The Beach Boys In Concert

[KDS]

I'm glad an official document exists of the live Beach Boys at the very end of their decade as a creative force. 

At this point in their career, they may have peaked as a live act. 

This is, IMO, the most essential of all of the Beach Boys live albums.

Though they could be a little slip-shod, I'd say 1980 was their last peak. Those 1980 concerts rocked!

Unfortunately, I can't say I have a lot to go on, just live documents or footage I've seen.  So, my opinion might not be an qualified.  But, from what I've seen of the 1980 shows, Brian didn't really seem into them.  That's probably why I'd rank the In Concert era a little higher. 

I'm confused. Brian isn't on In Concert, so in 1980 whether he was into it or not, the band still put on a helluva show. 1980 was last year of big shows before Carl left. The shows changed quite a bit upon his return.

I agree the 1980 concerts I've seen were good.  I just prefer the recordings I've heard from 72-73 over the ones I've heard from 1980.  Plus, I like the Holland material and some of the deeper tracks (ie. Let the Wind Blow) from the 72-73 era. 

[drbeachboy]

I'm glad an official document exists of the live Beach Boys at the very end of their decade as a creative force. 

At this point in their career, they may have peaked as a live act. 

This is, IMO, the most essential of all of the Beach Boys live albums.

Though they could be a little slip-shod, I'd say 1980 was their last peak. Those 1980 concerts rocked!

Unfortunately, I can't say I have a lot to go on, just live documents or footage I've seen.  So, my opinion might not be an qualified.  But, from what I've seen of the 1980 shows, Brian didn't really seem into them.  That's probably why I'd rank the In Concert era a little higher. 

I'm confused. Brian isn't on In Concert, so in 1980 whether he was into it or not, the band still put on a helluva show. 1980 was last year of big shows before Carl left. The shows changed quite a bit upon his return.

I agree the 1980 concerts I've seen were good.  I just prefer the recordings I've heard from 72-73 over the ones I've heard from 1980.  Plus, I like the Holland material and some of the deeper tracks (ie. Let the Wind Blow) from the 72-73 era. 

I agree with you there. Those 1972-73 era shows were terrific. The band, the setlists, even the types of venues were just magical. I was great growing up in that era.

[Lowbacca]

Christening a new record player, spinning this fabulous live album as I type. Haven't put it on in years.. Oh, how I love this LP. What a marvelous band of musicians. You can't beat live BBs in the late 60s / early-mid 70s..

[Emily]

I've probably heard this album more than any other album, by any artists. I love it.

[Lonely Summer]

I'm glad an official document exists of the live Beach Boys at the very end of their decade as a creative force. 

At this point in their career, they may have peaked as a live act. 

This is, IMO, the most essential of all of the Beach Boys live albums.

Though they could be a little slip-shod, I'd say 1980 was their last peak. Those 1980 concerts rocked!

Unfortunately, I can't say I have a lot to go on, just live documents or footage I've seen.  So, my opinion might not be an qualified.  But, from what I've seen of the 1980 shows, Brian didn't really seem into them.  That's probably why I'd rank the In Concert era a little higher. 

I'm confused. Brian isn't on In Concert, so in 1980 whether he was into it or not, the band still put on a helluva show. 1980 was last year of big shows before Carl left. The shows changed quite a bit upon his return.

The only 1980 show I've heard is Knebworth, and that's a great show, but not much from Brian there. I feel like he was trotted out onstage night after night just so they could say he was there, although it's possible the guys thought it would good for him to soak up all that love from the audience. Dennis, on the other hand, comes alive in front of a crowd. I am guessing his health was not great in '80, but I love seeing him standing on the piano, 'Elton John, eat your heart out!', and pounding the drums like he meant it.

[You Kane, You Commanded, You Conquered]

Let The Wind Blow is so fucking smooth. Replace Surfin U.S.A., Surfer Girl, and Fun Fun Fun with the '72/'73 live tracks on Made In California, Endless Harmony, and the Pet Sounds 50th anniversary boxset and you've got a 10/10 live album.

[twentytwenty]

How amazing is The Trader on this album though?!

[Julia]

Lately Ive set out to be a completionist in my fandom, reading every SMiLE source, listening to every album I just never got around to before... so here I am.

I'd skipped this and "Concert" before because I'm usually not a big fan of live albums. Im glad I finally checked it out though, it really is fantastic. The arrangements are different enough to be worth listening to for curiosity's sake, but unlike say Lei'd in Hawaii, they're not just different for the sake of it, they have an energy and raw passion that sets them apart from their studio counterparts. (Not necessarily better but equally valid and interestingly different.) The one song I was most entranced by is the alt Heroes and Villains. Here, finally, the Beach Boys found a way to make that song sound like a bonafide hit! This is arguably the best version of the song, lacking the studio eccentricities or most-complex harmony arrangements of '67, but more than making up for it with energy and grit which the single version definitely needed.

Even here though, in arguably the best live era of the band, it seems they're struggling a bit to capture the "heart" of the Pet Sounds tracks live, in my opinion. WIBN feels like one of the weaker efforts of the collection. GV is very much weaker than its studio version--not sure what they used to sub out the theremin but it isn't strong enough to carry that part I think. You can definitely see why live performances of the '66 material was a valid concern for the band.

It's overall a well-chosen setlist too, covering all the (released) flavors of the band fairly well. The oldies are revered but they were still trying to turn people onto the new stuff rather than surrendering to the "nostalgia throwback" shtick which would define them later. I would've maybe subbed out Surfin' USA (weaker performance of a weaker track imo) for Surf's Up, which was still relatively new and serves a double-whammy as a '66 and '72 representative.

Overall I give it a 4/5, because it's great but not something I anticipate revisiting very frequently outside the live H&V mix. (I reserve a perfect score for the life-changing records that join my regular rotation.)