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In His Room: Brian Wilson's "At My Piano" Offers Solo Piano Renditions of Beach Boys Favorites

September 17, 2021 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

Brian Wilson At My Piano

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON.COM

Those lucky enough to have seen Brian Wilson in one of his solo concerts knows that it's always a special moment when the Beach Boys' leader plays the piano.  While he's always seated in front of a keyboard, he leaves the heavy lifting to such long-serving bandmates as Darian Sahanaja, Gary Griffin, or Billy Hinsche.  Yet his mastery of the instrument has never been in doubt; in one moving moment of the recent documentary Long Promised Road, he's seen in the studio showing exactly how a tune should be played.  Now, he's announced his first album since 2015's No Pier Pressure, and it's unlike any other he's released before.  At My Piano, due November 19 on Decca Records, features just Brian at his piano, playing instrumental renditions of the songs he made famous.  It's Brian's first album for Decca and follows a similar release on the label from another pop legend: Richard Carpenter's Piano Songbook, out October 22.

"We had an upright piano in our living room and from the time I was 12 years old I played it each and every day," Brian comments in the press release for At My Piano.  "I never had a lesson, I was completely self-taught.  I can't express how much the piano has played such an important part in my life. It has bought me comfort, joy and security. It has fueled my creativity as well as my competitive nature. I play it when I'm happy or feeling sad. I love playing for people and I love playing alone when no one is listening. Honestly, the piano and the music I create on it has probably saved my life."

The fifteen tracks, all composed by Wilson with (unheard) lyrics by Wilson and collaborators including Mike Love, Roger Christian, Tony Asher, and Van Dyke Parks, include some of The Beach Boys' biggest hits and most beloved songs including "God Only Knows," "California Girls," "Good Vibrations," and "Don't Worry, Baby."  The Beach Boys' 1966 masterwork Pet Sounds is represented by "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "You Still Believe in Me," and "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" (the latter a highlight of The Beach Boys' 2012 reunion tour in Wilson's deeply personal rendition).  SMiLE, composed for a 1967 release but not finished until 2004, is also recognized with a suite ("Our Prayer/Heroes and Villains/Wonderful/Surf's Up") and a full "Surf's Up."  Brian touches on the Feel Flows era with "'Til I Die" and his solo career with signature song "Love and Mercy," while the deepest cut is surely "Mt. Vernon Farewell," likely adapted from his themes for the "Mount Vernon and Fairway" fairy tale included on The Beach Boys' 1973 LP Holland.

Brian Wilson's At My Piano hits stores on November 19 from Decca Records in CD and digital formats while the vinyl LP (with unique artwork) is scheduled for December 17.  You'll find pre-order links and the full track listing below.  The lead single, "God Only Knows," is streaming now at YouTube and other digital music services.

Brian Wilson, At My Piano (Decca, 2021)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

  1. God Only Knows
  2. In My Room
  3. Don't Worry Baby
  4. California Girls
  5. The Warmth of the Sun
  6. Wouldn't It be Nice
  7. You Still Believe in Me
  8. I Just Wasn't Made for these Times
  9. Sketches of Smile: Our Prayer/Heroes and Villains/Wonderful/Surf's Up
  10. Surf's Up
  11. Friends
  12. 'Til I Die
  13. Love and Mercy
  14. Mt Vernon Farewell
  15. Good Vibrations​

Categories: News Formats: CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Pop Tags: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys

Joe Marchese

JOE MARCHESE (Editor) joined The Second Disc shortly after its launch in early 2010, and has since penned daily news and reviews about classic music of all genres. In 2015, Joe formed the Second Disc Records label. Celebrating the great songwriters, producers and artists who created the sound of American popular song, Second Disc Records, in conjunction with Real Gone Music, has released newly-curated collections produced by Joe from iconic artists such as Johnny Mathis, Bobby Darin, Laura Nyro, Melissa Manchester, Chet Atkins, and many others. He has contributed liner notes to reissues from a diverse array of artists, among them Nat "King" Cole, Paul Williams, Lesley Gore, Dusty Springfield, B.J. Thomas, The 5th Dimension, Burt Bacharach, The Mamas and the Papas, Carpenters, Perry Como, Rod McKuen, Doris Day, Jackie DeShannon, and Andy Williams, and has compiled releases for talents including Robert Goulet and Keith Allison of Paul Revere and the Raiders. Over the past two decades, Joe has also worked in a variety of capacities on and off Broadway as well as at some of the premier theatres in the U.S., including Lincoln Center Theater, George Street Playhouse, Paper Mill Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, and the York Theatre Company. He has felt privileged to work on productions alongside artists such as the late Jack Klugman, Eli Wallach, Arthur Laurents, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. In 2009, Joe began contributing theatre and music reviews to the print publication The Sondheim Review, and in 2012, he joined the staff of The Digital Bits as a regular contributor writing about film and television on DVD and Blu-ray. Joe currently resides in the suburbs of New York City.

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Comments

  1. David B says

    September 17, 2021 at 3:20 pm

    Thanks for the info on this release. I knew nothing at all about this but pre-ordered after i'd read your review. Sounds like it'll be an incredible set. Can't wait to hear it all ..

    Reply
  2. Scott Sessions says

    September 17, 2021 at 7:34 pm

    Thank you! This is the kind of news I can use. What can top a Brian Wilson release? Just about nothing.

    Reply
  3. Gary Hoffman says

    September 18, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    I am so happy to see Brian's photo and his music being heard live. He is a talented writer/arranger. I am 58 and my 1st album was Beach Boys Little Duce Coup! Bravo! BRAVO! BRIAN WILSON AND COMPANY!

    Reply
  4. Fletch says

    September 21, 2021 at 7:21 am

    As a lifelong BeachBoys fan though, there's no way that's Brian playing. At least, not to my ears.

    Reply

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