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Editorial Reviews

The progeny of three Left Coast music legends -- Beach Boy Brian Wilson and John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas -- the gals of Wilson Phillips take a close-to-home approach for their first album in a dozen years, packing the disc with songs drawn from the golden age of southern California soft rock. Much like Nancy Sinatra did with her 2002 outing, California Girl, this honey-voiced vocal trio use their affection for their home state as a springboard for a comeback. Carnie and Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips seek help directly from the source in such noted L.A. session vets as Russ Kunkel and Larry Klein, who played on many of the original recordings, and producer Peter Asher, who's worked with Linda Ronstadt and gives Wilson Phillips' cover of Ronstadt's "You're No Good" an R&B gloss complete with loops and a dance beat. Brian Wilson contributes piano, vocals, and words of encouragement to a delightful rendition of the Beach Boys' "In My Room," which winds up a touching disc highlight. The trio sound equally at home on a sparsely arranged version of the Boys' surf nugget "Dance, Dance, Dance," with the Wilson sisters appropriately taking the lead, and the Mamas & the Papas' "Monday, Monday," embellished by Chynna Phillips's gritty vocals, prominent guitar, and an urgent tempo. Other artists given an extreme makeover by the lovely ladies include Neil Young (a dreamy "Old Man," revamped with lush orchestration), Fleetwood Mac (the meandering "Go Your Own Way"), and the Eagles (a chugging "Already Gone" that Phillips gives a winsome edge). With California, Wilson Phillips do justice to their hefty musical legacy, ushering the good vibrations into the next century. Dave Gil de Rubio, Barnes & Noble

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