Brian Wilson's new album, "Gettin' In Over My Head" to be released June 22!

[AKA]

McCartney, John Join Wilson

Beach Boy's new solo album also features late brother

By Colin Devenish
Rolling Stone

Brian Wilson will release the star-studded Gettin' In Over My Head on June 22nd. Joining the Beach Boys mastermind on his first solo album of new material in six years are Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John and Van Dyke Parks.

Also included is a duet with late brother and fellow Beach Boy Carl Wilson on the song "Soul Searchin'," with Brian adding vocals to an existing track, to complete the tune.

Wilson will debut songs from Gettin' In Over My Head -- which include "City Blues," "The Waltz," "Desert Drive," "A Friend Like You" and "How Can We Still Be Dancin'?" -- on a summer European tour.

The album's release continues an active period for the famously reclusive songwriter, who has toured extensively over the past few years. In February, Wilson took to a London stage to perform the lost Beach Boys album Smile in its entirety.

Wilson will be honored with the BMI Icon award on May 11th at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. "I was so thrilled to hear that I've been chosen to receive the BMI Icon award, especially as so many of my all-time favorite songwriters have previously received this honor," said Wilson upon hearing of his selection. "I still have a rock & roll heart, so to be included with a list of all-time greats that includes my heroes like Chuck Berry and Little Richard is unbelievable."

(April 15, 2004)

[AKA]

Here are the liner notes from the album which, of course, reveals the tracklisting.

GETTIN' IN OVER MY HEAD
Produced and Arranged by Brian Wilson
(Total Time 53:39)

1. How Could We Still Be Dancin' - Brian Wilson and Elton John (4:47)
(B. Wilson/J. Thomas)

2. Soul Searchin' - Brian Wilson and Carl Wilson (4:12)
(B. Wilson/A. Paley)

3. You've Touched Me (3:25)
(B. Wilson/S. Kalinich)

4. Gettin' In Over My Head (4:31)
(B. Wilson/A. Paley)

5. City Blues - Brian Wilson and Eric Clapton (4:24)
(B. Wilson)

6. Desert Drive (3:37)
(B. Wilson/A. Paley)

7. A Friend Like You - Brian Wilson & Paul McCartney (3:42)
(B. Wilson/S. Kalinich)

8. Make A Wish (3:52)
(B. Wilson)

9. Rainbow Eyes (4:08)
(B. Wilson)

10. Saturday Morning In The City (2:58)
(B. Wilson/A. Paley)

11. Fairy Tale (5:31)
(B. Wilson/D. Foster)

12. Don't Let Her Know She's An Angel (4:22)
(B. Wilson)

13. The Waltz (4:10)
(B. Wilson/V. Parks)

Special Guest Performances by:
Eric Clapton: guitar, "City Blues"
Elton John: lead vocal & acoustic piano, "How Could We Still Be Dancin'"
Paul McCartney: vocal & acoustic guitar, "A Friend Like You"
Carl Wilson: lead vocal, "Soul Searchin'"

Musicians:
Brian Wilson: lead and background vocals*, piano, keyboards
Eddie Bayers: drums
Scott Bennett: keyboards, vibes, percussion, bass, guitar
Amy Farris: viola, violin
Jeffrey Foskett: guitar
Probyn Gregory: guitar, French horn, trumpet, keyboards, trombone
Jim Hines: percussion
Susan Jenson: violin
Peter Kent: violin
Greg Leisz: guitar
Bob Lizik: bass
Paul Mertens: saxophones, flutes, harmonica, clarinet
Andy Paley: percussion
Michael Rhodes: bass
Carol Robbins: harp
Darian Sahanaja: piano, keyboards, vibes, percussion
Rudolph Stein: cello
Todd Sucherman: drums, percussion
Joe Thomas: keyboards
Nick Walusko: guitar

*Additional background vocals on "Desert Drive" performed by Scott Bennett, Jeffrey Foskett, Andy Paley and Darian Sahanaja.

Recorded & Mixed by MARK LINETT AT YOUR PLACE OR MINE RECORDING, Glendale, California
Assistant Engineers: Mike Gatzios, Margaret Gwynne except: "Desert Drive" Recorded by Mark Linett at Oceanway Studios, "A Friend Like You" mixed by Mrk Linett at Sunset Sound. Eric Clapton's guitar on "City Blues" recorded by Alan Douglas at Olympic Studios, London, England

Additional string arrangements by Von Mertens

Mastered by MARK LINETT at YOUR PLACE OR MINE RECORDING

Cover Art: Sir Peter Blake
Package Design & Layout: Mark London
Liner Notes: David Leaf
Photography: Magee McGee, Melinda Wilson
Managment: Ronnie Lippin, Jean Sievers SOOP, LLC
Project & Marketing Consultant: Lisa Gray Sall

THIS ALBUM IS DEDICATED TO MY WIFE, MELINDA, WHOSE LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRES ME TO SHARE MY MUSIC

Special thanks to: My children Daria, Delanie, Dylan, Carnie, and Wendy. My new grandson Leo. My beloved brothers Carl and Dennis, I miss harmonizing with 'em. My nephews Jonah and Justyn. My mother-in-law Rosemary and my nephew Patrick. Gloria Ramos, who has been there for me for the past nineteen years. My awesome, loving, supportive, talented band. I truly love you guys and gal, Taylor Mills. My dear friends David and Eva Leaf, Ray Lawlor, and Jerry and Lois Weiss.

