Given your stated interest in/preference for "off the beaten path" works to listen to, should I now compile a list of all the "off the beaten path" works I know that might be considered "rock", and then try to prioritise them (according to my own tastes and/or sense of "what you might find interesting to analyse") before pasting the top five into a comment saying "please try any/all of these"...? ... Or should I just keep shouting "LISTEN TO 'TELEGRAPH ROAD' BY DIRE STRAITS!!!!" until either (1) I think of something I'd much rather hear you analyse, and/or (2) you surrender? =:o}
I'd love to hear your opinion on "The Violation" by Fleshgod Apocalypse, As its a impressive combination of classical and heavier music that you will appreciate:)
Thank you for this absolutely wonderful analysis. The Beach Boys music tends to be so pleasant and well performed that no one notices the creativity and originality of Brian Wilson and the band. This song is a perfect example. Brian Wilson is a fascinating artist. He is so insanely gifted musically, as a composer and arranger, and vocalist, and yet he has faced some unbelievable challenges in his personal life. For a great lesson on the important parts of his life check out the movie Love and Mercy that captures well some of his many challenges.
I've watched MANY reactions from composers/music theorists. Most simply assume we have degrees in music theory and understand what they're talking about when they react to a song. This is best explanation of key modulation and how to know it when you hear I've seen yet. Thank you for being so informative and keep up the great work.
If people are interested enough to watch a video about the nuts and bolts of music I hope they try to take up an instrument like guitar for example and learn at least the basics. The learning process is fun and everybody can learn to play and understand the music they love and grew up listening to. It never gets too complicated to the point where one is scratching their heads like in a physics class for example. Learning an instrument and then playing the songs they loved is just joyful and fun. Also when you have gotten some skills down you soon recognise these in all kinds of music you hear everyday.
Thank you for what you do! Please be aware that criticism comes along with being in the public eye. Just keep being you, and you will be fine. I so love the joy you are sharing with all of us.
A very important point. SoMe hygiene is important, and a public person needs a thick skin as it is only a matter of time before people will treat you as a symbol rather than a beholder of feelings.
I have heard a lot of rock fans talk about how original the Beach Boys arrangements were for rock music. But I am amazed that the chord changes on this song are unusual, even for classical music! Thank you for your insight!
Helene here. Just wanted to congratulate you on passing the milestone of 20,000 subs…in RECORD-breaking time! You are fulfilling a need and satisfying a hunger we didn’t even know we had!! Thank you!
If you like choral music The Beach Boys are a pretty great band in popular music for that sort of taste. They are known for their harmonies. Brian also played a part in a "pop" genre that was labelled retrospectively as Baroque Pop. He was using a harp in some early surf rock compositions and provided an early introduction of the harpsichord into pop music when he used it in an early single "When I Grow Up To Be A Man". The later album Pet Sounds is probably the best example of "baroque pop" you could hear. The Beach Boys did do acapella tracks (I'd recommend a song called "Our Prayer" for an example) but also with reissued archival releases you can listen to a lot of songs without instrumentation or without lead vocals (where it's just harmonies and instrumentals). Brian did a few delightful waltzes too like "Time to Get Alone" and "Friends". They also have historically significant and influential tracks like "I Get Around" and "Good Vibrations" that warrant review (they are still technically playing and touring minus a number of members almost 62 years since they began). Brian Wilson (who seems to have retired recently) is a big fan of Bach and it certainly shows in some of their music. The experimental (and originally unreleased) Smile has very interesting instrumentals and harmonies and Brian and the Beach Boys' work is an inspiration for genres like "Chamber Pop". Thanks for the excellent analysis , I hope you review more of the interesting work of the Beach Boys in future.
I love Pet Sounds. The tracks are unique in that Brian blended different sounds together which made new sounds that had never been used before. He was superior to Phil Spector in composition and as a producer even though Brian would never accept that as a statement but it is certainly true.
@@dunki-dunki-dawg Brian is certainly superior to Phil as a songwriter and producer (and human being). Many don't hear his work post Good Vibrations but there is excellent work in The Smile Sessions, Friends, Sunflower , Love You and his first solo album (and a bunch of bootlegs and archival releases) that needs to be heard more.
Helene here. OK…so much to say here. First of all, THANK YOU, Amy, for acknowledging that elephant in the room and addressing it directly. I am very much reassured. And I am excited by your future deep dive into rock history. Just FYI….There is an excellent documentary on The Wrecking Crew….that group of studio session musicians who were on thousands of albums….including many of those of The Beach Boys…..and there are also other documentaries that will prove valuable to you in any study of the history of rock. If you would like suggestions……….😁 You mentioned loving a cappella singing, such as The King Singers. Two top groups of that genre (if you are not already familiar) are Pentatonix (try their cover of Sound of Silence or Hallelujah) and Home Free (their cover of the old folk song Man of Constant Sorrow is superb). These are not suggestions for reaction…..but as one music lover to another. Finally….you mentioned loving the close harmonies. In the 60’s, especially, there were folk rock groups that were known for their beautiful harmonies. One was The Mamas and The Papas…..another was The Byrds. Into the 70’s, The Eagles had sublime harmonies. And joining the 60’s and 70’s is the group who were most noted for their glorious close harmonic singing………Crosby, Stills and Nash…(and sometimes with the addition of Young……CSN and CSNY). Sublime harmonies…. I’m mentioning these, as I said, not for reaction…..but to let you know that there are groups out there who match up well with what you have said you love… Thank you again for all the work you put into your reviews! I’m loving tagging along on your journey!
Since you want questions *only*, I'll phrase my comment accordingly: Do you realize that SO MANY of your viewers SORELY lack imagination and can't possibly begin to understand why you would choose this absolutely genius deep cut by the Beach Boys, instead of their over-played hits? Do you know that Vlad is correct and that your channel is incredibly unique and interesting?
You should run your channel the way you see fit. If it leads to a loss of viewers or subscribers, so be it. Be true to yourself. I may not agree with everything you choose to analyze, but I'll go along on the ride to see where it takes me. And if I'm not digging it, I'll let myself out without judging where you're coming from and where you're going.
Vlad you need Patreon for monthly income for channel support. pay to play will kill this channels integrity uniqueness and eventually the whole beautiful adventure.
This is a very beautiful and thoughtful analysis of a very spiritual song. I really enjoyed the part at the end on how the music enhances the message. This song is noted for the modulations but not often on how it relates to "the whole world" and seeing love all around. The interpretation of the second verse is so interesting to me, I've never thought of it like that
Appreciated your introduction to this. So great that you did this amazing song! Brian could fit more changes into a two-minute song than most people can in ten minutes! The entire SUNFLOWER album by The Beach Boys is fabulous, including "Add Some Music to Your Day." for a more recent Brian Wilson composition unlike anything any other group or individual is doing, try the amazing "From There to Back Again." If you enjoy songs with unusual (but amazing) structure like "This Whole World," you must listen to The Turtles' "You Know What I Mean," written by Bonner and Gordon. It's a singular song that never repeats itself as it builds and builds. I think it's one of the greatest pop songs of its era, but nobody seems to note how complex it really is.
totally agree. I actually like Sunflower the most of all their albums. They had a solid run from Wild Honey till Surfs up. I also like next two also, and for later work Beach Boys Love You is also kind of awesome. I will check the song you mention, I don't know that I heard of that.
The Beach Boys 1966 released album "Pet Sounds" is often cited as one of the greatest LPs in pop/rock history. The Beatles regarded it as a masterpiece and it spurred them on to greater heights. Hope you get the chance one day, Amy to hear at least some of it.
It goes both ways: "Rubber Soul" by The Beatles upped the ante for Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys to produce something on a larger scale of composition and arrangements, which then led to "Pet Sounds". So, it was a bit of "creativity ping-pong".
6:11 Brian May (Queen's guitarist) builds up his own electric guitar orchestra, using an echo effect. You can hear it in his live solos in Queen concerts, usually called "Guitar Solo". About the balance between the Beach Boys' voices and instruments: this is because Brian Wilson is the mastermind who arranges everything. Whereas with other Rock bands, the arrangements have usually come into existence by just jamming, or with input from the whole band. All of the greatest Beach Boys songs have this kind of balanced, 'classical' if you will, arrangement, as well as sophisticated chords. You would note the same characteristics in God Only Knows - but then serving a much more beautiful melody.
Indeed, although that’s only one of the different ways in which Brian builds up “orchestral guitar” textures; for studio recordings he also can play different divergent lines with different guitar tones (like in Good Company for instance), or harmonize with himself in unison (Killer Queen for instance combines this two I just mentioned).
I totally agree about how smooth these rapid modulations are. My first impression was that this is a nice and light song. Happy and easy on the ears. And then when I listened again, I noticed how many and rapid these modulations are. And still, it's so easy on the ear. That's kind of what's interesting about the song. I hope you listen to more songs by The Beach Boys because Wilson has songs that have more substance. Some are well known others not so well.
