The Smiley Smile Message Board

With the fall "Hits" tour over, I suppose that BW and his camp are getting down to work on the Gerswin album, so the next tour, if there is one, would mostly likely feature this album.

If I could pick a tour I would like to see though, it would be to do a live version of the Love You album. Each time I listen to it, I wonder what it would sound like with Brian's current band. Not that I don't appreciate it as is, but I think this album, more than any other in the BB or BW catalog could really get a whole new lease on life if given an updated sound, and possibly new arrangements from Brian.

I would envision something similar to BWPS, where Brian might even revisit the album's sequencing, write new lyrics, or "finish" and incorporate some unreleased songs from that era and then release it as an album. Hey, even the Beatles (well mostly Paul) did this with "Let it Be Naked", though not in a live context.

I've heard Brian is loathe to revisit old projects so the chances of it happening are next to zero, but I'm curious if this idea appeals to any other fans on the board, or if you all think it's sacrilegious to even suggest the thought.  :)

It would certainly be interestin, imagine Taylor and Brian dueting on Let's Put Our Hearts Together! I would love to hear Brian's band performing The Night Was So young as this is a great song anyway but I beleive Brian's band would make it sound awesome.

Ain't gonna happen as long as Jeff is in the band. He hates that album.

At least Jeff wouldn't have to sing any high parts for Brian, except maybe for '60s Brian on "Good Time".  :)

Maybe Jeff could take a well-deserved break?

Ahhhhh, it's finally getting out about Foskett and his "love" for Love You. Of all the members in Brian's band, he is by far the most dead weight. And it's starting to come out about how much of a jerk he is (read the blueboard). Of course, Carl was hip to it back in 1990.

Personally, I'd love to see BW's band perform "Johnny Carson", "I'll Bet He's Nice", and "Let's Put Our Hearts Together". In fact I think it could work out real fine. No need to write new lyrics to any of these songs, however. They're perfect the way they are.

They have performed "The Night Was So Young," before, and it sounded great!

"Jerk" is one word.

There are others.

I keep finding more and more reasons to dislike Jeff, and this is just one more. It's ridiculous that one guys dislike of an album can make it not played by an entire band.

Not a fan of his voice, either - his falsetto is meh, his alteration to the falsetto part of the chorus of "California Girls" is God awful and straight up ruins it every single time, and his leads on "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" and "Don't Worry Baby" aren't any good. Who has the balls to agree to sing those tracks at a Brian Wilson show, anyway, even if offered? I came to hear Brian Wilson sing at a Brian Wilson show, just change the key - the live at the Roxy version of the latter sounds just fine. He had no business doubling Brian's lead on "Wonderful" and parts of "Surf's Up" on BWPS, either.

I'm wondering how much say Brian even has in his own setlists - I know he's probably not fighting to the death over inclusion of Love You tracks or anything of the sort, but it does make me wonder.

You know, I don't know the ins-and-outs of Foskett's personality, but I think he is essential to Brian's band in that he not only sings the falsetto parts (which, admittedly other band members could do) but I'm pretty sure he is a large part of the comfort factor and why Brian is on stage in the first place. It seems to me hangs with Brian the most and is closest of all of them. I think his voice is great personally.

If Brian had his way with the setlist, it would probably be something near this:
Shortenin' Bread piano riff
Hello to audience.
Be My Baby.
Then I Kissed Her (Jeff/Brian on lead)
Cigarette lighter joke
Do It Again.
Boogie woogie piano riff with band on backing vocals.
Shortenin' Bread in full.
Darlin (Darian on lead)
California Girls
Row Row Row Your Boat
Ding Dang
This Could Be the Night
Add Some Music to Your Day
Boogie woogie piano riff with band on backing vocals.
Don't Worry Baby (Jeff on lead)
Row Row Row Your Boat
Their Hearts with the band singing
Shortenin' Bread piano riff
Keep-a-Knocking (Darian/Scott/Taylor & Jeff as per this summer's arrangment, which was awesome btw)
The Night was So Young
Shortenin' Bread piano riff
I'll Bet He's Nice
Ding Dang
Marcella

Encore:
Cool Cool Water
Mount Vernon and Fairway (with Von Mertens narrating, Brian on Pied Piper voice)
Surfin' USA/Barbara Ann
Fun, Fun, Fun
Love and Mercy

It ain't gonna happen, as probably 100 people would stay for the entire show ;D And I would have front row seats for each engagement.

