Surfin’ USA was the first song I have recollection of hearing growing up. My father raised me on the Beach Boys. In fact, at the age of 7, they were my first concert. I am so blessed to have seen (and remember) Carl Wilson perform in my lifetime – something which most millennials like myself can’t claim. The current iterations of Beach Boys bands have made the rounds to my town on several occasions, but I have ignored them for 20 years because one important man was missing. On June 18th, 2015 (20 years after that first concert), below a clear Northern California sky, I was given the opportunity to hear my hero share with me the songs that shaped my childhood.
A quick note on the venue and then we will head into the good stuff. The Mountain Winery is located about an hour south of San Francisco, and the road to get up the mountain is a steep and windy one – making for lots of fun fun fun driving. A beautiful view awaits visitors at the top, and those with seats have unobstructed views of the stage, winery vineyards, and tree-lined skyline. Opening for Brian Wilson was special guest Rodriguez. Personally, iI do not know much about him, but the crowd seemed to really enjoy his performance.
Brian Wilson at the Mountain Winery
“Tonight we are going to start with a prayer.” Brian starts off the evening with a smile and a count off. He and the band energetically launch into a pitch perfect rendition of Heroes and Villains. I know that alone, Brian can’t hit the notes he once could. But with the help from his band and some former Beach Boys band members and family, those California harmonies came alive.
A quick hello from Brian, and it’s time for some rock and roll! California Girls saw Brian on the lead, giving each lyric gusto as he sat behind his electric piano center stage. Brian’s love for the music makes up for any shortcomings in his performance. It’s definitely noticable that the band is mixed just a tad higher than Brian, as his singing voice can get off key and a bit off tempo at times (he is partially deaf). He also doesn’t play his keyboard consistently, but will play a few notes every now and then – it appeared to be more of a prop. This didn’t bother me at all, as the magic of the evening would come from seeing Brian happily performing the songs he wrote 50 years ago for a loving audience.
I Get Around followed suit, featuring Matt Jardine (son of Beach Boy Al Jardine, also joining Brian on this tour) hitting the high notes as Brian did in the 60’s. Brian’s falsetto is my favorite part of the harmonies in those early Beach Boys records, and Matt did a fantastic job of recreating them on this, and many of the other songs of the evening – especially Don’t Worry Baby. The guys knocked out a few more of the hits from ’64 before heading into Deep cuts territory.
Brian is currently touring to support his new album “No Pier Pressure” and played a few songs in a row from the record, including the live debut for One Kind of Love. The crowd definitely was eager for more of the hits, which Brian delivered.
Also on tour with Brian was Blondie Chaplin, a guitarist added to the Beach Boys roster in the early 70’s. He hit the crowd with a one-two punch of Wild Honey and Sail On, Sailor (he was featured on the original record). “Now it’s time for a few songs from Pet Sounds!” Brian cheered into the crowd. The audience instantly rose to their feet.
Wouldn’t It Be Nice and Sloop John B (With Al Jardine on lead vocals, as he had done on the album) got the crowd dancing in their seats, but there was one number that literally stopped the crowd. I heard the first notes to my favorite Beach Boys song, God Only Knows – a song that has deep personal meaning to me, and I felt an overwhelming rush of emotion as Brian sang out the first verse flawlessly. It was one of those moments at a show where I felt as though the song was just for me – a feeling I have experienced before only at a Paul McCartney show last year.
The band ended their set with the number one hit Good Vibrations, showering the crowd with colorful light and energy. After a short break, the band returned to complete their encore set. They ended the night with an assortment of Beach Boys hits, featuring Help Me Rhonda, Barbara Ann, Surfin’ USA, and Fun Fun Fun. The finale to the evening was the lovely ballad Love and Mercy, not so coincidentally the title of the new film documenting his life. The crowd gave a standing ovation – and I snagged a setlist from the sound guy as a souvenir.
Brian Wilson and company put on a fantastic show. Overall, I went in expecting somewhat of a letdown – I’ve seen bands that continue to tour past their prime and it has soiled my opinion of their music. After a staggering 29 song setlist (which is a lot for a man celebrating his 73rd birthday the same weekend, let alone any other act), I left the show feeling energized and singing the songs. I’m so happy that I was able to see a personal hero of mine in such an intimate setting, and get a memory that will last as long as that of my first concert – 20 years ago.
The setlist from the show – 2 pages!
