Show 16: May 19 2012 — Atlantic City, NJ (The Borgata Hotel Casino)

[Jaco]

Maybe a new album song on the setlist tonight!

from http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/ats/inside_story/borgata-bound-beach-boys-legendary-california-band-reunites-for-hit/article_2e3c5585-3cd3-5b68-9201-b298b30a2514.html

Q: How does the material from "That's Why God Made The Radio" fit into the show?

A: We'll do one new song from the new album and more than likely add a second one by the time we get to Atlantic City. We don't want to overdo it - the reunion tour is really for the fans.

[RubberSoul13]

is anyone going to this show tonight? I don't know which venue they are in at The Borgata, but if they are in The Music Box Theatre, you are in for a GREAT night!!!

[jimmy1949]

Man it seems like its taking longer and longer to hear back from folks at these shows!

[Jay]

I think we should at least wait until the concert is actually over first. 

[drbeachboy]

Set list:

Do It Again
Catch A Wave
Hawaii (David)
Don't Back Down
Surfin' Safari
Surfer Girl
Please Let Me Wonder
You're So Good To Me
Then I Kissed Her
Kiss Me Baby
Why Do Fools Fall In Love
When I Grow Up
Cottonfields
Disney Girls
It's OK
Little Honda
Be True To Your School
Don't Worry Baby
Little Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
I Get Around

Intermission

Add Some Music To Your Day
Sloop John B
Wouldn't It Be Nice
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
Forever
Sail On Sailor
Heroes And Villains
In My Room
All This Is That
Good Vibrations
God Only Knows
That's Why God Made The Radio
California Girls
Help Me Rhonda
Rock And Roll Music
Do You Wanna Dance
Surfin' USA

Encore
Kokomo
Barbara Ann
Fun Fun Fun

[The Shift]

Are you sure you haven't missed out one of their good, vibrating, favourite hits there?

[DennyMac79]

No more "California Dreamin'?" Has a prayer been answered? 

[Lowbacca]

No more "California Dreamin'?" Has a prayer been answered? 

I admit it sounded awesome so far (judging from clips), and Brian seemed really into it, but I'd wish for another BBs original instead. I'm curious if they keep it in the set list for Europe - I bet most of the casual audience (at least in Germany) would take it for a BBs song, if they perform it. Same would go for "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". 

[baseball95]

can't be the set list they cut out like 5 songs

[DennyMac79]

No more "California Dreamin'?" Has a prayer been answered? 

I admit it sounded awesome so far (judging from clips), and Brian seemed really into it, but I'd wish for another BBs original instead. I'm curious if they keep it in the set list for Europe - I bet most of the casual audience (at least in Germany) would take it for a BBs song, if they perform it. Same would go for "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". 

This is the only cover song in the setlist I am not a fan of- but honestly I'll take any Brian lead I can get.

[AndrewHickey]

No more "California Dreamin'?" Has a prayer been answered? 

Well, if the prayer was "I hope they drop California Dreaming, Marcella and Good Vibrations but don't introduce a single song to replace them, and don't reintroduce already-dropped songs like The Little Girl I Once Knew or This Whole World", then assuming the setlist is correct, whoever had that very strange prayer has indeed had it answered. Somehow, I think the setlist is not correct

Personally, if it was a choice between California Dreaming and, say, Til I Die or Warmth Of The Sun being played, I'd take the latter every time. But if it was between California Dreaming and them just doing one fewer song, I'd rather hear it than not....

[Tony S]

Really, just a great show. I expected them to sound really good; naturally, Brian's backing band of angels does a great job with the harmonies and instruments too. But the 5 principles clearly sang well; all of their leads were clear, strong and in tune...Bruce on Disney Girls was outstanding, Brian strong and clear, same with Al. Even Mike...he sounded the best I've ever heard him. Clearly, these guys have put in the time to rehearse. And it shows; scale of 1-10.....perfect 10 from me, hands down. Can wait for the PNC show.

[Tony S]

By the way, same set list as the Sands show, except no Marcella, Cal Dreaming, and All Summer Long. They did add RR Music.

[Lowbacca]

No more "California Dreamin'?" Has a prayer been answered?  

