Mike and Bruce Tour 2015

[Mr. French]

  Mike & Bruce are playing a nice setlist.  Imagine our surprise at the time if the 80's Beach Boys had trotted out something like "Ballad of Ole Betsy"?  I'll be truly impressed if and when this band makes an attempt at "Surf's Up"!

[RubberSoul13]

Thirty seconds of "Here Today".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSF0t5aa30U&list=UUQThRLF3VrEXsl4yP-eYNaQ

I know it's just a 30 second clip...but I think we can take a lot from it!

First off, I think it further solidifies the report that Mike has a cold which seems totally evident...as is his reading of the lyrics on the floor...

Secondly, Bruce sounds GREAT! I like having the lead vocal split between them.

Hopefully this makes a return sometime soon...if they come close enough for me this year, this would surely be a highlight of the evening. The only real complaint (if you wanna call it that) is the band doesn't seem too into it...except Scott & John, as usual. Foskett looks incredibly bored...

COMMENT ---  He's not looking at lyrics (as if he needs them) on the floor, he's looking at the first three rows of people. It's a small venue. The only thing posted on the floor is the playlist.  The band may look bored to you, but remember this is the last song of the show. They've been singing and dancing around for two hours before you see this snip of time.
I would also comment that the sound is a direct feed. When you add in the acoustics of the hall (reverb and such) the sound will fill out and fill in.  Listen to the crowd reaction.  After the first short clip follows a three minute segment.  ~swd

I was referring to the clip of "Here Today"...not "Fun, Fun, Fun" which it sounds like is what you're describing. I'm not trying to be critical, I'm very much in approval of what Mike and Bruce are doing. I've seen their show five times and don't regret any of them!

[Cam Mott]

Stephen's 'review' of his night with old friends was an eye opener.  I've avoided 'the partial presentation' for years.  I'll have a chance to catch it this summer if everything works out as per the handshake agreement made up here.  The Desper 'thumbs up' is HARD to ignore or slough off.

Thanks Stephen.

COMMENT:

Thank you for your kind words. I did not write the review with any ulterior motives, but now that I see some of my fellow fans have delaying a trip to the theater to see the Beach Boys on one of their tours -- saying I'll catch the next one -- I'll make these further observations.

The first thing I noticed is how time has smoothed out Michael's stage delivery. He was very connected with the audience and more conjoined or personal with everyone. Sometimes he can be stand-of-ish, but I was amazed and happy to see Mike, even though he had a cold, interact with the audience in a very comfortable way. It was easy, or at ease -- he was at ease and made everyone at ease.

Bruce looked like he was genuinely having fun. He even did one of those jumps he does. Up in the air, then move the feet back and forth, then land on his feet and play the organ chord. Pretty good for his age!

The other members of the eight people on stage were quite capable of delivering good Beach Boy sounding harmonies . On the start of School Days this was most evident and on another entry where they did the entire song a cappella. The harmonies were excellent in blend and since I was in the center, spread across the stage quite convincingly. The group did give you that melt-in-your-mouth harmony blend.

The drummer, I don't know his name, would entertain any drum-addict. He had good rhythm and was animated and entertaining. When he added tasty and complex playing vamps, I was impressed. The sound of the drums was separated. I could hear each drum distinctly.

The lights were not over-done. They did compliment the stage action, but did not become the show themselves.

It was obvious to me that the entire show was in sync with the videos being projected behind the band on a large screen. This is not the way we did it when I mixed. But technology moves forward. This was something new for me.  However, I thought they pulled it off grandly. That is, I did not get any impression that the show was following a 'click-track' or cue of some kind. The show remained fluid and flowing without any sign of regimented timing. I guess that comes from having performed these songs for fifty years on stage. I said, 50 YEARS!  Can you believe it?

