BEACH Boys star Brian Wilson is giving fans in the south something to smile about.

In a follow-up to last year's hugely successful Pet Sounds tour, the legendary singer-songwriter will be performing Smile - possibly the most famous unreleased album in history - live at Portsmouth Guildhall.

Wilson, 62, originally recorded the album - a follow-up to the Beach Boys' influential Pet Sounds album - in 1966 and 1967, but his deteriorating mental health meant that it was never released.

In the decades since, the album has taken on a Holy Grail-like status. Wilson has now made an all-new studio recording of the album.

Featuring the ten-member band that has supported him on tour for the past five years, augmented by the Stockholm Strings and Horns, Smile is due for release on September 27.

The songs were given their live public premiere in February this year.

Compared to the hermit-like years of the 70s and 80s, Wilson is currently going through one of his more prolific phases. In addition to the Smile tour and re-recording, last week saw him release his first new studio album in six years, Gettin' In Over My Head.

Written and produced by Brian, the album features guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Elton John and Paul McCartney, as well as an emotional duet with his late brother, Carl, using a lead vocal taken from an earlier recording session.

In another link with the past, the album features artwork by Peter Blake, best known for creating the cover to the Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

You can see the Smile Tour at Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday, July 19. Tickets cost £50. Box office: 023 9282 4355.