CHOON

Brian Wilson – ‘That Lucky Old Smile’

Brian collaborates with band member Scott Bennett and Smile lyricist Van Dyke Parks for his ninth solo LP, or fourth original solo LP proper, or fifth solo LP if you include 2004’s remade ‘Smile’. Right, that out of the way, ‘That Lucky Old Sun’ sees witness to new Brian Wilson originals wrapped around his version of the nineteen forties standard, ‘That Lucky Old Sun’, most famously performed by Louis Armstrong.

An album that Wilson describes as having five ’rounds’, seperated by spoken-word interludes – it’s kind of a happier, sunnier, nostalgic adult-oriented pop version of ‘Smile’. A ‘Smile’ without the drugs, if you will. Brian has been re-signed to Capitol Records for the release of this LP and if it happens that it’s the last new LP he makes, he can hold his head up high. That’s not to say this matches his best work as a composer. Well, of course it doesn’t and really, how could it? Brian has been far too damaged over the years and besides, he’s now reached his late sixties. It makes about as much sense for Brian to be avant-garde and cutting edge now as it would have done fans of ‘Pet Sounds’ believing the music of Murry Wilson ( Brian’s father ) cutting edge back in 1967. What I mean by that should be clear, Brian’s new music is nicely produced and arranged and likely to appeal mostly to existing fans of Brian and The Beach Boys.

The spoken interludes, composed by Brian and Van Dyke are irritating in they don’t go far enough, thus serve little actual purpose. Either instrumental linking tracks, ala ‘Smile’ or a single, perhaps longer, spoken interlude would have been preferable? Anyway, Brian returns to 1965 for musical inspiration with the result that several of these songs are likely to appeal to Mike Love, Al Jardine and the surviving members of The Beach Boys. ‘Forever She’ll Be My Sufer Girl’ could have returned The Beach Boys to the singles charts quite easily. ‘Midnight’s Another Day’ is a superior Brian Wilson ballad, ‘Oxygen To The Brain’ is a delight for those that prefer Brian’s quirkier material. Something for everyone, really. Fans already appear divided by the LP and there now exists a clear divide, those that like Brian Wilson upto and including his debut ‘Brian Wilson’ solo LP and those that appreciate his more recent work.

‘That Lucky Old Sun’ is ambitious in the way it’s been constructed and the lyrics by Scott Bennett often produce some striking one-liners for Brian to sing. On ‘Midnight’s Another Day’, a definite highlight not only of this LP but Brian’s entire solo career, a heartbreaking, glorious moment appears. This is a song that swells upwards and Brian’s vocals are spot-on, ranging from low, almost spoken to full-out on all these people make me feel so alone. Delicate piano punctuates the strings which are beautiful throughout the song. Almost a modern day ‘Til I Die’, and I cannot give higher praise than that. all these voices, all these memories make me feel like stone, all these people make me feel so alone – shimmering harmonies, stunning.

‘California Role’ is a really happy tune and I don’t know which band member sings lead with Brian, but it’s a nice thing. ‘Oxygen To The Brain’ recalls Brian’s own ‘Walking The Line’ with a marching type rhythm and Brian extolling the virtues of excersize, something he’s had a bit of a love/hate relationship with throughout the years. ‘Forever My Surfer Girl’ is a real gem, unashamedly nostalgic and romantic, looking back at a first love. Real melodic twists abound, ones that only Brian Wilson seems to be able to do. Anybody that loves those 1962 through to 1965 Beach Boys singles should love this also. There’s no need to be churlish and the same applies to the whole LP. I’ve listened to it three times straight whilst typing out this review and it gets better every listen. With Brian, it’s too easy to put words in his mouth and also too easy to yearn for what he could have been rather than what he is. He’s a Sixty-something pop survivor and ‘That Lucky Old Sun’ certainly compares favourably with recent albums by his peers, Paul McCartney, Jagger/Richards and Bob Dylan.

Oh, a final word. ‘Going Home’ is superb, a wonderful rocker complete with sailing, see-sawing harmonica. Good lyrics too and a tune full of sound, saturated with sound. at twenty-five I turned out the light cos i couldn’t handle the glare in my tired eyes but now i’m back drawing shades of bright blue skies.

8.5/10

By Adrian Denning