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

[HeyJude]

The beginning is cut off, but here's Let the Wind Blow and I'd Love Just Once to See You from London:

https://youtu.be/-knW_cRwxjg

[Pretty Funky]

Ha. Brian bailed on the '....in the nude' ending.  

[Cabinessenceking]

It would be hilarious if he kept it. If it's part of the song leave it in!

[HeyJude]

Hard to tell, but it looks like some of the guys in the band are cracking up a bit when Brian bails on the last line.

[Emdeeh]

I was a bit surprised that he bailed on that line, but I do like that final bit of harmony they added at the very end. Thanks for posting the link.

[Rocker]

Let The Wind Blow soundcheck - 30 secs, without Brian:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZRUkU0fGOk

[Matt P]

I was at the Glastonbury Abbey show on Saturday (Festival set with Pet Sounds in the middle, the only 'deep cut' was Wild Honey).  I hadn't seen Brian live since the 2012 reunion and although I know Brian's advancing in years and he's never been the most animated of live performers; I was shocked at how detached and frail he appeared, as has been documented on this board Brian seems to be wilfully ...'sabotaging' is too strong a word ...'reinterpreting' his vocals on the Pet Sounds tracks; it is noticeably these songs only, I Get Around, Fun Fun Fun etc. are delivered as they always have been. 
The band however were amazing as per usual, Al was on fine form, Matt was amazing and Blondie owned the stage for WH and SOS.  But as for the man who's name was on the poster; there was a hell of a lot of love in the room (er...field) for him but I honestly can't see him doing this for much longer.

[JK]

I was at the Glastonbury Abbey show on Saturday (Festival set with Pet Sounds in the middle, the only 'deep cut' was Wild Honey).  I hadn't seen Brian live since the 2012 reunion and although I know Brian's advancing in years and he's never been the most animated of live performers; I was shocked at how detached and frail he appeared, as has been documented on this board Brian seems to be wilfully ...'sabotaging' is too strong a word ...'reinterpreting' his vocals on the Pet Sounds tracks; it is noticeably these songs only, I Get Around, Fun Fun Fun etc. are delivered as they always have been. 
The band however were amazing as per usual, Al was on fine form, Matt was amazing and Blondie owned the stage for WH and SOS.  But as for the man who's name was on the poster; there was a hell of a lot of love in the room (er...field) for him but I honestly can't see him doing this for much longer.

Here's another report on Glasto from my other board. It echoes much of what you say:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/beachboysforum/r-brian-wilson-at-glastonbury-abbey-extravaganza-5-t1257.html#p31824

[HeyJude]

I was at the Glastonbury Abbey show on Saturday (Festival set with Pet Sounds in the middle, the only 'deep cut' was Wild Honey).  I hadn't seen Brian live since the 2012 reunion and although I know Brian's advancing in years and he's never been the most animated of live performers; I was shocked at how detached and frail he appeared, as has been documented on this board Brian seems to be wilfully ...'sabotaging' is too strong a word ...'reinterpreting' his vocals on the Pet Sounds tracks; it is noticeably these songs only, I Get Around, Fun Fun Fun etc. are delivered as they always have been. 
The band however were amazing as per usual, Al was on fine form, Matt was amazing and Blondie owned the stage for WH and SOS.  But as for the man who's name was on the poster; there was a hell of a lot of love in the room (er...field) for him but I honestly can't see him doing this for much longer.

Pretty much every report I've seen (and my own experience as well on this tour) is that Brian seems much more into the first set of songs. For instance, he sounds great on "I'd Love Just Once to See You" on that YouTube video; he sounds engaged and like he's digging singing it.

So for shows like Glastonbury and other "festival" shows where they severely shorten the first set, the audience gets less of the set that Brian's way more into.

I think they could continue doing some live shows (probably not 100 per year like last year), and if they stop doing full albums, I think Brian will actually be *more* into the show.

I think they're striking the best balance they can. Brian seems less interested in the PS tracks, but if they hand over like *all* of the leads to other band members, it might stretch the definition of "Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds." As it is, they have Matt doing hunks of several songs and now Al apparently is singing most of "Here Today."

But yeah, I think they need to wrap this tour up, put a nicely-mixed Blu-ray out of the tour (and I frankly don't care if they just have Brian re-cut his leads in the studio if they need to), and then move on to something else.

I assume the three May shows booked for next year are *not* PS shows.