Hi Anna! I enjoyed reading your reply to my comment yesterday. When I came back to it now for some reason it won’t show on the screen, so I’m responding to you here. I wanted to get back with some interesting info that might brighten your day, and also some info for Amy. Two small points: 1) I am a subscriber to “The Wyldeside with Eric Clark” reactions. He has been a “rock” DJ in Nashville, Tennessee, for more than 30 years. On February 7 he posted a video “Old Rock Radio DJ reacts to ‘Wilson Pickett & The Birth of Southern Rock’ ”. He states: “Today we take a little trip ... A trip back in time to the source of what became Southern Rock in the US. Where did Southern Rock start? Who started it? Today, I give a little history lesson”. The runtime is 19 min. 25 sec. He is extremely knowledgeable about the history and I found his analysis fascinating. He expressly discusses the question: “Did the 1970’s sound come from the 1950’s?” (at 2 min. 30 sec. ff.). If you are going to argue the extent to which “rock” began as far back as the 1950’s, then this video is for you. The link is: th-cam.com/video/vS8AmLXOtD4/w-d-xo.html. 2) More importantly, for Amy & Vlad, I am on both Eric’s TH-cam and Insta accounts, and he seems to be a really nice guy, always looking to help everyone around him achieve success. Of course both Amy and Eric are in Nashville (Amy teaches at the Harp School which is located in Burns, Tennessee, on the west side of Nashville), so right in the same vicinity. I do not KNOW if Eric IS the “rock historian” that Amy is referring to in her video, but certainly it would make sense. Even if not, I’m sure Eric would be happy to help with information to Amy if he were ever contacted (and subscribed to! HA HA!). Thanks for writing and have a great day !!
@@TedinCalgary1952 I did find many things you mentioned strange and unclear. But I decided at the end to remove the reply as it was long (you have maybe not read the last version). I was constantly adding to it. And I decided I had probably misunderstood what you were saying, so it was also pointless.😄
You should make your own music composition tutorials on Patreon or something because this is one of the best explanations of key change I’ve ever seen. Wish I saw something like this earlier in life it would of helped immensely.
And I wondered if you noticed all the off-path chords during the first listen! Thank you for this explanation of modulation. I like that you are now tackling actual rock, not just symphonic adaptations. Lots to listen to here, and can't wait for you to get to the icons.
I never heard this before, but really glad I did! It's certainly a beautiful representation of Brian Wilsons highly developed compositions. Personally I think you may find out that the most loved examples of artists work, end up being that way for a reason. This is an exception to that rule I think, as it's a fascinating and beautiful listen. It came to light a few years ago that one group of musicians played the instrumental side on a lot of popular American music in the late 60's stretching through to early 70's . The Beach Boys were no exception. The session musicians were a highly paid collection of mainly jazz musicians.
I've wondered why I love this song so much; it's my favorite song on Sunflower and one of my favorite BB songs of all. Brian's lyrics are always very simple and direct, not like the Carl Wilson, VDP, Jack Reilly or even Carl Wilson songs. Maybe this analysis explains much of why I enjoy it so much. I love the ohm's, especially near the end where the song appears to come to a peak. I'm in love with the intro. The lyrics are sugary sweet, they really could've been anything and I would've loved this. But the subject matter is definitely appealing. Thank you for the analysis of the music in the song. That was really really enjoyable. It's a shame that you took time to address criticism as such a kind, sweet person should be appreciated for her knowledge she's sharing and not treated with cynicism.
Props to Vlad! I appreciate the thoughtful journey! Taking your time will only make your reaction and understanding better!!!! Great analysis of the masterful key changes!
As someone historically pretty averse to hard rock, but fascinated with your mission, this unusual Beach Boys song with all its modulations served as a great music lesson for me. I might even go back and listen to your in-depth analyses of bands I normally bounce on the car radio - Led Zeppelin and Metallica.
Thanks Amy. That was an informative and fun journey through that song. I never thought about the different key modulations as representing travelling around the globe in 2 minutes. Cool.
Very clear analysis of a beautiful song. Be sure to check out more Beach Boys, this is a great place to start but with so many great Beach Boys songs out there this is only the tip of the iceberg.
One suggestion, the Smile album in its original 1967 version, called the Smile sessions, the album was shelved in1967 because of mainly record company pressure, bandmates resistance to far out music Brian's drug problems...this album is a masterpiece, you should definitely listen closely, it would be fantastic to have your as always brilliant thoughts on this one! Thanks for your time and efforts!
Your desire to hear electric guitars doing orchestral pieces is great. You should check out some of Robert Fripps's work. The long time leader of King Crimson, on one of his hiatuses from the band he became a college guitar instructor, which resulted in many permutations of bands of multiple guitarists--League of Crafty Guitarists, Robert Fripp & The Orchestra of Crafty Guitarists, California Guitar Trio (proteges) and The Robert Fripp String Quintet. You might think the orchestra would be what you were thinking of, but it is more amplified acoustics guitars, as is most of the trio. The other two incarnations, especially the quintet is more electric, but mixed with acoustic--basically the quintet merges the trio with Robert Fripp and Trey Gunn. But it does result in a rendition of J.S. Bach's Passacaglia C minor. Still might not be what you had in mind--with Fripp's trademark "frippertronics" the guitar sounds almost exactly like a harpsichord so there is not a lot of variation from the original. This is something more of an aside since I know you are concentrating now on iconic classic rock music--but you might want to check them out on down the road. Fripp plays rock, but his main influences were jazz and classical--big fan of Bartok. A lot of these guitar projects are majority instrumental with complex structures--not very rocky. But speaking of classical influences some of the pioneers of electric guitar using massive distortion, like Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, etc., were influenced by Stravinsky, Bartok and several others. There are several solo guitarists, for example, that take on "Flight of the Bumblebee"--Trans Siberian Orchestra for one.
Great video. That’s a lotta modulation. Some artists used key modulations often but most usually did one or none per song. The Beach Boys used some of the best studio musicians on their albums. Check out their al bum “Pet sounds” some day. Thanks for the musical analysis.
I definitely agree with taking more than one approach to the channel, with "special projects" etc. Maybe one stream for the paid requests and one stream for a pre-planned structured, historical evolution of "rock"? But could I ask, pleasy pleasy pleasy, could you advertise what is coming up a bit in advance, so we can plan what to watch? On considering the Beach Boys, they were typical of harmony-based musical ensembles popular in the 1960’s. Ideally we should compare them with similar groups at the time. The Billboard “Top 100 of 1969” list had the following groups with these hits: #2: the Fifth Dimension was “Age of Aquarius”; #10 and #12, Tommy James and the Shondells, with the beautiful chorus melodies “Crimson and Clover” & “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, and Three Dog Night held down the #11 spot with “One”. I would argue that really, what we call “rock” (as in Virgin “Rock”), is a REACTION AGAINST this kind of music, from the Beach Boys on down, as we trend from 1969 period to the 1970-71 period, with a shift to more guitar based music, based on, e.g., Hendrix, and even the Who, which you already reviewed, and with "heavy metal" being the ultimate antithesis. (Looking forward to hearing from your "rock historian"!).
😂I'm also wondering who the rock historian is going to be. Hope he's good and dodging projectiles. Maybe Amy and Vlad need to provide him with a bulletproof jacket, prior to setting foot into the weird and wonderful world of the comments section on these videos.
Really, I think you are ripe for Zappa. Peaches 'n regalia, Inca Roads, Uncle Remus, The Black Page (Why does it hurt when I pee?), RNDLZ, Music for guitar and low budget strings ... you'll get your electric orchestra. BTW I do like your analyses and your choices are funny. Some I find hm. But the Beach Boys are wonderful.
Very interesting, your analyses of the link between all this modulation and the idee of traveling all around the world. Nice. Oh ! And the Vivaldi piece by Alexandr Hrustevich is just amazing! waw ! Thanks for this link too. ^_^
Have you read The Confederacy of the Dunces by John Kennedy Toole?? It's one of my favourite books. Read it in spanish, my language, and english... Parafrasing it says "When a person of value appears in the world, you can notice it by the following sign... All the dunces confederate against HER!!
I think it's really wonderful you chose a lesser-known song from their catalogue- their later work is so overlooked yet is more complex than meets the eye! Brian Wilson actually studied classical musicians like Bach, and other composers like George Gershwin and Burt Bacharach were major influences in how he composed music, too. Thank you for the wonderful videos and analysis!
Great video! This song is a little Gem. I am not particularly a Beach Boys fan, I don't own any of their albums but I know their big hits. It's not rock music, it's pop, but it's pop of a specific kind, it is extremely geographically oriented, California, with a profound dating stamp, mid 60's to mid 70's. During this time California was the envy of the US, cheap living, celebrating freedom and laid back living styles, high income employments, perfect sunny weather and pacific ocean beaches. This genre of music generates from it, surfing music. There were scores of participants and The Beach Boys were King of them all. But this music did not remain contained in its area, enjoyed merely by locals who could relate to it, no it became a nation wide, world wide phenomenon. I was, at the time, in Europe, The Netherlands, where with communication efforts not what they are today, people had no idea of The Californian life style, yet Beach Boys songs were hits. Super happy, super easy listening music with a continued recurring lyrical theme, surfing, beaches and pretty girls, that's it, who needs more? Full and tight vocal harmonies were also a trademark of music from that era in other music genres as well, think The Mama's and Papa's and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. In addition to producing hit songs, a band like The Beach Boys also had to produce albums with 12 songs or so. Apparently (this was also a first listen for me) Brian Wilson took some musical creative liberties in writing the tunes to fill up an album and this is a very interesting one. And I enjoyed your breakdown of the song.
