The Smiley Smile Message Board

Okay, this is it. See Brian. If he plays anywhere near you, and if you are at all a fan of quirky, latter-day BW, go.

It's as simple as that.

Here are some highlights.

-- Monster Mash remains the opening number.

-- Live debut of "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring" at the start of the second set. Brian didn't sing; he turned his back on the audience and watched the band.

-- Brian plays keyboard on an astonishing number of songs. Salt Lake City. I Get Around. Fun, Fun, Fun. Even Wouldn't It Be Nice. He doesn't necessarily play for an entire song, nor is he high in the mix, but he is playing.

-- I have never seen him as excited onstage as when he performed MAD. He added new lyrics: "all these memories make me feel like a piece of stone." He nearly stood up!

-- He danced (or swayed) at the end of Good Vibrations and similarly grooved on bass during BA and SUSA.

-- He talked before nearly every song. I didn't believe it, but it's true. He said it would cost everyone $100 to hear Heroes and Villains. He said before Please Let Me Wonder that it was a song the Rolling Stones could never do.

-- At the end of the show he said (and I'm not making this up) "We conquered Concord. Get it? We conquered Concord!"

The band was similarly goofy and delighted. I have seldom seen so much joy coming from the stage at a BW show -- and there is generally a lot to begin with.

I don't know what's going on, or why this tour is as good as it is (Brian is apparently traveling in the band's bus, for what it's worth), but see it if you can.

I really wish I could...I've been hearing nothing but good reviews (except for that one, but that doesn't even count). Sounds like he really is having fun with it.

Yes, I agree claymcc!! At the West Virginia show he also played piano on Custom Machine, Roll Around Heaven, and the ones you mentioned as well. I think maybe even Shut Down.

trying desperately to get someone to go with.. you have to buy 2 tickets at a time for the long island show.

ps.  can we make this thread a place to post Brian's eccentric and awesome antics from this current tour?

Sounds like someone's meds have been altered.   :P

 I am tonite @ The HeartBrake Hotel ,,,,,,,,

 Rock Out
 OUTIE

i agree. if brian is like he was at morgantown you will love the show. forget that stupid review. the band did a fine job and brian was very talkative. no "deer-in-the-headlight" brian that night. and there was a nice crowd at that show also. just a few rows (3 to 4) empty at the back.

YES!  Couldn't agree more — everyone on this board should see this tour!  Details about the show I saw here:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,8069.0.html

Sounds better and better... hope he comes back to the UK soon!

Other Brian Wilson commentary:

"It's good to be here tonight, and we want to put on the best show we can. And if the drums are too loud, we'll tell Mikey to play softer. If the guitars are too screechy, we'll have a nice felt pick. You just lay back. We'll take care of business."

"We'd like to dedicate this to you guys [Then I Kissed Her]. It's Jeffrey on lead and the rest of us on percussion."

In this next song, "this guy did a very, very uncool thing to his girl. And that was it. She said, 'That's it, buddy, we're through.' He was like, 'WHAT?' So he's walking up and down the street at night wondering what the heck happened. And it's called 'Soul Searchin'"

ROFLMAO!!!   Oh how I wish I could have heard him say that... CLASSIC!!

Just goes to show... the European summer tour was so-so... first few dates on this tour, the same... then suddenly, Brian catches fire. Gotta love the guy.

Holy crap... Brian's working on multiple albums. He's playing piano on stage and joking around (with NEW jokes, mind you). Did I enter the twilight zone or something?

Welcome back to 1966!!

It's deja vu all over again.  :thumbsup

I've often wondered if we might get to this place -- it's documented that some psychiatric illnesses can fade as an individual ages. Imagine a Brian Wilson who functions better in his 70s and 80s than in his 40s or 50s. On the other hand, he also may just be going through a slightly manic phase.

But at a basic level, this is immaterial. We're not talking about meds or disorders. We're talking about an artist who, for whatever reason and for whatever length of time, has decided to work as an entertainer. It's bracing to watch.

I remember Brian's introduction to Soul Searchin' at the Keswick. It was to the effect of, "this song's about this guy, he messed up with this girl he was fucking around with, and he went for a walk, and it's called Soul Searchin'!"

If you see the show I saw, you won't be disappointed.  I should (or someone should) point out that the whole band was more animated and playful.  They were moving around more and trading places on stage, having fun being a little goofy...and we got to hear just a bit more Taylor...who has pipes to spare that I had not heard.

I mentioned way in the first post -- the band just seemed delighted. They really are exceptionally sensitive to Brian onstage. If he ever falters (as we all know has happened now and then in the past), they step in. If, however, he's with it and on it (as he is now) they celebrate and push him even further. They are truly one of the most selfless groups of talented people I know.

alright.. going to the westbury, ny show this sunday.. for my own sake I will not expect anything more than the regular run of the mill Brian show.. but from what you guys are saying, it should be good fun!

Well said.  That is what I witnessed.

A couple of extra bits.

-- The crowd wouldn't let Brian go on after "God Only Knows." The applause was so great that Brian had to acknowledge it. "That makes this whole concert worth it, it really does," he said.

-- The audience was older -- I would say the average age was easily in the 50s -- but so enthusiastic that Jeff remarked on it too. (This only became a problem toward the end, when the audience was very slow to get up and dance/clap.)

-- At the very end, Brian added a bit to his usual closing sentence. "Good night, please drive safely, and we'll see you next year."

Reminds me of the 2006 UK Pet Sounds 40th anniversary gig - we sang along to the tag to "GOK" so well, the band reprised it and we just sang solo. Did anyone tape it ? 'Course not...  >:(

If you're referring to the gig at the Adelphi Theater in London in 2006, it was taped.

Was anybody here at the Lupos gig, the venue is awesome, wonder how the show went.

Indeed ? Been, ah, 'wondering' about that ever since the gig.  ;)

Glad to hear he's doing fine on this tour. Please keep those little anecdotes coming!

Seems to me BW is still capable of surprising even some of his most dedicated fans.

Make no mistake -- this is still a Brian Wilson show. I have no idea how someone without knowledge of him or his history would experience it. The basic, bedrock performances are similar to those of the past nine years -- I noted a lot more experimenting with phrasing, etc., but that's from someone who knows the music well. He's not magically sounding like it's 1966. It's all about the spirit and enthusiasm.

That being said, I do think that someone just walking off the street would have a good time. I just doubt they'd notice all the things I did -- or the band did -- that make this leg of the tour as fun as it's been.

I went to see him in Englewood on 10/27 and he was exactly as you say; it is only the 3rd time I have seen him but it was the best by far!  Of all the youtube clips I've seen after 1964 this is who Brian was meant to perform with!

I don't want to get into another debate on the subject, but this is the context I took with Brian's comment  ' being better than the Beach Boys' a few years back. Nothing else.

Interesting.  He was a bit...more than a bit...flat and sharp on GOK on 11-1-09.  He set it up as he would sing this sing very sweetly and nice...just like a "girl"...and then his voice broke and the falsetto cracked and dropped.  He did Midnight after that and I thought....uh oh...he's doing the demanding vocals too far into the set....should have done them before straining the voice.......BUT  he did Midnight beautifully.....very moving...and right on pitch.    Made me think he does songs written in his current voice better than the ones written for his 24 year old voice.

Clearly its worth seeing this show in as many venues as you can manage......seems to change nearly every night.

i hope he doesn't retire anytime in the next couple years.  being overseas for the next year is killing me cause i keep thinking he might retire.  plus i can lower the average age a bit.

 
       I SAW THIS TOUR !!!!!!

      

Maybe that's what Brian needed since the beginning. A band of employees.

random thought i'll put here.  it'd be so cool if he sang "a day in the life of a tree".  so cool.  fits his current voice.

That would be the coolest thing ever, seriously.

Too bad that this particular song is considered to be a joke by so many...

 The  Lupo's  Set List !

