Beach Boys - An American Band / Brian Wilson - I Just Wasn't Made for These Times

Amazon.com

A magnificent DVD pairing for Beach Boys fans, these two stylistically different films here pretty much represent the two sides of "America's Band." First up is The Beach Boys: An American Band, made at the height of their Reagan-era resurgence after then Interior Secretary James Watt banned them from performing at the nation's capitol on the 4th of July. A colorful, upbeat film, it doesn't entirely gloss over the more downbeat aspects of the Beach Boys saga (parental abuse, mental illness, uncomfortably tight pants, loads of drugs, and Charles Manson), though it does go out of its way to give the story a happy ending, despite the recent death of drummer Dennis Wilson and the group's complete creative standstill. However, what it lacks in perspective, it more than makes up for in priceless footage, including Smile-era studio outtakes, the unreleased 1967 concert in Hawaii, numerous TV appearances, and extensive interview footage from the mid-'70s.

I Just Wasn't Made for These Times, on the other hand, goes more out of its way to show the long dark path of head Beach Boy Brian Wilson. While Wilson is now acknowledged as the Mozart of the late 20th century, director Don Was gives us a stark black-and-white portrait of a troubled artist still struggling to get his life back. His reminiscence of dad Murry Wilson's beatings is chilling, and Wilson is as comfortable as he'll ever be in front of the camera bragging up his drug use ("Cocaine... the works... put me in jail") and randomly quoting Arthur Koestler's Darkness at Noon. Through it all, Wilson comes across as a complete original, and if the reworkings of his classic songs don't quite match up to the originals, give the guy a break--he just wasn't made for these times. --Kristian St. Clair

Customer Reviews:

Good Beach Boy History.......2007-01-12

This was a truly interesting look at the Beach Boys. I enjoyed it very much.

I'd recommend "Endless Harmony" and "Smile" instead........2006-09-28

AMERICAN BAND

Simply because I've seen "An American Band" and think its a bad way-in to the Beach Boys simply because their studio recordings are immortal yet this documentary stubbornly opts every time for the live version where the BB's slaughter the delicate arrangements they weren't allowed to play in the studio (Brian had studio musicians do the parts in the band's peak era (circa All Summer Long-Pet Sounds, 1966). Many Americans may know the BB's as a great touring band - but I see no evidence of it. Mike Love's camping it up on stage also isn't likely to endear this doco to newcomers. Also, the footage is grainey

I JUST WASN'T MADE FOR THESE TIMES (yet to see it, but I'm just saying Endless Harmony is a much more professionally done project with a bigger budjet, presents a more well-rounded portrait, instaed of just an onslaught of live BB murder.)

So my logic is that you shouldn't buy anything with "American Band" on it, and while you're going for "Endless Harmony" you may as well go for "Smile" as well, the DVD.

not bad.......2005-09-10

i baught both of these on vhs, a pretty good find. I must say, I just wasn't made for these times was great. a very interesting look into brian's life. i just hate how most documentries completely disregard what happened in the 80s/early 90s in regards to brians life. i know there wasn't much, but i would have liked to see it all. but still that was great. now, for an american band, that was ok. it wasnt as good as ijwmftt but it had some interesting footage. most of when brian was in the bed was interesting, however, it did get a bit tedious to hear only a little beach boys history. i would have liked more, but i guess thats what "endless harmony" is for. so i would recommend getting both thoes films. you get the good documentry, then the videos and rare footage, then you get brian's story, the brains behind the band. together it all makes for a great package for your beach boys fan, or your beginner.

Black and White.......2005-04-27

I think the beginning of all Beach Boys-ology begins with these two programs.

AN AMERICAN BAND

This gives you a good feel of the early and late phases of the band. Although it glosses over the 1970's and there is no mention of Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar (two black South Africans that appeared on Carl and The Passions, Holland, and the 73 Concert Album), this film gives you a baseline overview.

Yes, it is sanitized. But you don't expect them to mention in detail Denny's drug abuse and sex-cipades, and his connection to Charles Manson, now do you?

This films strength is the archival footage, pre-MTV videos, and the various concert variations on songs. I love the version of "In My Room," with the strings and the splitting room.

Admittedly, it is jerky and would stand for better editing. I'm thinking of the scene with Carl in the used car lot. Moreover, the changes from 1960's TV capture and the frosted video tape of 1985 can be hard on the eye.

But this is, after all, about the music and actually seeing they guys play. The Beatles had left-handed Paul as a counter point to Right-Handed John. The Beach Boys have a slat, with short Al, portly Carl, and Brian topping six feet. It makes for quite a visual presentation. Later, Mike Love would develop a type of eye-catching flashiness, even when rapping "Wipeout."

I JUST WASN'T MADE FOR THESE TIMES

This is Brian Wilson, in black and white-literally and metaphorically. Brian, who does not interview well, opens himself up to probing. And he responds. The commentary by Tom Petty is fascinating-I would have loved to see Billy Corgan's comments, too. But he wasn't famous at the time.

You see Brian as a family man-ex-wife Marilyn, daughters Wendy and pre-gastronomy Carnie, and Carl and Audrey. Thank goodness they got both mom and brother on camera before they died.

The weirdest piece of trivia comes from Audrey. She mentions that Murray would get angry and then retreat into his bedroom and have his secretary schedule things form his bed. Weird, but this puts the "lying in bed like Brian Wilson" question in a new light.

