Computer Age

Dennis Wilson (9-Dec-1944) was the most womanizer, and wild problematic of the three brothers, the black sheep in a family clan which over time would be that no white sheep was precisely. He felt special passion for the sea, fishing and surfing, attractions coupled with music that combines delighted with the girls, cars and drugs. In a family where music was part of everyday life (his father, a tyrant and frustrated composer, according to all reports, played the piano, her mother body), it was not uncommon to see the brothers Wilson performing songs in the school holidays or at family gatherings, especially Friday afternoon. His concern, hobbies and rebellion that Dennis did not show much interest as powers or their brothers. His mother had to intercede to accept what would happen in the band in history as The Beach Boys. In addition to participating in the voices, they decided to offer the post of the battery, although it was not always the person who recorded the instrument on the discs. Being the only surfer was logical that were the most influenced by any fashion that arose around this sport: girls, sun, holidays and music, with the instrumentals of Dick Dale and his Deltona as a spearhead. The group said it would be fun to compose a song about that youth fashion, born and that it would be the first success of the band, "Surfin '. Over time, but often got into fights and some car accident, ended up becoming a good performer, he learned to play the piano and although it was certainly the most limited of the brothers to sing, Dennis suplió the shortcomings of his voice with high doses of privacy and an enviable ability to bring emotion. Debuted as a composer when the fame of the Beach Boys quoted a downward and upward British Invasion, was the end of the decade of the 60s, the heyday of psychedelia and hippismo. The shadow of Brian Wilson is blurred at times, taking advantage of the other ingredients for the loopholes start showing the brightness of its lights. The first song composed by all the Beach Boys without the collaboration of Brian Wilson appears on the 1967 album "Wild Honey" (this is the theme of "How She Boogaloo It"). In the next disc, "Friends" (1968), Dennis Wilson signed his first compositions without the involvement of his brothers, simple but highly emotional ( "Little Bird" and "Be Still", the latter sobrecoge only with voice and keyboard), where the excesses already beginning to be felt in their vocal cords. Friend of the risk, in this era Ascos Dennis did not make any substance and if neither party had women through much better. They were just two friends of Charles Manson which led him to make friends with this lunatic character, friendship, which nearly cost him the life he and his son ( "I am the most fortunate of the world, because I came out of this losing just a little money "). Both his career like that of the Beach Boys were very touched after the discovery of his relationship with the murderer.
Dennis hit the compositional maturity coinciding with the change in the decade and house music, showing all his talent in the first disk of the Beach Boys for Warner, much more collective and less direct involvement of Brian (although this continued to offer it, as not, some of the finest pearls of the disc), the "Sunflower" (1970), which deserves special mention the composition of Dennis "Forever", thrilling ballad with all the ingredients to become a classic, reaching a height of the best songs. In 1971 the film was edited directed by Monte Hellman road "Two-Lane Blacktop" ( "paved road in two directions") in which Dennis played one of the roles as "The Mechanic". That same year in an accident with a glass door was cut several tendons in his hand, which prevented him from playing the drums for five years. Reappears in the credits as a composer and producer on the album "Carl And The Passions - So Tough", published in 1972 ( "Carl & The Passions" was one of the names of the group called the Beach Boys before), with two songs that elevate the disc from the filthy waters by sailing most of the time: "Make It Good" and especially that closes the album "Cuddle Up", intimate, wrenching at times, a masterpiece that no desentonaría in the posterior solo album "Pacific Ocean Blue." We found another jewel to be placed on the altar of the best ballads on the album "Holland" (1973), "Only With You", this time sung by his brother Carl. In 1974 he collaborated with Billy Preston in the composition of the song "You Are So Beautiful," which would make famous Joe Cocker and Dennis sing in many concerts as a tribute to their fans.
