Search - Various Artists :: Making God Smile: An Artists' Tribute to the Songs of Beach Boy Brian Wilson

Best Beach Boys Tribute

Todd Blanton | Portland, OR USA | 08/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am not a fan of tributes. Too often, the album is nothing more than an attempt to piggyback on an established artist's fame and sell a record company's own artists in the process. In addition, they so often fall flat as either mediocre attempts to duplicate the originals OR musically so out of kilter as to be disrespectful to the originals. This tribute avoids both extremes.This is stunning record, often bettering Brian Wilson's originals. For example, the shiny power-pop rendition of "I Know There's An Answer" from Pet Sounds, melding the unused "Hang On To Your Ego" lyrics, is absolutely joyous. Aaron Sprinkle -- practically a one-man producer/band, nails the song, making it contemporary and yet still respectful to the original.And this is how it goes throughout the 17 tracks included here. Phil Keaggy absolutely nails "Good Vibrations", and while it doesn't veer from the original formula, he meets the challenge of a daunting song well. Kate Campbell does a beautiful folk-country rendition of "Add Some Music To Your Day." And while there's not a single surfing song here, there's much from Pet Sounds and the late 60's/early 70's Beach Boys records, as well as covers of three songs from Brian Wilson's solo records, and frankly, these versions -- by folkie Tom Prasada-Rao ("Your Imagination"), Christian music's Randy Stonehill ("Love and Mercy"), and folk-pop singer-songwriter Jane Kelly Williams ("Lay Down Burden") -- are (dare I say it??) superior to Wilson's own renditions. And I must say that D.C. Talk's Kevin Max (in arguably the most creative interpretation) brings U2 to "Help Me Rhonda!" Can you imagine? No, you can't, but believe me, it works.The producers even toss in a campy version of the silly "Vegetables" from the aborted "Smile" album for hard-core fans (though that's one I generally skip over). From power-pop to folk-pop there's a beautiful consistency to this record.Bottom line: If you are a purist who cannot abide the Beach Boy originals being tampered with, go buy Beach Boys Classics because you won't be able to tolerate this record or any tribute for that matter. But if you want to hear a contemporary album that demontrates the continuing vitality of these songs in a new era, get this record. You'll be glad you did. The packaging, the 24 page color booklet with loving tributes to Brian Wilson by the artists, and the beautiful cover (inspired, of course, by the original Smile cover), are icing on the cake. This is my pick for the album of the Summer of 2002!"

I Love It, but...

09/06/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Admission: I am a DIE HARD Brian Wilson fan, and I love the concept of this album. That said, I'm not particularly crazy about most of it. For me, the absolute highlight is "Your Imagination" (5 stars); it's very creative and brings a different/fresh light to a great tune. Although I'm not as crazy about it, "Help Me, Rhonda" also sheds new light on a great tune - I give him creativity points. Unfortunately, for me, the rest of the tunes are nicely done re-makes, with little to add. Granted, the original versions of these songs were so well produced, it's hard to find new things to say. If you like these artists and you would like to hear their voices singing Brian's tunes, you will love this. If you are expecting imaginative takes on his tunes, you will be largely disappointed. I personally think this would have made a better single-CD set. 'Don't mean to be sour (I'm not), 'just want you to know what you're getting."

RIsky Project Gets it Right

William T. Faris | Coto de Caza, Ca United States | 01/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A project like Making God Smile wherein a wide variety of artists undertake covers of an outstanding artist's material is risky. There is plenty of room for people taking something we are used to hearing a certain way and butchering it in the name of noveau creativity. Happily, Making God Smile does just the opposite. What you have in this collection is a fresh take on a wonderful (and sometimes surprising) collection of Brian Wilson tunes -- both solo and Beach Boy era stuff. Some is fairly close to the original prototype, such as Phil Keaggy's take on "Good Vibrations" while others have taken tremendous liberities with the material (for example, a "Help Me, Rhonda" that swells with angst underneath a slightly techno sound). There is a straight-ahead country/folk reading of "Put Some Music in Your Day" and a fun version of "My Favorite Vegetables" by the former frontman for Daniel Amos. But the real stunner that (in my humble opinion) actually outdoes the original is Rick Altizer's take on "Surf's Up" that updates the sound of the classic version on SMiLE nicely while speeding up just a tad so as to make it even more compelling.



If you are a Brian / Beach Boys fan, you will want a copy of MGS for your collection. It gives respect to the original artist in the best kind of way and will cause you to hear familiar favorites and a few lesser-known gems in a whole new way."