`This Whole World" comes from the `Sunflower` album in 1970. Though "Pet Sounds" is regarded as the groups apex, both `Sunflower` and the following (1971) `Surf's Up` are very highly regarde.
Hey - it's chill - it costs to run a channel : That said, you might like to try Jethro Tull, but I won't pay you. It features Ian Anderson, the best rock flautist. Aqualung, about homelessness is a masterpiece (but doesn't feature any flute). But there is plenty of other interesting pieces - Songs from the Wood, Locomotive Breath etc.
If Jethro Tull i would suggest Boureé. Might be nice to see how Amy reacts to a rock Band adapting a real classical piece. In the live version from "A little light Music" they even had another Bach piece implemented. Best Version ever.
People are too sensitive. I enjoy listening to your analysis of a variety of songs. I like the balance of rock music you are choosing and your knowledge of musicology. I feel like I am in school again re-learning music theory. (I have not played music for over 25 years, but I use to play clarinet, percussion, guitar, and keyboards.)
When I was making this musical journey in the opposite direction, there was a show on public radio called Adventures in Good Music, with Karl Haas. I believe that what you are setting out to do is very similar to that show. I was disappointed at first with the song choice, but I've come to realize that your channel is better off with you collectively in control of it. The reason for us this is that you Amy, like Karl Haas, are a great teacher. Vlad picking content with you turns out to be more interesting than letting this become only a parade of greatest hits.
there is another version of the song produced by brian for his wife and sister-in-law's band Spring (aka American Spring). it's not as good imo but i recommend it, it's fun and quite different
Brian Wilson is a true master of vocal harmony. There is an element where the guys in his band were related - blood harmony, they have been singing together all their lives, and maybe there is some genetic matching (for really great blood harmony worth listening to country act the Louvin Brothers though - harmonies so close whistling overtones pop out at times!) - but also due to Wilsons skillful arrangement. For me, as a writer for voices, he rivals Monteverdi. He also chooses unusual instrumentation at times and writes v.original and moving instrumental lines. This is definitely one of his lesser works though. I reccomend 'God Only Knows' 'Heroes and Villains' and 'Good Vibrations'....
There is a wonderful and remembered Leonard Bernstein's tv show explaining just like this the music of The Beach Boys and The Beatles, to an adult mostly conservative audience at late 60's. 👍
Yes, that program featured a fantastic live-in-the-studio clip of Brian performing the hauntingly lovely "Surf's Up" on piano long before it was released. Bernstein spoke very highly of it and I'd love to hear Amy's reaction to that one. She obviously gets Wilson's extraordinary gift for composition, which is harmonically complex yet still accessible.
@@billjourdan1683 It wasn’t Bernstein, but Leonard Bernstein did contribute some things to the documentary, it was actually the director and producer of the documentary ‘Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution’. The director’s name was David Oppenheim
As always loved your analysis. Look forward, when you eventually get to it, analysis of other Beach Boys songs. Love to hear your analysis of Good Vibrations, Surf’s Up and Heroes and Villains. Though there are many other of their songs that would be worthy of analysis those three I feel are the most ‘meaty’ of their repertoire
You've certainly covered a wide variety of music in your short time on here. In terms of hearing an electric guitar/orchestra, you could try (and there will be many who will mock me for this) a guitarist called Yngwie J. Malmsteen, a heavy metal guitarist who wrote a Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra, where his role of lead guitar takes the place of the lead violin. The whole live concert that he played with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra is available online, it's about 74 minutes long. It's pretty over the top - his main influences are Bach and Paganini, and he's never anything less than full-on. Speaking of Japan, there's a band there you might like to look into called Lovebites. It's an all-female heavy metal band, where one of the guitarists was a classical pianist who switched to guitar, but who still plays piano and keyboards for the band as well as the guitar. In some shows, she plays something classical as a prelude to a song, and they have one song called Swan Song where she plays some Chopin before the song, and the song itself has some classical influences within. You can find that here (some versions don't have the Chopin intro): th-cam.com/video/WBhtqgiXEA4/w-d-xo.html
Mentioning your enjoyment of vocal music, maybe down the line Van Canto could be an interesting band - they make acapella metal! (Though they do have drums, since that is something they can't do with their voices.)
The Beach Boys 5 CD set has some great backing tracks and acapella stuff including different takes on "This Whole World". First time I saw the Beach Boys Darryl Dragon was part of the band with Toni Tennille, Captain and Tennille
There is no doubt that Brian Wilson was experimenting with keys when this song was being put together. When more chord voices as tonal centres are being used it is very hard to find a theme running through them without sounding out of place or a bump jutting out however this song goes through many key changes or modulations and it is still so natural and beautiful throughout. I have always been fascinated by the use of key changes in how they can be used to set up a mood without being clunked over head with something heavy. The Beach Boys and The Beatles were truly great at this in examples like Penny Lane which has 7 key changes with the chorus a tone below the verses which is almost always the opposite was around.
This is brilliant content! I love what you’re doing with the channel. Don’t let the comments get to you if people are being cruel. Being yourself is what’s made me fall in love with other music TH-camrs like Adam Neely. Ps I’d love to see you have a listen to some of Tools discography. I can recommend Lateralus as a first start! ✌️❤️
“In Der Pelästra” by Sopor Aeturnus & The Ensemble of Shadows . . It’s a gothic style but VERY CLASSICAL in essence . I truly wish you give it a listen. You won’t regret it.
There's nothing wrong with being paid for your time. I'm here for your insight and expertise. Expertise comes from years of effort, and it's absolutely worth compensation.
There are so many colours and different ways you can utilise key changes or modulations in popular music. Most of the pop music restricts itself by only using it to go upwards in the final verses for say a power ballad such as a Whitney Houston song for example however, they can be used at anytime and anywhere in the song such as Penny Lane where we go from Bmaj for the verses down to Amaj for the choruses. This downward shift is unusual and it makes sense because it is about remembering Pauls childhood places to play and meet friends ect..Then we go back upwards (Amaj) which as Howard Goodall says ''greets us like a new day''. With 'This Whole World' I think Brian was thinking about and playing around with keys rather than allowing the song to come through his natural wonderful abilities. He succeeded for sure and it is a lovely song.
Amy there are quite a few mass band videos out there with hundreds of instruments going at once. There is also a clip I really enjoy by a group called Apocalyptica which is an instrumental metal band with cellos in the forefront. Then they invited electric guitarist Steve Vai to join in...and they played Kashmir which is a Led Zeppelin song. They are backed by a choir of both cellos and electric guitars of about 100 local musicians. It was at a festival. The delivery isn't clean and precise but as often happens with rock and roll...the energy is there, it's a fun collaboration, a great crowd, and all is forgiven if it's a little sloppy. Anyway this might give you an idea what it's like to hear a huge ensemble of electric guitars, this time with cellos. Its not a wildly creative guitar part, backing guitar only, more a rhythm guitar part than lead.
was reading your bio and I thought of a little factoid that might interest you being a harp player, In one of Brian's early classics, In My Room, there's a little harp embellishment that is generally considered a rare example of hearing a harp part in a pop song. It was played by a relative of Brian's as I recall
Trans Siberian Orchestra does some very nice Rock orchestrations on some classical pieces and may give you a sense of what a guitar orchestra may sound like. Enjoy
Chanting Om or Aum is a sacred practice that helps our mind and body to energize. Sound of Om is considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. It is called the first sound of the universe. According to the Hindu sculptures, Om connects all living beings to nature and the universe :-)
Thanks for covering this song. Never a hit, but a terrific Brian Wilson song from a great Beach Boys album. Waiting for you to do something on the Left Banke (Walk Away Renee, Pretty Ballerina, etc.)
I suggest checking out something by David Bowie. For example one of his last songs Blackstar. By the way, I listen to way more classical music than popular music these days, but I'll probably never stop listening to Bowie
I have an album by rock arranger and producer Jack Nitzsche from 1966 that blends modern instruments with the traditional in the performance of Chopin pieces, Chopin '66, The Modern Sounds of Jack Nitzsche.
I imagine TH-cam music copyright regulations negate any income for you. I am a fan of the Buy me a coffee platform though as it's easy for us to contribute and i believe that you get a reasonable percentage. Good luck to you. Appreciate your considered and learned reviews. It must be a daunting task taking on the whole genre - hence the curated standpoint. More Vlad to you! Regards from England.
