ROYAL PHILHARMONIC PEELS OFF SWELL SYMPHONIC SOUNDS
OF THE BEACH BOYS
Beach Boy Bruce Johnston's "Shirtsleeve Symphony" Keeps Dream of Orchestral
Release Alive After Passing of Carl Wilson
Los Angeles, CA (August, 12, 1998) -- Six months after the
passing of Beach Boy legend, Carl Wilson, Grammy-award-winning partner Bruce Johnston
brought a long time dream of the 37 year old band to fruition by producing "Symphonic Sounds: Music of The Beach Boys." Scheduled
for release by Intersound Records in August, the album is a sophisticated yet accessible
collection of 30 songs spread over nine tracks with special appearances by Mike Love,
Bruce Johnston, Matt Jardine (son of Beach Boys' Al Jardine), Adrian Baker and Christian
artist, Tammy Trent. The CD will retail for US$16.95, Canada$20.98 and the cassette
for US$10.98 and Canada$11.98. The album has a running time of just under one hour
and will also be available in the DVD surround sound format next year.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studio One in London, "Symphonic
Sounds: Music of The Beach Boys" features three extended orchestral pieces
including "Overture," "The Water Planet Suite" and "(Just
for Fun)All Surf!!" In addition to several vocal tracks, the album also contains
five selections from the "Pet Sounds" album including: "God Only Knows,"
"Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Sloop John B," "Still Believe in
Me" and "Caroline No." The Beach Boys' "Kokomo" (from the
movie Cocktail) is performed with fresh vocals by Mike Love. Johnston provides new
vocals on his "Disney Girls" from the 1972 Surf's Up album and Brian Wilson's
dreamy "The Warmth of the Sun" is performed by Adrian Baker. Al Jardine's
son, Matt is introduced on the "Darlin'" track. The album is produced by
Bruce Johnston, conducted and arranged by Bob Alcivar. Steve Devick executive produces
and Keith Wechsler serves as associate producer/engineer. Every selection on the
album was newly recorded and arranged.
"Before Carl's diagnosis with cancer last year," said Bruce Johnston, "we
were booking symphonic dates for the 1998 summer tour. Interestingly enough, the
marriage of The Beach Boys and a symphony happened at Mile High Stadium over ten
years ago with the Denver Symphony Orchestra. This album honors the music of The
Beach Boys and is dedicated to Dennis, Audree and Carl Wilson."
"Sure to become a favorite crossover classical album, "Symphonic
Sounds: The Music of The Beach Boys" is designed to appeal to the baby boomer
fans of The Beach Boys who are now appreciating classical music and interested in
new recordings of their favorite musical artists," says Steve Devick, CEO Platinum
Entertainment. "Since the inception of this label, we have been lauded for our
classical crossover selections such as "Orinoco Flow: The Music of Enya"
which reached the #1 position on Billboard's Top Classical Crossover Chart and has
remained on the chart for more than 70 consecutive weeks."
"Starting with the cover art that features a surfing conductor in tails, a Woody
on the beach and a barefooted cellist, through to the programming of song selections,
we aimed to make it accessible ñ not stiff and intimidating," recalls Bruce
Johnston. "That's the way The Beach Boys have always operated and we think our
fans and their children will really appreciate that."
The Beach Boys are known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll legends in history.
Since their inception in 1961, the band not only recorded more than 350 songs, but
created a new genre of lifestyle music. Headed by the Wilson brothers (Brian, Carl
and Dennis), cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston joined the band
in 1965 when Brian ceased to tour. Through an introduction in London from The Who's
Keith Moon, Bruce Johnston met John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1966. It was that
fateful meeting and review of The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album that McCartney claims
as The Beatles inspiration for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Aside from
his 33 year career with The Beach Boys, Bruce Johnston provided the vocal arrangements
for both Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" and Pink Floyd's
"The Wall" and his voice is included on those recordings. As a song writer,
Bruce Johnston received a Grammy for writing "I Write the Songs," made
into a multi-platinum hit by Barry Manilow.
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