Dreamer

Dennis Wilson

As drummer for the Beach Boys, Dennis had already had considerable fame and success but apart from a few lead vocal roles ('Do You Wanna Dance?' 'This Car of Mine'), he didn't get the opportunity to show the full extent of his talent. He released a single in 1970, but it wasn't until 1977 that he released Pacific Ocean Blue, his first solo album.

It's wonderful!!  Emotional  ballads, funky soul songs and laid back California rock and Wilson's distinctive rasping vocal. Dennis loved the sea and this album has that theme throughout (he was the only Beach Boy that actually surfed).
It opens with the epic River Song, worth the price of the album alone. Its a massive but heartfelt production, featuring the Little Rock Baptist Choir and brother Carl Wilson.
There are many more highlights, my personal favourites being 'Dreamer', 'Rainbows', and the heartbreaking 'End Of The Show'.

Dennis was gregarious and fun-loving, and the unfortunate flip-side in his case was a growing problem with alcoholism and substance abuse. He died in 1983, but fittingly, he was buried at sea, where he was happiest.
He left behind an unfinished album called Bamboo, which is now available as a box set with POB. It contains one of his most beautiful songs, 'Holy Man'. Although a final vocal track was not recorded in time, it has recently been produced with the original vocals sung by Taylor Hawkins, a fellow drummer from the Foo Fighters. Sit down, get comfortable, listen and drift off to Carl's guitar...........

River Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arQUVdjI2y0

Holy Man feat. Taylor Hawkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNF73YSMpAI

Dreamer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgiD6DLsmIY


For more info go to the lovingly maintained fan site http://www.danaddington.com/denny/