Sam Leach - KEEP
-
Hi Samcat. The preceeding article kindly written up by Mike has given me food for thought. But of course Brian's talent wasn't my argument. I was making the point that The Beatles were the most prolific band of all time and were thus on a higher level than the rest. I don't think anyone can seriously deny that. Goodnight all. Cheers Sam.
-
Hi dB Thanks for enjoying the thread which takes many intriguing paths. At least I'm pleased that we've got on to comparing Brian Wilson and The Beatles as to their relative genius and setters of trends. Bringing the Monkees along with us was bizzare....but highly amusing. Goodnight. Sam.
-
Mass post....`cos I'm tired. Hello to Christina (Harleyblues) Sara (Starr), Giri (Paulfan), Kathy (Guitar Kat) and anuone else I may have missed out...so many good posts. And now it's goodnight from me. Sam xxx
-
Hi Cesar (Cbimbi). No I hadn't forgotten you. I'm so tired now that I thought I'd answered your post earlier. `Revolution In The head' was written by the late Ian McDonald. I'm almost certain you can get it on Amazon or at least the USA version. The original UK edition was slightly better and I think some minor things were edited out relating to the rivalry with Paul and John. And now I'm falling off the chair....zzzzzzzz. Gone for the night. I'm asleep as I type this...oh such genius. Cheers Sam.
-
Hi Sam hope you're having a good weekend!!
-
Hi Sam,As I posted it is funny that the Beatles were seen as a boy band type. Paul himself is seen as a David Cassidy or Donny OSmond type which is why people say that about the Beatles. One person said about Paul anyone can write a song on three or four chords. This is kind of hilarious isn't it?
-
Sam, I went on amazon and looke dup some reviews on Revolution In The HEad. One review said the author doesn't have much nice things to say about the music. IS this true? It says he slams John in the later years and George and RIngo's music. IS this true?
-
Hello Everyone, Just popping in to say hello. I've just read the article that Mike posted---very interesting. I enjoy the Beach Boys, always have, but I must side with Sam Leach on this one...as far as I'm concerned, no one touches the Beatles. And I find it very hard to believe that anyone would even say boy band and Beatles in the same breath. Preposterous! (just a joke, Giri) Sam, I have my tickets to AROTR in Cleveland for next August. I'm looking forward to seeing American English Again---and you. I think it's time for that beer. I have many pages of reading to catch up on so I'll find out what's been gong on here. I hope you're all doing well. cheers, Jennifer
-
Hi Sam and everyone, Brian's "Smile" tour sounds very interesting, I hope he brings it over here. As I said earlier I saw him in 2000 doing the Pet Sounds album and he was very good. He's got a great band working with him too. Please be advised though that I've been told he has "good" nights and "bad" nights during his tours. Which I guess can be expected with the problems he's had over the years. Luckily, I caught him on a good night. Just don't go see him expecting the sort of performance that Paul gives because he's much different. I'm saying this not as a put down to Brian but just because I've read so much criticism on the web about people being disappointed with his stage presence. Remember this is someone who had difficulty leaving his house for awhile. I think its great that he's back out there performing. I believe that Paul has contributed in some way to one of the songs on the new album Brian is working on.
-
Paulfan:
Sam, I went on amazon and looke dup some reviews on Revolution In The HEad. One review said the author doesn't have much nice things to say about the music. IS this true? It says he slams John in the later years and George and RIngo's music. IS this true?
Hi Paulfan, Well, its been awhile since I read this book but I don't remember it being especially negative. In fact I liked it because it (unlike tons of other books) actually gives Paul some credit.
-
Hi Paulfan, Swaying Daisy and Jennifer. I don't think there is anything negative in `Revolution In The Head'. It seems to favour Paul a little but maybe that's because Paul DID work the hardest on his songs. It's a very informative and interesting book. I'll be back much later tonight. Cheers. Sam.
-
Sam Leach:
Hi Mike Thanks for taking the time to type out the article on Brian...a real genius. I'll have to make sure I catch his show in England. Funnily enough I always knew his talent and I think his problem was that he hated to be considered brilliant because he didn't want the added pressure of having to be ALWAYS brilliant. We should all just let him do what he wants and not expect it all the time. That way he WILL match up to our expectations. And I note that Pet Sounds came because of Rubber Soul and then Revolver came through Pet Sounds. Similar to the rivalry between John and Paul, each driving the other to greater things. That's the way it should be. I'm really delighted that Brian has found himself again. I wonder if we could get Macca and him to work together.....hhmmmm. Maybe not. I'm off back to bed. Goodnight. Sam.
Sam, Actually Revolver and Pet Sounds came out at about the same time, so I seriously doubt that Revolver had anything to do with Pet Sounds. I do agree on the Rubber Soul and I was waiting for someone to pull that out, because that is closer to the truth. I saw Brian in Clearwater when he did his Pet Sounds tour....awesome, simply awesome. Brian and Paul working together? There you would have two equals, and it would be very interesting to see what they both would come up with. Which is why I always felt that the Beach Boys (and you really need to listen to some of the later stuff, Sam) were very much on par with the Beatles. Cheers! Sam C.