We must not forget that the punk and new wave were imposed between news magazines and broadcast music in 1977, when it published the first solo album by a member of the Beach Boys, the "Pacific Ocean Blue" Dennis Wilson, that although it had good reviews, was acceptable but little response from the public. Music was not fashionable, even I could see it in many ways as a review of styles already developed earlier. But, as often happens with the things in which one delivers it all, the time was in charge of making light with increasing intensity throughout the personality, talent and emotion that their grooves contained. It became a disc of worship and today is no longer unusual to see him on the lists of the best albums of the rock. Dennis was involved as much as possible throughout the process responsible for the composition, arranging, producing, voice, keyboards and drums (with the collaboration of prominent Gregg Jakobson, family and musicians in abundant winds, vocals, bass and guitar). In this work, gave his soul, in the midst of the chaos that had become her life managed to find the spirit of vibrant flowers destroyed years ago. We spoke of the great desires in "River Song", his love of rock and roll in "What's Wrong" and "Friday Night" (this with an introduction that clearly recalls the "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" of Pink Floyd, a group that I feel personally that floats in songs and environments of this disc), love and loneliness in the heartbreaking "Thoughts Of You" and "Time" (Randy Newman, also born in Los Angeles, inevitably comes to my head too on several tracks of this piece) of ecology in "Pacific Ocean Blue", color and hope in "Rainbows", dismissed the inevitable in the atmosphere and great "Farewell My Friend", dreams and reality in "Dreamer" or which closes the album "End Of The Show" with a broken voice movingly. Embraced by a sumptuous production and the exquisite arrangements is the beating heart of a disk of shadows and solitude, out of the sun and joy, where the only lights that shine are those of the moon and hope.
The new edition of the disc, released earlier this year, is done with care and affection. Besides the excellent presentation, photos and information, brings a wealth unpublished material, paying particular attention to the songs on the album being prepared before dying, "Bambu" (before the research for this reissue was known as "Bamboo"). These are generally less dark themes and personally I think are less intense emotional, and the feeling that I leave that often accompanies this kind of reissues: interesting, even exciting at times, that sacian illusion and the desire Shopping but at no time exceed what has already been heard (by the time I stay with "Love Remember Me," "Wild Situation", "Album Tag Song," and especially the bonus "Tug Of Love" and the version played this time by It's "Only With You").
The publication's solo album is not meant to stop belonging to the Beach Boys, continued as a member of the band with its ups and downs due to problems arising from drug addiction, with expulsions and reconciliations, delivering two good compositions for the album of the Beach Boys " LA Light Album "of 1979 which had provided for" Bambu ":" Love Surrounds Me "and" Baby Blue ".
In 2007, was on sale on DVD documentary "Dennis Wilson Forever," a look at his life through interviews with people who knew him closely, produced and directed by his brother Billy Hinsch, a component of the group Dino, Desi & Billy, as well as multiinstrumentista to accompany the Beach Boys and other formations (I have not yet had a chance to see it).
Rebel and charismatic, five marriages with their divorces (among them Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac), five sons, Dangerous Liaisons, several attempts at rehabilitation without success, spent a fortune without losing control coming to one of his most cherished belongings The sailboat "Harmony", expulsions several of the band coming to blows with his cousin Mike Love, who decided to hire bodyguards for not approaching him, especially when they were drinking "orange juice" (used to use it to mix vodka) . Strictly complied with the slogans "Live fast, die young and have a nice body" or "Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll" accompanied by heavy doses of self-generosity. People who knew him knew that was not made to last, so the news of his death on Dec. 28, 1983 was somewhat surprised that most expected. In one of his dives in Marina del Rey did not come out alive. While conflicts still remain. Family members argued over where to bury the place, if next to his father or at sea; won the view that it wished to do so in the Pacific Ocean, but this required the intercession of Ronald Reagan to get the permit. Nor were able to agree on the song of farewell or who read a story from the Bible, while his son Michael would have nightmares for years with the burial.
In the end, a family with their problems and conflicts that will be remembered for composing the soundtrack for your very special film for us.

