I always thought that the very beginning of Brian's 1966 vocal on "Wonderful" sounded a lot like his later voice in terms of timbre. Just the first few words.

It appears the Zombies now have their full lineup for Odyssey and Oracle, so I would guess that's why Brian's set got shortened. Of course, they removed Til I Die and Passing By, which are two of the songs I was most looking forward to.

-After 10+ times of seeing it, very very tired of Blondie's schtick. It takes up too much of the show.
-Brian doesn't sing enough.
-This is very understandable, but Brian's is singing the weakest I've ever heard him. Compare it to even the 2012 shows and the difference is audible.
-Too many car and surf cuts. Setlists from previous tours always spiced it up a lot more (in regards to non-PS sets). I want to hear more songs that are identifiable as Brian Wilson gems, not what M&B play to please the masses.

Totally agree. Blondie's gimmick wears very thin after a while.

Brian's voice has gone really south since 2015 or so. The No Pier Pressure shows were the last time Brian's voice was in good shape for the shows. It was gradually declining since the BWPS shows, but the last two or three years of touring have been especially rough. I think this goes hand in hand with Brian taking less of the leads. I'd be more than happy to hear him sing more even in lowered keys, but I'm getting the impression that it's not just the high notes he struggles with but also the breath support.

And on the last thing, also dead on. Brian's show has shifted from a showcase of Brian's best songwriting to a showcase of Beach Boys hits. The thing I keep hearing is that Brian wants a more rock-oriented show with less verbose songs.

I really don't understand the criticism of Mike's voice. I think his voice has held up really well for someone his age. Definitely not like Al's, but when you go to see Mike Love's Beach Boys show Mike's lead vocals sound pretty great in my opinion.

The only time I felt like Mike was struggling vocally was on Rhonda. Otherwise he was solid.

Saw the M&B Boys last night, my (admittedly negative) thoughts:

- The band and the quality of the show across the setlist couldn't have been more inconsistent. Some songs sounded fantastic (Darlin, Ole Betsy) but most songs sounded ragged and sloppy
- The tempos felt like they dragged a LOT... When I Grow Up for example felt like a dirge.
- Mike's voice is in decent shape for a guy his age but there were definite rough spots. He has no business singing Rhonda in its original key, for example.
- Mike's solo material sticks out like a sore thumb in the set and is clearly worse than the other songs in the show
- Bruce's harmonies were noticeably weak, but he sounded great on Disney Girls
- Cowsill and Totten stole the show, Cowsill with his rendition of Darlin' and Totten with Ole Betsy and Warmth of the Sun
- The band just felt under-rehearsed, which I know can't possibly be the case since they constantly tour the same material
- If you can pump Dennis' voice in for Do You Wanna Dance, you can definitely pump in Carl's for God Only Knows. Christian Love doesn't do an awful job but come on
- Foskett was not there. Is he not with the band anymore?
- Brian's band is just worlds above Mike's, and it's not even close. Better harmonies, better arrangements, better ingredients, better pizza, Papa John's
- The song the crowd got most excited for was Kokomo, sadly
- I'll add more as I think of it but honestly I'd give the show a 3.5/10. I'm glad I got to see Mike and Bruce in person, but it was overall a poor performance

1. Pet Sounds
2. The Smile Sessions
3. Today!
4. Love You
5. Friends
6. Surf's Up
7. Wild Honey
8. Summer Days and Summer Nights
9. Smiley Smile
10. Sunflower

MESSAGE FROM BRIAN:

Dear friends,

As some of you might know I have been having some issues with my back that has very recently gotten worse. It runs in my family, Carl had back problems as well. My doctors have told me that I need to have back surgery immediately.They are optimistic that this will finally relieve the pain.

Sadly, this means we must postpone the upcoming May shows. I’m very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause to everyone who was coming out to see us.

I know that my agents are already in the process of rescheduling and we will have some of the make up dates to announce very soon. We will get you all the info ASAP.

Please know that the music is in my heart and in my soul and me and the boys are looking forward to performing for you very soon.

Love & Mercy,

Brian

https://www.facebook.com/officialbrianwilson/photos/a.452661542240.241240.34250497240/10156881611997241/?type=3

Brian evidently did a private fundraiser show on April 19 in Denver. I've added it to the top post.

Interestingly, setlist.fm indicates that the show ended with Fun Fun Fun rather than Love and Mercy. In My Room and California Saga were also dropped from the set for this private show.

Westbury!! That's right in my backyard. Wish I knew before getting tickets for Staten Island. Might have to double dip here... or triple dip if I decide to go to Jersey also... we'll see.

I doubt the price varies. The cost of show is identical. Honestly, I think anything labeled "Greatest Hits" is a greater draw with the general public.