-
Sam Leach:
Hi Samcat. The preceeding article kindly written up by Mike has given me food for thought. But of course Brian's talent wasn't my argument. I was making the point that The Beatles were the most prolific band of all time and were thus on a higher level than the rest. I don't think anyone can seriously deny that. Goodnight all. Cheers Sam.
Hello Sam, As I said earlier, you have to see how the rest of the band members begin to learn from Brian and write and produce some incredible music. Some of the love songs that Dennis Wilson writes and produces are awesome, then the dramatic change in the Beach Boys with two members of Flame.... I have played some of the Beach Boys circa 1971/1972 and people don't even recognize the band. That is why I continue to take issue with your comments. The Beatles broke up(for all pratical purposes) in 1969. The Beach Boys went on. As did the Stones. Cheers! Sam C.
-
Sam Leach:
Hi Paulfan, Swaying Daisy and Jennifer. I don't think there is anything negative in `Revolution In The Head'. It seems to favour Paul a little but maybe that's because Paul DID work the hardest on his songs. It's a very informative and interesting book. I'll be back much later tonight. Cheers. Sam.
Hello again Sam, I am inclined to agree with you here though. I feel that not only did Paul work hardest on his songs, he worked at being a better musician in all phases and was as curious about all instruments as George was about guitars. Cheers! Sam C.
-
Paulfan Revolution in the head is a good book Sam C -- Brian Wilson on par with Macca? -- don't know if I agree with that. I'll listen to some of Wilson's later work -- Macca is still cranking out good work in his 60s -- even though Macca has had ups and down with his solo career he has had moments of brilliance every decade that even some snotty anti-Macca critics have conceded. Quite a few artists had a few great years of creativity but couldn't keep it going -- while Macca may or may not have matched as a solo career his years as a Beatle. In the 70s Band on the Run, Ram, are considered classics 80s Tug of War -- some say Flowers in the Dirt, too. In the 90s Flaming Pie. I can't really imagine Wilson doing diverse stuff alas Back to the Egg, McCartney 2, Press to Play -- but again maybe I've missing Wilson's output so I'll check it out. Cheers! Mike
-
Sam's site is in a tough fight he's up by one vote right now.
-
I haven't listened to everything Brian Wilson did, but I'm with Jennifer--The Beatles rule and always will. I will be voting for Sam's site now. I'm tired, too, Sam, even though I just got up. Had a rough night sleeping. Too many things rolling around in my head.
-
maccascruff:
I haven't listened to everything Brian Wilson did, but I'm with Jennifer--The Beatles rule and always will. I will be voting for Sam's site now. I'm tired, too, Sam, even though I just got up. Had a rough night sleeping. Too many things rolling around in my head.
I understand that one, maccascruff! I originally woke up at 5:30 worrying about work stuff again, but I was albe to go back to sleep a little. I have the greatest admiration for Brian Wilson and agree that he wrote some brilliant songs in the 60's but as Mike pointed out Paul has CONTINUED to write great songs since then. Also, Paul mainly wrote his own lyrics and Brian seems to have most often had a partner to do that so to me that puts Paul on a higher level. I also admire the way Paul has kept his head together over the years. I think Brian is a clear example of what can happen when excessive fame, high creativity and too much drug use are all mixed together. (Now, granted Brian may have had some mental problems regardless of what he did in his career, but I am sure the heavy drug use and pressure of fame only added to his troubles.)
-
mikeskapla:
Paulfan: Revolution in the head is a good book Sam
-- Brian Wilson on par with Macca? -- don't know if I agree with that. I'll listen to some of Wilson's later work -- Macca is still cranking out good work in his 60s -- even though Macca has had ups and down with his solo career he has had moments of brilliance every decade that even some snotty anti-Macca critics have conceded. Quite a few artists had a few great years of creativity but couldn't keep it going -- while Macca may or may not have matched as a solo career his years as a Beatle. In the 70s: Band on the Run, Ram, are considered classics 80s: Tug of War -- some say Flowers in the Dirt, too. In the 90s: Flaming Pie. I can't really imagine Wilson doing diverse stuff alas Back to the Egg, McCartney 2, Press to Play -- but again maybe I've missing Wilson's output so I'll check it out. Cheers! Mike
Mike, It is really the rest of the band members who take on the writing and producing chores after about 1969...but Brian has released some very good work but it is just not as often. I think he has only two solo albums. After Venus and Mars, most of Paul's work just doesn't thrill me (as it used to) any more, not that it is bad, but the thrill is gone. He was prolific and put out fine work though, but I can't remember a tune from Flaming Pie that got to me or even the latest LP he released. I like the music, it is pleasant, but nothing for me to write home about. That is why I put them on the same level. Of course that is my opinion, and there are no right or wrong ones with that. Best, Sam C.
-
maccascruff:
I haven't listened to everything Brian Wilson did, but I'm with Jennifer--The Beatles rule and always will. I will be voting for Sam's site now. I'm tired, too, Sam, even though I just got up. Had a rough night sleeping. Too many things rolling around in my head.
And Maccascruff, I certainly encourage you to stand your ground with Jennifer, but how can you dismiss some music that you never have heard? I think that both bands created wonderful music, IMHO, I just feel the Beach Boys were better than the Beatles. Hope you feel better.