Useful links:
In this link you have a very comprehensive page on Dennis and the other members of the Beach Boys (in Castilian)
Here is a good chronicle about everything that surrounded his death (in English)
Here an interview in 1976 (in English)
In this other Youtube a short TV interview in the group in 1980 with Dennis ... somewhat "lost", is not of good quality but it's worth. Notice the greeting: "good morning" ... it is still morning ...

(Marine Walk of Algés, July 19, 2008)

(Warning: part one-on-gray rolls are personal, to read the chronicle of the concert to start directly in the black letter)

On July 19, newly released holiday in Galicia, I woke up remembering that day acted Leonard Cohen in Lisbon. Had not made any plans to go to the concert, but I got up with the idea that I had to take this opportunity, did not have work or family problems that prevented me going to see it. There were many miles and many hours of travel, but I could not miss that chance "why not now or never." The concert by the Benicassim had ruled out, I wanted a concert dedicated to him. I decided to go without knowing if tickets remain, but something told me that there would be no problems, the biggest drawback would be to find the site and arrive on time. More than five hours in the car given to believe many things, among them judging my way of acting. I would have preferred to have it all planned weeks in advance, having enjoyed the preparation of an event as important, be accompanied and spend the weekend with my wife also would have been good idea, however, I was just there, the adventure, as whether the youth had not gone through my life many years ago, with a camera that had caught at the last minute and was unable to verify whether it was loaded. I came through that Portugal had an hour's delay compared to Spain, 50 minutes before the concert. When I said "YES" a huge weight had tickets left to crush. Do not give me time to eat anything, I wanted to be ahead of it, see it up close, a coca-cola for espabilar a bit, and after the concert would have time to go back to the earthly life.
Lately, this page looks like the Olympus of the gods of rock (Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen ...), I would add one more to this temple polytheistic, because what we lived there was a genuine act of communion and worship. In Lisbon, we were fortunate enough to find a paradise for a day, we hear the impassioned words of our God, at his side six apostles made us levitate with the sound of their instruments, reaching ecstasy mecidos by the choirs of three angels who sang the message divine: do Dowman Dowman Dowman da do Dowman Dowman ( "no Pareis," asked L. Cohen).

As I read in the press come between 8 and 9 thousand people, from different countries, languages and ages. While in principle it was the outdoors might seem a disadvantage, the environment became magically decorated in the perfect, achieving moments of intimacy and silence difficult to imagine in a concert of this nature. Leonard Cohen came out on stage time after the components of the band, all with dark suit, shirt them with clear and hat. The first impression, in addition to seeing more thin and pale of what we imagined, was to confirm what we already knew: "Wow, if it looks too old," but so many years internalized his music and his books were made that my mind was watching on stage but not something outside reflects a very important part of my life. Nothing else begin to sing his old disappeared, struck by the good condition of his voice, just as it always seductive and much less cascade of what I expected (it just broke in a few moments of great intensity). Every gesture he made, every word that followed were made unanimously by laughter, shouting and applause from the public, not lacking in a number of occasions the launch of red carnations, as significant in a country like Portugal. We saw a man who radiated magic and mysticism, with a gentle smile full of humility and an unlimited power of attraction. Excitement, joy, choirs, silent tears ... we had completely in your hands, like waves in a bathtub and that he was shaken to its wise choice. Even the temperature and the moon facing the stage, which was noted when a stanza referring to it, allied to everything that was perfect. The essence of the concert was a spectacle of rock, but taken to limit the personal, with influences from jazz, country, blues, pop or flamenco, but led throughout by the elegance and respect for the intelligence, to the ear ( that sounds so perfect!), the individual as a whole physical and psychological. The code was based mainly on its many successes, making a tour through most of his records, with special prominence surely the "I'm your man." It started with the "Dance me to the end of love," kneeling before the virtuoso Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, lute, bandurria ...). In many cases benefited from the "alone" of the band members for submission and removed his hat to them (that sounded good old body - Hammond - in the hands of Neil Larsen!, And what the sensitivity of Dino Soldo to the harmonica and the flute and saxophone electric!), Also discovered the head before the public thanking each applause, implying that they were all there (were) essential part of the trip. Among the best known themes sounded (forgive not remember the order) "Who by fire," "Everybody Knows," "Closing Time", "Bird on the wire" ( "like a little bird" would change the lyrics), "Tower of Song "(with the single keyboard as simple as that characteristic and to be applauded, aware of its limited dexterity to the keys, recognized that we were too kind ... more laughter)," First we take Manhattan, "a beautiful version of" Suzanne "with just voice and guitar (the Tagus river near the scene came to the hair), the wonderful" Hey, that's no way to say goodbye, "" The Gipsy's wife, "" I'm your man " coreada the entire lung from the public to reach the refrain, "Democracy" (I think it was before this issue when he said: "it is fortunate to have wonderful moments like these when there is so much chaos, darkness and sadness in the world") "In my secret life," the popular "So long Marianne", an unforgettable "Hallelujah" (adding "I have not come to Lisbon to deception"), "Take this Waltz" before the finish line did what we all try to dance best we could, and many more equally wonderful that accompanied us for nearly 3 hours, with a break of 15 minutes and several bises of those who came out and dancing again, giving nice jumps increasingly energetic, which King doing the work of buffoon , In which children dress happy old man, as if each song was a dose of the elixir of youth.
It would be unfair not to mention, for their hard work and genius, the other musicians: Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar), Roscoe Beck (bass, bass) and Rafael gayola (drums and percussion). The angels who were choruses also had great moments: Sharon Robinson in the song "Boogie Street" and the Webb Sisters as a duo with the interpretation of the exciting "If it be your will" (Hattie Webb harp and voice, guitar and voice Charley Webb ). To end all sang in the choir farewell while Leonard Cohen to thank you for giving us a very memorable evening.
When I learned that Spain had acted only 1 hour me doubly happy to have taken the decision to go to Portugal.

