State of the surviving voices

[hypehat]

Nice vocal performance by Darian...but isn't this a Brian Wilson concert?  What's Darian doing singing this song?

I suppose they are a band after all and it's nice, but still a little jarring.

Comments like these make me want to stick rusty forks into my eyes.

I LIKED Darian's performance! Look!

Wirestone, you weren't kidding - Darian's ON FIRE with this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIpYRGIhMmA

'A little jarring' does not mean 'BRIAN WILSON IS GOD'. It just means i was surprised when Brian gave away those leads. I understand why - They're hardly easy songs to sing - but it's the first time that'd happened in 9 years of touring... I wouldn't want a misunderstanding to be cause of any gouging

[Wirestone]

Brian's not god -- he's just a hard-working deity.

I looked at it this way. When Al does shows, he hands off several leads to other folks in his band. When Mike does shows, he does the same. And his band is "The Beach Boys," and the people singing those leads are definitely not Beach Boys.

Brian handing out leads to other folks in his band wasn't totally out of thin air. Foskett has sung half-leads since the beginning (Kiss Me Baby was essentially a duet between him and Brian). Taylor has had small solo spots recently, as has Scott. And it's all being done for the right reason -- the music.  Darlin' was only played on the fall tour because Darian could sing it, and Jeff handling Don't Worry Baby is the only way you can hear it in its original key.

I guess the context is important, too. Brian was stoked watching Darian perform. He was excited to introduce Jeff's leads. He made Paul Mertens recite the Monster Mash. At least when I saw the fall '09 shows, this wasn't a case of Brian being lazy or out of it. Indeed, he was more involved in the shows than he'd been, well -- ever. He seemed thrilled to hear younger voices with the music, and he played keyboard throughout the songs.

I was also grumpy this morning. My eyes are fine for now. 

[Awesoman]

Brian's not god -- he's just a hard-working deity.

I looked at it this way. When Al does shows, he hands off several leads to other folks in his band. When Mike does shows, he does the same. And his band is "The Beach Boys," and the people singing those leads are definitely not Beach Boys.

Brian handing out leads to other folks in his band wasn't totally out of thin air. Foskett has sung half-leads since the beginning (Kiss Me Baby was essentially a duet between him and Brian). Taylor has had small solo spots recently, as has Scott. And it's all being done for the right reason -- the music.  Darlin' was only played on the fall tour because Darian could sing it, and Jeff handling Don't Worry Baby is the only way you can hear it in its original key.

I guess the context is important, too. Brian was stoked watching Darian perform. He was excited to introduce Jeff's leads. He made Paul Mertens recite the Monster Mash. At least when I saw the fall '09 shows, this wasn't a case of Brian being lazy or out of it. Indeed, he was more involved in the shows than he'd been, well -- ever. He seemed thrilled to hear younger voices with the music, and he played keyboard throughout the songs.

I was also grumpy this morning. My eyes are fine for now. 

I think we're all making more out of this than is necessary; my point is if you're billing the show as "Brian Wilson" and not "Brian Wilson & The Wondermints" (and I dunno, maybe it was billed as such...therefore, this would all be moot), it's kind of a copout when Brian let's the backup band take over with lead vocals.  Not the end of the world though and Darian certainly sang the hell out of "Darlin'".  And taking off my Beach Boys fan cap for a second, Brian Wilson is simply not a very good singer or performer.  Yeah we give him a big pass on this since he's Brian Wilson, but the curious non-fan isn't going to be so understanding of his "deer in the headlights" stare or the rather awkward hand gestures.  After all, it's saying a lot that we praise him for singing notes *in tune* when he sings live.

[Awesoman]

There are others in the pantheon of Beachboys voices who can do the high parts..........Jeffrey, Matt, Randall, and a couple of others on certain songs.

You also have Adrian Baker, but should a reunion occur, I'm kind of hoping Baker's got a dentist appointment that day...

[Wylson]

Anyone else think Darlin' is just not that great a song?

[Aegir]

You might not want to galo on the performance of Don't Worry Baby from the same show then....

What is this glitch?  Is everybody having the same problem.  Is everybody seeing the word 'galo' here?  It seems to happen whenever someone uses one of these words.  I'll type each word with a space between each letter, and then type the same word normally:

C h i c k
galo

C h u c k
galo

C h e c k
galo

WTF?

galo, galo, galo

EDIT: LOL

I think galo means rooster, right? But typing in "c*ck" doesn't get censored.

[Nicko]

I think there is a big difference between how some of the guys sound on studio recordings and how they can actually sing. I'm not sure I ever want to hear Brian attempt 'The Like in I Love You' live for example.

