Concert August 9, 2013 (M & B Show)

[filledeplage]

Is this a bad thing, to unplug from the big, fantastic event and go back to their "old normal?" I think not.  It was an exhausting but apparently professionally fulfilling season.  But, everyone needs to agree, to reunite.  For a while, at least, the music will get beyond the large metropolitan areas, of C50 and, reach many of those who were unable to see the reunion, because of distance or other circumstances.  

The door has been opened with C50.  All the guys worked so well together on this undertaking, that they deserve support and space to decompress and regroup when the time is right for all.    

This all sounds good. I do think the "smaller markets" argument is pretty empty though. I think it's a flawed argument to begin with, that at least a good hunk of people couldn't travel to one of the 50 or so shows they did in 2012. But even aside from that, I doubt much of anybody in "non-metropolitan" areas have not had ample opportunities to see Mike's band in the previous 13 years he toured in his normal configuration.

But fundamentally, yes, I think it's a bad thing to pull the plug on an amazing thing like the "C50" band. It was, as I believe Howie Edelson put it, an embarassment of riches. Nothing would make that not the case in 2013.

As an aside, the "C50" tour definitey WAS the only opportunity for most markets to see Al or David in concert. Whether by choice or by circumstance, those guys don't do a lot of gigs. A big part of the success of the C50 tour was a reinvigorated Al Jarding singing his ass off and demonstrating the most in-tact voice of any of the members. Going back to the status quo means we'll be back to not seeing much of Al and David.

What is the point of forcing people to work in a way they don't chose?   Not only is it not desirable, it is likely not legal as against servitude. And that might sound extreme but who wants to work  under conditions that don't suit them?  I like to think of it as a condo association where unanimity is the contingency for change.  A "meeting of the minds" is the standard.  They all have to agree.

No one is saying that the performances were anything but brilliant.  But, I seek out the individual bands whenever possible and have seen both Brian's and Al's great bands out of state.   They have great talent and are an opportunity  to see the musicians who worked with the Beach Boys in the "mid career" years.  Ed Carter, Cannata, Billy Hinsche, Figueroa.

The decisions are not "fan-driven" but "band-driven."  I don't find the "riches" an embarrassment. The wealth is a result of years of toil, loss and eventual renewal.  They stood tall yet humble at 60 and 70 years of age with the fans who remained faithful to their work. 

The Touring Band is supposed to be in Florida doing a run in February at SeaWorld among other towns.  That is "access" to the music.  Not everyone had "access" to C50. 

[Dave in KC]

EXACTLY!
I live in the frickin' middle of the country and they never came close. That alone soured me and I had some splainin' to do. I'm tired of making excuses.

[Dave in KC]

With that said, the Eagles were here TWICE since Long Road Out of Eden. And if they come back, I'm there again. No doubt.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

A big part of the success of the C50 tour was a reinvigorated Al Jarding singing his ass off and demonstrating the most in-tact voice of any of the members.

I loved Al's vocals on the show I saw, but I have to disagree with him having the most intact voice. I think Dave has him beat now, although one vocal per show kind of doesn't count. But in any case, Al's voice showed a little wear throughout, as he sounded hoarse on several of the audience recordings throughout. Of course, the guy IS 70!

[EgoHanger1966]

I am at polar opposites with you - I think Dave easily has the weakest vocals of the tour - not that he sang much at all, but his Getcha Back was no patch on Mike's (why doesn't he sing that song anymore?) - I like his voice on his 60s recordings with the Marksmen, but not a fan of his latter-day voice. Seems like a down-to-earth and nice guy, though. A good fit for The Beach Boys, and his guitar playing this summer was outstanding!

Generally, all of their voices have shown wear and tear, but for the amount they have been performing for 50 years, the vocals were in pretty good shape - Brian sounded amazing when he wanted to, Al handled his leads with confidence, Mike still sounds somewhat like his old self, and Bruce delivered the goods on Disney Girls.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I liked Dave's vocals on Getcha Back  from the videos I saw (he didn't do it at my show, just Hawaii), but I am familiar with his recent vocals pre-reunion, and I happen to be a fan of them!

As the tour went on, say, starting in June...Brian went to another level. And by the last couple of shows, he was phenomenal.  It's like the time went away.

