This is fantastic! A better version even than the recorded one. It moves and flows. This is a very difficult song to play. Back when Ramona had heart...
Van Dyke Parks, Randy Newman, John Pizzarelli--they can't help their intense musical education, and they're susceptible to excesses of craftsmanship. So what? Glad they're around, and Newman's in the R&R Hall of Fame this month. Reminds me of an exchange in a Bogart movie. Dame: "You're some smooth talker." Bogart: "Whatta ya want me to do learn to stutter?"
One could argue he's primarily an arranger who just so happens to be a gifted wordsmith. Arranging is how he's sustained his career, lyrics are what's sustained his fame
As much as I love the album and Brian's singing on it, I would kill to have a version with just VDP on the piano. The songs on OCA are absolutely beautiful but I think the gaudy production sometimes tarnishes them but when its all stripped down to voice and piano you get the full impact and see just how good the songs really are.
I love Van Dyke Parks by himself at the piano but I must say that the album is lovely. There's not too many instruments on the album and that means to me that the melodies are shown quite nicely. Parks way of arranging those instruments are just swell to me, you hear the Steel drums, the hammer dulcimer, the Steel guitars and those lush strings and on top of that Brian's voice and those harmonies he laid down so nicely, what more can anyone ask for, its heaven on earth to me.
I like Van Dyke's voice, I wonder if he sung any leads on OCA for Brian to get the feel for before he recorded his vocals.. if so I'd like to hear those.
This is my first time hearing Parks sing lead. Not at all bad for his age! Now I'm curious to hear his earlier albums, like _Song Cycle._ (Of course, comparing him to Brian Wilson is quite unfair; almost nobody ever sang as well as Brian Wilson at his peak.) I recently heard Harry Nilsson's original version of "One" (later a hit for Three Dog Night, y'know, _"One is the loneliest number ..."_), and was very surprised by how lovely Nilsson's voice was. A lot of guys who are more famous for their songwriting _just happen_ to be great singers as well. Jules Shear's income (and nearly-nonexistent level of fame) is due entirely to his songs being covered by other acts, but for a long period of his career he was a fantastic singer.
I have seen a lot of stupid opinions on youtube but this is by far the worst. Enough for me to actually write my first comment. So thank you sir for this and hope maybe one day you'll change your mind.
His silly pun-soaked smarty-pants lyrics (here and on SMiLE) and his little dickie bow are a perfect match. Brian Wilson would have been better off had he never met him. Pet Sounds is near perfect in all directions, SMiLE has some great music but the lyrics are prissy over-educated hipster pish no one understands and manage to speak less for Brian's soul than songs about surfing, and Brian never surfed.
He's such a dynamo. Has intelligence, creativity, and humor in spades
This is fantastic! A better version even than the recorded one. It moves and flows. This is a very difficult song to play.
Back when Ramona had heart...
The piano fill at 1:33 was exquisite, but you could say that about the whole song.
I love this bless him
What a song
Great stuff. As Burt Bacharach said "why should I write songs with 3 chords if I know a lot more". You get the drift.
On his solo performance of the title track from"Orange Crate Art", Van Dyke proves to be a highly competent singer. Bravo, Mr. Parks!
@@allenjones3130 That’s a brilliant album brw
Van Dyke Parks, Randy Newman, John Pizzarelli--they can't help their intense musical education, and they're susceptible to excesses of craftsmanship. So what? Glad they're around, and Newman's in the R&R Hall of Fame this month. Reminds me of an exchange in a Bogart movie. Dame: "You're some smooth talker." Bogart: "Whatta ya want me to do learn to stutter?"
VDP belongs in the hall of fame.
What a wonderful clip. Besides a lyricist, you can appreciate he can compose and perform too.
One could argue he's primarily an arranger who just so happens to be a gifted wordsmith. Arranging is how he's sustained his career, lyrics are what's sustained his fame
one of the best songs ever written.
Of another age, of another world.
He's a talented dude for sure
Thanks for posting this!! Beautiful song and nobody should sing it but Van Dyke. Instantly evocative of early 20th century California. Bravo!
