Miles of Smiles: Brian Wilson article/interview

[12Volt]

From the Boston Herald.
http://theedge.bostonherald.com/musicNe ... leid=97024

Miles of Smiles: Brian Wilson is feeling those good vibrations
By Christopher Blagg
Monday, August 8, 2005 - Updated: 09:36 AM EST

Is painfully shy and famously troubled ex-Beach Boy Brian Wilson coming even further out of his shell?

Reports form his current ``Smile'' tour, coming to Boston tomorrow at the Bank of America Pavilion, report a refreshed and surprisingly effervescent artist in the swell of a career rejuvenation. Much of this rejuvenation comes from the unparalleled success of ``Smile,'' the mysterious and mythical aborted Beach Boys' record that finally came out in newly recorded form last year after being scrapped by Wilson in 1967.``Smile'' topped the majority of 2004 year-end ``best-of'' lists, and the ensuing tour was equally triumphant.

Now Wilson is back on the road with ``Smile'' again. While not exactly bursting with animated chatter, Wilson spoke with the Herald about his long-lost album and his rejuvenated career.

Herald: People are saying you look much more comfortable on stage these days. Are you?

Wilson: Well, yes, it helps that we've been practicing a lot. I'm getting better as I go.

Herald: Has your voice changed since those early Beach Boys years?

Wilson: It isn't as sweet as it used to be, but it's still nice. It is a little tougher to hit the high notes, but I can still get them.

Herald: You once referred to ``Smile'' as your ``teenage symphony to God.'' Now that you've re-recorded it as an older man, would you still call it that?

Wilson: Yeah, it's a happy teenage symphony to God, that's what I call it. It still has that happy, jovial feel to it.

Herald: What made you want to revisit it?

Wilson: I just thought it was time for people to hear ``Smile.'' We wanted to make it better. It was much easier this time around.

Herald: Why?

Wilson: I just worked with good musicians this time.

Herald: Where do you rank it among your work?

Wilson: I rank it first out of all the records I ever made.

Herald: Do you think you have another ``Smile,'' another ``Pet Sounds'' in you somewhere?

Wilson: No, I don't think so. It took a lot out of me.

Herald: The Beach Boys always get mentioned alongside The Beatles. Who influenced whom?

Wilson: I think they influenced us with ``Rubber Soul,'' and we influenced them with ``Pet Sounds.''

Herald: So, if you hadn't heard ``Rubber Soul,'' would you have made ``Pet Sounds''?

Wilson: No, probably not.

Herald: What were they doing differently that inspired you?

Wilson: Well, ``Rubber Soul'' was a collection of folk songs, not just a bunch of singles.

Herald: I've heard Paul McCartney say you're his favorite composer.

Wilson: Yes, I'm real proud of that. I put him way at the top, above me.

Herald: Do you hear any of your influence in today's music?

Wilson: No, I don't actually. I don't enjoy much of today's pop music.

Herald: If it had been released as originally planned in 1967, would ``Smile'' have had the same impact as ``Pet Sounds''?

Wilson: No, not really. I don't think it would have went over well at all.

Herald: What's different about today's audience?

Wilson: I think people now are ready for it. They weren't before.

[Goodman]

You know a lot of Parrot Heads feel that Wilson peaked when he collaborated with JB on South American.