Weakest voice has to be Bruce these days. He generally did excellent on 'Disney Girls', but 'Wendy' was awful when he sang it.

[SMiLE Brian]

The Bloo is... the place were reason goes to die, in gruesome and painful manner. There be dragons.

But oddly, not any Cohens.

Dragons like pork pie....

[Andrew G. Doe]

I am sick and tired of M&B pimping the BBs name and mining Brian's legacy for cheap cash at low rent venues.

Always keep in mind that a proportion of that cheap cash goes directly into Brian's pocket, and has since 1998 (well, since 1964, actually). Also, remember that Brian is entirely happy with said pimping.

[Loaf]

Yeah, nappies, dog food and Toby jugs don't pay for themselves!

[SMiLE Brian]

I am sick and tired of M&B pimping the BBs name and mining Brian's legacy for cheap cash at low rent venues.

Always keep in mind that a proportion of that cheap cash goes directly into Brian's pocket, and has since 1998 (well, since 1964, actually). Also, remember that Brian is entirely happy with said pimping.

I am aware of that and was just expressing my opinion. They have the legal right to tour, but I still don't like it. Seeing Brian with so much energy at my show convinced me he has every right to be a leader of the BBs band in 2013.

[HeyJude]

A big part of the success of the C50 tour was a reinvigorated Al Jarding singing his ass off and demonstrating the most in-tact voice of any of the members.

I loved Al's vocals on the show I saw, but I have to disagree with him having the most intact voice. I think Dave has him beat now, although one vocal per show kind of doesn't count. But in any case, Al's voice showed a little wear throughout, as he sounded hoarse on several of the audience recordings throughout. Of course, the guy IS 70!

All their voices showed some wear and tear, most definitely. Al still sounded the strongest to me, especially considering 2012 was by far the most shows he's done in such a short span since probably 1997, when he was a young, chipper 55 or so. 

I kind of don't count David when rating their voices, only because his voice is just not a big part of the BB's. Before someone jumps in and tells me how great he sounds on his solo stuff, etc., I'm not saying he doesn't have a good voice. It's just a foreign voice to the BB's for the most part. I thought David sounded just fine on "Hawaii" and "Getcha Back" on the tour. Certainly *different* from sounding particularly like the Beach Boys. I wouldn't have minded both Dave and Al getting more leads on the tour.

[bgas]

I am sick and tired of M&B pimping the BBs name and mining Brian's legacy for cheap cash at low rent venues.

Always keep in mind that a proportion of that cheap cash goes directly into Brian's pocket, and has since 1998 (well, since 1964, actually). Also, remember that Brian is entirely happy with said pimping.

I am aware of that and was just expressing my opinion. They have the legal right to tour, but I still don't like it. Seeing Brian with so much energy at my show convinced me he has every right to be a leader of the BBs band in 2013.

Seems to me if Brian was really bothered by this, he'd get Al and Carl's estate in line, call a meeting at BRI and vote in a new agreement whereby Mike has to tour with the rest of them when they say so. 
Since he hasn't I'd say it's all of lot of 

[HeyJude]

What is the point of forcing people to work in a way they don't chose?   Not only is it not desirable, it is likely not legal as against servitude. And that might sound extreme but who wants to work  under conditions that don't suit them?  I like to think of it as a condo association where unanimity is the contingency for change.  A "meeting of the minds" is the standard.  They all have to agree.

No one is saying that the performances were anything but brilliant.  But, I seek out the individual bands whenever possible and have seen both Brian's and Al's great bands out of state.   They have great talent and are an opportunity  to see the musicians who worked with the Beach Boys in the "mid career" years.  Ed Carter, Cannata, Billy Hinsche, Figueroa.

The decisions are not "fan-driven" but "band-driven."  I don't find the "riches" an embarrassment. The wealth is a result of years of toil, loss and eventual renewal.  They stood tall yet humble at 60 and 70 years of age with the fans who remained faithful to their work.  

The Touring Band is supposed to be in Florida doing a run in February at SeaWorld among other towns.  That is "access" to the music.  Not everyone had "access" to C50.  

