My dyslexia must be acting up. I read this thread title as:

Stairs - Why did the beach boys never use them? Or did they?

I thought that might be the beginning of a mind blowing expose on a previously unseen corner (stairway?) of the Beach Boys myth. Alas, imagine my disappointment to discover it's simply about Sitars, or the lack there of, on Beach Boys recordings.

Sigh...

 

Was sitting around thinking about 'The Meeting' as portrayed in the movie. Through the years I've spent probably too much idle time imaging being a fly on the wall when the band confronted Brian, Van Dyke walking out, Smile dying. The movie leans heavily toward depicting Brian as incapcitated/unabale (Rather than unwilling) at that pivotal moment of being able to defend the project, his vision, his partnership with Van Dyke, etc.

This is  the scene in the movie I feel most conflicted over. Was Brian  so out of it at that point of 1967 as to be unable to defend his masterpiece? I always imagined it was more he had tried, over and over, and finally faced with pressure from the label, and criticism and hostility from Mike, he was unwilling to defend it or perhaps was brow beaten to the point he didn't want to fight anymore, and caved, lacking the strong support from his brothers he needed. Or did he simply close him self off and refuse to deal with it at all, at that life defining moment, perhaps as a result of the onset of his mental illness and illicit drug use?

I'm interested to hear others take on this pivoltol moment in BB history and the scene in the movie, and hear how it compares with other sources,  other opinions.  

Saw the movie for the, uh, 4th time last night in San Diego. This time in Hillcrest, which is a hip urban neighborhood, for the 9:45pm show. There were maybe 20 of us for the show. Not surprising, all but one of the shows here in town I've been to have been less than half full...

Since it's really an amazing movie, I Was thinking last night that one contributor could be 'bad title syndrome'. Now don't shoot me. I love the movie. I love the song. I like the title. It's a good title for the Brian and Melinda story. But if you're not already a fan it might not be the best title to sell the movie.

As I was watching it again last night it occurred to me from the opening minutes to the penultimate 2001 homage climax that they could have called the film 'In My Room' without changing a thing in the movie, including having Brian sing 'Love and Mercy' over the closing credits.

Then you'd have a movie with a title that tens of millions of people identify with the Beach Boys, sadness, beauty. They know the leader has a tortured past. Maybe more people would've made the connection and seen the movie. As a person who works on the edges of the industry, IMO it could have been worth a few (3-4) million more on the opening weekend without adding any more theaters. Walk up sales are a big part of the business.

I think everything about the movie is great, I just wish more people had awareness of it and an opportunity to see it. Obviously more screens, more and better ads would of helped too.

I was overwhelmed coming out of the theatre last night, like I'd been hit by an emotional wrecking ball. It felt at times like we'd been watching found footage. I stopped seeing Paul Dano and could only see Brian Wilson. That's as big a compliment as I can think to give. Talking about awards is a tricky thing, because IMO so much politics goes into it, but if this film doesn't win an Oscar for best sound editing then why present the award at all? Wow!

 If I had to come up with one complaint it would be that I wish there had been more scenes with the Mike Love character. Only because I felt that I actually got some real insight into his perspective throughout the film. While Brian's story is treated with great love and (well) mercy it does not pull any punches either. In the film we see Brian come apart and we see Mike have to watch. We see his frustration, as he tell's Brian he's letting the band down. Selfishly, I wish there was more time given to that dynamic, as I thought it shed a lot of light.

Wow! That was an emotion packed 2 1/2 minutes. I feel like my heart was ripped out of my chest. Very exciting. Can't wait.

That's an incredible showing for an album with luke warm national reviews.

Btw... I think NPP is Brian's best solo album, not including BWPS. I've already added these to my Best of Brian playlist: Saturday night, Feeling Sad and Sail Away.

Pretty cold thing to say..

Green Day doesn't deserve it either.   

Lurk mode off:

You may not like Green Day, but they do deserve it. They made 2 of the biggest selling most influential albums of the past 25 years in Dookie (30 million sold world wide and a Grammy) and American Idiot (21 million sold and . Their best singles have been huge: Longview (#1) Basketcase ( 5 weeks at # 1), When I Come Around (7 weeks at # 1), J.A.R. (#1), Good Riddance (#2), Brain Stew/Jaded (#3), Minority (#1), Boulevard of Broken Dreams (#2), Wake me When September Ends (#6). And that's not even all of their top 10 singles.

Green day was there when Grunge died to revive punk and save rock and roll. God bless Green Day. God bless the Beach Boys.

