Brian on Jay Leno

[Wrightfan]

At the end of the daily ESPN sports talk show Pardon the Interruption (PTI) , Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon always close with their reccomended t.v. viewing for the evening.  Tony reccomended "Watch the genius Brian Wilson on Jay Leno".  Michael came back with "A genius? I thought Brian Wilson was a Beach Boy". Tony replied "What?  You can't be a Beach Boy & and a genius?".  Way to go Tony!!

Tony's a BIG Beach Boys. He's mentioned them before.

Also, he's a BU alum. GO BEARCATS!

[Luther]

I mostly agree. SJS and I tend to differ on most things, but I really don't think anyone who isn't already a fan, or who isn't interested in the back-story, or who isn't a bit of a sadist, really seeing live BW performances and thinking "yep, THAT GUY is the one I want to get into!" He isn't very good live, most of the time. And obviously, he's very, very awkward at best. It is with no disrespect to my favorite pop musician ever that I say there's a pretty good chance the band would have better success live among non-fans if he weren't there, and the group were fronted by Scott, Taylor, Darian, etc. In television, appearances count--quite possibly too much. The band is spot-on regardless of Brian, but he's shaky musically and a disaster (to a non-fan) visually. I can almost see Landy with the "smile!" placards off in the wings, the way he awkwardly busts out crazy grins here and there (between pointing at his head, his mouth, making an "I don't know!?" gesture and a few other ones). Before anyone comes down on my negativity, I repeat: Brian Wilson is my single favorite pop musician. Maybe favorite musician overall. I'd be thrilled to see him live with TLOS if he brings it this way. But if we're talking about winning over new fans, it's a tough road for him on television without some context.

[CarCrazyCutie]

I honestly think he sounded great (and I'm not blind to the fact that Brian has had his share of not so great sounding performances, so I'm not just saying "thats great" solely because it's Brian Wilson). Even my stepmom, who usually has little to no taste in good music, saw it and was impressed. There were even moments where I would swear it sounded like Brian 40 years ago. Anyway I'm so so happy for Brian. I think both he and the band were amazing and the entire album is incredible


Oh, and what kids, even today, don't know who the Beach Boys are lol     I certainly don't know any

[Luther]

I thought they sounded really good, too.

[Sheriff John Stone]

The band always sounds great. I thought Brian was a disaster.

The effect they went for, with "That Luck Old Sun" segueing into "Going Home" (a la "Our Prayer" into "Heroes And Villains", another idea recycled) was completely lost because Brian couldn't project vocally. Brian tried to sing "Going Home" almost entirely in a low register, which he is not good at; he seemed very unsure of himself. He couldn't keep up with the "At 25 I turned out the lights...." part. He was late coming with his "rock, roll, rollin' down the river" part. His hand gestures were all over the place; the cameramen had to do acrobatics to cut away from Brian to save him from embarrassment. Again, forced smiles, deer-in-the-headlights, never touched a piano key, same old stuff.

What was so great about this performance? Other than "Night Time" from Lettermen in 1988, I thought this was his worst.

[TheOther Anonymous]

A bit of honesty on TLOS and associated promotion on this board is like a breath of fresh air. 

[Wirestone]

Ah, it's the old "negativity is the only honesty" trick.

So the people who like it aren't being honest? Or not as honest as the people who do?

The only true Brian Wilson fan, you see, is someone contemptuous of Brian Wison.

[TdHabib]

I too was the letdown by Brian's performance--but I wouldn't call it a flop, it was just relentlessly average. Obviously, this is a fantastic and very catchy song, but Brian's voice was not in good form at all and his vocal mic could've had some tape echo to it-would've made up for a lot.

At first I thought Brian's performance was totally stiff, but when I rewatched it today it wasn't that bad, especially near the end on the fade, where Brian visibly loosens up. Still, he's a bad stage performaner on this cut, or at least is for a majority of the time, especially when he's on TV. (Obviously, this is still heads and shoulders above Mike Douglas or the SNL attrocities (by which I mean "Good Vibrations mainly")

But the thing that let me down was that the Live From Abbey Road performance was so good, seriously good as well, "Southern California" is a great song and was uplifted by a superb vocal performance. He's capable of good performances, but was suffering from stage-fright on "Goin' Home." Hope he does better next time.

[Wilsonista]

The band always sounds great. I thought Brian was a disaster.

The effect they went for, with "That Luck Old Sun" segueing into "Going Home" (a la "Our Prayer" into "Heroes And Villains", another idea recycled) was completely lost because Brian couldn't project vocally. Brian tried to sing "Going Home" almost entirely in a low register, which he is not good at; he seemed very unsure of himself. He couldn't keep up with the "At 25 I turned out the lights...." part. He was late coming with his "rock, roll, rollin' down the river" part. His hand gestures were all over the place; the cameramen had to do acrobatics to cut away from Brian to save him from embarrassment. Again, forced smiles, deer-in-the-headlights, never touched a piano key, same old stuff.

What was so great about this performance? Other than "Night Time" from Lettermen in 1988, I thought this was his worst.

Worse than Farm Aid '98? Last night wasn't a good night for Brian, but "worst ever" is a bit of a strecth.  But of course  I;m talking to the guy who wishes that Brian's album were Beach Boys albums,,,,

[Fear 2 Stop®]

Rob...Damn right the Farm Aid 98 was worse. Hell, I'd rank that up with Long Beach 1981 for worst ever Brian performance, as at least back then he had an excuse.

Viewing it online right now. I'm so sick of that Friday's ad.

Ehh...not one of Brian's best performances. Great song choice, but he sang it way too reserved. If he'd have busted out his "Drive-in" style vocal, it would have been better.

