Bruce on stage... SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN!

[drbeachboy]

But jardine is an amazing singer - his voice has aged the best of anyone in the band. He leads are always a highlight. Bruce can't sing leads very well however, so you'd think he could display some musicianship instead.

See first sentence of prior answer. Jardine does not sing every lead. He mostly sings background vocals, just like Bruce. Jardine doesn't have to show great musicianship in concert. Not what he is there to do. Also, like Al, Bruce co-fronts the band.

The question is why they don't really don't play their instruments. Sure, Al's plays a bit on Sail On Sailor, but is otherwise completely buried in the mix. Bruce (apparently) is audible on songs other than Disney Girls, but I don't hear it. But Al is a solid surf guitar player and Bruce is the best keyboardist Hal Blaine ever worked with. So why do they not show off their instrumental talents more often? I understand they don't HAVE to, they have great backing bands.

Because they don't need to. They have very good to excellent backup musicians to do it.

[NateRuvin]

But jardine is an amazing singer - his voice has aged the best of anyone in the band. He leads are always a highlight. Bruce can't sing leads very well however, so you'd think he could display some musicianship instead.

See first sentence of prior answer. Jardine does not sing every lead. He mostly sings background vocals, just like Bruce. Jardine doesn't have to show great musicianship in concert. Not what he is there to do. Also, like Al, Bruce co-fronts the band.

The question is why they don't really don't play their instruments. Sure, Al's plays a bit on Sail On Sailor, but is otherwise completely buried in the mix. Bruce (apparently) is audible on songs other than Disney Girls, but I don't hear it. But Al is a solid surf guitar player and Bruce is the best keyboardist Hal Blaine ever worked with. So why do they not show off their instrumental talents more often? I understand they don't HAVE to, they have great backing bands.

Because they don't need to. They have very good to excellent backup musicians to do it.

But why use backup musicians when those two guys are talented enough to do it themselves?

[wantsomecorn]

But jardine is an amazing singer - his voice has aged the best of anyone in the band. He leads are always a highlight. Bruce can't sing leads very well however, so you'd think he could display some musicianship instead.

See first sentence of prior answer. Jardine does not sing every lead. He mostly sings background vocals, just like Bruce. Jardine doesn't have to show great musicianship in concert. Not what he is there to do. Also, like Al, Bruce co-fronts the band.

The question is why they don't really don't play their instruments. Sure, Al's plays a bit on Sail On Sailor, but is otherwise completely buried in the mix. Bruce (apparently) is audible on songs other than Disney Girls, but I don't hear it. But Al is a solid surf guitar player and Bruce is the best keyboardist Hal Blaine ever worked with. So why do they not show off their instrumental talents more often? I understand they don't HAVE to, they have great backing bands.

Because they don't need to. They have very good to excellent backup musicians to do it.

But why use backup musicians when those two guys are talented enough to do it themselves?

Because Bruce and Al and Brian have done it that way for over thirty years. They prefer not having to worry about playing and singing at the same time, so they can concentrate on their vocals. Especially at the age they are now.

[CenturyDeprived]

But jardine is an amazing singer - his voice has aged the best of anyone in the band. He leads are always a highlight. Bruce can't sing leads very well however, so you'd think he could display some musicianship instead.

See first sentence of prior answer. Jardine does not sing every lead. He mostly sings background vocals, just like Bruce. Jardine doesn't have to show great musicianship in concert. Not what he is there to do. Also, like Al, Bruce co-fronts the band.

The question is why they don't really don't play their instruments. Sure, Al's plays a bit on Sail On Sailor, but is otherwise completely buried in the mix. Bruce (apparently) is audible on songs other than Disney Girls, but I don't hear it. But Al is a solid surf guitar player and Bruce is the best keyboardist Hal Blaine ever worked with. So why do they not show off their instrumental talents more often? I understand they don't HAVE to, they have great backing bands.

Because they don't need to. They have very good to excellent backup musicians to do it.

