Search - Cameron Michael Parkes :: Tribute to Brian Wilson

Won Won Wonderful Interpretations

John Lonergan | Melbourne, Victoria Australia | 01/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD almost transcends its own genre. As well as being a superb tribute, it is a brilliant work in its own right. Should I have heard of Parkes before now? Not sure...but I'm delighted to have come across him and this album.

As you can see, the track selection is eclectic, and includes - perhaps comprises - a number of obscure BW compositions. For fans, this is a rare treat - meaningful, intelligent interpretations (not copies)of the great man's music. It is like slipping into a comfortable old pair of shoes - familiar, yet still very soothing.

For me, the undoubted highlight is "Day in the Life of a Tree" - Parkes beings a new life to a quirky/brilliant Wilson composition.

I also loved both versions of Vegetables, and I'm glad the slower version didn't end up on the cutting room floor.

Fans will be delighted at the way Parkes slips snippets and riffs from one song into another - one example is the closing chorus of "Gonna Hustle You," where he sldes in "the new girl in school."

Indeed, there is more than a slight Jan & Dean sound to some of the tracks - see the album notes for expanation.

For those less acquainted with BW's music, the album will be something of a surprise - not a "Fun Fun Fun" or "Help Me Rhonda" in sight - just 21 tracks of beautifully arranged joy.

The liner notes are a real bonus - both the introduction by Parkes, and his track-by-track guide. (Though, to be picky, doesn't Dean Torrence on Barbara Ann count as a non-member lead vocal?)

And finally, of course, a typically succinct endorsement from the man himself.

Thank you Cameron Michael Parkes."

One of the best tribute cd's ever

G. Mariner | philadelphia | 01/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"after listening to this cd numerous times i think this was a labor of love for cameron michael parkes.in my opinion most of the tribute cd's i have heard are actually trashings of great songs.i.e. the kinks tributes.mr.parkes avoids the usual collection of hits and gets into some of brian and the beach boys best and most obscure songs.all done with reverance to the original recordings.i must add this cd is for the most devoted brian wilson/beach boys fan.sad to say it may be wasted on the casual listener."

Interesting For The Major Fan Only

Michael Trzciensky | Wallingford Ct | 01/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well this is a fascinating find to say the very least. Varese Sarabande has issued this cd and it is afan's dream come true for several reasons. The first and foremost amongst these is that of the 21 featured tracks, only one "Almost Summer" made the Billboard Hot 100. This song was not even credited to the Beach Boys but to Celebration featuring Mike Love and is reasonably hard to find. This song peaked at #28 on the charts, and this seems to point that Cameron Michael Parkes is not only a hardcore Beach Boys fan, but one that seems to have obtained access to some of the band's more obscure recordings. Some of the songs that "Number 1", "The Spirit Of Rock And Roll" and "She Rides With Me" I have heard much about but have never heard and for me this was enough to buy the disc. As for the performance, it is good, but nothing overly exceptional. This is definately a set designed for the die-hard Beach Boys fan, and they will most likely like it, but also wish they had the originals of the rarer songs."