 Monster Mash
 Roll Around Heaven
 California Girls
 Do It Again
 Dance, Dance, Dance
 Catch A Wave
 Surfer Girl
 In My Room
 Salt Lake City
 Custom Machine
 Desert Drive
 Please Let Me Wonder
 Don't Worry Baby
 I Get Around
 Sail On Sailor
 Heroes and Villains
 The Little Girl I Once Knew
 All Summer Long
 Add Some Music to Your Day
 Shut Down
 Little Deuce Coupe
 Do You Wanna Dance?
 Sloop John B
 Wouldn't It Be Nice
 God Only Knows
 I'm Going Home
 Good Vibrations
 Johnny Be Goode
 Help Me Rhonda
 Barbara Ann
 Surfin' USA
 Fun, Fun, Fun
 Love and Mercy

A Day in the life of a tree is a very, very serious and moving song to me; I'd love to hear it live!

Seconded,  thirded, fourthed.... and gazillionthed! This seems a rather off-hand remark, but it is certainly not! When I'd read it the mental impression occurred in my brain and I thought: I might start to cry if I heard that in reality, anno 2009.

 A Classic Downer

 

Cheap shot. Flame bait, and you know it.

The vast majority of the band has toured with BW for 10 years. What have they really gained in that time? I don't think the job has bought many houses. (Probyn worked a desk job until recently.) They all -- nearly to a man -- have done it out of love and respect for the man and the music. Full stop.

I just saw Brian, and I cannot  reiterate "See This Tour" more! Oh my gosh, it was amazing, I am totally on cloud 9!Brian was AWESOME, the band was AMAZING, everything was fanstastic! Everything I've heard about the band was so true, they're incredible. They couldn't have been any closer to the BBs unless Denny, Carl, Al ,and Mike had been there. Brian was totally "on". He sounded great and was very cool and personable with the audience. Definitely get to a show on this tour if you can! Sorry for the babble, I  just never thought I'd get to see him live so I'm on a total Brian high ;D

Any interesting details?

Anybody who would "ask for their $ back" because thay played one particular song that may not be the most upbeat
but possesses unmistakable artistry and reflects an aspect of the man's genius shouldn't even be at the shows. What
about when "'Til I Die" used to be in the set list? Was that ill-advised also? Absurd. It would be awesome.

We try to ignore Outie whenever possible.

Nah, I think it was an interesting insight. Recheck every complain Brian has ever made about 'resistence' (not just Smile) and you have something there. That means he's human, just like Dennis, Mike etc.

About the band... There must be some middle ground between them being there just for the money or out of love and respect. Don't you think Darian would rather have had the Wondermints as a viable and lucrative project? I'm sure the gig hasn't bought them many houses, but did they ever refuse anything that would make them that kind of money? They're great pro musicians but that's it. I'm not even sure if they dig being thought of like that, a bunch of selfless individuals doing it for Brian's sake. Many of them are approaching middle age.

Have you ever met any of those guys? Have you ever spoken to any of them? if you haven't, then all you are doing is speculating. Some of us HAVE spoken to those guys and gal and agree with what Clay is saying.

House of blues gig tonight, I'd give my left arm to be there  :-[

All I'd need is a 12 hour flight from Dublin.

Yes, I agree they need to make a living. And yes, it certainly is good for the resume to be able to say you were selected to play in Brian Wilson's band. It does open some doors I'm sure. And I can't begin to imagine what an incredible learning experience it must be working with Brian. But...

For some, money is not the only motivator.  Brian's guys and girl clearly are motivated by something other than money. They are indeed great pro musicians - who do what they do because they love it, and they love the music and the guy responsible for creating it. It seems to me they've given up some income over the years to do what they love. And to do it WITH someone they care about, with someone who is FAR beyond a meal ticket to them. And finally, I know they enjoy the admiration and recognition they get for being (IMHO and that of many others) the best band in the world!

I've spoken to a few band members over time, far less than some others here. But I come away with the exact same feeling. They are honest and genuine and selfless people doing something they dearly love to do.

The Brian band could be doing other things and (let's be honest) making more money.  But the core band has been with him since 1999.  That is nothing to sneeze at by any stretch.

But anyway, back the show last night. What happened? Any different songs? Details!

House of Blues is sold out

Well from what I've seen of the setlists from this tour the songs were pretty much the same. Monster Mash is still the opener. I was especially impressed to hear Salt Lake City, Please Let Me Wonder, and Sail On Sailor live. It's hard to say what sounded the best because everything was so good but hearing Heroes and Villains (with the cantina segment), live and in person, was beyond words! It got a very long standing ovation. I broke down when they sang Surfer Girl and my aunt (she's been waiting to see Brian since Surfin' Safari came out :o) totally lost it on Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring. I know he's been using it more lately, but I was pretty thrilled to see Brian playing bass during the encore. I think everyone got a kick out of him "dancing" at the end of the 2nd set and Scotty standing a tamborine on his head :lol It was just really apparent everyone was enjoying what they were doing, Brian was super peppy, and the audience was more than elated.

We were seated on the opposite side of the stage than where they were going on and off from, so we could see off stage a bit. Before the show started I spotted Brian, and almost had a heart attack. It was completely surreal all night. Brian was the last one off stage and said something like "Goodnight and have a safe drive home. See ya next time". In the lobby Taylor was signing a few autographs and signed a program for us. My aunt asked her if there was any way we could get Brian's, she said he was probably already on the bus and it might already be gone. So we walked out the front of the hall and around the side to the car. When we turned the corner there were two buses with blinds pulled down in the front parked alongside the building. My aunt walked up the sidewalk to see if his name was on the side and I walked the opposite way to the car. Then they pulled the blinds up and guess who was sitting in the front next to the driver?! My aunt started back and I'm like oh my god, look there's Brian! So she went and stood by a group of people who were a ways in front of it until the guy who was gonna direct them out told everyone they had to move (the hall was on the side of a hill, in the middle of a neighborhood, so there was no parking lot and everyone had to park on the streets surrounding it, needless to say moving a big bus around wasn't an easy task). As they pulled out the headlights ended up planted directly on our car and me standing there, dumbfounded, for what seemed like forever. I wanted to die :-[ My aunt (I'm not kidding) says oh my gosh, I hope he hits the car, I hope he hits the car! She was more worried about meeting Brian (which I guess she thought would happen if they hit it) than her car getting smashed! They ended up getting out, slowly but surely, all vehicles entact, lol. We got to follow the bus a few miles til we caught a light. It really was something else. Definitely the best concert I've ever been to, I wish I could do it all over again :happydance

spoken and told like a true fan

Well, does everything have to be so corny in Brian's world? So he finished Smile "and the angels came back to his side". Barf. Oh my. It just isn't enough that Brian's band is great, as musicians and pros that help Brian with his projects? is it necessary to think of them as folks who are sacrificing themselves, losing money and career opportunities, to help the big guy in his solo journey? Ok then. You met those guys, I didn't.  :)

But seriously... If I had to lose some income (not house-buying amounts, of course) to decide between touring with Heart or Brian Wilson, I'd chose the latter in a heartbeat. And I don't even care about Brian the person. Sure I understand that kind of choice.

They are your heroes, alright then. It helps me understand the horror that fills your hearts whenever the word reunion is said... Who would want to take Brian away from a bunch of great folks who love him and dedicate their lives to him, to bring him back to a circle of parasites who never cared about his well being, never supported him and always held him back? I wouldn't.

Man, you're REALLY piling on the cheap shots.

How's this for a return cheap shot - anyone who wants Brian back with the Beach Boys is both fucking crazy and fucking selfish.

Um, I think it's time for me to meditate...

Ya know that pretty cool band the all american rejects, well the lead singer was at the house of blues last night watching Brian, he twitterd 'I'm at a Brian Wilson concert and it is the best one I've ever been to. Holy sh*t!!!'

Also posted a vid http://img188.yfrog.com/i/af3.mp4/ (http://img188.yfrog.com/i/af3.mp4/)

I love that song, and personally find the tag every bit as or more heartbreaking than that of Til I Die.