You do a great job...dont let comments get in to your head...in the end the analysis is whats important to me...and cant wait for the analysis of king crimson starless.is it possible?
This was a technically interesting track from the point of view of musical structure BUT it was not characteristic of the sounds that made the Beach boys famous. I think this is what people (including myself) were getting at, it’s not a popular song! I enjoyed your analysis of the structure as I am learning more theory at the moment and modulation is next in line, I now have a good understanding about how modulation can be worked out and applied to a piece of music which I didn’t understand before!
My very good friend Dan Bennett used to adapt all sorts of pieces for the accordion, whilst he was still learning to play it! (Like me, he was a lover of musical contrast and contradictions). Bach on the accordion? "Easy." Ron Grainer & Delia Derbyshire on the accordion? "No problem. Well, except for getting the clearances to release it on my album..." (In the end, he created a fresh piece - "Creation" - to fill that spot in the running order. And *eventually* the MCPS said "No, sorry, that's not allowed", by which time his tape was already being duplicated *just* in time for the planned release date. =:o} *Ligetti* on the accordion? "Hmm..." [WORRIED FROWN] "This might take me a while...." =;o}
Amy, as a musician, I really enjoyed your "straying off the path" analogy. And, I very much appreciated your addressing our concerns about the obscurity of your choices thus far. A++! I greatly look forward to your upcoming new ventures. - John
Several modern (i.e, post-1960) composers have tried to create orchestral pieces that showcase the orchestral possibilities inherent in the electric guitar (either with our without added effects pedals). Alas, most have fallen flat, both in the popular consciousness and in musical academia. However, I think that this is more due to a lack of "gestation period" for the form/genre, rather than the form/genre being inherently flawed in itself. 20th century (let alone 21st century) modes of thought flit so swiftly from one way of looking at things to the next, that no particular way of looking at things gets enough time to marinate and mature in the minds of the thinkers/composers concerned. And so, some *really promising* art forms get abandoned well before they can bear anything that might capture the imagination/heart of the general human populace.
I had an electronic music keyboard that would play automatic rhythms and chords, and if you pushed a key it would change the automatic music to that key. As comedic as that is, it has a similar effect to how they modulate in this song.
I am glad you brought up the topic of selling song analysis, but I feel you are mischaracterizing those of us who oppose this song selection method. I, along with the others who object, haven't described this as a money making scheme (you also framed it this way on the Community tab 2 weeks ago which was unfair). I in fact have donated to and wished you financial success with the channel . I just feel very strongly that relying heavily on song analysis purchases is contrary to the vision you described for the channel, there are better ways to raise funds. This is no way to select songs representative of rock. I also dislike that you no longer identify the songs themselves as purchased analysis in the First Watch and announcement videos (Edit: I regret the original wording I used for this sentence, so I have changed it; I apologize). Again I ask, would you consider this a good way to introduce somebody to classical music? Also I am not "new" to this channel, I have been here from the start, which is why I feel so strongly about this, since it is contrary to the original vision you proclaimed for this channel. But it is certainly your channel and your choice, I am just very disappointed in what I thought this channel would be. Nevertheless, I respect your song analysis abilities and I will continue to watch for that reason. I will just now treat it as any other music analysis channel I watch, no longer seeing it as a special one that stands apart from the others.
Amy, Vlad, and everyone else, I know by now you know I how feel about this, so there is very little constructive reason for me to keep going on about this. So I will stop preaching on why I think this is wrong. Like I said in another post, I don't want to be that grumpy old dude, I would rather go back to positive, constructive and helpful comments. I have made some good connections in this community that I have really enjoyed chatting with about music. So I will do my best to resist the urge to chime in whenever I see this topic come up again.
Amy, after several days I have detached from my emotional investment in this issue, I just want to say your channel is still very special to me, despite what I said above. I will leave the original as is, since it is true to how I was feeling at the time and was already out there. I had previously changed another sentence where I did regret my wording, and noted my apology there.
What do you think African Gospel, The Soweto String Quartet, and Paul Simon do in a folk rock context? I suggest picking basically anything from the album Graceland. some numbers are Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Graceland, and These are the Days (of Miracles and Wonders).
we understand, your choices are primarily based on what your gentleman friend chooses for you, our suggestions are for him. if money comes in, i figure it's mostly going to pick which of his choices go first, so vlad has a LOT of music to listen to, videos to watch, so he knows what to suggest to you next, what to add to his list. the first track from nightwishes oceanborn 'stargazer' the one with the rippin harpsichord solo, a FAR better choice than their modern stuff, but not as popular.
I quite enjoy these excursions. Thank you, Amy, and Vlad. Regarding your comment about an electric guitar orchestra, I don't if this counts, but a German gent named Uli Jon Roth does some nice renditions of Vivaldi among others.
Do you know that half of what the Beatles did was as a result of them trying to top the Beach Boys records. Both were on Capitol and their names start with BEA. Anyway, you want classical you need to hear Brian Wilson's opus, Smile. Pet Sounds, Surf's Up, Sunflower.
Brian Wilson will blow your mind...again try "surfs up" "God only knows" "please let me wonder" "in the back of my mind". I appreciate your videos just found them today.
There was originally a loud exuberant guitar accompaniment on this song. Brian dialed it down to not dominate the vocals. I learned this through an interesting video by Joshilyn Hoisington.
If you listen to the Queen songs, Killer Queen and Bicycle Race, you might find a comparable amount of changes. Do you think you could add these songs to your list of reaction songs?
From Wikipedia; According to Brian: "I produced that record. I taught Carl the lead and the other guys the background vocal, especially the meditation part at the end: 'Om dot dit it."
Amy if you wanna know how its sound on electric guitar a classic piece example Vivaldi i just said one name: Dave Mustaine!!! Its on youtube accompanying with a orchestra!!!
Hello Amy I'm very much enjoying the channel and pretty much binge watched all the videos, I would love for you to check out some Progressive Rock and suggest ' And you and I ' by the Band Yes, from the album most people consider their best which is called Close to the edge.
In most of your previous follow-up videos, you say a little about the artist. Since knowing nothing about The Beach Boys you obviously had found the name Brian Wilson and mention him several times here. But you were so impressed about the preciseness of the voices in the first video. Haven't you read about Brian's perfectionism? It's a really important part of The Beach Boys story. Didn't you found it interesting to find out, that what got your attention actually is sort of their trademark? Just wondering. Here's a little suggestion. What about a video about the bait music theory? Since you don't know if everybody has seen your previous videos, I understand that you sort of go back to Adam and Eve everything you want to explain something. But if there was I video about the basics, you could just say: "If you do not know about those matters, you can watch this video." If it had been so, in this video you could have gone directly to "There is a lot of modulations" and then you would also have had more time to go into some details. This isn't ment as criticism, just a suggestion that could make things run a little smoother. I'm sorry if this comment sound more negative than my previous. It wasn't ment to.
Hi everyone! Please drop under this comment your questions ONLY! I will do my best to answer them all!
Could you please do Touch from Daft punk, I believe it is the most underrated number of the album buried under bombs of hits.
As you get to know "rock" music and the related genres better, would you be interested in going to a concert?
Given your stated interest in/preference for "off the beaten path" works to listen to, should I now compile a list of all the "off the beaten path" works I know that might be considered "rock", and then try to prioritise them (according to my own tastes and/or sense of "what you might find interesting to analyse") before pasting the top five into a comment saying "please try any/all of these"...?
... Or should I just keep shouting "LISTEN TO 'TELEGRAPH ROAD' BY DIRE STRAITS!!!!" until either (1) I think of something I'd much rather hear you analyse, and/or (2) you surrender?
=:o}
I'd love to hear your opinion on "The Violation" by Fleshgod Apocalypse, As its a impressive combination of classical and heavier music that you will appreciate:)
Will there be a live Q&A this Saturday?
Thank you for this absolutely wonderful analysis. The Beach Boys music tends to be so pleasant and well performed that no one notices the creativity and originality of Brian Wilson and the band. This song is a perfect example. Brian Wilson is a fascinating artist. He is so insanely gifted musically, as a composer and arranger, and vocalist, and yet he has faced some unbelievable challenges in his personal life. For a great lesson on the important parts of his life check out the movie Love and Mercy that captures well some of his many challenges.
I've watched MANY reactions from composers/music theorists. Most simply assume we have degrees in music theory and understand what they're talking about when they react to a song. This is best explanation of key modulation and how to know it when you hear I've seen yet. Thank you for being so informative and keep up the great work.
Brilliant explanation
If people are interested enough to watch a video about the nuts and bolts of music I hope they try to take up an instrument like guitar for example and learn at least the basics. The learning process is fun and everybody can learn to play and understand the music they love and grew up listening to. It never gets too complicated to the point where one is scratching their heads like in a physics class for example. Learning an instrument and then playing the songs they loved is just joyful and fun. Also when you have gotten some skills down you soon recognise these in all kinds of music you hear everyday.
Thank you for what you do! Please be aware that criticism comes along with being in the public eye. Just keep being you, and you will be fine. I so love the joy you are sharing with all of us.
