The Smiley Smile Message Board

Discuss, review and rate The Beach Boys In Concert, released January 1973.

(http://www.smileysmile.net/images/albums/concert.gif)

Important document of an era largely forgotten by the public at large.

Absolutely essential listening. A blast from start to finish. Now only if the band would release the unedited tapes of these recorded shows...

Yeah, it's great. I just wish Leaving This Town and Funky Pretty weren't included.

Ian, you don't like Funky Pretty?  I just love it.  Its that musical thing Brian was doing with Mt. Vernon and Fairway only in a song format sung by the band and dropping the narrator. As infectious as a song can get.

My only gripe with this album (I posted before but forgot this) is that there is no Dennis tracks. WHY, God, WHY?

Good album. Some of the songs are better live Funky Pretty is one of them. We Got Love is pretty cool also. The Trader is better live.



3 stars

Carl and the band made Heroes and Villians rock bigtime.  It's nothing short of amazing.
Sold pretty well, and I see why!



Dan

A great live-album and it shows what a great rock-band the beach boys were.  Sadly there are no Dennis-songs or Dennis-leads on it. You can hear him right before "SOS" talking to the audience, same before "Surfin USA" and he sings Mike's part in the ending of "Good vibrations". That's all.....
But on the whole, it's a great album and probably the best live-album by the bbs (maybe alongside Knebworth).

My favourite Denny vocal is the background of Marcella...  Listen for his, "ONE ARM! ONE ARM! OVER MY SHOULDA!" In the background there... whoops the studio version (who I think was Blondie)

My Favorite of ALL the Beach Boys albums!!
To ME..."Sloop John B." from this album IS the definitive version! Carl sings it brilliantly.
And "Let The Wind Blow"...if this song doesn't send shivers up your spine,well...you just ain't Human!!  Carls BEST vocal ever.
Everybody slags "Funky Pretty" on this album and I think its killer on here.
And of course,Ricky Fataar on Drums makes this album!! He does for the BB's what Chester Thompson has done for GENESIS live!!  Swing It!!
Brian

Uhh, completely f*** them up beyond belief?

Chester Thompson is the man.  He not only did a great job drumming for Phil Collins in Genesis' live shows from 1977-1992, but he also did a great job playing for Frank Zappa in 1973 and 1974.  He drums on a lot of the "One Size Fits All" album.  That's quintessential 1970s in my book.  OK, back to the topic at hand...

This record rules.  I don't much care for this version of Help Me, Rhonda, but otherwise, this album is a winner start to finish.

I vehemently disagree. His drumming is rudimentary at best. Sounds like a sixth grader banging out beats in his basement. Nothing the least bit tasty. Too much hard snare and he plays the ride cymbal on the verses - a no-no for any drummer who knows how to play to the song.

There is no feel to it at all. Ricky was no improvement over Denny, and anticipating a barrage of strong dissent from the board regulars, I re-assert my opinion that Dennis was a terrible drummer (ducks, awaits projectiles). He is always behind the beat and seems forced. He looks awkward and uncomfortable all the time. He needed a click track to record in the studio, as his beat constantly wavered. Compare the vids of Dennis to those of Ringo or Keith Moon, who were natural stickwielders.

The Beach Boys were right to bring in someone else to the live group, but Fataar was no improvement.

Artie,
  You  must be a drummer,correct? I've been listening to this album/CD since it came out in 1973.I was 10 at the time and I'm telling you as a 30 year guitarist,Ricky Fataar does a splendid job of drumming on this record.At times he might be a little "wordy".But overall he's in time,great fills(just listen to the paradiddles on "Funky Pretty" just after Mike sings,"wonderin' what my horoscope would say.") Ricky tastefully switches left-right-right-left on the snare.
Bri
 

Big Bri - yep. Been playing drums and keyboards for about 25 years now...

Listen to Surfer Girl and you will hear what I mean. I haven't heard the album in awhile, but it sounds like an elementary schooler trying to keep time while concentrating. It's terrible. I just don't think he adds anything. But of course, I respect your opinion...