Of course, I'm not suggesting Brian, Al, and David somehow subject to Mike to illegal servitude. I understand that the whole thing doesn't work if they don't all want to do it, regardless of the reasons. Even some sort of weird scenario where Brian and Al would tell Mike to either do more reunion shows or they will vote to pull the license, I realize a tour under duress is not ideal.

As far as Al, I totally dig his crew of veterans, Figueroa, Carter, Hinsche, etc. I've seen Al live a couple of times, and I've enjoyed his shows as much as Brian's. But Al doesn't do that many gigs, and if you discount shows in 1999 and maybe a few in 2000, Al doesn't get to do particularly long shows either. I would totally go to the county fair and see Al play for 60 minutes and sing the "meat and pototes" numbers, but that relatively rare occurance is usually the best we can hope for. More to the point, since all of the bands how have really good musicians and singers backing them, I don't see anything even remotely being preferable to all 5 Beach Boys with an amazing backing band behind them. If they had used a Joe Thomas-staffed contingent of Chicago easy listening backing musicians, maybe it would be tougher to enjoy the reunion so much. But it was literally most of Brian's amazing band with the two best dudes from Mike's band.

I would presumbe Howie Edelson was just using "embarrassment of riches" as a turn of phrase to describe how amazing the whole production was. When was the last time any project related to the Beach Boys could even come close to the point where you could even consider applying the term "embarrassment of riches"? That's why the tour was so amazing.

All of the guys can continue to do stuff on their own, and I certainly hope they do in lieu of doing nothing. But it's almost surely going to pale in comparison, as it should in comparison to the whole reunited shebang. That one of those contingents continues to use the actual band's name does certainly not help when dwelling on such comparisons. The comparisons won't be dwelled on for much longer, at least for me. I got pretty numb to Mike using the name in the 2000's, so I can do it again I suppose.  

[HeyJude]

Seems to me if Brian was really bothered by this, he'd get Al and Carl's estate in line, call a meeting at BRI and vote in a new agreement whereby Mike has to tour with the rest of them when they say so. 
Since he hasn't I'd say it's all of lot of 

This is very true. We'll see what happens, but I doubt (for many reasons) Brian will resort to this. I think Brian really wanted to do more reunion stuff. I think some fans want it even more, though. I'm fine with that. That Mike doesn't tour with the other guys is something that, presently, cannot be blamed on Brian. That Mike uses the name is something that can, in part, be blamed on Brian.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I am sick and tired of M&B pimping the BBs name and mining Brian's legacy for cheap cash at low rent venues.

Always keep in mind that a proportion of that cheap cash goes directly into Brian's pocket, and has since 1998 (well, since 1964, actually). Also, remember that Brian is entirely happy with said pimping.

I am aware of that and was just expressing my opinion. They have the legal right to tour, but I still don't like it. Seeing Brian with so much energy at my show convinced me he has every right to be a leader of the BBs band in 2013.

Seems to me if Brian was really bothered by this, he'd get Al and Carl's estate in line, call a meeting at BRI and vote in a new agreement whereby Mike has to tour with the rest of them when they say so. 
Since he hasn't I'd say it's all of lot of 

bgas, IMO you are 100% correct. To me, that is the whole story in a nutshell. It all boils down to the money. I don't think for one second that Brian, Melinda, and Brian's attorney's are afraid of taking on Mike - professionally or personally - in forcing the issue. If Brianandhiswifeandmanagers really wanted - REALLY WANTED - to tour as the Beach Boys again, they could force the issue. But, they would be risking blowing up the whole thing which would include that nice check Brian gets for doing nothing.

[filledeplage]

What is the point of forcing people to work in a way they don't chose?   Not only is it not desirable, it is likely not legal as against servitude. And that might sound extreme but who wants to work  under conditions that don't suit them?  I like to think of it as a condo association where unanimity is the contingency for change.  A "meeting of the minds" is the standard.  They all have to agree.

No one is saying that the performances were anything but brilliant.  But, I seek out the individual bands whenever possible and have seen both Brian's and Al's great bands out of state.   They have great talent and are an opportunity  to see the musicians who worked with the Beach Boys in the "mid career" years.  Ed Carter, Cannata, Billy Hinsche, Figueroa.

The decisions are not "fan-driven" but "band-driven."  I don't find the "riches" an embarrassment. The wealth is a result of years of toil, loss and eventual renewal.  They stood tall yet humble at 60 and 70 years of age with the fans who remained faithful to their work.  

