Brian Wilson played an intimate eight song acoustic set in London on Thursday (July 2), to mark the launch of a new collector's book and print set published with Sir Peter Blake based on recent album That Lucky Old Sun.

The cloth-bound hand-numbered box set of original collages by iconic artist Sir Peter Blake is published by Genesis Publications and also contains reproduced handwritten sheet music and lyrics for the album track "Midnight's Another Day." Their accompanying numbered book is hand-signed by both authors, Wilson and Blake.

As Brian prepares to tour Europe and North America in 2009, this fine art boxed book and print set will launch with just 1,000 copies available worldwide.  Described by Brian as "a spiritual record", it includes 12 exclusive new prints created by Peter, presented as numbered, fine art serigraphs. 

The series of original collages draw their inspiration from the music of Brian Wilson's new masterpiece, offering a moving tribute to Southern California and a celebration of Brian's life and career.  Sir Peter Blake comments, "It is extremely satisfying to bring the California that Brian sees to the page.  That Lucky Old Sun is a ‘collage of sound' which I'm very happy to make visual."  

Brian Wilson is the creative force behind some of the most cherished recordings in history and one of the most influential composers of the last century. That Lucky Old Sun first appeared as a live performance commissioned by the Royal Festival Hall, London, in 2007.  A year later the work was developed in the studio and the result was Brian's first new full-length album in many years. 

The pioneer of "Pop Art", Sir Peter Blake is an elected member of the Royal Academy, an associate artist of The National Gallery and, in 2003, more than forty years after his first solo exhibition, was knighted by Her Majesty The Queen for services to fine art.

Brian Wilson played the secret gig at a London private members club to mark the release of a new box set of collages based around his recent album That Lucky Old Sun.

Wilson, backed by three members of his touring band, performed That Lucky Old Sun album tracks as well as classic hits at the private launch at members bar 1 Alfred Place in London's West End.

Brian Wilson's secret gig set list was:

Roll Around Heaven

California Girls

Don't Worry Baby

Surfin USA

Do It Again

In My Room

God Only Knows

Midnight's Another Day

Going Home

Southern California

Editor's Notes

http://www.genesis-publications.com/lucky/


Copyright material can only be reproduced provided the following copy appears accompanying any article/feature:

That Lucky Old Sun by Brian Wilson and Sir Peter Blake – the signed, handmade limited edition box set of 1,000 copies is available only through Genesis Publications; www.genesis-publications.com. Tel +44(0)1483 540970. Pre-publication Price: £900.

About Genesis Publications

Brian Roylance founded Genesis Publications in 1974. His aim was to start a unique publishing company true to the arts of printing and craftsmanship and to establish a community shared by its authors and readers. Years later, in 1995, he found himself explaining the nature of hand-bound books in an interview with the New York Times and noted, "I suppose to some extent I am stuck in a time warp. I don't know of many people who go to this much trouble to produce a book anymore. But I think there is a future for it." Today, Genesis is headed by Brian's son and daughter. Many other publishers have been inspired by the work of Genesis but few, if any, have matched the attention to design and craftsmanship for which Genesis has become known. As a result, over 35 years since work began on the first book, Genesis has developed a reputation for exceptional signed limited editions. 

Website: www.genesis-publications.com