The Smiley Smile Message Board

The Beach Boys Reunite

Hope: Even without the late Carl and Dennis Wilson, the Beach Boys have the ability to put together a pretty amazing show. Their decision to primarily use Brian Wilson's backing band is extremely wise. Jeff "The CEO of Falsetto" Foskett is a huge help with the harmonies, and the group can expertly play any song in the band's vast catalog. We hope that the show features a suite of songs from Smile and Pet Sounds, and even some of the better songs from the 1970s. The surviving Beach Boys have been touring in bitterly competing camps for well over a decade. We really hope this reunion is a joyful experience for the fans and the band.

Fear: If Brian is being pushed into these shows against his will, the whole thing could turn into a trainwreck. Offstage squabbles will surely affect the chemistry onstage, and the whole thing might turn into a long, contractually obligated slog. Also, we're worried the setlist will be nothing but the big hits. There's easily enough of them to fill out an entire set.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/our-10-greatest-hopes-and-fears-for-2012-20120104/the-beach-boys-reunite-0881011#ixzz1lcvsTR00

Amen on both counts.

Good points by RS mag.  I think Brian is up for the task today.  Recording and performing SMiLE was a huge mountain to climb but he achieved it.  He may be a little nervous going back on the road with Mike Love but in the end, I think he will triumph. 

Agreed - all signs we have had, such as those photos and the Do It Again re-record, and continued mention of sessions, are all positive! Brian looks good and happy with Mike, everyone put in good performances on DIA, we have Brian's crack band..... I am getting quietly excited.  ;D

Everything was cool except for that stupid picture of them! The band has become increasingly popular among hipsters and the indie crowd...and lame pictures like that turn any crowd off from seeing the Beach Boys...

Which 'stupid picture'?

It's the one with the article, I believe it's a snapshot from the ridiculous Summer of Love music video. It makes me cringe.

(http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/gallery/500x595/1497790f7586abbece380047f858da1c95751219.jpg)


It may be a bad picture but it's actually a great picture to illustrate their point about the tour being dependent on Brian.  In the picture, Brian is the only one making a face that looks like he's unhappy to be there.

"It's a Love Thang!"

That picture is the nightmare version of the BBs. ;D

I can't recall a single picture where Brian looked like he wanted to be there!

Photos of the publicity-sort, I mean.

Funny thing about that pic: they ALL look rather embarrassed. Even Mike!

haha yeah...Carl can't even look at the camera.

i bet a wee bit of it is because the photographer didn't have the sense to put Brian at the front end of the board, being the tallest etc. he is stupidly stooped AND doesn't want to be there.

But yep, i agreed, this lingering surfboard trivialization of the beauty of what these guys have done (and I hope are now trying to do some more of) is really unfortunate. At least the rolling stones, in their late 60s and early seventies, could, if they decided to, lean backwards into their blues roots. Beach Boys? I know!! what about a surf board???

so, here's to the celebration/reunion and to the chance that they can do some wonderful new things and not let the promo machines make the whole thing silly and embarrassing.

No one looks happy in that picture, for that matter.

A Summer of Love question: which beach boy, other than Mike, sings on the song?

I know Carl does, during those techno fuzzy horrid chorus backing vocals.

I can hear Al on those "Ooooooooooooooo's" during the verses.

At least I think it's him.

I gotta also admit, Mike sounds pretty smooth on that track. His lower tenor voice sounds very pleasing to the ear in his "rap" sections. Kinda amazing it's the same guy who in a heartbeat can switch to an either really thrilling or really annoying nasal thing.

Adrian Baker????