Beach Boys Dec 31, 2011 concert review- Thunder Valley Casino. Lincoln, CA

[Les Chan]

Do you wonder what happened New Year's Eve at their 50th anniversary  NYE show?

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/61810/Beach_Boys_Ring_in_2012_at_Thunder_Valley_Party

[Mikie]

The author of the article wrote:

Speaking of history, they were also recently inducted into the California Museum Hall of Fame in Sacramento by Governor Brown at the Memorial Auditorium, along with Carlos Santana and others. It was another great night and I was lucky enough to be there for that as well. Wilson and Jardine, along with David Marks, accepted the award.

Is the writer sure he was there? There wasn't a Wilson in sight! 

[Rocker]

Do you wonder what happened New Year's Eve at their 50th anniversary  NYE show?

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/61810/Beach_Boys_Ring_in_2012_at_Thunder_Valley_Party

Very nice. Do you have a setlist ? David wasn't there, was he ?

[Les Chan]

  Rocker,

It was the Mike and Bruce Beach Boys' band only.  No David, Al or Brian.  I will post the setlist when I get  chance.  It appeared to be a sell-out- 2000 people.




Mikie- I noticed that WILSON error also in his article for the HALL Of Fame acceptance speeches.

Les in SF

[Les Chan]

The California Museum Hall Of Fame exhibit on the Beach Boys located in Sacramento runs through Oct 31, 2012 and has items loaned by the Beach Boys and fans.  It  is worth checking out!

[Pretty Funky]

Turbans, robes, glass eyes?

We need to know!

[Shady]

Looking at the pics, Mike looks great

Here's a vid

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

[Mr. Wilson]

So Les why do you allways  sign..LS In SF supposed to mean something from SF..Please explain

[Mr. Wilson]

I know you did an interview in 1980 for KSA.And maybe a CW interview 81..OK I know your a BB collector + maybe a DJ on radio..OK..SO... What have you done lately..Do you know Ted Dugan.. Tower Records Employee..!! ..You have done good work with BB..But your posts remind me of Ted Dugan .. Relocated from Anaheim to reno..

[Les Chan]

Mr Wilson,

Les in SF means simply I'm from San Francisco and proud to be a San Franciscan!

I've done radio and collector but regard myself as simply a fan of the music.    You are correct Mr Wilson.

I heard from Ted last month and he is still in Reno.

I appreciate your positive comments!!


Les in SF

[Mr. Wilson]

THX Les...No negative vibes here.. Ted + I used to trade in 80"s..Nice to hear he is STILL among the living..GOD bless..Paul

[Jimmie_R]

I can´t help feeling that this is a pure nostalgia act playing in front of a bunch of Joe Does who knows about 6-7 tunes.. the vocals sounds very flat occasionally..  Who does´the high harmony parts?

[Mikie]

A guy named Randell Kirsch does the high parts in the Mike and Bruce band. He ain't bad.

And I agree about the flat singing and the less than stellar singing overall. They sounded like they were very tired and listless and going through the motions. If this performance is representative of the upcoming tour, batten down the hatches matey! Luckily, there will be a change in personnel on stage for 50 of the gigs next year. Let's hope Mike (and Bruce) keep their voices intact and are in much better condition than we've heard recently. They're just not sounding very good vocally. Time for a good rest, I think; especially Mike Love.

[Aegir]

I can´t help feeling that this is a pure nostalgia act playing in front of a bunch of Joe Does who knows about 6-7 tunes.. the vocals sounds very flat occasionally.. 

Brian's band is exactly the same and so is Al's. that's their audience. of course it's a nostalgic act, they're old. get over it.

[Justin]

I can´t help feeling that this is a pure nostalgia act playing in front of a bunch of Joe Does who knows about 6-7 tunes.. the vocals sounds very flat occasionally.. 

Brian's band is exactly the same and so is Al's. that's their audience. of course it's a nostalgic act, they're old. get over it.

Sad but true. 

I didn't notice anything especially bad about the video...seemed to be the usual stuff--meaning that I thought the band and vocals sounded fine---only slightly rough around the edges.  I wouldn't have noticed it if no one mentioned it. 

I remember looking at their tour itinerary a few weeks ago and did not notice too many dates...perhaps this NYE show was just a one off gig after being on a short hiatus?  If so, that could explain why their performance is a little rough? 

[oldsurferdude]

I can´t help feeling that this is a pure nostalgia act playing in front of a bunch of Joe Does who knows about 6-7 tunes.. the vocals sounds very flat occasionally.. 

Brian's band is exactly the same and so is Al's. that's their audience. of course it's a nostalgic act, they're old. get over it.

Sad but true. 

I didn't notice anything especially bad about the video...seemed to be the usual stuff--meaning that I thought the band and vocals sounded fine---only slightly rough around the edges.  I wouldn't have noticed it if no one mentioned it. 

I remember looking at their tour itinerary a few weeks ago and did not notice too many dates...perhaps this NYE show was just a one off gig after being on a short hiatus?  If so, that could explain why their performance is a little rough? 

It should be second nature for them-they should be able to do it in their sleep. They play 700 shows a year don't they?

[Jimmie_R]

I can´t help feeling that this is a pure nostalgia act playing in front of a bunch of Joe Does who knows about 6-7 tunes.. the vocals sounds very flat occasionally..

Brian's band is exactly the same and so is Al's. that's their audience. of course it's a nostalgic act, they're old. get over it.

Sad but true. 

I didn't notice anything especially bad about the video...seemed to be the usual stuff--meaning that I thought the band and vocals sounded fine---only slightly rough around the edges.  I wouldn't have noticed it if no one mentioned it. 

