Brian Wilson Returns to Capitol Music Group; Currently Recording and Self-Producing New Solo Studio Album
June 06, 2013
Beach Boys Legend Has Been Joined In the Studio by Jeff Beck and Others

Hollywood, California – June 6, 2013 – Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson has returned to Capitol Music Group and he is currently recording and self-producing his 11th solo studio album at Hollywood’s Ocean Way Studios. Wilson has been joined in the studio by talented friends he personally invited to record with him, including guitar icon Jeff Beck.

Wilson has also asked his former Beach Boys bandmates Al Jardine and David Marks to join him in the studio, as well as session all-stars Don Was and Jim Keltner. He has brought in Vinnie Colaiuta and Tal Wilkenfeld, who for several years have toured and recorded as Jeff Beck’s rhythm section, and members of Wilson’s longtime touring band, including Jeffrey Foskett, Scott Bennett, Paul Mertens, Darian Sahanaja, and Probyn Gregory, have also participated in the sessions.

Last year’s Beach Boys 50th anniversary reunion made headlines around the world as one of the year’s top entertainment stories. The iconic band released their 29th studio album, That’s Why God Made The Radio, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 (the group’s best-ever album chart bow), and embarked on their 50th Anniversary Tour, the band’s first major outing to include Wilson in more than two decades. The sold-out trek took Wilson and his former bandmates The Beach Boys to more than 70 cities around the world, including their first concert at the Hollywood Bowl since 1965, headlining performances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, and tour-closing concerts at London’s O2 Arena and Royal Albert Hall.

Wilson continued to write new songs throughout The Beach Boys’ whirlwind anniversary year, which also included a GRAMMY® Award win for him for The Beach Boys’ long-awaited SMiLE Sessions release. He told family, friends, and journalists around the world that he had a rock & roll-driven album in mind, and he looked forward to returning to the studio when he got back home to California.

“I was really moved by the fans’ excitement about The Beach Boys’ album and tour last year,” says Wilson. “It charged me up and my head was full of music - I just couldn’t wait to get back into the studio to let it out.”

With rock & roll in mind, Wilson looked to Jeff Beck, a guitar virtuoso named one of the top five players of all time by Rolling Stone and a friend whose music has meant a lot to him over the years. Wilson says, “When I watched Jeff Beck perform ‘Surf’s Up’ to honor me at the MusiCares Person of the Year event in 2005, I knew I had to find a way to work with him. He absolutely blew my mind and we’ve been friends ever since. Jeff’s incredible guitar playing is exactly what I want for my new album and I’m also looking forward to performing live with him soon.”

Installed at Ocean Way, Wilson and his hand-picked band of friends have taken a fluid, woodshedding approach to the recording process, letting collaborative creativity drive the sessions. Wilson is working with longtime collaborator Joe Thomas to hone the arrangements, often assembling pieces from various takes. Details about the album and its release will be shared soon.

Wilson is pleased to once again be working with his team at Capitol Music Group. “My long relationship with Capitol and the people there means a lot to me,” he says. “I’m very happy, because the label has grown a lot and I’m working with a great group of people who have welcomed me back to Capitol with good ears and open arms.”

Capitol Music Group chairman and CEO Steve Barnett says, "Brian Wilson is simply one of the most important figures in the history of popular music, and he continues to have a far-reaching and influential impact on our culture. His contributions to the legacy of Capitol Records are immeasurable, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that he is once again part of the Capitol family and that he is already employing his enormous musical powers to create new music. What a pleasure for me to say, 'Welcome back, Brian'."

Installed at Ocean Way, Wilson and his hand-picked band of friends have taken a fluid, woodshedding approach to the recording process, letting collaborative creativity drive the sessions. Wilson is working with longtime collaborator Joe Thomas to hone the arrangements, often assembling pieces from various takes.

Wilson has also asked his former Beach Boys bandmates Al Jardine and David Marks to join him in the studio,

That's a nice middle finger to Cousin Mike.

I don't think that Mike cares.

Brian Wilson working with Lana Del Rey and Frank Ocean on new album

Brian Wilson is working on a new album which will reportedly include contributions from Lana Del Rey and Frank Ocean.

The former Beach Boys frontman is currently recording his next studio effort and Rolling Stone, via Pitchfork, reports that he has recruited an A-list group of collaborators, with Zooey Deschanel and country singer Kacey Musgraves also said to be involved.

"This project blows my mind," Wilson is quoted as saying. "I had no idea we could pull this off!" Ocean is believed to appear on a song titled 'Special Love', while Del Rey track 'Last Song' is described as "haunting". Meanwhile, Deschanel's 'On The Island' is a "space-age bossa nova" and country singer Musgraves song is titled 'Sharing A New Day.'

However, early reaction to the record from within Wilson's fan base has been less positive, to the extent that Wilson has responded and spoken directly to fans via Facebook.

Posting on his official account, Wilson wrote: "To my fans: it kind of bums me out to see some of the negativity here about the album I’ve been working so hard on. In my life in music, I’ve been told too many times not to fuck with the formula, but as an artist it’s my job to do that – and I think I’ve earned that right.

"I’m really proud of these new songs and to hear these great artists sing on them just blows me away. I love what we’ve done. I would think that after making music for more than 50 years, my fans would understand that I’ll always do what’s in my heart – and I think that’s why you are my fans. So let’s just wait until the album comes out because I think you just might dig it as much as I do."

Wilson previously disclosed that he has also been working with Joe Thomas, with Jeff Beck and former Beach Boys bandmates Al Jardine, David Marks and Blondie Chaplin on the album, which currently has no release date.

To my fans: it kind of bums me out to see some of the negativity here about the album I’ve been working so hard on. In my life in music, I’ve been told too many times not to fuck with the formula, but as an artist it’s my job to do that – and I think I’ve earned that right.

I’m really proud of these new songs and to hear these great artists sing on them just blows me away. I love what we’ve done.

I would think that after making music for more than fifty years, my fans would understand that I’ll always do what’s in my heart – and I think that’s why you are my fans. So let’s just wait until the album comes out because I think you just might dig it as much as I do.

Love and Mercy, Brian

I think the title should be FUML.

Brian Wilson, Jeff Beck, and Tal Wilkenfeld! Wow!!

It should, but he'd never do that. Even while acknowledging Mike as being an ass, Brian is still protective of him.