The bottom line for live concerts is: did the patrons get their moneys worth? Was the price of the ticket worth the time of entertainment. As a mixer, I must be very sensitive to this aspect of providing live entertainment to a crowd of thousands of listening souls. The audience reaction to the show I saw was fantastic -- and I've witnessed thousands of Beach Boy shows. These people were loving every moment of this experience. They were clapping, singing, dancing in their seats, and at one time Mike got out his phone and turned on the flashlight feature. As he sang, he moved the phone from side to side in rhythm. Everyone these days does not carry lighters, as in the past, but today everyone has cell phones. So thousands of cell phones came to be up-in-the-air, moving back-and-forth. I looked back at this display of stars-in-the-auditorium. People who did not have the flashlight feature on their cell, they used the screen light. It was so reminiscent of those concerts of, what now seems, so long ago -- when the lighters came out on ballads. Another bonding moment with Michael, as he continued to sing and jester with his cell phone for the entire song . . . the audience followed him to the end. It was an enjoyable moment for me and for all.  

So the question becomes, how much of a fan are you?  I would pay $100 per ticket for the show I saw, and I'm retired. I got comp tickets, and I think they were for fifty dollar seats. The place was packed. Bruce told me (he and I have always discussed monetary issues between us) that they make an extra $20,000 for the meet-and-greet sales of tickets. That's $500 gets you to the sound check, to eat with the crew and be visited by both Michael and Bruce, a signed poster, very good seats, a back-stage pass and a visit to the dressing room area after the show. That's forty VIP tickets to sell. He says they go fast.

As I said in the last post, consider the age of these guys. Out of six Beach Boys (the one's I know) two have gone to more advanced harmonies, Brian has his own band, and Alan is content to make guest appearances in major venues, so that leaves Michael Love and Bruce Johnston to carry the Beach Boy surfboard.  

That's reality. Take it LIVE while you can. The show is excellent. If you like the music, you will like the show.

~SWD

Thank you Stephen for your dose of reality. Sometimes we get stuck in our prejudices.

What was your first concert in service to the Beach Boys? Do you remember the city and or the supporting bands?

[Autotune]

It is indeed refreshing to read Stephen's review.

And I'm digging that Here Today clip. I think cold or not, Mike's vocal remains compelling and essential to the song.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I guess Mike realizes that he has some limitations as a composer Rob.  Pretty hard to measure up musically or with vocal arrangements compared to those of that Brian guy.  So why try and fake it or pull one over on the public?  What would that do for the Beach Boys image?  [or for Mikes's and the touring band's bottom line?]  So then...Mike is going to have to re-imagine Wilson or he's going to have to forget the solo thing.  He has a handful of tunes which would supplement the rest.  That tribute to George Harrison he wrote...Pieces Brother is it?...went over well when he presented it for scrutiny at the event he 'did' up here in November.  They play it live as the Beach Boys too.

Stephen's 'review' of his night with old friends was an eye opener.  I've avoided 'the partial presentation' for years.  I'll have a chance to catch it this summer if everything works out as per the handshake agreement made up here.  The Desper 'thumbs up' is HARD to ignore or slough off.

Thanks Stephen.

I get your point and no offense but he is already faking it calling his solo act "The Beach Boys".

And this is precisely why a quarantine sub board is not an unreasonable suggestion. 

[Mayoman]

Found a clip of Cottonfields from last night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR6qxFNutmo

[SonoraDick]

Here's a link to the album of concert photos from the January 3 show I posted on flickr.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sonoradick/sets/72157650081526906/

[MZ6]

I don't post here all that often and I don't know if Scott Bennett will see this or not (and in the greater scheme of things, I guess it doesn't matter...heh) but I'd like to say that based on what I've heard via YouTube - and not taking anything away from anyone who has come before - that Scott has done an outstanding job (rhetorical question, but how do you make it sound so 'big'?) with the Beach Boys - so much so, I'd love to hear/see them if they ever come to Scotland in the future.
Couple of specific questions/comments: great guitar playing, that while different from Carl still manages to sit in there and 'swing'. Also, during the 50th tour - was that a pull-string on Cottonfields? Either way it was cool and the icing on the cake.
And generally, thanks for treating that music with the respect it deserves.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Scott Bennett ?

Beach Boys ??

Am I missing something here

[MZ6]

Scott Bennett ?

Beach Boys ??

Am I missing something here And you know you're not.

No, you're not missing anything.
Yes, I mistook the names 'Totten' and 'Bennett'. I  have long term memory issues, but I won't make that an excuse and so I apologise to both Scott Totten and Bennett. However, pointing that out in the manner you did is so typical of you, Andy.
I hope your interruption and my own reply to doesn't detract from my sincere appreciation of Scott's approach to the gig.

