Brian Wilson found himself an artistic crossroads in 1995. His first solo album was seven years in the rearview mirror. He had begun rebuilding his life with new wife Melinda three years after being extricated from the “care” of disgraced doctor Eugene Landy. Now, it was time for a creative rebirth, too. It began in January with the release of Don Was’ documentary film I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times and its accompanying soundtrack. It continued later in the year when Wilson reunited with one of his key collaborators for a very special album. Now, Orange Crate Art is returning to CD and vinyl from Omnivore Recordings on June 19 in a variety of editions.

Parks was, of course, the wordsmith with whom Wilson crafted his then-lost masterpiece SMiLE some three decades earlier as well as The Beach Boys’ later hit “Sail on Sailor.” As a solo artist (as well as writer, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger), Parks had recorded five acclaimed studio albums exploring various aspects of American life and lore.  While he provided the words and music for most of Orange Crate Art (with assists from Michael Hazlewood and the late George Gershwin!), the conceptual song suite bore many of the hallmarks of SMiLE as well as of Parks’ own vivid sonic explorations. The album was a gorgeous and evocative journey through California, produced and arranged by Parks with the robust, beautiful vocals of Wilson lending warmth and familiarity. A lush, full orchestra arranged by Parks contributed to the cinematic sprawl of an album truly unlike any other.

Now, Omnivore is celebrating 25 years of Orange Crate Art in three editions. The 2-CD version boasts three bonus, previously unreleased “oranges” on the first disc: a stunning, subtle take on “What a Wonderful World” (listen here) that most certainly was made for these times, and interpretations of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Love Is Here to Stay” (the latter with lyrics by Ira Gershwin). The influence of Gershwin on Wilson and Parks can’t be denied; Brian even went on to record a whole album of his songs in 2010. The second disc of the 2-CD set has the rich instrumental tracks for the entire original album sans Gershwin’s already instrumental “Lullaby.”

Two 2-LP vinyl versions will also be released: a standard black vinyl edition available through all retail channels, and a colored vinyl version limited to 300 copies and available exclusively through Omnivore’s webstore.  The vinyl versions have the original album sequence plus the three outtake bonus tracks.

Orange Crate Art paved the way for Wilson to return to the studio as a solo artist and form a remarkable new band, and then for him and Parks to finally complete and release SMiLE in 2004. It remains one of the most spellbinding albums in either artist’s catalogue. Look for it on June 19 from Omnivore Recordings. You’ll find the track listing and pre-order links below.

Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks, Orange Crate Art (Warner Bros. CD 9 45427-2, 1995 – reissued Omnivore Recordings, 2020)

2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Omnivore
2LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Omnivore
2LP Colored Vinyl: Omnivore

CD 1: Original album and bonus tracks

1. Orange Crate Art
2. Sail Away
3. My Hobo Heart
4. Wings of a Dove
5. Palm Tree and Moon
6. Summer in Monterey
7. San Francisco
8. Hold Back Time
9. My Jeanine
10. Movies Is Magic
11. This Town Goes Down at Sunset
12. Lullaby
13. Rhapsody in Blue (Bonus Track)
14. Love Is Here to Stay (Bonus Track)
15. What a Wonderful World (Bonus Track)

CD 2: Instrumentals

1. Orange Crate Art
2. Sail Away
3. My Hobo Heart
4. Wings of a Dove
5. Palm Tree and Moon
6. Summer in Monterey
7. San Francisco
8. Hold Back Time
9. My Jeanine
10. Movies Is Magic
11. This Town Goes Down at Sunset