Best American Mike Love show since box set tour.

[MBE]

The Beach Boys (w Chicagoland Pops Orchestra)
Rosemont Illinois Paramount Theatre
March 24th, 2007
A review by Mike Eder

I last saw the Beach Boys on the box set tour in November of 1993 and was blown away by what was an unforgettable performance. Once I found out that the old set returned in 1994, I felt betrayed and thought I would never go see them again. Since the Beach Boys split into three touring groups in 1998, I have been to see Brian several times and my expectations were always more then met. Well when I heard Mike and Bruce were doing a show at a small theatre with a full orchestra I decided to give them a chance. I certainly made the right choice.

I didn't take notes, but the order of the setlist is about 85 percent correct. I know what they song wise and set structure 100 percent. The Symphony was huge, great at getting the sound of the Wrecking Crew. I will make a comment after certain songs, and summarize at the end.

Rosemont Illinois Paramount Theatre (w Chicagoland Pops Orchestra)
March 24th, 2007 8:00
Beach Boys present:
Mike Love
Bruce Johnston
Backup band:
Chris Farmer
Tim Bonhomme
Mike Kowalski
Randell Kirsch
John Cowsill
Scott Totten
Christian Love

Conductor Arnie Roth

“Beach Boys Medley”-From 1998 Symphonic Sounds (orchestra only)
“California Girls”-Thought it would be rote but the Chicagoland Pops made it a great piece of music. Mike put forth a lot more vocal effort then I expected. He was on form all night.
“When I Grow Up”- A shocker. Was so happy to hear this, and it was done very well. Complex song vocally and musically, thanks to the augmented group not one part was missed.
“Darlin”- Missed Carl a lot here but they did a terrific job. It sounded a lot like it did when they had the full horn section in the mid to late 70s. Great choice
“Then I Kissed Her”-I was impressed by this; the arrangement blew me away because it was so rich with the extra musicians behind them. This was when I knew the show would be better then I could have imagined.
“Don’t Worry Baby”-This may have been done a little later in the show
“Kiss Me Baby”-Mike's bass voice was always superb. He still can really sing well that way has a lot of resonance. Brian would have been knocked out by how good they did, they sounded just like the record.
“Why Do Fools”-Terrific harmonies, really got the Brian Wilson sound here. 
“Do It Again”-Great guitar work here, felt tight with a hard rock ambience. Horn part really added a lot to the chorus. Mike didn't rush through it like I have heard him do other times.
“God Only Knows”-Really recaptured the magic of Brian's arrangement. Did the song real justice. Hal Blaine and co. would be proud. Bruce dedicated it to Carl.
“Surfer Girl”- Worked well with the full string section.
“Sloop John B”
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”.
“Little Deuce Coupe”
“I Get Around”
“Surfin Safari”-The full song with real Dick Dale inspired licks. The best of the “surf band” songs.
“Surfin U.S.A.”

Intermission

“In My Room” (orchestra only)-
“They’re Hearts Were Full Of Spring”-Nice non-political tribute to Ronald and Nancy Regan Mike gave before the song. He remembered how they sang for him at the 1985 inaugural and how impressed he was with Nancy's love towards the President during his final years. GREAT vocally, one of my favorite songs I cheered the loudest for this one.
“You Still Believe In Me”-Beautiful, brought tears to my eyes. Mike really nailed the bass part.
“Getcha Back”-Christian sang this, which surprised me as I expected Mike. That said he did a good job and this musically sounded way better then the plastic 1980s Steve Levine production.
“Disney Girls”-Bruce did this very nicely though a few words were lost. Loved how Mike picked on him about “I Write The Songs”, and how Bruce countered with a crack about “Kokomo”. Bruce's story about playing Carnegie Hall in 1971 and being dismayed by the teens drug use gave the song a new weight
“Cool Head”-As Bruce said to Mike afterwards it's a nice song. Mike was humorous about how Hallmark was the only place that sold the song.
“Good Timin”-Christian did this with a lot of feeling. He is fast becoming my favorite vocalists of all the Beach Boys children.
“Here Today”- Bruce seemed a little nervous in his intro of the song. He shouldn't have been, they did a GREAT job. Mike sounded perfect on this and the instrumental break was exquisite. The classical music influence of the song was really brought out beautifully. I was stunned.
“Good Vibrations”-Breath taking, full bodied, matched the record musically and these original words are so much better.
“Be True To Your School”-The intro is terrible where Mike holds the note, but the strings copying him afterwards were pretty funny.
“Help Me Rhonda”
“Do You Wanna Dance”-I like hearing Bruce sing, but Christian would be great on this because of how close he can sound to a young Dennis.
“Barbara Ann”