Cheers

Sounds like someone's caught his dick in his zipper.

Just to qualify the reunion thing... I don't want Brian back with the BB, any more than I want Mike to join Brian's band: what I would like, is for some kind of one-off, or at best exceedingly limited, coming together of the various factions for... I don't know. A concert... a TV show... a single... a press conference... An Evening With... - just some kind of marking of the 50th anniversary in a manner fit to close the circle.

I very reliably informed that back in 2006, in the tower before the rooftop photocall, there was no animosity, just friends meeting again after a long break. That's what I want to see, and if that makes me "friggin' crazy and friggin' selfish", so be it. I've been called far worse, and by folk much better qualified to pass such judgement.

Just because YOU can't understand why people do it doesn't mean it isn't done. I know a number of people who've chosen to work for causes or in positions where the primary motivation was something other than money. I know some people personally who work for non-profit groups that could earn WAY more elsewhere. They work where they do because they believe in the cause and they love the people they work with/for.

Whatever happens, happens. There are costs and benefits to everything we do; some are monetary and some aren't. I am personally impressed with the dedication of folks in BW's band, but folks can disagree. I'm pretty neutral on a reunion personally -- I asked BW the question and reported his answer(s), but no one asked how I personally felt about it. And I think Mike and Bruce would actually try to be good to the big guy. And they could likely do a good, tear-jerking show. But it's not up to me, and it's not up to any of us.

I think we are enormously blessed (and here's the corniness) to have three groups of folks who are dedicated to the music, and who put on great shows. I've seen all three (well, I haven't seen Mike and Bruce since Carl died, but I'm sure I will), and each show has something to commend it. They really do. However, I became a fan of the BBs through being a fan of BW (I came on board during the '95 IJWMFTT/OCA releases), and he's the one I'm ultimately most interested in. And certainly his band has a staggering number of working musicians who've released albums on their own (many of which are quite good).

I've had my doubts and concerns about Brian over the years, as has everyone here. But I've come to accept that he's someone who is profoundly, really mentally ill. A thousand Smile premieres won't change that. A years-long reunion won't change that. But that doesn't mean Brian's an idiot, and it doesn't mean he's without talent. It's just that it can be really difficult to judge "how he's doing" at any one time. I think those around him have a combination of motives, some more self-serving than others. But I don't believe anyone is out to cause him pain. I think virtually everyone wants him to do well.

So it was a profound moment to watch him last week. I've seen him in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2008. And to see him more musically engaged than at any previous show, to see him chatting with the crowd, to see him improvising a bit with the lyrics -- well, it assured me that as bad and sad and depressing as things sometimes seem around BW, that he is still a capable, enthusiastic musician. For that matter, so are Mike and Bruce and Al and their folks too.

And as long as the music can transcend all of this stuff -- well, that's why we listen to it, isn't it?

Ok. Looking back two pages... I apologize for getting out of line.

Just don't get used to it.  :)

Why does it seem that whenever there's something overwhelmingly positive posted here about Brian there ends up being an argument.  ??? It makes me so frustrated it seems like in 2009 that there can never be a positive thing on any message board that isn't Blueboard about Brian in 2009 that doesn't end up with someone pouring negativity.  ::) I was actually enjoying and feeling good after reading people's appreciation of Brian's show, no he isn't recovered and it isn't like the old days, but it felt good to read. So much for that.

Brian on a reunion.

We thought about it. We talked about it. We hashed it over," Wilson said, "but then we decided not to do it."

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20091106/LIFE07/911060306/1044/ENT/Wilson-heads-to-A.C.-without-the-Beach-Boys


So just who nowdays is 'we'?

He used "we" several times when he talked to me, too. I think it sometimes refers to him and his band -- he said he was going to tour "as long as we can," and sometimes it probably refers to wifeandmanagers. At least he's including himself in the mix now, though.

As for the tour -- it seems like it's still a must-see. Reports from Atlantic City have been stellar. I'll be at the show in Lowell, Mass., next week -- only time I've double-dipped a BW tour, but this seems like this is the one to do it on.

At this stage I don't hold out much more than some sort of compilation album in 2011 then. I guess we will have to wait until 2012 to see how a well managed and professional 50th anniversary should be handled....by the Rolling Stones. :smokin :hat 8) ;D

Main difference -- main creative forces of the Stones are still alive. I think to Brian, the BBs died when his brothers did.

Dito. And, imo, the truth.
On the way to the show we were talking about Denny & Carl and if they would be there (in spirit of course). My aunt was in love with Dennis (he was 2nd only to Elvis, lol) and I'm of course crazy about him and Carl, so it was kind of bittersweet to see Brian without them. I took maybe a dozen pictures (the first set I was in too much shock and awe to pick up the camera), none of them turned out really great because of the lighting. They were all focused in on Brian, and all were pretty clear except the last one. I took it when everyone was standing together bowing at the very end, and there were like 4 spots above the stage. I took some more pictures outside of the bus and they were ok. Take this as you will, I'm not bent one way or the other, but my nutty cousins are convinced they're "orbs" which I guess are supposed to be spirits or angels or something. If by some crazy chance that was what they were I guess it's kind of nice to think they're still supporting their big brother from above :angel:

So I saw the show in Westbury, NY tonight.  It was great! Some highlights:

-After the band introductions Brian said "Who do you like better: Jeff or Scott?  Oh that wasn't cool of me, sorry guys!"
-Brian played some piano on most songs
-Brian's awkward as hell introduction to the Little Girl I Once Knew.  it started something like: "So not really any real music has come from China, it can be summed up by the opening notes of this next song."  :lol

Brian was really engaged and into the music most of the time.. basically I report the same findings as the other people here that have seen the tour.

Ok, this might put me in the "Brian is a vegetable totally controlled by his wifeandmanager", and I don’t believe in that, but here goes: What if there are plans for a reunion…but Brian doesn’t know about it? And not as in “[evil laugh] let’s milk some more money out of Brian but we won’t tell him about it until it’s too late for him to drop out” but instead to spare him the anxiety, bad memories, pressure etc until he really needs to know about it. I mean, practical issues as venue, backing band, recording and stuff might take a good while to sort out and plan, which is something that BW wouldn’t need to be part of. And then, months before the show/recording, they plant this seed: “Brian, wouldn’t it be nice (no pun intended) to get back with Mike and Bruce and Alan again?”

No?

How was the attendance, heard it was very near sold out!

there were a few empty seats, but not many.  The place was very small.  The stage was circular and the seats wrapped around, although they only used about half of the seating (otherwise they would use the revolving stage).

Something else I remembered:  Before Please Let Me Wonder, Brian said (Paraphrased): "In this next song there is a secret, but the guy doesn't know what the secret is." then Jeff said: "Wait, Brian, I don't know what the secret is."  and Brian replied: "The secret is that there are angels on stage right now.. you'll hear it when we drop the instruments out at the end."

And that is what it sounded like on 11-1-09.

To reiterate:  See this tour!

The main creative force of the Stones died in 1969...

That sounds like classic Brian.  Good to see he's still in there somewhere.

But the most business savvy Stone is alive and well!

There's not a man in his late 60's alive who doesn't make decisions based on what his wife wants.  If there is, he's either a:a widower b:divorced or c:an asshole.

Secondly, Mike, Bruce, and Al are three of Brian's greatest fans.  Things will never be how they were in the 60's, they're all independent old men now who do whatever they want, there is no instance in which Brian could be 'abused' or 'held back' by his band mates.  Even in all of his lawsuits Mike finds a way to claim that he's actually sticking up for Brian, and he makes some good points.  It's rediculous for us as fans to sit here and think we know better what Brian needs than his own family and friends who have known him for 50 years do. 

What about d) never married or e) gay?

Never married or gay?

He makes decisions based on what his mother or partner wants. (Duh-Oh!) ;)

Well, Brian's mom Did insist that Dennis be in the band.