The remakes are nothing spectacular, but it is fun to see and hear Brian and his two daughters, plus Carl, sing. Almost like the Osmonds.

Endless Disharmony.......2005-03-26

This set of two revealing perspectives on the Beach Boys has enough samples of their best music to be appealing to fans. It also uncovers glimpses of the inner turmoil that developed as Brian Wilson, their primary creative force, left touring and changed the focus of his talents from writing catchy tunes about surfing and girls to writing complex harmonic sequences with lyrics that told stories of lost innocence and finding one's soul.

The turning point came in 1966, when Wilson essentially replaced Mike Love with Van Dyke Parks as his primary lyricist collaborator after "Pet Sounds". After the resulting "Smile" project was abandoned due to internal strife, the Beach Boys minus Wilson re-invented themselves as primarily a nostalgia band, riding the crest of the wave that had formed under Brian's leadership, but whose new songs were weak imitations at best. Wilson himself never fully recovered from the demise of "Smile", although the recent successful reconstruction of this project has signified a partial recovery of his significant talents.

"An American Band" does its best to sugar-coat the conflicts, and has the look and feel of the "official story" of the band, like a 2 hour press conference in which the facts are sanitized. There are two pivotal moments in this video: one comes when squeaky-clean Bruce Johnston walks towards the camera looking like a televangelist, saying confidently with a straight face "We knew Brian was not going to be around [after "Smile"] but that we had to push on without him" (why?) The other highlight of the film is Brian's amazing solo performance of "Surf's Up" accompanying himself on the piano. "Surf's Up" expands the harmonic horizon beyond even "Good Vibrations", and is one of the most original, most beautiful, pop songs ever written. Brian's rendition is unintentionally heart-breaking; he is clearly exposing his fragile soul here on lyrics that are suggestive of innocence, a dark past, and a hope for redemption.

"Brian Wilson: I wasn't made for these times" is a biography of Brian Wilson, and is more detailed in its exploration of the Beach Boy turmoil. It is a little too long on talking heads, but also has good moments, including Brian's rendition of the story of "Good Vibrations" to eloquent tributes by Tom Petty and Linda Rondstat.

The other amazing revelation by watching these documentaries (especially if you watch them after you watch the Beatles Anthology) is the complete lack of character and wit displayed by the band members. Brian is the most interesting of the bunch, but his troubled past has rendered him humorless and incapable of displaying any evidence of wit. Carl looked like a nice guy, but again seems to take it all too seriously; Dennis played the part of a 1-dimensional sex toy, wound up and eventually wound down on substances; Al....can't think of anything to say about him... And Mike Love! He's just plain weird, will someone please tell him that he is not cool?

Buy this for the great music and for a fascinating glimpse into a famous dysfunctional band.

Average customer rating:

Could have been so great
Sad, really sad...
not enough
Unbelievably bad!!!!!

Just an American Boy
Starring: Justin Earle , and Steve Earle
Director: Amos Poe
Manufacturer: Artemis Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000C2IWU
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Customer Reviews:

Could have been so great.......2006-12-29

I love Steve Earle, and was really interested in a backstage look at his politics and tour. Unfortunately, this DVD doesn't feel cohesive or complete. And -- although I've heard Steve Earle is quite a character -- I thought the film was fairly dull. Some great footage though, especialy the bluegrass show.

Sad, really sad..........2004-08-30

... and there was such great potential here but none of it was realized. Poor sound, poor camera work and way to much of Steve just jabbering on. Where there was finally some music as often as not there was taking over it too. I watched it once and sold it. If you want a lesson in Steve's politics, this is for you. If you want music, forget it.

not enough.......2004-03-12

I'm a great fan of Steve Earle, the outspoken activist/musician and the subject of this documentary. I had read a recent biography of him, so I was somewhat familiar with his life, music, and politics, and was looking forward to learning more when I put this DVD in.
JUST AN AMERICAN BOY contains some terrific musical performances, but sadly it leaves Earle himself unknowable. The 2002 tour, the film's primary setting, occurred during the firestom over "John Walker's Blues", a song on Earle's JERSUALEM album widely misunderstood as being pro-Taliban. There are a lot of issues to discuss here, yet Earle is heard to say little on the subject in the film, and we just get some recycled news clips for context. Footage from a court-ordered concert at a prison comes late and out of chronological order in the film, and little is said about Earle's overcoming some whopping addictions earlier in his life. In one bizarre scene, Earlr recounts a story of being arrested while carrying a gun which accidentally discharges to a woman who laughs uproariously and inappropriately. Also, I would have liked more on Earle's musical roots, there's only a brief mention of the iconoclastic singer-writers who nurtured Earle, like Townes Van Zandt.
Overall, a disappointing film about a fascinating man.

Unbelievably bad!!!!!.......2004-03-06

When I first read the review of this documentary I thought,"Wow! I have to buy this". WHAT A MISTAKE!!!
This is by far the worst piece of crap I've ever purchased. The "film-making" was absolutely horrible...Shaky, amateurish edits done with what looks like a cheap, home video camera. It literally looks like someones 12 year old kid put this together. But even if you can stomach the amateurish production, the bad story telling cannot be overlooked. The film-makers seemed to lose focus after the first 10 minutes of so....Very little meaningful insight into the man behind the music. All in all...a horrible document of a great musical talent.

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