"Suzanne takes you to your site by the river,
you can hear the boats sail,
You can spend the night at his side.
You know that she is half crazy
but it is why I want to be there "
(Suzanne)

The Dreadful Yawns
Rest
(Exit Stencil Recordings 2007)

This is a record that was saved on the computer, which in its day had scored some data because I had seemed very interesting, but that over time had almost completely forgotten. After further listening I must say that still seems a wonderful album, floating in the sound off aromas of Donovan, CSN & Y, Gram Parsons, Spiritualized, Mojave 3, Wilco, The Innocence Mission, Belle and Sebastian Beachwood Sparks. So I think it is time to complete these notes. The quintet was formed in 1998 in Cleveland, Ohio, although his first album ( "Early" Undertow Music) did not appear until 2003, turning the entire project around the singer / songwriter Ben Gmetro. After the critical success of the first job contract signed with the label Bomp! Records (the latter band was filed by Greg Shaw, founder of the legendary label that began in 1970 as a fanzine completely homemade; died in 2004 at only 55 years), where he edited an album of the same name, title in 2005, increasing influence in psychedelic his compositions, again garnering excellent reviews and starting to be more familiar to audiences. "Rest" is the CD was released in 2007, produced by Ben Gmetro, once overcome many problems of money, recording studios and new record label. This is the first of 2 discs left on record for Exit Stencil Recordings. If you originally was conceived as an experimental rock album, eventually would be transformed into an artistic statement full of arrangements, pedal steel, finder-picked guitars and beautiful vocal melody, making a beautiful album of folk-rock-country - pop-psychedelia. They took nearly 2 years to complete and was recorded in 3 different studies, leaving during this time 4 of the five original components of the band, leaving only Ben Gmetro (along with brand new 4 members): Ben Gmetro: vocals and guitar; Elizabeth Kelly: vocals, keyboards, bells, and tambourine; Chris Russo: drums and vocals; Clayton Heuer: keyboards and violin, and Eric Schulte: guitar and vocals. In 2008 have produced the second album for the label Exit Stencil ( "Take Shape"), with the same training as in the previous tightening and occasionally the sound. "Rest" is the record of the group that most times I have heard and know best at the moment. Ten songs in just over half an hour. Among my favorite pick "Candels", although it is more than 7 minutes and goes against my taste (almost always in favor of the subjects), in this case the ability of contagion that pushes you to hum makes us forget the time (you know that the good times go flying, and Bo Diddley as well read a book can not be judged by the cover), but I am sure that if we were to become a hit and sound continually has all the ingredients to reach odiarla. The songs revolve mainly in two directions, about to hand over the country-folk (the wonderful "When I Lost My Voice", the harness racing and denims, with banjo included, "Being used to you," or the successful version of Gram Parsons "November Nights"), others more inclined to pop with varying doses of country, folk and psychedelia (among the most pop "You've Been Recorded", "Changing States" or the catchy, and also with all the necessary ingredients for radiofórmulas sound in "Due South" among the most psychedelic or evocative of the bright mental spaces "Up We Go", supported by melodies and chords alluring atmospheric keyboards, and "End Of Summer," which closes the disc with a characteristic saw musical accompaniment that provides air-finals of this summer, mosquitoes, heaviness, loneliness and reluctance on the environment). A disk of exciting vocal harmonies mecidas by acoustic guitars, steel guitar and inspired environments sound achieved with the help of multiple instruments with the notes just in time.

MySpace, The Dreadful Yawns