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Long Promised Road, director Brent Wilson's 2021 documentary film about Beach Boys visionary Brian Wilson (no relation) was described by Variety as "affectionate and satisfying...sentimental at times but often stirringly insightful." The Hollywood Reporter called it "a portrait of friendship and love as much as it's about music." American Songwriter noted that it was "flush with pathos and poignancy...a remarkable documentary that is, at once, both heartbreaking and heartwarming." By chronicling Brian's candid conversations while driving through southern California with his friend Jason Fine, the filmmaker vividly examined past and present as filtered through Brian's singular sensibility. Last year, the film yielded a digital-only soundtrack comprising a dozen previously unreleased tracks, some recorded specifically for the film and others dating back decades. On June 17, Lakeshore Records will belatedly bring that album to CD for its premiere in the format.
Of the new songs, the uplifting "Right Where I Belong" was penned and performed by Wilson with My Morning Jacket's Jim James. The documentary's moving title song, written not by Brian but by his late brother Carl Wilson, is passionately led by Blondie Chaplin (whose performance of the song is always a highlight of a Brian Wilson concert) with Brian touchingly handling the bridge. "Honeycomb," the Jimmie Rodgers oldie written by Bob Merrill (Funny Girl, Carnival) inspires one of the most mesmerizing sequences in the film when Brian springs to life in the studio. The completed version of the song is presented here. The feel-good, piano-pounding "Rock and Roll Has Got a Hold on Me" is a solo Brian composition.
Much of the soundtrack has been drawn from Brian's 1990s collaborations with singer-songwriter-producer Andy Paley including "I'm Goin' Home," "It's Not Easy Being Me," "Must Be a Miracle," "Slightly American Music," and "I'm Broke." Other tracks from these sessions have appeared on various releases throughout the years such as 2004's Gettin' In Over My Head, 2017's Playback: The Brian Wilson Anthology, and various collections and one-offs. The soundtrack is rounded out with new recordings from Brian and his band of Beach Boys gems "It's O.K." (another song which inspired a memorable moment in the film) and "The Night Is So Young" as well as a live rendition of "In My Room" from Nashville's venerable Ryman Auditorium.
Long Promised Road: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is due from Lakeshore Records on June 17. You'll find the track listing and pre-order links below.
Brian Wilson, Long Promised Road: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Lakeshore Records, 2022) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
- Right Where I Belong
- I'm Goin Home
- It's Not Easy Being Me
- Must Be a Miracle
- Slightly American Music
- It's O.K.
- Rock & Roll Has Got a Hold On Me
- The Night Was So Young
- Honeycomb
- Long Promised Road
- In My Room (Live From The Ryman Auditorium)
- I'm Broke
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Hmm… in response to my query on the initial release, the record company stated quite assuredly that this was a download-only release, so I spashed out on the download only release. If I'd known it was going to be a download-only and also physical release, I'd've held out for the physical.
Sounds excellent. Have most of his solo sets, and this one will be a welcome addition. Can't believe it's cd only .. er no vinyl. Nice for a change.
Still confused why they took the title from one of Carl's songs for a documentary about Brian. Not like he hasn't penned enough tracks with great titles that would have been appropriate...
Interesting selection. Something different from the old and tried. His more contemporary work can be quite good. Will give it a try.
I've been looking forward to the release of this, but the release date seems to have been delayed - again? Does anybody know when this CD will actually be released? Or has it been cancelled, so download-only is the only option?
Hi Dan. While Amazon is having difficulty sourcing this title, I've had the CD for a number of weeks now; I picked my copy up at a New Jersey indie (Princeton Record Exchange). Bull Moose Records (a Maine-based indie) also appears to have the CD in stock: https://www.bullmoose.com/pid/35416654/brian-wilson-brian-wilson-long-promised-road-original-motion-picture-soundtrack. I would recommend ordering from Bull Moose - they're very reliable - or seeking out an independent store that may still have stock on hand. Good luck!
Thanks very much, Joe, your reply is much appreciated. Glad to know that the CD does exist somewhere! Guess I rely on Amazon too much. I'm in the UK, will try and track down a copy here - if not, I'll check out Bull Moose.