I can attest to the fact they could sing and play their instruments. They played at our high school in 1962 in our gym. Just them, no backup band. Pure talent.
Yep they played their own instruments. Brian was a great multi-instrumentalist, besides those amazing vocals, he played piano, great bass player and guitar player.
He is ridiculed for using studio musicians but that only happened after their early success, they had made some money and it became a real challenge to get everyone in the studio to record. Brian found it was much easier to get professionals who wanted to make music every day, and they would give him exactly what he wanted, no arguments. Vocals could be added later.
Yeah, perfect Malibu that you nose ride from Third Point all the way to the pier - not the closeouts at El Porto the kids from Hawthorne have to contend with :)
I absolutely love hearing Brian’s inhales. So many current recordings edit out the breaths, but this makes it so human, so beautiful, and so real. Brian just soars.
This song made me cry years ago when I first started listening to it. There was something so beautiful about the voices and the sentiment of the lyrics that made my heart ache from how beautiful it was.
Brian Wilson's voice is like musical ecstasy. Such a pure spot on voice! His vocals bring me to a state of happiness. Brian's voice was the stand out vocal in The Beach Boys no doubt.
You should check out some videos that are titled roughly “heavy metal without distortion.” It’s basically 60s surf rock. So in a way, the Beach Boys were a precursor to heavy metal!
@@jefffinkbonner9551 The Beach Boys are not surf rock. Surf is an instrumental form. Check out Dick Dale to see what a mean. The Beach Boys are more of a kick ass doo wop vocal group. Surfing is just the theme of many Beach Boys song, but they were not a surf band
@@theccpisaparasite8813 I think you are right on the Beach Boys. Dale with "Wipe Out" 👍. But some of those short little guitar licks that the Beach Boys had like on Fun Fun, Fun, Surfing Safari, Dance Dance, Surfing USA etc.. well just say Dale would have been more than happy to expand upon those. The do-wop was working for the boys and they ran with it. Dale is amazing.
@@citizenjoevotes I've studied alot about the Beach Boys and their unique sound (even Lennon and McCartney admired them.) Brian Wilson had a kind heart....he was just beat down physically and mentally by his dad.....so sad!
I am a huge fan of The Beach Boys & had a lot of their records. They were known for their 5 part harmonies. Brian Wilson was the genius songwriter behind the group. This was such happy feel good music. I recently found the a cappella group Home Free last year. Their bass singer Tim Foust has a 5 octave range & recently released a doo-wop cd of 50's-60's music. He does a great version of The Beach Boys song "In My Room".
No matter what music someone is into there's no denying Fil really does pick out the best of the best and highlight the talent of those involved in each video.
I never understand why these groups (of 40 to 50 years ago in their Prime!) block the likes of Phil doing a really complimentary analysis of their work. I mean they should thank him not block him for god sake.
A few years ago I saw Mike Love and his version of the Beachboys in Niagara Falls Ontario. Brian was also touring with his own version at the same time. I’ve loved the Beachboys since the 1960’s, and this was the best concert I’ve ever heard. Mike did a tribute to Carl, with Carl singing ‘God only knows on video blended into the live performance. Mike also performed a song he wrote in honour of George Harrison, with video of the time they spent together in India playing on the big screen while Mike sang. It was a very emotional experience.
Brian sang backup for Linda Ronstadt's Adios. Listen and you will here the Beach Boys sound but it is just Brian singing all the parts himself alone. Tremendous talent that man has.
Fil does a good job pointing out to music lovers the brilliance of the Beach Boys. So often we get the soap opera version but miss the music version of the Beach Boys. Whatever craziness happened behind the scenes these guys were great singers. Great great singers. And they played their instruments live quite well.
Phil, is Brian’s voice natural or has he developed his style? The same about your analysis of Janis Ian. Is her performance of various vocals designed or do they just come naturally ?
I Get Around is an astounding arrangement vocally and instrumentally. It moves so fast that one doesnt really notice that the last verse and chorus sequence is half a step up when it commences after the instrumental bridge, set up by the two lines ooooh ooooh, the second ooooh is where the modulation actually takes place.
Grown 63 year old man here. Doesn't always happen, but this time Brian voice instantlly choked me up. He sounds like an angel. Brian and Carl were amazing.
I think the world went a long time before realizing that Brian Wilson was very very special . really appreciate the break down hearing the isolated track was really cool. Thanks for all your hard work Love and Respect
Peter Stephen....yeah ...painfully long....I think Brian traveling with his band has gained him a mountain of attention and respect that was unseen for decades....the Beach Boys were music outcasts from the 70's onward.
Thanx Fil, I heard the beach boys live in the 1960's at GW University, Washington, DC. Small building that had perfect sound,(designed that way). They did one song acapella, got a standing ovation. One of the best groups I have ever heard live.
You picked the perfect Beach Boys song ( Don't Worry Baby ) to analyze Brian Wilson's voice. Back when stereo systems had balance (left to right) controls, I could listen to either Brian's voice or the incredible background vocals, especially Carl Wilson's. I also had the privilege to see the Beach Boys with all 5 original members TWICE ('78) and Brian rarely toured! 🏄 🎸 🎶
You know, as often as I've heard "I Get Around," I never realized that Mike wasn't actually *singing* his part but rather speaking the words musically - more like a narrator. Interesting! Great video! The Beach Boys certainly were awesome. And Fil, I could listen to you talk about them all night ;)
As always tremendous job -- the Beach Boys were my first music love and remain so. Notwithstanding his enormous vocal and songwriting abilities, Brian's genius lies in his arranging abilities. The backing track for "I Get Around" is practically avant garde and makes no sense, until you lay the gorgeous pop harmony vocals on top. That he would hear these in his head and record them independently is mind boggling. And as you listened the joy on your face looked like you were getting a bowl of ice cream -- or better!
The Beach Boys "Stack-o-Tracks" (1968) was the backing tracks of 15 songs from "Surfer Girl" through "Friends". The album included a booklet with the lyrics, chords, bass and lead lines. The album cover invites fans to sing and play along. How crazy is that? www.eides.com/store3/01beachst5.jpg
Brian Wilson is my musical hero. I am so grateful for The Beach Boys music. How could you ever be sad while listening to them? Thank you for covering this. You now have a new subscriber!
