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Post by goodvibrations33 on May 4, 2019 20:48:50 GMT -5
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Post by Fall Breaks on May 5, 2019 2:22:14 GMT -5
The concert is available via Brian's Facebook. Seems like a tight concert with good sound! Al's singing on Shut Down is great. Matt gets to sing two of the most challenging songs of the setlist, Let Him Run Wild and WIBN, back to back and pulls it off impressively. The fact that Brian is in a wheelchair and sounds like he did on the It's Over Now demo doesn't worry me as much as that there wasn't a single close-up on him during the entire concert.
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Post by monolithic on May 5, 2019 4:26:08 GMT -5
The band and Al still sound very good. I presume they placed a ban on close-ups of Brian so that he couldn't be shown just watching, but it is distinctly odd to be able to see everything about a solo performer's show except for the solo performer.  |
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Post by AGD on May 5, 2019 7:56:16 GMT -5
If Brian's still using a wheelchair almost a year after his back surgery, his management should be a) very concerned and b) not agreeing to live dates. That's a big worry.
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Post by Emdeeh on May 5, 2019 8:21:51 GMT -5
I couldn't tell what Brian was sitting in/on from the video feed.
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Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on May 5, 2019 8:44:13 GMT -5
I read that Brian wasn’t quite up to it, performance-wise? I didn’t get to see it, but thank goodness he has Al, Blondie and the Band supporting him.
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Post by AGD on May 5, 2019 8:59:58 GMT -5
Brian's leads at this show were terrible... and no one can say "don't judge from a phone video" this time.
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Post by Jason (The Real Beach Boy) on May 5, 2019 9:59:16 GMT -5
Good lord, I got 30 seconds in and just turned it off. It's not even infuriating anymore. It's just sad. Heartbreaking. Enough's enough. Let the man relax and enjoy life. He isn't into the live thing amymore.
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Post by Autotune on May 5, 2019 10:06:07 GMT -5
Beaks my heart to say this, but these solo performances have become pointless. They made sense when Brian, though not much of an avid live performer himself, had new music to promote or was, at least, singing more decently. And for fans, loving the man and his music, doesn’t have to be necessarily equal to enduring these performances for the sake of gratitude.
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Post by Cam Mott on May 5, 2019 11:38:47 GMT -5
Imo this it now. If Brian wants to do it, then do it and we can go or not. Nothing these guys do is going to tarnish the legacy, it was tarnished over the past 60 years but now tarnish is patina and the legacy is etched in granite.
The legacy may temporarily go out of favor someday but it won't be because an old man sang in his old man voice, or hawked a stripey shirt in his honor, or wore shorts, or misused the trademark against his partners, or cheerleaders, or public drunkenness, or band behavior.
(dramatically steps down from his soap box)
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Post by Fall Breaks on May 5, 2019 12:34:21 GMT -5
I couldn't tell what Brian was sitting in/on from the video feed. Look during Blondie's solos in Wild Honey. The wheelchair is visible from stage right. |
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Post by Reggie Dunbar jr on May 5, 2019 13:13:28 GMT -5
Wheelchair, no doubt.  |
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Post by Autotune on May 5, 2019 14:02:59 GMT -5
Look, maybe Brian is in great spirits and feels good— whatever the issues with his back are. And maybe he’s the motor and mastermind behind these bookings. And no doubt the “legacy” (whatever that is) is untarnished. Maybe he still has some artistic statement in him to make elsewhere. But there is no merit to performances like this. Saying that Brian’s performance is sub par while claiming that his band puts on a great show is missing the point entirely (heck, these are Brian Wilson shows!).
He’s justly reputed as one of music’s greats; these shows won’t tarnish his reputation. Still, there is no need in allowing Brian to embarrass himself with these performances.