Well said for both of us!
A very important point. SoMe hygiene is important, and a public person needs a thick skin as it is only a matter of time before people will treat you as a symbol rather than a beholder of feelings.
Beach boys have a touch of heaven!
@@ricomusap614 Yes they do, don't they? That is part of the glory of music that happens when people get together and make it happen.
I have heard a lot of rock fans talk about how original the Beach Boys arrangements were for rock music. But I am amazed that the chord changes on this song are unusual, even for classical music! Thank you for your insight!
Glad to see you back and recovering Amy! Very informative. I always learn something.
Helene here. Just wanted to congratulate you on passing the milestone of 20,000 subs…in RECORD-breaking time! You are fulfilling a need and satisfying a hunger we didn’t even know we had!! Thank you!
If you like choral music The Beach Boys are a pretty great band in popular music for that sort of taste. They are known for their harmonies. Brian also played a part in a "pop" genre that was labelled retrospectively as Baroque Pop. He was using a harp in some early surf rock compositions and provided an early introduction of the harpsichord into pop music when he used it in an early single "When I Grow Up To Be A Man". The later album Pet Sounds is probably the best example of "baroque pop" you could hear. The Beach Boys did do acapella tracks (I'd recommend a song called "Our Prayer" for an example) but also with reissued archival releases you can listen to a lot of songs without instrumentation or without lead vocals (where it's just harmonies and instrumentals). Brian did a few delightful waltzes too like "Time to Get Alone" and "Friends". They also have historically significant and influential tracks like "I Get Around" and "Good Vibrations" that warrant review (they are still technically playing and touring minus a number of members almost 62 years since they began). Brian Wilson (who seems to have retired recently) is a big fan of Bach and it certainly shows in some of their music. The experimental (and originally unreleased) Smile has very interesting instrumentals and harmonies and Brian and the Beach Boys' work is an inspiration for genres like "Chamber Pop". Thanks for the excellent analysis , I hope you review more of the interesting work of the Beach Boys in future.
I love Pet Sounds. The tracks are unique in that Brian blended different sounds together which made new sounds that had never been used before. He was superior to Phil Spector in composition and as a producer even though Brian would never accept that as a statement but it is certainly true.
@@dunki-dunki-dawg Brian is certainly superior to Phil as a songwriter and producer (and human being). Many don't hear his work post Good Vibrations but there is excellent work in The Smile Sessions, Friends, Sunflower , Love You and his first solo album (and a bunch of bootlegs and archival releases) that needs to be heard more.
Helene here. OK…so much to say here. First of all, THANK YOU, Amy, for acknowledging that elephant in the room and addressing it directly. I am very much reassured. And I am excited by your future deep dive into rock history. Just FYI….There is an excellent documentary on The Wrecking Crew….that group of studio session musicians who were on thousands of albums….including many of those of The Beach Boys…..and there are also other documentaries that will prove valuable to you in any study of the history of rock. If you would like suggestions……….😁
You mentioned loving a cappella singing, such as The King Singers. Two top groups of that genre (if you are not already familiar) are Pentatonix (try their cover of Sound of Silence or Hallelujah) and Home Free (their cover of the old folk song Man of Constant Sorrow is superb). These are not suggestions for reaction…..but as one music lover to another.
Finally….you mentioned loving the close harmonies. In the 60’s, especially, there were folk rock groups that were known for their beautiful harmonies. One was The Mamas and The Papas…..another was The Byrds. Into the 70’s, The Eagles had sublime harmonies. And joining the 60’s and 70’s is the group who were most noted for their glorious close harmonic singing………Crosby, Stills and Nash…(and sometimes with the addition of Young……CSN and CSNY). Sublime harmonies….
I’m mentioning these, as I said, not for reaction…..but to let you know that there are groups out there who match up well with what you have said you love…
Thank you again for all the work you put into your reviews! I’m loving tagging along on your journey!
Since you want questions *only*, I'll phrase my comment accordingly: Do you realize that SO MANY of your viewers SORELY lack imagination and can't possibly begin to understand why you would choose this absolutely genius deep cut by the Beach Boys, instead of their over-played hits? Do you know that Vlad is correct and that your channel is incredibly unique and interesting?
I do. That’s why I am doing things “my way” :)
@@VirginRock Will you react to that too? ("My Way" by Frank Sinatra) 😉
@@WayneKitching lol 😄
You should run your channel the way you see fit. If it leads to a loss of viewers or subscribers, so be it. Be true to yourself. I may not agree with everything you choose to analyze, but I'll go along on the ride to see where it takes me. And if I'm not digging it, I'll let myself out without judging where you're coming from and where you're going.
Bravo!
Vlad you need Patreon for monthly income for channel support. pay to play will kill this channels integrity uniqueness and eventually the whole beautiful adventure.
You are quite an enjoyable person. Love the channel. Keep up the good work. Thank you. 🌻🌸⚘⚘
This is a very beautiful and thoughtful analysis of a very spiritual song. I really enjoyed the part at the end on how the music enhances the message. This song is noted for the modulations but not often on how it relates to "the whole world" and seeing love all around. The interpretation of the second verse is so interesting to me, I've never thought of it like that
Appreciated your introduction to this. So great that you did this amazing song! Brian could fit more changes into a two-minute song than most people can in ten minutes! The entire SUNFLOWER album by The Beach Boys is fabulous, including "Add Some Music to Your Day." for a more recent Brian Wilson composition unlike anything any other group or individual is doing, try the amazing "From There to Back Again."
If you enjoy songs with unusual (but amazing) structure like "This Whole World," you must listen to The Turtles' "You Know What I Mean," written by Bonner and Gordon. It's a singular song that never repeats itself as it builds and builds. I think it's one of the greatest pop songs of its era, but nobody seems to note how complex it really is.
totally agree. I actually like Sunflower the most of all their albums. They had a solid run from Wild Honey till Surfs up. I also like next two also, and for later work Beach Boys Love You is also kind of awesome. I will check the song you mention, I don't know that I heard of that.
The Beach Boys 1966 released album "Pet Sounds" is often cited as one of the greatest LPs in pop/rock history. The Beatles regarded it as a masterpiece and it spurred them on to greater heights. Hope you get the chance one day, Amy to hear at least some of it.
It goes both ways: "Rubber Soul" by The Beatles upped the ante for Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys to produce something on a larger scale of composition and arrangements, which then led to "Pet Sounds". So, it was a bit of "creativity ping-pong".
Yes I love
I'm digging your channel. ; ) You've confirmed several things in my growth in guitar, music theory and improvisation. Thanks for your content.
This song is not a hit, and I have never heard it on the radio. But I think it is a great choice for musical theory! There is so much going on!
6:11 Brian May (Queen's guitarist) builds up his own electric guitar orchestra, using an echo effect. You can hear it in his live solos in Queen concerts, usually called "Guitar Solo".
About the balance between the Beach Boys' voices and instruments: this is because Brian Wilson is the mastermind who arranges everything. Whereas with other Rock bands, the arrangements have usually come into existence by just jamming, or with input from the whole band.
All of the greatest Beach Boys songs have this kind of balanced, 'classical' if you will, arrangement, as well as sophisticated chords. You would note the same characteristics in God Only Knows - but then serving a much more beautiful melody.
Indeed, although that’s only one of the different ways in which Brian builds up “orchestral guitar” textures; for studio recordings he also can play different divergent lines with different guitar tones (like in Good Company for instance), or harmonize with himself in unison (Killer Queen for instance combines this two I just mentioned).
@@dago87able Well, you know, Brian *IS* also an astophysicist! =;o}
I totally agree about how smooth these rapid modulations are. My first impression was that this is a nice and light song. Happy and easy on the ears. And then when I listened again, I noticed how many and rapid these modulations are. And still, it's so easy on the ear. That's kind of what's interesting about the song. I hope you listen to more songs by The Beach Boys because Wilson has songs that have more substance. Some are well known others not so well.
Hi Anna! I enjoyed reading your reply to my comment yesterday. When I came back to it now for some reason it won’t show on the screen, so I’m responding to you here. I wanted to get back with some interesting info that might brighten your day, and also some info for Amy. Two small points:
1) I am a subscriber to “The Wyldeside with Eric Clark” reactions. He has been a “rock” DJ in Nashville, Tennessee, for more than 30 years. On February 7 he posted a video “Old Rock Radio DJ reacts to ‘Wilson Pickett & The Birth of Southern Rock’ ”. He states: “Today we take a little trip ... A trip back in time to the source of what became Southern Rock in the US. Where did Southern Rock start? Who started it? Today, I give a little history lesson”. The runtime is 19 min. 25 sec. He is extremely knowledgeable about the history and I found his analysis fascinating. He expressly discusses the question: “Did the 1970’s sound come from the 1950’s?” (at 2 min. 30 sec. ff.). If you are going to argue the extent to which “rock” began as far back as the 1950’s, then this video is for you. The link is: th-cam.com/video/vS8AmLXOtD4/w-d-xo.html.