Ooooo, do tell more, if you can.  ;D Personally, I think Jeff is a terrific singer. I think he sounded great singing Don't Worry Baby with Carl. His version of Warmth Of The Sun was the highlight of the 1983 Seattle show. I think Jeff would have been a great "replacment" for Carl, from 1997-ish, and on till today.

The best post ever was mine, about me being the 'Summer In Paradise Monster'.

But this is a very close second. It is so spot on that I can't improve it.

Dear Synth Wash -

you can buy this piece of garbage from me for $ 0.99

Then your nightmares are over.

(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000APLB.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)

Hell all the Stones live albums since then are worse.

Hey its already been done - Just ask AGD !!!!!
A bunch of Musicians (and Members of Beach Boys Britain) did two shows with the whole album live , and in the correct order (at a couple of BBB Fan Conventions).........Including Moog and Farty Synths (and AGD doing a guest lead vocal :-) )
There are some rather good results to these shows , just might have to dig them out sometime

Oh, how I'd love to live in that particular parallel universe...

Yikes, that is one scary cover. I don't even want to know how it sounds! 

Forgive me, but I'm going to further fantasize on how I would tell the greatest pop composer of our time  how to make an album and run his tour.... :)

Since "Love You" was originally going to be called "Brian Loves You", why not release this "new" album with the original title now that he's flying solo? If I had enough time on my hands, I would do a CGI version of the cross-stitch look of the album cover.

Since Brian is so dead set against a Beach Boys reunion according to the most recent interviews, he could release the album during the BB's 50th anniversary year as a giant Eff You to Mike and Bruce, and be sure to mention again how much better his new band sounds than the BBs did on the original "Love You". That would keep with the punk spirit of the original. :)

This could also be a great "farewell" tour. If we believe Brian when he says "Love You" is his favorite album, this could be his final farewell. Like the SMiLE tour, he could also do some hits after playing the new BLY song cycle. It would be less of a commercial tour, but if it's your last one, who cares?

I'd also like to see him interject a few lines about the current Late-Night shakeup into "Johnny Carson". :P

Not forgetting the 'bonus track' - an outstanding rendition of "Just Once In My Life" by the amazing Sean MacCreavy.

Yeah, those were two great gigs... and Rob's modestly not mentioned that he contributed excellent drums and vocals. Before you ask, I did "Solar System". In a bathrobe.  ;D

Is there, um, photographic evidence? I mean, everyone could claim such a feat...  :police:

Better than that - there's a DVD.  ;D

I want to see this, it sounds like the best thing ever!

I can just picture Andrew now..... 'Mercury's close to the suuu-uun'!

Every time I see them together, it seems like Jeff condescends to Brian a lot, sort of treating him like an invalid or something. I don't know, just an outsider's perspective.

As far as the setlist choices - I know you were sort of joking, but I doubt anything would be that extreme. It just seems to me that Brian Wilson should have the most say over the setlist at a Brian Wilson show, within reason.

Jeff's most important roll is to be Brian's minder when on the road, in a number of ways Jeff is Brian's shadow, where the big fella goes the shadow goes too .... just to make sure ....

"Let's Put Our Hearts Together" might have the worst Brian Wilson lead vocal ever put to record, but I love the song and I love Love You, easily in my Top 5 Beach Boys' albums. Yeah, it'd be great to hear Brian & Taylor duet on this one. Can't they just do the song without having to perform the entire Love You album?