[KDS]

I was at the Glastonbury Abbey show on Saturday (Festival set with Pet Sounds in the middle, the only 'deep cut' was Wild Honey).  I hadn't seen Brian live since the 2012 reunion and although I know Brian's advancing in years and he's never been the most animated of live performers; I was shocked at how detached and frail he appeared, as has been documented on this board Brian seems to be wilfully ...'sabotaging' is too strong a word ...'reinterpreting' his vocals on the Pet Sounds tracks; it is noticeably these songs only, I Get Around, Fun Fun Fun etc. are delivered as they always have been. 
The band however were amazing as per usual, Al was on fine form, Matt was amazing and Blondie owned the stage for WH and SOS.  But as for the man who's name was on the poster; there was a hell of a lot of love in the room (er...field) for him but I honestly can't see him doing this for much longer.

Pretty much every report I've seen (and my own experience as well on this tour) is that Brian seems much more into the first set of songs. For instance, he sounds great on "I'd Love Just Once to See You" on that YouTube video; he sounds engaged and like he's digging singing it.

So for shows like Glastonbury and other "festival" shows where they severely shorten the first set, the audience gets less of the set that Brian's way more into.

I think they could continue doing some live shows (probably not 100 per year like last year), and if they stop doing full albums, I think Brian will actually be *more* into the show.

I think they're striking the best balance they can. Brian seems less interested in the PS tracks, but if they hand over like *all* of the leads to other band members, it might stretch the definition of "Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds." As it is, they have Matt doing hunks of several songs and now Al apparently is singing most of "Here Today."

But yeah, I think they need to wrap this tour up, put a nicely-mixed Blu-ray out of the tour (and I frankly don't care if they just have Brian re-cut his leads in the studio if they need to), and then move on to something else.

I assume the three May shows booked for next year are *not* PS shows.

Wasn't one of the shows last September filmed?  Too bad it wasn't the one I attended in Bethesda.  That was an amazing concert.

[Shady]

Al and Probyn meeting fans after a gag. Al briefly mentions he wanted to do more "Love You" songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2imK2elVfs

Brian and Blondie back in LA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiUXyh4kNSc

[RubberSoul13]

Al and Probyn meeting fans after a gag. Al briefly mentions he wanted to do more "Love You" songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2imK2elVfs

Brian and Blondie back in LA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiUXyh4kNSc

That was a LOT of people waiting after the show!!! When I met Al after the Montgomery College concert, I had to walk with him from the door to the bus to get my photo signed because he was in such a hurry...he signed my photo by balancing it upon his carry-out container he was holding!    Nice as could be, but he definitely did not have mingling time like he did here.

[KDS]

Al and Probyn meeting fans after a gag. Al briefly mentions he wanted to do more "Love You" songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2imK2elVfs

Brian and Blondie back in LA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiUXyh4kNSc

That was a LOT of people waiting after the show!!! When I met Al after the Montgomery College concert, I had to walk with him from the door to the bus to get my photo signed because he was in such a hurry...he signed my photo by balancing it upon his carry-out container he was holding!    Nice as could be, but he definitely did not have mingling time like he did here.

My father was probably right there with you.  He went to his car to get a pen, and happened to see Al getting on the bus and got his signature on the playbill they handed out.   I think my wife and I were talking to Probyn Gregory at the time.   I saw Al walk out with his take out food, and just waved and yelled "great show."   I did get to meet and get a picture with Blondie though. 

[mikeddonn]

Here's a belated review of Brian in Glasgow last week.  Great atmosphere and it stayed dry! I was about 8 rows back in line with Brian.

In terms of performance much of it has been said previously in this thread.  Brian's vocals are still strong on the non Pet Sounds stuff.  Surfer Girl, In My Room etc were fabulous.  He sounded good on the Wild Honey stuff (a real highlight getting to hear those songs in the set.  More please!).  Don't Worry Baby was sensational.  Matt was still 'whiny' during some of his leads but he really nailed this one and Let Him Run Wild, in fact everything he sang, he did well.  The crowd loved him. He is very humble and a great guy to have up there.  Feel Flows was a pleasure to hear and Blondie put his own spin on it (I love his sung intro!). 