Yes thank you for explaining the difference between falsetto, and proper “head voice”. Brian Wilson was such a great vocalist. This is a great voice education video! Glad I found you today!
Full respect for showing us some beach boys cos there so much more than surf music . Listen to surf's up , cabinessence, child is the father of the man and so many more
Every time I watch your videos, your expertise just blows my mind. Your analysis confirms what I`ve been saying for years: "You don`t get popular for nothing!". I`ve always loved the Beach Boys for their unique sound. For me, they are the personification of Summer, the sea, happy vibes, and holidays :) It`s funny that for all these years, no band has tried to copy their style. Well, most likely someone did, and I simply don`t know about it. Great video, as always. Thank you, Fil!
With the popularity of rap I say there is little musicianship in rap--poor vocals, little singing, I know its popular but more for style, race than musicianship.
Thank you for sharing this. Brian Wilson has always been one of my all-time favorite artists. The arrangements that he had in his head seemed to be from another planet, and the rest of the guys delivered their lines to perfection!
@@garysnow1475 oh yes definitely, Carl was in charge of the Beach Boys as a live touring band for most of their years. He has an amazing voice. There were many years that Brian just could not handle the touring aspects, but he wouldn't have been able to make brilliant albums like Pet Sounds had he been out on the road with them. I did get to see the original lineup with all 3 Wilson brothers and Mike Love and Bruce Johnston in the 70s. They were all in great shape vocally at that show.
Okay, I'm old. ;) I couldn't even concentrate on (what I am sure was) your amazing, Fil-tastic analysis here... but this SONG! Ugh, it brought me right back to my first kiss and heartbreak at age 12. The whole thing lasted about a week, but omg the dramaaaa of it all. THIS Beach Boys song triggers one of my very best memories - of music, and of sweet sweet innocent love. So, my one-week boyfriend and I were sitting on his bed - in his bedroom! - listening to this song, and he cozied up to me, put his arms around me and we gently rocked to the music. Then he turned my face towards his and he kissed me for what felt like my entire life. Holy shizz I died and went to heaven. I seriously could have died right there and been fine lol So, to sum up; Beach Boys music + good lovin' = perfection. Thanks for posting this video and allowing me to ramble about my glory days haha ❤️
Don't Worry Baby. One of my favorite Brian's. Saw some lost footage this week of Caroline No, so I was happy you chose them. Shalom. Agree what you said about the band's overall excellent vocals,, FIL. Beach Boys were my first concert at Nassau Coliseum in NY. Thanks for what you do. I also saw them on TV where they simply sang and weren't permitted to move. Mike Love was especially frustrated, lol, but the sound was Boss.
I met Mike love back in 2018 in Santa Barbara he is the nicest man. He gave me a Beach Boys cap and I've flat worn it out. I was stunned at all the gold records hanging on the wall. Very sweet man and I love the music.
They all had great voices, but I agree Brian and Carl just had a true, unmatched sweetness to their voices. It was a shame what happened to Brian’s voice in the 1970s.
I would like to hear "I can hear Music" with Carl Wilsons voice on the scope. I think he is even better than Brian's. But Dont Worry Baby and I can hear Music are two massive classics regardless of which sang them
This guy is a fan AND an afficionado. But in the past few days, by isolating Carl's voice in "God Only Knows", revealing what a great band they were in their live playing and singing ("Fun, Fun, Fun"), and now (I call it the Every- thing Song) "Don't Worry, Baby", has broken my heart in such a beautiful way. At the last second, I looked right at Fil, and I definitely saw the face of someone like me: we've both given ourselves up to this music. Call it rock 'n' roll rhythm & blues country folk or just That Thang.
I find it interesting how much their early songs were reportage, singing about their peers and what they did. The street racing, hot rod culture and the overlap and conflict with surfer culture were everyday experiences. My father in law grew up in that part of California. Going to the beach with him, all of the beaches and piers in the songs were just familiar places we'd pass by. The line from "Be True to Your School", "Friday night and ready for a fight" was a reference to one high school, the one he had attended. A "tough school" where getting into a fight at the Friday night football game with kids from the other school was a regular part of the night's entertainment. After his first day at school, as a skinny bookish kid, he realized that as a matter of self defense, a preemptive punch to the face of a lesser school bully would establish himself as a tough guy not to be messed with.
Beach Boys vocal arrangements are the best. In other bands, usually when the vocals and backing track are separated, usually the backing sounds more complicated but the Beach Boys vocals actually sound more complicated without the backing. Totally amazing.
Brian's writing and producing were unparalleled. There was nobody else in his league. But he was also blessed with the good fortune of having seven unique voices (not all at once) whose blend can never be matched. It's impossible to quantify, but when I listen to their harmonies, that blend... that f'ing blend brings tears to my eyes. As a kid, I remember hearing pitch-perfect renditions of BBoys songs with other vocalists in TV commercials (Sunkist, maybe?) and thinking, "how can this version, with flawless vocals and a great mix, sound so pale compared to the original?" It was the blend of those kids' (they were just pups when they started out) voices. Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, Al, David, and Bruce.
Great stuff, as usual. My first concert was hearing the Beachboys back in 66. But, as an aside, I've really enjoyed these vids. Even at 72, with 55 years of performing for (usually not very much) money, I have a lot to learn, and these discussions have given me another way to think about, and listen to myself, and try to improve my skills. Thanks, Fil.
@@sherrybowen4645 I was in suburban NY, so a couple miles east of you. I remember they had a string quartet on stage with them, and "California Girls" was on the charts. Dang, I loved their sound. Now, I'm even more impressed.
55 years! You must REALLY love what you do and, better yet, you are still looking to improve! Congratulations on your career choice. I bet you have made a lot of people happy with your music. Keep on rocking, Mr. Bedini!
I would be interested in seeing the wave forms from Bread singer David Gates. Incredible vocalist with plenty of live performances to choose from on UA-cam.
