Our guest
columnist and Karaoke King Jim Borgmann writes about Paul McCartney and what
may be the greatest album ever.
Ask someone over 60 to name the greatest record album ever made and
chances are they will say "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by
the Beatles.
It is hard to argue with that, unless and until you ask a certain Sir
Paul McCartney. Sir Paul will look you
straight in the eye and say "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys. Here's what he said in a 1990 interview with
Albumlinernotes.com:
WHEN DID YOU BECOME AWARE OF THE BEACH BOYS?
PAUL: "The early surf records...I was aware of them as a musical act, and I used to like all that, but I didn't get deeply interested in it---it was just a real nice sound...We used to admire the singing, the high falsetto really and the very sort of 'California' lyrics.
"It was later...it was Pet Sounds that blew me out of the water. First of all, it was Brian's writing. I love the album so much. I've just bought my kids each a copy of it for their education in life---I figure no one is educated musically 'til they've heard that album. I was into the writing and the songs." (To see the complete interview, visit http://albumlinernotes.com/Paul_McCartney_Comments.html)
PAUL: "The early surf records...I was aware of them as a musical act, and I used to like all that, but I didn't get deeply interested in it---it was just a real nice sound...We used to admire the singing, the high falsetto really and the very sort of 'California' lyrics.
"It was later...it was Pet Sounds that blew me out of the water. First of all, it was Brian's writing. I love the album so much. I've just bought my kids each a copy of it for their education in life---I figure no one is educated musically 'til they've heard that album. I was into the writing and the songs." (To see the complete interview, visit http://albumlinernotes.com/Paul_McCartney_Comments.html)
If you ask me, the Beatles and the Beach Boys, their
combined bodies of work, had more influence on music from 1963 to 1969 than all
the other bands of that era put together.
Of course there were other great artists and groups, but they all seemed
to have their moment in the sun and then faded.
But if you read all the literature, you find that the
"unofficial" competition between the Beatles and the Beach Boys drove
them both to create more and even better music than even they knew they were capable of! Amazing.
So my question for you today's is, what is your favorite
song from the Pet Sounds album and how does it touch your soul?
Mine would have to be "God Only Knows", a song Paul McCartney once called "the
greatest song ever written".
Certainly one of the classic love songs to come out of
the 60's, "God Only Knows"
features the incredible voice of Carl Wilson, which only adds to the song's
appeal. But it's those simple, yet
amazing lyrics that find their way into your very being: "I
may not always love you, but long as there are stars above you, you never need
to doubt it, I'll make you so sure about it, God only knows what I'd be without
you".
In a recent "rockumentary" I saw on YouTube,
Brian Wilson was asked about the circumstances of the writing of the song. He admitted,
rather nonchalantly, that he and Tony Asher wrote that song in one hour. One Hour!?!?
That's just not fair. But that sure is talent.
Until next time,
Jim
Thanks Jim!!
Now “God” weighs in on what he believes to be the
greatest pop LP ever:
"I
consider Pet Sounds to be one of the greatest pop LPs to ever be released. It
encompasses everything that's ever knocked me out and rolled it all into one.
Brian Wilson is, without a doubt, a pop genius." – Eric Clapton
More
golden oldies good stuff is coming up, so please sign up as a Follower so you
don’t miss a single groovy thing.