The Touring Band is supposed to be in Florida doing a run in February at SeaWorld among other towns.  That is "access" to the music.  Not everyone had "access" to C50.  

Of course, I'm not suggesting Brian, Al, and David somehow subject to Mike to illegal servitude. I understand that the whole thing doesn't work if they don't all want to do it, regardless of the reasons. Even some sort of weird scenario where Brian and Al would tell Mike to either do more reunion shows or they will vote to pull the license, I realize a tour under duress is not ideal.

As far as Al, I totally dig his crew of veterans, Figueroa, Carter, Hinsche, etc. I've seen Al live a couple of times, and I've enjoyed his shows as much as Brian's. But Al doesn't do that many gigs, and if you discount shows in 1999 and maybe a few in 2000, Al doesn't get to do particularly long shows either. I would totally go to the county fair and see Al play for 60 minutes and sing the "meat and pototes" numbers, but that relatively rare occurance is usually the best we can hope for. More to the point, since all of the bands how have really good musicians and singers backing them, I don't see anything even remotely being preferable to all 5 Beach Boys with an amazing backing band behind them. If they had used a Joe Thomas-staffed contingent of Chicago easy listening backing musicians, maybe it would be tougher to enjoy the reunion so much. But it was literally most of Brian's amazing band with the two best dudes from Mike's band.

I would presumbe Howie Edelson was just using "embarrassment of riches" as a turn of phrase to describe how amazing the whole production was. When was the last time any project related to the Beach Boys could even come close to the point where you could even consider applying the term "embarrassment of riches"? That's why the tour was so amazing.

All of the guys can continue to do stuff on their own, and I certainly hope they do in lieu of doing nothing. But it's almost surely going to pale in comparison, as it should in comparison to the whole reunited shebang. That one of those contingents continues to use the actual band's name does certainly not help when dwelling on such comparisons. The comparisons won't be dwelled on for much longer, at least for me. I got pretty numb to Mike using the name in the 2000's, so I can do it again I suppose.  

We probably agree on some issues.  As recently as Sept. 2011, I saw Al's fabulous band and they did a full and exciting show.  It was great to see these guys play together.  That is not a detriment. Nor, is working on one's own craft, while doing some composition, maybe trying it out with that respective band, and bringing it back for final group collaboration.  It might take the pressure off the whole group dynamic, while allowing a more relaxed approach which they all deserve. 
Part of the growth process, maturing, as it were, is the importance of self-determination, and as Sinatra would say, "My Way." I'd bet that they each could come up with 2 or 3 songs for a new album.  I'm waiting for "Don't Fight the Sea" on a bona fine BB album. 
There is probably a hybrid of sorts which could be negotiated.  And the production was really something.  It was splendid, but in hindsight, it was well-merited, and I support that theory with the video screen chronicling the history.  It just spoke for itself. 
This might turn out to be the non "big group" tour and maybe they would assent to a biennial type of arrangement.  I don't know. And, for those who have sort of relied on the annual visit from the Touring Band, it might be every other year.  I wish I knew what each individual band's touring schedule was. It seemed that Al did do a fair amount, at least in 2011, and he was really well-received.  Finding out where the shows are is sometimes a challenge.  And they do private shows, that would not be public.  There isn't one single place where promoters advertise performances.  Lots of times, it's fan-networking.
My guess is that we have not heard the last from this band of "principals" but within the sphere there are more opportunities for individual work, which benefits the original group's good will, a hundred-fold.  When the Touring Band or Al's or Brian's band does a show, it makes them all shine. The issue can be looked at straightforwardly or panoramically. I prefer the latter. The possibilities are more expansive.

[SamMcK]

I figured this was going to happen but this is still kind of depressing for me. I wouldn't mind so much but the ways its ended seemed left a kind of sour aftertaste. Also if i'm being honest i've lost most of my enthusiasm for the group when their not together.

[Dave in KC]

I figured this was going to happen but this is still kind of depressing for me. I wouldn't mind so much but the ways its ended seemed left a kind of sour aftertaste. Also if i'm being honest i've lost most of my enthusiasm for the group when their not together.

That makes two of us who have used the expression "soured' in this thread. Who's next?