As I respect yours as well!!
One thing we do all agree on....Carl Wilson sounded amazing on this record.His voice was just so haunting and downright GOOD!! I miss him gang.
Big Bri

Amen. Sure miss Carl. While his writing skills were admittedly limited, his singing voice and his ability to perform live are what made the Brian-less Beach Boys shows still enjoyable. He was quite the musical workhorse and quite a perfectionist. Sort of like another deceased "brother", Maurice Gibb. Carl and Maurice were so much alike in their roles and talents.

I'll always love Carl for him firing Ernie Knapp after he rejoined the BBs in '82.

Watch the Lost Concert artie, Dennys always hitting the ride through the verses... Ringo does alot too. 

Denny on Surfer Girl and In My Room live's drumming is very sensitive, I love it... It wouldn't sound right if it was high hats.  Surfin' USA and Shut Down he's doing great one handed rolls around the snare/toms (don't know the terminology, but it looks damn impressive)...

One has to realize though, Ringo and Denny, in their defense, HAD to slam the ride cymbal and snare nonstop so the beat could be heard through all the screaming girls. Ringo has said that as soon as he went to the toms (a mid-low frequency) the beat would get lost...he had to stay on the ride (or occasionally a splashy high-hat) to keep that high frequency in the ears of John, Paul, and George. I am sure it was the same for Denny. There was no sucj thing as monitors then.

But that is totally different than Fataar's rudimentary playing. And there were not tons of screaming girls in the early '70s.

Interesting Artie,
  A little off topic if you'd be so indulgent:what's your take on both Neil Peart and Chester Thompson?
Bri

check out the general music category - we can move this there...I'll post

Roger That Artie!!!!

I love how you can change songs like You Still Believe In Me and Caroline No from symphonic classical-like tunes to something full of lush synths and guitars. Shows how strong those songs are.

Yeah.  I'm ignorant...was Denny the drummer on this album?  ... whoever the drummer was eats up the little breakdown before the fadeout, sounds awesome.  The drum break into "LA LA LA LA!!! LA LA LA LA LA!!!" is great, too.  Drums really push this song along.

Al's "Help Me Rhonda" and especially "You Still Believe In Me" are some of the coolest bb's stuff ever. 

edit: Sorry, just noticed the last half of this thread was all about answering my drummer question, lol.  I'm no pro but I think the drums at least on h&v sound kick-ass and it works in at least that one songs' content. 

Sorry but LTT is one of my favorites, especially the ecstatic organ solo. I prefer this version to the original one from Holland.

One of my top favorite Beach Boys albums EVER! We Got Love is really catchy (to me), REALLY great renditions of all the songs (I would prefer the standard version of Help Me Rhonda myself, but I guess it wouldnt fit the setlist). But MARCELLA blows me away everytime I listen to it on this one. I was humming the guitar solo in my head while I was out today and caught my self whistling it. Although I agree there should be some Denny tunes, it's still a great album "5" hands down.

I wish Surf's Up, Wonderbill, Long Promised Road, Only With You, River Song and even Jumpin' Jack Flash had made hte cut instead of some of the other stuff here.

I read that the released version of In Concert was their second submission.  Anyone know what tracks were on the first version?  Any of the above?   

I hope Andrew doesn't mind citing from his highly informative webpage:
http://www.btinternet.com/~bellagio/unreleased.html

The Beach Boys In Concert (single album)
projected release date fall 1973
Recorded summer 1972-spring 1973
Produced by the Beach Boys
Wouldn't It Be Nice - Leavin' This Town -Heroes & Villains - Marcella - You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone: Let The Wind Blow - Do It Again - Wild Honey - Fun, Fun, Fun - Jumpin' Jack Flash.
 
Once again, The Beach Boys had an album rejected by Reprise, although most fans would find the above listing highly listenable. It's unclear if all the six titles that made the transition to the released version are the same recordings, but according to the liners of Endless Harmony, the recording of "Heroes & Villains" on that compilation is from the single album configuration, and different to the track on In Concert.
Possibility of release: probably only as part of a hypothetical live box set.

Thanks for the link! 

So is there a good soundboard recording of River Song in circulation?  Any comments on how it came off live?  Would really like to hear it...

Yes, I also think this version of LTT is amazing! And Trader just blew my mind... love the harmonies on that one!

Excellent! Only problem is that there are no Dennis songs.