[bgas]

Scott Bennett ?

Beach Boys ??

Am I missing something here And you know you're not.

No, you're not missing anything.
Yes, I mistook the names 'Totten' and 'Bennett'. I  have long term memory issues, but I won't make that an excuse and so I apologise to both Scott Totten and Bennett. However, pointing that out in the manner you did is so typical of you, Andy.
I hope your interruption and my own reply to doesn't detract from my sincere appreciation of Scott's approach to the gig.

Gee whillkers!  You screw up the names and feel chuffed with this VERY mild rebuke?  I can see why you don't post here that often.  THAT was NOTHING....
I'd offer you should best be careful when changing the details of someone's post inside quotes.

[runnersdialzero]

Scott Bennett ?

Beach Boys ??

Am I missing something here And you know you're not.

No, you're not missing anything.
Yes, I mistook the names 'Totten' and 'Bennett'. I  have long term memory issues, but I won't make that an excuse and so I apologise to both Scott Totten and Bennett. However, pointing that out in the manner you did is so typical of you, Andy.
I hope your interruption and my own reply to doesn't detract from my sincere appreciation of Scott's approach to the gig.

Gee whillkers!  You screw up the names and feel chuffed with this VERY mild rebuke?  I can see why you don't post here that often.  THAT was NOTHING....
I'd offer you should best be careful when changing the details of someone's post inside quotes.

He obviously didn't mean to change the quote.
You are rude and crude, bigass.

[bgas]

Scott Bennett ?

Beach Boys ??

Am I missing something here And you know you're not.

No, you're not missing anything.
Yes, I mistook the names 'Totten' and 'Bennett'. I  have long term memory issues, but I won't make that an excuse and so I apologise to both Scott Totten and Bennett. However, pointing that out in the manner you did is so typical of you, Andy.
I hope your interruption and my own reply to doesn't detract from my sincere appreciation of Scott's approach to the gig.

Gee whillkers!  You screw up the names and feel chuffed with this VERY mild rebuke?  I can see why you don't post here that often.  THAT was NOTHING....
I'd offer you should best be careful when changing the details of someone's post inside quotes.

He obviously didn't mean to change the quote.
You are rude and crude, bigass.

And how would you know that dumbfuck?

[Dave in KC]

oh boy, here we go..........!!

[runnersdialzero]

Scott Bennett ?

Beach Boys ??

Am I missing something here And you know you're not.

No, you're not missing anything.
Yes, I mistook the names 'Totten' and 'Bennett'. I  have long term memory issues, but I won't make that an excuse and so I apologise to both Scott Totten and Bennett. However, pointing that out in the manner you did is so typical of you, Andy.
I hope your interruption and my own reply to doesn't detract from my sincere appreciation of Scott's approach to the gig.

Gee whillkers!  You screw up the names and feel chuffed with this VERY mild rebuke?  I can see why you don't post here that often.  THAT was NOTHING....
I'd offer you should best be careful when changing the details of someone's post inside quotes.

He obviously didn't mean to change the quote.
You are rude and crude, bigass.

And how would you know that dumbfuck?

Because I can read words and it's obvious "You know you're not" is a response to Andrew asking "Am I missing something here," you BUTTKNOCKER.

[Lee Marshall]

You know...there really was NO need to be rude to the guy to begin with.  We all make mistakes.

Lighten up boys.

[Sam_BFC]

Scott Bennett ?

Beach Boys ??

Am I missing something here And you know you're not.

No, you're not missing anything.
Yes, I mistook the names 'Totten' and 'Bennett'. I  have long term memory issues, but I won't make that an excuse and so I apologise to both Scott Totten and Bennett. However, pointing that out in the manner you did is so typical of you, Andy.
I hope your interruption and my own reply to doesn't detract from my sincere appreciation of Scott's approach to the gig.

Gee whillkers!  You screw up the names and feel chuffed with this VERY mild rebuke?  I can see why you don't post here that often.  THAT was NOTHING....
I'd offer you should best be careful when changing the details of someone's post inside quotes.

He obviously didn't mean to change the quote.
You are rude and crude, bigass.

And how would you know that dumbfuck?

Because I can read words and it's obvious "You know you're not" is a response to Andrew asking "Am I missing something here," you BUTTKNOCKER.

