Orange Crate Art - Brian Wilson & Van Dyke Parks

The Dick Van Dyke Show, 4 classic episodes

Advantages: Interesting look back at classic TV
Disadvantages: No special features

The Dick Van Dyke Show was a classic of its kind. Every week people would hurry home to see what shenanigans Dick Van Dyke (Rob Petrie) his wife Laura and their brat sorry! Cute little tyke Ritchie would get up to. It started in 1961 and ran until 1966. Rob was a writer for a comedy TV show and he shared an office with fellow writers Buddy Sorrell (Morey Amsterdam) and Sally Rogers (Rose Marie). They worker under the watchful eye of sarcastic programme producer Mel Cooley (Richard Deacon) For some reason as a child my favourite character was Mel Cooley. The slightly daffy neighbours Jerry and Millie Helper (Jerry Paris and Ann Morgan Guilbert) also add to the madness. The series came out before colour television really caught on (even in the USA) so the entire series was filmed in black and white. At the start of each episode ...

Martinscholes 11.12.2005 · Read full review
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Review of The Dick Van Dyke Show - 4 Classic Episodes - Never Name A Duck / Bank Book 6565696 / Hustling The Hustler / The Night The Roof Fell In (DVD)

A Good album but for Wilson enthusiasts only please

Advantages: Brian's back! Backing band is exceptional
Disadvantages: Brian's voice is a little weak

and warmth. At times he does sound utterly terrified and breaks into curious jokes throughout but this adds to his oddball charm. The backing band is magnificent - just listen to 'Let's Go Away For A While' and you will hear a note for note, tone for tone live version of the album track performed perfectly. Yes, this is for Beach Boys and Brian Wilson enthusiasts. If you are not one then stay away, you will only criticise how the years have mistreated him and ruin the enjoyment for the rest of us. ...

Nixu1980 16.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Pet Sounds Live - Brian Wilson

The Life Of Brian

Advantages: Finally hear the "lost masterpiece"
Disadvantages: Brian's voice is not what it used to be

First of all it should be made clear that this is of course not the "actual" 1960s lost album but a brand new recording. That version of "Smile" was to be released as a follow up to Pet Sounds and its revolutionary song structures, surreal lyrics and sheer elegance was the album that would cement The Beach Boys as greater than even The Beatles. Brian Wilson, meanwhile, was to be enshrined as rock's true genius. Of course it was never completed and Brian's drug-addled mind fractured. The project was abandoned and The Beach Boys would now hit a steady decline after the creative peak of Pet Sounds. For many years fans have been clamouring for material from the 60's sessions and versions of Smile have turned up on many bootlegs of varying quality. At last then we have a final version by the great man himself minus those Beach Boys ...

mattyos 14.10.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Smile - Brian Wilson