2) More importantly, for Amy & Vlad, I am on both Eric’s TH-cam and Insta accounts, and he seems to be a really nice guy, always looking to help everyone around him achieve success. Of course both Amy and Eric are in Nashville (Amy teaches at the Harp School which is located in Burns, Tennessee, on the west side of Nashville), so right in the same vicinity. I do not KNOW if Eric IS the “rock historian” that Amy is referring to in her video, but certainly it would make sense. Even if not, I’m sure Eric would be happy to help with information to Amy if he were ever contacted (and subscribed to! HA HA!).
Thanks for writing and have a great day !!
@@TedinCalgary1952 I did find many things you mentioned strange and unclear. But I decided at the end to remove the reply as it was long (you have maybe not read the last version). I was constantly adding to it. And I decided I had probably misunderstood what you were saying, so it was also pointless.😄
You should make your own music composition tutorials on Patreon or something because this is one of the best explanations of key change I’ve ever seen. Wish I saw something like this earlier in life it would of helped immensely.
And I wondered if you noticed all the off-path chords during the first listen! Thank you for this explanation of modulation.
I like that you are now tackling actual rock, not just symphonic adaptations. Lots to listen to here, and can't wait for you to get to the icons.
I never heard this before, but really glad I did! It's certainly a beautiful representation of Brian Wilsons highly developed compositions. Personally I think you may find out that the most loved examples of artists work, end up being that way for a reason. This is an exception to that rule I think, as it's a fascinating and beautiful listen.
It came to light a few years ago that one group of musicians played the instrumental side on a lot of popular American music in the late 60's stretching through to early 70's . The Beach Boys were no exception. The session musicians were a highly paid collection of mainly jazz musicians.
Obligatory reference to Hotel California by The Eagles regarding the "orchestra of electric guitars".
I love the way Amy explains music. Such a great teacher!
I've wondered why I love this song so much; it's my favorite song on Sunflower and one of my favorite BB songs of all. Brian's lyrics are always very simple and direct, not like the Carl Wilson, VDP, Jack Reilly or even Carl Wilson songs. Maybe this analysis explains much of why I enjoy it so much. I love the ohm's, especially near the end where the song appears to come to a peak. I'm in love with the intro. The lyrics are sugary sweet, they really could've been anything and I would've loved this. But the subject matter is definitely appealing. Thank you for the analysis of the music in the song. That was really really enjoyable. It's a shame that you took time to address criticism as such a kind, sweet person should be appreciated for her knowledge she's sharing and not treated with cynicism.
Props to Vlad! I appreciate the thoughtful journey! Taking your time will only make your reaction and understanding better!!!!
Great analysis of the masterful key changes!
As someone historically pretty averse to hard rock, but fascinated with your mission, this unusual Beach Boys song with all its modulations served as a great music lesson for me. I might even go back and listen to your in-depth analyses of bands I normally bounce on the car radio - Led Zeppelin and Metallica.
Thanks Amy. That was an informative and fun journey through that song.
I never thought about the different key modulations as representing travelling around the globe in 2 minutes.
Cool.
Very clear analysis of a beautiful song. Be sure to check out more Beach Boys, this is a great place to start but with so many great Beach Boys songs out there this is only the tip of the iceberg.
I’m glad I found this channel. What a nice person. I’m spending more time on the guitar and enjoy learning from you. 😊
One suggestion, the Smile album in its original 1967 version, called the Smile sessions, the album was shelved in1967 because of mainly record company pressure, bandmates resistance to far out music Brian's drug problems...this album is a masterpiece, you should definitely listen closely, it would be fantastic to have your as always brilliant thoughts on this one! Thanks for your time and efforts!
Your desire to hear electric guitars doing orchestral pieces is great. You should check out some of Robert Fripps's work. The long time leader of King Crimson, on one of his hiatuses from the band he became a college guitar instructor, which resulted in many permutations of bands of multiple guitarists--League of Crafty Guitarists, Robert Fripp & The Orchestra of Crafty Guitarists, California Guitar Trio (proteges) and The Robert Fripp String Quintet. You might think the orchestra would be what you were thinking of, but it is more amplified acoustics guitars, as is most of the trio. The other two incarnations, especially the quintet is more electric, but mixed with acoustic--basically the quintet merges the trio with Robert Fripp and Trey Gunn. But it does result in a rendition of J.S. Bach's Passacaglia C minor. Still might not be what you had in mind--with Fripp's trademark "frippertronics" the guitar sounds almost exactly like a harpsichord so there is not a lot of variation from the original.
This is something more of an aside since I know you are concentrating now on iconic classic rock music--but you might want to check them out on down the road. Fripp plays rock, but his main influences were jazz and classical--big fan of Bartok. A lot of these guitar projects are majority instrumental with complex structures--not very rocky. But speaking of classical influences some of the pioneers of electric guitar using massive distortion, like Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, etc., were influenced by Stravinsky, Bartok and several others. There are several solo guitarists, for example, that take on "Flight of the Bumblebee"--Trans Siberian Orchestra for one.
Great video. That’s a lotta modulation. Some artists used key modulations often but most usually did one or none per song. The Beach Boys used some of the best studio musicians on their albums. Check out their al bum “Pet sounds” some day. Thanks for the musical analysis.
Was the Darly Dragon she mentioned the one from Captain and Tennille?
@@johnpress yes I think it is. Daryl was a session guy and how many Daryl Dragon can their be?
This reminds me of 'Thats why God Made the Radio'' by the Beach Boys. They both have these really quick smooth modulations.
Thanks again for your master class. And I ask you again, do your work with Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles.
Thank you for this lovely reaction.
I definitely agree with taking more than one approach to the channel, with "special projects" etc. Maybe one stream for the paid requests and one stream for a pre-planned structured, historical evolution of "rock"? But could I ask, pleasy pleasy pleasy, could you advertise what is coming up a bit in advance, so we can plan what to watch?
On considering the Beach Boys, they were typical of harmony-based musical ensembles popular in the 1960’s. Ideally we should compare them with similar groups at the time. The Billboard “Top 100 of 1969” list had the following groups with these hits: #2: the Fifth Dimension was “Age of Aquarius”; #10 and #12, Tommy James and the Shondells, with the beautiful chorus melodies “Crimson and Clover” & “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, and Three Dog Night held down the #11 spot with “One”. I would argue that really, what we call “rock” (as in Virgin “Rock”), is a REACTION AGAINST this kind of music, from the Beach Boys on down, as we trend from 1969 period to the 1970-71 period, with a shift to more guitar based music, based on, e.g., Hendrix, and even the Who, which you already reviewed, and with "heavy metal" being the ultimate antithesis. (Looking forward to hearing from your "rock historian"!).
😂I'm also wondering who the rock historian is going to be. Hope he's good and dodging projectiles. Maybe Amy and Vlad need to provide him with a bulletproof jacket, prior to setting foot into the weird and wonderful world of the comments section on these videos.
Really, I think you are ripe for Zappa. Peaches 'n regalia, Inca Roads, Uncle Remus, The Black Page (Why does it hurt when I pee?), RNDLZ, Music for guitar and low budget strings ... you'll get your electric orchestra.
BTW I do like your analyses and your choices are funny. Some I find hm. But the Beach Boys are wonderful.
Very interesting, your analyses of the link between all this modulation and the idee of traveling all around the world. Nice.
Oh ! And the Vivaldi piece by Alexandr Hrustevich is just amazing! waw ! Thanks for this link too. ^_^
Thank you. Please do more Brian Wilson. Go to Pet Sounds. Closest thing to a modern Chopin in terms of melody and emotion.
Have you read The Confederacy of the Dunces by John Kennedy Toole?? It's one of my favourite books. Read it in spanish, my language, and english... Parafrasing it says "When a person of value appears in the world, you can notice it by the following sign... All the dunces confederate against HER!!
I think it's really wonderful you chose a lesser-known song from their catalogue- their later work is so overlooked yet is more complex than meets the eye! Brian Wilson actually studied classical musicians like Bach, and other composers like George Gershwin and Burt Bacharach were major influences in how he composed music, too. Thank you for the wonderful videos and analysis!
Great video! This song is a little Gem.
I am not particularly a Beach Boys fan, I don't own any of their albums but I know their big hits. It's not rock music, it's pop, but it's pop of a specific kind, it is extremely geographically oriented, California, with a profound dating stamp, mid 60's to mid 70's.
During this time California was the envy of the US, cheap living, celebrating freedom and laid back living styles, high income employments, perfect sunny weather and pacific ocean beaches.
This genre of music generates from it, surfing music. There were scores of participants and The Beach Boys were King of them all. But this music did not remain contained in its area, enjoyed merely by locals who could relate to it, no it became a nation wide, world wide phenomenon. I was, at the time, in Europe, The Netherlands, where with communication efforts not what they are today, people had no idea of The Californian life style, yet Beach Boys songs were hits. Super happy, super easy listening music with a continued recurring lyrical theme, surfing, beaches and pretty girls, that's it, who needs more?
