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| From | robbie.white@comcast.net |
| Subject | Brian Wilson Sunday Night in DC |
| Date | Tue, 12 Oct 2004 15:31:46 +0000 |
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First, here is the Washington Post Review:
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Brian Wilson, Again Having Fun, Fun, Fun
Tuesday, October 12, 2004; Page C03
Thank you, Brian Wilson. Thank you, and thank you again. Unconditional gratitude
is what the 62-year-old former Beach Boy deserves for his majestic and moving
performance at the Warner Theatre on Sunday evening. The two-hour sonically
dreamy, sun-kissed show reminded fans -- as if they could forget -- that Wilson
has created some of the most distinctive, immediately identifiable music of the
past century. For far too long, decades in fact, he had been incapable of
performing that music in public. Anxiety, drugs and mental problems all took
their toll, preventing any comeback
Wilson returned to the stage a few years ago, a bit unsteady but game. Now, the
return seems complete. That he and the 18 musicians with whom he shared the
stage Sunday were able to reclaim and re-create his songs with such joy and
obvious pleasure was almost too wonderful to be true. And yet, there it was, a
magnificent triumph on the heels of so much misery and madness.
It's appropriate then that this tour celebrates the culmination of "Smile," the
near-mythical album that he and the Beach Boys abandoned in the studio in 1967.
Wilson has just released a version of that album, newly recorded with his
fabulous band of devotees. They and the eight-piece Stockholm Strings and Horns
were more than able partners in presenting the "Smile" songs in all of their
psychedelic wonder and magical harmonies, from the beautiful "Heroes and
Villains" and magnificent "Good Vibrations" to truly trippy snippets like
"Barnyard" and "Vega-Tables." Through it all, Wilson sang sitting at a keyboard
(that he only plinked once), looking less Beach Boy than Beach Buddha, still an
enigma, but one with a twinkle in his eye and an occasional beaming smile.
The opening set and several encores were devoted to the deep catalogue of Wilson
gems: a lovely a cappella "Surfer Girl," a passionate "Soul Searchin' " and many
slices of pure pop perfection like "California Girls," "Help Me, Rhonda" and
"Sloop John B."
Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne, in town for last night's Vote for Change
concert, ran onstage to sing backup on "Surfin' USA" and "Fun, Fun, Fun." As
Wilson exited, both raised their hands and then bowed in homage to the legendary
musician. Like everyone else, they too wanted to say thanks.
-- Joe Heim
**********************************
Here is my review. This was the single greatest concert I have ever seen (and I
have seen a LOT of concerts). Even better than the Pet Sounds show of 2000. The
first set was a variety of songs, including "Sloop John B", "God Only Knows"
"Gettin' In Over My Head", "Soul Searching", "Imagination", "Drive In", "Help Me
Rhonda", "Surfer Girl", "PLease Let Me Wonder", "Wel You're Welcome",
"California Girls", "Sail On Sailor", 'Marcella", "Good Timin'", "That's Not Me"
and "Forever" (dedicated to Dennis). If the show had ended right there (after 60
minutes) it STILL would have been the greatest show EVER. There was then a short
20 minute break. Then came "Smile". Then a final encore set with "Barbara Ann",
"Surfin' USA", "Fun Fun Fun", and the last song was a beautiful version of
"Love And Mercy". Brian sounded fine (better than the Pet Sounds tour), but
hardly played any keyboards - who cares. He did play bass on "Fun Fun Fun".
Scott Bennet and Darian Sahanaja are my new heroes. Anyone that has a chance to
see this show simply MUST go. I was still so keyed up Monday night I had a hard
time getting to sleep. GO SEE THIS TOUR!!!!!
Robbie White
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