The Smiley Smile Message Board

Since there will be a new Brian Wilson tour in a few short weeks I wanted to say a few words about something I don't think enough time is spent on here ; and I am as guilty as hell as well for not saying more sooner , so to start off with I admit I am prejudiced. I wanted to talk about how great the BW Band really is and how much they add to the concert experience. These guys execute some of the most technically difficult pop music ever created, flawlessly ; with great energy. Each of them brings something excellent to the table.If I could share an experience from a few years ago, Brian and band were playing a benefit at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank , N.J. I was watching in the wings and there was a guy sitting in a folding chair stage right, intensely studying every player individually with great focus ; took me about a half hour to figure out it was Bruce Springsteen. After the concert , he said that " these are American classics, and this band does them justice". Amen.

Musical Director Paul Von Mertens arranges the strings for when there are string players ( SMiLE, Gershwin, TLOS), writes out the charts , plays flute, sax, harmonica's, organ, mandolin ; more instruments than the average band even has. Bob Lizik plays the bass lines exactly as Brian wrote them. The keyboard/vibe section is shared by Scott Bennett and Darian Sahanaja; switching seamlessly back and forth; Scott switching to guitar for " Marcella" . Nicky plays all sorts of eclectic stuff on guitar over in the corner; his guitar playing of the cello parts on "Good Vibrations" sounds like a locomotive ; kills me every time. Probyn plays guitar, trumpet, French horn and theremin; Matt Jardine plays acoustic guitar. The drums are superbly manned by Mike D'Amico; who also can play guitar and bass ; percussion is carried off by Nelson Bragg . Scott, Darian , Nicky, Probyn, Matt, Paul and Nelson all add their stellar vocals, singing those incredibly intricate harmonies creating a superb vocal stack. You will love hearing Matt singing the high parts; he sounds incredible .  My review ? This band kicks ass.

Add Brian Wilson , Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin to the mix and this is going to be an all time tour event. Don't miss it .

Brian's band has always kicked ass for the most part. The setup they've had since 2009 is the best they've ever sounded. Like a fine wine, getting better with age.

Thanks for that Ray! I'll be seeing him in Philly this summer, very much looking forward to going!

I can't wait to see them this summer! ;D

Bring back Taylor Mills!

I will be attending the Philly show too. I am so looking forward to this show. :)

There needs to be a Philly meet up.

I'll be in the audience as well. The Mann is a superb venue. Last time he was there I was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with Brian including sitting next to him while he did an interview on his cell phone.

I will see you there !

Great post Ray. Interesting that Springsteen studies the BW band. Bruce has always been a fan. Are you gonna make the Philly show?

Yes ; will be there. Shortly after that show Bruce put out a CD with two tracks that were obviously BW influenced ; I can't remember the titles , I have the CD here somewhere. See you in Philly

"Girls in Their Summer Clothes" and "Let's Be Friends" I think.

I wont be there, but I hope you all have fun.

'Girls In Their Summer Clothes' is my absolute favorite Springsteen track of all time. Definite Brian Wilson influence with those harmonies and old town nostalgia.

They are the absolute best of the current touring bands and maybe the best live band to have played BB music of all time.(the actual BB from 64 to 74 are tough to beat, but the BW Band would give those lineups a run for tbeir money).

Wow! These reviews are really awesome! I'm going to see Brian in June and I'm so excited! It will be my first beach boys live experience so that is really great to hear!

With a couple of 'ins and outs' over the last decade this had been Brian's stellar crew for quite awhile.  I think most...including Paul McCartney who SAID it...and now Bruce who's borne witness to it...already KNOW that Brian has an ACE...A-1...top of the line...kind of BEST...backing unit Ray.  Taylor is missed.  So too is Jeff.  Not to say that their replacements aren't excellent too.

I was reading somewhere that Jeff doesn't go 'on-line to Brian's or Mike's web thingys or whatzits because he knows he gets nailed on both.  BULLSHIT,  Nobody has anything negative to say about Jeff...and where-ever it was also said that Brian told Jeff that his backing unit is better than the Beach Boys.  Well?  Duh!!!  Brian tours with an equivalent of The Wrecking Crew.  Brian tours with how HE always thought it should have sounded like.  And?  For almost 15 years he's been pretty much right ON the money.  No saving a dollar to drop a harmonica note or go with a cheap version of the organ with Brian.  Maybe some don't notice or give a sh*t.  I do.