No homophobic terms please 

[runnersdialzero]

Because I can read words and it's obvious "You know you're not" is a response to Andrew asking "Am I missing something here," you BUTTKNOCKER.

No homophobic terms please 

Erm, I didn't.

[guitarfool2002]

Best to call a timeout, go back to your respective corners, etc. Deep breaths all around, no flaming from here on out, end it now before it unnecessarily gets really ugly. No more altering quoted posts, no more name-calling, the whole bit - so no more of it all around.

What I'd suggest is if there are still issues, take them off the board via PM and hash them out one-to-one. It looks like one of these flare-ups was a misunderstanding, might be good to reach out off the board and clear the air.

 

[runnersdialzero]

Best to call a timeout, go back to your respective corners, etc. Deep breaths all around, no flaming from here on out, end it now before it unnecessarily gets really ugly. No more altering quoted posts, no more name-calling, the whole bit - so no more of it all around.

What I'd suggest is if there are still issues, take them off the board via PM and hash them out one-to-one. It looks like one of these flare-ups was a misunderstanding, might be good to reach out off the board and clear the air.

 

I wasn't even mad, I thought it was pretty hilarious that he called me a "dumbfuck" outta nowhere like that.

NOW GIVE ME A HUG.

[guitarfool2002]

I was just watching some reruns of "Entourage" this past week, for some reason, so the phrase "hug it out" is fresh in my mind...   Good advice, actually.

[Mikie]

Best to call a timeout, go back to your respective corners, etc. Deep breaths all around, no flaming from here on out, end it now before it unnecessarily gets really ugly. No more altering quoted posts, no more name-calling, the whole bit - so no more of it all around.

What I'd suggest is if there are still issues, take them off the board via PM and hash them out one-to-one. It looks like one of these flare-ups was a misunderstanding, might be good to reach out off the board and clear the air.

 

I wasn't even mad, I thought it was pretty hilarious that he called me a "dumbfuck" outta nowhere like that.

NOW GIVE ME A HUG.

I was offended by reading Bgas' post, and not just because of the word, or name "dumbfuck", that he used (which is actually two words).  Bgas' correct spelling, or lack thereof, has stooped to an all time low with his spelling of the centuries old term "gee willikers". Let me clarify:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gee+willikers

http://www.word-detective.com/2013/07/gee-willikers/

[bgas]

Best to call a timeout, go back to your respective corners, etc. Deep breaths all around, no flaming from here on out, end it now before it unnecessarily gets really ugly. No more altering quoted posts, no more name-calling, the whole bit - so no more of it all around.

What I'd suggest is if there are still issues, take them off the board via PM and hash them out one-to-one. It looks like one of these flare-ups was a misunderstanding, might be good to reach out off the board and clear the air.

 

I wasn't even mad, I thought it was pretty hilarious that he called me a "dumbfuck" outta nowhere like that.

NOW GIVE ME A HUG.

I was offended by reading Bgas' post, and not just because of the word, or name "dumbfuck", that he used (which is actually two words).  Bgas' correct spelling, or lack thereof, has stooped to an all time low with his spelling of the centuries old term "gee willikers". Let me clarify:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gee+willikers

http://www.word-detective.com/2013/07/gee-willikers/

Gee Mikie, I propose you check on alot of these first:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/27/messages/323.html

http://www.yourdictionary.com/gee-whillikers

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/whillikers

http://tureng.com/search/gee%20whillikers

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gee%20whillikers

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gee_whillikers 

https://www.pinterest.com/roo93/gee-whillikers-batman/

https://www.wordnik.com/words/gee%20whillikers

[Mikie]

Well, gee, Mr. Alot, check these out:

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gee_willikers

https://www.wordnik.com/words/gee%20willikers

www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/spose/geewillikers.html

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080921002559AAcxT82

http://www.yourdictionary.com/gee-willikers

http://www.wordwizard.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2462

https://www.facebook.com/gee.willikers.50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQnNRUfbY-M

[bgas]

Well, gee, Mr. Alot, check these out:

http://www.wordwizard.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2462

I did, I DID check this one!!!!! 
and since I know you did also, I know that you know from reading alot of the responses that the third and fourth entries refer to the Cassell Dictionary of Slang, which correctly spells the phrase as Gee wHillkers...