I never knew a "head voice" existed. For ages I've tried to sing along with records, unable to hit high notes (e.g. Phil Everly, and many "backup singers" on Art Garfunkel's "What a Beautiful World"). I heard you hit Brian Wilson's notes, and thought, "Hey! Maybe I can do that too!" and immediately did it. That's real teaching talent you got! Thanks, dude!
Incredibly excellent analysis Fil, as usual! I've loved this song for well over 50 years but I believe your description of some of his technical vocal abilities has made me appreciate him even more, which I didn't think was possible! Thanks!
Who taught Brian how to sing, harmonize? Answer: he picked it up and figured it out on his own as a young kid. He then taught those things to the rest of the band when they were young too. He asked em to perform and they responded. Professional musicians find this very difficult yet Brian did it easily because he was the acknowleged leader of the band--following Brian led to success early on.
When I was a teenager (many moons ago) we would have a lot of beers, play "The Beach Boys" and sing our drunk hearts out.. Good times... I saw them in concert and they were amazing..
Thank you so much for this. Don’t Worry Baby has always been one of my favorite vocals and you brought out all the reasons why. The smooth flight through the range and the heavenly vibrato.
I love Brian Wilson. I have fot many, many years! Such a tormented artist!I wonder, did he suffer so much because he really was a genius or was it the other way around! ?.
When you first started doing these live and studio comparisons, it was a touch over my head. All the artists you've taken an in-depth look at are people I was already a fan of in the first place, so I was happy with all your choices. Some of these people are simply machines in their ability to find those perfect tones. Thank you, Fil, for your efforts here. I've been a fan since you started with Stevie Ray Vaughn years ago. Love the explanations.
One of the most beautiful voices in Pop music history. His transitions are flawless. I found it interesting they did surfing themed tunes, but weren't surfers. A word to describe their recordings? Exquisite.
I think it's funny how you kind of fell into doing this. You're terrific at it. I have very little training, but when I sing along w/ Brian on Don't Worry Baby, something I have been doing since I heard it as a 7 or 8-year-old, I noticed that I am using a head voice, as you described. I'm gonna look for a vocal teacher and see what is really going on, see whether I can sing as well as I always thought I could. Great work.
I totally agree!!! These video analyses are quite entertaining & informative. I liked the vocal examples sung by Fil, too. I am so glad I stumbled on these & look forward to exploring more of them. 👍☘️😄🤓😸
Thanks for doing this. Brian Wilson is KING. I would love it if you could do from their 1970s, like their SUNFLOWER album from 1970. One of their greatest albums. Not sure there are many live versions of this era, but they didn't do pitch monitoring. "Add Some Music to Your Day" is a classic.
The vocals were amazing. Brian and Carl were so innately musical for their time/style. Those guys wrote some of the most memorable tunes ever. The chorus to Cali Girls is so unusual and musically cool. Brian's pitch was so spot on.
Sir, this is fantastic work! I've been a BB fan since age ten, forty-five short years ago. I started with their "surf and drag" stuff and eventually made my way through their entire catalogue. I'm also a professional musician, and in covering some BB songs I came to appreciate BW's compositions and the BB's vocal expertise in different ways and on other levels. Your analysis highlights just how talented these guys were, and how truly unique their vocal blend was. There's something special about family harmonies (the BBs are 3 brothers, a cousin, and friend Al Jardine), and here we get to see that the much-maligned and tragically underrated Mike Love was an extremely accurate vocalist. My favorite voice has always been Carl's, and I always considered him the most pitch-accurate of the group. But here you demonstrate that Brian was every bit as accurate, if not moreso. Thank you for this really interesting and important assessment.
Read most of the comments and cannot add anything to them - just another great analysis from Fil (great when he actually demonstrates himself exactly what he is referring to) - THANKS
There is a good reason why The Beatles considered them their #1 peers in music. Brian Wilson is a genius, and many of the Beach Boys kids have inherited their amazing talent. Carl's voice was sublime, Rip.
I stumbled upon this site yesterday and it is amazing to me how you bring forth the hidden details of this song. There has always been something so integrated in this song and Beach Boys recordings and arrangements that, as a music listener, I knew were there; I just didn't know how to describe it. But to dig in and reveal and understand what I was hearing takes this listening experience to a whole new and different and satisfying level. You are gifted, so thank you.
Thanks so much, Fil, for another Beach Boys analysis. Their sound is instantly recognizable and can’t help but make you want to dance (still - and I’m a ‘boomer:). Brian’s voice was so good!
Four years ago me and a friend went to see Brian Wilson live with his band including one of the other beach boys Al Jardine. It was them singing The Beach Boys Christmas Album live in 2018. It was a pretty small venue surprisingly, in Florida, and we had bought some pre show tickets to watch them warm up. It was so intimate- pre show in the theater just about 20 people came in for the pre show warm up. Shockingly we were invited on stage to shake hands with Brian and Al Jardine and the band, and get our picture taken with them. Brian smiled perfectly in every picture I don’t know how he did it. I will forever remember that night four years ago. His book was for sale at the venue too, autographed. Very special night.
Love it, Fil! Yay! Love Brian Wilson so so much. Can't recall if you've mentioned in the past their song "Our Prayer," I think it's from the Smile sessions; it's acapella and they are incredible vocalists xoxo Also dang, Mike Love's vocals are pretty consistent, too.
I have always loved listening to the Beach Boys, they were definitely one of my favorite groups. Every time I heard their songs on the radio, I'd turn the volume up and dance around, lol. Toni Tennille actually played and sang with the Beach Boys, she says she was the only beach girl in the group, but few people knew it. I really enjoyed this analysis! Thanks again, Fil!
Brian's voice is so crystal clear, interesting that I considered before he was singing that first part in falsetto, well, good to know it's his natural voice, and you're right, so smooth indeed, he has such a control on his voice, amazing. Great if you can analyse in the future more songs from the Bee Gees who also have wonderful falsettos and vibratos. Any of their songs is worthy for analysis, difficult to pick up the most remarkable since they have an extremely huge catalog and everything is good, but let's choose one from each brother. Barry - Songbird Robin - Hold On To My Love Maurice - Above And Beyond Hope you can surprise us in the future with any of these gems. Thank you for your videos, impecable as always!!!