I admit it sounded awesome so far (judging from clips), and Brian seemed really into it, but I'd wish for another BBs original instead. I'm curious if they keep it in the set list for Europe - I bet most of the casual audience (at least in Germany) would take it for a BBs song, if they perform it. Same would go for "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".  

This is the only cover song in the setlist I am not a fan of- but honestly I'll take any Brian lead I can get.

I think it's a great tune, one of the eternal essential pop compositions of the 60s. It's just not a BBs song (although they recorded their version in the 80s), and regarding the vast BBs catalogue and options they'd have it seems like a waste to have "California Dreamin'" in the set list permanently.

But who knows... maybe Brian requested it? Like I said, he seems really into it.


(late March 2012)

Mike: "Okay, I think we got it. That's 49 songs we will rehearse, most of them safe stuff, plus "All This Is That" for the fanatics... as an introduction to that I could talk about how those are mystical lyrics and..."
Brian: "Mike? Guys? It's our 50th anniversary and stuff and... wouldn't it be nice [Bruce giggles] to have a repertoire of 50 songs?"
Mike: "Yeah... good point, cousin Brian.."
Al: "What about 'Lookin' at Tomorrow'? Or 'Lady Lynda'..."
Mike: "Nah."
Brian: "Guys, tell you what. Gimme an 8-minutes slot and we'll get 'em cookin to 'Ding Dang'!"
Mike: "..."
Al: "I like that tune... I could do the Dang."
Mike: "Anything else Brian? Please..."
Brian: "I've been into 'California Dreamin'' alot these past few weeks... listen to it 30 times a day. We could do that."
Mike: "Deal." [takes off his cap, wipes his forehead]

[drbeachboy]

Sorry for posting so late, but I didn't get home until 1:00am and I was too tired to post. What a great show! Jeff introduced the band as The Original Beach Boys. I was surprised that David sang lead on Hawaii. He did a nice job on it, and also got to show off his surf guitar licks straight off, because as soon as DIA was finishEd, they went right into a series of surf songs. Brian missed a cues, but did a pretty amazing job on his lead vocals. Jeff doubled him on a couple songs, but you could barely hear him, and only did so when Brian missed his cues. Mike sounded great. Held his notes well and don't remember hearing any bum notes. Al was top notch on all his leads. He really has the strongest voice. The real standouts for him was Then I Kissed Her and Cottonfields. I am not sure how how they did it, but you could hear steel pedal, but I didn't see one. The sucker rocked! People love those car songs. Everyone was on their feet on the entire 4 song car set before intermission.

After intermission, while trying to buy a shirt, I wound up missing most of the sing around the piano of Add Some Music. I got back in about half way through and it was a nice sight to see the guys sing like that. The tribute for Dennis went over respectfully and Mike spoke of him thoughtfully. The live footage is from the show Good Vibrations From Central Park, along with other pics. I was pleasantly surprised by the audience reaction at the end of Carl's tribute. Everyone was clapping at the end, the typical type applause thing. Then, all of a sudden, everyone started clapping again, then everyone stood up and kept it going for over a minute. Mike tried to get on to the next song, but the clapping continued and he just stopped, smiled, and let it continue. It brought a tear to my eye experiencing it. Mike introduced TWGMTR saying that the song is doing well on the charts just about everywhere but here in the U.S. I'd say they have this one down pretty good now. Brian sounded terrific on this, and probably his best vocal of the evening. Al sounded strong on his parts, as well.

On All This That, Jeff nailed the Jai Geru Dev ending. Surely his best vocal of evening. Also, I have mention that John Cowsill is a crazy man behind the kit. Man, is he a powerful drummer. That power is very Dennis like. He and Nelson have a good rapport playing together. I found myself watching them many times throughout the show. Mikey even played drums on two songs in the first set.
Great show all around. Most folks leaving the venue were just blown away by what they had just seen. They were about as good as I have ever seen seem, which is remarkable for their ages. I am duly impressed.

Lastly, before the show I saw Scott and Darian walking together in the casino area and shook hands and wished them well for the show. They were looking to get something to eat, so I didn't take up their time, as they didn't have a lot time left before Showtime. I also saw Nicky roaming around outside the venue, but I think he was looking to get something to eat, as well. I hate bothering them, because I know they have little time to themselves.

[drbeachboy]

Are you sure you haven't missed out one of their good, vibrating, favourite hits there?