The cd with Brian Wilson is just great. Brian performing van Dyks songs.
As much as I love the album and Brian's singing on it, I would kill to have a version with just VDP on the piano. The songs on OCA are absolutely beautiful but I think the gaudy production sometimes tarnishes them but when its all stripped down to voice and piano you get the full impact and see just how good the songs really are.
I love Van Dyke Parks by himself at the piano but I must say that the album is lovely. There's not too many instruments on the album and that means to me that the melodies are shown quite nicely. Parks way of arranging those instruments are just swell to me, you hear the Steel drums, the hammer dulcimer, the Steel guitars and those lush strings and on top of that Brian's voice and those harmonies he laid down so nicely, what more can anyone ask for, its heaven on earth to me.
Beautiful and inspiring song. Absolutely love every visual cue it evokes.
Wow I think my heart might burst. Wish VDP had an album of his works stripped down like this
nice to hear this variation, very different to brian
Wonderful. Oh. I enjoyed it so much.
Thanks for posting.Now there is a MUSICIAN!!!!
Awesome!!! He's an amazing composer and piano player!
I like Van Dyke's voice, I wonder if he sung any leads on OCA for Brian to get the feel for before he recorded his vocals.. if so I'd like to hear those.
his piano intro and warbled intonation of the words "orange crate art" > the entire Brian Wilson Orange Crate Art album.
MacGarnagal More, please. So high class, sophisticated. So pleasing in every way.
Great song!
Thank you for Posting this.
VDP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we LOVE.
Bedankt voor deze upload!! Ik kan 'm ook spelen :). Vanavond is hij in Paradiso. Wees erbij!
This is my first time hearing Parks sing lead. Not at all bad for his age! Now I'm curious to hear his earlier albums, like _Song Cycle._ (Of course, comparing him to Brian Wilson is quite unfair; almost nobody ever sang as well as Brian Wilson at his peak.) I recently heard Harry Nilsson's original version of "One" (later a hit for Three Dog Night, y'know, _"One is the loneliest number ..."_), and was very surprised by how lovely Nilsson's voice was. A lot of guys who are more famous for their songwriting _just happen_ to be great singers as well. Jules Shear's income (and nearly-nonexistent level of fame) is due entirely to his songs being covered by other acts, but for a long period of his career he was a fantastic singer.
@jeroen1 You're right...great album!
Glad you had your say. Hope you're feeling better now :)
The album he produced for Joanna Newsome is still my favourite work of hers. Ys.
My pleasure, Ryan!
@SPzero06 You're welcome and yes, I agree!
Great performance. What is the show called and from what year does it date? Someone help pls
Jeroen Timmermans it's from 1996 according to the credits that roll at the end of the Sail Away video from the same show.
i prefer brian's version, but this sounds very good!
Bowtie!
Brian Wilson seems to like the lyrics but hey what does he know?
Is that you, Mike Love? ;)
I have seen a lot of stupid opinions on youtube but this is by far the worst. Enough for me to actually write my first comment. So thank you sir for this and hope maybe one day you'll change your mind.
Can't compare to Brian singing it, but nice to hear anyway.
@waailappe Ik zal er zijn!
You mean the fact he has a wife?
if u like this, check out the incredibly prolific avant-pop singer/songwriter Chris Weisman
That's such an over-educated hipster comment.
You'd better ask his wife :)
In my opinion it has no relevance whatsoever ;)
A lyricist should not play so well!!!
not bashing the guy at all, beyond talented, great guy. but ive always wondered..is he gay?
Someone asked him that on twitter and he answered "Im straight as an arrow"
His silly pun-soaked smarty-pants lyrics (here and on SMiLE) and his little dickie bow are a perfect match. Brian Wilson would have been better off had he never met him. Pet Sounds is near perfect in all directions, SMiLE has some great music but the lyrics are prissy over-educated hipster pish no one understands and manage to speak less for Brian's soul than songs about surfing, and Brian never surfed.
Thanks for showing everyone how wrong you can be.
Youre lame dude this guy is just better than Brian wilson anyway
Yeah uh, no.