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Post by filledeplage on May 5, 2019 14:19:04 GMT -5
In the last 30 seconds or so, Dennis says that they can bring him (Dennis) up on stage in a wheelchair. It may be Brian's new normal. If Brian wants to actively participate onstage - by singing - I have no problem with that - better than twiddling this thumbs. With elevators, lifts and ramps there is really no reason for exclusion of anyone who wants to join in the fun and participate as fully as possible. We had a multi-term US President, disabled by polio, and who served during war time; in a wheelchair. It takes an enormous amount of courage for a rock star to allow himself to be pushed onstage in a wheelchair. Bravo, Brian - you've never been taller than you are, singing in that chair. 
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Post by AGD on May 5, 2019 14:23:39 GMT -5
The wheelchair is incidental, if worrying. The bigger problem is/are Brian's vocals.
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Post by filledeplage on May 5, 2019 14:41:27 GMT -5
The wheelchair is incidental, if worrying. The bigger problem is/are Brian's vocals. Ya - I do get what you are saying - sometimes it the the visual of being in that chair that seems to be overwhelming to some. He may be losing the war with his back. It surely is not for lack of trying many things. We have to be aware that the voice, like the back, takes a wallop over time. The music is still performing even if his voice is not performing as it once was. He still has a lot of good nights. I go to see him with that understanding and am not disappointed. And when you go to see someone 75+ - it is with the understanding that it is not 100% like the "good old days" but that a lot of the audience is in the same boat, (his contemporaries) but still showing up to see him and his band. Especially, just to see Brian, after decades of not being on the road with the BB's. I can live with that. |
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Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on May 5, 2019 15:12:54 GMT -5
The wheelchair is incidental, if worrying. The bigger problem is/are Brian's vocals. Ya - I do get what you are saying - sometimes it the the visual of being in that chair that seems to be overwhelming to some. He may be losing the war with his back. It surely is not for lack of trying many things. We have to be aware that the voice, like the back, takes a wallop over time. The music is still performing even if his voice is not performing as it once was. He still has a lot of good nights. I go to see him with that understanding and am not disappointed. And when you go to see someone 75+ - it is with the understanding that it is not 100% like the "good old days" but that a lot of the audience is in the same boat, (his contemporaries) but still showing up to see him and his band. Especially, just to see Brian, after decades of not being on the road with the BB's. I can live with that. Tony Bennett is 90 plus years old, but can still hold a tune even though his voice is different than when he was younger. Brian can no longer sing live. Hell, he can’t even stay in tune talk singing. I listened to him sing California Girls last night and it was awful. You would think that after some time off the voice would be strong and well rested. |
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Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on May 5, 2019 15:12:57 GMT -5
The wheelchair is incidental, if worrying. The bigger problem is/are Brian's vocals. Ya - I do get what you are saying - sometimes it the the visual of being in that chair that seems to be overwhelming to some. He may be losing the war with his back. It surely is not for lack of trying many things. We have to be aware that the voice, like the back, takes a wallop over time. The music is still performing even if his voice is not performing as it once was. He still has a lot of good nights. I go to see him with that understanding and am not disappointed. And when you go to see someone 75+ - it is with the understanding that it is not 100% like the "good old days" but that a lot of the audience is in the same boat, (his contemporaries) but still showing up to see him and his band. Especially, just to see Brian, after decades of not being on the road with the BB's. I can live with that. Tony Bennett is 90 plus years old, but can still hold a tune even though his voice is different than when he was younger. Brian can no longer sing live. Hell, he can’t even stay in tune talk singing. I listened to him sing California Girls last night and it was awful. You would think that after some time off the voice would be strong and well rested. |
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Post by filledeplage on May 5, 2019 15:23:26 GMT -5
He sounds pretty good, here, I think, on California Girls, and it was only last summer.
