Search - Beckley-Lamm-Wilson :: Like a Brother

Pleasant CD

06/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An interesting project featuring Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys, Robert Lamm of Chicago and Gerry Beckley of America. It was Wilson's final project before his death from Cancer in 1998. The songs are solid, of not exceptionally memorable, and the singing is wonderful. Wilson, especially, who sings lead on nearly half of the album, soars vocally. Perhaps most affecting is the title cut, a song written by Carl about his troubled older brother Brian. It features Beach-Boys like harmonies and instrumentation and a magnificent, pained vocal from Carl. This album isn't perfect, but as a momento of one of the most underappreciated voices of Rock and Roll, it fits the bill."

A must for fan's of The Beach Boys, America or Chicago.

06/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Like A Brother", the work of the late Beach Boy Carl Wilson, America's Gerry Beckley and Chicago's Robert Lamm is highly recommended for those who appreciate harmony. The production is both mellow and melodic, with each of the three men bringing the style of their signature band's to the project. There is an airy and relaxed feel to the proceedings: the listener can tell that these three men clearly enjoyed creating this music. Special note is given to Carl Wilson's wonderful vocals. His "I Wish For You" (the last song that he ever recorded)is exquisite. His wonderful voice is sorely missed. The Lonely Surfer"

Little-known supergroup recording with some nice moments

Greg Brady | Capital City | 04/13/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This disc combines the talents of Gerry Beckley (America), Robert Lamm (Chicago) and Carl Wilson (The Beach Boys). As you'd expect, the combination of 3 talents from groups that trade heavily in harmony turn in some beautiful harmony themselves on what was a nearly completely ignored disc. The production is somewhat "80s" in sound, thanks to production by Phil Galdston (writer of Vanessa Williams' #1 smash "Saving the Best for Last") and Steve Levine (who produced a 1984 Beach Boys album that brought them back onto the charts with "Getcha Back" as well as several Culture Club efforts).



While those proclaiming it a lost masterpiece here are greatly overstating things, it's nonetheless a charming disc that deserved a better fate commercially.



HIGHLIGHTS:

"I Wish for You" sounds like a coulda been AC hit as another reviewer noted. It's Carl's tender good-will anthem. ("A heart that can heal when you love in vain/A friend who can hold you through all of the pain/I wish you hope through your share of tears/I wish you peace all your living years") Chicagoan Lamm turns in a tribute to dead Chicago bandmate Terry Kath with "Feel the Spirit". (Kath accidentally shot himself while playing Russian roulette) "Watching the Time" is a mid-life reflection from America's Beckley. "Run Don't Walk" is a 'missing you on the road' anthem with a peppy hook. The album closes on a highnote with the title track. It's Carl's love letter to brother Brian Wilson, who was estranged from him at that point. (Producer Galdston shares a great story about the song on the Beach Boys fan club site [http://www.beachboysfanclub.com/lab.htm])



LOWS:

"Today" has a great hook, but the verses leading up to it are weak making it one of the lesser songs and an unfortunate choice to lead off the CD. "Run Don't Walk" would've been a better option. I'll be in the minority here, I guess, but I was disappointed in the cover of Harry Nilsson's "Without Her". The bouncy feel given the song seemed completely inappropriate to the lyric despite some tasty group harmonies. It just felt out of sorts to these ears. Carl penned a great lyric for "They're Only Words" but then chose to set it to a blaring guitar arrangement that ruins what might have been the album's highlight.



BOTTOM LINE:

There's nothing so immediately grabbing here that it's likely to convert non-fans of America, The Beach Boys or Chicago. That being said, if you're a fan of any of them you'll probably find some stuff here worth hearing, though I'd keep an eye out for it used as the price has soared on this due to Beach Boys/Carl Wilson collectors (out of proportion to its musical value). If you absolutely ADORE the sound samples, don't try and get this one...instead you'll want the Japanese import version on JVC Victor (do a search for ASIN B00005L9B1) which adds 3 more tracks."