This is a good point. I would be pretty surprised if Brian was touring an M&B style hits show. I would have to guess that a Greatest Hits show is more like the setlists we've seen from Brian outside of the album-centric tours.

The boot where BW sings it live in 1971 is even better!

Man I’m gonna have to dig that out, wish I had my collection more easily accessible.

It's on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptrbZwsQqdg

Deep Purple. What a gorgeous diamond in the rough from a bygone era. Good on Brian for digging it out and making something beautiful out of it.

Easter Sunday? That's a real bummer... don't think I'll be able to go now.

You're completely misrepresenting my point. Yeah, Brian's not a ball of fire onstage, but he certainly didn't look like he was ready to fall asleep in 2015. But in 2017, after the amount of shows he performed? That schedule would be tiring for a guy 30 years younger. And dude, don't get me wrong here, I'm not here to defend Mike Love. I'm as much a shameless Brianista as anyone. I happily went to his Radio City concert last September and it was a great experience. That being said, Brian seemed exhausted. My argument is made out of genuine concern. I'm just a guy on the Internet who loves the Beach Boys. I'm not here to tear down Brian Wilson and I certainly don't have an agenda.

As for Bruce, health scares are not unexpected with performers of their age. Elton John, Billy Joel, and Paul McCartney all have cancelled shows with major illnesses over the past few years. I don't think it's fair to use that against them.

I think that's also something worth exploring for Brian at some point.   He does seem to enjoy playing still (with the possible exception of Pet Sounds), and that would take all of the strain from touring, especially with his back problems.  

KDS, why do you and others keep bringing up health issues with Brian? "Oh, poor Brian, he needs to give it a rest with his bad back..." etc etc etc.

The guy has toured the world and played a full schedule of dates, and unless I missed something Brian did not cancel or miss a single show due to health issues, back or otherwise.

Bruce missed shows due to health issues, maybe you guys could start posting for Mike to cut back on the touring so Bruce can stay healthy? Or to give Mike's voice a rest? Or doesn't it work like that?

Seriously, though...if Brian was too ill to tour or simply didn't want to, he would not be doing it. I don't know how much more on that topic can be repeated to counter all of these "oh poor, dear Brian, it's such a strain for him!" type of histrionics.

If he was cancelling shows because of health ailments, it would be another story. He hasn't.

He looks lethargic and uninvolved onstage. As he walks offstage, usually a roadie or two will walk out and take his arm as he walks. His voice has degraded noticeably over the past 3 years. He's well into his 70s and very overweight. Mike and Bruce are, in comparison, very spry and in good shape. The concerns about Brian's health are not unfounded.

I emailed the guys at City Winery NYC, here's what they said:

Thanks for reaching out! There may be some mix up as we do have Peter Wolf confirmed to perform on March 31st. As of yet, tickets to Al Jardine are not available for purchase.

Our shows and ticket release dates are announced on social media on Friday. You may follow us on Facebook at CityWineryNYC, on Twitter at CityWineryNYC and on Instagram at citywinenrynyc to receive these updates.

Our Vinofile members have access to a 48hr pre-sale, beginning on Tuesday afternoon. If you care about getting the best tickets, you might want to check out everything that a Vinofile membership offers.

Our weekly newsletter detailing tickets available to the general public, rolls out on Thursday. You may sign up for the general newsletter at the bottom of our homepage at www.citywinery.com/newyork to be alerted when tickets to Al Jardine are available.

As soon as the NYC date is solidified I'm buying tickets, no questions asked

Glad to see him looking so well. I bet the rest from being off the road is doing him wonders.

Bruce is fine according to AGD over at PSF, thankfully.

Here is my concept of a 2-disc "The Story of the Beach Boys" compilation, one that showcases mostly hits with some deep cuts sprinkled in to give a comprehensive look at the band's history:

DISC 1:
1. Surfin' Safari
2. Surfin' USA
3. Surfer Girl
4. Little Deuce Coupe
5. In My Room
6. Fun, Fun, Fun
7. The Warmth of the Sun
8. I Get Around
9. Dance, Dance, Dance
10. Help Me Rhonda (single version)
11. Kiss Me Baby
12. In the Back of My Mind
13. Barbara Ann
14. Don't Worry Baby
15. California Girls
16. Wouldn't It Be Nice
17. That's Not Me
18. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
19. God Only Knows
20. Caroline, No
21. Good Vibrations
22. Heroes and Villains (Cantina version)
23. Vege-Tables (Smile mix)
24. Little Pad
25. Wild Honey
26. Aren't You Glad
27. Darlin'
28. Friends
29. I Can Hear Music
30. Cabinessence (20/20 stereo mix)
Runtime - 1:19:10

