Philzone.org Discussion Board: Archive 2004: Non-PF/Dead Show Reviews Archive 2004: Saw brian wilson's "smile" tour last night

All I have to say is .........go see this tour....and check out the "smile' cd. Brian was amazing last night...he started out the first set by doing alot of old beachboys tunes he wrote. Evry song they palyed, brian wrote. Stuff from pet sounds, older hits.. Brian's band for the most part was 11 people strong, and upto 20 when the string section was on stage. Sloop Jon B...was off the hook. This band had the tighest rythem section and brian voice was very strong. Sure he was qurkey and from time to time seemed bored with it all. Then came the second set, they played the whole "smile" CD. oNe word "WOW." You can not describe this CD. The sounds, the layers of music the production and Brian just came to life...you could tell this new stuff excited him.. then for the encore they played 6 or 7 of Brians older hits with the full band,, they rocked the place and had all 1700 of us on feet dancing and grooving to help me rhonda, fun, fun, fun, etc. they left the stage and came back for one more number and brian said were done rocking, gonna close out with aballad. I was not sure what the song was but left feeling very satified and amazed at thie guys music and skill.....Thank you brian wilson and your very cool band......

I remember The Beach Boys was the first big concert I ever went to..the Striped button down collar shirt days..Maybe 1965..

Remember shortly thereafter seeing the Rolling Stones on television..The contrast was stark..Yet the similarities..the power of music was apparent..

I think I'll read one of the BW biographys..or his autobiogaraphy..

Thanks for the review Olhippy..

I'll be seeing BW in Boston next week. The ending ballad you referred is "Love & Mercy" originally from his '88 solo CD. Friends of mine in the UK raved about his SMiLE show, and I love the new SMiLE. There's s lot of good autobiographies out there, but stay away from the Gaines book. Many misrepresentations in that one. Try David Leaf's book, if you can find it.

Thak you for the review. I was waiting for one to appear here.

I've had chances to see "The Beach Boys" at state fairs and such, for 20 years. Never gave a fuck... but this tour would be very cool...
"Good Vibrations" would be a COOL Dead cover.

That show of mine was 40 years ago..

There are only a handful of bands that can stay interesting for that long..

One of the problems is staying alive to even be in ballgame..

The Beach Boys are generic and have been for a long while..

I picked up the "Smile" CD earlier this week. After listening to previously released official cuts and bootleg versions of "SMILE" for years and years, I was still not prepared for what I got. I gotta say I envy you folks for getting to see and hear it in a live seeting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the shows.

Grateful Dad, Tomiothy White's bio of the Beach Boys is a good one. I'm hoping to find a low priced copy of Smile. I have Van Dyke Parks's Song Cycle and play it when I'm feeling loopy enough.