Encore

“Kokomo”-Hated hearing people call out for this as many superior songs could have been played, but the strings added something to this and made it bearable
“Fun , Fun, Fun”

Easily the best U.S. show since the box set tour, I am amazed how well the commercial and artistic elements blended together. The audience was interesting.  Many were the beach party crowd, and some were a more sedate older crowd. They seemed a little at odds, but the people there for the hits gave the more artistic material a fair listen and from I could tell were impressed, even surprised. The more challenging material goes over a little better at Brian's show, which made me a little sad. Yet the orchestra got a huge ovation at the end leading me to believe that everything got across. Bruce and Mike seemed to want people to react, and the quiet appreciation for some of the songs may have been a little different then they were used to. The band blended well with the symphony and you would have thought they had been playing together for a long time.

I hope Mike and Bruce keep pursuing a road that covers the whole spectrum of their talent. No part of their legacy should remain dormant because the continued sales of Pet Sounds and Smile on CD and Vinyl (which contrary to a joke by Mike is still made)* means they can now combine the two elements of their success without loosing anyone. Holding up their more traditional material are compilations like Sounds of Summer that keep the “hits” alive in a classy way. Thank goodness the days of Full House, and the Sunkist commercials are gone. If I had to compare the loss of Brian to this show is felt more then the loss of the others to his, but this proves that the whole group could indeed creatively get on the same page. If they could find it in their hearts to reunite with this kind of setlist, the Beach Boys could conceivably do their best show in decades. In short, this gave show made me proud to be a Beach Boys fan.

*The double record vinyl versions of Pet Sounds and Smile sell well on Ebay and a friend of mine who is a record dealer says that it is often college aged kids who buy them

[John]

Excellent report, thanks! Kudos to Mike as well, especially for including Kiss Me Baby and You Still Believe In Me.

[Beach Boy]

Thanks for the report!
It's like Mike wants to show that the Beach Boys are more then just a jukebox band. Finally Mike got it and I'm really proud of him.

I hope with that Mike & Bruce are going to win over some of the real fans here.

[mikeyj]

Thanks for the report!
It's like Mike wants to show that the Beach Boys are more then just a jukebox band. Finally Mike got it and I'm really proud of him.

I hope with that Mike & Bruce are going to win over some of the real fans here.

Hey I really like your avatar, where'd you get it from? Anyway, does everyone here recommend I go to a Mike & Bruce show, atleast once for the experience. I mean its not like Im ever gonna be able to see the original Beach Boys.

[Don't Back Down]

I've always enjoyed the Beach Boys/"Mike and Bruce" show, I've seen them two times. First time I saw them in '99 I believe it was, and one in 2005, both enjoyable. I prefer indoor shows (like the 2005 one) rather then outdoor shows ('99 or so) more comfortable setting and you can hear the band better without distractions outside. I wish I could have gone to this one with the Orchestra, (Here Today & You Still Believe In Me?! Definitely would have loved to see those done by them, especially Here Today) but they're performing at our state fair in August so I'm going to go to that. They are by no means Brian's band, but the "Mike and Bruce" show follows the traditional Beach Boys live set up I guess, whereas Brian is more of the "wall of sound" production when his band performs, that's how I see it. Plus, if you're a fan of the surf and car tunes, The Beach Boys band show is the way to go for that. -Hope that helps with your decision!

[jeffh]

State Fairs, County Fairs, Grand Openings of the local Piggly Wiggly.......they do em all...

[Chris Brown]

The one time I saw Mike and Bruce (last summer) I wasn't all that impressed...however, this show sounds like it was really a cut above the norm for them.  The setlist is a good mix, and obviously having the orchestra allows for Brian's music to really shine through.  I hope they continue in this vein in the future.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Thanks for the review MBE! I don't remember the Beach Boys ever peforming "Here Today" in concert. Does anybody recall hearing it before? I can't say I'm really surprised at the playlist. Mike and Bruce have been mixing it up for what amounts to years now. They just haven't been getting credit for it.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Mike's voice was strong. The last couple of TV appearances I saw were a bit shaky vocally, and I thought he might be losing it totally.