[Pretty Funky]

Anyone else think Darlin' is just not that great a song?

Ok song on the album but GREAT Live IMO. Relisten to Knebworth version.

[runnersdialzero]

Nice vocal performance by Darian...but isn't this a Brian Wilson concert?  What's Darian doing singing this song?

I suppose they are a band after all and it's nice, but still a little jarring.

Comments like these make me want to stick rusty forks into my eyes.

Why? Sorry, I go to a Brian Wilson concert to hear Brian Wilson sing. Not that hard to figure out, really.

I honestly don't mind Darian's vocal here - he doesn't sound too bad. I absolutely loathe Foskett's "Don't Worry Baby" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" though. I do not go to Brian Wilson concerts to hear that.

[the captain]

I do. So there you have it: can't please everyone.

[runnersdialzero]

I do. So there you have it: can't please everyone.

Oho!

Matt Jardine would be a thousand times better for Brian's higher parts, anyway.

I'm sorry, but I just can't stand his voice. Dude absolutely ruins the BWPS versions of "Good Vibrations", too, and "Wonderful" isn't so good because of it, either.

[phirnis]

Anyone else think Darlin' is just not that great a song?

I like it, though it's never been one of my favourites. Personally I prefer "Thinkin' Bout You Baby" (both versions).

[Wirestone]

People can't stand Brian's concerts when he sings all the way through.

They can't stand his concerts when other members of the band sing.

They don't like it when he tours a lot because he's forced to do it.

They don't like it when he doesn't tour, because they don't get to see him.

They don't like it when he records without autotune because he botches notes.

They don't like it when he records with it because he sounds fake.

They don't like it when he records all the vocals himself because he sounds like "robo Brian."

They don't like it when his band records vocals with him because it sounds bland.

There are honestly folks here who would not be satisfied unless Brian magically became 40 years younger, strapped on a bass, brought Carl and Dennis back to life and toured 300 days a year with the band -- while simultaneously staying home and recording avant garde masterworks while at the same time never collaborating with anyone except Mike on surfing classics.

Those rusty forks are looking mighty tempting ...

[Runaways]

I do. So there you have it: can't please everyone.

Oho!

Matt Jardine would be a thousand times better for Brian's higher parts, anyway.

I'm sorry, but I just can't stand his voice. Dude absolutely ruins the BWPS versions of "Good Vibrations", too, and "Wonderful" isn't so good because of it, either.

disagree on him ruining those songs.  Wonderful in BWPS is my definitive version. love it

[Nicko]

People can't stand Brian's concerts when he sings all the way through.

They can't stand his concerts when other members of the band sing.

They don't like it when he tours a lot because he's forced to do it.

They don't like it when he doesn't tour, because they don't get to see him.

They don't like it when he records without autotune because he botches notes.

They don't like it when he records with it because he sounds fake.

They don't like it when he records all the vocals himself because he sounds like "robo Brian."

They don't like it when his band records vocals with him because it sounds bland.

There are honestly folks here who would not be satisfied unless Brian magically became 40 years younger, strapped on a bass, brought Carl and Dennis back to life and toured 300 days a year with the band -- while simultaneously staying home and recording avant garde masterworks while at the same time never collaborating with anyone except Mike on surfing classics.

Those rusty forks are looking mighty tempting ...

Yeah, it's terrible when other people have opinions...

[the captain]

People can't stand Brian's concerts when he sings all the way through.

They can't stand his concerts when other members of the band sing.

They don't like it when he tours a lot because he's forced to do it.

They don't like it when he doesn't tour, because they don't get to see him.

They don't like it when he records without autotune because he botches notes.

They don't like it when he records with it because he sounds fake.

They don't like it when he records all the vocals himself because he sounds like "robo Brian."

They don't like it when his band records vocals with him because it sounds bland.

There are honestly folks here who would not be satisfied unless Brian magically became 40 years younger, strapped on a bass, brought Carl and Dennis back to life and toured 300 days a year with the band -- while simultaneously staying home and recording avant garde masterworks while at the same time never collaborating with anyone except Mike on surfing classics.

Those rusty forks are looking mighty tempting ...

I said it in fewer words. 

[TdHabib]

People can't stand Brian's concerts when he sings all the way through.

They can't stand his concerts when other members of the band sing.

They don't like it when he tours a lot because he's forced to do it.

They don't like it when he doesn't tour, because they don't get to see him.

They don't like it when he records without autotune because he botches notes.

They don't like it when he records with it because he sounds fake.

They don't like it when he records all the vocals himself because he sounds like "robo Brian."

