"If I had to select one living genius of pop music, I would choose Brian Wilson."
- Sir George Martin, 1997
BRIAN WILSON, the legendary songwriter and composer of The Beach Boys, has left an indelible mark on popular music. His masterpiece concept album, Pet Sounds, (1966) tore down creative boundaries and led The Beatles to create 1967's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. As the writer, composer and singer of some of history's most intricately woven pop songs - layers of complex instrumentation melding with outrageous harmonies and arrangements - Wilson was a Mozart of pop music in the 1960s.
35 years after Brian Wilson reached his songwriting peak with tunes like Good Vibrations, Wouldn't It Be Nice and Sloop John B, the music world pays tribute to his work.
Aviva International and Direct Video Distribution are delighted to announce a 5 November DVD and VHS retail release date for 'An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson', an unforgettable evening that took place in March of this year, on the Great Stage at New York's Radio City Music Hall.
Elton John, Ricky Martin, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, The Go-Go's, Heart and Carly Simon are just some of the superstars who took part in this once-in-a-lifetime gathering. Wilson himself also performs several Beach Boys numbers.
Hosted by actor Chazz Palminteri ('Usual Suspects'), the event also attracted other such high profile presenters as director Cameron Crowe ('Jerry Maguire'), Dennis Hopper, Rachel Hunter and Beatles producer Sir George Martin. The result is an amazing musical journey through an unparalleled body of work.
To a generation of people, the Beach Boys' music is a symbol of much more than big waves, hot cars and beautiful women; it epitomises the innocence of the early 1960s. From host Chazz Palminteri to the famous faces taking part - many of whom volunteer personal anecdotes about what Brian's music has meant to them - the tributes are as plentiful as they are sincere.
The homage begins with The Harlem Boys Choir performing a hymn written by Wilson. The solemn ambience is then broken when Latin sensation Ricky Martin takes the stage for show-stopping versions of California Girls and Help Me Rhonda. Other highlights include Paul Simon's heartfelt rendition of Surfer Girl; a haunting interpretation of Don't Worry Baby from Billy Joel; Elton John's stunning version of God Only Knows and the Go-Go's kicking up a storm with Surf City.
Brian Wilson is one of rock's most distinguished artists and influential pop composers of the last 50 years. Beginning in 1962, as the co-founder and creative force behind one of America's most beloved bands, the Beach Boys, Wilson was arranger, producer and co-writer of an incredible wave of records that included such hits as California Girls, Surfer Girl, I Get Around, In My Room, Help Me Rhonda, Wouldn't It Be Nice, Fun, Fun, Fun, Don't Worry Baby, God Only Knows and Good Vibrations.
In the 1960s, Wilson became the first recording artist to take total control of his art, from song selection to choice of studio musicians, to finished product. Withdrawing from touring in 1966, Wilson produced the much-revered Pet Sounds, an album that is still cited as one of the all-time great pop albums (recently listed third all-time by a VH1 poll of the greatest pop recordings).
The DVD is presented in DTS, Dolby Digital Surround Sound and Dolby Digital stereo. DVD extras include a bonus track Do It Again performed by Brian Wilson, interviews and a photo gallery.
Track Listing
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
8. 9. 10. 11. |
Our Prayer The Boys Choir Of Harlem California Girls Ricky Martin Help Me Rhonda Ricky Martin Surfer Girl Paul Simon Surf City Go-Gos In My Room David Crosby, Carly Simon, Jimmy Webb The Warmth Of the Sun Vince Gill I Get Around Evan and Jaron God Only Knows Elton John I Just Wasn't Made For These Times Aimee Mann, Michael Penn Don't Worry Baby Billy Joel |
12. 13. 14.
17. 18. 19. 20. |
Sail On Sailor Darius Rucker, Matthew Sweet You're So Good To Me Wilson Phillips Good Vibrations Heart, Jubilant Sykes, The Boys Choir Of Harlem Surf's Up David Crosby, Vince Gill, Jimmy Webb Heroes and Villains Brian Wilson Wouldn't It Be Nice Elton John, Brian Wilson Fun, Fun, Fun Brian Wilson, All Star Ensemble Barbara Ann Brian Wilson All Starr Ensemble Love and Mercy Brian Wilson, The Boys Choir Of Harlem |
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Catalogue No: Release Date: Certificate: Running Time: RRP: |
VHS IX1233RCUKV 5 November E 96 mins £13.99 |
DVD IX1232RCUKD 5 November E 96 mins £19.99 |
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