Anyone who's ever been lucky enough to get an aftershow pass (twice for me) can personally relate to Foskett basically pushing people away from Brian when they're merely trying to get a handshake or a friendly hello in. Brian's not exactly one of the Jonas Brothers with teenage girls mauling him. Foskett could ease up a bit. But that's just me.

"in a number of ways Jeff is Brian's shadow, where the big fella goes the shadow goes too"

So uncomfortably true ...

... and I can assure you that the day I found this out it was in a very uncomfortable circumstance.  :o

I'd respect the Jeff slamming so much more if you people would at least make these comments with your actual name attached to them. Yes, I've heard the stories, some first hand from folks who have a problem with him, but I've experienced nothing but generosity and kindness from Jeff. The dude has been completely righteous to me and my family, over and over again. He's never asked me for anything. In fact he's one of the most consistently helpful and fun people i've met through my associations with the Beach Boys. So if you've heard a rumour, or you've had some conflict or bad experience with Mr. Foskett, let me balance that out a bit from my personal experience over a decade's time. I like Jeff, I think he's a good guy, I consider him a friend.

I've hear the Jeff horror stories too, but I have to agree with Jon on this one. Jeff has always been generous to my wife and myself.  So what if he doesn't like Love You.  Half of the fanbase hate that album.

Sounds like Jeff has the good cop/bad cop role all to himself. the consensus seems to be mostly bad( Rob being the seeming exception)
I'd tend to exclude you, Jon, as you're somewhat of an "insider" and less prone to the treatment that ordinary people might receive.
Now understand, I haven't met the guy( yet) If i do, I hope he doesn't see me as a "threat"....

I've spoken to Jeff at length about about the "Jeff hates 'Love You'" situation and he simply explained that he thinks there are Beach Boys albums he'd much rather see the band tackle (e.g. "Today!" and "Wild Honey") over "Love You." Jeff's always been totally upfront and cool with me, so I in no way saw it or took it as "spin." Jeff has always preferred the striped shirts and symphonic era -- for all the right reasons, I might add. I don't think Jeff hates ANY Brian Wilson music. He just grooves on a specific part of it -- like we all do, no?

As far as the Jeff bashing, look; every one of those "meet and greets" is an insane and ridiculous situation. I'm not knocking anyone who gets off on attending those, but it's a weird and uncomfortable scene. It's unnatural. I personally would never want to meet Brian Wilson that way. Very, very luckily, I never had to. Let me pose a question to those who are so quick to slam Jeff Foskett's treatment of his friend Brian Wilson -- would you rather it be Scott Steinberg or Rocky Pamplin "ushering" Brian around??? People have a short memory about minders being "condescending" or "treating him like an invalid or something."

As far as Brian Wilson having the "most say" over a Brian Wilson show -- Okay -- that means NO SHOW. Literally. Brian Wilson looked me in the eye and said "I like everything about touring but performing." So -- that's the alternative TLOS fans.

It's insane what people want. They ACTIVELY want to meet a man who CANNOT WAIT to NOT be there with them, and then they complain about how the guy who's bringing him to them acts.

Two personal observations: my "Jeff hates Love You" claim comes direct from the man himself. First time I met him, back in 2002, at a meal, the third thing he said (with a smile) was "well, Andrew G. Doe, explain Love You to me !" I did my you-love-it-or-you-hate-it speil, and he replied that he was firmly in the 'hate it' camp, and explained why - vocals, production - then added that for the most part the songs were great. So maybe that should be a qualified hate.

As for good Jeff/bad Jeff, having seen the antics and attitudes of some of the fans who try to engage Brian's attention at hugely inappropriate moments (and who, claiming they 'love' Brian, should damn well know better), I can appreciate his sometimes being less than diplomatic. As someone here correctly stated, Jeff's role running inteference for Brian doesn't stop once he steps off stage, especially of late when Melinda hasn't been on the tour. He and I haven't seen eye to eye about some things, but last year at The Roundhouse, we bumped into each other backstage and the first thing he did was offer his condolences about my mom. I thought that very classy.