I agree with what you initially said in your comment and it certainly does sound like falsetto to me that Brian hits...just hard to imagine a natural range voice having that much "natural" high end...my opinion.
@@bluarcher5941 Falsetto is very breathy and notes can't be held for any length of time due to the escaping air. Head voice and falsetto cover the same range, so it's not that he's taking chest voice that high, that would be very hard to imagine! I don't have a very high voice naturally, but I can take my head voice to a similar pitch, and it definitely isn't falsetto.
@@wingsofpegasus Very good explanation Fil, one more reason to invite you to analyze again songs by the Gibb brothers (2 years since the last one). Barry is able to hold the falsetto for unimaginable ranges of time, also Robin with his natural voice but in a very high range and in different periods of his life. 'I Am The World' is a perfect example, two versions at 16 and 60 years old: ua-cam.com/video/ZfnghaPk8p0/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/h4Jhhs9-4W8/v-deo.html Barry's prominent falsetto, accompanied by the unmatched harmonies of his brothers, also in falsetto: 'Too Much Heaven' ua-cam.com/video/i6iBAuwBODA/v-deo.html 'Tragedy' ua-cam.com/video/WJcozEOWgxI/v-deo.html The two reactions you have done from the group are extraordinary, great if you can include others, hope you agree.
How great can anyone be? As you said, the complexity and vocal perfection is simply preternatural. Thank you for this really terrific video. I enjoyed the hell out of your great analysis
Love the beach boys. Fun songs, makes you feel your at the beach. Good harmonizing. I could recall back in my day at the beach having the radio on n hear the beach Boys and 4 seasons another great group.
Thank you, Fil! Brian has the voice of a budding angel, that is certain. But I am glad you have objectively assessed Mike Love's voice. i am sick of all the trendy Mike Love-bashing I see in comments sections. His voice worked in every song, and it had its place.
I can attest to the fact they could sing and play their instruments. They played at our high school in 1962 in our gym. Just them, no backup band. Pure talent.
Yep they played their own instruments. Brian was a great multi-instrumentalist, besides those amazing vocals, he played piano, great bass player and guitar player.
@@NoName-fo7mz Up yours, banana brain.
Do you recall any of the songs they played?
Awesome. How great to have had them there
@@NoName-fo7mz hmmm…
Brian is one of the most brilliant and fascinating artists in pop history.
Very well stated !
Totally concur.
Brian and carl both had that ethereal quality that makes the songs soar ....genetics favoured those two
I completely agree with you. Both Brian and Carl had the best voices and when blended with Dennis, Mike and Al - it is beautiful 🤩 magic 🪄 to my ears.
Brian is legitimately on the level or more of a Lennon/Mc Cartney duo. He’s a song writing genius and doesn’t get enough credit
He is ridiculed for using studio musicians but that only happened after their early success, they had made some money and it became a real challenge to get everyone in the studio to record. Brian found it was much easier to get professionals who wanted to make music every day, and they would give him exactly what he wanted, no arguments. Vocals could be added later.
@@gymshoe8862 Look at the caliber of that group of studio musicians, which included the likes of a country boy named Glen Campbell.
God Only Knows - I cry a little every time I hear it. I literally wore out my Pet Sounds album.
The best
Fascinating stuff
Brian’s voice is like catching a wave on a sunny day. Smooth and flowing. Love The Beach Boys.
You summed it up perfectly 😁
It’s beautiful
Not only that one could close their eyes and be there at the beach cars and girls, truly a gift
Yeah, perfect Malibu that you nose ride from Third Point all the way to the pier - not the closeouts at El Porto the kids from Hawthorne have to contend with :)
I absolutely love hearing Brian’s inhales. So many current recordings edit out the breaths, but this makes it so human, so beautiful, and so real. Brian just soars.
This song made me cry years ago when I first started listening to it. There was something so beautiful about the voices and the sentiment of the lyrics that made my heart ache from how beautiful it was.
you’re killing me with this. Don’t Worry Baby is my all-time favorite Beach Boys song. this is heaven
mine is Caroline No
Brian Wilson's voice is like musical ecstasy. Such a pure spot on voice! His vocals bring me to a state of happiness. Brian's voice was the stand out vocal in The Beach Boys no doubt.
I feel his brother Carl was just as amazing a singer!
@@curbozerboomer1773yeh I think I like Carl's voice the best, he had the most practice and was the most soulful imo.
I was heavy metal guitarist. But I can't lie ...I always loved to just sit down and listen to these guy sing .....so good!
You should check out some videos that are titled roughly “heavy metal without distortion.” It’s basically 60s surf rock. So in a way, the Beach Boys were a precursor to heavy metal!
metal is just surfer music without distortion
I'm a rock guitarist and I adore the beach boys because of the colour of their melodies
@@jefffinkbonner9551 The Beach Boys are not surf rock. Surf is an instrumental form. Check out Dick Dale to see what a mean. The Beach Boys are more of a kick ass doo wop vocal group. Surfing is just the theme of many Beach Boys song, but they were not a surf band
@@theccpisaparasite8813 I think you are right on the Beach Boys. Dale with "Wipe Out" 👍. But some of those short little guitar licks that the Beach Boys had like on Fun Fun, Fun, Surfing Safari, Dance Dance, Surfing USA etc.. well just say Dale would have been more than happy to expand upon those. The do-wop was working for the boys and they ran with it. Dale is amazing.
I heard an interview with Brian where he talks about the angelic sound of Carl’s voice. They were so very talented.
I like that....an Angelic sound!!!
@@vazz22 Brian’s words about his brother. It was so lovely and kind that it stuck with me.
@@citizenjoevotes I've studied alot about the Beach Boys and their unique sound (even Lennon and McCartney admired them.) Brian Wilson had a kind heart....he was just beat down physically and mentally by his dad.....so sad!
Brian still is...he IS alive,ya know
@@markpatterson2507 Yes ...and still Touring this Summer with Chicago 🎶🎹
I actually got chill bumps the instant Brian hit that first high note. he sounds so good.
Me too!
