesse Jarrow * Times *
ISBN: 9780826418777
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 550g
418 pages