For those going to the Fox Theatre in Detroit July 5...we need to 'talk'. :hat

And Ray...You ever going to answer that PM I sent you?

I do remember seeing an interview with Giles Martin (Sir George's son and a producer in his own very successful right) after seeing Brian's band perform Smile at RFH.  He simply couldn't believe that any single group of people could be that talented, playing that variety of instruments.  I'm pretty certain the comment was, "That's not right, that's not fair!" in reference to how unbelievably talented they are.  I don't remember if this particular interview (or part of the interview) ended up in a final cut or on the cutting room floor.  McCartney's band members had similar comments.  "We thought we were pretty good, but..."  We get Brian with the closest thing to the Wrecking Crew possible live,  AND they can do great vocals.

I can't wait for the shows this summer/fall...adding Blondie, Al and Matt, with Brian as enthusiastic as he is about it all?  Well, it really would be insane to miss it.  

Oops, in the midst of my posting, someone else mentioned the Wrecking Crew...fair enough...

As Frank Sinatra sang it:

Hear that music playing, listen to what it's saying
Throughout the years I've made a lot of friends
Many became famous, most of them go nameless
But I dedicate this song to all of them
I've sung with the best and I've had it all
I've gone from neighborhood saloons to Carnegie Hall
I've been down and out and I've been in demand
But I wouldn't have made it without them, here's to the band!

Those magical notes, those musical pearls
I've sung with all the Counts, the Dukes, the Kings, and the Earls
And the experience, I have to say, was grand
But I wouldn't have made it without them, here's to the band!

Strings soaring, horns boring
Drums pounding in my ear
To start at the ground and reach for the top
To have such a wonderful career, I just gotta stop
Stop and turn around to thank everyone that sits on the stand?
Cause I wouldn't have made it without them, here's to the band!

Here's to those ladies and the gentlemen
Here's to the AF of MI wouldn't have made it without them, here's to the band!
Here's to the band!

The first time I saw them with Brian, Symphony Hall in Boston, I was amazed at how they could pull off those studio creations live. Simply amazing.

Then I saw them again, at the Orpheum in Boston, for the Smile tour. I've never seen quite anything like that. To be able to pull that off live on stage - as noted with vocal harmonies no less - It set the bar as high as it could be set in my eyes and as a musician. Incredible musicianship.

And beyond that, they have the feel and the groove for the music, apart from reading the charts. Pockets a mile wide, grooves as thick as molasses. And the skill to pull it off.

Back to Sinatra for a second: Sid Mark has been broadcasting his Sinatra show in Philly since the 50's. He closes every show by saying "All things being equal and God willing", he'll be back another week playing Sinatra for a few hours on the radio.

Stealing Sid's line, all things being equal and God willing, I'll be in Philly for the show too.

And here's to the band!

Hear hear.  The players and singers  behind Mr. Wilson these past 15 years or so deserve all the great adjectives.  They have been the foundation for a very special time in the BW/BB story.  The only thing I will add is how struck I am by their passion and love for Brian Wilson and his music.  Along with the impeccable translation of the songs, it has made every show I've seen fun and magical.

The guy's name was Skid Marks?  Man!!!  GF... his parents were mean.

Wrecking Crew Deb?  Great minds think alike.

Be glad to buy you a brewski, GF!   :beer

Much appreciated - I'll drink to that!  :beer  But the first round is mine.   :drunks

That has to be it, Add Some!

And GF - well said, as always...

Gotta say that I'm a huge fan of Brian's band as a musical family, and luckily I've had the good fortune (many times) of not only experiencing the bliss of hearing them lovingly re-create Brian's genius in the live setting...but also having some laughs just hanging  out with them, receiving their generosity as a friend, and connecting in our common joy over the music of the sixties and all it's incredibly cool niches. Thanks Ray for putting the spotlight on them with this thread...I always look forward to the next time I get to hear them nail the classic BW/BB's sound. And like Brian, they are good and humble dudes, just working hard and making people happy.

