So who's been to BAD and M&B this summer?

[If Mars had life on it...]

I saw Brian in Atlantic City on July 20th and tonight saw Mike at Turning Stone Casino in New York.  Very interesting to compare the two shows having seen them only a few weeks apart.  I went to both shows with the same two people.  I will say that I am definitely a Brian guy and have been for about 15 years.  I jokingly call him my "spiritual leader" to my friends when he comes up.  I think the world of his talent and life story. 

I also gained a ton of respect for Mike last summer at the 4 C50 shows I attended, (2 from the front row).  I never realized what a fantastic front man he is and imo strong and distinct singer.  I felt he totally connected with the audience in each of the 4 appearances I saw.  To me Bruce is almost a non factor, however I will give him credit for Disney Girls, it was pretty good (and that mic adjusting thing is no joke, it was a bit distracting)

Now to 2013.  I really didn't know what to expect from the Brian show but was crazily excited to get another chance to see him. 

I was totally blown away.  The experience had a magic to it.  My folks felt the same thing. 
Even my casual fan father noticed how invested the band appeared to be in doing this music justice which they did.  To see Al and David so actively engaged and sounding so good is precious to any BB fan.  Talk about authentic Beach Boys sound.

Then there's the crowd.  There is so much love (ha, no pun intended) in the air.  The love for this music and for Brian.  You can't deny it.  I feel like there's almost this undertone of - a bunch of people who all share this one thing in common coming together in the name of this music (call it what you will).  And then here's the guy who had to and continues to fight with demons to bring it to the world.  A guy who has truly beat the odds and stands as an inspiration of survival.  And a guy who has a god given gift for music at the center of it all giving it his blessing. 

Brian, the band, Al and David gave one hell of a show.  Everything you would hope to get from great art.  Life affirming.  Actually felt privileged to be a witness.  I'm really trying not to overdue this, but it was a great experience.

Mike's show.  Great band in and of itself.  Scott Totten has serious chops.  For me though, the star is John Cowsill.  Not only is he a great drummer, he has an incredible voice!  He could have his own band.  Also Christian Love sounded fantastic.  Compared though with C50 and Brian's, I must say it doesn't sound quite as full to me.  Not having winds is a big loss for me.  I also didn't think the vocal harmonies were as lush.  I'm not a huge fan of Jeff's falsetto but I thought he outdid Mike's guy.  The set list was pretty predictable and started exactly as the C50 shows did.  I was surprised that Mike didn't seem as personable as he did the other times I saw him.  I expected more banter from him.  Mike sounded fantastic imo.  Very strong, amazing for 72.  I just didn't get the same "magic" that i did from Brian's show.  The crowd at the Mike show was pretty subdued, very little dancing until the last few songs.  (The idiotic set up im sure had something to do with this as we sat at tables, ugh!) 

A couple things that annoyed me.  Mike never mentioned Brian even once and seemed to make a point of not showing Brian in pictures on the video screen with the exception of album covers.  However, Mike did make a point to stop the show and tell the audience that his friend John Stamos will be turning 50 on the 19th and showed a couple full screen pictures of the guy.  Seriously?

Then Bruce tells everyone how they're doing this new video thing and asks the crowd how they like it?  Huh?  All i noticed was a smaller low budget looking screen from the last time i saw them.  Why mention that?  They went on to play to Carl and God Only Knows, a real highlight.  Then they never played to Dennis.  I found that a little curious. 

Stupid beach balls, how annoying.  Several at Mike's, none at Brian.     

So conclusion?  Mike's show was good.  Not to disrespect the musicians at all but I can see how Mike is very business conscious in the way he puts his show together.

Brian's show seemed like it was done more for the music itself with a cast of incredibly talented and devoted artists.  One of the best shows I've ever been to.  Can't wait for October!

 PS  accidentally got to chat with a smiley smiler, enjoyed it.   

[Gabo]

I'm saw Brian for the first time at Ravinia and loved it. I'm also going to see Mike and Juice for the first time at some county fair in Wisconsin. I know I probably won't like it as much, but who knows how much longer they will tour for.

[bossaroo]

it's really tough to defend or attend Mike & Bruce's act. no mention of Brian or Dennis, but a shout-out and video images of Stamos? what an embarrassment.

Brian's show was a little more hit-heavy than I had hoped but that's what most people want/expect to hear. I get it. Can't really complain when they played everything from Our Prayer and Little Bird to Old Man River and Your Imagination. Al and Dave just add that much more heart and soul to the proceedings, which are already brimming with love for Brian as was stated.
 

the two acts really don't compare. maybe each has its place, but Mike really shouldn't have exclusive rights to the band name.

honestly though, if that's what it takes to see Brian, Al, and David WITHOUT Mike & Bruce, I will gladly take it every time. They actually detract from the BB experience imo and I much prefer them off on their own stage at SeaWorld or wherever. let 'em go. Mike's ego is just too big to share the spotlight with, and Bruce is just so... Bruce.

[Gabo]

I don't know why people give Mike's shows such a hard time. He's a true artist and his consistently creative set lists testifies to it.

[Nicko1234]

I don't know why people give Mike's shows such a hard time. He's a true artist and his consistently creative set lists testifies to it.

Setlists which are not dissimilar to the BAD setlists.

[Micha]

Not having winds is a big loss for me.

Sorry, couldn't resist!

[SMiLE Brian]

A couple things that annoyed me.  Mike never mentioned Brian even once and seemed to make a point of not showing Brian in pictures on the video screen with the exception of album covers.  However, Mike did make a point to stop the show and tell the audience that his friend John Stamos will be turning 50 on the 19th and showed a couple full screen pictures of the guy.  Seriously?

