BECKLEY LAMM WILSON: Like A Brother

Beckley Lamm Wilson

Like A Brother

© 2000 Beckley Lamm Wilson (806838117428)

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Strong lead vocals, and group vocals, sung by 3 instantly familiar voices. Sweet, modern pop songs. Poigniant lyrics, great production.

notes

 
LIKE A BROTHER - SESSION NOTES
by Producer Phil Galdston



"I once heard Jackson Browne say about Don Henley and Glenn Frey, "It's amazing when your friends become your heroes." For me, it was amazing that three of my heroes - Gerry Beckley, Robert Lamm, and the late Carl Wilson - became my friends. These consummate songwriters, singers, and musicians had a profound influence on my musical life. If, years ago, anyone had told me that I would be writing and producing with them, I would have laughed and gone back to some dreams with a little greater chance of coming true.

Of course, if, years ago, anyone had told me that members of America, Chicago, and the Beach Boys would come together to make an album, I would have found that wacky, as well. Each had a unique style and impact. Even thirty years or so after America and Chicago hit the scene, and forty years after the Beach Boys arrived, their music remains popular and influential in a way no one could have predicted.

In February 1992, I flew To L.A. from New York to play some undefined role in what everyone agreed was a project with great promise. It was one thing to have known and collaborated with both Carl and Robert. But I had yet to meet Gerry and co-producing was an entirely different story. But all three put me at ease right away. They were very generous with their compliments about Vanessa Williams' record of "Save The Best For Last," a song I had co-written. I tried to keep my success in perspective. For example, although my #1 song was featured on my airplane's audio program, each of them had a chestnut from their catalog featured, as well!

Six years later, on another February afternoon in Los Angeles, Robert, Gerry, and I sat in a restaurant after Carl's funeral and agreed that, sadly, all of the music we'd made would never be heard by the outside world. The record wasn't complete and we couldn't imagine how we could ever finish it without Carl.

In between those two days, we'd spent countless hours in studios in
New York and L.A. recording, plotting, planning, arguing, and angling to bring the project home. There were weeks of intensive effort and months of hiatus, while each of us concentrated on other, less speculative aspects of our careers. All three loved the work, but their day gigs made it impossible for them to make the kind of commitment the music biz demands.

Nonetheless, it was a joy to watch how their relationships worked. Here were three people who could have easily been competitive, even within appropriate boundaries of a group. Instead, their mutual respect - their love - for each other helped each to raise high the bar of performance. As a result, there were many thrilling, joyous moments along the way.

For my part, the most emotional experience of the entire project
may well have been when I first showed Carl the lyric to "Like A Brother." It had been a long, grueling road to conceiving the idea - about ten months of sporadic attempts to find something that matched the music we had written rather quickly. One day, I found myself thinking of how difficult it would be to be in Carl's position: distanced from my big brother by circumstances and forces beyond my control. Suddenly, the phrase "Love you like a brother" came to me. Two hours later, the lyric was done. A couple of weeks after that, I was nervously singing it to Carl, worried that I might have invaded extremely personal territory. When I was done, he tearfully embraced me. "Thank you for caring enough to write about my life," he said. Just then, the phone rang. His wife, Gina, called, "It's Brian." I left Carl with the phone. In the kitchen, Gina was amazed. "They haven't spoken in over a year," she said.

In the spring of 1997, Carl called to say that he was ready to set aside a significant period of time to complete the album. He and I had written a new song, he had dreamed up some new parts, and he felt that B-L-W was ready to move forward. He would work out a timetable while on vacation in Hawaii.

Two weeks later, Carl was diagnosed with the cancer that would take his life. Although he struggled heroically - even performing on the Beach Boys/Chicago tour between chemotherapy sessions - and each of us spent some precious time with him, we never again made music together. By February 1998, Carl was gone at 51. The three remaining members of the team toasted his memory, embraced, and drove off into the kind of sunset Carl had sung about for most of his life. About four months later, a friend asked if he could hear the B-L-W tunes. I put the tape on and within minutes I had tears streaming down my face. I picked up the phone and called Robert and Gerry to tell them we had to finish the record; we owed it to Carl. They agreed.