I am a huge fan of The Beach Boys & had a lot of their records. They were known for their 5 part harmonies. Brian Wilson was the genius songwriter behind the group. This was such happy feel good music. I recently found the a cappella group Home Free last year. Their bass singer Tim Foust has a 5 octave range & recently released a doo-wop cd of 50's-60's music. He does a great version of The Beach Boys song "In My Room".
I never personally owned vinyl, saw Brian live though. Xtraordinary!
I also love Home Free
Most impressive ... Brian produced their own albums. Beatles didn't. Stones didn't ... in the 60s.
His voice still gives me chills. Brain and Carl's voices both were so beautiful!
Oh you are soooo right! You're too cool Marilyn!
Brian was touched by some kind of musical angel. This is a beautiful look inside his lovely voice!
No matter what music someone is into there's no denying Fil really does pick out the best of the best and highlight the talent of those involved in each video.
Agreed
Yeah deep like Bass voice if I had one.
@Glen Jones... that what make Fil an excellent music teacher.
Agreed
I never understand why these groups (of 40 to 50 years ago in their Prime!) block the likes of Phil doing a really complimentary analysis of their work. I mean they should thank him not block him for god sake.
Gosh I absolutely love Brian’s voice. Wish there was an album of just his leads 😍🎶
I've loved the Beach Boys for decades, but you've helped me hear and appreciate things I never heard before.
The Beach Boys sounded so great together that I didn’t realize what it voice that Brian had on his own. Really cool. Thanks Fil.
A few years ago I saw Mike Love and his version of the Beachboys in Niagara Falls Ontario. Brian was also touring with his own version at the same time.
I’ve loved the Beachboys since the 1960’s, and this was the best concert I’ve ever heard.
Mike did a tribute to Carl, with Carl singing ‘God only knows on video blended into the live performance.
Mike also performed a song he wrote in honour of George Harrison, with video of the time they spent together in India playing on the big screen while Mike sang.
It was a very emotional experience.
Brian sang backup for Linda Ronstadt's Adios. Listen and you will here the Beach Boys sound but it is just Brian singing all the parts himself alone. Tremendous talent that man has.
They all did, specific songs highlight each
Brian sang backup on Jimmy Webb song a while back. It’s amazing.
The only other person I can think of right now who can sing up and down the octaves like that in their head voice is Steve Perry. Example: Open Arms.
Fil does a good job pointing out to music lovers the brilliance of the Beach Boys. So often we get the soap opera version but miss the music version of the Beach Boys. Whatever craziness happened behind the scenes these guys were great singers. Great great singers. And they played their instruments live quite well.
Phil does an excellent job of explaining the process of the piece. He is skilled in vocalizing and explaining the concepts of singing.
Phil, is Brian’s voice natural or has he developed his style? The same about your analysis of Janis Ian. Is her performance of various vocals designed or do they just come naturally ?
@@james-pierre7634In the first half of their career, Brian sang all the soaring high vocals using falsetto.
I Get Around is an astounding arrangement vocally and instrumentally. It moves so fast that one doesnt really notice that the last verse and chorus sequence is half a step up when it commences after the instrumental bridge, set up by the two lines ooooh ooooh, the second ooooh is where the modulation actually takes place.
It packs more punch and has more hook in 2 minutes than most bands have in a whole album.
Couldn't have explained it better
Grown 63 year old man here. Doesn't always happen, but this time Brian voice instantlly choked me up. He sounds like an angel. Brian and Carl were amazing.
I so can relate...they were just so amazing. Love the Beach Boys!
I think the world went a long time before realizing that Brian Wilson was very very special . really appreciate the break down hearing the isolated track was really cool. Thanks for all your hard work Love and Respect
Peter Stephen....yeah ...painfully long....I think Brian traveling with his band has gained him a mountain of attention and respect that was unseen for decades....the Beach Boys were music outcasts from the 70's onward.
Beach Boys are in a class of their own. They are the perfect blend of voices. Brians voice has great tone and control.
Great analysis Fil 🤘
Thanx Fil, I heard the beach boys live in the 1960's at GW University, Washington, DC. Small building that had perfect sound,(designed that way). They did one song acapella, got a standing ovation. One of the best groups I have ever heard live.
You picked the perfect Beach Boys song ( Don't Worry Baby ) to analyze Brian Wilson's voice. Back when stereo systems had balance (left to right) controls, I could listen to either Brian's voice or the incredible background vocals, especially Carl Wilson's. I also had the privilege to see the Beach Boys with all 5 original members TWICE ('78) and Brian rarely toured! 🏄 🎸 🎶
You know, as often as I've heard "I Get Around," I never realized that Mike wasn't actually *singing* his part but rather speaking the words musically - more like a narrator. Interesting! Great video! The Beach Boys certainly were awesome. And Fil, I could listen to you talk about them all night ;)
Brian Wilson is a genius
As always tremendous job -- the Beach Boys were my first music love and remain so. Notwithstanding his enormous vocal and songwriting abilities, Brian's genius lies in his arranging abilities. The backing track for "I Get Around" is practically avant garde and makes no sense, until you lay the gorgeous pop harmony vocals on top. That he would hear these in his head and record them independently is mind boggling.
And as you listened the joy on your face looked like you were getting a bowl of ice cream -- or better!
The Beach Boys "Stack-o-Tracks" (1968) was the backing tracks of 15 songs from "Surfer Girl" through "Friends". The album included a booklet with the lyrics, chords, bass and lead lines. The album cover invites fans to sing and play along. How crazy is that?
www.eides.com/store3/01beachst5.jpg
Brian Wilson is my musical hero. I am so grateful for The Beach Boys music. How could you ever be sad while listening to them?
Thank you for covering this. You now have a new subscriber!
Thanks!
Yes thank you for explaining the difference between falsetto, and proper “head voice”. Brian Wilson was such a great vocalist. This is a great voice education video! Glad I found you today!
Full respect for showing us some beach boys cos there so much more than surf music .
Listen to surf's up , cabinessence, child is the father of the man and so many more
Every time I watch your videos, your expertise just blows my mind.
