It’s Neil Young’s 80th birthday, so here’s my favorite Neil Young song. I don’t think he’d mind how the dogs occasionally chime in.

Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" turns 50 today. Probably a desert island disc for me. Musically, lyrically, sonically - it remains an astonishing achievement. This tune in particular is a standard (in every sense of the word) of the canon of songwriting I aspire to.

The brilliant Tom Lehrer left us yesterday at 97. I first heard his songs in HS English class, & I think it may have been this tune, which is one of my favs. Of course, this was written back when there were actual Nazis working with the US Gov’t—gosh, one can hardly imagine what that was like...

A song for this 4th of July, 2025.
In lieu of celebrating, because there doesn't feel like much to celebrate this year.

Today's final tribute, "Surf's Up", is Brian Wilson's finest moment as a composer, and a fitting finale to this series of musical tidbits I've enjoyed sharing this past week.

Thanks for listening, and Happy Birthday Brian. (1/3)

Most anything from "Pet Sounds" requires contrapuntal reinforcements, so for today's tribute I'm honored that my pal Scotty joined me on "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". Even with two voices, piano, guitar, and makeshift theremin, it was still a challenge. This is such a remarkable tune.

Here's a favorite of mine, and one of the best songs you've probably never heard. "Still I Dream Of It" —an unreleased song Brian Wilson wrote during the legendary "bedroom years".
(1/2)

Today's BW tribute, "That's Not Me", inspired by a recent discussion with a friend on "Pet Sounds". It’s the essential soundtrack for the last chapters of growing up. In terms of emotional honesty, sincerity, & vulnerability, can anything compete with this?

Today's Brian Wilson tribute is one of my favorites off SMiLE - "Wonderful". A miraculous match of music and lyrics, both of which absolutely slay me. (1/2)

Today's Brian Wilson tribute is a request from my brother Cory- the title track from BW’s 1995 collaboration with Van Dyke Parks, "Orange Crate Art". Sadly somewhat obscure; IMO it ranks up there with the great American art songs by Copland or Barber, VDP's lyrics pure poetry as usual.

Since the news of Brian Wilson's passing yesterday, I've been spending a lot of time at the piano revisiting my favorites from his incredible catalog. Here's "The Warmth of the Sun", from 1964. I continue to be totally obsessed with this chord progression.

I lost a hero of mine today, and I'm heartbroken–but also filled with gratitude for his music, some of the most brilliant & miraculous ever made in our time. Brian Wilson, against unspeakable odds, disproved Fitzgerald's quip that "there are no second acts in American lives."

It's Pierre Boulez's 100th Birthday. How excited am I about this?
I made a reel. For real.
In which your correspondent shares listening recommendations for those curious to get to know Boulez's works & repeatedly uses the word "amazing", for which he has no regrets.
#Boulez
#boulez100
#pierreboulez