Fixed. Thanks, John.

[Rocker]

Cottonfields. I am not sure how how they did it, but you could hear steel pedal, but I didn't see one.

From the videos I've seen it's not a pedal steel but Scott Totten playing steel guitar licks on a Telecaster.
Something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXpUxDBtVN0

Mike introduced TWGMTR saying that the song is doing well on the charts just about everywhere but here in the U.S.

So, does anyone know how it's doing in the U.S. ?

[tpesky]

No California Dreaming though ha? Not that I am crazy about that song but Brian and Al did a great performance and that's one less Al lead vocal when they already weren't featuring him enough.....

[adamghost]

"I could do the Dang"...HA!  That made my morning.

[Shark]

As other posters have stated above, there was no California Dreamin' or Marcella.  I was looking forward to Marcella, but what can you do.  Overall, I thought Brian was really into the show.  I know at many shows there are songs that he basically sits out, but he was engaged on every tune last night either singing or playing or both.  He once again tried to start the "Everybody say yeah" part at the beginning of Barbara Ann before Jeff introduced the band members.

One funny moment was when Mike was introducing BTTYS with his normal cheerleader/women in uniform comments.  At the end of the introduction, he starts to say "So let's hotwire..." and then realizes he screwed up.  Al and Bruce start laughing hysterically and someone (maybe Dave) says, "Yeah, let's hotwire the cheerleaders one more time" which causes Bruce to absolutely lose it.  I think Bruce was laughing all the way through the "Whennnnnnn".

Bruce's vocals were really strong last night as were Al's.  Just terrific.  Mike sounded great and I have to echo what everyone has been saying about Dave's guitar playing.  I'll post more later on the soundcheck, pre-VIP soundcheck and some backstage conversations including Al talking about adding California Saga to the setlist.

[stack-o-tracks]

It would be so amazing if they played Ding Dang.

[Rocker]

Review from the show:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/top_three/beach-boys-bring-the-hits-extra-musicians-to-show-at/article_c1711bae-a21e-11e1-976c-001a4bcf887a.html

[the professor]

Cottonfields. I am not sure how how they did it, but you could hear steel pedal, but I didn't see one.

From the videos I've seen it's not a pedal steel but Scott Totten playing steel guitar licks on a Telecaster.
Something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXpUxDBtVN0

Mike introduced TWGMTR saying that the song is doing well on the charts just about everywhere but here in the U.S.

So, does anyone know how it's doing in the U.S. ?

Heavens, I check Billboard every day, and all I see is the Japan hot 100.  Can we have a clean new thread for "thgmtr, single and album, on the charts" to unify the scattered threads?  I humbly submit that to the moderator, our fearless leader.

I am wondering if the album is a smash if the songs, including the title track, will chart. . .

thanks

[Shark]

I was fortunate enough to sit in on sound check last night. Before any of the VIP package people entered, the backing band played through Do It Again, then the Beach Boys filtered out. Scott Totten announced they were going to run through TWGMTR because apparently they have been playing it slower then they should have been earlier in the tour. They also did The Ballad of Ol Betsy with a discussion about Scott sending everyone the lyrics earlier in the day. Brian asked for the chord chart at that point and Scott told him that he would print it out for him. Needless to say, Brian did not participate in this song at all. Scott then asked Brian what he wanted to do next and he said California Girls. This was held off until the VIP Nation group entered the venue. They also did Please Let Me Wonder at Brian's request.  Bruce did a little of Disney Girls too.

Backstage when Mike first arrived, I heard him say to Brian, "Did you catch any of Rose last night?" I did not hear what Brian said but Mike said something along the lines of, "I think we looked pretty good." Al arrived and was searching for an iron for his shirt and said that they must have forgotten it in Bethlehem.  He and Mike then started to discuss the addition of California Saga to the set list and where they were going to place it. I got my hopes up that they were going to play it last night, but unfortunately it was not to be. I did hear Al suggest that Mike take the first verse and then Al would take the second. He also mentioned that Brian loves the song. I wasn't sure why he would say that to Mike unless he was trying to "sell" it's inclusion into the set.

[Lowbacca]

Heroes and Villains: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCdhJ-1bD_k

Still not able to grasp all this in its entirety...