As a fan who would like to see a reunion, when I look at Mike & Bruce's setlist, then look at Brian & Al's setlist, I think, damn, can't they just merge them and give it a try....

[tpesky]

Mike and Bruce can definitely mix things up. I have seen a few shows where the set list certainly surprises. Sorry I missed Disney Girls, always appreciate Bruce on this. I find some songs Mike sounds really good on, like himself...others his voice is very weak. What can ya do...hes  66? I agree, the part on BTTYS is particularly painful. It was painful in the early 90s!! He was very weak sounding on Here Today last time I heard that..thought that one would have gotten the can with Rock and Roll Music as songs Mike cant do anymore.  He does nail Do It Again still, Surfin USA, When I Grow Up and I love Christian on Getcha Back

[mikeyj]

Thanks everyone for your reviews of the Mike & Bruce shows. A few years ago they toured Australia and my uncle did the sound for them and he had tickets backstage etc.. but I only became a fan a year or so later so I turned down the opportunity because obviously I didn't even like the beach boys to begin with. But now ive been a fan for over a year now I wouldnt mind seeing them if they came out again. I am a fan of the early surf/cars etc.. songs but Im a bigger fan of the era from Today to Love You. Though like I said I still love all the early stuff. Im not really that big a fan of all the Kokomo-era but I wouldn't mind sitting through a few of those songs (I don't find them unbearable just not all THAT enjoyable).

Obviously without the rest of the boys there its not the same, but as I said ive only been a fan for a few years, so its the next best thing after Brians shows to seeing the actual Beach Boys. I REALLY REALLY want to see Brian if he comes out, because last time he came out was the SMiLE tour which was just before I was a fan. He also came out during some festival last year (Splendour In The Grass i think it was called) but I wasn't able to go, so Brian's band is the one I really want to see most, but he has to tour Australia for me to be able to see him. Anyway, thanks everyone for your opinion. I will see the Mike & Bruce show just for the experience and I will definately see Brian if he comes out again. Sorry about me rambling on...

[Mahalo]

I feel your pain Mikey. I just saw Brian and Al play Pet Sounds in NY last November. Hate to say it, but there were empty seats in the balcony. Unbelievable. Well, prayerfully Brian can play Australia sometime again, and if he does you MUST go. It is extremely worth it. I felt like I was in the presence of history, witnessing one of the greatest composers ever. Worth the price of admission and more. I hope he plays down there, for your sake.

[MBE]

Glad you all liked the review. About Mike's voice, the only time it didn't sound good was on Be True.  He sounded tired on the last few songs but Bruce sounded a little more worn that day. My girlfriend even thought they may have had a filter on the mic, Love sounded so good. Here Today was perfect that night. His son Christian is the best singer in the band though, a lot of character in his sound. Again a lot like Dennis but slightly more nasal like his dad. As far as if I would see them again, yes at a show like this but I wouldn't see them in a outdoor setting. They can be a great band when they want to be, but Brian is better overall.

[cwalter]

Go see Mike and Bruce every time you have the chance...

I'm spoiled because I live in central California and they seem to pass by often. I've had some great times at their local shows over the last six years or so. Each time it's been a great, very postive time. I hope Mike and Bruce keep going for many years to come. Say what you will but they keep the legacy alive and you might be amazed to see the VERY positve vibes (and large growds) that gather to hear the tunes... 

[Breakaway]

I was also at this show on Saturday and was very impressed by the set list! I think the last time I saw the "Mike and Bruce" Beach Boys was around 2003-2004 and I remember it being a good, fun show, but they focused mostly on the hits (the "rarest" songs were probably "Little Honda" and the Four Seasons' "Sherry"). This show was different, though, in that there were (as MBE posted) some wonderfully obscure songs mixed in with the usual radio hits. Awesome stuff, especially with the Chicagoland Pops backing them! I loved the medley at the beginning and was very surprised to hear stuff like "When I Grow Up" (a long time favorite of mine), "Here Today," "You Still Believe in Me" (one of my absolute favorites), "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring" (sounded great),  "Good Timin'" and "Disney Girls"!? (I never heard they were playing this one recently!) The crowd, though, seemed to be mostly the type that only knows that Beach Boys from the hits. At times it seemed like I was the only one clapping when they first started into (and I recognized) certain songs and we were the only ones in our section who clapped when Mike mentioned "my cousin Brian." I felt like the most hardcore fan there (and one of the few who recognized everything they played, including "Cool Head"). I liked the atmosphere better at the Brian shows I'd seen in the past few years where it seemed the majority of the crowd were serious fans. Of course, I was up near the back of the balcony (I only heard about this one and bought tickets at the last minute), so things might have been different on the main floor area. Overall, I recommend checking them out if they come to your area- at least if it's a small theater like the Rosemont. Still not as incredible as a Brian show, of course, but I had a great time. I just wish I had better seats...

