Brian Wilson - 2017 Tour Thread (Pet Sounds - The Final Performances)

[RubberSoul13]

Very cool! Brian sounds uncertain at times, but it's just the debut. There's time for comfort to come. Matt NAILS it!

[Lowbacca]

Anyone going to the FRankfurt show on July 19th?

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

Anyone going to the FRankfurt show on July 19th?

I am. After much procrastination and checking out flight options for nearly every other date I finally booked it on Sunday.

[Lowbacca]

Anyone going to the FRankfurt show on July 19th?

I am. After much procrastination and checking out flight options for nearly every other date I finally booked it on Sunday.

Cool. Where are you from? Maybe we'll have time for a beer (or two) before/after the show.

[Jukka]

Today in Finland, Pori Jazz Festival. Anyone from this board attending? I'll be there/here.

[Jukka]

Well, I was in Pori, and I loved every minute of. Especially the minutes when Brian performed. It was cold and raining most of the time, but as Brian said, "a little downpour won't hurt ya" (or something like that).

They played one 1,5 hour long set, first deepish cuts, then PS and finishing with some sweet rockin' hits. On a positive note, the band was MUCH more together than the last time I saw Brian (London, May 2016). I mean, playing and singing were out of this world. Al was amazing, Darian did great on Darlin', you know the score... Some people were a bit baffled by Blondie's contributions, like "who is this guy and what is he doing to these songs". Personally, I found his slot refreshing. His guitar playing injected a hefty dose of avant garde noise shredding to Wild Honey, I'd say it was the closest to Captain Beefheart I've heard in any Beach Boys related concert. Blondie's a great guy, not out to please but to kick ass and terrorize bourgeoisie!

As for Brian himself, he was more into it and engaged than I've ever seen him. I especially loved his introduction to Pet Sounds title track: "On the guitar, Nicky Wonder... On the drums... The drums are GREAT!" But I have to admit, his singing has gone downhill quite a bit. When he sang harmony he was spot on, but when he took leads, his phrasing was rather breathless and gruff, long notes cut short and rhytmically all over the place... But then again, it was a jazz festival, and in a way he just jazzified it. It made singing along quite difficult, with rhytmic curveballs coming all the time. I didn't mind, though!

And hey: you COULD hear Brian's piano and Al's guitar loud and clear, and they both really know what they're doing. Especially Al... What a rhytm guitarist! He was perfectly in the pocket all the time, and he really added to the sound. My hero.

[B.E.]

"On the guitar, Nicky Wonder... On the drums... The drums are GREAT!"

  gotta love it! Thanks for taking the time to review the show.

[Debbie KL]

"On the guitar, Nicky Wonder... On the drums... The drums are GREAT!"

  gotta love it! Thanks for taking the time to review the show.

Thx so much for the review.  I can't imagine anyone being disappointed in Brian and band.  It's genius with the best artists delivering. 

[Lowbacca]

Thanks for the report, Jukka!

[Marty Castillo]

God Only Knows from last night:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMM60Mq7jaU

[orange22]

Blondie's a great guy, not out to please but to kick ass and terrorize bourgeoisie!

Jukka, that's a wonderful phrase.

I saw the soundcheck for one of the shows a month or so ago, and Blondie was incredible. He sang both Long Promised Road and Feel Flows, and the performances were sensitive and beautiful. So glad I got to witness that.

When they performed the actual show Blondie went a bit too crazy for me personally, but I fully stand behind Jukka's assessment.

[tpesky]

I can't make up my mind whether I'm ok with Brian's recent interpretations of singing some songs or I hate it. At points it works, at other points it doesn't sound great.

[NOLA BB Fan]

Blondie's a great guy, not out to please but to kick ass and terrorize bourgeoisie!

I hear some complaints about him but he was well received down here in New Orleans. He got a standing O after Wild Honey.

[RubberSoul13]

I don't know how anyone could not like Blondie...I wish he was in the show MORE!

[bringahorseinhere?]

I don't know how anyone could not like Blondie...I wish he was in the show MORE!

I like me some Blondie, but glad he is 'Not' in more of the show.
He just comes across like a dancing orang-utan for me, which is somewhat
quite the opposite of Brian.  Guess that's probably the point of his prescience.
 

[KDS]

I don't know how anyone could not like Blondie...I wish he was in the show MORE!

Same here.  He adds a nice element of rock and roll and showmanship.  I'd love to see them do more songs from Blondie's era.

[HeyJude]

I think one either "gets" Blondie and what he brings to the show, or doesn't. I don't think even those who want more Blondie are suggesting Blondie should start shredding a guitar solo in the middle of "Please Let Me Wonder."

