Sorry if this has been discussed already, but I wonder if Brian is having moments of deja vu at these shows.  For one, it's been a long time since he's played with Mike and Bruce, and B) it's been a really long time since he's sat at the grand white piano at the end of the stage -since the early 80's, where he basically sang a few leads, played a bit of piano, and added a little background harmony here and there (all that is missing from the set are the ash tray and coffee cups).  Does this take him back to a bad place in some ways (that view and setting with those songs and familiar faces)? From the limited pics and vids I've seen so far, he doesn't appear very happy (granted its early and I have seen him many times solo and its been a mixed bag).  

Anyhow, I really hope he is truly enjoying himself up there (as much as Brian could).  I look forward to seeing them on June 1.    

PM me too please.  Thanks in advance.

Some time a long while ago, I remember listening to a Youtube video or a podcast (or something) where Jeffrey disects the different harmony parts for Warmth of the Sun.  Does anybody else remember this and know where it can be found?  Personally, I thought it was pretty spectacular that he could nail all the parts......yes I do think Jeff is a good singer, should be in the touring band, and yes, at times he is a bit too high in the mix.....but not the point of the thread.
 

The Beach Boys
Yo La Tengo
The Byrds
Velvet Underground
The Beastie Boys
Nirvana
The Beatles
Crosby Stills Nash & Young
The Shins
The Eels
Stone Temple Pilots
Radiohead
Blink 182
Weezer
The Pixies

Regarding the new album title, they could always recycle an old, but never used title - Landlocked.  Afterall, it was the early title for the last great full-band effort....which became Sunflower.  I vote for no posed pictures of the band on the cover - too cheesy.  Save it for the liner notes. 

Yo La Tengo!!!

Outstanding news.

The only lame development thus far, is the complaning about Foskett.  He sings great, Brian obviously doesn't mind his voice up in the mix for the falsetto part, and he helps Brian relax.....if you really don't like Jeff, then don't buy the album or go to the concert (but I doubt you'll do that)....

 

Ok so which actor do you all think should play Brian in the movie?
Alec Baldwin would be ideal if he were 20 years younger.

I've said it before, Alec as Brian (now or in the mid to late 90's) and Billy Baldwin as Dennis.

Okay, this question just has to be asked:

Would this have been good enough for Monterey ? Remember that the mix isn't very good here (guitars are much too silent). But ever since Bruce started playing bass the drive was gone as "Barbara Ann" shows clearly.

Good question.  I think the GOK performance would have gone over well.  Barbara Ann probably not.  Not with the times., or for that crowd anyhow.  Perhaps Brian would have played bass if Bruce were there to play the organ or piano, which would have been better.  Too bad. 

She's Leaving Home

Helplessly Hoping

Groovin'

and I agree with AGD, something by the Association; either Cherish or Everything....

I most certainly have "Delete This Account" in my profile. Have I been promoted? Am I jesus?

Some people just can't take a hint......

[I’m sad that Carl Wilson passed away 11, 12 years ago from the same lung cancer problem that claimed the life of George Harrison.]

This is what Mike originally said (or what he was quoted as having said, and there's been no claim that he was misrepresented):

"We began in the fall of 1961, and our first tour was in 1962, and it’s been nonstop since then. Now we’re gearing up for the 50th anniversary, and Brian Wilson, who has been working on some unfinished Gershwin music project, will rejoin us. I’m sad that Carl Wilson passed away 11, 12 years ago from the same lung cancer problem that claimed the life of George Harrison. That was not a fun time for us. But I am happy that now my son Christian is in the group. Yes, the lineup has changed over the years, but it’s been pretty consistent the past several years. “

Here is a perfect example of where I struggle to deal with Mike.  I truly want to like him.  I love the Beach Boys in part because of him and what he contributed.  However, this is a perfect example (IMO) of where he uses poor tact.  Why does he always have to bring up the Beatles?  Whether its pointing out that he was in India (with John, Paul and George) in 68', or writing Back in USSR with the guys (so he claims), or here in this poorest of uses, comparing Carl's cause of death (lung cancer) with George's death.  People die of lung cancer all the time, every day, everywhere.  Sorry, but I really think Mike tries to include a link to the Beatles to gain public appreciation.  You may disagree, but ask yourself, why does he have to mention George's death?  Why couldn't he just say that Carl died of lung cancer?  Sorry, but I think its poor taste in conversation and its (unfortunately) typical of Mike.  Is it just me?   
 

Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) is a Brian/BB fan.

The Ramones (or at least Joey Ramone) loved the BB/BW harmonies.

Yo La Tengo has covered the Beach Boys a couple of times (Little Honda and Farmer's Daughter) and are likely fans.

M. Ward is a huge BW/BB fan.  Check what he has to say here....

http://www.musicemissions.com/artists/M|Ward

Sonic Youth has covered I Know There's An Answer...very nice, and Thurston Moore has acknowledged he is a huge fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLktGrpiW5Q

and then there is Fleetwood Mac (especially Lindsey Buckingham) who are huge BB/BW/DW fans....check out their cover of Farmer's Daughter live.... its awesome!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYIlvhJxrFo

I will speak up for Mike here. That hook makes the song. It's okay without it, but the one thing everyone remembers from "Kokomo" is "Aruba, Jamaica ..." etc. Mike is rightly proud of his contribution, and smart enough to know that it's probably what made the song a hit. After all, how many other hits did John Phillips have in the 80s?