Uh oh, now it's time to beware the wrath of Mr. "The Boys needed to reuinite yesterday" himself, Sheriff John Stone!  :lol :lol

Just getting back from the show in Albany.  Definitely one of the best BW shows I've been to. Don't judge it by the setlist. Its the fact that Brian is clearly enjoying himself and participating which makes the show a success. His happiness means more happiness for you, the audience. He was very funny, speaking freely, being himself, and not afraid to be himself, which is refreshing. He swore twice within the first 5 minutes of the show.

Brian played piano on nearly every song, and it wasn't just a token gesture. He was really playing and he was clearly audible in the mix. In fact, he was the sole source of keyboards on "In My Room". He's a member of the band rather than just a figurehead. Sometimes he'd be so focused on playing he'd miss some vocals here and there, but no big deal.

Speaking of his vocals, he sang hard and gave plenty of effort. Just like last year, I detected him running out of gas near the end of the show, but he gave it his all, getting his second wind during Surfin' USA and riding that wave into "Love And Mercy".

Some Wilson comedy: he opens the show by thanking the audience for coming out tonight to see The Rolling Stones. He follows that with a, "Naw, I'm just sh**tin' you!"

The old cigarette lighter joke yet again, with Brian telling the audience "we'll burn this place down!"

Brian asking what time it was, and then, when Jeff starts to reply, Brian says, "No, I'm asking the audience!"

Wilson and Foskett referring to each other as "Pilgrims".

Brian made both me and my wife crack up with something he did during H&V: every single time he sang "Just see what you've done" he followed it by looking down and shaking his head in mock disgust! It was the FUNNIEST thing I've ever seen him do!

New addition to setlist: Darlin' with Darian taking lead vocals. Other highlights: Salt Lake City, Midnights Another Day, Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring, Heroes & Villains, Row Row Row Your Boat....

I think something happened to Brian during "Midnights Another Day". He was looking up for a moment, and then flinched and looked back down as if he'd seen something he wasn't supposed to. Then, when the song ended, the band waited in silence for Brian to go directly into, "I'm Going Home". He didn't. Scott leaned over his keyboards and called to Brian. Nothing. He stomped his foot to count in the song.....nothing! Finally, they just started without him. That was really the only time where Brian went totally off the rails. He eventually got back with it, but like I said, he was running on fumes by that point.

Brian began an introduction to a song saying how his mother taught him not to hate anyone, but he really hated the next song, due to memories it conjured up. Jeff offered to scratch it, but Brian said, no, he'd do it for the crowd. I thought it would be "Sail On Sailor", but instead it was "Sloop John B", which I found very surprising.

No Sail On Sailor on this night. No Marcella. No Soul Searchin'. No Girl Don't Tell Me. Monster Mash? YES!!!!

A great great show. It's so heartwarming to see Brian looking so comfortable up there, expressing himself as he chooses. We came to see the real Brian Wilson in action and we were not disappointed.

I'm seeing him tomorrow in Wilkes Barre. Gives me hope!  :)

Wow! Darlin' with Darian singing lead? It's like someone in the band is reading this very message board!

And yes ... Brian is very, very deeply into MAD. When I saw him, he was so into the song that he half-stood up and nearly knocked over the mike or something. I couldn't quite see, but he was inaudible for a couple of words.

I think he really loves singing the song, but it does seem to trouble him a little bit at the same time. Very close to the bone, and if he indeed still hears voices, I'd expect they pop up during a song like this. I noticed he didn't play it for a week or so after the show in Concord. It's not an every-nighter.

And I think what you said, Bubba, about Brian being Brian really nails it. For whatever reason, he seems deeply, truly comfortable on this tour. He has given himself permission to be creative, kinda nuts and musical.

... And the jokes? Priceless.

The $64,000 question...

Why ?

Actually, scratch that - I don't wanna know: it's enough that it's happening.  ;D

We're all believing in Tinkerbell!

He did that tonight as well. He went off mike for a moment. He was making a gesture, like throwing something at the audience from overtop his keyboard. I'm  not sure what he meant, but it was effective!

I forgot to mention seeing Brian enjoying a good backscratching from one of his crew offstage before returning  for "Love and Mercy".

I do hope that there's been some video shooting during this tour. I'd run to the store to see him being a bit of his good, old, unpredictable, funny, charming, embarrassing, comic, and introspective self again.

 Melinda Stay @ Home!!!!!!....... Yahoooo.....!!!!!!

maybe has something to do with the "this is the worst trip i've ever been on." line?

Brian seemed to really enjoy Sloop at the Westbury show.. something i just remembered: at the 'constable had to come and take him away' line, Brian used his finger like a hook on his shirt collar and 'dragged himself' away.   ;D

That pretty much sounds like the goofy Brian Wilson you get to see in some of the 60s home video footage that has been used for numerous documentary films.

Maybe those memories are more recent than than you're assuming.  ::)

He actually did that at the show I went to during the last tour as well.

There you go again, Andrew. Hinting about something that you know and we don't. (I would have done exactly the same myself.  :) )

Just thinking aloud.

Two years ago, Mike Love snuck into Brian's bedroom with a 45 of Sloop John B and a jar of petroleum jelly.

Ever since, Brian hasn't been the same.

Shocked the egg wasn't sold out, only 3/4

Meh, can't win em all.

:lol

... and it's still there.  :o

Darian on lead for "Darlin'", oh my sweet Caroline!

If anyone has this show in any form please let me know, I'm dying to hear Darian on "Darlin"!

Me too.

what the hell happened that makes him have bad memories about Sloop John B. all of a sudden?

Maybe he associates it with several lackluster television appearances.

I just got back from seeing Brian at the Kirby Theater in Wilkes-Barre, PA tonight.

I feared the worst when I went to the Keswick two weeks ago. Greatest hits shows usually stood for a lackluster performance on Brian's part and possibly some missing band members. The Keswick performance was beautiful, a true gem of a show. Brian was sensational, as was the band. The audience, including my screaming self, ate it up.

I REALLY was worried for this show. Sure, some good reviews and a good bootleg or two in between, but I figured I wasn't going to be catching lightning in a bottle twice.

He was actually BETTER this time around. MUCH better.

This was a man truly in control of himself, singing great for his age, laughing off his vocal flubs (for example, after a small flub in Sloop John B, he imitated a man being hung to death), and joking with the audience. And his appreciation for the response he got from us all was completely genuine, and I'm the ultimate cynic when it comes to Brian and his feelings about other people.

Brian Wilson is back. See this tour by any means necessary. This is truly amazing stuff, history in the making for us fans. You won't regret it one bit. Not one bit. I guarantee it.

Too bad he doesn't seem to come to Europe anytime soon. When I last saw one of his shows (which must have been summer of 2007 IIRC) he had a fairly good day in terms of vocal delivery. This, however, seems to go way beyond the usual good day/bad day routine. Now what I'm most definitely waiting for is the real Brian Wilson on Tour DVD to be assembled.

HE NEEDS TO COME TO HOUSTON. I'm almost tempted to go to the Blueboard and beg.

At the very least, a PROPER full-length live album would be killer.

A live album wouldn't capture it. I've heard a recording or two, and they're okay at putting across the jokes, but they don't quite convey the impact of this tour. It would have to be visual -- just so you can see Brian as involved as he is. The closest I've seen is the Smile DVD. Honest to god.

Problem is, of course, once Brian knew it would be filmed and recorded, he would probably just clam up. I wonder if part of the reason he's so relaxed is this is truly a low-pressure tour. Small venues, full band, an interesting but not overly challenging setlist, enthusiast audiences and no one around to distract him from making music.

I mean live DVD! :lol

Great point, though. If he could just overcome it, it would be awesome.

if he went to texas now i'd be so angry.  seeing how i'm a usual resident of austin but am in the philippines for a year.

Maybe he finally saw Al's solo piano performance of the song on the Endless Harmony dvd?