A week of overdubbing and mixing - a week of intense emotion best summed up by Gerry's comment the first day: "This is most thrilling and the saddest day I may have ever had" - and we were done. Some have commented on how much of the record concerns the passing of time and of loved ones. I don't think any of us were aware of that while recording. I think - I know - we were transported by the music, lyrics, and performances, and the joy of seeing it all come to life.

In a conversation shortly after she heard the entire record for the first time, Gina Wilson revealed that she had kept her fingers crossed that we would complete the record. She had "spoken" with Carl in a dream. "I want my music to be heard," he told her. Finally, and proudly, it can be.

Phil Galdston, New York City, May 2004


 

 

reviews

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  • like a brother
    author: terence ruffle

    Ok,bottom line,if you're a mega beach boys fan,'like a brother'[the title track]is worth the price of admission alone,tho''i wish for you'is utterly beautiful.the rest of the album is pleasant enough,but absolutely nothing else compares to those two tracks.Anyone reading this might like to check brian wilson's official site,as it has a version of a carl wilson track'heaven'performed by brian,wonderful!!!

  • Carl Wilson loved his brother Brian
    author: Stephen

    Carl’s voice remained beautiful throughout his life. My favourite song of all time is ’Surf’s Up’ by the Beach Boys, and this album is as good as that. 'Like a brother’ is a brilliant album. It was sensitive of Carl to write a song about his brother, from whom he was estranged at that time.

  • Carl Wilson's angelic voice is amazing! So are the others.
    author: MaryAnn

    After a month of stress including not only my mom but two good friends dying I know I needed to calm down. Carl Wilson's voice has the ability to do it and when I found this CD I wanted to try it. Fantastic and it did it's job for me. I would also order from this company again. Faster service then some of the big companies out there.

  • cd Is fantastic
    author: Chris

    I Loved the Like A Brother it's fantastic. It as been difficult for me to get hold of with being in the UK

  • it is awesome!!!
    author: Joel

    The CD is really good, it is really neat and you sent to me in a very good condition. thanks

  • Carl Wilson is the best!
    author: Lynn

    It is great to hear Carl one last time. He still had his awesome angelic voice up til he passed away. Great cd!

  • I think it`s a fine bunch of songs by a fine bunch of musicians...
    author: Javiroger

    I think it`s a fine bunch of songs by a fine bunch of musicians and in these times of cash&trash it`s wonderful find works like this, not a brilliant masterpiece like some other recordings by Lamm, Wilson and Beckley, but a fine work really.

  • Wonderful change of pace
    author: Robert Collins

    This album is a wonderful change of pace from most music being released today: rich harmonies, thoughtful lyrics, and accomplished backing musicians who contribute without upstaging the vocals.

  • EXCELLENT! Nice addition to my "Robert Lamm" collection!
    author: Steven

    EXCELLENT! Have always been a fan of the music of Robert Lamm and Chicago, and this "extracurricular" CD-effort is a success! Well-worth the purchasing price.

  • A great masterpiece!
    author: J B

    I real masterpiece of music by 3 legends! A hard to find cd that can only be bought from here and one other place (that i have found!) Great harmanies and composition of songs, A true mix of the guys involved! Buy it now any listen to on repeat you will soon remember these as old classics you have heard somewhere before.

  • Stunning!
    author: Scott Young

    I knew this cd existed but took to long before I sought it. I downloaded the tracks on another site for next to nothing but felt I had to buy the cd after hearing all the tracks online. Absolutely superb! Three great guys from legendary bands. Carl Wilson from the Beach Boys who have been my heroes for 23 years. The vocals, music are stunning. I am so glad I bought it.

  • author: wolfgang

    Great album of three very fine singers. as a fan of the Beach Boys, America and Chicago I really like it,and when I listen to Carl Wilson I always have to realize what great singer we lost and this album was his last work. Thanks that this album has been completed and released.