Pet Sounds was better than last year.  The band and the mix were better.  It's great having Darian back in there as I feel it brings the whole unit together.  Brian spoke his way through some of the songs, making up lyrics on the spot.  The funniest was during "Love and Mercy" as Brian sang, "A lot of people out there hurting scares, scare, scares me scares me"  A few of us thought he was going to sing "..scares the sh*t outta me".  I've said before that it's not my thing.  But last night I had a thought.  When I saw The Pet Sounds Tour in 2002 it was very referential from the audience.  They listened intently and it was very serious.  Nowadays people bounce along to WIBN like they do with Rhonda.  They jump around to songs like Here Today and do the singing on God Only Knows.  It's very much audience participation.  It works.  Maybe that has been Brian's intention. Maybe he was bored and uncomfortable with being the centre of attention on the album and tried to bring it back down to earth a bit.  He didn't appear 'bored' when they were doing it.  Quite the opposite, including when he was yelling some of the vocals he was making up!  I thought he was going to say 'sh**t' at one point!  And the crowd were feeding off it big time. 

The rest of the show was mostly Al singing the hits (Do It Again, Heroes didn't get sung).  And it was a very lively end to the show.

The support act, Beat Root Revival, were really good and worth watching.

Once again I'm so glad I went to the show and saw the great Brian Wilson and friends. If you get the chance to go don't be put off by some of the reviews.  It was still well worth the money.

[HeyJude]

Updated setlists for the end of the European tour (finally). No setlist has surfaced yet for the one-off 8/26 show in Lincoln.

[cpeck]

I went to both the Moncton and the Halifax shows (number 4 and 5 on the PS tour for this guy).

Setlist:

California Girls
Dance Dance Dance
I Get Around / Shut Down / Little Deuce Coupe
Little Honda
In My Room
Surfer Girl
Salt Lake City
Wake the World / Add Some Music
California Saga
Don't Worry Baby
Let Him Run Wild
Darlin'
Feel Flows
Wild Honey
Sail On Sailor

Pet Sounds

Good Vibrations
Help Me Rhonda
Barbara Ann
Surfin' USA
Fun Fun Fun
Love and Mercy

I grabbed the setlist so I can add the keys they're playing most of the stuff in if anyone is interested.

Darian was there, which was the first time I'd seen the band with him - Darlin' was a standout both nights. Brian was still doing the talk-sing thing on some of Pet Sounds, but not unilaterally - he was really belting it out on I'm Waiting for the Day, and his harmony with Al during Sloop John B was great. I took a video of Caroline, No from the Moncton show.

Attendance at the Halifax show was abysmal - I'm guessing it was just over half capacity and even then they had shut down the back quarter of the rink. Boggling. Blondie was great, as ever. Nelson seemed to be having big issues with his in-ear monitors both nights. The drumming was insanely solid. I was able to meet Paul very briefly.

This sounds a little hyperbolic but Brian seemed to be exceptionally energetic in Moncton.

He also made a prayer sign during In My Room at the Halifax show. I'm not sure if that is one of his "moves", but it was a very affecting moment in the set.

2017-09-15 21.22.46 by Chad Peck, on Flickr

I grabbed a hoodie, shirt, poster, and book. They were selling the cds of the new anthology as well.

[baseball95]

I'm really hoping the Wild Honey medley returns because honestly that's probably the only thing that will make me go out of the way to see them again.

[RubberSoul13]

I was considering getting tix for Monday's show in Lancaster even though the crowd at that theatre is a total drag. BUT, if all those Wild Honey songs are out of the set again, I can't justify paying that kind of money to see the same show a third time.

[HeyJude]

It's of course impossible to know what the setlist will be on this final month of shows. But I have noticed that for the last few years, the setlist gets tighter and slightly more conservative near the end. Last year, "Funky Pretty" was dropped and "Sail Away" returned for later dates.

And/or, it may just be that the setlist has reverted a tiny bit (meaning mainly just subbing the "Wake the World/Add Some Music" duo for the WH songs) because it's the beginning of this leg and they'll do more rehearsing/soundchecking.

But it is true, the current setlist is very similar to the setlist for the final dates in 2016, with the main difference being "Feel Flows" (which I'm surprised has survived the entire tour so far).

But I haven't been under any illusions as far as the setlist this year; I never assumed much would change as long as PS remained in the set. Once they move on from PS, things at least have a chance to change more.

[HeyJude]

Updated the top posts with some recent setlists. It looks like all three Canadian shows featured the setlist which reverts back to "Wake the World/Add Some Music" and drops the newer WH songs.

[baseball95]

It seems that the 3 Wild Honey songs returned last night. If they stay not sure how I can't go to a show on this leg....

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/brian-wilson/2017/orpheum-theatre-boston-ma-4be20346.html

[myonlysunshine]

Just got back from Radio City. Amazing show.

They kept the Wild Honey set for tonight too (Let the Wind Blow, I'd Just Once Love to See You, Aren't You Glad), which was great to hear (Aren't You Glad is a big favorite of mine, and tonight's performance was fantastic).