 :lol

I have to say last night's show can't and won't be topped. I'm putting this up with my Smile gigs as one of the greatest shows I've seen of Brian. Period. The whole night was just amazing. Band on fire, fans really getting into it, Brian REALLY loose (and even more so then 2 weeks ago!!!!)  and my friend I took to the concert at the last minute loved it as well. She had never seen them live and what an introduction she got!

Brian, like the rest of us, is sick to death of hearing Al explain how he suggested it.

But we've known him for oh so long!

Lowell, sweet Lowell. Some preliminary notes from Mass.

-- Brian Wilson playing piano during "Heroes and Villains"? Believe it. It is now easier to list the songs he doesn't play on than the ones he does. So, he didn't play on the opening few songs -- "Do It Again," "Dance, Dance, Dance," "Girl Don't Tell Me" -- or the three TLOS songs in the second set. "Good Vibrations." Everything else? Yep.

-- He was the sole keyboard player in "Surfer Girl" and "In My Room." He played along with the quirky intro to TLGIOK. He played during the supposedly a cappella break in "California Girls" (thankfully drowned out by the voices). He stumbled over lyrics on "Little Saint Nick" because he was so preoccupied with the piano part.

-- His intro: "Lowell! We're here in Lowell. Is that the name of your place? Lowell? I like that. Low-ell. It's a cool word. Low-ell."

-- "We're going to do something for you. Again, another soft song. I know you want to rock and roll; we'll be doing that soon. Just sit back and let us take care of music for you. Don't go running around scared. Just sit calmly in your seats."

-- "As you all know, there are devils and there are angels, right? In this particular one, we just have angels on stage here. About three-fourths of the way through, you'll hear them. ... It says on my teleprompter (stern voice): 'Brian, sing it sweetly.' So I guess that means I should go into my feminine mode now."

-- "Love and Mercy" lyrics revised: "I was sitting in a CRAPPY movie / with my hands on my chin."

More thoughts later.

 ;D

Brilliant!

Three things before I sign off for the evening --

1.) Brian was lavishing praise on the band for their performance of "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring."

Jeff: And we should thank you for that beautiful arrangement.

Brian: Oh, I stole it from someone.

(Entire band cracks up)

2.) In chatting with some band members, the quirky fun of this tour is just as much of a surprise to them as to us. Everyone is just having a great time -- and no one is quite sure why.

3.) Darian did Darlin' again. And Brian practically kissed him on the mouth after he was done. Well, he didn't leave his seat. But was gesturing over to Darian and enthusing: "Darian Saha NAJA! Wasn't he great? Wasn't that great! Amazing!"

Keep the quotes coming! They're hilarious!  ;D

:-D
But seriously, though, how much does Brian's arrangement of it differ from the Four Freshmen's? Here's a link to the Freshmen singing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djDm2JVMm9Y

To resume: Brian Is Back

I lost track... how many comebacks has our man made by now... 11?

All good stuff , but is it not a shame that less than 800 people (in a venue over twice that size) turned up at the Kirby Show :-(

Is it possible that some fans stayed away this tour having "been there, done that" only to regret not going after reading the rave reviews this tour is getting?  That was almost the case with me but It was a 3 hour drive and I wanted to get out of town for the weekend.  I'm so glad I did!  Same last year with the Mike and Bruce show.
That too was an eye and ear opening experience!

If Mike, Bruce, Brian, their managers and bands are reading any of this, I want to say thanks and congratulations for a great year of top notch performances from two of the best bands on the road.

Well most shows were near sold out, only like three shows had low attendance, and honestly that's down to the pathetic promoation some shows get.

How was the turnout for the lowell show?

Of the two shows I went to, the Concord attendance was great -- Brian is a big star for the venue and the town. In Lowell last night, it was two-thirds. Brian doesn't sell out venues on his name alone -- there has to be some serious, educational promotion, and often that isn't done on these smaller tours. (In Concord, the theater did a lot of promotion on its own, and I devoted the arts page of our newspaper to his arrival -- but I did that because I'm a fan, not because anyone called us and asked for it.) The economics surely make sense to someone, even if I'm not clear on them.

And make no mistake -- this tour could have been a disaster. The itinerary is fanciful to say the least -- the band came to Concord, NH from West Virginia, they played four shows in N.J. (but not in a row), etc., etc. Hits shows have been phoned in in the past. Ticket prices are out of step with the times -- cheap seats $40-$45. So it's possible promoters decided that, given these factors, a quick and dirty and quiet tour was best. Who knew that the performances would end up being some of the definitive documents of Brian as a touring musician?

I don't understand booking Brian Wilson into West Virginia for a concert, doesn't seem like he'd be much of a draw there.

had a real nice crowd there in morgantown.

I was talking about that to, er, 'someone' back in the summer, and their observation was "who booked this tour - Stevie Wonder ?"

And yes, it is a strange & wonderful thing that a tour that started out so inauspiciously, following a European tour that was, to be charitable, patchy, should become something of a landmark for Brian. Here's hoping it all carries on to the Gershwin tour... and that the US gets that one first this time.  ;D

I'm going to the Morristown, NJ concert tonight, and I understand that it's sold out.

All of this makes me really hungry for the Gershwin and Disney efforts. Esp. when he says: I don't know where the heck it's coming from...

Perhaps it is just the character of this tour that eases his mind. Gathering from the descriptions, he seems to feel that he does not need a safety net, he allows himself the odd mistake, and is very relaxed nonetheless.

Which makes me think: if he starts a Gershwin show in a fancy, posh grand hall, will he be nervous again, strained?

That's why AGD wants the Gershwin tour to start in the US!  ;D It might be decent by the time it gets to the UK ...

Then I'm all for it!  :lol

Morristown, New Jersey, the second show I've caught on this tour, and unfortunately probably the last.  No seats priced below 70 bucks, but still a very respectable size crowd.  It wasn't sold out, but probably 75 percent full.  I don't know if it had anything to do with the miserable rainy and windy weather, or if something else was going on but Brian didn't seem as comfortable as he was when I saw him a few weeks ago in Red Bank.  It really seemed like he wanted to push the show forward, often launching quickly into song introductions before applause for the previous song had even died down.  More Rolling Stones comments... he started the show by saying that they are not as good as the Rolling Stones, then immediately followed that by saying that the show will make us all forget about the Rolling Stones by the time it's over.

 It appears the band has finally dropped "Sail On Sailor" for at least for a while, which makes sense after all the comments Brian has made on this tour about how much he dislikes it.  The swearing phenomenon continued in Morristown.  At one point Brian announces that if we in the audience don't like the next song (it might have even been God Only Knows) that we should all just say "f*** you, we don't like it."  Pretty hilarious and endearing.  But it seemed like that insecurity thing might have been real - at various points during the night Brian made self deprecating comments.   He introduced "Custom Machine as a "stupid car song."   At one point he said that "they didn't think that anyone would like the show", at another point he asked people to clap if they didn't like the show, then to clap if they did.  Even later in the show, he actually offered to refund anyone's money who didn't like the show.  Occasionally, it was almost as if he would sabotage his own jokes, then immediately going into self-deprecation mode when the joke fell flat.  He just didn't seem entirely comfortable.  His vocals were mostly beautifully performed, with a few low points and more than a few highs.  He didn't really seem at ease during the beginning of the show, but his vocals were still mostly spot on.  He seems to have a lot of fun doing the deeper-vocal songs like "Desert Drive", but at the other end of the spectrum, he pulled off a beautiful (if fragile) sounding "God Only Knows, and then stated to the audience that he tried to sing it as effeminately as he could and that he hoped we liked it.  I laughed out loud.

