Comments on: Dennis Wilson, the definitive edition – bullshit!

By: Al

Al — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:23:44 +0000

I too am dismayed by the media and their sheep-like followers muck-raking Dennis whenever they can. Me and a buddy met Dennis at the old Peaches Records store in Dearborn Mi in 1977 or so. He was there as part of the promotional tour for Pacific Ocean Blue. He did a meet and greet with everyone who showed-up and you didn’t have to buy anything. I have a treasured photo of Dennis and myself shaking handa which I love to show-off. I hung around there for about an hour. Dennis was friendly and professional with everyone.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:19:25 +0000

Thanks Terence. I think so far we’re all feeling the frustration that a true fan has when the mass media does it’s usual hack job of promoting an artist who is not widely known. In time I think we’ll see that, like Hendrix, Dennis’ talent will overshadow the hype. Even so, I’d like to see those “Wild Man of Pop” articles, since it’s not often that Dennis gets media attention, and sometimes there are some good photos that appear with these things. Can you provide a link?
I actually enjoyed Brian’s LOS album more than other recent albums like Imagination. Nothing will compare to his classic work, but he’s an old man now, so that magic will not be repeated.
Doing an album that’s been “commissioned” by someone else did seem like a sketchy way to work. Haven’t heard of that since Mozart’s day. Plus alot of the album was written by band member Scott Bennett. And with a living legend there’s even more tendency to keep a mythology alive than to build on it. But since we have the miracle of SMiLE being completed, Brian can do whatever the heck he wants.
I’ll have to get back to you on what demo inspired “Southern California.”

By: Terence Ruffle

Terence Ruffle — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:25:35 +0000

First up, thanks Mark, and thank you Mike, for your excellent and astute comments. It’s great that a couple of mega fans read and appreciated the article.

Gotta say Mike, tho’ perhaps it’s true for some of the more aggressive and out there music, but I think Romantic Love still comes out tops for the inspiration for music and the Arts generally. But I think you’re absolutely right, in retrospect Dennis had to have some sort of special hype to make him appeal to the casual Beach Boys fan. And again, his music wouldn’t be what it is without his life style.
I don’t know if you saw it, but unbelievably the British tabloids ran stories about Dennis and POB around the time of the re ish. And it was really dumb, “Wild man of Pop” shite, which really annoyed me because the drugs and alcohol aspect to his story was given more column space than the guy’s obviously huge natural talent.
I suppose it’s the passage of time, but Jimi Hendrix was given similar treatment by the British press for years, but now the drugs and other BS just pales into insignificance compared to his guitar playing and influence.

And I hate to say this guys, and you both know I adore Brian(heck, the amount of money I’ve spent seeing the man over the last is it 7 or 8 years should’ve been enough to put his kids through college!) but I fear “Lucky Old Sun” is dreadfully mediocre, with “Midnight” and “Southern California” being the only two tracks worthy of the man.
And “Southern California” is a rehash of an 80’s, possibly 70’s demo, who’s name currently escapes me! Bugger! Either of you guys remember?
Anyway, many thanks to you both, let’s hope 2009 brings more riches from the Beach Boys vault.
P.S. Have you chaps ever heard “Sweet Insanity”. Now what were we saying about “Lucky Old Sun”?……..

By: Mike fusco

Mike fusco — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:14:24 +0000

I agree with both of you whole-heartedly. On one hand, it’s agony to wait for Capitol to get their act together and SLOWLY release the hidden gems (4th of July being one) but I agree that it’s been a blessing to have the POB/Bambu reissue out. I’m 22 and the good vibrations boxset, occasional DVD release, and YouTube were the only way to get unreleased music. And through my whole life Dennis has been my idol and I was fortunate to have a cd copy of POB before. But now the cd set is beautiful and I love it and I received the 3 blue vinyl edition that was just… Gorgeous and out of this world in extensiveness. I recommends EVERYONE get one If u can find one

I agree the demand is certainly there so please release the “vault” and don’t wait for the original fans to die before they get to hear it. I’m fortunate to be young but I can’t believe it took all 22 years before ANY dennis stuff was reissued. But I work at best buy and I lived to see a dream- “Holy Man” was on our loop! For a good 6 months blaring in the cd department. It’s been quite amazing and satisfying to see Denny get the spotlight… And reach new people

-mike fusco
Cover-songs.com

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:31:43 +0000

C’mon, you thought hyping the rock lifestyle was no longer used to sell records & concerts? Half of rock songs are glorifying destruction, so unfortunately destructive behavior will be part of many advertising campaigns. In Dennis Wilson’s case, the record companies had to get the casual fan past the idea of DW as just a clean-cut surfer boy. Otherwise they’d have thousands trashing POB for not being Surfin USA. In any case, if DW were not destructive, we wouldn’t have this great music to talk about. His sad life story is key to understanding the album, so of course it will be hyped.

As for the value of Bambu, I think you’re missing the point. Sure we diehard fans have most of this stuff. The point is to get it to the general public. Linking it with POB was the only way to do that, and furthermore create demand for his other work. This was not supposed to be a career retrospective–most people don’t even know who he was! Now they do, so let’s be happy about that. I for one will be happy to shell out more for other DW songs, knowing that his talent is finally getting wider recognition. Plus we’ve got Brian Wilson getting good reviews for That Lucky Old Sun this year. What a great time to be a BB fan!