Brian Wilson live @ NAMM 1-24-13 (Video)

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

I think he sounds nice.
He's smiling here and there, and it seems sincere.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

This argument comes up all the time, and I guess no one really knows the answer except Brian and family. But here's what I've picked up from this board (and correct me if I'm not relaying the info correctly):
1. Brian is often a lot more "with it" than he seems. Sometimes he's putting on an act when he seems out of it.
2. Brian sometimes has bad days where he really IS out of it or does not want to be doing what he's doing, as he is mentally ill.
3. Brian is very good at manipulation and overall would not do anything he really didn't want to do.

Is that right?
So the conclusion I reach is that maybe there's a show here or there where he really doesn't want to be there, but overall, the touring and recording of recent years have happened because he has willingly gone along with it. Am I completely off-base?

These are popular beliefs right now, but I don't put too much stock in them, personally.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Poor Brian should be spending his remaining days doing what he likes. I'm pretty sure doing a performance like this for the iphone weilding audience isn't what he likes.

Wow, do you know something we don't? Please share. I feel bad that so many of his fans think the way that you do about him. Like he's a zombie or a simpleton who can't think and do for himself.

Most of us aren't zombies or simpletons and we do stuff we don't like to do all the time nonetheless.. what's your point? Brian's just another person having work to do.

Continual posts that Brian is forced, cajoled to do anything, especially musical, just gets old. I doubt that Brian would do these types of shows unless he wanted to. He is not some lazy Jabba the Hut just taking up space on this Earth, is all.

Did you feel the same was true all throughout the Landy era? If not, how did you tell the difference?

Actually, at that point I did think that Landy was calling the shots. This time though, Brian is in much better shape now than he was then. Do his Advisers advise him? Sure they do, that is what they do for everyone that has one. It seems many here give him no credit at all. Secondly, that personal stuff is really done of our business, imho. They use the terms Professional Life and Private Life for a reason.

But my question was, how could you tell? You criticize someone saying "do you know something we don't?" but you clearly felt the same way and hindsight in this case, works to prove you right. But how did you know at the time? Did you know something we didn't?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

This argument comes up all the time, and I guess no one really knows the answer except Brian and family. But here's what I've picked up from this board (and correct me if I'm not relaying the info correctly):
1. Brian is often a lot more "with it" than he seems. Sometimes he's putting on an act when he seems out of it.
2. Brian sometimes has bad days where he really IS out of it or does not want to be doing what he's doing, as he is mentally ill.
3. Brian is very good at manipulation and overall would not do anything he really didn't want to do.

Is that right?
So the conclusion I reach is that maybe there's a show here or there where he really doesn't want to be there, but overall, the touring and recording of recent years have happened because he has willingly gone along with it. Am I completely off-base?

These are popular beliefs right now, but I don't put too much stock in them, personally.

Why not? People who interact with Brian on a consistent basis have backed that up. Not flaming you, just asking what makes you skeptical.

[drbeachboy]

Poor Brian should be spending his remaining days doing what he likes. I'm pretty sure doing a performance like this for the iphone weilding audience isn't what he likes.

Wow, do you know something we don't? Please share. I feel bad that so many of his fans think the way that you do about him. Like he's a zombie or a simpleton who can't think and do for himself.

Most of us aren't zombies or simpletons and we do stuff we don't like to do all the time nonetheless.. what's your point? Brian's just another person having work to do.

Continual posts that Brian is forced, cajoled to do anything, especially musical, just gets old. I doubt that Brian would do these types of shows unless he wanted to. He is not some lazy Jabba the Hut just taking up space on this Earth, is all.

Did you feel the same was true all throughout the Landy era? If not, how did you tell the difference?

Actually, at that point I did think that Landy was calling the shots. This time though, Brian is in much better shape now than he was then. Do his Advisers advise him? Sure they do, that is what they do for everyone that has one. It seems many here give him no credit at all. Secondly, that personal stuff is really done of our business, imho. They use the terms Professional Life and Private Life for a reason.

But my question was, how could you tell? You criticize someone saying "do you know something we don't?" but you clearly felt the same way and hindsight in this case, works to prove you right. But how did you know at the time? Did you know something we didn't?

Don't over-blow what I said. It was a general comment saying we pry too much into Brian's personal business.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

This argument comes up all the time, and I guess no one really knows the answer except Brian and family. But here's what I've picked up from this board (and correct me if I'm not relaying the info correctly):
1. Brian is often a lot more "with it" than he seems. Sometimes he's putting on an act when he seems out of it.
2. Brian sometimes has bad days where he really IS out of it or does not want to be doing what he's doing, as he is mentally ill.
3. Brian is very good at manipulation and overall would not do anything he really didn't want to do.