Lurk mode on:

My Top 10 Songs of Summer - from the tail end of the 20th Century.  (Edit: In response to an interesting comment below, I decided to add the release dates and chart positions for the songs, in part to see how our memory of 'Summer Songs' stands the test of time (or at least of Seasons):

1. Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince - Released May of 1991, entered charts in June, peaked at #4 on Billboard Hot 100
2. Smells like Teen Spirit - Nirvana - Released iin Sept. of 1991, entered charts, entered charts in November, peaked at #6 on Billboard Hot 100
3. 1979 - Smashing Pumpkins - Released in January of 1996, it entered the charts in February, peaking at #12.
4. So Alive - Love and Rockets - Released in September of 1989, peaked at # 3 on the Hot 100
5. La Bamba - Los Lobos - Released June of 1987, it reached # 1 in August of the same year
6. Semi-Chamed Life - Third Eye Blind - Released in June of '97, entered charts on 7/7, spent 3 weeks at #1 that Summer
7. Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Released in Sept of 1991, entered the charts in October and peaked at # 2 on the hot 100
8. The Way - Fastball - released in February of 1998, spent 7 weeks in the Hot 100 in April and May.
9. Red, Red Wine - UB40 - Re-released in August of 1988, it reached #1
10. Crazy - Aerosmith - Released in 1994, it peaked at #17 in June of that year.


Thought this was a different take/mix than the other excellent lists that have been posted. Enjoy.

I didn't vote in the first two rounds. Can I still vote in round 3?

If so it goes to Cuckoo Clock. I don't hate it, I just wouldn't miss it if I never heard it again.

From the cast and pictures released so far, I have to wonder and ask, is this bio-pic of Brian's life a comedy or a lite romance?  Not that that would be a bad thing. I can see, if done the right way, that a script with a wry sense of humor could  be a key element in an honest/entertaining adaptation of Brian's life.

I too have been a fan all my life, and a collector since 2001. Never into CDs or CD boots. i have all their official US vinyl LPs, and lots of vinyl boots too (I take good care of my feet).  

I do have a collection of original concert posters, all from appearances in my home town, San Diego. The ealiest is 67. My fave is a poster from the 20th Anniversary tour that features all 5 original boys posing for the camera, It was the last time they played the world famous rock palace (aka The San Diego Sports Arena) with the original lineup. I was 8 at the time it was printed, and although already a fan I was unfortunately not at the show.

I also have a signed Surfin U.S.A album signed by all 5 members at the time of it's release (including David, not Al) which I bought for a single solitary US dollar ($1.00) at a local garage sale. The woman who sold it to me said she had seen them a dozen times in the early sixties and had gotten it signed at a promo event at a radio station here in town. She placed no monetary value on it, just her memories, and offered it to me at the same price as the other records in her collection.

I spent over an hour talking with her. She had wonderful stories of seeing the Beatles in their one and only appearance in San Diego, at old Balboa Stadium downtown. She said she didn't hear a single song that day, what with all the screaming going on, but still counted it as the highlight of her young life.

I love talking to the people I buy things off of, hearing their stories, sharing in theif joy and reflection.

Maybe that's what I'm really into collecting: fond memories and good vibrations.

Back stage in Chula Vista Mike asked me what song I wanted to hear that night and I said 'Chug-a-Lug'. He gave me a funny look and I just said It'd be cool to hear all the name dropping in the song, and the die hards would LOVE it.  He smiled and said, 'Probably not tonight.'

Oh well.

Man, I don't know if it'll reach # 1 but a top 5 Beach Boys album would be a........(wait for it).....mazing!

Also, the Boys are making serious coin on Amazon. Even with the download only being $5, the publicity is raising their back catalog in the rankings too. Sounds of Summer, 20 Good Vibrations, Pet Sounds, Smile Sessions are all moving up the Amazon charts.

I'm really happy for the guys that they are getting this kind of reception.

Mike: So that's my nature, to be, uh, words. Classic!

I  thought this was a great interview, gave time to all the members and they all seemed to enjoy themselves. Well you know, except Brian. But that's why part of why we love him.

As for these guys not liking each other, whether it be Mike and Al. or Mike and Brian, or Mike and ______... The Beach Boys are a family. Maybe not blood anymore, except for Mike and Brian, but when you spend 50+ years around each other, and you fight and make up and fight and keep coming back, you're family. They're brothers and that's what brother's do, tease and poke each other, get on each others nerves, try to one-up each other.

To me the 'tension', as some of you call it, just comes with the territory. There are a lot of easier ways to make money at age 70 than than going on a world tour. They're here to celebrate the legacy, the music, each other, the fans (and make some serious bank). What's it to you? Hallelujah!

When i was back stage in San Diego last month I thanked them for their generosity in continuing to share their music.  I love their faults, their false starts, their quirkiness, their absolute refusal to try to be 'cool', their angelic harmonies, their cheese, their sentimentality, and their egos.

They've provided the soundtrack to my life, and I love them all. God bless the Beach Boys.

