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Arranged, produced, and performed by
A TRIBUTE TO BRIAN WILSON is now available on Varese Sarabande Records (distributed by Universal Music). This is a re-mastered version with bonus tracks, including Sweet Mountain, Saturday Morning in the City, Vegetables (Alternative Version), and Spirit of Rock and Roll.
This album evolved over a ten year period. I am a film and television composer, songwriter (pop/musical theater), and producer by trade (with a wife and three kids) who recorded this labor-of-love in my "spare time", usually between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., which may account for the album's nocturnal vibe.
The first time I encountered Brian Wilson was at Brother Studio while the Beach Boys were recording 15 BIG ONES. Growing up in Malibu, California during the '60s and '70s the music of the Beach Boys provided the perfect soundtrack to my adolescence. I remember vividly the first time I heard "California Girls"
while washing the family car. This incredible sound poured out of the radio and I just had to know who was behind it. The songs presented on this album not only span Brian's forty-year career but also represent his versatility. Many thanks to Brian's collaborators Van Dyke Parks and Tony Asher for their insight and assistance.
Intro (My Prayer)
BONUS TRACKS:
Brian’s music has a knack for sounding simple on the surface, but it’s never simplistic. In the "production wars" of the '60s, Brian had some stiff competition and he single-handedly rose to the occasion. The Beatles had George Martin and Phil Spector had his "Wall Of Sound." Brian’s "wall" was filled with stained-glass windows and that’s what made his productions in the '60s so unique. Another underlying reason his work endures is due to the healing power of his music.
Brian’s pioneering innovations in pop music are so far reaching that we who write and produce have all been under his influence — whether we realize it consciously or not. If Brian never writes another note it will be fine with me. He's done more than enough. But thankfully Brian is as active as ever with writing, recording, and touring.
At the time of this writing THE SMiLE TOUR is on the horizon (who could have ever imagined a SMiLE TOUR!?) Brian Wilson, the man, has had his many demons; but that story is better left to the David Leafs and
Timothy Whites (God rest his soul). I'm just happy BW's still around and able to take a jog in a park on a sunny day without a goon squad in pursuit, to enjoy life (a little) and to finally experience the love and appreciation his
life's work has brought the world over.
CMP (December 2003)
Special thanks to my bandmates (Charles Pett, Greg Hauge, Larry Dolan, and Mike Buckley) for allowing me to step out from the group a bit to make this album.
CMP (February 2004)
"I love your CD. Thanks."
"Awesome !!"
"Mainstream Brian Wilson fans will find Box o' Clox a wonderful collection of the composer's lesser known work — beautifully performed by a very gifted and sensitive Cameron Michael Parkes. For those who haven't heard most or all of these songs, it's like finding a secret cache of treasure-filled eggs after the Easter egg hunt is long
over. Moreover, these are the musical equivalent of Faberge Eggs! For those who already know the material, Cameron has polished, refined and made manifest the full brilliance of these songs that was only hinted at in earlier versions. Here they magically come to life — both melodically and lyrically — thanks to the many talents
and loving attention of Mr. Parkes who, amazingly, does it all by himself."
"I enjoyed listening to Cameron Michael Parkes' Box o' Clox CD. I especially enjoyed where he went with his version of "Vegetables." It was very original and one of the most inspired versions of any Brian Wilson cut that I have heard."
"Cameron's soaring vocals and fascinating arrangements offer new twists while facilitating an even greater appreciation of Brian Wilson's originals. This album is a masterful tribute to one of the great musical legends of our time. Every track will inspire repeated listens."
"Fantastic! The arrangements are wonderful and I can't
imagine one person playing and singing everything so perfectly. These versions have provided an even greater
insight into Brian's genius for composition. I never would have thought that "I'll Bet He's Nice" would have fit on
"Pet Sounds" as Cameron suggested, but I'll be damned if he wasn't right. Cameron's arrangement proved that what
many might think to be a lightweight song from "Love You" is actually a beautiful piece of music that is worthy of
"Pet Sounds." "Wonderful" is wonderful — again, Cameron has given the song another dimension, and the harpischord
and orchestra are simply gorgeous. As a fan, I'm thankful for "A Day In The Life Of A Tree." I always loved the
melody — it's like a beautiful, sweeping movie theme. Unfortunately, Brian's original production was treated
somewhat as a joke with a lead vocal that was nearly unlistenable. We finally have a version that is as beautiful
as the melody. "Saturday Morning In The City" is a newer song that most of Brian's fans haven't heard. Cameron's
version proves that Brian's "still got it": fun lyrics, inventive production and a classic melody are going to have
listeners humming to this whether they like it or not. Of course it's tough to top Brian's original productions, but
these songs can stand proudly alongside the originals — it's a great collection and Brian's fans will love them!"
Note: "Saturday Morning In The City" and "Spirit Of Rock & Roll" were recorded for inclusion on the CD but had to be removed because we were unable to obtain the mechanical rights prior to the release deadline. We hope to
make them available at a later date. Work has already begun on a Volume 2.
More to come ...
Album Art by Chloe Cumming
© 2004 All rights reserved. Web Design by Mark A. Moore and Cinecam Music Productions.
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A TRIBUTE TO BRIAN WILSON
W H A T P E O P L E A R E S A Y I N G . . .