But why use backup musicians when those two guys are talented enough to do it themselves?

Because Bruce and Al and Brian have done it that way for over thirty years. They prefer not having to worry about playing and singing at the same time, so they can concentrate on their vocals. Especially at the age they are now.

That's a very good point.

[Juice Brohnston]

But jardine is an amazing singer - his voice has aged the best of anyone in the band. He leads are always a highlight. Bruce can't sing leads very well however, so you'd think he could display some musicianship instead.

See first sentence of prior answer. Jardine does not sing every lead. He mostly sings background vocals, just like Bruce. Jardine doesn't have to show great musicianship in concert. Not what he is there to do. Also, like Al, Bruce co-fronts the band.

The question is why they don't really don't play their instruments. Sure, Al's plays a bit on Sail On Sailor, but is otherwise completely buried in the mix. Bruce (apparently) is audible on songs other than Disney Girls, but I don't hear it. But Al is a solid surf guitar player and Bruce is the best keyboardist Hal Blaine ever worked with. So why do they not show off their instrumental talents more often? I understand they don't HAVE to, they have great backing bands.

Because they don't need to. They have very good to excellent backup musicians to do it.

But why use backup musicians when those two guys are talented enough to do it themselves?

Because Bruce and Al and Brian have done it that way for over thirty years. They prefer not having to worry about playing and singing at the same time, so they can concentrate on their vocals. Especially at the age they are now.

That's a very good point.

Yes...excellent point. Bruce's job description has changed over the years from worker to Senior Management.

[drbeachboy]

Another minor thing that we are making a major issue. Even Carl handed off lead guitar parts to Ed Carter. I mean it is there bands and they hire whoever they want to play and sing whatever they want. If they all decided that all they wanted to do was stand around mics and sing, that would be fine by me.

[joe_blow]

But jardine is an amazing singer - his voice has aged the best of anyone in the band. He leads are always a highlight. Bruce can't sing leads very well however, so you'd think he could display some musicianship instead.

See first sentence of prior answer. Jardine does not sing every lead. He mostly sings background vocals, just like Bruce. Jardine doesn't have to show great musicianship in concert. Not what he is there to do. Also, like Al, Bruce co-fronts the band.

The question is why they don't really don't play their instruments. Sure, Al's plays a bit on Sail On Sailor, but is otherwise completely buried in the mix. Bruce (apparently) is audible on songs other than Disney Girls, but I don't hear it. But Al is a solid surf guitar player and Bruce is the best keyboardist Hal Blaine ever worked with. So why do they not show off their instrumental talents more often? I understand they don't HAVE to, they have great backing bands.

Because they don't need to. They have very good to excellent backup musicians to do it.

But why use backup musicians when those two guys are talented enough to do it themselves?

Because Bruce and Al and Brian have done it that way for over thirty years. They prefer not having to worry about playing and singing at the same time, so they can concentrate on their vocals. Especially at the age they are now.

[joe_blow]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

[drbeachboy]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

What if from now on Bruce just comes out and stands beside Mike singing and clapping for the entire concert? Did you feel that way about Dennis doing similar things on stage during the years that he couldn't play drums? Dennis may not have been cheese, but I'll bet girls looked at him as cheesecake.

[NateRuvin]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

That's what I'm trying to get across. If Bruce wants to stand in front of a mic like Love, that's fine by me. I just don't get why he stands behind a pretty much inaudible keyboard and claps, adjusts his mic stand, waves, and shrugs.

[drbeachboy]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

That's what I'm trying to get across. If Bruce wants to stand in front of a mic like Love, that's fine by me. I just don't get why he stands behind a pretty much inaudible keyboard and claps, adjusts his mic stand, waves, and shrugs.

It may be the same reason that Brian sits behind a piano; comfort.

[Cam Mott]

I guess when you fellas are Pop Music legends you can do it your way.

