Sgt.Pepper special on PBS

Great insight on the Beatles’ creative process. The exploration of the unique sounds created by diverse instruments helped me remember that it took several listenings to get comfortable with this album. I just wasn’t ready for the revolutionary change this album introduced. This program increased my appreciation for all the effort that went into making Sgt Pepper’s LHCB.

A column in the latest issue of "the absolute sound" discusses this subject and acknowledges that Brian Wilson was exploring creative multilayering in the making of "Good Vibrations" around the same time as the Beatles were crafting "Sgt Peppers LHCB." What I found interesting was the statement that "Paul McCartney would say years later that (Frank Zappa’s) Freak Out inspired the Beatles to stretch out creatively on their influential 1967 concept album Sgt Peppers’ LHCB." Frank Zappa...who knew?

If this thread interests you, there's a special on called "The Beach Boys: The Making of Pet Sounds" which (obviously) explores Brian Wilson's masterpiece. Unlike the Beatles, who collaborated on Sgt Peppers, this Beach Boys movie reveals the genius of Brian Wilson. All of the Beach Boys had talent but it was Brian Wilson's determination to deliver words and melodies that would become classics by forming a time capsule of suburban American life in the 60's. If you were sixteen in 1966, then you know what I mean.