I remember looking at their tour itinerary a few weeks ago and did not notice too many dates...perhaps this NYE show was just a one off gig after being on a short hiatus?  If so, that could explain why their performance is a little rough? 

It should be second nature for them-they should be able to do it in their sleep. They play 700 shows a year don't they?

I think Brians band is anything but a nostalgic act. (and they do generate a more musical minded audience) , hell they are doing new songs written by Brian.. They got more "new" songs than the Beach Boys has had for 26 years.

[Rocker]

I think the new band constellation and the fact that they are playing for the BEACH BOYS will result in a fresh and passionate way of playing. Not that I had anything against Mike's or Brian's band as I think they both do a very good job

[filledeplage]

I can´t help feeling that this is a pure nostalgia act playing in front of a bunch of Joe Does who knows about 6-7 tunes.. the vocals sounds very flat occasionally..  Who does´the high harmony parts?

When I looked at the venue, it seems to be oudoors, with concertgoers in jackets.  The sound is not at all as it is in an indoor venue where there is more control of the acoustics.  It's not an acoustically perfect outdoor Greek theatre.  Could be the device.  But it was nice to see the sampling of the setlist.  Maybe someone who was there, could chime in...

Randell Kirsch does the fab falsetto...

[Justin]

I can´t help feeling that this is a pure nostalgia act playing in front of a bunch of Joe Does who knows about 6-7 tunes.. the vocals sounds very flat occasionally..  Who does´the high harmony parts?

When I looked at the venue, it seems to be oudoors, with concertgoers in jackets.  The sound is not at all as it is in an indoor venue where there is more control of the acoustics.  It's not an acoustically perfect outdoor Greek theatre.  Could be the device.  But it was nice to see the sampling of the setlist.  Maybe someone who was there, could chime in...

Randell Kirsch does the fab falsetto...

The person who posted the video states in the info section that they had set up a tent outside the casino...so it seems this was a temporary stage for the occasion which would probably account for the sound being off as you suggest.

I can´t help feeling that this is a pure nostalgia act playing in front of a bunch of Joe Does who knows about 6-7 tunes.. the vocals sounds very flat occasionally..

Brian's band is exactly the same and so is Al's. that's their audience. of course it's a nostalgic act, they're old. get over it.

Sad but true. 

I didn't notice anything especially bad about the video...seemed to be the usual stuff--meaning that I thought the band and vocals sounded fine---only slightly rough around the edges.  I wouldn't have noticed it if no one mentioned it. 

I remember looking at their tour itinerary a few weeks ago and did not notice too many dates...perhaps this NYE show was just a one off gig after being on a short hiatus?  If so, that could explain why their performance is a little rough? 

It should be second nature for them-they should be able to do it in their sleep. They play 700 shows a year don't they?

I think Brians band is anything but a nostalgic act. (and they do generate a more musical minded audience) , hell they are doing new songs written by Brian.. They got more "new" songs than the Beach Boys has had for 26 years.

It probably has a lot to do with the locations of their concerts too.  Not sure the demographic for Lincoln, California but it looks basically what you'd find at either a BB or BW show.  I saw Brian last summer in Cerritos, CA and it was pretty frustrating to try to enjoy a show when you were surrounded by senior citizens.   Everyone wants to sit down, tap their fingers...YAWN.  Brian played LA in 2008 and I recall it being a more energetic (and younger) crowd.

[filledeplage]

Justin - I missed the tent info.  The casino dynamic is a little different from the the theatre.  Some of the high rollers get the prime seats and might not have the "fervor" as it were, of some of the more active enthusiasts!  More's the pity!

You might be surprised at the level of enthusiasm some of us save up / just for the show!   

[Justin]

I hear ya...I've seen the "high-rollers syndrome" many times---always irks me!  I'm all for all ages, 7 to 70 coming to the shows...I just believe people shouldn't act like their watching a DVD at home on their couch!

[Autotune]

I can´t help feeling that this is a pure nostalgia act playing in front of a bunch of Joe Does who knows about 6-7 tunes.. the vocals sounds very flat occasionally..  Who does´the high harmony parts?

The BBs do not sell out to crowds of knowledgeable fans. It's the Joe Does that buy the tickets.

Re. the voices, I am interested mostly on how good Mike's leads will sound. He sounds great on the DIA recording, and has sounded consistently good and effortless in the recent couple of years. Notwithstanding the occasional cold or off night. As a bass singer he is probably the most consistent voice the band ever had.

As for Bruce, he will not get many leads anyway, and as a harmony singer is always spot-on

[Justin]

As for Bruce, he will not get many leads anyway, and as a harmony singer is always spot-on

I have to agree...his voice has aged well and has held up nicely over the years.

[Les Chan]

As promised, the Beach Boys setlist from the Dec 31, 2011 concert at Thunder Valley Casino, Lincoln, CA:

1) Surfin Safari
2) Catch A Wave
3) Hawaii
4) Little Honda
5) Do It Again
6) Surf City
7) Surfin USA
Surfer Girl
9) Getcha Back
10) Darlin'
11) Why Do Fools Fall In Love
12) When I Grow Up
13) So Young
14) Don't Worry Baby
15) Little Deuce Coupe
16) 409
17) Little Old Lady From Pasadena
18) Shut Down
19) I Get Around
20) Be True To Your School
21) In My Room
22) Cool Head Warm Heart
23) God Only Knows
24) Good Vibrations
25) Sloop John B
26) Wouldn't It Be Nice
27) Then I Kissed Her
28) Dance Dance Dance
29) California Girls
30) Help Me Rhonda
31) Rock and Roll Music
32) Do You Wanna Dance?
33) Summertime Blues
34) Barbara Ann
Countdown til midnight..
35) Auld Lang Syne
36) Kokomo
37) Fun Fun Fun