[Wirestone]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

That's what I'm trying to get across. If Bruce wants to stand in front of a mic like Love, that's fine by me. I just don't get why he stands behind a pretty much inaudible keyboard and claps, adjusts his mic stand, waves, and shrugs.

It may be the same reason that Brian sits behind a piano; comfort.

Except that Brian plays his piano for the length of his shows and is audible.

[wantsomecorn]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

That's what I'm trying to get across. If Bruce wants to stand in front of a mic like Love, that's fine by me. I just don't get why he stands behind a pretty much inaudible keyboard and claps, adjusts his mic stand, waves, and shrugs.

It may be the same reason that Brian sits behind a piano; comfort.

Except that Brian plays his piano for the length of his shows and is audible.

Brian's piano is certainly audible at points, but for much of the show, at least for his show at Ravinia this year, it would get lost in the mix in between all the other keyboards and sounds. Brian, like Bruce, will also play for part of a song, then stop to do hand gestures, occasionally returning to it if he so chooses.

Of course, Bruce also still has the facilities to play more keyboard parts regularly (which he does, on Disney Girls and Good Vibes and several other examples listed here).

[drbeachboy]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

That's what I'm trying to get across. If Bruce wants to stand in front of a mic like Love, that's fine by me. I just don't get why he stands behind a pretty much inaudible keyboard and claps, adjusts his mic stand, waves, and shrugs.

It may be the same reason that Brian sits behind a piano; comfort.

Except that Brian plays his piano for the length of his shows and is audible.

Are you sure about that? How many times have people complained that Brian sits like a lump behind an inaudible keyboard. Go take a look on Hoffman's board and see how many believe just that. Maybe Bruce needs to fire his tour engineer. So, who you think is telling him to make Bruce's piano inaudible?

[guitarfool2002]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

What if from now on Bruce just comes out and stands beside Mike singing and clapping for the entire concert? Did you feel that way about Dennis doing similar things on stage during the years that he couldn't play drums? Dennis may not have been cheese, but I'll bet girls looked at him as cheesecake.

Dennis was a Wilson.

[NateRuvin]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

That's what I'm trying to get across. If Bruce wants to stand in front of a mic like Love, that's fine by me. I just don't get why he stands behind a pretty much inaudible keyboard and claps, adjusts his mic stand, waves, and shrugs.

It may be the same reason that Brian sits behind a piano; comfort.

Except that Brian plays his piano for the length of his shows and is audible.

Brian's piano is certainly audible at points, but for much of the show, at least for his show at Ravinia this year, it would get lost in the mix in between all the other keyboards and sounds. Brian, like Bruce, will also play for part of a song, then stop to do hand gestures, occasionally returning to it if he so chooses.

Of course, Bruce also still has the facilities to play more keyboard parts regularly (which he does, on Disney Girls and Good Vibes and several other examples listed here).

I was at the Ravinia show, and I could hear Brian's keyboard for the majority of the show.

[guitarfool2002]

I would wager that Bruce has NOT done it for 30 years, unless he became a hand clapper around 1988. I guess when I go see a band my preference is to see a solid unit, not cheese. How would everybody respond if after a while Darian became the new Bruce? Then they could hire someone behind the scenes with the right chops to play the music. The point is, does Bruce add to the show or make it fluff?

That's what I'm trying to get across. If Bruce wants to stand in front of a mic like Love, that's fine by me. I just don't get why he stands behind a pretty much inaudible keyboard and claps, adjusts his mic stand, waves, and shrugs.

It may be the same reason that Brian sits behind a piano; comfort.

Except that Brian plays his piano for the length of his shows and is audible.

Are you sure about that? How many times have people complained that Brian sits like a lump behind an inaudible keyboard. Go take a look on Hoffman's board and see how many believe just that. Maybe Bruce needs to fire his tour engineer. So, who you think is telling him to make Bruce's piano inaudible?