Totally agree, Don. I miss the eye candy and the good female voice too!  :)

When I was at the Smile show at Massey Hall in Toronto...was it October '04?...I lucked into front row centre seats.  [yes that's how *WE* spell centre in Canada.]  My wife Lucy and I took some authentic looking oversized  "Vege-Tables" with us which we passed out to folks sitting on either side of us and at the exact and appropriate moment we collectively held them skyward so that we could show 'them' our favourite "Vege-Tables".

Taylor spotted it immediately and nudged Probyn and Jeff and Nelson who all laughed and enjoyed the interaction.  OK...it wasn't the Rocky Horror Picture Show but it was Smile and she was into it just like we all were.  Taylor was part of history and a VERY emotional experience [as was Jeff] and I find it hard not to keep them front and centre...and top of mind.

Of the 100s of concerts I've ever attended...Smile...first time through...was the epitome of...the epitome.  [and Brian was tentitive?]

Ray...........great post.  It takes me back to my first small venue BW concert in 2011 in St. Charles, Illinois.  The band was "founded" there in 98-ish and the vibe that night in this old vaudeville theatre was electric.  I was lucky to score 2nd row seats and will never forget Our Prayer as the opening song.  The acoustics were unbelievable.  Debating now whether to do the meet and greet in Seattle "the final US stop" on the tour Jul 12th.  You never know if this is the last tour....

Not only are they the best touring band there is (for once, I'll agree with Macca), they're also wonderful people who appreciate us fans.

On those rare occasions when I've met them, they've parted with the fans, as fans. Obliging, fun and good to be with. They just happen to be talented too.

Imo, the band goes for the studio sound, but if they tried some different arrangements I would certainly approve. Just recall how the Beach Boys kicked ass in the 70s! I´m aware Brian isn´t capable of doing stuff like that, but somethign different would be a big plus.

The couple of times i've spoken with the band members after a show, they have all been kind and generous and appreciative.

I don't think Brian would have toured so often if the band hadn't been so excellent behind him. We, as fans, owe a lot of Brian's late career rebirth to his backing band. Not just as musicians on the records, but for helping to hold the whole thing together.

Cheers guys!

This is a story that begs to be told. Do tell!

"...yes....no....no...yes....Norbit....no...."

Your Own Worst Enemy, musically sounds very Pet Sounds influenced too. My favorite track on Magic.

Oh, we definitely need to meet OSD. I cannot pass up the chance of meeting you and maybe knocking down a few. :)

Looking forward to the meet up, Doc. It's about time, huh? I'll be the one in the skintight sequined shirt (with only one button) and pants, a generous portion of jewelry,  a hat with a huge feather, or a turban.   ;D

I'll be at the Philly show too for my first Brian Wilson solo concert.  Can't wait.  41 days.  

The worst is going to be resisting the temptation to look at the setlists that will be posted here and on the BW Forum.  

If you're doing a Philadelphia pre show meet up might I recommend a local bar called the Bishops Collar, great food great drinks and fair prices!
 

Ray, thanks for sharing the story! I'm glad to hear that Bruce is still a fan of Brian and the Beach Boys. Now I know why I like Bruce's 'Girl's in their Summer Clothes' so much. Great summertime song and influenced by Brian?  I'd love to see Bruce guest on Brian's next album.

I hope the tour continues and adds more dates.

Quick sidebar re: Springsteen and his long appreciation of BB music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXckY2qzdUU

I don't know who wrote it but I'm reminded of a story during the C50 accusing 'The Beach Boys' of lip-syncing. It was only later I thought that we are so used to hearing how good Brians guys (plus now M&B's guys) were at recreating the music that a 'Johnny Come Lately' would be caught so unawares.

Count Basie in Red Bank is a great venue! As far as this band, you don't have to be prejudiced.  You just need the frame of reference you obviously have as a very informed, longtime, outstanding fan!

