M & B Tour 2013

[BB Universe]

To John Cowsill:
I just want to add my praise and thanks to you along with the other messages in this thread. I've seen you several times touring with Mike and Bruce as well as last year's C50 Tour. Without a doubt you bring enthusiasm and energy to your performance in every show. Your drumming in the C50 Tour during the opening part of the show - about 8+ songs non-stop - was remarkable and so enjoyable. And, whether doing background vocals or a lead on a song, the consensus here is that you do just fine, notwithstanding your own perspective of your voice.   
Thanks!

[Rocker]

http://www.fox19.com/story/22096376/the-beach-boys-are-coming-to-gabp


The Beach Boys are coming to GABP

[RubberSoul13]

Gonna try to see these guys at Sun Fest the day AFTER we see them at the Frederick Fair! Didn't expect this many MD shows! Fun, Fun, Fun!

[Rich Panteluk]

Going to see the show tomorrow night in Edmonton.  I'm still hoping for Good Timin' and / or Wild Honey.  Doubt we'll get either (it being a casino show and all) but one can hope.  Looking forward to it regardless and plan on having a good time.  I'll post a report setlist by the end of the weekend.  Haven't seen a show since last year's trifecta of Berkeley, Hollywood Bowl and Irvine and I need to get me another fix o' good tunes...

[Rich Panteluk]

I just got back from Edmonton yesterday where I had great seats for the River Cree Casino show and had a wonderful time as it was incredible.  I know some folks on here take issue with Mike and Bruce touring as The Beach Boys (many who have not even witnessed one) but, damn, if they don't consistently put on a great show.  My first Beach Boys concert was in 1987, and since Carl Wilson passed, I have seen 37 Beach Boys shows by all 4 different configurations (many shows each by Mike and Bruce, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and of course all of them together at reunion shows).  This show was up there quality wise with the very best.  Being a casino show with a very limited playing time imposed by the venue I was wondering if there would be a chance to include anything but the biggest of hits but we got a great balance in a well paced show and the mix and quality of the sound in the house was pristine.

Highlights for me were:
Warmth of The Sun!!!
Wild Honey!!!

At first when Mike was giving his standard banter introducing Scott as Musical Director, Lead Guitarist and now Lead Vocalist, I though we were going to get Betsy  (which suits me fine as it is a killer song and Scott nails it) but then Mike talks about he and Brian writing the next song on the eve of the Kennedy assassination and they launched into a chilling version Warmth of the Sun.  The harmonies were sublime and the lead was a corker.  I have heard Brian's band do it but it didn't do much for me as they have to lower it so much for Brian as it is a bastard to sing in, or even near, the original key.  Totten really served the song well and I was jazzed to hear it's premiere as I had no idea it was coming and also because it was done so well.

Security were pretty terrible for the majority of the show; discouraging dancing, standing, coming up front, and generally killing the vibe and stopping people from having fun though.  Mike left the stage for all of California Dreaming.  Not sure if he really had to pee or whether he went to have a word with someone re - the over zealous security but soon after his return the floodgates opened and people were allowed to come up and dance and the audience really came to life.  As the show grew near it's end after Do You Wanna Dance, Barbara Ann and Surfin USA the band left the stage.  People were on their feet and rockin out and calling for an encore and only Tim and John came back.  Keys, Theremin sound and Drums.  Enter the rest of the band.  I nearly lost it.  Wild Honey was a scorcher.  No YouTube video can really do it justice.  It rocked HARD.  Cowsill just shredding his vocal cords wailing and nailing it.  The guitar solo was also transcendent.  Even though it is by far the least known song near the end of the set and many didn't know the words it didn't clear the floor and those who didn't know it still danced their face off.  I can only guess it is placed where it is in the set as it is such a vocal shredder that putting it earlier would make it harder for John to sing parts afterwards.  Regardless it was a moment and a performance I won't soon forget.  Thanks Scott for getting it in there and John for knocking it out of the park.

I also really enjoyed Christian singing I Can Hear Music.  They have lowered the key significantly from when Carl and Cowsill sang it but it works as the vocal arrangement doesn't suffer and Christian's vocal tone is quite Carl-like here.  Mike looked as if he has lost a pound or two since the 3 reunion shows I saw in California last year round this time, and he was in great voice.  His bass part vocal work in particular floors me and the clear mix gave it a chance to shine.  He is a very good showman.  Bruce impresses me with his range as he still covers the super high falsetto bits on Fun, Fun, Fun and Surf City.  Plenty of great singers half his age can't nail those notes.  His lead on Do You Wanna Dance was great.  Nice Carl dedication for God Only Knows was classy too.  His lead on God Only knows seemed a bit reedy for me.  I'd like to hear Christian on that every once in a while as he can really channel Carl there as he did at the Reagan performance.  I do enjoy Bruce's vocals though and in a perfect world it would be great to hear him sing Disney Girls at every show.  Every time I have heard him sing it in the last few years it has been wonderful.  Randell sang great, he said he was fighting a bit of a sore throat, but it didn't show.  Tim got lots of applause as the token Canuck on stage and his keyboard work was nice.  John Cowsill is just a monster on the drums and elevates everything the band does.  Totten has really brought an integrity to the arrangements and both he and Cowsill's passion, technique and reverence for the original material make this show worth checking out every time the band is remotely near the area.  Thanks a bunch gents for being so generous with your time, it was great chatting with you.  I had chance to speak briefly with Mike (and Bruce), and thank him for a great show and told him that Wild Honey knocked me out and that I very nearly peed my pants it was so good.  He gave me a cheeky grin and recommended I wear depends undergarments next time.  Nice!  Thanks all of you for a great show and a super fun time.

