Brian Wilson @ Cork, 4 July

[HeyJude]

To my ears the Hop Farm version sounded a lot harder than the Family and  Friends version and indeed the Blondie version from last year( although I can only confess to having heard clips via this board). I was stunned at the sheer  wall of sound generated by the band - there was also a heck of a lot going on vocally behind the lead vocal as well). Matt' s performance of it was closer to something out of some sixties soul band than anything else but as  I said in my review of the show the band sounded much more gritty and earthy to than previous times I have seen them. It has made me wonder a little if this heavier sound is something that might be replicated on some of the new tracks on Brian's new album given Joe Thomas' references to Wild Honey and CATP. In a general sense I wonder if Matt is going to bring a little more versatility to the table than Jeff and  that's why a change has taken place.

Well, Jeff quit, he wasn't fired, and I'm sure the album tracks, whatever they wind up being, were designed well before Matt Jardine was brought on board. I don't think Matt is that dramatically better than Jeff Foskett. From what I've heard of him over the years, he's adequate, but he's not the second coming of Smokey Robinson or something.

How would you possibly know which songs took what form before or after Matt sang on them? We haven't heard one note of the album yet. Additionally, even if the entire album was recorded and nearly finished before Matt set foot in the studio, how would that impact how he sounds singing on them?

[Jim Rockford]

I've said this a lot, but I really am looking forward to hearing this. I really think it's going to be great.

[KittyKat]

To my ears the Hop Farm version sounded a lot harder than the Family and  Friends version and indeed the Blondie version from last year( although I can only confess to having heard clips via this board). I was stunned at the sheer  wall of sound generated by the band - there was also a heck of a lot going on vocally behind the lead vocal as well). Matt' s performance of it was closer to something out of some sixties soul band than anything else but as  I said in my review of the show the band sounded much more gritty and earthy to than previous times I have seen them. It has made me wonder a little if this heavier sound is something that might be replicated on some of the new tracks on Brian's new album given Joe Thomas' references to Wild Honey and CATP. In a general sense I wonder if Matt is going to bring a little more versatility to the table than Jeff and  that's why a change has taken place.

Well, Jeff quit, he wasn't fired, and I'm sure the album tracks, whatever they wind up being, were designed well before Matt Jardine was brought on board. I don't think Matt is that dramatically better than Jeff Foskett. From what I've heard of him over the years, he's adequate, but he's not the second coming of Smokey Robinson or something.

How would you possibly know which songs took what form before or after Matt sang on them? We haven't heard one note of the album yet. Additionally, even if the entire album was recorded and nearly finished before Matt set foot in the studio, how would that impact how he sounds singing on them?

Whatnot, whatever. Point is, folks are saying the Brian band sounds dramatically better and I seriously doubt Matt Jardine makes a difference one way or the other.  I'm sure it would be the same if Jeff were there. It's the same band.

[Wirestone]

The falsetto is a pretty key element of the band. There have certainly been a fair share of people who who claim that Jeff ruined their ability to enjoy a BW solo show (and the C50 shows, for that matter). Is it so preposterous to claim that Matt could improve matters?

[ToneBender631]

To my ears the Hop Farm version sounded a lot harder than the Family and  Friends version and indeed the Blondie version from last year( although I can only confess to having heard clips via this board). I was stunned at the sheer  wall of sound generated by the band - there was also a heck of a lot going on vocally behind the lead vocal as well). Matt' s performance of it was closer to something out of some sixties soul band than anything else but as  I said in my review of the show the band sounded much more gritty and earthy to than previous times I have seen them. It has made me wonder a little if this heavier sound is something that might be replicated on some of the new tracks on Brian's new album given Joe Thomas' references to Wild Honey and CATP. In a general sense I wonder if Matt is going to bring a little more versatility to the table than Jeff and  that's why a change has taken place.

Well, Jeff quit, he wasn't fired, and I'm sure the album tracks, whatever they wind up being, were designed well before Matt Jardine was brought on board. I don't think Matt is that dramatically better than Jeff Foskett. From what I've heard of him over the years, he's adequate, but he's not the second coming of Smokey Robinson or something.

How would you possibly know which songs took what form before or after Matt sang on them? We haven't heard one note of the album yet. Additionally, even if the entire album was recorded and nearly finished before Matt set foot in the studio, how would that impact how he sounds singing on them?