Brian's vocals seemed to suffer a little bit near the middle of the show.  "I Get Around" was a particularly strange performance, with Brian's overexaggerated vocal almost approaching Sweet Insanity territory.  And he didn't really seem to be present for "All Summer Long."  But he caught a huge second wind starting with "Sloop John B" - which he oddly introduced by saying that he hated the lyrics but thought the music was ok.  Equally oddly, after "The Little Girl I Once Knew", he proclaimed it his "favorite production that he's ever done."  Regarding "Heroes And Villains" he said that he originally didn't want to do it but that he was glad he did.  Then he proceeded to nail it.   "Marcella" was back in the setlist, and Brian actually really seemed to be into it.  Brian experimented with the vocal a lot on "Goin' Home", often going up to higher registers/octaves during parts of the verses.  It's really interesting to watch him do "Midnight's Another Day"...he seems to really make an effort to connect with that song live.  Brian's vocals on "Southern California" were also very sweet sounding.  Darian's vocal on "Darlin'" was spot on.  Better than John Cowsill's, actually.   I was disappointed that Brian did not sing at all on "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring", and he actually turned his back on the audience the way he used to do during the Pet Sounds instrumentals. Another odd moment - at the end of Spring, Brian said that it was the first time they had ever performed it in front of an audience.  The setlists posted on BrianWilson.com indicate differently.  "Love And Mercy" again began with him sitting in a "crappy movie". He played a pretty fair amount of piano..I'd say about 50 percent of the show, but his keyboard seemed really low in the mix.  But it's really nice to see him in so much more of an interactive band member role these days - even an obvious leadership role at times - as apposed to the late '90s when he was sometimes acted almost as a figurehead.  And even though he seemed a lot more uncomfortable than in Red Bank, he still tried to do a lot of interesting things with the vocals - playing with phrasing and sometimes even octives, to sometimes interesting effect, and it was obvious there was a lot of care in the vocals in general.  The Red Bank show was a lot more satisfying for me (it was after all one of the best Brian shows I've ever seen) but I'm still really glad I did this one.  Sending good vibes for the next leg.

This def. was one of the best tours I've seen him do since Smile hands down. I'll be anxious to see how the next one pans out.

from the new morristown article:

"I loved writing and recording those songs," Wilson said. "There's a reason the songs are so popular and so well remembered. We did something very different back then. It was something special. Those big productions and vocals were just amazing. I knew it would be influential. It's just great to be back doing these songs, doing what I love."

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20091113/ENT/91112023/1005/NEWS01/Morristown-bound+Brian+Wilson+keeps+Beach+Boys+legend+alive

I was at the Morristown show last night, and I definitely thought it was the best Brian show I've seen. It was the only show I saw this tour, so I didn't have a basis of comparison for other 2009 shows, but I really enjoyed it. Brian pretty much pulled double duty as lead singer and MC, introducing nearly every song. Yes, he did say that it was the first time they'd performed "Hearts," but I believe he was putting on the audience on because he preceded that comment by stating that it had taken the band 6 months to rehearse the song, every single day. "And now they're performing it here tonight for the first time." Some of the audience seemed to believe this, because they clapped in appreciation.

 I think he was probably tired, considering that this was the fourth show night in a row, and he did appear to get tired in the second set. His vocals were a bit sloppy and he strained for some of the notes. For a while it seemed as if the energy drained out of Brian, and by consequence the band and the audience (Taylor had to tell the audience "You're supposed to stand up" at the end of Good Vibrations. By the way, her mike was very low, so it was hard to hear her.) Everyone perked up again (A LOT) for the encore. But Brian really kept up the intros and the jokes. He asked how many people were in their 20s, 30s, etc, all the way up to 60s. Of course all ages were represented. When a lot of people responded to the 60s question, he said, "What??!!" in a mock-incredulous way. My father, who is in his 70s, said, "What about me?"

At one point Brian said, "There's a woman in the front row who keeps smiling at me. What's that about?" And Jeff said, "I think we should pursue this," and asked the woman if she was married. Brian then suggested bringing the woman up on stage, and Jeff said maybe they'd do it in the encores (they didn't).
At least 100 people in the audience weren't necessarily fans. Apparently tickets had been given out as part of a charity event for a local school. But the whole crowd seemed to enjoy themselves. A few more notes:

--Darian is GREAT on Darlin'.
--Brian played his keyboard for at least half the show. He seemed so into it that sometimes he missed his cue to sing. And the keyboard WAS on. It was hard to hear, but I heard it at least a few times, and yes, he was playing the right notes!
--Yes, Brian said a few negative things-- "stupid car songs," etc., but he didn't seem down about anything. He introduced Sloop John B by saying he didn't like the lyrics, "That's okay, though. I do like the music--just not the lyrics." Jeff suggested playing it as an instrumental. Brian also said he initially didn't want to do Heroes and Villains, but that now he was glad they had put it in the set because the vocals are great.
--We got the cigarette lighter joke. "It's our way of trying to be funny." Brian commented that no one laughed.
--We got Row Row Row Your Boat.
--Brian continues to be spry, literally jogging on and off stage around the encores.
--The band was ON FIRE during the encores and clearly having fun together.
--Brian said he wouldn't forget Morristown, NJ because "you guys are great," although maybe he was being sarcastic. The audience was pretty subdued, except at the end. (As usual, Scott intro'd Do You Want to Dance" by telling the audience to stand but preceded it with "Unless you have a doctor's note...")
--At the end, Brian said, "We'll see you next year."

Brilliant, Amy. Thanks for the report.

More from Lowell -- at one point he said "Someone should throw a cigarette into the balcony and burn this place down!"

No one quite knew what to make of that.

And elgoodo makes a good point -- you can actually hear Brian experimenting with different ways to sing his songs. In Concord, it was simply a matter of phrasing here and there. In Lowell, he tried speak-singing a song or two (bits of MAD, for instance). His voice is far more powerful than you might expect, and you get the impression that he's trying out different ways to unleash it.

He probably meant this TOUR was the first time they've performed it live. My guess anyway.

Okay, here's a hypothetical. Let's say you win a contest, and there are two prize choices:
A. All of Brian Wilson's solo albums
B. All of Mike Love's solo albums, including Mike Love Not War

For the sake of argument, let's say you don't already own any of these. Which do you pick?

The fourth-night-in-a-row thing probably had a lot to do with it. 

The vocal experimentation thing is really interesting.  In Red Bank, one or two lines of "Love And Mercy" were spoken ("well, it's just not fair") and it was really effective.  He seems to be really going out on a limb regularly vocalwise on this tour, but it's not entirely a new thing...does anyone remember the performance of "Love And Mercy" at one of the shows with Al at the Beacon in NYC a few years ago?  He actually changed the lines in the "news came on tv" verse to something like "a lotta people out there scared, and so am I."

I'd take all of Brian's solo albums...even GIOMH has a few good moments.

I'd pick POB alone over all of Brian Wilson's solo albums. So, by this Monyhy Python logic, Dennis > Brian.  :)

That's not what was asked, Cheater.

I'm known by many names.  :)

But back to the matter at hand. The east coast tour has wrapped up. We'll get three shows next month, in Calif. and Nevada. Will be interesting to see how those go. And then on to Gershwin -- we can only hope that this vim finds its way into the recording studio.

Just a few more thoughts about Lowell. I wasn't thrilled with the theater -- it seemed a bit ragged, and the elderly ushers opened the doors before Love and Mercy, so half of the audience was out of their seats before then. I also had an adventursome time driving down -- it would be nice to say that the experience of getting to a show can be separated from the show itself, but it is seldom the case. I also was sitting way in the back, surrounded by empty seats. Less than ideal for a show where audience interaction plays such a key role.

But Brian was, if slightly less peppy than Concord, even more musically involved. I mentioned the keyboard playing. He was listening, he was trying different things as he sang -- and his voice is shockingly strong for a 67-year-old. I detected a Paley sessions edge on some songs, a sweet, slightly ragged tone on others, and this strange, blaring Mike Love sound on still others.

Having both Darian and Jeff sing is a fabulous idea, and Brian seems thrilled to hear his songs sung so well by the band. We can only hope it continues -- those two have some of the best solo voices in the band. Taylor could take on something too.

The difference, I'd say, between the two shows I saw was that in Concord, Brian was somewhat more consciously an entertainer. In Lowell, he was more of a musician. The fact that he displays both of these sides is great, and they play off each other in gratifying and unexpected ways.