I'm sure about Brian's piano. I stood feet away from the man and heard him play piano with the band, it was audible and it was a treat to hear him play and sing. Whatever people believe on Hoffman's board about this issue means jack squat. It's a non-issue as of this recent tour in 2015. Not every song uses every instrument on stage, that's basic common sense. And not every song has a full-blown piano part either, so on some songs he's not playing full voicings throughout the whole song on every section any more than another instrument would sit out when they don't have a part. But when he played, it's audible.

[NateRuvin]

I'm sure about Brian's piano. I stood feet away from the man and heard him play piano with the band, it was audible and it was a treat to hear him play and sing. Whatever people believe on Hoffman's board about this issue means jack squat. It's a non-issue as of this recent tour in 2015. Not every song uses every instrument on stage, that's basic common sense. And not every song has a full-blown piano part either, so on some songs he's not playing full voicings throughout the whole song on every section any more than another instrument would sit out when they don't have a part. But when he played, it's audible.
[/quote]

You're right! And he sounded great! It seemed he had lost some of his piano skills in the early 2000's possibly because of over-medication, but at the Ravinia show, his piano playing was stellar. I love when they would film his hands playing, and he still knew all of the changes.

[Wirestone]

Are you sure about that? How many times have people complained that Brian sits like a lump behind an inaudible keyboard. Go take a look on Hoffman's board and see how many believe just that.

Congratulations. You've just written one of the single dumbest posts I've read in the history of this board.

Yes. I am sure about that, as someone who has attended at least 10 BW solo shows over the last 15 years. Since 2009, he has consistently played keyboards throughout his shows. Before that, he would play for at least a couple of highlighted numbers. In terms of how audible his playing is, he's part of the general mix. Sometimes, he stands out, sometimes he blends in. As most keyboard players would.

And I have no idea what people on Hoffman's board have to do with anything. This has nothing to do with belief. It has to do with what Brian is actually doing, and what people are actually seeing. It's not opinion. It's not something that's fucking voted on.

[NateRuvin]

Actually, take a look at this clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BfubHGxz3E
At 0:15, BRUCE is clearly PLAYING the keyboard, but the only things that are audible are guitar and vocals.

[joe_blow]

It may not necessarily be about Bruce playing or not. Perhaps it is that some feel his stage antics make The Beach Boys seem more like a dorky pop outfit instead of a respected rock n roll band. Kind of like the cheerleaders era. If that is part of the overall entertainment package, then fine. Foe my tastes, it makes them look like the Happy Days band at Arnold's.

[NateRuvin]

It may not necessarily be about Bruce playing or not. Perhaps it is that some feel his stage antics make The Beach Boys seem more like a dorky pop outfit instead of a respected rock n roll band. Kind of like the cheerleaders era. If that is part of the overall entertainment package, then fine. Foe my tastes, it makes them look like the Happy Days band at Arnold's.

Yeah that's true. I just wonder why they schlep around this multi-thousand dollar Korg keyboard if Bruce barely touches it.

[18thofMay]

I'm sure about Brian's piano. I stood feet away from the man and heard him play piano with the band, it was audible and it was a treat to hear him play and sing. Whatever people believe on Hoffman's board about this issue means jack squat. It's a non-issue as of this recent tour in 2015. Not every song uses every instrument on stage, that's basic common sense. And not every song has a full-blown piano part either, so on some songs he's not playing full voicings throughout the whole song on every section any more than another instrument would sit out when they don't have a part. But when he played, it's audible.

You're right! And he sounded great! It seemed he had lost some of his piano skills in the early 2000's possibly because of over-medication, but at the Ravinia show, his piano playing was stellar. I love when they would film his hands playing, and he still knew all of the changes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLFn21CmgFU

Bad vocal aside, those that doubt his piano playing need to take a look at this.

[guitarfool2002]

Note - I fixed the quotes in the above comments so the right authors got named, there was something odd going on earlier with the HTML codes in another post, I'll keep an eye on it and fix where necessary. Sometimes the quote function gets a little quirky.