Whatnot, whatever. Point is, folks are saying the Brian band sounds dramatically better and I seriously doubt Matt Jardine makes a difference one way or the other.  I'm sure it would be the same if Jeff were there. It's the same band.

In general, he sounds more youthful than Jeff (which makes sense) and he has a different delivery. So yes, the instrumentation is the same, but the vocal mix is decidedly not. I haven't seen Matt with Brian's band (other than he 8 videos currently on YT), but I did see him with Al's band and his vocals really brought quite a bit to the show.  

[SMiLE Brian]

And people were claiming Jeff made M&B so much better.

[tpesky]

Matt always blended better when singing BB harmonies. Having Brian and Al to blend with helps it sound better. Jeff's a great vocalist, but you will notice a big difference when Jeff left and Matt started  in the early 90s ( I refuse to admit the Adrian Baker years in there happened) .  Matt just blended better, it's that family thing.

[KittyKat]

Matt as a Beach Boy, doing harmony:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe577Ff6Lqc

Hard to tell how much of a difference he makes, due to the fact that Carl is still alive at this point, and Brian may still have been able to do falsetto back then.

[Mayoman]

God Only Knows from Hop Farm, nice performance, but there's a woman singing along from the audience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJeMeRGofmw&list=UUMydtP75ORffzrtNmV8lu7A

Don't Worry Baby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBCtl1jXHUQ&index=3&list=UUMydtP75ORffzrtNmV8lu7A

[Rich Panteluk]

I like Jeff Foskett's singing.  His solo albums are wonderful.  Especially Thru My Window.  That album is chock full of excellent tunes with great vocal performances.  But Matt Jardine's falsetto just feels like it belongs better in a Beach Boys stack.  It has the yearning quality of early Brian.  A bit more of the whine that carries much of the emotion for me.  I have heard Foskett, Kirsch, Baker and Matt Jardine live in person (where it counts) many many times over.  All very talented folks.  Matt would be my first choice if I could choose a dude for the high vocals in a fantasy Beach Boys line-up.  KittyKat's comments seem a bit odd not to realize what an important role Matt is stepping into (quite beautifully I might add).  To call his vocals "adequate" is nonsense. 

[tpesky]

Years ago, I believe on the old Male Ego board, Bruce was asked who was the best falsetto voice ( other than Brian) and he chose Matt, because of the blend . He said the others could sing well, but Matt took the blend to a different level.

[the professor]

Al seems to have forgotten his harmony part and thus sounds terrible. Maybe he's up an octave--sounds completely wrong.

Videos I found from Hop Farm today since there isn't a thread for that show:

Sloop John B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM8g-AU74v0

Do You Wanna Dance?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk-EyIcao5E

California Girls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AAE8-LaYug

[KittyKat]

I like Jeff Foskett's singing.  His solo albums are wonderful.  Especially Thru My Window.  That album is chock full of excellent tunes with great vocal performances.  But Matt Jardine's falsetto just feels like it belongs better in a Beach Boys stack.  It has the yearning quality of early Brian.  A bit more of the whine that carries much of the emotion for me.  I have heard Foskett, Kirsch, Baker and Matt Jardine live in person (where it counts) many many times over.  All very talented folks.  Matt would be my first choice if I could choose a dude for the high vocals in a fantasy Beach Boys line-up.  KittyKat's comments seem a bit odd not to realize what an important role Matt is stepping into (quite beautifully I might add).  To call his vocals "adequate" is nonsense. 

I guess I say adequate in comparison to the voice that Jeff had, which to me, is perfectly fine. So,in that sense, Jeff was adequate, too. I'm not sure any falsetto sounds as good outside a recording studio without some sweetening or double tracking or as part of a larger harmony. I found a YouTube clip of Jeff singing "Don't Worry Baby" from the Jeff Beck tour, and I'm not really sure why some people were so down on his falsetto. He sounded great to me. A little different sound than Matt, but they both manage to hit the very high notes.

I think Brian deserves credit for seeming unperturbed by the change of personnel, since people were worried he'd have a hard time without Jeff.

[guitarfool2002]

Al seems to have forgotten his harmony part and thus sounds terrible. Maybe he's up an octave--sounds completely wrong.