Your analysis confirms what I`ve been saying for years: "You don`t get popular for nothing!".
I`ve always loved the Beach Boys for their unique sound. For me, they are the personification of Summer, the sea, happy vibes, and holidays :)
It`s funny that for all these years, no band has tried to copy their style. Well, most likely someone did, and I simply don`t know about it.
Great video, as always. Thank you, Fil!
With the popularity of rap I say there is little musicianship in rap--poor vocals, little singing, I know its popular but more for style, race than musicianship.
NO ARTISTS have better isolated vocals than the Beach Boys.....a true talent!!!🌞🏄♂️
I don't know, there's Steely Dan. Always Michael McDonald to compare to.
@@Hollylivengood "Peg" Steeley Dan with Michael McDonald 🎤🎹🎶
What about the isolated tracks of Toto. They are incredible
@@Hollylivengood you ever heard Michael Mcdonald cover this song? Its pretty good tbh...
@@treadstoned9915 Oh that would be heaven. Has there been an analysis of Michael McDonald's voice yet?
Feeling down?
Put The Beach Boys on and you can’t help but get lifted up.
Mrbigg7255....Yup....no drugs ever for me....just put on the BEACH BOYS....Yeah...I was that nerd.
@@lar7905 👍👍👍
It's insane how talented the boys were vocally. Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, Al, Dave, and Bruce had some of the best vocal talents.
Siblings have some of the best vocal harmonies. Plus they all grew up together. Goes to show what can happen when parents raise their kids with music!
Yep but I wouldn't include Mike
Thank you for sharing this. Brian Wilson has always been one of my all-time favorite artists. The arrangements that he had in his head seemed to be from another planet, and the rest of the guys delivered their lines to perfection!
Brian was great in the studio but it was his brother Carl that were singing all these songs out on the road. The man is a fantastic singer.
@@garysnow1475 oh yes definitely, Carl was in charge of the Beach Boys as a live touring band for most of their years. He has an amazing voice. There were many years that Brian just could not handle the touring aspects, but he wouldn't have been able to make brilliant albums like Pet Sounds had he been out on the road with them. I did get to see the original lineup with all 3 Wilson brothers and Mike Love and Bruce Johnston in the 70s. They were all in great shape vocally at that show.
Okay, I'm old. ;)
I couldn't even concentrate on (what I am sure was) your amazing, Fil-tastic analysis here... but this SONG!
Ugh, it brought me right back to my first kiss and heartbreak at age 12. The whole thing lasted about a week, but omg the dramaaaa of it all.
THIS Beach Boys song triggers one of my very best memories - of music, and of sweet sweet innocent love.
So, my one-week boyfriend and I were sitting on his bed - in his bedroom! - listening to this song, and he cozied up to me, put his arms around me and we gently rocked to the music. Then he turned my face towards his and he kissed me for what felt like my entire life.
Holy shizz I died and went to heaven. I seriously could have died right there and been fine lol
So, to sum up; Beach Boys music + good lovin' = perfection.
Thanks for posting this video and allowing me to ramble about my glory days haha ❤️
Don't Worry Baby. One of my favorite Brian's. Saw some lost footage this week of Caroline No, so I was happy you chose them. Shalom. Agree what you said about the band's overall excellent vocals,, FIL. Beach Boys were my first concert at Nassau Coliseum in NY. Thanks for what you do. I also saw them on TV where they simply sang and weren't permitted to move. Mike Love was especially frustrated, lol, but the sound was Boss.
Never realize how much of a range he has, pretty incredible.
I met Mike love back in 2018 in Santa Barbara he is the nicest man. He gave me a Beach Boys cap and I've flat worn it out. I was stunned at all the gold records hanging on the wall. Very sweet man and I love the music.
Brian and Carl both had amazing vocals. I appreciate so much of the music the beach boys did. Their late 60s and early 70s music was great too.
They all had great voices, but I agree Brian and Carl just had a true, unmatched sweetness to their voices. It was a shame what happened to Brian’s voice in the 1970s.
Been a fan of Brian's for more than 5 decades. I'm a top fan on his website. He's magnificent.🎼
Thanks Phil your quite awesome yourself. Good job.
I’ve seen him live 3 times. He’s more talented in his 70’s than most artists 40-50 years younger.
Michael Paul....glad to know we're still out here. Since 1965 to be exact.
It was great to see Brian's live shows in Liverpool in 2016 and 2018. He is 79 years old in June.
I would like to hear "I can hear Music" with Carl Wilsons voice on the scope. I think he is even better than Brian's. But Dont Worry Baby and I can hear Music are two massive classics regardless of which sang them
YES!!! xoxo
I think Brian said the same thing.
I saw them in 1965, still enjoy their music.
@@janicesnyder9305 Select songs of theirs are always on the USB stick playing in my car
He also does a video on Carl. Fantastic too !
@@dianakile8602 You are right! I should have looked first!
Beach boys are in a class of their own. A great band.
I so agree. Loved them since the 60s.
The Beach Boys such a fabulous band!!
This guy is a fan AND an afficionado. But in the past few days, by isolating Carl's voice in "God Only Knows", revealing what a great band they were in their live playing and singing ("Fun, Fun, Fun"), and now (I call it the Every-
thing Song) "Don't Worry, Baby", has broken my heart in such a beautiful way. At the last second, I looked right at Fil, and I definitely saw the face of someone like me: we've both given ourselves up to this music. Call it rock 'n' roll rhythm & blues country folk or just That Thang.
Brian is pure genius. I never got to see The Beach Boys live, but Brian is on my bucket list. 💜
That sweet, vulnerable voice - still chokes me up.
I find it interesting how much their early songs were reportage, singing about their peers and what they did. The street racing, hot rod culture and the overlap and conflict with surfer culture were everyday experiences.
My father in law grew up in that part of California. Going to the beach with him, all of the beaches and piers in the songs were just familiar places we'd pass by.
The line from "Be True to Your School", "Friday night and ready for a fight" was a reference to one high school, the one he had attended. A "tough school" where getting into a fight at the Friday night football game with kids from the other school was a regular part of the night's entertainment.