Is that right?
So the conclusion I reach is that maybe there's a show here or there where he really doesn't want to be there, but overall, the touring and recording of recent years have happened because he has willingly gone along with it. Am I completely off-base?

These are popular beliefs right now, but I don't put too much stock in them, personally.

Why not? People who interact with Brian on a consistent basis have backed that up. Not flaming you, just asking what makes you skeptical.

No, it's a fair question. Personally, I think it's fairly comforting to believe that this is the case. I have no doubt that he's different in private but to say that his behaviour is a big put-on seems mostly like wishful thinking and accounts for very little of what we've actually seen in the last say, fifteen years. And ultimately I simply cannot believe that a man who became so thoroughly under the control of a mad doctor who, granted, saved his life, to the extent that he looked like he suffered from Stockholm Syndome is also a man who "is very good at manipulation and overall would not do anything he really didn't want to do."

[drbeachboy]

This argument comes up all the time, and I guess no one really knows the answer except Brian and family. But here's what I've picked up from this board (and correct me if I'm not relaying the info correctly):
1. Brian is often a lot more "with it" than he seems. Sometimes he's putting on an act when he seems out of it.
2. Brian sometimes has bad days where he really IS out of it or does not want to be doing what he's doing, as he is mentally ill.
3. Brian is very good at manipulation and overall would not do anything he really didn't want to do.

Is that right?
So the conclusion I reach is that maybe there's a show here or there where he really doesn't want to be there, but overall, the touring and recording of recent years have happened because he has willingly gone along with it. Am I completely off-base?

These are popular beliefs right now, but I don't put too much stock in them, personally.

Why not? People who interact with Brian on a consistent basis have backed that up. Not flaming you, just asking what makes you skeptical.

No, it's a fair question. Personally, I think it's fairly comforting to believe that this is the case. I have no doubt that he's different in private but to say that his behaviour is a big put-on seems mostly like wishful thinking and accounts for very little of what we've actually seen in the last say, fifteen years. And ultimately I simply cannot believe that a man who became so thoroughly under the control of a mad doctor who, granted, saved his life, to the extent that he looked like he suffered from Stockholm Syndome is also a man who "is very good at manipulation and overall would not do anything he really didn't want to do."

Brian is probably like most everyone else; he probably has good days and bad days. Can be manipulative. Can put-on and be put-off. Also, all the Landy business was over 20 years ago. Everything changes over time. Give the guy some credit for cryin' out loud.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

I don't believe that you give someone credit by calling that person manipulative and claiming that they are putting on an appearance of being "not with it" just for the sake of it.

[drbeachboy]

I don't believe that you give someone credit by calling that person manipulative and claiming that they are putting on an appearance of being "not with it" just for the sake of it.

sh*t, I call myself manipulative. We all act that way at times. Shoot, a spoiled child can act that way quite often.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

I don't believe that you give someone credit by calling that person manipulative and claiming that they are putting on an appearance of being "not with it" just for the sake of it.

sh*t, I call myself manipulative. We all act that way at times. Shoot, a spoiled child can act that way quite often.

Nevertheless, it is not to someone's credit, to call them "manipulative." And the argument is not that Brian is acting "that way at times" but that he seems to be acting this way in every single aspect of his public and professional life. And to that I say: pure hogwash.

[drbeachboy]

I don't believe that you give someone credit by calling that person manipulative and claiming that they are putting on an appearance of being "not with it" just for the sake of it.

sh*t, I call myself manipulative. We all act that way at times. Shoot, a spoiled child can act that way quite often.

Nevertheless, it is not to someone's credit, to call them "manipulative." And the argument is not that Brian is acting "that way at times" but that he seems to be acting this way in every single aspect of his public and professional life. And to that I say: pure hogwash.

Well, you were responding to Amy's post. She said he SOMETIMES acts that way. No one ever said that he acts like that way in every single aspect of his life.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

And the argument is not that Brian is acting "that way at times" but that he seems to be acting this way in every single aspect of his public and professional life. And to that I say: pure hogwash.

In that case, I do agree with you.  I think it is obvious Brian has slowed down quite a bit in the past 15 years since Imagination came out (f***, I feel old). I think a better way to put this is, a lot of times Brian exaggerates.

[I. Spaceman]

And the argument is not that Brian is acting "that way at times" but that he seems to be acting this way in every single aspect of his public and professional life. And to that I say: pure hogwash.

In that case, I do agree with you.  I think it is obvious Brian has slowed down quite a bit in the past 15 years since Imagination came out (f***, I feel old). I think a better way to put this is, a lot of times Brian exaggerates.

