In honor of tunesmith Brian Wilson's sixtieth birthday, the folks at Silent Planet records have put together a pretty decent tribute album. While most tribute albums tend to be pretty uneven affairs, this one, with few exceptions, is quite good. The large majority of the tunes are from the Beach Boys catalog, including the "lost" album Smile, while a few are from Wilson's solo work in later years. The first disc features some nice work from Tom Prasada-Rao with Amilia K. Spicer, Sixpence None the Richer, Aaron Sprinkle, Kevin Max & Jimmy A ("Help Me Rhonda"), Jason Harrod ("In My Room"), Terry Scott Taylor ("Vegetables"), Derrick Harris (a sweet rendition of "Don't Worry Baby"), and Brooks Williams (a finely strummed acoustic guitar version of "Pet Sounds"). Also featured on the disc are Phil Keaggy (who does a pretty amazing copy of "Good Vibrations"), Randy Stonehill, Kate Campbell, Phil Madeira, Doug Powell, Dolour, Jan Krist, Jane Kelly Williams, and Rick Altizer.
The second bonus disc, available for a limited time only from Paste Music, features a great version of "Caroline, No" from Frank Lenz and Richard Swift, followed by the beautiful harmonies of the Lost Dogs on "With Me Tonight." Also of note on disc two are the offerings from Jeff Elbel + Ping and Kate Miner. Also featured are Jacob Lawson & Riki Michele, and a few others including some remixes of songs from disc one, and an original tune from Harrod & Funck ("Brian Wilson's Room").
Unfortunately some of the songs on disc two should probably replace a few on disc one to make for a better single CD release. But no one asked for my input.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Dave KerschbaumSilent Planet Records knows how to throw a good birthday party. While Hit Radio is populated with boy bands and midriff girls who are younger than your car, Brian Wilson turned 60 years old this summer. And although many young VH1-watchers may only recognize Wilson as that guy the Barenaked Ladies sang about, Wilson's innovation and influence in rock music cannot be denied. With Making God Smile,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Chris MacIntoshI can remember back in 1964 wandering the halls of the local high school in my sophomore year with two other guys trying to perfect the harmonies to "In My Room" by the Beach Boys. Fortunately for the rest of the world that is as far as my singing career ever went. Also fortunately that was just the tip of the iceberg concerning the music of Brian Wilson. Although my personal taste has always run…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Trilisa M. PerrineWhen a project of the magnitude of Making God Smile is undertaken, the result is often unsatisfactory to those who are fans of the originals. But alas, this two CD tribute to Brian Wilson was refreshing and well put together. The interpretations of Brian's songs ranged from fairly direct reproductions ("Good Vibrations" by Phil Keaggy) to the slightly strange and experimental ("Help Me Rhonda" by…