[Rocker]

I think this is very interesting. If they really sounded that good, I wonder why they don't do on other occasions.  I would love to hear a recording of this concert. Was it the first time they played "Here today"?
Anyway I don't think that they will get more into the "dangerous" area. Remember that they did some dhows in '04 with "Til I die" and other obscure songs. They probably just do this when they have an orchestra or a nice sounding venue.

MBE, did the orchestra play on all songs? I don't like how they used strings on rock'n'roll-songs, like on the "Symphonic sounds"-CD. And what about "Good vibrations"? Did they have enough voices to sing all the parts or did they sing it like they always do? Thanks for your review, it really gave me hope that there will be some better concerts under the Beach Boys' name.

[mikeyj]

I hope he plays down there, for your sake.

Thanks I really hope he does too. I just want to see him "Just Once In My Life", that would make me a happy man. I mean he is the greatest composer of the modern era imo, so people like him don't come along too often. Thats unbelievable that there were empty seats. I will definately go if Brian comes out again. I remember reading the reviews of the Splendour In The Grass festival and apparently Brian was pretty poor. Thats the impression that I get, that either Brian puts in a really good performance or a really poor one, but as you said just being in the presence of Brian Wilson is worth the price of admission. The thought of being in the presence of someone like that is mind-boggling. Brian has lived more lives than the average 10 people do, so just to see him in person would be an honour.

[Aegir]

Here Today?! That's absolutely insane! Oh man, I would've loved to see that.

[Smilin Ed H]

 "I agree, the part on BTTYS is particularly painful. It was painful in the early 90s!! "  It was painful in the 60s!   

[MBE]

MBE, did the orchestra play on all songs? I don't like how they used strings on rock'n'roll-songs, like on the "Symphonic sounds"-CD. And what about "Good vibrations"? Did they have enough voices to sing all the parts or did they sing it like they always do? Thanks for your review, it really gave me hope that there will be some better concerts under the Beach Boys' name.
[/quote]

They played on all the songs but it didn't sound like Symphonic Sounds at all, more like Brian's full productions. Good Vibrations was amazing and the one song I can say was way better then Brian's version. Breakaway is right about the crowd but I think they left educated and impressed as a whole. They got all their hits and got to hear things that were very deep and artistic. The huge applause for the Chicagoland Pops at the end proved to me that they were receptive to hearing the more creative end of things.

[southbay]

Are they worth seeing?  Depends.  Did you see them before Carl passed on? If so, don't go. If not, go once just for the experience.  They are legends.  I had seen Brian a few times on his own (including with Al at UCLA), but swore I would not see the "Beach Boys" post Carl's death, Al's firing, etc.  Well, I have a 9 year old daughter who is a fan and never saw them before.  She saw Brian and Al, so I took her to see Mike and Bruce.  The poor thing to me about Mike and Bruce is the band.  I just don't need to hear John Cowsill singing Darlin' or Rhonda; don't need Chris Farmer singing Then I kissed Her...they're just not that good.  I do like Christian Love, though.   Kinda how I liked Matt Jardine so much more than Adrian Baker (well, that and he was 100 times better than Baker)

[MBE]

Christian is almost too good to be in his dad's band. He does a great Then I Kissed Her. I don't mean that as an insult to Mike, only that his son is that good.

[GoofyJeff]

I love Christian's cover of his dad's song "Too Cruel" on Mike's yet-to-be-released CD. 

I swear at times he sounds like a mix between Denny and Carl with a hint of Al thrown in.

[MBE]

Too Cruel is great. If that was marketed right I think it could be a hit.

[GoogaMooga]

Al's firing

Al was fired??? I thought he left because he was unhappy with the same old set list. Anyway, as long as they can still sing, I wouldn't pass on any touring configuration of The Beach Boys. They've probably only got a few more good years left, so take every opportunity to see them! I've seen Carl, Mike, Al, and Bruce -- Brian -- Mike and Bruce, and I've never been disappointed.