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Rock Is for the Living
Former Beach Boy survived the ’60s, psychotherapy and an abusive childhood—yet Brian Wilson’s latest will still make you smile
Brian Wilson
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There are those of us who prefer our rock gods alive, no matter their condition, not forever young like Jim, Jimi or Janis. Brian Wilson may not be the greatest performer, but he’s a survivor. In a recent interview with Larry King, the former Beach Boy admitted to indulging heavily in what the Greeks called nepenthe, a drug that chases away sorrows. This is a man with sorrows aplenty: an abusive father, deafness in his right ear, overwhelming fame at an early age, a greedy and unethical shrink, the early deaths of his brothers, and a grab-bag of psychological issues including hearing voices.
Yet Brian Wilson has ended up a loved husband and father of four daughters and one son. Professionally, he has a stunning back-up band, talented writing partners, his recent album Smile was critically acclaimed though it was nearly 40 years in the making, and now he is touring a strong new record, That Lucky Old Sun. Not to mention that back catalog.
Scott Bennett and Van Dyke Parks, his co-writers on the aforementioned masterpiece Smile, also helped Wilson compose That Lucky Old Sun. The title comes from the first track, an old standard and a favorite tune of Wilson’s once recorded by Louis Armstrong, among others. It was made famous by Sinatra, and it’s famous again thanks to Wilson.
The new album has all the hallmarks of Wilson, though the added spoken word is unfortunate. It is an homage, like other records, this time to the golden days of LA. It uses multitudinous instruments and noisemakers. On this tour, Wilson is performing the new album in full, plus the hits, with an eleven-member band and a string section.
For a man who sings out the side of his mouth, Brian Wilson still has innocence and charm behind that crisp, clear voice we all know so well. Wilson can no longer reproduce his signature mind-blowing falsetto, but that’s what his talented backing band is for. There’s no denying that some of the conviction behind Wilson’s delivery is gone. Sometimes it is replaced by an equally touching mournfulness. But that might be the meds.
Like the Greek gods, this rock god has recognizably human frailties. But he is still a master of harmony and composition. His music ignites our sense of wellbeing, of that Californian and, dare I say, American dream. It seems almost fitting that, in concert, he is nothing shy of human. Take advantage of this chance to visit a living legend in his temple.