JUKEBOX: 9 Essentials of Brian Wilson’s Solo Catalog
Brian Wilson‘s solo records have always been as unpredictable as the artist himself, running the gamut from reunions with former collaborators, to spiritual meditations, to cartoon theme songs, and holiday favorites. As Beach Boys Week draws to a close, we take a look at nine songs worth checking out from Wilson’s solo catalog.
1) “Do It Again,” I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (1995)
Nineteen ninety-five’s I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times is the companion record to the documentary film of the same name and sees a newly reinvigorated Wilson, recently released from the care of Eugene Landy, revisiting some favorite songs from his Beach Boys catalog. On this recording of “Do It Again,” he’s joined by daughters Carnie and Wendy on backing vocals. The video combines live performance with old Wilson home movies, and it’s a joy to see Brian and his daughters smiling and singing together.
2) “Orange Crate Art,” Orange Crate Art (1995)
Orange Crate Art marks Wilson’s first collaboration with Van Dyke Parks since the SMiLE sessions. The record consists of compositions by Parks, with vocals and vocal arrangements by Wilson, and it’s steeped in the same nostalgia and American mythology as SMiLE. While Orange Crate Art rarely lives up to its potential, the title track is lush and charming and points the way to the pair’s next — and much more significant — reunion.
3) “A Friend Like You,” Gettin’ in Over My Head (2004)
The friendly artistic competition between the Beach Boys and the Beatles has been well documented over the years. This song, written by Wilson with poet Stephen Kalinich, is a perfect duet for Wilson and Paul McCartney, with lines like, “You have courage/You risk it all/…You inspire me/Every day of my life” calling to mind the way Rubber Soul led to Pet Sounds, and Pet Sounds led to Sgt. Pepper.
4) “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin (2010)
https://youtu.be/x4HJuKa7HFk
Brian Wilson has often spoken in interviews about his lifelong love of George Gershwin, and in 2010, he recorded this tribute album, transforming classic Gershwin songs with Beach Boys-inspired arrangements. Here, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” is built on a “California Girls”-style shuffle and augmented with doo-wop harmonies from Wilson’s backing band.
5) “The Bare Necessities,” In The Key of Disney (2011)
Like Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin, In the Key of Disney finds Wilson transforming classic songs (in this case, Disney movie themes) with new arrangements. Here, “The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book becomes a Dixieland romp with a vocal and marimba breakdown in the middle — and really, could that happen anywhere but a Brian Wilson record?
6) “Good Vibrations,” Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE (2004)
The 2004 release of Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE was a triumph for Wilson, Van Dyke Parks, and all the fans who’d been obsessing over the unfinished album for decades. The Beach Boys’ version of “Good Vibrations” has become iconic, but on SMiLE, Wilson resurrects the song’s original lyrics and makes the song new again.
7) “Midnight’s Another Day,” That Lucky Old Sun (2008)
Written with longtime band member Scott Bennett, “Midnight’s Another Day” is a bittersweet meditation on loss, with soaring harmonies and beautiful orchestration — in other words, it’s classic Brian Wilson.
8) “Guess You Had to Be There,” No Pier Pressure (2015)
One of the most successful collaborations from this year’s No Pier Pressure, “Guess You Had to Be There” is an infectious duet with alt-country darling Kacey Musgraves. It’s a treat to hear Wilson creating catchy pop music and singing it with so much energy.
9) “Love and Mercy,” Brian Wilson (1988)
Call it a catchphrase, a slogan, or maybe even a mantra — but love and mercy is what Brian Wilson wishes for all of his fans, and over the years since he’s returned to touring, this song has become a musical benediction in his live performances. It’s heartfelt, quirky, and beautiful, just like all the best of Wilson’s solo music.