Videos I found from Hop Farm today since there isn't a thread for that show:

Sloop John B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM8g-AU74v0

Do You Wanna Dance?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk-EyIcao5E

California Girls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AAE8-LaYug

Which song are you referring to?

[Niko]

Al seems to have forgotten his harmony part and thus sounds terrible. Maybe he's up an octave--sounds completely wrong.

You're wrong the professor!!!  

[slickman9696]

And compare that recent clip of Don't Worry Baby to this older one almost 20 years ago. Matt's voice has more than held up. I love him in this group, but also love that Foskett is with M&B.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBNx2DuI3Vg

[HeyJude]

To my ears the Hop Farm version sounded a lot harder than the Family and  Friends version and indeed the Blondie version from last year( although I can only confess to having heard clips via this board). I was stunned at the sheer  wall of sound generated by the band - there was also a heck of a lot going on vocally behind the lead vocal as well). Matt' s performance of it was closer to something out of some sixties soul band than anything else but as  I said in my review of the show the band sounded much more gritty and earthy to than previous times I have seen them. It has made me wonder a little if this heavier sound is something that might be replicated on some of the new tracks on Brian's new album given Joe Thomas' references to Wild Honey and CATP. In a general sense I wonder if Matt is going to bring a little more versatility to the table than Jeff and  that's why a change has taken place.

Well, Jeff quit, he wasn't fired, and I'm sure the album tracks, whatever they wind up being, were designed well before Matt Jardine was brought on board. I don't think Matt is that dramatically better than Jeff Foskett. From what I've heard of him over the years, he's adequate, but he's not the second coming of Smokey Robinson or something.

How would you possibly know which songs took what form before or after Matt sang on them? We haven't heard one note of the album yet. Additionally, even if the entire album was recorded and nearly finished before Matt set foot in the studio, how would that impact how he sounds singing on them?

Whatnot, whatever. Point is, folks are saying the Brian band sounds dramatically better and I seriously doubt Matt Jardine makes a difference one way or the other.  I'm sure it would be the same if Jeff were there. It's the same band.

I'd say in many cases, especially with many BB songs, the falsetto is the most readily apparent harmony part. If someone in the harmony stack is going to sound different, the falsetto is most likely to. Matt doesn't make the band sound vastly deferent. But his falsetto is pretty different from Jeff. I've always preferred Matt's, and I've never had a problem with Jeff.

Jeff, for instance, often bends notes up to hit them, whereas Matt just sings then straight. Most obvious example is "I Get Around." Just a different way that I prefer, and happens to be closer to the way Brian used to sing it originally, though that isn't why I prefer it.

[tpesky]

Al seems to have forgotten his harmony part and thus sounds terrible. Maybe he's up an octave--sounds completely wrong.

Videos I found from Hop Farm today since there isn't a thread for that show:

Sloop John B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM8g-AU74v0

Do You Wanna Dance?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk-EyIcao5E

California Girls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AAE8-LaYug

on what song?

[guitarfool2002]

Al seems to have forgotten his harmony part and thus sounds terrible. Maybe he's up an octave--sounds completely wrong.

Videos I found from Hop Farm today since there isn't a thread for that show:

Sloop John B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM8g-AU74v0

Do You Wanna Dance?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk-EyIcao5E

California Girls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AAE8-LaYug

on what song?

Take a number...the service at this joint is slow, I've been waiting for that same answer for hours. 

[startBBtoday]

I would assume he meant Sloop John B based on watching the videos.

[tpesky]

If it's Sloop John B, then he didn't forget, that was his original live part! It's great to hear Al sing the higher part on the first chorus of Sloop John B again. He sounds like he did 35 years ago! That was his part from 1966-until about 1984.

[18thofMay]

Don't worry baby............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAZTzaQ-sSc#t=46

[KittyKat]

Yoko-rolled.

[18thofMay]

Yoko-rolled.

Sorry!

[Nicko1234]

I would say that it is all good for the fans...

Matt is a better singer than Jeff imo and he seems to have been given a lot of work to do in terms of both leads and falsettos.

Jeff does a good job on Don`t Worry Baby and while I don`t care for all of his falsetto parts, he will probably put a little more effort and enthusiasm in than Christian seemed to.