Brian Wilson Takes On George Gershwin

by NPR Staff
Imagine the opening chords of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" sung by an ethereal chorus of spot-on Beach Boys-style harmonies. Or don't imagine it: Just play the new disc by the impresario behind The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, who recently joined Weekend All Things Considered guest host Audie Cornish to talk about his new album, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin. Wilson says his earliest musical memory was "Rhapsody in Blue," which he heard when he was 4.

"My mom and dad took me over to my grandmother's house, and my grandmother put on 'Rhapsody in Blue' for me, and had me lay down by the record player,” he says. "I just remember I loved it so much, you know? I really did."

For Wilson, Gershwin's music struck a chord on many levels.

"It was everything," Wilson says. "The chords, the melodic movement, the arranging, the impetus, the excitement, the beauty. It was just an absolute work of art."

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