The Smiley Smile Message Board

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2010/05/brian_wilson_at_talking_stick.php

Wonder how the bloo feels about this one?

It'll probably get us a few new members. Bring on the haters. :)

Anyone that thinks the "party" album is the 2nd best Beach Boys album ever is kidding. And the comment he can't hit the high notes is almost as funny!!

As long as the link works....

All I can say is that I got more then I could have ever hoped for from Brian. I never thought anyone related to the BBs would do deep cuts ever again. I was born in 1977. I saw the Mike and Bruce show about 8 or 9 years ago and it was just a run of the same old same old. Maybe a bit suprised to hear them perform 'Do It Again'. Then Brian comes along to perform the entire Pet Sounds album surrounded by many songs that I never thought I would hear live such as Add Some Music. Followed by an even better performance of the Smile album.

I can't ask for any more. I am satisfied. It is almost embarrasing to see an uninspired Brian going through the hits now for money. I wish he could just retire now, because he doesn't seem to even want to perform any more.

Interesting article...it's snarky but not stupid or misinformed or even all that unfair or mean-spirited.  Not a combination of qualities you often see in writing these days.

Balanced - about the only thing I could object to is the implication that Melinda is much younger ("significantly") than Brian, with everything that this infers. I wouldn't class four years as "significantly".

WE'RE FAMOUS!  ;D

Actually, reports from the show were that Brian was playing a lot of piano and making bizarre jokes. His "hits" tour of the U.S. last fall was a revelation. I was at two shows then, and they were extraordinary (from a fan's point of view). If this was anything like them, it was a blast.

Likewise, the same writer's review of the Beach Boys Party LP keeps referring to Al Jardine as so much "younger" than Mike Love, when its only a year and a half difference, one school grade...and he also described Jardine as "tuned in"
gotta be the first time anyone has described Al that way. I get the feeling that this writer is a real fan, but one with severely limited perspective.

I thought the article on Beach Boys Party was somewhat intriguing because of its rather uncommon position (which is applaudable in itself), but for me it's still hard to grasp why anyone would call it their second-favourite album by the group. Personally, I think it's a fun yet ultimately pointless record. In terms of cover tunes I prefer 15 Big Ones and in terms of lo-fi quirkiness I most certainly prefer Smiley Smile.

I have to admit that "Party!" is one of my favorite BBs-albums too. It's a cool little rock'n'roll record .

While I'm at it, I wanted to mention that the Beatles-covers on that album really stand up to the originals imo.

That review was a little too 'cool' for me.... I think maybe the writer is too cool by half.  By the time I read him intoning that Brian needs cash I had already decided he didn't know what was going on.  Yet he kept insisting he did know what was going on, and damn it if I was cool I'd know too. 

I agree with you on the Beatles covers, those are some of my favorite moments on the record especially "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away"
Always thought Brian sounded like he was having fun on "Papa Oom Mow Mow" in most performances (and this recording) back in the
day. His voice was so full of energy on that one! (imo)