I was sitting in Orchestra 3, Zone D, row A on the isle seat across from Zone 4. From my seat, the acoustics during the first set sounded a little bit off, particularly towards the beginning. Part of it may have been due to Brian and Al's microphones being a little too loud in the overall mix, but there was something else that, to my ears, sounded a bit off that I can't put my finger on.... it was kind of odd, but the performances of Brian, Al, and the rest of the band were still great in that first set, And whatever it was, it was gone by the start of the second set, which again, was incredible, along with the encore of course.

I saw Brian and the band last year at the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford CT, and that also was an amazing show, but I'm so glad I got to attend this one as well. It really impacted me in a way that last year's show didn't. Maybe because I realize that this is going to be the last time I'll ever get to experience my favorite artist/s playing my favorite album live, which is something I didn't really reflect on too much during last year's show, but tonight was quite an emotional experience for me.

[All Summer Long]

Al and Probyn meeting fans after a gag. Al briefly mentions he wanted to do more "Love You" songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2imK2elVfs

Brian and Blondie back in LA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiUXyh4kNSc

That was a LOT of people waiting after the show!!! When I met Al after the Montgomery College concert, I had to walk with him from the door to the bus to get my photo signed because he was in such a hurry...he signed my photo by balancing it upon his carry-out container he was holding!    Nice as could be, but he definitely did not have mingling time like he did here.

I'll be seeing Brian, Al, and Blondie at the Zeiterion in New Bedford, MA. How often is it to run into either Al and/or Blondie after a show? Where would they be? Should I risk bringing my copy of Pet Sounds to try to have Al sign it?

Thanks!

[Pablo.]

Went to  the Boston and NYC shows, my first (and I guess last) BW gigs. Highly emotional for me, yet I can take some distance when it comes to evaluate each night. Boston's Orpheum teathre was pretty well sold, and I have to say that the acoustics worked better  there than on Radio City. On the latter, sometimes the drums sounded very bad, and you had latence at the last rows (fortunately, my seats for each night were very good -  thanks to the posters who adviced me on that matter). Ironically, you could catch Brian's vocals in the harmony stack more clearly on Radio City.

At Boston, Brian forgot the lyrics for most of ILJOTSY, and shouted something about cues o carriers (? sorry, couldn't discern). He made the same request before the beginning of the Radio City show.

Here I join everyone who says that Brian seems more engaged on the first set and the encores than during Pet Sounds. Haven't read the whole thread, but for me his speaking/singing vocals on that songs (thanks God he pulls off IWFTD) are
a) a Dylanesque approach to his back catalogue, mixed with some crooneresque stylings from the Adult/Child days; a way he finds to do something new with those songs since he can't sing them anymore like he used to do even 15 years ago.
b) his classic passive/aggresive way to do something he doesen't want to do. i.e. another Pet Sounds tour. Maybe the current modus operandi of him trading lines with Matt is for him a painful realization of how much he has lost. Actually, I found the current versions of those songs  (WIBN, YSBIM, DT) a very odd aesthetic experience. (and, btw, I prefer Foskett's falsetto. Matt is a fine performer anyway). And the Blondie (no wonder the guy is friends with Keith Richards - actually on his tours with the Stones his body language was more restrained) segment provides Brian with a way to switch off without having to leave the stage.

To me, the most striking feeling is thet air of finality, not just of Pet Sounds as a live experience, but of Brian as a touring artist. Might be unfair, but on the 21th I catched for the eight time a Paul McCartney gig and you can bet that, despite the damage in his vocals, Paul can keep performing for many more years, like Aznavour or Tony Bennett, (the same goes for Dylan). I think that Brian has a great band, his presence is almost totemic, he still can sing when he wants to (in Boston he broke into a falsetto at the end of one of Al's spots, can't remember which one), he's actually playing more piano nowadays (even if most of the times you can't catch him on the mix) than on his peaking days as a solo act, but is hard to imagine him doing this two years from now.

[HeyJude]

While Brian's age dictates that he probably won't be touring for another 10 or more years, I can say as a fan and someone who has been reading commentary on the internet for a good 22+ years, I've seen quite a few "this is probably Brian's last tour, I can't imagine him doing another one" predictions come and go.

I think as long as his health holds up, he can surprisingly probably handle more tours. Especially if they eschew doing stuff he's clearly bored with (e.g. "Pet Sounds") and especially if he keeps Al, Matt, and others on board.

While he sounds bored with PS, he is singing those first-set songs with an enthusiasm and zeal over the last couple years not seen in some time.