Ernesto De Pascale intervista Brian Wilson


Ernesto De Pascale: Brian, It looks like European audience is very big feeling, very affectionate for your music

Brian Wilson: Well, the Europeans like my music more then the Americans do because they like art more, they are more sensitive to arts then the Americans


EDP: It looks like the Europeans see you in the shape of a great composer, of any kind. Which have been your main influences in composing ?
BW: Chuck Berry, Phil Spector, Fats Domino and Paul Mc.Cartney. They taught me how to make music


EDP: In the concert you play a Phil Spector’s song as well
BW: Yes, called “And then I kissed her”


EDP: It was by The Crystals. Did Phil Spector help you in your career, in the producing…
BW: He taught me how to produce records


EDP: Along your long career you had great lyricists who worked with you
BW: Tony Asher, Mike Love , Van Dyke Parks


EDP: There must be a special relation to each of them to get the right songs…
BW. we had great working relationships to each other, yeah


EDP: while you compose it looks like you prefer to be focused on compositions when you are alone…
BW: I keep doing it and doing it….


EDP: is it a long process or it comes naturally?
BW: it comes naturally but it’s a long long process, a very long process


EDP: Are you actually composing? Even in the last few months?
BW: I’ve been composing, I’ve written some song, yes


EDP: you have a Christmas album out…
BW: We finished last month, a couple of months ago. We will release it in October


EDP: It has original compositions as well as traditional…
BW: yes, eight traditional, two Brain Wilson’s and two Beach Boys’


EDP: Wow, fantastic. So you will be back on time to have it played on the radio for Christmas time…
BW: Yes


EDP: A Christmas album is unusual lately but it was typical many years ago
BW: yes, many years ago


EDP: in the shade of Phil Spector’s Christmas albums as well…
BW: Yes, I listen to them a few times


EDP : This band is special. Ten people on the stage, big sound…
BW: you mean “the wall of sound” ?


EDP: Yes, the “Wall of Sound”
BW: Yes, that’s what Phil Spector did. His music has the “Wall of sound”


EDP: You want to create a big sound on stage…
BW: he did that, yes he did


EDP: And your band has that big sound as well…
BW: We don’t have a big sound, we have a good sound


EDP: Is it beautiful to sing when you have eight other singers around you?
BW: It is easier because they back me like angels


EDP: What would be your advice to younger generation when they approach music, when they listen to Brian Wilson ?
BW: It is to make sure you finish up where he starts!


EDP: you composed great songs but you have outstanding albums, like Pet Sounds and finally Smile . Which is the biggest difference between Pet Sounds and Smile ?
BW: Well, Pet Sound is a little bit like an emotional experience, Smile is like a happy, joking experience


EDP: In the Smile album you have these characters, like “Heroes and villains”. It looks back like to the ancient roman time, and you are going to play in a fantastic place, it looks like the Colosseo…
BW: It does look like it?? Well, I can’t wait to see it !


EDP: Do you like cinematic characters in songs?
BW: Yes, yes I do


EDP: Do you think in terms of images ?
BW: Yes, images come to my mind when I sing songs


EDP: What are you going to do in the next months ? You have been very active…
BW: I’m going to have two or three weeks off, then I’m going to do an American domestic tour which should be fantastic, and I’m looking forward to it


EDP: I thank you very much and I hope for you to have a great evening
BW: yes, thank you very much. Your name is what?


EDP: Ernesto
BW: Ernesto, it was a pleasure working with you

Ernesto De Pascale, Roma 22/07/05
Trascrizione di Giulia Nuti