I think those last 2 posts hit on a lot of truths. Anyone who has been to a Brian concert will know that some of his 'fans' are complete nutters. If Jeff is overly protective of Brian then I can't blame him. Plus the meet and greets are a terrible idea and it is ludicrous that Brian's management to force him to attend them.

Having said that, I find him to be an irritating presence on stage and think his role in the band's history is overstated by some people. If I went to another Brian show then I certainly wouldn't want him to sing any leads...

I get the idea that these days ANYONE that has been close to Brian for a longer period of his life gets the special SmileySmile board “good/wrong-discussion” treatment.  For maybe more obvious reasons Murry, or Mike, or Landy. More recently Melinda, or now for example Jeff. Who’s next?

What we know, is often from someone who heard it from someone else, who etc. etc. And our personal experience is mostly based on a spot sample when we – as fans – had the rare opportunity to see or meet Brian up-close. Moments that Brian usually doesn’t like to be in in the first place which might result in a response from those that are close to him and love him. A response we might not judge properly at that particular moment?
Very few of us have been in the circumstance to observe them or hang around with them for a long(er) period of time. May I assume they’re able to judge this much better then most of us can.

As for Jeff: from personal experience I can’t tell much about him, I’ve only met him twice I think, and that was little more than a handshake and a few words. I think it was during a pre-SMiLE party in Newcastle shops that I happened to be the one to change CD’s and picked out a Vigotone release of SMiLE. Within seconds Jeff was the first one to ask for the cd-box to see where that particular track came from. And for me it’s obvious he cares for Brian. During that party a call came in to say Brian was not feeling well; within a minute Jeff left the building to see how he was doing.
From what I’ve heard from a close friend of mine that speaks/meets him on a more regular basis I’ve heard nothing but good things. So for me he appears to be a kind guy, a big fan, and a good friend of Brian.

Just another personal opinion from a fan who’s only seen him for a short moment. So who am I to judge? But I guess we fans love to do so.
And a messageboard happens to be a place where one can easily give a (more direct) opinion, resulting in discussions like this one.

I think Jeff is good live. I don't have any problem with him personally. I'm not huge on Love You myself.

Truthfully, i think Jeff thinks of me as a Beach Boys fan, and I think he thinks of himself as a Beach Boys fan. That's why we relate to each other. We don't have much in common otherwise, he's conservative, i'm liberal, he's sober, i like to party. But let me tell you something about Jeff that I'll never forget. When i met him i was not an insider, i was a left field author with a new book out about Dennis Wilson. Most of the reaction to the book had been positive, even from the family...but there were a few insiders who felt the book wasn't legitimate because i was a fan and not an insider. Specifically there were a few people who knew Dennis, who were not interviewed or even mentioned in the book, and they were pissed about it. I was called a fraud by one in particular. I quickly got used to the fact that if the book didn't mention someone, and they knew Dennis, that they were not going to be supportive and more likely they were going to resent me. Now I did my best, I interviewed 90% of the people who knew Dennis closely, the book mentioned most of the people who were important in his life, there's no way to satisfy all of the potential and still get a book out. You have to be realistic. A few things WILL slip through the cracks, but hopefully on balance you get the gist of the story across, hitting the most important aspects, and hopefully you inform, entertain...and  raise the profile of your subject matter. I felt i achieved those goals. But there were a few bruised people who let me know they were not happy about being overlooked. Regarding the sidemen and musical associates, i interviewed Billy H., Ed Carter, Mike Meros, Bobby F. and a host of others...practically all of the noteworthy BBs sidemen were interviewed, or at least mentioned in the book. Jeff was not. I completely left him out even though he met Dennis in '80, toured with him for years, knew him well and witnessed his decline. No mention of Jeff's name in the book. The year the book came out (2000) I was at a CWF concert in Malibu that Brian's band was playing at. I was with my family, and we were sitting with friends and enjoying the day. Jeff approached me, i was prepared for a"why didn't you interview me for the book?" But what i got was, "Hi Jon, I just wanted to tell you I think you did a great job telling Dennis' story in your book. I'm really happy you did that for him. Congratulations!" AGD mentioned the "classy" way Jeff had remembered about his mom's passing. Classy is the same word i would use to describe Jeff. I had left him out of the book for no good reason. He had every right to wonder why, or think i was disrespecting his part in the story. He could have easily ignored me, but he approached me and told me he loved the book. Classy.