After his first day at school, as a skinny bookish kid, he realized that as a matter of self defense, a preemptive punch to the face of a lesser school bully would establish himself as a tough guy not to be messed with.
Beach Boys vocal arrangements are the best. In other bands, usually when the vocals and backing track are separated, usually the backing sounds more complicated but the Beach Boys vocals actually sound more complicated without the backing. Totally amazing.
Brian’s voice is and will always be like a fine instrument playing. It’s just a joy hearing his voice. Makes you smile and just feel good deep inside.
Brian's writing and producing were unparalleled. There was nobody else in his league. But he was also blessed with the good fortune of having seven unique voices (not all at once) whose blend can never be matched. It's impossible to quantify, but when I listen to their harmonies, that blend... that f'ing blend brings tears to my eyes.
As a kid, I remember hearing pitch-perfect renditions of BBoys songs with other vocalists in TV commercials (Sunkist, maybe?) and thinking, "how can this version, with flawless vocals and a great mix, sound so pale compared to the original?" It was the blend of those kids' (they were just pups when they started out) voices. Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, Al, David, and Bruce.
Great stuff, as usual. My first concert was hearing the Beachboys back in 66. But, as an aside, I've really enjoyed these vids. Even at 72, with 55 years of performing for (usually not very much) money, I have a lot to learn, and these discussions have given me another way to think about, and listen to myself, and try to improve my skills. Thanks, Fil.
I heard The Beach Boys at the Waikiki She’ll in ‘66. Such a great concert! I was a senior in high school.
@@sherrybowen4645 I was in suburban NY, so a couple miles east of you. I remember they had a string quartet on stage with them, and "California Girls" was on the charts. Dang, I loved their sound. Now, I'm even more impressed.
@@tgbedini Wow if you heard them in New York and I heard them in Hawaii in the same year, they really DID “get around!”
@@sherrybowen4645 Funny! Thanks for the chuckle.
55 years! You must REALLY love what you do and, better yet, you are still looking to improve!
Congratulations on your career choice. I bet you have made a lot of people happy with your music.
Keep on rocking, Mr. Bedini!
Thanks Fil, you just analyzed my favorite song of all time, 'Don't Worry Baby'. Cheers man!
Brian is the absolute unrivaled genius of our time. No contest!
Such sweeping superlatives!
But ya know- I think you’re right !
I love how you get a big old smile every time Brian's voice comes on. It really is very special. Thanks!
I would be interested in seeing the wave forms from Bread singer David Gates. Incredible vocalist with plenty of live performances to choose from on UA-cam.
Yes!!
I never knew a "head voice" existed. For ages I've tried to sing along with records, unable to hit high notes (e.g. Phil Everly, and many "backup singers" on Art Garfunkel's "What a Beautiful World"). I heard you hit Brian Wilson's notes, and thought, "Hey! Maybe I can do that too!" and immediately did it. That's real teaching talent you got! Thanks, dude!
Incredibly excellent analysis Fil, as usual! I've loved this song for well over 50 years but I believe your description of some of his technical vocal abilities has made me appreciate him even more, which I didn't think was possible! Thanks!
I love Brian so much. Such an amazing talent.
Who taught Brian how to sing, harmonize? Answer: he picked it up and figured it out on his own as a young kid. He then taught those things to the rest of the band when they were young too. He asked em to perform and they responded. Professional musicians find this very difficult yet Brian did it easily because he was the acknowleged leader of the band--following Brian led to success early on.
When I was a teenager (many moons ago) we would have a lot of beers, play "The Beach Boys" and sing our drunk hearts out.. Good times... I saw them in concert and they were amazing..
This was a really nice one! I mean they all are but always loved these guys since I was little. This was a real treat for me Fil, thank you!
Thank you so much for this. Don’t Worry Baby has always been one of my favorite vocals and you brought out all the reasons why. The smooth flight through the range and the heavenly vibrato.
I love Brian Wilson. I have fot many, many years! Such a tormented artist!I wonder, did he suffer so much because he really was a genius or was it the other way around! ?.
When you first started doing these live and studio comparisons, it was a touch over my head. All the artists you've taken an in-depth look at are people I was already a fan of in the first place, so I was happy with all your choices. Some of these people are simply machines in their ability to find those perfect tones. Thank you, Fil, for your efforts here. I've been a fan since you started with Stevie Ray Vaughn years ago. Love the explanations.
The Beach Boys are always a uplifting analysis! Thanks for showing the two instances that just shows the genius of Brian Wilson.
I’m not crying you are 🙌
You my man are a gem
One of the most beautiful voices in Pop music history. His transitions are flawless. I found it interesting they did surfing themed tunes, but weren't surfers. A word to describe their recordings? Exquisite.
I think it's funny how you kind of fell into doing this. You're terrific at it. I have very little training, but when I sing along w/ Brian on Don't Worry Baby, something I have been doing since I heard it as a 7 or 8-year-old, I noticed that I am using a head voice, as you described. I'm gonna look for a vocal teacher and see what is really going on, see whether I can sing as well as I always thought I could.
Great work.
Thank you. Fascinating. I'd love to hear your analysis of Surf's Up!
The first album my parent ever bought me. Greatest hits. :) Thank you soo sooo much, Fil. :)
What's crazy is how amazing every one of their voices was. Brian and Carl Wilson in the same group!?!?! Come on...
These analysis videos are really fun. But, also, you’re voice is really good! I was impressed by your range doing all those examples, nice work! 🙂
Thanks!
I totally agree!!! These video analyses are quite entertaining & informative. I liked the vocal examples sung by Fil, too. I am so glad I stumbled on these & look forward to exploring more of them. 👍☘️😄🤓😸
I love their harmonies, the 'Today' album is my favorite. Excellent review!
Today is a great album, my favorite song is the last one. In the Back of My Mind, sung by Denny.
Probably my favorite group of all time. So much talent. Brian Wilson is a musical genius and it really shows in his song writing.
Thanks for doing this. Brian Wilson is KING. I would love it if you could do from their 1970s, like their SUNFLOWER album from 1970. One of their greatest albums. Not sure there are many live versions of this era, but they didn't do pitch monitoring. "Add Some Music to Your Day" is a classic.