I guess the final, most joyous part of the experience, has been seeing Brian be so aware. Joking about his teleprompter. Throwing up his hands in mock exasperation when he came in too early on a verse of "Johnny B Goode." Gently needling Jeff. Taking real pride in his songs -- shouting, "Let's barbershop" before an a capella interlude in Heroes and Villains. Noting "Here come the Rolling Stones!" before the loud part of "Add Some Music."

For however long, Brian has found something in him to perform as fully as he can and take pride in his music. If I ever had doubts about BW as a touring artist, this jaunt has erased them. He can do something in his shows that he can't do in studios anymore -- be totally spontaneous, inhabit his music, and then go back to his bus and zone out afterward, free from any obligation except eating and sleeping.

Has this always been the case? Probably not. Will it always be the case? Doubtful. But we had something to marvel at for a couple of months, and for once it was in the United States.

P.S. -- I got to meet Brian in Concord, which was soul-filling, if also as odd as you might imagine. In Lowell, I got to chat with Darian -- a true fan, a modest guy, and just as excited to watch Brian as the rest of us. The world around Mr. Wilson continues to be complicated (I doubt he'd have it any other way), but the man is, at the very least, loved.

Beautiful post, Clay.

From what I've heard, Brian's singing better than he has since his prime, esp. on songs you wouldn't necessarily expect a tour de force from him on ("409" and "California Girls" sounding especially good). He's singing with passion, and the band sounds like they are really having fun.

As far as I'm concerned, this tour is tops. It hasn't been bested by any other tour Brian has done. Thank God it was the USA that got it, indeed. After the UK being spoiled by Brian for all of his premieres bar Pet Sounds, it was good to see a modest hits tour in the USA give us arguably the best shows of his career. Far more appealing than any number of the shows before this tour. The water mark has been set very high by this tour. I don't know if he'll ever better these shows. If he does, well, what a treat we'll be in for.

Whew... sounds like the UK tour was a warm-up for something very special.

Many thanks for these great posts folks, very much appreciated.

Really whetting my appetite for what's to come over the next few months!

Really wish I could get to hear one of these shows...   ;D

Thanks for this thread guys, love reading the reports from every show, seems like the tour was a great success, and it had a lot to live up to after an incredible mini European tour.

And how awesome Brian is on fire, he must really be feeling the album sessions.

I'll second that.  I've loved reading all of the reports you guys have been giving us, with all of Brian's little quips and great moments.  It's so great to read all of this, knowing that Brian is really enjoying himself on this tour. 

 Just a thought.  Is Brian feeling validated with the Gershwin project, thus leading to more pride and excitement in his recent performances?

I am delighted I decided to see this tour.  .

.......and add to that to seeing The Beach Boys in a Performing Arts Center last year.......a killer performance.....and I am feeling quite fortunate as a fan over the past year!

This has indeed been a great year to be a fan. Not much new music but lots of great performances and good news.

And with TLOS and the POB re-issue having been released in 2008, that makes it two pretty good years in a row.

Yep. Suppose Joe Thomas will produce the next two albums?

Joe Thomas?  That is not even funny.

Maybe someone could underproduce the next couple.

Desert Drive has always been good live but not so good in the studio.  We need more of that live raw feel.  How about another Love You, only rawer and with newer material?

Now, THATS what I'M talkin about!

This topic depresses me. lol Brian is playing a total of THREE shows in PA this year(as far as I know), and I can't see any of them.  :'(

I don't know if we could handle a rawer "Love You."

There won't be a rawer 'Love You'. When he made that one, he was 35. A young man still, albeit with substance and emotional problems. The album certainly has childish aspects, but not slick childish aspects. He threw off even his last garment for that one, the bathrobe, and presented himself naked to the world.

Now he's 67. So: fast-forward 32 years. Basically he does not have substance problems (I mean: he uses medication, and even that seems to have been adjusted). I think he's capable of more irony and self-insight. For the next two projects, his arranging skills will be in demand, much more that the compositional ones. We could really be in for a magnificent double whammy, a real hurrah! experience.

But another and rawer 'Love You'? No. No ice skating rinks or dingdangs, I'd think.

Maybe Brian could put a remake of the dirty version of Ding Dang on his next record!

I think it would be hilarious if he and his band did that, at a  random and unexpected point in the show. Just to f*** with the audience a little. If only just to say "hey guys, I'm still Brian".

I kind of think that's what he means to do with the "Row Your Boat" singalongs. Only in a more childlike (and family friendly) way.

Man, that bit about the bathrobe really should be part of the official Love You liner notes.

You know, I tend to forget or at least underestimate the fact that BW was indeed still fairly young when he did that album. To me, on most of these songs he sounds like a man approaching middle age desperately trying to catch up with his youth and just wondering (in a most serious way) where the years have gone. Writing songs about sitting in school or the "Roller Skating Child" at that stage probably made him look older than he actually was. "I Wanna Pick You Up" is the giveaway.

Thank you! (blushing)

Are you implying that it's Brian's mid-life crisis album?  I'd buy that...

No wonder the old guard fans don't like it, it cuts too close to the bone for them! :)

And it's important to note, as I did way back in writing about Concord, that this is all relative. To folks who follow Brian, these shows were a fun surprise. But from an objective standpoint, his vocal performances were not radically different, or better (or worse) or more on pitch than many others. He remains an acquired taste as a performer, and no amount of his own joy in performing will negate that fact. I deeply appreciate the man and his music, and I am excited to have seen two shows of this tour. But he is still who he is, and we are still who we are. In a mild way, he has become like present-day Dylan. To folks who like him and follow him and know what his performances are like, a slightly different show means the world. To folks who don't, the only response is bemusement.

This is the 2nd major problem with the Blooies* - they just cannot understand why Joe Q. Public sees/hears an old man, singing generally averagely, sometimes badly and exhibiting all the stage presence of Mount Rushmore while they are experiencing multiple orgasms every time Brian so much as waves a hand.  I took a friend to see the TLOS shows in London, 2007, and possibly slightly over-did the preparation for something a little outside of the usual gig experience. Halfway through the first set, she turned to me and said, a little loudly, "this is good... and he's not that mad, is he ?"

Which would have been perfectly OK, were not Melinda and the rest of the management sitting directly behind us.  :o

[* - the first is, of course, that 95% of Blooies know slightly less than f***-all about Brian and his musical history. I exaggerate for effect, but you know what I mean.]

My stepmother came to the Morristown show. She's not only NOT a Brian/BBs fan, but she's not really a rock and roll fan. Before the show I tried to prepare her. "He's not your typical performer." "He's not going to run around on stage." "He's got a lot of problems." "He'll probably just sit there and sing." Then it turned out she had never been to a rock show before. "Ok, it's going to be loud. But the band is really good, so it's a good first rock show." After the show, she said, "That band was something, wasn't it?" Then she added , "Is it just me, or is Brian Wilson not a very good singer?" I just said, "He used to be." Then I tried to explain his legacy, what he means to pop music, what he has been through, etc. But you know, it's one of those things that a person has to embrace to be able to appreciate a performance.

I'd hasten to add that I, personally, quite enjoy music that's an acquired taste (Tom Waits, latter-day Dylan, 12-tone compositions), so I don't find Brian's current voice or demeanor overly problematic. But Tom Waits never aimed for the BB audience, and vice versa. It is perhaps a continuing issue with management that they see BW as a mainstream performer. He isn't. He's a cult artist as a live performer who can still make mainstream music in the studio.

Brian at the West Virginia show (after the Salt Lake City fade): "And Salt Lake City is gone, just like that, GONE! Even though there's no more Salt Lake City, there's always a CUSTOM MACHINE!!"

 :)

That's awesome...would've been even funnier if the show was in Utah. :lol


Great post.