I have two things to offer on this topic.  I drove nearly 700 miles to see Brian doing Pet Sounds on, I think September 16th, 2000.  I was at the auditorium (actually a 'Music Hall') on the University of Minnesota campus about 1:00 the day of the 8:00 concert.  Although the band got there about half an hour earlier on a different bus, Brian, Jeff, Melinda (et. all) got to the place about 4:15.  Jeff ran interference for Brian saying (to the 10 or so of us who were there) that he would sign autographs after the soundcheck.  True enough, Brian and Jeff (those two only) came out at about 6:15 for what was called a run around the park.  Part of Brian's exercise routine, apparently/supposedly.  Fifteen or so minutes later they returned to the back entrance where they'd left from, and Brian signed, whatever, for the now 15 or so of us who where there.  Jeff was definitely in charge and said only one autograph per person.  He said this in a very nice way but made it clear that one autograph was all anyone should ask for. 

I thought he did a great job in running interference for Brian.

The second thing I have to offer is second hand info but I believe it totally.  My first Beach Boys 'mentor' when I got back into the group in 1989-1990 was one of the early collectors back in the early to mid 70's.  He and one of his daughters (she was 7-8 at the time) met Jeff for the first time about ten years ago.  I have no idea what they talked about specifically but about 15 months later when my friend met Jeff again (undoubtedly at a BW concert) Jeff asked, specifically and by her name, how she was doing.

In my minimal, personal, exposure to Jeff there has been nothing negative.  The fact that he remembered my friend's daughters name 15 months later reminded me strongly of Carl Dean
Wilson!!  He would do the same thing and that's about the highest compliment I could give anyone!

FWIW...

Greg

The fact that he thought for the most part the songs were great makes a lot of sense to me---on the hotel tape from 1990 requests Brian to do "Let's Put Our Hearts Together" and "Johnny Carson," and he ends up doing "Ding Dang."

Btw, I know that someone suggested to Melinda that Wild Honey should be done as an album and she reacted rather strongly, probably because Mike wrote it with Brian. Personally I think "Today" or "Friends" (more significantly the latter as Brian LOOVES it) would be a terrific choice to do live.

With regards to Jeff being a classy guy, a couple of years ago Jeff and David Marks did a radio show here in the U.K. when David was touring with Mike and Bruce. One listener texted in to say that she couldn't wait to see Brian in concert again in the future (the inference being that she had no interest in M&B). Jeff pointed out though that people should be going to watch David performing with them as they put on a great show which was a nice touch.

As for Brian touring another album, to what end? The reason Brian played entire albums in the past was obviously partially to sell tickets ('come to watch the legendary Pet Sounds/Smile being performed by a genius'). No other albums from the band's history would generate any real interest from anybody other than those who would go to the gigs anyway.

Just thought I'd put my two cents in...Jeff has a tough role, and he can't please everyone all the time.  I believe he wants to see Brian do his best musically and personally, but he is also aware of Brian's limitations.  From what I've observed, he is not afraid to be assertive with groups of fans who want Brian's attention, and for good reason.  He wants both Brian AND the fans to have a positive experience, within their respective boundaries. 

