Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys.Photo:Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
A never-before-heard album fromThe Beach Boys’Brian Wilsonis coming soon.
Although the details are slim, the outlet reports that the album, titledCows in the Pasture, features production from Wilson on what’s his one and only country project, vocals from Vail, 79, and a roster of underwraps, star-studded guests.
Wilson and Vail first collaborated on the project in 1970 and the version that fans will be able to hear in 2025 will feature instrumentation that was completed at the time and new vocals from Vail, perRolling Stone. The former manager is currently finishing the album with the help of producer Sam Parker and Wilson as executive producer.
Brian Wilson in 2017.Daniel Knighton/Getty
Parker told the outlet that the album will feature appearances from “country music legends,” as well as “rock & roll legends, contemporary country and pop stars.” The Beach Boys frontman will also be a guest singer on one of the songs.
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Originally, Wilson is said to have approached Vail about wanting to make a country album with his voice on vocals in 1970, despite the manager (who began working with the band formally in 1969) having no singing experience.
While they recorded temporary vocals and completed the instrumentation, Vail explained to theRolling Stonethat thePet Soundsartist had “a lot of things going on with him personally” at the time, which led toCows in the Pasturebeing lost.
Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson and David Marks of The Beach Boys.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
The process to then finally finish and release the LP began about 10 years ago when the “Good Vibrations” band’s current management contacted Vail about his music that they found in the group’s vault, which he asked them not to throw out.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” he toldRolling Stone. “It shows me that the stuff we recorded in April ’70 is timeless. I was really, really proud of this record, and even though it sat in the can for decades, literally, I always was thinking, ‘Man, that’d be great to get back into the studio and finish this thing.’ And now that’s happening.”
Wilson also shared, “Fred always loved country music and he was a big rodeo guy … He’s a hell of a guy, one hell of a promoter, and I’m glad his album is coming out.”
Per the publication,Cows in the Pasturewill be released along with a docuseries about Vail’s time working with The Beach Boys, as well as his journey to finish his lost album with Wilson.
Brain Wilson in 2018.Scott Dudelson/Getty
Scott Dudelson/Getty
The announcement of the new project from Wilson comes several weeks after his wife of nearly three decades, Melinda Ledbetter,died at age 77.
The “You Still Believe in Me” musician, who shared five children with Ledbetter, announced the news of her deathon Instagramin late January. His post included a thoughtful statement and a message from the pair’s children, who said she died peacefully at home.
“Our five children and I are just in tears. We are lost,” Wilson wrote in the caption of a carousel of throwback shots of Melinda. “Melinda was more than my wife. She was my savior. She gave me the emotional security I needed to have a career. She encouraged me to make the music that was closest to my heart. She was my anchor. She was everything for us. Please say a prayer for her. Love and Mercy Brian.”
source: people.com
