The Beach Boys Network

Re: Brian's pitch problems and vocal coaches [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 25 Jun 2008 06:53 AM CDT

Quote from: shelter on Today at 06:49:07 AM

I can't imagine how it must be to Brian's vocal coach... Cause even with the current state of his voice... Telling the guy who sang "The Warmth of the Sun", "Don't Worry, Baby" and "She Knows Me Too Well" how to sing... I would feel intimidated.

Yes, and I believe that Brian still knows how to sing well (I recall him telling one member of the band to put more air into a note or something like that)-- he just can't always make it happen for himself. Clearly, though, Brian is enjoying singing these days.

Re: Brian's pitch problems and vocal coaches [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 25 Jun 2008 06:49 AM CDT

Re: Brian's pitch problems and vocal coaches [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 25 Jun 2008 06:32 AM CDT

Quote from: claymcc on Today at 02:09:29 AM

Some of the tapes from the BBs when Brian was still touring with them in the 60s have pretty wobbly pitch too. When you base your music on perfect harmonies, live appearances can be trouble -- no matter what your age.

That's a really good point. I won't deny that Brian's voice isn't what it was, due to smoking, hearing loss, mental illness, etc (frankly, it's amazing he can sing that complex music at all at this point), but he wasn't always on pitch in the 60s either. I've heard a tape of a show (somewhere-- I can't remember) where Brian goes off pitch. I remember being kind of shocked, but then thinking, well, he probably can't hear himself over the screaming, and he's probably freaked out about being up there. It doesn't mean he isn't much better in a quiet room, where conditions are more ideal-- even now.

Re: Brian's pitch problems and vocal coaches [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 25 Jun 2008 04:40 AM CDT

I think his voice since 1998 has been pretty solid if not spectacular. At least in the studio. From 76-82 you had it sometimes quite expressive but also just as often veering on awful. In the 83-96 period it could get whiny and sometimes that's harder to take then when he was hoarse. Still nothing in that period was quite as bad as Brian's lead vocals on the 1981-2 shows or something like I'm Begging You Please. I know he started going to a vocal coach in 1987 or so for the first solo album.
Live is harder to measure really. Even if he went a little off pitch at times, his live vocals from 61-73 always sounded like they came from a person with a quality voice. 1976-82 they often sounded unprofessional on stage. 83-96 better overall but still kind of awkward. His solo tours when I saw him he was surprisingly professional and into the shows. He didn't totally knock me out with his voice, but he did a solid job . I have heard recordings where he doesn't sound passionate or into the shows at all, but I still don't think he's been as bad as the 76-82 period.

Re: Brian's pitch problems and vocal coaches [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 25 Jun 2008 02:09 AM CDT

Brian does work with a vocal coach now -- or at least he did earlier in the decade. He's mentioned it in several interviews. For what it's worth, I think his pitch problems live have much more to do with the live environment and hearing loss than any lack of musical ability. Some of the tapes from the BBs when Brian was still touring with them in the 60s have pretty wobbly pitch too. When you base your music on perfect harmonies, live appearances can be trouble -- no matter what your age.

Re: Brian's pitch problems and vocal coaches [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 25 Jun 2008 02:04 AM CDT

Brian's voice through 1974 was basically intact. He naturally sounded somewhat older by his late twenties but certainly like the same person. He still had his range, ans it still was a beautiful voice. According to several of his friends he started smoking literely as much as he could during 1975 in an attempt to wreck his voice as he had become paranoid about it. Add that to his consumtion of cocaine etc and you will find that ny late 1975 it was very hoarse and never did sound exactly the same again. It's been since then that his singing became erratic and I don't doubt he did some perminent damage. Sometimes good like on MIU, sometimes poor like on Sweet Insanity, but never like its old self. The only occasion I heard some of his young voice creep through was on a 1994 demo of Gettin In Over My Head.

Re: Really Really Weird video [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 25 Jun 2008 01:53 AM CDT

I like it!

Original BRIAN WILSON 2001 NATIONAL TOUR POSTER ["brian wilson"]

Posted: 25 Jun 2008 01:22 AM CDT

US $3.33 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Jun-29-2008 17:20:28 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $12.00
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Re: Jan [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 25 Jun 2008 01:16 AM CDT

Alright you guys. They need our support. Thanks guys. w00t!

Re: brianwilson.com - New TLOS VIdeo [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 11:55 PM CDT

Any info on the studio session footage in the new video? Are those real or 'fake' like the ones on BWPS dvd?

Re: brianwilson.com - New TLOS VIdeo [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 10:36 PM CDT

Quote from: Day Tripper on June 24, 2008, 10:11:17 PM

Quote from: oldsurferdude on June 24, 2008, 09:46:30 PM

I feel a bit sad for ol ' Brian-people presume he didn't even compose his own material-what a shame. Roll Eyes

I guess a lot of that can be attributed to the Paley / Wilson collaborations. Fans have speculated how much input Brian had on some of those also. Has Andy Paley ever spoken on the record about that? Or is he silent out of respect for Brian or fear of contractual legal repurcusions?

Paley's spoken about it in drips in drabs to avoid legal stuff, presumably; what I've heard is surprising: Paley wrote "Slightly American Music" entirely, but he also stated that Brian wrote the bulk of the lyrics (in addition to some of the melody) of "Gettin' In Over My Head," and while Paley wrote a lot of "Soul Searchin'," Brian got so excited about it he went to England (where Paley was working on something else) to work on it with Paley; also "Saturday Morning in the City" and "Chain Reaction of Love," (if I'm not mistaken) had their origins back in the late 60s through the mid 70s; as well as that Mike Love wanted desperately to re-write the lyrics for "Chain Reaction of Love."