I've met Brian 3 times now.  All of the conversations were very brief and no more than two sentences, but I feel very fortunate to have gotten that.  As for my personal experiences with Jeff, they've all been positive, although Jeff definitely has a lot of friends and fans he wants to talk to, and can't talk to them all.  But I do remember backstage at the Long Beach show, that I had brought 3 friends backstage, all of which had never been backstage at a Brian show before, and were kind of intimidated.  He took the time to come over and meet everyone personally and thank us for coming to the show.  We were astonished and thanked HIM for the passes!  He was then distracted by some lady that was interrupting practically every conversation that Brian, Jeff, and Al were trying to have with other people.  Although this lady was definitely crossing some boundaries, he did not treat her rudely.  My friends were definitely impressed at Jeff taking the time to talk to us and thank us for coming.

Nicko wrote:


So Jeff became something of a police guard after Bluebird sat on Brian's lap and they duetted, then?

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Btw, I know that someone suggested to Melinda that Wild Honey should be done as an album and she reacted rather strongly, probably because Mike wrote it with Brian.
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If that's the case the reason why some people question her judgement is obvious. Wild Honey was a great album and honestly it seems like a relatively good period for Brian.

AGD is being far too modest here.  He met Jeffrey Foskett at our first Beach Boys Britain "Billy & Jeff" events, in Chingford (near London) and we, as the group Synergy then, sang on stage with Jeff and Billy (that was the very first time, I think) - the meal came afterwards :-). And I can confirm that question from Jeff to AGD, as I was sitting opposite them the whole time!  He did indeed have a very quizzical look on his face when AGD said what he did...and I think maybe that convo was the prompt for BBB to "put on a gig", some three years later, mind, performing the entire Love You Album!  That gig was called "Beach Boys Britain Loves You"!

As for Jeffrey and the backstage guardian thing, I wholeheartedly SUPPORT Mr Foskett - having been almost at his side when Brian has come on and off tour busses. and witenessing the thoughtlessness and lack of respect that occurs with SOME fans.   Jeff is doing what any good employee..no - and prsonal friend would do; he is protecting the Innocent...

Agreed, he is the luckiest. And being lucky is hard work. Ed...I really miss being in a fast car with you at the wheel, driving up the PCH, with BB's music playing and you telling me the stories of how and where it happened. I can literally feel my foot reaching for the imaginary brake as we head into the next corner!! My left hand ready to grab the wheel just in case your two hands find something else to momentarily occupy them...like the stereo, phone, beverage, lighter ...anyway...I do recall that riding with you occasionally required more than just sitting there passively. Not to say you weren't a master at negotiating the vehicle down road, you're among the best. But man, we had fun. Remember my face-plant into the asphalt at the Sun Theater parking lot in front of all the Wilsons? Good times.

Man, you HAVE to tell us about that!  ;D  :lol

If that's the case the reason why some people question her judgement is obvious. Wild Honey was a great album and honestly it seems like a relatively good period for Brian. [/quote]
Correction, made a big error here. I misquoted the story, I can't find the old thread with the info (or remember if it was here or Shut Down) but to the best of my memory the response was "Brian's people" not "Melinda" did not like the idea. Did not mean to misrepresent her.

Sorry, Rob D - just seen this!  Yes, indeed...and a fine time was had by both band and audience!  There is both photographic and audio/visual "evidence" and you are one fine drummer, Sir!  Likewise, all the guys (and gals, she says modestly...) had a blast those 2 days. Happy times and happy memories, especially of Sean Macreavy ("Carl"), you ("Dennis"), AGD (fab BW impersonations), Paul Baker and Jimmy Hughes (aka Mr Farty Synth himself!). Thanks for the memory...and who knows, maybe one day we'll "Do It Again"! Oh no - sorry - wrong album ;-)

Back to doing Love You live: I would love it and want it to be the same arrangements. I really like the synth arrangements, and it would be a nice change of pace from what he has been doing. The same with Wild Honey.

Correction, made a big error here. I misquoted the story, I can't find the old thread with the info (or remember if it was here or Shut Down) but to the best of my memory the response was "Brian's people" not "Melinda" did not like the idea. Did not mean to misrepresent her.
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Thanks for clearing that up. My sentiment is aimed then to whoever did block the potential for some very good music.