This album is so great. It makes me wish I were alive in the 70s. The band on this album is so great. The first time I saw the Beach Boys in concert was in 2006 in a bar on the boardwalk at 6 AM. They played California Girls three times and Kokomo twice and the rarest song was Surfin' Safari. Someone shouted "BOO, YOU GUYS SUCK! BRING BACK THE JIMMY BUFFET TRIBUTE BAND!" Scott Totten grabbed a girl from the audience and put in her in between him and his guitar and grinded against her while playing a solo. Carl had been dead for eight and a half years.

Why couldn't I have seen the Beach Boys in 1973? This album is AMAZING. I wish they had included Steamboat or something, but this is a five star album all the way.

You know ... I almost like "You Still Believe In Me" on here better than Pet Sounds.

Al's voice is AMAZING. Pretty much always, actually. Al never disappoints with his voice. He reminds me of Gram Parsons, that kind of voice here.

Yeah, this is a great listen, a side to the band most people don't get to hear. I'll give it a four.

I just listened to this for the first time in a LONG time--probably 2-3 years--while driving to my family Christmas celebration. It's awfully good, and while they weren't playing original arrangements, etc., it is really great evidence that the Beach Boys could really perform wonderfully. I know people here don't need the reminder, but this album would do well with the public at large to fight the "Brian's music deserves the respect and care that only his band can give" line that the BW camp has put out the past 10 years or so. They were a great band, with this era being one of my favorites (live and on record).

The version of "Don't Worry, Baby" on here is easily more gorgeous than the regular version.
There, I said it.
I mean, Al and Carl practically weep the song out.

This album taught me how great Carl's voice really was.

I freakin' LOVE this album. The band are smoking. The only way you could improve it is if you chucked Help Me Rhonda in favour of a Dennis tune...

Hell no, man! Rhonda is one of the best songs on "In Concert". Are you kidding me? That thing cooks! One of the best guitar solos I've ever heard anywhere on any Beach Boys album! Is that Carl, Blondie, or Ed Carter playing that? I think it's Ed.

Speaking of "cooks", I think Heroes & Villains fits that bill, as well. After the original, this is the best version of that song that I have ever heard. Great tempo for a live version. It flat out rocks. I still regard In Concert as their best live released album.

Who is Ernie Knapp ? I'm glad he fired Adrian Baker, too....

Totally with you on this one - it is such a good performance by Carl. There is so much soul in his voice here!

Does anyone know if there are any videos available of this gig?

Probably some in private collections ... Dennis, Billy H and Ed Roach all made homes movies (albeit silent footage) during these early 70's tours, but you can see some additional pictures over at my album covers site ...
http://www.pipeline-operaglass.moonfruit.com/#/1973-la-show/4532469771 is the page you need ...  :smokin

Thanks! There really should be more Beach Boys gems on the internet and on youtube! There are plenty of mainstream, repetitive videos around but as far as I know there are few good live vids, very little behind the scenes footage and generally not enough of Carl!

Man oh man, I got a really nice pair of Sennheiser headphones for Christmas and even though I have listened to this album a bunch, it sounds so much better. You can really hear the great bass playing. In Sloop John B someone is playing some nice country rock licks on the guitar. Man, I wish I was around to see them during this period.

I saw them 4 times from early 72 to late 74. Fantastic! The first time with Bruce, Blondie & Ricky. The next two with Blondie & Ricky and the last one with Ricky. The shows were all excellent. It was great time to be a fan for many reasons. This was the time when they were beginning to get popular again here in the U.S.. Those live shows were truly exciting and fun affairs. They rocked the house.

I just picked this one up and am enjoying it immensely.  I bought the 1991 Epic CD and am now wondering if I should pick up the 2000 Capitol remaster?  Can anyone advise as to whether or not the 2000 release is an improvement on the prior one in any way?

Absolutely pick up the 2000 remaster. It sounds better and has better transitions from song to song. It also has the full intro to Wouldn't It Be Nice.

Thanks so much!  I was having a tough time finding info on differences between the two.

I'll just add that the Epic CD is the same as the vinyl release as far as those transitions and the abbreviated intro to WIBN.