Yes, in the same way that certain autistic children can exaggerate their affliction at times.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

I don't believe that you give someone credit by calling that person manipulative and claiming that they are putting on an appearance of being "not with it" just for the sake of it.

sh*t, I call myself manipulative. We all act that way at times. Shoot, a spoiled child can act that way quite often.

Nevertheless, it is not to someone's credit, to call them "manipulative." And the argument is not that Brian is acting "that way at times" but that he seems to be acting this way in every single aspect of his public and professional life. And to that I say: pure hogwash.

Well, you were responding to Amy's post. She said he SOMETIMES acts that way. No one ever said that he acts like that way in every single aspect of his life.

Well, Amy was just trying to figure out what others have been saying, so I am certainly fine with what she wrote. And Brian's "public and professional life" does not refer to "every single aspect of his life." But, yes, people have certainly suggested that Brian indeed does act like that consistently in his public and professional life, going back to the very beginning of the Beach Boys and extending to this very moment. It's a thoroughly ridiculous notion, as far as I'm concerned.

[the professor]

The group and the songs sound great. Just another lovely event while we wait to hear about the new studio plans. . . . .

[Don Malcolm]

I agree 100% with the Prof. We are at a point when we should enjoy the band in all of its various combinations, while holding out hope that there will be another good album sometime in the not-too-distant future.

Did anyone post this snippet earlier? I just found it and I think it's a total crack-up...might just say it all about the Brian/Mike relationship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLIbu6sJ4-I

[Cabinessenceking]

Poor Brian should be spending his remaining days doing what he likes. I'm pretty sure doing a performance like this for the iphone weilding audience isn't what he likes.

Wow, do you know something we don't? Please share. I feel bad that so many of his fans think the way that you do about him. Like he's a zombie or a simpleton who can't think and do for himself.

I thought it was widely known that Brian is not neccessarily in absolute charge of his day-to-day plan and sometimes he is not always enthusiastic what people have planned for him. I would guess he asks Jeff or his wife when making decisions and that he generally does what they advise him to do, simply because he trusts in the people around him making the decisions which they believe are in his interest. I'm not saying he is a simpleton in any way or incapacitated, it's just the way things are and he is generally very happy about it.
I may now see some folly in my comment, but what I meant was that perhaps the people around him making his plan might not take enough into account that ANYONE would hate performing in a venue for reporters and people with iphones. It's like the event was more about making sure one captures the moment on iphone rather than actually listening and enjoying. imo.

[the professor]

I agree 100% with the Prof. We are at a point when we should enjoy the band in all of its various combinations, while holding out hope that there will be another good album sometime in the not-too-distant future.

Did anyone post this snippet earlier? I just found it and I think it's a total crack-up...might just say it all about the Brian/Mike relationship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLIbu6sJ4-I

Big Don, makin' a lot of sense!

[Al Jardine: Pick Up Artist]

...does seriously nobody consider the fact that he's also just getting old? Old people slow down a bit. Doesn't necessarily mean they're dying. It just happens at that age.

[halblaineisgood]

He's looking real tired, seems to have a bit of a hard time walking as well.

He looks dignified.

[halblaineisgood]

.

[schiaffino]

Thanks a lot for posting this video!

I really liked GOK, IMO Brian sang really well - I agree with some of the comments on the 'sweetness' of his voice there. Cool stuff 

And I don't think Brian looks any odder than he does whenever he performs. He actually had a cool moment at the end of GOK, when people start applauding, he smiled really nicely, like thinking 'yeah, I know I'm good' - I took a quick screenshot for u guys to check it out.



Cheers!

[Lowbacca]

Thanks a lot for posting this video!

I really liked GOK, IMO Brian sang really well - I agree with some of the comments on the 'sweetness' of his voice there. Cool stuff 

And I don't think Brian looks any odder than he does whenever he performs. He actually had a cool moment at the end of GOK, when people start applauding, he smiled really nicely, like thinking 'yeah, I know I'm good' - I took a quick screenshot for u guys to check it out.



Cheers!

[schiaffino]

Thanks a lot for posting this video!

I really liked GOK, IMO Brian sang really well - I agree with some of the comments on the 'sweetness' of his voice there. Cool stuff 

And I don't think Brian looks any odder than he does whenever he performs. He actually had a cool moment at the end of GOK, when people start applauding, he smiled really nicely, like thinking 'yeah, I know I'm good' - I took a quick screenshot for u guys to check it out.



Cheers!

That reads sincere in my book 

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Yeah, you can tell with Brian when he's 'fake smiling' and it's genuine.