Full and tight vocal harmonies were also a trademark of music from that era in other music genres as well, think The Mama's and Papa's and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
In addition to producing hit songs, a band like The Beach Boys also had to produce albums with 12 songs or so. Apparently (this was also a first listen for me) Brian Wilson took some musical creative liberties in writing the tunes to fill up an album and this is a very interesting one.
And I enjoyed your breakdown of the song.
`This Whole World" comes from the `Sunflower` album in 1970. Though "Pet Sounds" is regarded as the groups apex, both `Sunflower` and the following (1971) `Surf's Up` are very highly regarde.
Hey - it's chill - it costs to run a channel : That said, you might like to try Jethro Tull, but I won't pay you. It features Ian Anderson, the best rock flautist. Aqualung, about homelessness is a masterpiece (but doesn't feature any flute). But there is plenty of other interesting pieces - Songs from the Wood, Locomotive Breath etc.
If Jethro Tull i would suggest Boureé. Might be nice to see how Amy reacts to a rock Band adapting a real classical piece. In the live version from "A little light Music" they even had another Bach piece implemented. Best Version ever.
People are too sensitive. I enjoy listening to your analysis of a variety of songs. I like the balance of rock music you are choosing and your knowledge of musicology. I feel like I am in school again re-learning music theory. (I have not played music for over 25 years, but I use to play clarinet, percussion, guitar, and keyboards.)
When I was making this musical journey in the opposite direction, there was a show on public radio called Adventures in Good Music, with Karl Haas. I believe that what you are setting out to do is very similar to that show. I was disappointed at first with the song choice, but I've come to realize that your channel is better off with you collectively in control of it. The reason for us this is that you Amy, like Karl Haas, are a great teacher. Vlad picking content with you turns out to be more interesting than letting this become only a parade of greatest hits.
there is another version of the song produced by brian for his wife and sister-in-law's band Spring (aka American Spring). it's not as good imo but i recommend it, it's fun and quite different
This is a fascinating breakdown of a vastly underrated and understated song. Thank you.
Brian Wilson is a true master of vocal harmony. There is an element where the guys in his band were related - blood harmony, they have been singing together all their lives, and maybe there is some genetic matching (for really great blood harmony worth listening to country act the Louvin Brothers though - harmonies so close whistling overtones pop out at times!) - but also due to Wilsons skillful arrangement. For me, as a writer for voices, he rivals Monteverdi. He also chooses unusual instrumentation at times and writes v.original and moving instrumental lines. This is definitely one of his lesser works though. I reccomend 'God Only Knows' 'Heroes and Villains' and 'Good Vibrations'....
There is a wonderful and remembered Leonard Bernstein's tv show explaining just like this the music of The Beach Boys and The Beatles, to an adult mostly conservative audience at late 60's. 👍
Yes, that program featured a fantastic live-in-the-studio clip of Brian performing the hauntingly lovely "Surf's Up" on piano long before it was released. Bernstein spoke very highly of it and I'd love to hear Amy's reaction to that one. She obviously gets Wilson's extraordinary gift for composition, which is harmonically complex yet still accessible.
@@billjourdan1683 It wasn’t Bernstein, but Leonard Bernstein did contribute some things to the documentary, it was actually the director and producer of the documentary ‘Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution’. The director’s name was David Oppenheim
As always loved your analysis. Look forward, when you eventually get to it, analysis of other Beach Boys songs. Love to hear your analysis of Good Vibrations, Surf’s Up and Heroes and Villains. Though there are many other of their songs that would be worthy of analysis those three I feel are the most ‘meaty’ of their repertoire
You've certainly covered a wide variety of music in your short time on here. In terms of hearing an electric guitar/orchestra, you could try (and there will be many who will mock me for this) a guitarist called Yngwie J. Malmsteen, a heavy metal guitarist who wrote a Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra, where his role of lead guitar takes the place of the lead violin. The whole live concert that he played with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra is available online, it's about 74 minutes long. It's pretty over the top - his main influences are Bach and Paganini, and he's never anything less than full-on. Speaking of Japan, there's a band there you might like to look into called Lovebites. It's an all-female heavy metal band, where one of the guitarists was a classical pianist who switched to guitar, but who still plays piano and keyboards for the band as well as the guitar. In some shows, she plays something classical as a prelude to a song, and they have one song called Swan Song where she plays some Chopin before the song, and the song itself has some classical influences within. You can find that here (some versions don't have the Chopin intro): th-cam.com/video/WBhtqgiXEA4/w-d-xo.html
Mentioning your enjoyment of vocal music, maybe down the line Van Canto could be an interesting band - they make acapella metal! (Though they do have drums, since that is something they can't do with their voices.)
"(Though they do have drums, since that is something they can't do with their voices.)"
- *Pfaagh*! Do these lightweights not have *FEET*?!? =;o}
@@therealpbristow They do, but not loud enough for metal I guess. And don't forget all the double kicks! ;)
The Beach Boys 5 CD set has some great backing tracks and acapella stuff including different takes on "This Whole World". First time I saw the Beach Boys Darryl Dragon was part of the band with Toni Tennille, Captain and Tennille
There is no doubt that Brian Wilson was experimenting with keys when this song was being put together. When more chord voices as tonal centres are being used it is very hard to find a theme running through them without sounding out of place or a bump jutting out however this song goes through many key changes or modulations and it is still so natural and beautiful throughout. I have always been fascinated by the use of key changes in how they can be used to set up a mood without being clunked over head with something heavy. The Beach Boys and The Beatles were truly great at this in examples like Penny Lane which has 7 key changes with the chorus a tone below the verses which is almost always the opposite was around.
This is brilliant content! I love what you’re doing with the channel. Don’t let the comments get to you if people are being cruel. Being yourself is what’s made me fall in love with other music TH-camrs like Adam Neely.
Ps I’d love to see you have a listen to some of Tools discography. I can recommend Lateralus as a first start!
✌️❤️
“In Der Pelästra” by Sopor Aeturnus & The Ensemble of Shadows . . It’s a gothic style but VERY CLASSICAL in essence . I truly wish you give it a listen. You won’t regret it.
There's nothing wrong with being paid for your time. I'm here for your insight and expertise. Expertise comes from years of effort, and it's absolutely worth compensation.
There are so many colours and different ways you can utilise key changes or modulations in popular music. Most of the pop music restricts itself by only using it to go upwards in the final verses for say a power ballad such as a Whitney Houston song for example however, they can be used at anytime and anywhere in the song such as Penny Lane where we go from Bmaj for the verses down to Amaj for the choruses. This downward shift is unusual and it makes sense because it is about remembering Pauls childhood places to play and meet friends ect..Then we go back upwards (Amaj) which as Howard Goodall says ''greets us like a new day''.
With 'This Whole World' I think Brian was thinking about and playing around with keys rather than allowing the song to come through his natural wonderful abilities. He succeeded for sure and it is a lovely song.
Amy there are quite a few mass band videos out there with hundreds of instruments going at once. There is also a clip I really enjoy by a group called Apocalyptica which is an instrumental metal band with cellos in the forefront. Then they invited electric guitarist Steve Vai to join in...and they played Kashmir which is a Led Zeppelin song. They are backed by a choir of both cellos and electric guitars of about 100 local musicians. It was at a festival. The delivery isn't clean and precise but as often happens with rock and roll...the energy is there, it's a fun collaboration, a great crowd, and all is forgiven if it's a little sloppy. Anyway this might give you an idea what it's like to hear a huge ensemble of electric guitars, this time with cellos. Its not a wildly creative guitar part, backing guitar only, more a rhythm guitar part than lead.
was reading your bio and I thought of a little factoid that might interest you being a harp player, In one of Brian's early classics, In My Room, there's a little harp embellishment that is generally considered a rare example of hearing a harp part in a pop song. It was played by a relative of Brian's as I recall
Brian inserted harp multiple times, Catch a Wave another example.
Trans Siberian Orchestra does some very nice Rock orchestrations on some classical pieces and may give you a sense of what a guitar orchestra may sound like. Enjoy
Chanting Om or Aum is a sacred practice that helps our mind and body to energize. Sound of Om is considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. It is called the first sound of the universe. According to the Hindu sculptures, Om connects all living beings to nature and the universe :-)
Thanks for covering this song. Never a hit, but a terrific Brian Wilson song from a great Beach Boys album. Waiting for you to do something on the Left Banke (Walk Away Renee, Pretty Ballerina, etc.)
I highly recommend "Wheat Kings" by the Tragically Hip. Gord Downie was lost too soon but left a legacy of amazing songs and poetry.
Oh, an electric guitar orchestra? That is "Calvary" by Quicksilver Messenger Service.
I suggest checking out something by David Bowie. For example one of his last songs Blackstar. By the way, I listen to way more classical music than popular music these days, but I'll probably never stop listening to Bowie
First single (45) I ever bought was David Bowie's 'Life on Mars'. I was 11 years old. Like you, I will never stop listening to Bowie.