I love the hard rocking Heroes and Villains on this. Also, no idea what people's beef about Funky Pretty being on there; it's a great song and this version has a really great live energy to it.

I too am baffled by anyone moaning re Funky Pretty, Leaving This Town, etc. Christ, within a few years the group would be stuck on the oldies-only treadmill. We should all absolutely relish this period where the group dared to be more adventerous with their setlist choices.

This is one of the greatest live albums of all time!

5/5

In Concert

Songs performed that are better than the studio version.
Funky Pretty
We Got Love
Marcella

Different, but on par with the studio version
Darlin'
Caroline No
Leaving This Town
Let The Wind Blow
Heroes & Villains (personally, my favorite version of the song)

One of my absolute favourite Beach Boys albums. Love everything about it, they sound great.

On the topic of Ricky Fataar, I have been a drummer for about 16 years now, played everything from orchestral work to session work. I think Ricky is an excellent drummer and has great feel to his playing. I listen to this album a lot and he has a great style to him, I sometimes slip in a fill he did off this album for fun into other work.

This album is great! I love it when bands perform "deeper" tracks, especially The Beach Boys. The songs on here are absolutely fantastic! Even the ones that seem a little sub-par are great. Like others, I agree that Marcella and Heroes and Villains really rock, and the slower tunes like Surfer Girl and Caroline, No are lovely. Plus, the only official place to find We Got Love. I would've liked to see some other songs on here (It's About Time, Wild Honey, Long Promised Road, etc), but hey, like I said, the album is great just how it is. Probably one of the best live releases I've heard from a band (with the possible exception of "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!"). Nobody can do it quite like the Beach Boys.

I just got this album on vinyl, and I LOVE IT! It's is by far their best live album, no contest. Even my dad, who hates the Beach Boys, was quite impressed!
Oh I wish that Chaplin and Fataar never left!
I change my vote to:
5 out of 5!

Whilst searching for more info about "(Wouldn't It Be Nice To)Live Again" I stumbled upon an article about this "issue" concerning tracks that Dennis performs on, etc.  It could be a load of bull but the writer goes on to say that there was a lot of jealousy about the music Dennis was bringing in at that time and how they would come up with any kind of excuse to exclude the material in favour of their own.  I'm sure you have read this article before though.  The writer actually quotes Andrew G. Doe.  Anyway, I've often wondered why things like "4th of July" and "San Miguel" were never placed on any album. 

5/5. Best live album by the band, or well actually pretty much best live album ever. Song list is amazing, it's really great to hear so many rarities and not just the usual hits. Only minus for not including Dennis' songs. I actually can't decide which one I like more: this or the 1980 Knebworth CD. Both are really special, in different ways. I listen these two pretty much most of all the BB albums.

Outstanding release .. some of this was recorded at Hollywood Paladium 1973  at my 1st BB concert ever.. With my 1st girlfriend and 1st love of my life on the cover..  I still miss you baby..!!  The music is outstanding and my only complaint is no Dennis lead vocal.. Ive worn out numerous copies of this LP over the years and I still hold them to this standard of excellence .. 5/5 does not do this LP justice.. No words to describe the importance of this LP to myself  or the legacy of the BB..  Funny thing is BW isn't on it and it doesn't matter.. That's how good the BB were back then..! Alan's vocal on Don't Worry Baby + You Still Believe in Me  ..OUTSTANDING.. The whole LP reeks of SOUL.. Oh to a have a full concert on video to play + watch NOW.. Sure glad I was old enough to see them in the 70"s.. BLISS

Great review, Mr. Wilson! All of the concerts  that I attended from 69 through 1974 were great shows. The three I saw in 1972-1973 were just outstanding. I got see 7 Beach Boys on one stage at the first 1972 show.

Thank you.. I saw BB twice in 73.. { May 73 + 12-31-73 } and twice in 74.. and every year after.. If I told you how many times I've seen BB since that 1st show you would think im NUTS..!! Lets say DEADHEAD..! LOL.. I didn't get to see them before 73 because I wasn't aware how to find out ticket's were available.. Found out there were ad's in LA Times calendar section of the paper.. Now you seeing BB in 69 -72 that must have been something..?? ..  You saw BB perform songs that haven't been performed since..!