Lovely call. I concur, and I too love music that is off-center. Pere Ubu, Tom Waits, Charles Ives, Augustus Pablo (hey, the definitive Pablo Box is out on Shanachie!), Lee Perry, the abstract Bach, and so on. But, as I wrote before, I started out as a huge James Last fan... at age 8. My dad bought his 'Trumpet A GoGo' album and I was sold.

And we've got some video.

I Get Around (excerpt)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSrVQ5AS5zw

Desert Drive (beginning)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3YVoDos_fc

Girl Don't Tell Me (excerpt)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov3TbGpj4JI

Johnny B Goode and Help Me Rhonda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcP3nvhrYW8

Help Me Rhonda (excerpt)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XEwOpTC91E

Love and Mercy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHqZ81Jqf78

Complete clips from the Lowell show:

Heroes and Villains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6bL4wIA9_M

Darlin (Darian lead)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIpYRGIhMmA

Please Let Me Wonder (beginning missing)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ9yur1HvZo

Wow, thanks Clay, marvellous Darian vocal!

Thanks for sharing!

By the way, the one word that came to my mind when watching Jeffrey Foskett on stage in these clips is "robotic". I like his contributions to the group's overall sound but his stage appearance is kind of creepy sometimes, isn't it?

Maybe he's hoping to join Devo or Kraftwerk someday?  :lol

And "Darlin'" sounds great!

I'm seeing Devo tonight (again). I just had to add that they are the single greatest live act of all time. No, I'm not joking.

As far as Kraftwerk, I was going to suggest Ralph Hutter and Florian Schneider to replace Carl and Dennis respectively at the upcoming 50th Anniversary reunion shows. ;D

It was a great performance, Darian did indeed nail it. I see Scott Bennett doubling a few parts too.

I hope this trend continues - letting other band members take leads when it's appropriate. That is one smokin' band!

A man truly happy in his work !

I've been a huge Devo fanatic since I was 8 years-old — they are indeed an amazing live band — in fact, it's frustrating that none of their studio material cooks the same way they do on stage.

Can't resist adding to the thread again.   I mentioned a Love You type recording would be nice...and that was not received as I intended....what I meant was an album, not over produced, with a one-take feel, only on newer material...warts and all with this fantastic band also warts and all...no overdubs or corrections..

No, we don't need Roller Slating Child repeated...not what I meant


.....let's start with Desert Drive done raw with Brian and company producing themselves....get the idea?  and expand on that.    Throw in proto pretty and such....also raw with Brian taking a line or two

thats whart I'm talkin about!

Hmmm... not bad! Or... with Rick Rubin? And Benmont Tench? Not to replace, but to add to the band?

Rick Rubin?

Ah well, I was thinking: Rubin did great things with Cash. Raw, unadulterated. Tench played very rudimentary organ pieces on the American Recordings. I was merely dreaming about Brian doing one such CD. Unrefined, with the odd bum note or technical glitch.

I would like that. Songs: Surfer Girl; My Diane; you name it.

I second that emotion!  :)

Although Rubin has to be given credit, it wasn't that drastically different from what Cash did on Sun (with Sam Phillips and Jack Clement) or in parts of his 60s output. It was more or less just let the machines roll and give that guy a guitar. I think most of Rubin's work was to get songs, guest artists and of course having a label to put the records out. Just my opinion. I think Brian already did that kind of record with the IJWMFTT-soundtrack, although there were no new songs of course. Don't know if Rubin would be a good slection for Brian.

Don,  you know I love you, but I can't understand this Rick Rubin obsession. The Johnny Cash stuff was good, but it was very Cash-style. Rick Rubin is one of the last producers I can imagine Brian working with.

Brian Wilson should, of course be produced by Joe Thomas.

Seriously, though, imagine Nigel Godrich co-producing the next BW album!

Brian shouldn't work with any producers except folks in his current band -- they're all he needs, and he feels comfortable with them. Compare the Usher sessions vocals with BW88 -- Brian sounds relaxed and natural when he's hanging out with his old friend. When he's in a big studio with top-flight producers, he sounds weird and strained. Better to, as AGD says, keep the static low.

Alternately, have him record the basic tracks and have some outside producer work on those (Brian Eno's sonic "treatments" come to mind).

Realllllly wished that Sean O'Hagan project came to fruition. Rubin's thing is that he lets the band be themselves with minor criticism/feedback. He's not a hands on kinda guy for better or worse. At that point why not just produce it yourself?

Given his recent track record (Weezer's Make Believe &  RHCPs' Stadium Arcadium) - I'm not a fan. Those are both horribly subpar albums by once amazing bands.
Producers aren't knob-twiddlers perse but they should give direction and focus, and while I feel Rubin does that in a reverse fashion - nothing stands out to me.

However, he possibly could work well with Brian - but I agree with Clay that Brian's got a great group now who gets him. I still feel sometimes though that the production/arrangements still have that Broadway cast recording-vibe to them. The Wondermints albums sound absolutely astounding - compared to BW's stuff - which still to me sounds adult-contemporary.

You know who could produce a fantastic album with Brian? Jon Brion. Check him out if you don't know him already. His soundtrack from I Heart Huckabees reminds me of Friends.
Sorry for the thread-jacking!

Really well-put. You've just put into words something I didn't know I wanted to communicate.

I guess it comes from the fact that BW's best recent output (SMiLE and TLOS) started contemporary life as staged presentations, not studio works.

Brian was going to stage Smile back in the 60s ?

I don't know if Sean O'Hagan would have been very good, especially considering that project was supposed to include the Beach Boys. Considering the kiss-and-tell article that O'Hagan interviewed for, it seems like Brian wouldn't have been comfortable/trusting enough to work with him... factor in the Beach Boys, and we're in Static City, West Virginia.

Agreed about Rubin. He made the worst RHCP and Weezer albums at the time, which is saying a lot. He sits in the corner with a burrito and collects a paycheque. He also is big on 'bricked' mastering judging by the albums that have come out under his auspices.

Jon Brion would be great, as would Nigel Godrich, at least when I think about their past productions... but the giant X-Factor here is Brian. Thus, I agree with the posters who have opined that this album should be:

"Produced by Brian Wilson"

The guy did a damn good job on BWPS and TLOS, and with Linnet and his band collaborating, we'll get the best possible result. Of course, my dream is an album recorded in the style of McCartney/McCartneyII with Brian playing all the instruments, however raggedly. An album of "Message Man" style songs would be the bee's knees.

Thanks for all the feedback. I second the Brion suggestion. I came to know him via the Punch-Drunk Love soundtrack, which is great. Brion is a master of small soundscapes. Plus: that album features 'He Needs Me' from the Popeye soundtrack (1980, Robert Altman) which was masterfully arranged by Van Dyke Parks.

(I smell a full-circle type of situation here.)

... not the moment of conception!

The Brian Wilson Band.  Produced by members of the Brian Wilson Band.   Imagine such an album with a sound resembling the early Wondermints albums.   This would be the correct point in space for this band to assume orbit once and for all.   I think it is time.

You know, I would love to see a Brian Wilson Band album, it really would be good. However, I really don't think there's anything wrong with the current records: BWPS, "What Love Can Do", TLOS and especially the TLOS bonus tracks all have strong singing, strong material (BWPS I know is perhaps not fair play), strong production, great harmonies and I think a more engaged Brian than anything we've heard in the last 30 or so odd years. I don't think many people (I know some will) would disagree that TLOS and BWPS are better than anything Brian's RELEASED in 20 years.

TD -- That's precisely the point. In the post Joe Thomas days, there were a lot of discussions like this. But I think Brian likes his band, and it has all of the ingredients to do what he likes. Mertens has the orchestration skills. Darian or Scott can help with production and mixing. Any number could (but only Scotty has so far) help with songwriting. With Mark in the booth, it's just what Brian had in the 60s -- a committed group of pros who can help him flesh out or realize whatever he wants (or whatever he's commissioned to do). Big-name co-producers might not be an inevitable disaster, but I don't see what they add. What we have now is as close to unfiltered Brian as we can get these days.