I have an album by rock arranger and producer Jack Nitzsche from 1966 that blends modern instruments with the traditional in the performance of Chopin pieces, Chopin '66, The Modern Sounds of Jack Nitzsche.
I imagine TH-cam music copyright regulations negate any income for you. I am a fan of the Buy me a coffee platform though as it's easy for us to contribute and i believe that you get a reasonable percentage. Good luck to you. Appreciate your considered and learned reviews. It must be a daunting task taking on the whole genre - hence the curated standpoint. More Vlad to you! Regards from England.
I can’t wait to see your reaction to Yes.
You do a great job...dont let comments get in to your head...in the end the analysis is whats important to me...and cant wait for the analysis of king crimson starless.is it possible?
King Crimson is an awesome idea but they are notorious blockers on TH-cam. I doubt the video would be up for long.
You didn´t name a single scary chord. When Jazz chords are more complicated than my wireless key. That´s scary.
This was a technically interesting track from the point of view of musical structure BUT it was not characteristic of the sounds that made the Beach boys famous. I think this is what people (including myself) were getting at, it’s not a popular song!
I enjoyed your analysis of the structure as I am learning more theory at the moment and modulation is next in line, I now have a good understanding about how modulation can be worked out and applied to a piece of music which I didn’t understand before!
this is pure Brian Wilson style and typical Beach Boys, people are appalling not recognizing it
@@ed.z. because it's not about the sociology or history of music, neither personal taste, but about music itself and you didn't get it yet
Amy once again you're taken a groups mid-level song and found something in it that's interesting, good job..Brian Wilson's genius
A mid-level Beach Boys song is still leagues above some artists' best work.
This hardly mid level, it's on my top 10 (out of 400o+ or so Brian Wilson songs)
people are paying you, and thus it will ALL be deep tracks, and thus suck....but all that I will still watch
My very good friend Dan Bennett used to adapt all sorts of pieces for the accordion, whilst he was still learning to play it! (Like me, he was a lover of musical contrast and contradictions).
Bach on the accordion? "Easy."
Ron Grainer & Delia Derbyshire on the accordion? "No problem. Well, except for getting the clearances to release it on my album..."
(In the end, he created a fresh piece - "Creation" - to fill that spot in the running order. And *eventually* the MCPS said "No, sorry, that's not allowed", by which time his tape was already being duplicated *just* in time for the planned release date. =:o}
*Ligetti* on the accordion? "Hmm..." [WORRIED FROWN] "This might take me a while...."
=;o}
Amy, as a musician, I really enjoyed your "straying off the path" analogy. And, I very much appreciated your addressing our concerns about the obscurity of your choices thus far. A++! I greatly look forward to your upcoming new ventures. - John
Several modern (i.e, post-1960) composers have tried to create orchestral pieces that showcase the orchestral possibilities inherent in the electric guitar (either with our without added effects pedals). Alas, most have fallen flat, both in the popular consciousness and in musical academia. However, I think that this is more due to a lack of "gestation period" for the form/genre, rather than the form/genre being inherently flawed in itself.
20th century (let alone 21st century) modes of thought flit so swiftly from one way of looking at things to the next, that no particular way of looking at things gets enough time to marinate and mature in the minds of the thinkers/composers concerned. And so, some *really promising* art forms get abandoned well before they can bear anything that might capture the imagination/heart of the general human populace.
(I mean, it was probably "ever thus", but I'm only in a position to reflect on the last 100 years or so. =:o\ )
I had an electronic music keyboard that would play automatic rhythms and chords, and if you pushed a key it would change the automatic music to that key. As comedic as that is, it has a similar effect to how they modulate in this song.
I am glad you brought up the topic of selling song analysis, but I feel you are mischaracterizing those of us who oppose this song selection method. I, along with the others who object, haven't described this as a money making scheme (you also framed it this way on the Community tab 2 weeks ago which was unfair). I in fact have donated to and wished you financial success with the channel . I just feel very strongly that relying heavily on song analysis purchases is contrary to the vision you described for the channel, there are better ways to raise funds. This is no way to select songs representative of rock. I also dislike that you no longer identify the songs themselves as purchased analysis in the First Watch and announcement videos (Edit: I regret the original wording I used for this sentence, so I have changed it; I apologize). Again I ask, would you consider this a good way to introduce somebody to classical music?
Also I am not "new" to this channel, I have been here from the start, which is why I feel so strongly about this, since it is contrary to the original vision you proclaimed for this channel. But it is certainly your channel and your choice, I am just very disappointed in what I thought this channel would be. Nevertheless, I respect your song analysis abilities and I will continue to watch for that reason. I will just now treat it as any other music analysis channel I watch, no longer seeing it as a special one that stands apart from the others.
Amy, Vlad, and everyone else, I know by now you know I how feel about this, so there is very little constructive reason for me to keep going on about this. So I will stop preaching on why I think this is wrong. Like I said in another post, I don't want to be that grumpy old dude, I would rather go back to positive, constructive and helpful comments. I have made some good connections in this community that I have really enjoyed chatting with about music. So I will do my best to resist the urge to chime in whenever I see this topic come up again.
Amy, after several days I have detached from my emotional investment in this issue, I just want to say your channel is still very special to me, despite what I said above. I will leave the original as is, since it is true to how I was feeling at the time and was already out there. I had previously changed another sentence where I did regret my wording, and noted my apology there.
What do you think African Gospel, The Soweto String Quartet, and Paul Simon do in a folk rock context? I suggest picking basically anything from the album Graceland. some numbers are Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Graceland, and These are the Days (of Miracles and Wonders).
Vocals only: th-cam.com/video/FPN53PHDwe4/w-d-xo.html
we understand, your choices are primarily based on what your gentleman friend chooses for you, our suggestions are for him.
if money comes in, i figure it's mostly going to pick which of his choices go first, so vlad has a LOT of music to listen to, videos to watch, so he knows what to suggest to you next, what to add to his list. the first track from nightwishes oceanborn 'stargazer' the one with the rippin harpsichord solo, a FAR better choice than their modern stuff, but not as popular.
I quite enjoy these excursions. Thank you, Amy, and Vlad. Regarding your comment about an electric guitar orchestra, I don't if this counts, but a German gent named Uli Jon Roth does some nice renditions of Vivaldi among others.
Do you know that half of what the Beatles did was as a result of them trying to top the Beach Boys records. Both were on Capitol and their names start with BEA. Anyway, you want classical you need to hear Brian Wilson's opus, Smile. Pet Sounds, Surf's Up, Sunflower.
Brian Wilson will blow your mind...again try "surfs up" "God only knows" "please let me wonder" "in the back of my mind".
I appreciate your videos just found them today.
A group she mentioned in her last video, The King's Singers, did a cover of Please Let Me Wonder with Bruce Johnston and Mike Love.
There was originally a loud exuberant guitar accompaniment on this song. Brian dialed it down to not dominate the vocals. I learned this through an interesting video by Joshilyn Hoisington.
The closest thing I could suggest to a guitar orchestra would be Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Free Bird" which feature 3 guitars.Live version is a must.
you make music tech makes sense
Adorable!!
If you listen to the Queen songs, Killer Queen and Bicycle Race, you might find a comparable amount of changes. Do you think you could add these songs to your list of reaction songs?
From Wikipedia; According to Brian: "I produced that record. I taught Carl the lead and the other guys the background vocal, especially the meditation part at the end: 'Om dot dit it."
th-cam.com/video/BbyqJpIC_q4/w-d-xo.html
Im pretty sure the back ground vocal is, at least in part, a mantra
Amy if you wanna know how its sound on electric guitar a classic piece example Vivaldi i just said one name: Dave Mustaine!!! Its on youtube accompanying with a orchestra!!!
“Don’t know where we are or how to get home” - you just described jazz heh.
Don't know if you already know this, but Daryl Dragon is better known as Captain from Captain and Tennille.
Hello Amy I'm very much enjoying the channel and pretty much binge watched all the videos, I would love for you to check out some Progressive Rock and suggest ' And you and I ' by the Band Yes, from the album most people consider their best which is called Close to the edge.
Have you already checked out Ludwig van Beethoven - moonlight Sonata (3rd movement) Tina s cover
Yes.. She is amazing 🤟
In most of your previous follow-up videos, you say a little about the artist. Since knowing nothing about The Beach Boys you obviously had found the name Brian Wilson and mention him several times here. But you were so impressed about the preciseness of the voices in the first video. Haven't you read about Brian's perfectionism? It's a really important part of The Beach Boys story. Didn't you found it interesting to find out, that what got your attention actually is sort of their trademark?
Just wondering.
Here's a little suggestion. What about a video about the bait music theory? Since you don't know if everybody has seen your previous videos, I understand that you sort of go back to Adam and Eve everything you want to explain something. But if there was I video about the basics, you could just say: "If you do not know about those matters, you can watch this video." If it had been so, in this video you could have gone directly to "There is a lot of modulations" and then you would also have had more time to go into some details.
This isn't ment as criticism, just a suggestion that could make things run a little smoother.
I'm sorry if this comment sound more negative than my previous. It wasn't ment to.