Shit, I can't even imagine trying to sing over it while I'm playing it. I never knew he produced his own songs. I thought he was a brilliant lyricist. Just discovered the album this was on and am in love.
Barrette Quartet Good point. I did hear some textures much more clearly than on the recording. I'm still really moved by the opening and closing section(that wavering solo piano)the wistfulness of it- which is, wonderfully enhanced on the original recording by train whistle sounds.
This song never gets old, absolutely one of my favorites from Van Dyke and it's a shame the majority only know him as the guy who worked with Brian Wilson on Smile, when in all honesty he is so much more. Not meaning to degrade Wilson, as he is bar none the greatest musical mind of this century, but Van Dyke is right behind him and it's very fortunate these two happened to meet and work to produce some of the finest music to ever be composed.
In sports they have the eye test. In music they have the ear test. My ear test says Brian Wilson's supposed genius is way overblown. This album by Van is as good as anything The Beach Boys ever did.
Gives me chills -- what an enjoyable transcription of the original arrangement. I'd love to hear a night of this or, better still, a night of Van Dyke Parks and Randy Newman facing off with two grand pianos on stage.
A song about Steve Young I believe. Met Steve once. Very kind guy. After only one meeting he sent me vinyl copies of several of his albums....free . What a decent bloke...Glad VDP wrote a song about him. And check out Steve Young if you get a chance. He was great. RIP Steve.
@@harvey1954 I dunno...I didn't write it. I read somewhere that VDP had written it about Steve. I know that they were friends, and that Steve was an Alabama born Buddhist with his spiritual soul residing in the East.
Thank you! I really needed this. The album version + the live album version I've probably heard about 1000 times or more. So I really needed this ;). Wondering about the sheet music...
I only just realized (after hearing this song hundreds of times) that "bohemians often bear the frigid air" is also "bohemians often bare the frigidaire". Sorry, carry on.
@@sixflyingwhales1907 Did I tell you me and my singing partner sang a song with him.!!!!!! Never forget it. he was beaming. It was off his live album."In a little old country schoolhouse etc" Of course we BOTH got an autographed SONG CYCLE cd.
![Van Dyke Parks - Tokyo Rose [1989]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2KdHVN37P0E/mqdefault.jpg)
Awesome.. For the piano players among us.. try playing a Van Dyke Parks song on piano and you'll quickly realise how talented he is..
Shit, I can't even imagine trying to sing over it while I'm playing it. I never knew he produced his own songs. I thought he was a brilliant lyricist. Just discovered the album this was on and am in love.
I love how Van Dyke bookends his songs with the same intro- grants the listener a keen sense of completion.
Such a good observation. And it’s especially fitting here as an end because that piano sweep is so wistful.
This song - and this performance of it - is one of humanity’s high water marks
Stunning! Brilliant performance that reveals hidden textures obscured by the complex orchestral arrangement of 45 years ago.
Barrette Quartet
Good point. I did hear some textures much more clearly than on the recording.
I'm still really moved by the opening and closing section(that wavering solo piano)the wistfulness of it- which is, wonderfully enhanced on the original recording by train whistle sounds.
This song never gets old, absolutely one of my favorites from Van Dyke and it's a shame the majority only know him as the guy who worked with Brian Wilson on Smile, when in all honesty he is so much more. Not meaning to degrade Wilson, as he is bar none the greatest musical mind of this century, but Van Dyke is right behind him and it's very fortunate these two happened to meet and work to produce some of the finest music to ever be composed.
i think he's on a higher musical level than Wilson actually, even if not as much widespread appeal
In sports they have the eye test. In music they have the ear test. My ear test says Brian Wilson's supposed genius is way overblown. This album by Van is as good as anything The Beach Boys ever did.
Bear Necessity
I'm amazed how close to the record he makes it sound without anything more than a piano.
@codebookspectrum7421 That's spot on.
VDP shows the greatest incarnation of human potential.
This album has some fiendish hold upon me. Can't get by without playing it every so often.
I love this song and the album, Song Cycles is beautiful.
Beautiful
Beautiful
The compression of ideas, history and beauty in this three and a half minutes is, by any measure, almost unreasonable in its brilliance.
Brilliant talent. Was lucky enough to hang out with him and Carson in Seal Beach, CA during the summer of '62.
Gives me chills -- what an enjoyable transcription of the original arrangement. I'd love to hear a night of this or, better still, a night of Van Dyke Parks and Randy Newman facing off with two grand pianos on stage.
A song about Steve Young I believe. Met Steve once. Very kind guy. After only one meeting he sent me vinyl copies of several of his albums....free . What a decent bloke...Glad VDP wrote a song about him. And check out Steve Young if you get a chance. He was great. RIP Steve.
What are the references to Young. The lyrics are so abstract it's hard to connect them.
@@harvey1954 I dunno...I didn't write it. I read somewhere that VDP had written it about Steve. I know that they were friends, and that Steve was an Alabama born Buddhist with his spiritual soul residing in the East.
@@micksherlock4083 Never would have known. Met Van once, but I think he misunderstood what I told him and took it the wrong way.
I thank joanna newsom for introducing me to van dyke parks every time i listen to him
Dope. Contains multitudes.
Why is this so good?
This is so awesome. Song Cycle is criminally underrated
my very favorite performance
this man makes my heart sing
Pure genius.
A *ucking genius.
Absolute genius
Desert island song, disturbing and beautiful.
Great song!
u'r amazing, van dyke parks. the best.
wonderful stuff
Thank you! I really needed this. The album version + the live album version I've probably heard about 1000 times or more. So I really needed this ;). Wondering about the sheet music...
I only just realized (after hearing this song hundreds of times) that "bohemians often bear the frigid air" is also "bohemians often bare the frigidaire".
Sorry, carry on.
That is just one of the many bad puns on the album. Toxi-city. Comes to mind.
@@andyarmstrong4750 Dreams are still born in Hollywood.
@@sixflyingwhales1907 Did I tell you me and my singing partner sang a song with him.!!!!!! Never forget it. he was beaming. It was off his live album."In a little old country schoolhouse etc" Of course we BOTH got an autographed SONG CYCLE cd.
Dreams are still born (stillborn) in Hollywood
switch around (bear vs. bare) and you have it
the 3 dislikes are probably from mike love sympathizers
Lol
or crows uncovering the corn fields.
I couldn't imagine how he would arrange this just for piano... my mind is blown 🤯
It might have been composed on piano and then arranged for ensemble for the record.
saints go marching on
woot!
wow
Piano wizard
@Michelis28 SO TRUE!!!!!
The piano intro is like Liszt yeux d'eau villa d'este! Is IT true mister Parks?:)
damn right there are no "dislikes"
C# major?
Brian Wilson picks collaborators like Van Dyke Parks and Tony Asher, yet what he gets stuck with is Mike Love
successful songwriter should be able to pick their collaborators
Left on Silverlake...
Ja get it? Alright.