I became a Beach Boys fan later in life (in my early 20's). I appreciate the wonderful harmonies, unique song arrangements and absolutely brilliant song-writing of Brian Wilson. Some of their songs may sound like simple pop ditties, but you need to listen deep to the tracks and hear the amazing detail beneath it all. I've seen several Beach Boys and Brian Wilson documentaries, but Long Promised Road provides a rare but much more intimate insight into Brian's life and why he is such a musical genius. Jason Fine's interview style blew me away... it was conducted in such a laid back way where it was just two friends hanging out talking.. yet Fine was able to pull stuff from Brian and get him to open up that I'm sure no one else has been able to do. I appreciated the mutual respect and the true caring for each other. The scene that caught my attention was when Jason had to break the news to Brian that Jack Reilly, his former song writing collaborator had passed away a couple of years earlier but Brian didn't know until Fine told him. The transformation in Brian's face and personality upon hearing the news was palpable. You can see the effect that hearing of Reilly's passing had on him. You could tell it hit him deeply. I'm a journalist myself and am absolutely jealous of Jason Fine's great interviewing skills. Definitely worth a watch Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan or not,.
Review of Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
One of the most intimate views into the life of true musical genius!
10 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers