Anyone else not sure about seing Brian this time?

[Gabo]

I was at the Paul Simon, BW  concert when his notes were placed in front of him and he read everything he was supposed to say including, " Pause for applause". I was very embarrassed for him.

This is so funny but so sad. It's an unfortunate reality that Brian is not the man he once was.

[jeffcdo]

If i could afford it I'd be there in a heartbeat.  The Jeff Beck factor is really exciting, I'm a big fan of his.

[Andrew G. Doe]

To judge from the first BW setlist from last night, he may be the main interest. Hopefully it will evolve but initially, very, very pedestrian.

[MBE]

I was at the Paul Simon, BW  concert when his notes were placed in front of him and he read everything he was supposed to say including, " Pause for applause". I was very embarrassed for him.

This is so funny but so sad. It's an unfortunate reality that Brian is not the man he once was.

He's done so much considering but when I heard "Where Is She" my wife and I both said we wished we had seen that Brian in concert. Just a different guy.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I've seen Brian throughout his career. Since the drugs, he is but a shell of his former self. I cringe when he tries to come across as coherent and engaged. I saw the 50th tour three times including their last US performance in Tahoe and I was amazed that BW made it.

I was at the Paul Simon, BW  concert when his notes were placed in front of him and he read everything he was supposed to say including, " Pause for applause". I was very embarrassed for him. I won't go to see him again. His voice has but faint glimmers of past glory.

Blunt honesty. I disagree with people that think he has improved over the years. He seems more tired and less interested than ever. The wishful thinking that Brian would eventually get back closer to the person he once was after the solo tours started and BWPS was finished did not pan out. I'm not suggesting he should not have toured these past 15 years or so, because there have been highlights and decent performances. I do have serious reservations, especially post C50, that Brian should or needs to be doing something that is clearly an immense struggle.

The equation is alarmingly simple: new material - especially his new material - engages him, and he responds well, often superbly. Doing the old stuff he's done for something like 15 years (and in a few cases actually hates performing) doesn't and he engages the autopilot. Two exceptions were the fall 2009 tour when everything aligned and he was on fire... and last year, when the enormity of the event hit home and he rose to the occasion and then some. That he reportedly completely futzed up "California Girls" last night might not bode well.

[MBE]

I've seen Brian throughout his career. Since the drugs, he is but a shell of his former self. I cringe when he tries to come across as coherent and engaged. I saw the 50th tour three times including their last US performance in Tahoe and I was amazed that BW made it.

I was at the Paul Simon, BW  concert when his notes were placed in front of him and he read everything he was supposed to say including, " Pause for applause". I was very embarrassed for him. I won't go to see him again. His voice has but faint glimmers of past glory.

Blunt honesty. I disagree with people that think he has improved over the years. He seems more tired and less interested than ever. The wishful thinking that Brian would eventually get back closer to the person he once was after the solo tours started and BWPS was finished did not pan out. I'm not suggesting he should not have toured these past 15 years or so, because there have been highlights and decent performances. I do have serious reservations, especially post C50, that Brian should or needs to be doing something that is clearly an immense struggle.

The equation is alarmingly simple: new material - especially his new material - engages him, and he responds well, often superbly. Doing the old stuff he's done for something like 15 years (and in a few cases actually hates performing) doesn't and he engages the autopilot. Two exceptions were the fall 2009 tour when everything aligned and he was on fire... and last year, when the enormity of the event hit home and he rose to the occasion and then some. That he reportedly completely futzed up "California Girls" last night might not bode well.

He was OK at the BAD show I saw a few months ago. Not as good as C50 but a very up night for him. In 2008 on the TLOS tour Andrew's point was proved to me. He couldn't care less about the old songs but the new album was done extremely well.

[Ram4]

I saw Brian in July and to me it was a step down in excitement and energy from the magic of C50.  But having Al and Dave definitely helped.  Now, pairing with Jeff Beck?  I don't know.  I used to be a big Beck fan, and as a guitar player he is one of my influences.  But I am really not a fan of him in the last 20 years.  His new playing style (since Guitar Shop, although I did love that album) grates on me after a while.  Still, he is a legend and there is no one like him.  If the price is right, I might go to the Milwaukee show.

[jamsvet]

I've seen Brian throughout his career. Since the drugs, he is but a shell of his former self. I cringe when he tries to come across as coherent and engaged. I saw the 50th tour three times including their last US performance in Tahoe and I was amazed that BW made it.

I was at the Paul Simon, BW  concert when his notes were placed in front of him and he read everything he was supposed to say including, " Pause for applause". I was very embarrassed for him. I won't go to see him again. His voice has but faint glimmers of past glory.

Blunt honesty. I disagree with people that think he has improved over the years. He seems more tired and less interested than ever. The wishful thinking that Brian would eventually get back closer to the person he once was after the solo tours started and BWPS was finished did not pan out. I'm not suggesting he should not have toured these past 15 years or so, because there have been highlights and decent performances. I do have serious reservations, especially post C50, that Brian should or needs to be doing something that is clearly an immense struggle.

The equation is alarmingly simple: new material - especially his new material - engages him, and he responds well, often superbly. Doing the old stuff he's done for something like 15 years (and in a few cases actually hates performing) doesn't and he engages the autopilot. Two exceptions were the fall 2009 tour when everything aligned and he was on fire... and last year, when the enormity of the event hit home and he rose to the occasion and then some. That he reportedly completely futzed up "California Girls" last night might not bode well.

He was OK at the BAD show I saw a few months ago. Not as good as C50 but a very up night for him. In 2008 on the TLOS tour Andrew's point was proved to me. He couldn't care less about the old songs but the new album was done extremely well.

As I said, I saw BW 3 times on the C50 tour and I challenge anybody to say his voice was better, he was more alert, he was more engaged, or any yardstick of measurement that he was good during the tour. I like BW. I am in awe of his talents and his music. However, I sat 2nd row one time, 6th row another time and folks, it was heartbreaking to see him. His singing was augmented by backups routinely. Nothing I am saying is meant to slam him, but simply to face facts, he is nowhere near his former self. I loved seeing him during the tour for all he represents. Singing new or old songs, he OWES it to the fans to show a level of intensity for which we  paid big dollars. Bitch about ML as much as you want but his band gives 100 percent every time I have seen them.

[Mike's Beard]

It's a crapshoot isn't it? Maybe you'll see a relatively engaged Brian, giving it what he can with his limited stage presence and vocal abilities on a good night, or maybe you'll be unlucky and catch him on a bad night where he sits slumped behind an untouched keyboard, with a bored zombie - like stare as he barks off key into a microphone.

[Amanda Hart]

I think it really just comes down to Brian having good days and bad days. It's always a risk buying a ticket to a BW show because you never really know where his head will be. You can always be sure his band will be great though, and you'll hear some amazing songs. Plus with this show you also get the bonus of Jeff Beck, Al and Dave, and maybe Blondie, depending on what show you're considering. So all that takes a little pressure of Brian, so ideally he'll be more engaged during his time in the spotlight, although reviews from last night are proving that might not be the best line of thinking.

I would go see this show, but the date closest to me is the charity show at The House Of Blues for $300/ticket. Even though it's for a worthy cause, and I'll be teaching a class literally across the street 2 hours before the show, I just can't justify spending that kind of money.

[Paul J B]

It's a crapshoot isn't it? Maybe you'll see a relatively engaged Brian, giving it what he can with his limited stage presence and vocal abilities on a good night, or maybe you'll be unlucky and catch him on a bad night where he sits slumped behind an untouched keyboard, with a bored zombie - like stare as he barks off key into a microphone.

This is very well put. After 15 years if a crapshoot is the best one can expect, then I think the powers that be might see the light and realize Brian already gave us more than enough.