Much as a BB shows jumped around and shifted gears in the past, the Blondie songs are a change of pace, and they're still doing Brian-penned Beach Boys songs. A couple more Blondie songs would be nice.

I do think there's some room to work Blondie into Brian's set more; I'd still love to hear him sing the bridge on "Surfer Girl" as he did on a few shows last year.

[KDS]

I think one either "gets" Blondie and what he brings to the show, or doesn't. I don't think even those who want more Blondie are suggesting Blondie should start shredding a guitar solo in the middle of "Please Let Me Wonder."

Much as a BB shows jumped around and shifted gears in the past, the Blondie songs are a change of pace, and they're still doing Brian-penned Beach Boys songs. A couple more Blondie songs would be nice.

I do think there's some room to work Blondie into Brian's set more; I'd still love to hear him sing the bridge on "Surfer Girl" as he did on a few shows last year.

Hearing Blondie play the solo, and perhaps sing lead, on Steamboat in concert would be really cool. 

[guitarfool2002]

Well, I was in Pori, and I loved every minute of. Especially the minutes when Brian performed. It was cold and raining most of the time, but as Brian said, "a little downpour won't hurt ya" (or something like that).

They played one 1,5 hour long set, first deepish cuts, then PS and finishing with some sweet rockin' hits. On a positive note, the band was MUCH more together than the last time I saw Brian (London, May 2016). I mean, playing and singing were out of this world. Al was amazing, Darian did great on Darlin', you know the score... Some people were a bit baffled by Blondie's contributions, like "who is this guy and what is he doing to these songs". Personally, I found his slot refreshing. His guitar playing injected a hefty dose of avant garde noise shredding to Wild Honey, I'd say it was the closest to Captain Beefheart I've heard in any Beach Boys related concert. Blondie's a great guy, not out to please but to kick ass and terrorize bourgeoisie!

As for Brian himself, he was more into it and engaged than I've ever seen him. I especially loved his introduction to Pet Sounds title track: "On the guitar, Nicky Wonder... On the drums... The drums are GREAT!" But I have to admit, his singing has gone downhill quite a bit. When he sang harmony he was spot on, but when he took leads, his phrasing was rather breathless and gruff, long notes cut short and rhytmically all over the place... But then again, it was a jazz festival, and in a way he just jazzified it. It made singing along quite difficult, with rhytmic curveballs coming all the time. I didn't mind, though!

And hey: you COULD hear Brian's piano and Al's guitar loud and clear, and they both really know what they're doing. Especially Al... What a rhytm guitarist! He was perfectly in the pocket all the time, and he really added to the sound. My hero.

Thanks for that review! Sounds like a great experience and a great show... 

This being a jazz festival, at heart: The foundation of jazz is improvisation on existing structures and themes, and stretching phrases and rhythms in the moment...so as a jazz musician I found your take on this specific performance element and your observations to be very, very keen and enjoyable to hear and consider!

[rab2591]

I don't think even those who want more Blondie are suggesting Blondie should start shredding a guitar solo in the middle of "Please Let Me Wonder."

Exactly. I feel like he's got a great voice that could be utilized without taking away from the original intent of whatever song(s) he performs on. It's like 'Wild Honey' was perfect for the guy, he made it his own but the spirit of Carl is still there. There are plenty of other songs in the catalogue just like that for him.

[Pablo.]

I'll attend Brian's gigs at 9/22 (Boston) and 9/23 (NYC). My question (this will be my fist time ever on the US): does the show start on time as the ticket says? I mean, Boston is scheduled to start at 7.30. Or is that the time doors open? Because I wanna know if I'll be able to catch the bus back to New York at 10 PM (the station is 15 blocks away from the theatre) Thanks.

[RubberSoul13]

You will be cutting it REALLY close. Brian is typically right on time or at most five minutes late, in my experience. But the whole show, with intermission, runs just about two hours.

[KDS]

I'll attend Brian's gigs at 9/22 (Boston) and 9/23 (NYC). My question (this will be my fist time ever on the US): does the show start on time as the ticket says? I mean, Boston is scheduled to start at 7.30. Or is that the time doors open? Because I wanna know if I'll be able to catch the bus back to New York at 10 PM (the station is 15 blocks away from the theatre) Thanks.

The time on the ticket is showtime

[Pablo.]

Ah, well, maybe it's wiser to wait for the next bus. Thanks.

[petsoundsnola]

You will be cutting it REALLY close. Brian is typically right on time or at most five minutes late, in my experience. But the whole show, with intermission, runs just about two hours.

Brian is very punctual and wastes no time starting the show.  If the ticket says 8:00, Brian is walking out onto the stage at 8:00.  He waves, says hello to the City he's in, tells everyone to sit down at 8:00:30, and music begins at 8:01.  This was my experience in New Orleans.