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 Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks (from the album Orange Crate Art available on Omnivore Recordings)(by Bryant Liggett)
Brian Wilson has a sound. It doesn’t matter if a song if from The Beach Boys, his vast solo work, or if in 2021, he re-issues a record with an Indie Rock flavor, his work will always remain an identifiable and pleasured audio experience of layered harmonies and laid back melodies that even the most drive-by music fan should be able to identify as Brian Wilson. Brian Wilson brought in multi-instrumentalist, producer, and lyricist Van Dyke Parks to assist on the Beach Boys unfinished (unreleased) Smile, Parks changing roles and bringing Wilson in as vocalist on 1995’s Orange Crate Art, currently celebrating 25-year anniversary with the reissue. Orange Crate Art is a lush, layered offering, giving the listener everything from R&B to easy Rock, and although much of album is penned by Van Dyke Parks, it features that trademark Wilson sonic touch. The title track album opener sets a dreamy, classically-trained tone, where stringed instruments more at home in a symphony play out a delicate melody underneath a familiar vocal, followed by a timeless dose of AM Gold with “Sail Away” and a carefree, ride the rails cut in “My Hobo Heart”. “Summer in Monterey” is a cut offering a slow bounce that is reminiscent of lazy summer days where ‘feet were bare, our shorts were all we’d ever wear’ while “San Francisco” has playful bouts of psychedelic ramblings, the two cuts partaking in an underlying theme, giving love to the state of California. “My Jeanine” hints at doo-wop, “Movies Is Magic” could be staged for opening a musical, and “Lullaby” is a sleepy, classical instrumental. George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Love is Here to Stay” are included as outtakes, Orange Crate Art closing with a stirring “What A Wonderful World.” (by Bryant Liggett) Listen and buy the music of Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks from Omnivore Recordings For more information, please visit the Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks website
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