The best live album by far. Although I do wish the audience was turned up a bit, it doesn't feel very live. And also there should be some Dennis songs on here. Marcella rocks on this.

Highlights (for me) : Marcella, Funky Pretty, Leaving This Town, Don't Worry Baby and We Got Love.

5/5

That type of recording of live shows was in vogue in the 70's. Even the fading of audience noise between songs. The original album release and Epic/Caribou CD have these fades more so than the Capitol CD where Linett made it flow a bit nicer. Thankfully, he also fixed the intro of WIBN. It was truncated on the other releases.

Great album, it's a toss up between this and Beach Boys '69, but I lean towards this one just because there's more of it. Still, it seems odd that with all the raves Dennis' songs were getting in concert reviews of this time period, they did not include even one Dennis lead vocal. Also would've been nice to have a live version of Long Promised Road, but otherwise, a very strong live album. We Got Love turns out to be a good track, hard to understand why it was dumped from Holland. And some of these live versions better their studio counterparts - especially Darlin'. I first heard this version on the Ten Years of Harmony comp, and it just blew me away.

I still love this LP. The version of Heroes is SO SO SO good. Rocks like a mother. I do have to say the version of Darlin on the Knebworth CD is THE live version for me. When Carl hollers "I keep dreaming about Darlin'", still sends chills down my spine.

I would most definitely add Trader to the 'better than studio version' list. Absolutely killer. A wonderful song, and whenever I want to hear it this is the version I go for.

This 200%. Pet Sounds first introduced me to Brian's genius, POB to Dennis', this album to Carl's.

<<I vehemently disagree. His drumming is rudimentary at best. Sounds like a sixth grader banging out beats in his basement. Nothing the least bit tasty. Too much hard snare and he plays the ride cymbal on the verses - a no-no for any drummer who knows how to play to the song. >>

I have to respond to this post from Artie... from about 9 years ago, lol.  I'm nothing if not timely.

But the fact is that Ricky Fataar was Carl's favorite of all of the Beach Boys drummers... he actually described his drumming as "tasty."

I'm glad an official document exists of the live Beach Boys at the very end of their decade as a creative force. 

At this point in their career, they may have peaked as a live act. 

This is, IMO, the most essential of all of the Beach Boys live albums.

Though they could be a little slip-shod, I'd say 1980 was their last peak. Those 1980 concerts rocked!

Unfortunately, I can't say I have a lot to go on, just live documents or footage I've seen.  So, my opinion might not be an qualified.  But, from what I've seen of the 1980 shows, Brian didn't really seem into them.  That's probably why I'd rank the In Concert era a little higher. 

I'm confused. Brian isn't on In Concert, so in 1980 whether he was into it or not, the band still put on a helluva show. 1980 was last year of big shows before Carl left. The shows changed quite a bit upon his return.

I agree the 1980 concerts I've seen were good.  I just prefer the recordings I've heard from 72-73 over the ones I've heard from 1980.  Plus, I like the Holland material and some of the deeper tracks (ie. Let the Wind Blow) from the 72-73 era. 

I agree with you there. Those 1972-73 era shows were terrific. The band, the setlists, even the types of venues were just magical. I was great growing up in that era.

Christening a new record player, spinning this fabulous live album as I type. Haven't put it on in years.. Oh, how I love this LP. What a marvelous band of musicians. You can't beat live BBs in the late 60s / early-mid 70s..

I've probably heard this album more than any other album, by any artists. I love it.

The only 1980 show I've heard is Knebworth, and that's a great show, but not much from Brian there. I feel like he was trotted out onstage night after night just so they could say he was there, although it's possible the guys thought it would good for him to soak up all that love from the audience. Dennis, on the other hand, comes alive in front of a crowd. I am guessing his health was not great in '80, but I love seeing him standing on the piano, 'Elton John, eat your heart out!', and pounding the drums like he meant it.

Let The Wind Blow is so fucking smooth. Replace Surfin U.S.A., Surfer Girl, and Fun Fun Fun with the '72/'73 live tracks on Made In California, Endless Harmony, and the Pet Sounds 50th anniversary boxset and you've got a 10/10 live album.

How amazing is The Trader on this album though?!