When your catalogue of music spans as many decades and includes as many hits as the Beach Boy's, you know the party is going to last awhile and they didn't disappoint, playing for more than two hours. They seemed to categorize the songs into neat little sections starting with the girl songs, ("Help Me Rhonda," "Barbara Ann," and "California Girls") moved on to car songs, ("Little Deuce Coupe," and "Shut Down") and ending with surfing songs ("Surfin' Safari," "Surfer Girl," and "Surfing USA").
Of course, there was spontaneity, and some of the themed songs were scattered among others, but I did notice a trend of them being grouped together. At one point, while talking about the history of music, Love acknowledging the fact keyboardist Bruce Johnston had penned the Grammy award winning "I Write The Songs" (though not for them). He was coaxed into performing a bit of it and when Love chided about the quality of lyrics, Johnston only had one word in response – "Kokomo." Before breaking back into the songs they were known for, Johnston went on to say they intended to play a majority of the songs from the aforementioned Sounds Of Summer.
And they did. Part of the music history lesson, was the song "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" which was a cover and the B-side to "Fun Fun Fun." Hearing the crystal clear five-part harmony spread across the outdoor venue on a light breeze reaffirmed why they continue to be a mainstay of American Music. If you were one to have any doubts, the performance of "Then I Kissed Her" would have erased them. My personal all time favorites: "Getcha' Back," "Come Go With me," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," (Okay, I could go on forever) were spaced nicely throughout the show.
With Mike Love being the only original member of the band still performing under the Beach Boy name, the vocals were split between them and several of the newer players. The new voices aren't quite the same, but darn close. It is without a doubt a very large and very talented group performing the tunes.
Article comments
1 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Nice write-up, Connie. Sounded like a good time, fun atmosphere.
It indeed would've been nice (oh oh, I've fallen into the title reference trap myself) if Brian had shown up. It should be noted, though, that Brian has been active and performing on stage lately playing most, if not all, of Smile and Pet Sounds in the process.
And about the rumored reunion of the "complete" Beach Boys, I'm tempted to paraphrase George Harrison: As long as Carl and Dennis Wilson remain dead, there will be no reunion. But it's still great to see Brian well and happy.
2 - Connie Phillips
Amen to Brian being well and happy.
::Smile:: And, okay, when I wrote Complete Beach Boy you should have read Wilson/Love reunion under the moniker of The Beach Boys.
I think it was on Entertainment Tonight recently Wilson was interviewed and said he and Love are talking about recording together again, but said his interest in long-term touring is basically non-existent.
But, yes, "Wouldn't it Be Nice."