October 8, 2009 13:26

Brian Wilson asked to finish incomplete George Gershwin compositions

'He had a gift for melody that nobody has ever equalled,' Wilson says of Gershwin

Photo: PA Photos

Brian Wilson has been given the go-ahead to finish writing incomplete music by George Gershwin.

The Beach Boys mainman will be given full access to the compositions by Gershwin's estate, and will release the music on a forthcoming album of Gershwin covers.

Though the album has no fixed release date, it will come out on Walt Disney imprint Disney Pearl, whom Wilson has recently signed a deal with, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Speaking about the album, Wilson said he has always loved the music of Gershwin, who died in 1937.

"The earliest music I remember hearing is 'Rhapsody In Blue'," he said. "Along with Irving Berlin, Gershwin basically invented the popular song, but he did something more. He had a gift for melody that nobody has ever equalled, yet his music is timeless and always accessible. This is the most spiritual project I've ever worked on."

In a statement, Todd Gershwin of the George Gershwin estate and Michael Owen of the Ira Gershwin [George's older brother who wrote the compositions' lyrics] estate praised Wilson as a songwriter.

"The Gershwin families are delighted that the legendary musician Brian Wilson has chosen to record a collection of George and Ira Gershwin songs for his next project. In every generation, American music has been pushed forward by visionaries, from the Gershwin brothers to Brian Wilson. This latest interpretation will be a new opportunity to discover the magic of Gershwin music."

Wilson's second release for Disney Pearl will be an album of covers from classic Disney productions, which he promises to "Brian-ize".

Release dates for both albums are yet to be finalised.