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Post by AGD on May 5, 2019 15:31:00 GMT -5
The wheelchair is incidental, if worrying. The bigger problem is/are Brian's vocals. Ya - I do get what you are saying - sometimes it the the visual of being in that chair that seems to be overwhelming to some. He may be losing the war with his back. It surely is not for lack of trying many things. We have to be aware that the voice, like the back, takes a wallop over time. The music is still performing even if his voice is not performing as it once was. He still has a lot of good nights. I go to see him with that understanding and am not disappointed. And when you go to see someone 75+ - it is with the understanding that it is not 100% like the "good old days" but that a lot of the audience is in the same boat, (his contemporaries) but still showing up to see him and his band. Especially, just to see Brian, after decades of not being on the road with the BB's. I can live with that. I've seen Brian close on 30 times since 2002. I've seen him transcendent - BWPS, TLOS, the Gershwin shows - I've seen him great, I've seen him good, I've seen him average and I've seen him dire (Hampton Court 2005). Last saw him in London, May 2016 and decided that was my last time unless something spectacular happened because that time, I saw him something I'd never seen before: bored. He was bored with Pet Sounds and accordingly crucified it. Like all of us here, I've cut Brian several miles of slack in recent years because, well, he's Brian, but I paid good money to see him that night and frankly, it wasn't worth it. If you take the public's money, you're obliged to deliver the goods, and that night, the goods were not acceptable. I was embarrassed for myself, for my partner at her first (and she informed me, last) BW gig but most of all I was embarrassed for Brian... and that was three years ago. That said, if the BW/Zombies tour makes it over here, I'm so there it's going to be embarrassing. But not because of Brian. Finally, let's assume (as I've been told by more than one Person Who Would Know) that Brian is indeed touring because he wants to. The implications are disturbing. |
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Post by filledeplage on May 5, 2019 15:53:08 GMT -5
Ya - I do get what you are saying - sometimes it the the visual of being in that chair that seems to be overwhelming to some. He may be losing the war with his back. It surely is not for lack of trying many things. We have to be aware that the voice, like the back, takes a wallop over time. The music is still performing even if his voice is not performing as it once was. He still has a lot of good nights. I go to see him with that understanding and am not disappointed. And when you go to see someone 75+ - it is with the understanding that it is not 100% like the "good old days" but that a lot of the audience is in the same boat, (his contemporaries) but still showing up to see him and his band. Especially, just to see Brian, after decades of not being on the road with the BB's. I can live with that. I've seen Brian close on 30 times since 2002. I've seen him transcendent - BWPS, TLOS, the Gershwin shows - I've seen him great, I've seen him good, I've seen him average and I've seen him dire (Hampton Court 2005). Last saw him in London, May 2016 and decided that was my last time unless something spectacular happened because that time, I saw him something I'd never seen before: bored. He was bored with Pet Sounds and accordingly crucified it. Like all of us here, I've cut Brian several miles of slack in recent years because, well, he's Brian, but I paid good money to see him that night and frankly, it wasn't worth it. If you take the public's money, you're obliged to deliver the goods, and that night, the goods were not acceptable. I was embarrassed for myself, for my partner at her first (and she informed me, last) BW gig but most of all I was embarrassed for Brian... and that was three years ago. That said, if the BW/Zombies tour makes it over here, I'm so there it's going to be embarrassing. But not because of Brian. Finally, let's assume (as I've been told by more than one Person Who Would Know) that Brian is indeed touring because he wants to. The implications are disturbing. Andrew - I've probably seen him close to that (twice with Landy with the BB's!) and around the same amount, since 2000 with the first PS tour. In 2018 - twice - neither was a PS show. I've seen PS a few times but, I'd rather see a more varied setlist, especially with Blondie being able to do the early 70's stuff that a lot of people really want to hear. Brian seemed pretty good - one was at a casino - a Greatest Hits, and those are typically shorter. One was a Christmas show. Both happened to have engaged audiences. Some audiences are awful, and it is like pulling teeth to get some enthusiasm. And, sometimes Brian gets very engaged during the encore, when he sees everyone up dancing and singing the old BB hits. I do think that is the sweet spot when he sees young kids up singing almost everyone's favorite song (Barbara Ann) or Surfin' USA.  |
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Post by dauber on May 5, 2019 20:08:04 GMT -5
I've got mixed feelings about "Brian Wilson" shows. Thing is, I'm still going to go see him. He's a living legend, and given the crap he did to himself (and others did to him) for a long time, it's a miracle the man is still alive. I don't want to miss a show and find out that it would be my last chance -- that already happened to me with Carl.