Wow, this is a problem with M&B that makes me dislike them a bit. There is more respect for Stamos than the creator of the music Mike sings. Plus add the tribute only to Carl.

[Sheriff John Stone]

A couple things that annoyed me.  Mike never mentioned Brian even once...    

Other than a sarcastic one-liner from Jardine, did Brian, Al, or David ever mention Mike?

[Gertie J.]

no denny tribute?!?! 

[Gohi]

honestly though, if that's what it takes to see Brian, Al, and David WITHOUT Mike & Bruce, I will gladly take it every time. They actually detract from the BB experience imo and I much prefer them off on their own stage at SeaWorld or wherever. let 'em go. Mike's ego is just too big to share the spotlight with, and Bruce is just so... Bruce.

Truth.

[HeyJude]

Wow, so Carl appears now at Mike's Beach Boys shows but three other living members don't? I can never say a shout out and tribute to Carl is a bad thing in any way, but that's kinda funny.

[drbeachboy]

A couple things that annoyed me.  Mike never mentioned Brian even once...    

Other than a sarcastic one-liner from Jardine, did Brian, Al, or David ever mention Mike?

You have to remember that in here it is only bad when Mike does or doesn't do something. Brian? He gets a pass because, he's Brian. I haven't seen both shows, only Brian's in Atlantic City. It really did make a difference having Al & David on stage. It really did feel more like The Beach Boys than any time since Carl passed, except for last year, of course.

[donald]

I saw Mike and Bruce in June near San Jose CA.  John Cowsill was once again on fire.  Excellent show.  At least as good as I have ever seen them.  Have tickets to see them again next month.  They are that good.
I really enjoyed hearing Isn't It Time and Wild Honey performed live. 


Also, I am Presently surfing for tickets to the October Wilson-Beck/BAD show in DC.

Anybody here bought tickets for that venue yet?  Do you have any suggestions for the best site to purchase tickets?  I'm not sure if the Warner box office sells tickets directly to the public via phone or if I have to buy from ticket master.

[Rocky Raccoon]

A couple things that annoyed me.  Mike never mentioned Brian even once...    

Other than a sarcastic one-liner from Jardine, did Brian, Al, or David ever mention Mike?

Mike didn't write and arrange the songs they perform.

[EgoHanger1966]

Not that I've ever seen M&B (besides in the C50 lineup), but don't knock them until you've seen 'California Sun - The Tribute Band'. Started a thread about them a few days ago. Went and saw them in a park and it was just the most awful thing I've ever seen. They played live on top of tracks - drummer and all, which meant they were out of sync some of the time and the sounds didn't match up. I knew the words better than the lead singer, who actually had a lyric sheet in front of him!!! So, yeah, if I ever get to see M&B, I will have such a deep appreciation that they have a semblance of professionalism and that they respect the music that I love.

[drbeachboy]

A couple things that annoyed me.  Mike never mentioned Brian even once...    

Other than a sarcastic one-liner from Jardine, did Brian, Al, or David ever mention Mike?

Mike didn't write and arrange the songs they perform.

Didn't write any? Seriously? Come on, now!

Comments like this are what got AGD banned for a month.

[lee]

It's a bit of a different situation though. It makes sense for "The Beach Boys" to make a mention of Brian Wilson who had a tiny bit more to do with the band than Stamos did.

Brian's show is exactly that. It's Brian Wilson with guests Al Jardine and David Marks. There is no point in mentioning Mike. Brian, Al and David aren't touring as The Beach Boys.

[leggo of my ego]

A couple things that annoyed me.  Mike never mentioned Brian even once and seemed to make a point of not showing Brian in pictures on the video screen with the exception of album covers.  However, Mike did make a point to stop the show and tell the audience that his friend John Stamos will be turning 50 on the 19th and showed a couple full screen pictures of the guy.  Seriously?

Wow, this is a problem with M&B that makes me dislike them a bit. There is more respect for Stamos than the creator of the music Mike sings. Plus add the tribute only to Carl.

Classy.

But if M&B showed up close enough to me I would give it a whirl. especially at the Belterra so we could dine at Jeff Ruby's before the show!  Yum!

[Sheriff John Stone]

A couple things that annoyed me.  Mike never mentioned Brian even once...    

Other than a sarcastic one-liner from Jardine, did Brian, Al, or David ever mention Mike?

Mike didn't write and arrange the songs they perform.

On my old albums, a couple dozen of those songs say B. Wilson / M. Love 

[drbeachboy]

It's a bit of a different situation though. It makes sense for "The Beach Boys" to make a mention of Brian Wilson who had a tiny bit more to do with the band than Stamos did.

Brian's show is exactly that. It's Brian Wilson with guests Al Jardine and David Marks. There is no point in mentioning Mike. Brian, Al and David aren't touring as The Beach Boys.

What happened could have been one show only. Mike mentions "Cousin Brian" quite a bit. Man, do we nit pick or what. It has to be from boredom, I suppose.

[lee]

I was just commenting on someone else's post. I don't expect Mike to mention or praise Brian at every show.

[Nicko1234]

Mike has indeed praised Brian at every show that I`ve seen.

[donald]

As I recall, Mike regularly refers to "cousin Brian" during a song introduction at some point in a show.

[RubberSoul13]

I can't wait till I can truly weigh in on this topic in October after seeing Brian etc.

BUT I have seen M&B once this year, and have two more shows coming in September and can at least say...they show is better than it was Pre-C50 but obviously, it is not better than last year. Still, definitely worth seeing if you have the chance!

[zachrwolfe]

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