Pacific Ocean Blue

 

I have to admit that I have been a fan of the Beach Boys and I like many of their 60's pop songs with their great harmonies but I don't own more than a best-of compilation. But I love Dennis Wilson's first and only solo album Pacific Ocean Blue. Dennis was the only one in the band that could be called as a real surfer and therefore it is consequent that he died by diving in the harbor in California. He was the drummer when the Beach Boys played live and his life was anything but straightforward. Haunted by demons he joined Manson's family and his life was full of drug abuses. In 1977 he released his album where he played most of the instruments. I think it was his only and last chance to get back into 'normal' life. And he made a masterpiece. Filled with great songs about love, loss and sometimes the chance of a brighter future it seems like a sentimental one. And yes, it is sentimental and has a somber tone but it is true and an album I return constantly.

Dennis Wilson - Dreamer

Dennis Wilson - River Song

Dennis Wilson - Farewell My Friend

Dennis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blues

Gone, But Not Forgotten # 2

DennisWilson is mostly known as a founding member and drummer of The Beach Boys. What's seldom known is that he was the only regular surfer in the band. You can read his whole biography here. What ever had been attributed to The Beach Boys lifestyle - Dennis had lived it in all facets. What was also known, was his contact/friendship to Charles Manson and his Family and his support to him to sing his songs. However, the intention to write a few words about Dennis Wilson was his album from 1977 'Pacific Ocean Blue'.

The bandwidth on this record is really enormous, ranging from gospel influenced rock (River Song) on soft , electric piano  dominated (and depressing) ballads to funky tracks ( Pacific Ocean Blue). The Beach Boys squint course, everywhere around the corners which is noticeable especially in the sophisticated vocal arrangements. This record is like a diary created and realized over seven years. It's filled up with sequences of his life. There you encounter narcotic landscapes on "Moonshine"and "Dreamer", the fascination of the elements on "River Song" and  "Pacific Ocean Blue", experiments in releasing on "Farewell My Friend", "Time " and " End Of the Show") and also the search for love and the suffering it (" Thoughts of You "," Rainbows "," You And I ").

Overall, all these shots are a fantastic look back at the work of a guy of his own life is not always easily designed . These record convey emotions and moods so do not fit to a Beach Boy, but personally have a magical attraction for me: Here an artist painted on a very large canvas.

Dennis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson - Farewell My Friend
Dennis Wilson - End Of The Show
Dennis Wilson - River Song
Dennis Wilson - Moonshine

The Dark Valley

Got an infection last weekend so I spent my days at home and found the time to read some novels. During the reading I have been dragged more and onto the story, so that I could not put aside the book any more. What begins as a simple home history in the Austrian mountains ends with the revenge and atonement of long past crime. The author combines the best of describing the people living in the valley with a very big touch of Sergio Leone. It remains a lot to Django coming in a small town towing his coffin behind him.

If you ever get the chance to read this in English - grab the book. It's worth reading. 

Dennis Wilson - Farewell my friend