Van Dyke Parks Music
- Discography:
Van Dyke Parks
Artist Overview
One of pop music's more eccentric figures, songwriter, producer, and performer Van Dyke Parks is perhaps best known for his lyrical and conceptual contributions to Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys' legendary lost album, SMILE. Parks made a name for himself around Los Angeles in the '60s as a creative gun for hire, and in 1968 he released his debut album, SONG CYCLE, a challenging pastiche of popular musical forms from throughout American history. His equally challenging follow-up, 1969's DISCOVER AMERICA, looked more toward the sounds of the Caribbean than continental America. In 1995 he reteamed with Wilson for the album ORANGE CRATE ART.
One of pop music's more eccentric figures, songwriter, producer, and performer Van Dyke Parks is perhaps best known for his lyrical and conceptual contributions to Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys' legendary lost album, SMILE. Parks made a name for himself around Los Angeles in the '60s as a creative gun for hire, and in 1968 he released his debut album, SONG CYCLE, a challenging pastiche of popular musical forms from throughout American history. His equally challenging follow-up, 1969's DISCOVER AMERICA, looked more toward the sounds of the Caribbean than continental America. In 1995 he reteamed with Wilson for the album ORANGE CRATE ART.