The vocals were amazing. Brian and Carl were so innately musical for their time/style. Those guys wrote some of the most memorable tunes ever. The chorus to Cali Girls is so unusual and musically cool. Brian's pitch was so spot on.
Saw them perform live two or three times here in Ottawa and once in LA during the bicentennial celebrations in 1976. Fantastic....
Sir, this is fantastic work! I've been a BB fan since age ten, forty-five short years ago. I started with their "surf and drag" stuff and eventually made my way through their entire catalogue. I'm also a professional musician, and in covering some BB songs I came to appreciate BW's compositions and the BB's vocal expertise in different ways and on other levels. Your analysis highlights just how talented these guys were, and how truly unique their vocal blend was. There's something special about family harmonies (the BBs are 3 brothers, a cousin, and friend Al Jardine), and here we get to see that the much-maligned and tragically underrated Mike Love was an extremely accurate vocalist. My favorite voice has always been Carl's, and I always considered him the most pitch-accurate of the group. But here you demonstrate that Brian was every bit as accurate, if not moreso. Thank you for this really interesting and important assessment.
Read most of the comments and cannot add anything to them - just another great analysis from Fil (great when he actually demonstrates himself exactly what he is referring to) - THANKS
beach boys vocals are like the voice equivalent of a steel drum, just so soft and relaxing
That’s a rather odd comparison, but I dig it.
There is a good reason why The Beatles considered them their #1 peers in music. Brian Wilson is a genius, and many of the Beach Boys kids have inherited their amazing talent. Carl's voice was sublime, Rip.
I stumbled upon this site yesterday and it is amazing to me how you bring forth the hidden details of this song. There has always been something so integrated in this song and Beach Boys recordings and arrangements that, as a music listener, I knew were there; I just didn't know how to describe it. But to dig in and reveal and understand what I was hearing takes this listening experience to a whole new and different and satisfying level. You are gifted, so thank you.
Brian Wilson ❤️
Thanks so much, Fil, for another Beach Boys analysis. Their sound is instantly recognizable and can’t help but make you want to dance (still - and I’m a ‘boomer:). Brian’s voice was so good!
Very brilliant! I’ve always loved The Beach Boys Vocals and Brian and Carl were amazing!
Well done!
Four years ago me and a friend went to see Brian Wilson live with his band including one of the other beach boys Al Jardine. It was them singing The Beach Boys Christmas Album live in 2018. It was a pretty small venue surprisingly, in Florida, and we had bought some pre show tickets to watch them warm up. It was so intimate- pre show in the theater just about 20 people came in for the pre show warm up. Shockingly we were invited on stage to shake hands with Brian and Al Jardine and the band, and get our picture taken with them. Brian smiled perfectly in every picture I don’t know how he did it. I will forever remember that night four years ago. His book was for sale at the venue too, autographed. Very special night.
Love it, Fil! Yay! Love Brian Wilson so so much. Can't recall if you've mentioned in the past their song "Our Prayer," I think it's from the Smile sessions; it's acapella and they are incredible vocalists xoxo Also dang, Mike Love's vocals are pretty consistent, too.
I have always loved listening to the Beach Boys, they were definitely one of my favorite groups. Every time I heard their songs on the radio, I'd turn the volume up and dance around, lol. Toni Tennille actually played and sang with the Beach Boys, she says she was the only beach girl in the group, but few people knew it. I really enjoyed this analysis! Thanks again, Fil!
Your smile tells how much you enjoy the music.
Brian's voice is so crystal clear, interesting that I considered before he was singing that first part in falsetto, well, good to know it's his natural voice, and you're right, so smooth indeed, he has such a control on his voice, amazing.
Great if you can analyse in the future more songs from the Bee Gees who also have wonderful falsettos and vibratos. Any of their songs is worthy for analysis, difficult to pick up the most remarkable since they have an extremely huge catalog and everything is good, but let's choose one from each brother.
Barry - Songbird
Robin - Hold On To My Love
Maurice - Above And Beyond
Hope you can surprise us in the future with any of these gems. Thank you for your videos, impecable as always!!!
Thanks!
I agree with what you initially said in your comment and it certainly does sound like falsetto to me that Brian hits...just hard to imagine a natural range voice having that much "natural" high end...my opinion.
@@bluarcher5941 Falsetto is very breathy and notes can't be held for any length of time due to the escaping air. Head voice and falsetto cover the same range, so it's not that he's taking chest voice that high, that would be very hard to imagine! I don't have a very high voice naturally, but I can take my head voice to a similar pitch, and it definitely isn't falsetto.
@@wingsofpegasus thanks for the clarification..
@@wingsofpegasus Very good explanation Fil, one more reason to invite you to analyze again songs by the Gibb brothers (2 years since the last one). Barry is able to hold the falsetto for unimaginable ranges of time, also Robin with his natural voice but in a very high range and in different periods of his life. 'I Am The World' is a perfect example, two versions at 16 and 60 years old: ua-cam.com/video/ZfnghaPk8p0/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/h4Jhhs9-4W8/v-deo.html
Barry's prominent falsetto, accompanied by the unmatched harmonies of his brothers, also in falsetto:
'Too Much Heaven' ua-cam.com/video/i6iBAuwBODA/v-deo.html
'Tragedy' ua-cam.com/video/WJcozEOWgxI/v-deo.html
The two reactions you have done from the group are extraordinary, great if you can include others, hope you agree.
Glad to see you young folks discovering this quality work.
How great can anyone be? As you said, the complexity and vocal perfection is simply preternatural. Thank you for this really terrific video. I enjoyed the hell out of your great analysis
Love the beach boys. Fun songs, makes you feel your at the beach.
Good harmonizing. I could recall back in my day at the beach having the radio on n hear the beach Boys and 4 seasons another great group.
Thank you, Fil! Brian has the voice of a budding angel, that is certain. But I am glad you have objectively assessed Mike Love's voice. i am sick of all the trendy Mike Love-bashing I see in comments sections. His voice worked in every song, and it had its place.
when voices were real and not auto tuned. Brian's voice is one of the most beautiful, ever