Setlist:
Do It Again
Honda
Catch
It's OK
Surf City
Safari
Surfer Girl
Hear Music
Fools
Grow Up
Darlin
Don't Worry
Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
Get Around
Warmth
God
Vibes
Cal Dreamin
Sloop
Cal Girls
Nice
Kokomo
Rhonda
Rock Roll
Wanna Dance
Barbara Ann
Surfin USA
---------------
Wild Honey
Fun Fun Fun
 

I loved everything about the reunion tour (backing band, setlists, and of course seeing all the principals on stage together), but I still really enjoy hearing, and would go see ALL of the separate splintered acts as they all deliver for various different reasons.  I have a tough time understanding why any fans of The Beach Boys' music wouldn't go and check out these shows.  But different strokes I guess.  When played well as all of these acts do, the music is the star anyway.  I am going to catch a Brian, Al and David show later this summer as I am curious if it will be a standard Brian show with Al and David mostly on the sidelines or whether they are given more stage time.  Can't wait.  Catch 'em all while you can.  Won't last forever...  

[Sheriff John Stone]

Hey, Rich, thanks for taking the time in writing such a descriptive review. Sounds like it was a great show! As someone who saw an earlier show on the tour (4/7/13), I can vouch for everything you wrote. Catch 'em while you can!

[Rich Panteluk]

My pleasure Sheriff!  It really was a wonderful show.  I read your posts and enjoyed hearing about the concert you attended too!

[Nicko1234]

Thanks for that review. Nice to read that they are still changing the setlists a little.

Interesting to see which hits they cut like Come Go With Me, Be True to your School, In My Room, Dance Dance Dance etc.

[Mikie]

But then Mike talks about he and Brian writing the next song on the eve of the Kennedy assassination and they launched into a chilling version Warmth of the Sun.  

The story changes every other year. One time it was written on the eve of the assassination, then another time it was the day of the assassination.  Mike can't make up his mind.

Good job, Rich! 

[D409]

But then Mike talks about he and Brian writing the next song on the eve of the Kennedy assassination and they launched into a chilling version Warmth of the Sun.  

The story changes every other year. One time it was written on the eve of the assassination, then another time it was the day of the assassination.  Mike can't make up his mind.

Good job, Rich! 

Wasn't it written the day after the assassination as a reaction to the events ?

[Nicko1234]

Wasn't it written the day after the assassination as a reaction to the events ?

I don't think so. I've seen Brian say that but Mike always says that it was written before.

[Mikie]

I've always bought Fred Vail's account of the story:

http://forgottenhits.com/the_story_behind_the_warmth_of_the_sun

[Cabinessenceking]

that setlist would bore me to death. inclusion of WH is great though!

[Nicko1234]

that setlist would bore me to death. inclusion of WH is great though!

Yeah, those songs that Brian wrote are so boring aren't they. 

[Shady]

that setlist would bore me to death. inclusion of WH is great though!

I completely agree.

[RubberSoul13]

Very cool to see "Warmth of the sun" added along with "I can hear music" and "wild honey"- definitely hope they stick around!! And "darlin" 

Would like to see Disney Girls come back...

[filledeplage]

Thanks, Rich for that setlist and great post!

Wild Honey is a wailing, screaming encore! 

They are on a mighty roll!   

Thanks, again.   

[RubberSoul13]

Just got my tix for sun fest! I'll be seeing Mike & Bruce July 20th...Sept. 20th + 21st...I'm very much looking forward to it! My attitude has changed a lot since post-reunion.

[Lonely Summer]

Good setlist overall, but I've never understood why they think they need to do Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Sure, the Beach Boys covered in back in the day, but I always think Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers when I hear that song.

[STE]

Good setlist overall, but I've never understood why they think they need to do Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Sure, the Beach Boys covered in back in the day, but I always think Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers when I hear that song.

Mike loves it

[KittyKat]

Good setlist overall, but I've never understood why they think they need to do Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Sure, the Beach Boys covered in back in the day, but I always think Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers when I hear that song.

Mike loves it

I think Mike likes the original harmony arrangement that Brian conceived of back in the day that takes advantage of the Beach Boy harmony sound. He might also enjoy doing the bass vocal runs in the song.

[bonnevillemariner]

I thinking about taking my sons (ages 11, 9, 7) to a Casino gig near me next month.  Is the show pretty family friendly?  If you've gone to a casino gig, have you seen families at all? 

[RangeRoverA1]

I'm with you, Mr. Cowsill, you do sing like frog, Kermit or whoever. I too dislike your voice, like you, & indeed, it's no excuse.
Anyway, it's good you don't care about comments like this & "enjoy the show". As smb. stated, your easy attitude to critics must be lesson. You play drums really well. Singing give away to the fellow bandmates.

[ontor pertawst]

Kermit the Frog was a mid 70s pub rock artist that some claim "paved the way for punk," which I think is bullshit since he's a felt frog.

[Phoenix]

Here you go. "Wild Honey"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMtYa1QoawU

Wow!  I always preferred Blondie's rendition over Carl's and from the sound of it, Maybe John does, as well.     The similarity is astonishing!