The people who make it happen:
Ronnie Lippin, Jean Sievers, Paki Newell, Neil Warnock, Samantha Henfry, Peter Grosslight, Keith Sarkisian, Mark Linett, Alan Douglas, John Warren, Ky Cabot, Richie Davis, Rob Mailman, "Fish," Haircut," "G-Man," Mason Wilkinson, Ross Lahey, Andrew Day, Willie Twork, Lee Phillips, Eric Custer, Barry Siegel, Erik Steigen, Angie Castro, Mark London, Michael deMartin, Peter Reum, Bob Hanes, Mike Grant, Tony Rivers, Robbie Leff, Jimmy Edwards, Sheryl Farber, Steve Wollard, Maria McKenna, Sig Sigworth and Robin Hurley.

Special thanks: Kurzweil Music Systems, Gibson Guitars, Epiphone Guitars, Boucher Acoustic Guitars, Lakland basses, GHS Strings, Ampeg and SWR amplifiers, Raven Labs, Yamaha keyboards, Universal Audio, Neumann Microphones, and Apogee Electronics.

And A Very Special Thank You To:
Eric Clapton, Elton John, and Paul McCartney. What can I say? You're all my heroes.

Brian Wilson Official Web Site:
www.brianwilson.com

Brian Wilson Fan Club:
PMB710
15030 Ventura Blve.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Courtesy of BriMel:
2850 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 300
Santa Monica, CA 90405

A&R for WSM: JIMMY EDWARDS
Art Direction: MARK LONDON
Editorial Supervision: SHERYL FARBER
Project Assistance: STEVE WOOLARD, MARIA MCKENNA, SIG SIGWORTH

Produced and Arranged by Brian Wilson

[Elvis Fonzie Dean]

What's the first single and will there be a music video for it?

[AKA]

Originally posted by Elvis Fonzie Dean
What's the first single and will there be a music video for it?

Good question. I was going to say that Brian doesn't usually release singles, but then I remembered "Your Imagination" and "Love And Mercy" were both released as singles.

[AKA]

Here's the cover art.

[Elvis Fonzie Dean]

Originally posted by AKA
Good question. I was going to say that Brian doesn't usually release singles, but then I remembered "Your Imagination" and "Love And Mercy" were both released as singles.

Hope there is a single so I don't have to buy the album to see what kind of album it is.Maybe this album will bring some light to the music world.

[AKA]

Unfortunately, the album isn't getting favorable reviews.

Echoes of greatness in Brian Wilson's 'Head'

'Gettin' in Over My Head' a sad patchwork of duets, nostalgia

By David Bauder
The Associated Press

The trouble with musical genius is how sad it is when only echoes of that genius remains.

After many years in the wilderness, it’s a joy that Brian Wilson has found love and security and is making music again. His magical work with the Beach Boys in the 1960s insured his legend even if he never sang a note again.

This new disc, Wilson’s first in six years, is a patchwork effort that’s sometimes painful to listen to. Many of the compositions date back to Wilson’s songwriting collaboration with Andy Paley in the early 1990s, and it’s interesting that the best of them, “Soul Searchin’,” features Brian in a duet with his brother, Carl, who died in 1998.

Superstars pay homage with cameos. Elton John makes a rollicking effort on a slight song, “How Could We Still Be Dancin’.” Eric Clapton seems as out of place on a Wilson disc as Eminem. And the duet with Paul McCartney on “A Friend Like You,” will make music fans with a long memory cry — and not for good reasons.

With the exception of “Soul Searchin’,” songwriting partner Paley is glibly nostalgic and, on a song like “Saturday Morning in the City,” makes Wilson sound like his own tribute band. Considering Wilson’s own lyrical efforts tend to be lost in a simpler time, it’s a lethal combination.

How odd in this era of first impressions that Wilson saves his best for the last two songs. “Don’t Let Her Know She’s an Angel” is an achingly halting love song, the kind that reminds you this was the man who found refuge “In My Room.” “The Waltz,” which brings back old partner Van Dyke Parks, is a charmer with a twist — and not coincidentally the one song where it’s clear it’s not the 1960s anymore.

[AKA]

I finally got the album yesterday, and I have to agree with the reviewer above. I wanted to love the album so badly, but I just couldn't.

There are still some good moments, though. Especially the tracks with Elton John and Carl Wilson. The one with Paul McCartney is mediocre at best.

I like the album, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was disappointed.

Oh well. Can't hit 'em out of the ballpark all the time. I still love Brian's self-titled solo debut and Imagination.