Throughout their early years the Beach Boys struggled to
gain an identity. They faced many obstacles
that gave them they desire to reach their full potential.
Most of the groups’ problems directly came from their
manager and father of 3 of the “Boys”.
This relationship was harsh and even violent at times. The book Sonic Alchemy refers to Murry
Wilson as “tyrannical father” and accuses him of using “emotionally tortuous
methods” These acts had a profound impact on Brian who was the band leader,
arranger, composer and producer. He was in a constant battle with his
father/manager over how to write and arrange songs.
This abuse eventually left the Beach Boys without a manager.
It also gave them a positive outlook for the future. Early Beach Boys music was
developed out of the California teen-age lifestyle. Which were typically surf,
girls and cars. This was one of the problems that Brian’s father had with him.
He wanted Brian to go outside of his norm and write more songs about love.
At an early age, Brian was influenced by complex
harmonies. The Four Freshman known
for their well-blended vocal harmonies had a profound impact on Brian’s life.
In an interview on The Bob Edwards Show, Peter Carlin makes
reference to Brian’s feelings after he heard The Four Freshmen sing as “almost
a religious experience.”
Brian also had another influence that ultimately made Brian
who” He wanted to be.
The legendary Phil Spector and his odd recording techniques
peaked Brian’s curiosity. Brian
would often go the studio where Phil would be and he would sit in a corner
without saying a word and just watch Phil.
By the time Pet Sounds is released, Brian was able to put
certain regrets behind him and make the music he wanted to make. In Pet Sounds
Brian delivers an album that
takes rich harmonies from the past and mixes it with a sound
from the future.
It was the first album that didn’t have any musical
contributions from any of the Beach Boys.
Overall, I think this album was good. The recording
techniques and the vocal harmonies made this album what it was. I think that
Brian Wilson may have seen his father in Phil. Phil treated people bad in the studio sort of the way
Brian’s dad treated him. But I think the connection was made because being
around Phil made Brian feel “free.” He respected Phil for being harsh but also
for letting his musicians be free so they can achieve the sound he wanted. Professionally, I think this album was
well crafted. The way Brian manipulated sound made him stand apart from others.
Couple that with two very good influences and you have one of the greatest
albums of all time.
Hey Dave,
ReplyDeleteI feel this is a great briefing on the history of The Beach Boys. I personally am not a fan of the album Pet Sounds, however I appreciate the courageousness Brian Wilson put forth in making the album what it was and is. To be able to utilize the power of the studio to create the sound one is hearing in their head is not an easy feat, yet Wilson, through curiosity and distant mentorship received from Phil Spector, pioneered the recording industry to find new methods and sounds in the studio. I also feel your statement about Phil Spector is interesting. I’m curious to see if there is any record (book, interview, movie, etc.) of the true relationship Wilson and Spector had. One could assume it was that of mentor and disciple, however in the resources we had, there wasn’t an in-depth discussion of their true connection. For instance, we know of Wilson’s respect of Spector, and how Wilson would sit-in on sessions, but I personally felt more of a rivalry, especially how Wilson took Spector’s “Wall of Sound” idea and expanded this idea with his own method. Then again, that is how we continue to progress. We learn from those with experience and pioneer new methods to further the industry.