Petra Sounds "God Only Knows"

Last year Petra Haden's a capella version of "The Who Sell Out" thrilled and delighted my friend Gary who is a huge Who fanatic. Petra's vocal-only reinterpretation of the Who's classic album was a concept-upon-a-concept and it worked brilliantly. I saw her 10 women choir performance at the LA Weekly Awards last year at the Henry Fonda and was blown away. However, I am only a moderate fan of the Who, but ... I would have been as ga-ga as Gary if I first heard what I hope will soon become "Petra Haden Sings: Pet Sounds"

"God Only Knows"

1966's Pet Sounds is deservedly one of the best America rock albums ever and "God Only Knows" is one of its strongest tracks. The original showcases a lead vocal from Carl Wilson and a playful French horn expressing a wistful lover's (slightly obsessive) plea for love and committment. Supposedly it is Paul McCartney's favorite song from the album he dubbed "the classic of the century." Petra's version is tastefully restrained yet packs an emotional whallop at times with the harmoies and tender vocals.

Hear Petra Haden and Mike Watt discuss how the Who idea came to be reality on KCRW's The Open Road.

Check out Petra's website for more music, including a version of Michael Jackson's Thriller

I found that cool Brian Wilson cartoon at "Toothpaste for Dinner which sounds like something Brian would eat.