  • A true gem
    author: Peg

    What a collaboration! Like a Brother has become one of my favorite CDs. The music is lovely; the lyrics are thoughtful, soul-searching, and mature; the production quality is awesome; the vocals by all three men are outstanding. There are no "filler" tracks here. Many of the songs have a bitter-sweet quality, including the title track, Feel the Spirit, and Watching the Time. That bitter-sweet quality seems so fitting given that this was Carl Wilson's last work before his untimely death. Carl has never sounded better. I am so happy that Messrs. Lamm, Beckley, and Gladson made the effort to complete this project, and in doing so helped Carl Wilson Save the Best for Last. Buy the CD, sit back and ENJOY!

  • Great CD
    author: Karen Wynn

    This is a great CD, the song Run Don't Walk is fantastic, and Gerry Beckley, my absolute favorite of the three, really delivers, his vocals are beautiful and in top form as usual. This is a great listen to anywhere CD, you will really enjoy it.

  • Rare gem is a reminder that spirit & talent remains in '70's pop music makers
    author: Dan Gordon

    So good to hear Carl Wilson's soulful vocals again, and (So Tough)to realize he's gone. If you liked the albums "Holland", "Beach Boy's Live" from that time, and "Carl and the Passions" (So Tough), you'll love this cd from Chicago's Lamm, and America's Beckley. Phil Gladston makes a great writing partner for Carl on "Run Don't Walk" and the title tune, two of my favorites from this rare gem.

  • author: John from AmericaFan.com

    3 great artists come together and create a masterpiece. If you are a fan of the 70s, 80s or 90s poprock seen, then you will love what these guys have put together. The entire cd is composed of some of the best listening music that has been recorded in a long time.

  • If you don't own a copy yet there's but one question. Why not?
    author: Lee Marshall/ReggaePlus Radio 1

    Always a Beach Boys fan from the summer of '63 til now I wanted this album badly. Carl Wilson's voice was always entirely special to me and to have the chance to hear more was something that I HAD to take advantage of. To bonus the album with memories of America and Chicago only made the listen all the more compelling. My only regret is that there'll be no more because these 3 guys 'worked' SO well together. I'm the Johnny-come-lately around here...still...If YOU don't own a copy yet...there's but one question. Why not?

  • CD is GREAT!!!!
    author: Robert

    I love it. Carl Wilson's best work.

  • Buy it....you won't be disappointed
    author: Peter

    The individual talent of Gerry, Robert and Carl combine to flood the listener with beautiful music, touching lyrics and strong vocals. This is a great CD that will bring you enjoyment everytime you listen to it.......which will be often.

  • Very Enjoyable CD
    author: Andrew

    A very good CD, with some superb vocals from Carl Wilson in particular. It has encouraged me to seek out music from America and Chicago. The song "Like a Brother" is a particular favourite.

  • well worth checking out if you are a fan of these guys
    author: Steven

    If you are a fan of the bands these guys come from, you will enjoy this effort. Carl Wilson's vocals are featured on many of the songs, and he is great. The songwriting is good, with only a couple of below par songs included. For that, and for the electronic drums, I take back a star. It is evident the three of them enjoyed making music together. This CD is well worth checking out.

  • Enduring Voices and Genuine Lyrics
    author: Thaddeus

    Pour a glass of your favorite libation, relax and enjoy this truly wonderful c/d from some of the finest voices of West Coast Rock and Pop. A 'must have' for any child of the 60's.

  • beautiful lyrics, amazing vocals, just agreat CD!
    author: carol

    Beautiful music, heartfelt lyrics, amazing vocals, each with his own unique style that blends together in perfect harmony. Like a Brother is just a great CD that you will want to listen to again and again, no skip over songs here, the 3 added tracks just adds to the perfection of this CD. Highly recomended, you will be very pleased with your purchase, just sit back, listen and ENJOY!

  • Spiritual, Heartwarming & Captivating
    author: Robin

    Beckley, Lamm Wilson's Like A Brother CD is enriched with some of the most beautiful songs driven by a brotherly love that these 3 incredible men share. They each bring their own unique style and flavor to the table creating beyond the surface of emotions while delving into a deeper meaning of life. As the lead vocals are traded off between Robert Lamm, Gerry Beckley and Carl Wilson, the listener gets a taste of each musicians viewpoint as they share their very touching and very real stories through their songwriting. Every song is beautiful, touching and captivates your heart. I highly recommend it!

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