Anyway, back to TLOS-A Narrative

Re: brianwilson.com - New TLOS VIdeo [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 10:11 PM CDT

Quote from: oldsurferdude on June 24, 2008, 09:46:30 PM

I feel a bit sad for ol ' Brian-people presume he didn't even compose his own material-what a shame. Roll Eyes

Re: brianwilson.com - New TLOS VIdeo [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 09:46 PM CDT

Quote from: NightHider on June 24, 2008, 11:56:31 AM

Brian is in great voice and the production and harmonies sound great. Glad to see he is putting out a (mostly) full fledged new album. Thanks to all involved!!

However, these (new) melodies just don't sound like BW written material to me. I think he has been with the Wondermints too long and that it is time for him to go back to some folks he has worked with before or at least try an new collaborator altogether. A BB/VDP collaboration I am sure would have marvelous results and I believe all parties are ready for it. These TSOL songs are nice but they just don't sound like Brian's work - even the backing harmonies are relatively pedestrian compared to the rest of the Wilson catalouge. Maybe BW is getting older/more mature or maybe someone thought it better not to mention someone else was at the helm for a majority of this work. I'm thinking the latter.

Other than that, we will be purchasing TSOL on vinyl. Looking forward to a full listen, maybe that will change my mind. Until then, I am going to put in Orange Crate Art - BW's previous 'Ode to California' album.

Psst...these newbies are not written by Brian! Can't you tell it's old Mike Love stuff? God, I feel a bit sad for ol ' Brian-people presume he didn't even compose his own material-what a shame. Roll Eyes

Re: Brian's pitch problems and vocal coaches [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 09:35 PM CDT

I'd guess most of Brian's problems are a combination of decades--decades[/i--of neglect or active harm coupled with age. Frankly, in technical terms he's a pretty poor live singer these days, which is sad when you consider how great he used to be. And of course, his live singing is even worse in part due to his stage fright and various mental issues. But there are still great moments, such as sometimes in the live versions of "Midnight's Another Day," when he just nails things. (Granted, he's just as likely to forget a line or sing horrendously off key...)

Brian's pitch problems and vocal coaches [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 09:30 PM CDT

I remember watching an old Current Affair show back in the Dr Landy days, and it showed this recording studio with a security gate where someone who was identified as Brian's vocal coach was answering some questions on Brian. This made me wonder: 1). Aside from the change in Brian's voice from smokimg / cocaine, when did he start having pitch problems? 2). Has his hearing worsened as he has aged? 3). If Brian committed to practicing with a vocal coach on a regular basis, could there be a marked improvement?

I have been doing some vocal exercises since I quit smoking pot, and I've noticed my falsetto range is expanding. Yeah, its boring as hell but it has benefits. Check out vocal instructor Brett Manning on You Tube. I notice Brian "scoops" or slides into notes a lot. In the past he seemed so accurate in his pitch placement, and was adamant that the Beach Boys parts be "perfect." I know I shouldn't be comparing 24 year old Brian with 66 year old Brian, but there are guys his age that sing with precision. I would think his band mates would suggest a vocal coach, but maybe there is a certain line they can't cross with Brian.

Re: Quick question about \ [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 08:19 PM CDT

Yes - the Brian parts are from Smile, too.

Re: brianwilson.com - New TLOS VIdeo [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 08:15 PM CDT

Quote from: TdHabib on June 24, 2008, 07:29:45 PM

Quote from: Luther on June 24, 2008, 04:48:05 PM

Whoever had most of the original ideas, whoever wrote the most of it, whoever added which parts, I'm not too concerned about because I like it. Just like it doesn't really affect my listening experience whether Mike or Brian wrote "get around round round, I get around," who named Pet Sounds (and why) or whether VDP wrote some music from Smile or just present for its creation, those are songs and albums I like. I have heard TLOS and I like it.

I agree wholeheartedly Luther.

Cool. If I can add to the statement, I'd add that I understand the desire for it to be 100% Brian. That helps the story of Brian, the legend, etc. But I don't want to base my impression of the music on the person whose name is on it (or, if cynics are to be followed, whose isn't). That's a story. That's the accompanying narrative. The sound of the music is to me what is most interesting. I like the sound of the music.

TLOS Question (for Mr Doe in particular) [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 07:44 PM CDT

Hi all,
hope you enjoyed the TLOS video on the main website...its lookin good I think, especially as I was a little worried at one point by the rumours surrounding Jimmy and Bob's departure and the lack of SS&S.

What also worried me was the following quote from AGD:
"This is all I'll say: I was anticipating the studio version of TLOS with uncommon impatience. Not so much any more. I think... to expect another BWPS could now be unrealistic."

Andrew what precisely did you mean by that and has your opinion been changed at all by recent devopments?

And what do others think?

Seeking your well-informed views and looking forward to the RAH
Sam

Re: Jan [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 07:33 PM CDT

I care! I'm grateful for the info. I ordered this today after reading your post.

Re: 30 Years Ago Tonight [Smiley Smile Message Board]

Posted: 24 Jun 2008 07:32 PM CDT

Quote from: erikdavid5000 on June 24, 2008, 04:07:08 AM

I'd been in involved in an extended conversation with Rodney Bingenheimer the night before where he was telling me great stories of hanging around the house while most of what ended up on 20/20 was being recorded.

Any BB-related stories stand out that you would like to share...