Hmm....Personally, I think the "hook" of the song is Carl's singing in the chorus, which apparently Mike did not write.  I agree with the original premise of this thread that Brian did not do "everything".   However, it makes me cringe when I hear Mike and Bruce point out that Kokomo, as well as I Can Here Music, are two examples where Brian did not participate.  Sorry, but the best thing about both of those songs (to me) is Carl Wilson's singing.  Mike and Bruce did not (except for a bit in Kokomo) write either song.

Mike is a decent lyricist (a good to great one in the 60s), but his real genius, if I can use the word, is in those short hooks. It's one of the things that makes SIP a guilty pleasure -- it's full of them. The problem is, they're not hanging on any real songs.

I respectfully disagree about the SIP and good short hooks.  Agreed, Mike was a decent to good lyricist in the 60's and early 70's, but then experienced a steep, precipitous drop-off into nearly embarrassing territory.   His best work was with his two cousins (Brian and Dennis).

 

not for me either.....

Case in point: Kokomo! Not the greatest song, sure, but the fact that the The Beach Boys were able to score a # 1 hit that Brian had nothing to do with in any facet has GOT to say something. Put that song on and, like it or not, it sounds just like THE BEACH BOYS!!!! Brian didn't show everyone how to do everything!

To be fair Erik, you could argue that Kokomo wasn't really that much of a Beach Boys song in terms of writing and producing.  Mike and Bruce love to point out that it was a song that Brian had nothing to do with, but really did they??  It is listed as being written by, Scott Mackenzie, Mike Love, John Phillips, and Terry Melcher.  Yes, Mike Love is listed but he probably only wrote a few of the words (the corny ones) and the music and production were largely done by the other three (all of which had success as writers and producers on their own).  You are right in that Brian didn't do everything for the group, but in this case, the other Beach Boys took a handout from Mackenzie, Phillips and Melcher.   Now the singing is a different story; I give the "other" boys full credit, but you can't sing a hit if you don't write one and I don't think the Beach Boys had much to do with writing Kokomo. I wish I were wrong and maybe I am....

 

Based on looks alone, if it were made about 20 years ago perhaps the Baldwin brothers would have been a nice fit as the Wilson brothers.  Alec (Brian), Billy (Dennis), Danny or Stephen (Carl).  Now it wouldn't work (too old), although I think Alec has the acting ability to pull off a decent older Brian.

I believe the slices of bread was a story told by Tom Petty whom Brian was having dinner with.  If I remember correctly (??) this story is in the book "Beach Boys: In Their Own Words", which is a must read if you want to hear some quirky stories about Brian told by others.

There is the Shortin' Bread story where Brian has (I believe) Danny Hutton, Iggy Pop and maybe Alice Cooper singing SB at a piano during a party and after a while Iggy Pop realizes Brian isn't kidding and says, "I'm out of here, this guy is nuts!" or something like that.  What a riot.

Another is the picture of Brian in his bathrobe (no shirt on underneath) at Keith Moon's B-day party in 1975....classic.

Finally, Brian asking his kids' school bus driver for a cigarette is sad but kinda funny too...

I remember it being said that he was obsessed with Randy Newman's records and voice during the early 70's, and admired Randy's manly tone etc. (although I think this was from Wouldn't It Be Nice....).   

If you look at the direction the BB's were going in between 72'-75', fewer songs, if any, featured him with his dominant high voice and instead they were going for a more mature rock sound to get over that early 60's image.  Brian's change in voice could be a combination of the two......he wanted a manly tone so he increased his cigarette smoking (which may also be due to coke intake), and he noticed that the band was going in a more mature direction  and therefore why resist vices and go for the manly tone.....  It is well documented that he did increase his cigarette and coke intake in the early to mid 70's which would reduce your singing range considerably.....same for both Dennis and Carl (cigs) and their ranges were reduced as well. 

Brian's smoking in 75' and 76' was noticed by the others in the band.  If I remember correctly, there are quotes of either Dennis and or Mike saying something like....Brian shouldn't be smoking or keep the cigarettes away from Brian, etc. 

Of course, most of this was before the Endless Harmony success and the public actually wanting their early hits/style.  I've wonder if there was ever a moment when Brian thought....oh sh*t, everyone likes my old voice ....how do I get that back?   Too much of an uphill battle at that point.

It would be great to ask Van Dyke these sorts of questions.  Where these lyrics might have gone, or this section, etc.  He might remember (assuming he wrote the lyrics).  Does anyone here know Van Dyke well enough to ask?

Well it looks like there is pack of smokes on the table in front of him....not sure if they are his but if so, he was likely smoking a ton by this photo...Brian does nothing half-ars.   

I can't remember where I heard it, but "I think" sometime in the last 20 years of reading up on BB's stuff I came across an explanation for this song that said Brian wrote it (or wanted the general message) to be about how he felt about the guys in the group, with him wanting to quit touring, grow as a writer and producer, and not being happy on the road all the time etc, etc.   

The boy-girl thing makes more sense commercially, but was the boy-girl wording a cover for what he was really trying to convey?

I would've paid big bucks - BIG BUCKS! - to have had a seat at that table.

Me too. Is that a bathrobe Brian is wearing? This looks like it was at an award show or something?  If so, that's hilarious (sad too, of course).

Help Me Rhonda for $200

Good Vibrations for $400

Surfer Girl for $600

Wouldn't It Be Nice for $800

In My Room for $1000


all were answered correctly on the first try.....

Mike is dancing around like friggin' idot....but considering what he already did that night, I'm not surprised.  I love that Mick just ignores him the entire time all awhile Mike is desperately trying to get his attention.

Why no Carl up there?  I would have thought Carl, of all BB's, would want to jam on some guitar with the Stones.