They don't like it when his band records vocals with him because it sounds bland.

There are honestly folks here who would not be satisfied unless Brian magically became 40 years younger, strapped on a bass, brought Carl and Dennis back to life and toured 300 days a year with the band -- while simultaneously staying home and recording avant garde masterworks while at the same time never collaborating with anyone except Mike on surfing classics.

Those rusty forks are looking mighty tempting ...

Great post Clay, should be engraved on a wall.

[Pretty Funky]

And....

They don't like it when he won't reunite with the Beach Boys.

They won't like it when he reunites with the Beach Boys.

[the captain]

Seriously, though, it's as easy as that there isn't a "the fans," there are lots of fans, each a fan for different reasons (or at least largely aggregated into several primary reasons). So it can get frustrating and easy to think "there's no pleasing these people." But that should be obvious. It's not ONE PERSON who's never happy, after all. It's a huge group, some of which will ALWAYS be unhappy just because it's a big fuckin group with diverse interests and tastes. And sadly, you're not all capable of having my perfect taste.

[Nicko]

Seriously, though, it's as easy as that there isn't a "the fans," there are lots of fans, each a fan for different reasons (or at least largely aggregated into several primary reasons). So it can get frustrating and easy to think "there's no pleasing these people." But that should be obvious. It's not ONE PERSON who's never happy, after all. It's a huge group, some of which will ALWAYS be unhappy just because it's a big fuckin group with diverse interests and tastes.

Well, exactly.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who think that a Brian show should only have him singing leads whilst plenty of others want to hear the variety of having his band members taking more vocal responsibility. Both valid opinions.

[Rob Dean]

Sorry guys and gals BUT yes we all have valid points BUT we would all pay top £/$ 's to see this , would we not ?  and we would all fall over each other to be sat in the front row next to Bruce !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christ I know I would , blimey its been 30 Years since Knebworth (for me) to see other Boys on stage with Brian (who I have seen some 30+ times since).................
Just as a personal wish , sod Cowsill I WANT THE DRUM SEAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats of course if Ricky can't make it !!

[Wirestone]

Yes, Luther, you are absolutely right. And you were far more succinct than I. 

I am one of the "pleased with what I gets," and have ever been thus. I think the last 15 years or so have been an astonishing time. The online fans have almost entirely turned over in during that time -- and what was once counted as gospel (people once thought of Sweet Insanity as an unreleased classic) is no longer true.

Which is good in many ways. And frustrating in others. I love you all anyway.

[Awesoman]

People can't stand Brian's concerts when he sings all the way through.

They can't stand his concerts when other members of the band sing.

They don't like it when he tours a lot because he's forced to do it.

They don't like it when he doesn't tour, because they don't get to see him.

They don't like it when he records without autotune because he botches notes.

They don't like it when he records with it because he sounds fake.

They don't like it when he records all the vocals himself because he sounds like "robo Brian."

They don't like it when his band records vocals with him because it sounds bland.

There are honestly folks here who would not be satisfied unless Brian magically became 40 years younger, strapped on a bass, brought Carl and Dennis back to life and toured 300 days a year with the band -- while simultaneously staying home and recording avant garde masterworks while at the same time never collaborating with anyone except Mike on surfing classics.

Those rusty forks are looking mighty tempting ...

Would you rather us all be mindless robots with the same exact opinion? 

[grillo]

Now you're catching on...

[Jim V.]

I do. So there you have it: can't please everyone.

Oho!

Matt Jardine would be a thousand times better for Brian's higher parts, anyway.

I'm sorry, but I just can't stand his voice. Dude absolutely ruins the BWPS versions of "Good Vibrations", too, and "Wonderful" isn't so good because of it, either.

Hey runners your buddy sweetdudejim from a6 here....sorry if i'm alittle off but whos voice are you talking about Jeff Foskett or BW?. Honestly I never even think of him on either track. I know of course he's like doubling Brian of something on "Wonderful," but honestly that is THE standard version of that song to me whereas The Beach Boys versions of Heroes, Surfs Up and Good Vibes are all still the real deal for me. However, Darian on H&V with thoe 'do-yous' or whatever it is drives me nuts.

Another thing, somewhat off topic, but since we kinda drifted towards BWPS...does anybody think "Roll Plymouth Rock" just doesnt sound as creepy as the original? I mean, I suppose you can say that of all the sessions, but I still hear that "ghostly" quality on things like "Child", "Cabin Essence" and even "Surf's Up" from BWPS. Just "RPR" seems to be more bright and happy, than the weird and psychedlic way i first heard on the box set years ago.