Paul Mertens

The world is populated only by people with Down syndrome. One day, a boy is born who is different. He is not ‘normal’, because he looks a little bit different and behaves a little bit unusual.

In his Soundstage special, Brian Wilson performs hits from his illustrious award-winning career as a Beach Boy, as well as selections from his new album No Pier Pressure.

50 years after the release of the Pet Sounds album with the Beach Boys, this is Brian Wilson at la Baloise Session.

When the three beggars Suskewiet, Pitje Vogel and Schrobberbeeck are tired of their poverty and hunger, they decide to sing Epiphany on Christmas Eve. Their plan is a triumph and they sing themselves rich. On the way back to the pub however, they get lost in the woods and witness the birth of Little Baby Jesus. Bedazzled by this miracle they decide to give away all their gifts. When next year Christmas is around, they decide to sing again. But puzzled by last year experience, they start to quarrel over the gifts. Our three friends fall apart and each go their own way.

Live performance from Capitol Studio A, May 2008.

While the Beach Boys recorded songs for their SMiLE project in 1966 and 1967, the album was never completed. In 2004, Brian Wilson, his band and lyricist Van Dyke Parks re-assembled and re-recorded the material as a song cycle and album titled Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE, performed here in its entirety at a venue in Los Angeles.