Brian's band are an extraordinary ensemble, even if they didn't play BW/BB music. And have taken on very specialized theme-based tasks, "live," such as Pet Sounds, SMiLE live, TLOS, Gershwin and the GH's! Their ability to replicate the studio work in the live context allows attendees to peer through the keyhole of the earlier BB eras, as well as the later solo Brian eras to see how complex the music is and how precise and intricate the arrangements are.  My absolute favorite is the percussion of Mr. Bragg.  Add the vocals, and it is "frosting on the cake!" I wish I could have seen Gershwin live.  

And of course these music giants observe and learn from Brian...they aren't dummies...Brian set the gold standard for our music...

Soon, I hope to see them, as well...and am looking forward to it... ;)

Thanks for this!  :beer

Fabulous band, great guys to a man and I can't wait to see them in Glasgow in September playing with a smile on their faces!  They seem to have a real camaraderie and love for Brian and his music.  They've also given us a large chunk of their own careers to enable Brian to tour and put on a great show. 

I think this tour will be a cracker, in what has been a big year for Brian with the film and the new album.  Exciting times for sure.

Ray, are you coming over to the UK with the tour? 

I'll be seeing the band at The Fox in Detroit for the Second time.  I saw them in 2013 and it was Phenomenal.  Got closer seats and more people coming along this time.

I am jumping back to this thread because I saw the video of " Wake the World/Busy Doin' Nothing" from the Greek Theatre in LA, and to again remind everyone how great this band is. Recreating the exact sonic feel of the Friends LP , live , is incredible; something I thought I would never hear, just like every other project this band has tackled. Pet Sounds, SMiLE, TLOS. Gershwin. All of the complicated arrangements from 1962 to present , done live.  Each one of these guys is a brilliant musician; all can play multiple instruments, and are all great singers as well. And as someone said earlier on the thread , really all great guys on top of it all , who are kind and gracious to the fans. Best band I have personally ever seen , by a mile. Oh yeah , and you get to see Brian , Al and Blondie as well.  Go see them .

I guess I would rather talk about musically brilliant stuff than waste five minutes of my life reading and speculating  about some Twitter comments; a medium I will never comprehend !

It really is amazing how they recreate those songs in a live environment. They are a terrific band, for sure! :)

I have a “full” review of the opening night coming up soon, but I have to reiterate what I mentioned in the tour thread: The band is *tight* on this tour, and Matt and Al really do lend a HUGE amount to the backing vocals as well. Matt, Al, and Brian were all very audible in the group harmonies. I really think Matt is the falsetto guy that was made for this band, and I don’t say this out of any sour grapes over the Foskett situation. I was saying all the way back in 1999/2000 that I wished Matt was able to do the falsetto parts in Brian’s band. It seemed such a far-fetched concept back then of course.

I have to say as well, it takes some balls to come out opening night and start with “Our Prayer”, which is one of the easiest songs to giveaway any instance where a band isn’t quite rehearsed enough, or if they’re still a bit rusty to start the tour. There was none of that. They also just nailed all of the instrumental pieces, and the immediately-dialed-in-mix (also a rarity sometimes at shows) and excellent acoustics in the outdoor venue was the icing on the cake.

Their performance of “Wake the World” was extra special; to hear the first-ever performance by Brian of a track is pretty cool. It was also extra noteworthy because, while I was happy with the setlist and VERY happy with the performances, “Wake the World” was the only total “surprise.” On top of all of that context, they did indeed faithfully replicate the “Friends” vibe in their performance, which was punctuated further by immediately segueing into “Busy Doin’ Nothin’”, which I enjoyed way more than I thought I would (it may be sacrilege, but the song has never been a super-duper favorite of mine). Watching Brian “conduct” the band on the fade-out was great fun.

Also VERY important is that everybody was “on” in terms of mood too. Al looked like he was getting a kick out of just listening to the band do “Runaway Dancer.” Brian was high-energy from the beginning, with a truly cheerful tone. All of the band seemed in a good mood with high energy.

I'm getting more depressed they are not going to be coming to the UK after all.  :(

I agree, they are fabulous and the videos from this tour are great. Brian is up for it and the band, as ever, are the best around!;D

I bought my tickets to see them on July 9th. I can not wait.

One of the most endearing things about the BW band is the way Probyn and Nelson go out and talk to the fans waiting in line to enter the venue before a show.