[AvanTodd]

I mostly agree. SJS and I tend to differ on most things, but I really don't think anyone who isn't already a fan, or who isn't interested in the back-story, or who isn't a bit of a sadist, really seeing live BW performances and thinking "yep, THAT GUY is the one I want to get into!" He isn't very good live, most of the time. And obviously, he's very, very awkward at best. It is with no disrespect to my favorite pop musician ever that I say there's a pretty good chance the band would have better success live among non-fans if he weren't there, and the group were fronted by Scott, Taylor, Darian, etc. In television, appearances count--quite possibly too much. The band is spot-on regardless of Brian, but he's shaky musically and a disaster (to a non-fan) visually. I can almost see Landy with the "smile!" placards off in the wings, the way he awkwardly busts out crazy grins here and there (between pointing at his head, his mouth, making an "I don't know!?" gesture and a few other ones). Before anyone comes down on my negativity, I repeat: Brian Wilson is my single favorite pop musician. Maybe favorite musician overall. I'd be thrilled to see him live with TLOS if he brings it this way. But if we're talking about winning over new fans, it's a tough road for him on television without some context.

I see what you mean but as far as making new fans goes, if his performance is a turnoff I'd wager TLOS just wouldn't work for them period.  Brian's a quirky guy.  That either pushes you away or, well, brings you here.  I don't think there's a lot of middle ground.

[RickD]

I really wonder sometimes just what Brian Wilson would have to do to please some people these days.

From the Pet Sounds tours, Smile tour (anyone in London that week will tell you how that went!) - then the Smile album, Glastonbury, TLOS tours (UK and Oz), assorted successful festivals and now this CD - which by and large has been very well received - and certain "fans" have knocked them mercilessly one after the other.

I just don't get it - what exactly do people expect at this stage of his life? - and if you don't like anything he does - don't watch it, buy it or go to the shows!

[Luther]

What strikes me as odd is that here and elsewhere, fandom seems to be defined as an all-or-nothing proposition. That's friggin' ridiculous. I can like three of ten, seven of ten or ten of ten songs. It's irrelevant to number eleven. I don't find any particular "cool" factor in insulting Brian Wilson, or feel the need to kiss his ass. There are quite a few numbers between zero and 10. People's rankings of anything fill the spectrum. It isn't an insult to anyone. Sometimes boards are as bad as the dumbfuck convention that--thank gods--is finished up tonight across the river here. It's all "with us or against us" merda.

[Wirestone]

I don't think it's all or nothing at all.

I didn't watch the show because I've seen enough of Brian live on television, and he's seldom that great. It was once novel, and now it's not so unusual.

I just take issue with the attitude that because someone doesn't like something Brian does, that means they're "finally telling the truth" or "finally seeing through the hype." That's an attitude that excludes a lot of folks -- including those in the middle.

That being said, I think Luther has a point. Who knows if this will make anyone buy the album. Does Brian just seem too odd to put it over? That's certainly a legit question when an album like TLOS is aiming for mainstream success.

And Luther -- nice GOP reference . :-)

[RickD]

but how many copies will sell in Alaska?

[TheLazenby]

I just watched it on NBC.com... the intro was a little rough, but he sounded fine for the rest of it.  But most importantly - Brian SMILING?!  When was the last time we saw THAT? 

Whether or not it sells any CD's... well, the more I think about it, the more I have to agree with others.  Now, this is coming from someone who is a hardcore Beach Boys fan and *gets* Brian,  and understands what he does, so be warned in advance - no... you know what, I won't.  I typed a whole spiel here, but I had to delete it.  As someone who has dealt with mental illness as well, I have no right to critique.

[Aegir]

Can someone post a link to this video? I can't find it on NBC.com anywhere.

[Chloepaintings]

Gahh! Someone put it on youtube! NBC.com isn't letting me watch THAT episode because I am in the wrong country. However it did for some reason let me watch the one before with Russell Brand. Hmm, maybe it doesn't us foreigners watch the LAST one for some reason.

I think it's lovely that Brian goes on TV still. I know some untutored folks might look askance at him. I can sympathize with both sides of the argument. But sometimes the oddness or the context-missmatch is part of the delight for those of us who enjoy him. He's still there dammit! And broadly speaking, he seems pretty happy at the moment.

[mutedtrumpeterswan]

It's the MUSIC that matters. Putting aside how remarkable it is for him, at his age and the
wear and tear that he has been through, to produce work as good as TLOS, his modern
songwriting, so far, has not had the kind of universality and resonance with current mainstream audiences that would generate large sales figures or attract many new listeners.

If he could tap into that vein of magic again, his performance and personal awkwardness
would be largely irrelevant. TLOS is a great achievement for him, but it's not likely to lift the bar of his popularity much higher. His music has grown more iconoclastic over the years, and now has a simple, sunny optimism that, while unique, unfortunately has a somewhat limited appeal to the masses.

[donald]

I have to agree with Sheriff JS.  Brian's TV performances are always uncomfortable to watch.  But I've often wondered why they don't work on his stage presence.  Everyone in the biz works on that to some extent.  Nothing wrong with that.  Just somethng simple.  Like keep the hands on the keyboard, glance at the keyboard once in a while as if actually playing,  return gaze to the audience.  Stop with the I'm a little teaapot gestures, Use broader gestures, something like a Paul Schaeffer arm in the air.  Move a little with the beat.

If Brittany Spears can be taught to sing AND dance, Ringo can front a band, and Tom Petty can do the Superbowl, surely Brian could be coached in how to enhance his stage presence and appearance just a little more.

Respectfully submitted,

Don