Show 17: Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL 5/21/12 (SETLIST/PICS/REVIEWS)
Justin:
Brian sometimes had bad nights...sometimes good nights. But tonight was a GREAT night.
I have NEVER seen Brian so on....not in the five other times I"ve seen him in person or in the countless videos I've seen online, DVD or whatever...have I seen him so animated, energetic and just downright HAPPY to be on stage and enjoying doing the show. The first signs were simple: he was smiling..a lot and very early on in the show. As the "Do It Again" started he greeted the guys behind him: Nicky, Darian, Scott with a nod and a smile. He smiled to the crowd A LOT. At one point he actually did a huge "Yeah!" to someone in the crowd who was singing along with the song. Brian waved his arms, pointed to anyone who had a solo or a spotlight on them. When he sang leads like on "Please Let Me Wonder" or "Marcella" he would almost GROWL his lyrics. He was so anxious to get to the mic and sing. Twice I recall deep growls as he attacked his lyric. The Brian we knew in the studio, barking orders was this Brian I saw on stage. Two standout moments that stood out were right as they started "Add Some Music To Your Day" the stage lights were still dim but you could here the band start to gather at Brian's piano. Then you heard from Brian: "Okay guys, what are we doing? Add Some Music To Your Day? Who wrote that one?" then the band breaks up and start cracking jokes. All the laughing and muttering starts to sound like that classic studio chatter we've heard where they're giggling and cracking jokes. This was unreal.
Soon after that, he says "Okay, California Dreamin??" Then he counts it off! "Ah one, a two, a three..." while Al runs over to his place to pick up his guitar and follow Brian's lead. Brian then says "And now we have Al singing for you another song....." HA! Finally a glimpse into Brian "barking orders" as they say. He was really into the song and sang with gusto. He sang on all the songs. Keeping a very close eye on either Jeff or Mike the entire show. The biggest wow moment of the night was right after "Good Vibrations" as the crowd is clapping...Brian speaks up and says "Wait wait! And now Mike Love is going to sing a song that's not as good as Good Vibrations but still good...Here's Mike on lead vocals!" The band cracks up...we're all in awe. The crowd doesn't know how to handle this...my mouth is hanging open. Later Brian straps on his bass and it's good stuff. The bows come and he takes it all in. Did anyone see that thread I started a few days ago "Where does Brian run to?" haha...well tonight, he didn't run anywhere. He stayed on stage and WANTED to stay.
My favorite moment was early on after a song, Mike had said something like "A wonderful song written by the great Brian Wilson!" The crowd erupts and gives Brian an ovation. As Mike points to Brian and we redirect our attention to Brian...we see Brian let out a huge sneeze! Perfection.
Some pics I took:
Shady:
Fantastic reviews ;D
Can't wait for some video
coco1997:
Quote from: Justin on May 21, 2012, 09:55:41 PM
When he sang leads like on "Please Let Me Wonder" or "Marcella" he would almost GROWL his lyrics. He was so anxious to get to the mic and sing. Twice I recall deep growls as he attacked his lyric.
I noticed this, too! The standout for me me was on "Sail on Sailor". "DAAAAAAAAAAMNNNNNN the thunder!" He sounded great!
MBE:
I AM KNOCKED OUT! This is THE BEST Beach Boys tour since 1975. Not one song was thrown away, rushed, or even off. Al sounds amazing, haven't seen him since 1993 and I was bowled over. Brian sang his ass off. He sounded like Brian Wilson, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times he got a standing ovation I actually shed a tear. Sail On Sailor was as good as Blondie. It was the best I have seen him sound in person ever. Of course he doesn't hit the high notes but he sang like an undamaged vocally Brian Wilson would have sounded. I was stunned. Mike and Bruce were so into the show in a way I haven't seen either of them since like 1980. The bass vocals from Love and Disney Girls was out of sight. The Carl and Dennis tributes were terrific. It blends with their voices seamlessly. Seeing Bruce sing his part on God Only Knows while Carl sang was so touching. David was masterful on guitar. All those great treblely notes from the early Capitol LP's was there. People EVEN BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL WAS GOOD. The song selection was fantastic. Two So Tough songs two Sunflower songs, Cottonfields, Then I Kissed Her (again Al was amazing). Heroes was beyond cool. Even the two 15 Big Ones tracks sounded vital! OK so Kokomo was Kokomo but it was well done. Brian seemed to really hate playing it so he barely did. Only time he really zoned out. I can't argue with your taste Brian. Anyhow you must see this show if you haven't and have a chance. It was a dream come true for me.
Did I mention that it was DAMN GOOD!
MBE:
Also just found out they are shooting a DVD documentary. I got to speak about how the Beach Boys represent America over the last 50 years. Talked about the James Watt thing etc. I don't know if they will use me but I am excited to see what it will turn out to be.
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