1. Isn't It Time - Classic Beach Boys! Wow!
2. Spring Vacation - Are the lyrics cheesy? Yes. I wouldn't expect less from the Lovester. But I give him major props b/c it works in a big way! I would pick this as the second single.
3. That's Why God Made The Radio - Great in a Good Timin' way. Unexpectedly beautiful vocals. Bruce's part is AMAZING!
4. From There to Back Again - Al can still sing can't he?!?! I love it.
5. Summer's Gone - Classic Brian! Another major success in a long line of 'lonely' songs from the maestro.
6. Daybreak Over The Ocean - has gotten lukewarm reviews from the fans. Mostly I think b/c they already knew it. But I've never sought out Mike Love bootlegs so I heard it with fresh ears and thought it was really good
7. Pacific Coast Highway - I really like it, but I would  love it if it was twice as long
8. The Private Live of Bill and Sue - My wife, whi is a fan but not a fanatic, picked this one out as her favorite for the melody. I think it's a good example of a 'quirky' Brian song but nothing more
9. Shelter - I LOVE the choras. It defiitely reminds me of another song, but I haven't been able to put my finger on it. The verses are pretty weak though which moves it down my list.
10. Think About The Days -  This is a fine track, great vocals, but it sounds unfinshed to me and out of place opening the album
11. Strange World - Feels unformed, like a good idea that was never fleshed out, and weak lyrics
12. Beaches In Mind - A throwaway, and the only 'bad' song in the collection.

Here's the set list, no major additions and a few gems are missing:

Set 1:
Do It Again
Little Honda
Catch a Wave
Hawaii
Don't Back Down
Surfin' Safari
Surfer Girl
Please Let Me Wonder
Marcella
Then I Kissed Her
Why Do Fools Fall In Love
When I Grow Up
Cotton Fields
Be True To Your School
Kiss Me, Baby
Don't Worry Baby
Little Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
I Get Around

Set 2:
Add Some Music
In My Room
Sloop John B
Wouldn't It Be Nice
IJWMFTT
Sail On, Sailor
All This Is That
Heroes and Villains
That's Why God Made The Radio
Forever
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
California Girls
Help Me Rhonda
Rock n Roll Music
Do You Wanna Dance
Surfin' USA

Encore:
Kokomo
Barbara Ann
Fun, Fun, Fun

The show was excellent last night. Mike was in great voice throughout, his singing was very strong and less nasally that sometimes. He also pulled his spin-around-and-point-at-the-audience move as well as the extended 'Wheeeennnnn" for be true to your school.

From the soundcheck on you could tell Brian was having a good day. When Mike's daughter came out on stage Mike walked over to Brian and said something to the effect of 'If it's all right she's going to sing Sailor tonight." Brian joked back saying "But that's one of my lead vocals." Mike's daughter was okay on "Sailor". Her singing was fine, but she didn't really connect with the words in the verses, but she hit the tag perfectly. Pretty girl, too. Brian was eager to keep the sound check moving, "Let's take that one from the top again." and asking to do a run though of "Please let me Wonder", to which either Mike or Bruce joked with us saying the real lyrics were 'Please Let Me Wander' but that 'That didn't make it past the sensors'. When he was done he was done, saying "Let's go do the meet and greet." Brian was smiling consistently throughout the show, annimated with his hand gestures on a couple of songs and very engaged when singing back up vocals. During 'Add Some Music', Brian pointed out who's part was next.
 
One thing I thought was great about the show was that it was so fricking cold that none of the guys came out with Hawaiian shirts on. Al, Mike and Dave were dressed in jeans with jean jackets, they actually looked like a rock and roll band, and damn if they didn't sound like one too.

Unlike reports from some other shows the crowd in the first 20 rows was on their feet all night, dancing and singing along. It may not technically have been sold out, but there were very few empty seats all they way up the bowl to the grassy hill at the top.

It was disappointing that they left several songs out, including Disney Girls, This Whole World, and Wendy (maybe one more too) without adding anything new in, but it was great to hear "Isn't it Time" during the soundcheck. I haven't listened to any of the clips on iTunes or Amazon so as a first listen, I have to say I thought it was really good, probably better than "TWGMTR", which I like too, but the refrain just keeps going and going at the end which IMO is a bit of overkill.

Meeting the band, and getting my picture taken with them, was as described by others: Very brief. I did say 'hello' to Dave, and thanked him for bringing the cool back, at which several of the guys laughed. While standing next to Mike I said I thought the Boys were great, and Mike paused to turn around and shake my hand and thanked me for coming out to support them. They snapped the picture and as I walked off off, Bruce said he hoped I would enjoy the show. So, no, it wasn't personal chit-chat session, but I got to meet them and they were friendly and gracious.

