Brian Wilson — Back in Studio With Some Unlikely Partners

It's hard to believe that, at one time, Brian Wilson doubted his own talent. So much has been written about Wilson's troubled past of mental illness and drug abuse, but the mastermind behind The Beach Boys has blossomed since becoming a solo artist.

Helping our on the new project will be Beach Boys Al Jardine and David Marks. Marks was part of the very early Beach Boys but due to pressure from Murray Wilson (Brian's dad) was bounced and replaced by Jardine.

In addition to former band mates, Wilson will also have some back up from a super producer and a real guitar hero.

The new solo work will find Wilson working with other recording stars far removed from the image of The beach Boys. Wilson is in the studio now working with the likes of  Don Was and Jim Keltner, as well as Vinnie Colaiuta and Tal Wilkenfeld, who are part of Jeff Beck's band.

Jeff Beck? As they say in bad advertising, "You heard right." You may well ask, "How did Brian Wilson get teamed up with Jeff Beck?" Wilson says,  “When I watched Jeff Beck perform ‘Surf’s Up’ to honor me at the MusiCares Person of the Year event in 2005, I knew I had to find a way to work with him. "He absolutely blew my mind, and we’ve been friends ever since. Jeff’s incredible guitar playing is exactly what I want for my new album and I’m also looking forward to performing live with him soon.”

Back in 2004, Wilson's release of the long awaited "Smile" album, a project delayed since 1966, was greeted with critical raves. The feeling was that , if "Pet Sounds" scared Lennon and McCartney, "Smile" would have terrified them. The work was still ahead of it's time when it was released in '04. Imagine if it had been released as the follow up to "Pet Sounds" in '66!

It's great to see Brian Wilson selling millions of records and getting the true accolades he has long deserved.