DISC 2:
1. Slip On Through
2. Add Some Music to Your Day
3. Forever
4. 'Til I Die
5. Surf's Up (Carl lead mix)
6. Marcella
7. Sail On Sailor
8. California Saga: California
9. Funky Pretty
10. Rock and Roll Music
11. Roller Skating Child
12. Solar System
13. The Night Was So Young
14. Life Is For The Living (Carl acapella intro mix)
15. It's Over Now (2012 mix)
16. Still I Dream Of It (album version)
17. My Diane (Single tracked vocal mix)
18. Hey Little Tomboy (MIU mix)
19. Good Timin'
20. Santa Ana Winds
21. Getcha Back
22. Kokomo
23. Strange World
24. From There to Back Again
25. Pacific Coast Highway
26. Summer's Gone
Runtime - 1:18:19

IMO the best introduction you could give someone to the Beach Boys is via the Endless Summer and Spirit of America compilations. They cover so much ground and, IMO, give the listener more than enough context to proceed to Pet Sounds, Smile, and eventually the late Capitol era and Brother era material. The Beach Boys are probably easiest to digest and understand if you listen chronologically.

Here's my track listing of the most objective best-of compilation I can think of, without imparting too much of my own personal taste:

1. Surfin' USA
2. Surfer Girl
3. Little Deuce Coupe
4. In My Room
5. Fun, Fun, Fun
6. The Warmth of the Sun
7. I Get Around
8. Don't Worry  Baby
9. Please Let Me Wonder
10. Dance, Dance, Dance
11. Little Saint Nick (possibly swap with Good To My Baby)
12. Help Me Rhonda
13. California Girls
14. Wouldn't It Be Nice
15. God Only Knows
16. Good Vibrations
17. Heroes and Villains (Cantina version)
18. Cabin Essence (Smile mono mix)
19. Surf's Up (Surf's Up album mix with Carl lead)
20. Wild Honey
21. Darlin'
22. Friends
23. I Can Hear Music
24. Forever
25. Long Promised Road
26. Til I Die
27. Sail On Sailor
28. The Night Was So Young
29. Kokomo

Here's my single disc "personal favorites" mix:

1. Surfer Girl
2. The Warmth of the Sun
3. Don't Worry Baby
4. Good to My Baby
5. Please Let Me Wonder
6. Kiss Me Baby
7. Help Me Rhonda
8. California Girls
9. Wouldn't It Be Nice
10. God Only Knows
11. Good Vibrations
12. Heroes and Villains (Cantina version)
13. Cabin Essence (Smile mono mix)
14. Wonderful
15. Surf's Up (Carl lead mix)
16. Darlin'
17. I'd Love Just Once To See You
18. Here Comes The Night
19. I Can Hear Music
20. Slip On Through
21. Forever
22. Long Promised Road
23. Day in the Life of a Tree
24. Til I Die
25. Let Us Go On This Way
26. Honkin' Down the Highway
27. The Night Was So Young
28. It's Over Now (2012 mix)
29. My Diane (single track vocal/"demo")

Yeah it may be that they are brothers, after all, so they just sound similar 

I never knew about the missing lyric in the second verse! That makes sense now that I think of it. Though I'm glad Brian ultimately decided to cut it cause the song is perfect as is.

I think Foskett sings that full lyric in concert now. Not sure why he does, but he does.

Hey guys. Been looking into some Beach Boys resources and found a site that was particularly well regarded called Beach Yard (beachyard.dk). However it seems the site went down sometime in 2014 and the owner, a guy by the name of Lightman, also seems to have dropped off the face of the earth around the same time. Anyone know what happened to that website, and if its resources were transferred to a different location? Thanks!

Jack Reiley's falsetto lines at the end of Day in the Life of a Tree. Never fails to give me chills.

Happy Holidays to all. Has Brian ever sung HCTN live? Any sessions or takes?

The closest you'll get is this soundcheck:

https://youtu.be/1d-k31-sn-s?t=2m9s

Brian sits down at the piano at about 2:09, bangs out some lines of Don't Worry Baby and a little bit of Here Comes the Night, which he discusses with Al. He looks so damn relaxed here, he was definitely having a good day.

One of my favorite easily downloadable ones is The Beach Boys Love You Deluxe Edition. It does include the actual album too, but the real valuable stuff are the bonus tracks on disc 1 and the alternate mixes, demos, Adult/Child, etc. on the other discs. A real treat for someone who's into the Love You period like I am.

Are you talking about the one off of my blog by any chance?

He is. He linked to your blog before he edited it.

I edited it because you're not allowed to link to bootlegs on this forum, but yes, that's the one I'm talking about. I listen to it a lot these days! I really like it.