I went to the swag shop and bought the black 'Brother Logo' tee, a program (I went back several times during and after the show, but unfortunately they never brought out any signed programs, which I heard they've done at some other gigs), I also bought Dave and Al's CD's which were signed, even though I didn't know it when I bought them. They weren't advertised as autographed and were only $15 bucks, the best deal at the show. I also bought the $10 Brother Logo poster, which is way cooler than the limited edition poster in my VIP bag. The bag also came with and a t-shirt (ick, white with gold '50' logo) which I immediately gave to my wife.
 
Overall...what a great night. And next weekend I get to Do It Again at the Hollywood Bowl and the Irvine Ampitheatre. They'll be hard pressed to top last night tho, I think.

[P]

I'm a long time lurker on the board, but I don't Post Much. I'd be oh-so-appreciative if someone would Pity Me, and drop me a line andPlease Message me.

I'm so stoked for this tour. I just got a 'meet and greet' VIP package for the San Diego show in May. I've never done one of these soundcheck, backstage deals for a band before...Never been lucky enough to tell any of the Boys how much I enjoy their music... and it'll be nice to go to a show and be giving the 'VIP' treatment. Plus, I also have tickets for the shows at the Hollywood Bowl and Irvine a week later too. My 'Endless Summer' might only last a little more than a week, but but I'm going to love every minute of it.

I know I'll take a lot of flack for this but, BWPS is (for me) THE essential Smile listening experience.

Part of me can't believe I just wrote that, but I believe it to be true.

As someone who was introduced to Smile via the GV box sex, and who sought out boot after boot of the unreleased material, and who forked out the $150 USD for the TSS box without complaint, I feel confident in saying the original material is sublimely dark, mysterious, psychedelic, transformative, etc, etc. I'm not trying tp denegrate or dismiss those sessions or Brian's genius in any way. I've at times worshiped  them (literally prayed to Our Prayer), Brian and the Boys (I've seen as many of his/their shows as distance and money would allow).

That said, the second movement of BWPS (on vinyl) is THE highlight of Brian Wilson's career and perhaps his most important contribution to pop music history (Pet Sounds included). The suite of Wonderful/Song For Children/CIFOTM/Surf's Up is breathtaking in it's beauty. It is a 10+ minute symphony and perfect in every way. I cry every time I listen to it, and I'm not a guy who cries easily or often. 

The entirety of the BWPS stands on it's own, without any tip of the hat to the 67 sessions. It is a transformative musical experience. It didn't need a released TSS to give it context. It blew people away who were completely unfamilar with the original tapes, my family and friends included. It cemented Brian's place as the most important American composer of the Rock and Roll era in the minds of musicians and fanboys alike.

As such, BWPS is the vital and most irreplaceable part of the Smile story. It is Brian's final celebratory triumph over history, drugs, disease, abuse and time. It is an artists completed vision, which despite hours of interesting sessions, alternate takes and undiscovered fragments TSS can never be. The result was that it was many experts pick for Album of the Year, was the most highly rated album of the year according to Metacritic's compliation of reviews and also resulted in the only Grammy any original member of the BB's has received (with all due respect to Bruce).

Anyone who would discard BWPS because of the release of TSS is, pardon my bluntness, an idiot.

Your mileage mary vary, but to dismiss BWPS is to underestimate, or miss completely, the redemptive and healing power of the music, the soul and the story of Brian Wilson.

A new show was just announced in Irvine CA, June 3rd, Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre. Tickets go on sale March 12th.

I have one ticket to the Hollywood Bowl, in the Terrace Boxes.... But since I live in SD I might try and sell it and get tickets for the Irvine show since it's at least an hour closer to home.

Got my ticket for the Hollywood Bowl! Terrace Box, Center stage. Wooo!!! Can't wait 'til June.

My wife was going to go, but I talked her out of it. How mean is that? The problem was if we went together she would have insisted on the cheap seats at the top of the Bowl. I explained to her that the big draw of the show was seeing them all on stage together, and that I wouldn't see s#@t, if we were up in the nose bleed section. Her reply was "I'd like the show, but you're the super fan. If it would ruin the show for you to go and sit so far away you should go by yourself, I can't see spending $170 bucks to see the Beach Boys, unless they're going to raise Carl and Dennis from the dead as part of the show." 

I know I'll have to make it up to her later, butI told her it was THAT important to me. And she understood. I love my wife.

Thanks, Baby!

Only 1 Southern California date on this tour, but 6 in New York. Boo. I really hate the Hollywood Bowl Venue. I really can't believe there's not an Orange County or San Diego date. I'm not sure what I'm going to do now...

Long time lurker, first time poster...

Does anybody know what the flub was as Mike asked the Audience to sing along? After he said something like, "Everybody sing along." you can here someone in the band (backing band I think) say, quite loudly, "Hold on!"  Did Mike skip over a instrumental break, or was someone just not in place to start singing?

Sorry if this was answered already, I spent all morning searching but came up empty.