But Brian is VERY hit-or-miss. I watched a good portion of the stream last night. The band: just as unbelievable as ever. I would never, ever want to miss those guys. Brian himself last night: high notes, he sounded awful, but the more mid-range stuff, he sounded fine, maybe a bit worn out. Like, he sounded terrible on "God Only Knows," but not bad on "Surfin' USA." And I was glad that when he sang the bridge on "Wouldn't It Be Nice," he actually sang it instead of doing that weird half-talk, half-sing thing he'd been doing over the last few years. (Even Al started doing that a bit, FFS!)
And honestly, I'd much rather see him in a wheelchair than how I saw him back in November -- he walked on stage, but he was clearly having a lot of back pain - a problem that runs in the Wilson family.
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Post by Mikie on May 5, 2019 20:43:10 GMT -5
Notes to self:
1. The band was great as usual. They played and sang tight and continued where they left off the last tour. Al missed a few words but since his voice is still real good, he's forgiven. Still wears the formal suits and 'directs' the band with his free hand. Matt is too shrill at times and seems to be forcing it. Who's the percussionist who took over for Nelson Bragg? Never did find out why he left.
2. As noted above, Brian's voice wasn't too whippy and he missed intros and coming in on a few parts where he was suppose to. Plus, he continues to slur his words and forgets others. Still sings with a Vegas style staccato delivery that sounds like hell. His mic seemed to be low in the mix or he wasn't reaching over to sing into it. Hard to sing very well when you're sitting low in a chair anyway.
3. Blondie's still great. Animated and cruising the stage while playing guitar and tambourine. Nice touch walking around Brian - looks like he asked him if he was doing OK. Said thanks to Brian and Al for bringing him into the fold 50 years ago. Those searing leads that Blondie plays are highlights of the show.
4. The audience seemed very subdued. Was Brian the last act and they were tired or were they not really Beach Boys fans?
5. Brian's done.
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Post by ian on May 6, 2019 6:36:20 GMT -5
I probably won't see Brian or the Mike-Bruce show again-but I appreciated all the shows I saw-I don't object to them playing-it's up to them. For some people-retirement is worse. Keeping active-keeps you alive.
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Post by xfreekx on May 6, 2019 12:29:51 GMT -5
I was there. It was actually my first time seeing Brian. I had seen enough videos and heard enough things to know what to expect, I was just excited to see the man on stage (semi) performing his mastery.
I'll admit to being jarred a bit by seeing him wheeled out in a wheelchair. It was much more emotional than i was expecting. During "Don't Worry Baby" as they sang "everything will turn out alright" and seeing Brian be (seemingly) not totally alright choked me up a bit.
It was clear that somebody was controlling his mic. There were a few times where it looked like he was addressing the crowd but his mic was off. He seemed to be taking cues from Al or Matt for when to sing.
One sweet moment was during "Wouldn't it Be Nice" Brian sang the first verse along with Matt which shocked Matt. He looked over at the band with a shocked face/smile and motioned offstage to turn Brian up. He then leaned down to Brian and encouraged him with a thumbs up. Afterwards he patted Brian on the shoulder and gave him another thumbs up. I definitely shed a tear when Brian hit the bridge and seemed to be pretty pumped up for that moment.
Another cool moment was during "God Only Knows" when Brian was clearly struggling with the vocals and the crowd seemed to raise their voices louder to help him out. It was a festival crowd so i wasn't expecting much but everybody was pretty thankful and respectful of him.
Overall the band sounded great. Of course it's a little bittersweet seeing Brian in that state, I just hope he's having fun. Glad i got to finally see him.
I agree he sounded best on Surfin' USA. He was the last artist on the second day of a three day festival, so the crowd was tired and probably not deep cut BB fans but they were respectful of him. Although the couple next to me thought Al was Brian so there's that.
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