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You are here: Home / Culture / Music / Albums / BRIAN WILSON strips BEACH BOYS classics back to basics for AT MY PIANO

BRIAN WILSON strips BEACH BOYS classics back to basics for AT MY PIANO

November 19, 2021 Category: Albums, Reviews
Brian Wilson, At My Piano - copyright Capitol Records
Brian Wilson - copyright Capitol Records
Brian Wilson - At My Piano
Brian Wilson – At My Piano

BRIAN WILSON

At My Piano (Decca)

In a world in which the word ‘genius’ is grossly overused, Brian Wilson is the real deal – the creator of what are categorically some of the finest songs ever composed and committed to record. But (you sensed that was coming, right?) it’s not immediately obvious what, or who, the suite of solo piano renditions that make up At My Piano is for.

RELATED: ‘Set The Night On Fire… is an astonishing book that proves that people really do have the power to force change for the better.’

Brian Wilson/Beach Boys completists will no doubt clamour to get their hands on a copy, but I can’t imagine many others actively choosing to listen to these versions over the studio originals – though perhaps the sombre take on In My Room will find favour as a soundtrack to coffins sliding through curtains and into the flames. There’s something perverse about stripping so many classics of their sublime vocal harmonies and phenomenal instrumental arrangements. And no one needs a bunch of Smile tracks mushed into a medley.

Yet on occasion, you find yourself knocked sideways by stark, simple beauty, and if At My Piano helps Brian Wilson to wrest control of the Beach Boys’ legacy from odious egotist Mike Love, then I’m all for it.

words BEN WOOLHEAD

KEEP READING: ‘Dave Gahan & Soulsavers‘ Imposter works incredibly well as a complete piece of work, taking the listener on a journey from sin to guilt to redemption.’

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About Noel Gardner

Noel is the listings, reviews, music and books editor at Buzz and has been doing some or all of these things here since the days of dial-up internet. He was raised in Cornwall, lives in Cardiff and that is more or less all he has ever known.
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Tag: beach boys, ben woolhead, brian Wilson, buzz album review

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