Wouldn't It Be Nice

Uwe and I saw Brian Wilson in concert at the Hollywood Bowl tonight performing his songs from his album Smile as well as his hits.

It's a fascinating story...
In 1966, Brian Wilson began work on the follow-up to The Beach Boys' now classic Pet Sounds. The album, called Smile, was to be his most ambitious undertaking yet, but before it could be completed, Wilson had a nervous breakdown and vowed never to release the album. Almost four decades later, Wilson is performing the songs from the most celebrated album never released.



Brian Wilson Then and Now

Polyphonic Spree opened for him. If you haven't seen them or heard their music, think bad "Hair" revival band/choir with a lead singer who can't sing. They came out wearing long baby blue robes in the style that church choirs wear. Only difference being the red, Charlie Brown zig zag below the knees. I tried to keep an open mind, especially after seeing their fans in the crowd rocking out to them, but it's just not my cup of tea. I couldn't find a pic of them in the exact same robes but you get the idea.

I like this psychedelic photo of Brian Wilson.

I didn't realize how much I was looking forward to his concert until I was actually at the Hollywood Bowl waiting for him to come on stage.

It was exciting to see a legend performing his songs live. Brian Wilson is a genius not just as a composer but also as an arranger. His music had two part and three part harmonies, and was brilliantly arranged. Amazing for a man who is deaf in one ear (from a beating he received as a child from his father). His songs are also hauntingly beautiful. It's surprising how many hits he had.
1. California Girls
2. I Get Around
3. Surfin Safari
4. Surfin U.S.A.
5. Fun, Fun, Fun
6. Surfer Girl
7. Don't Worry Baby
8. Little Deuce Coupe
9. Shut Down
10. Help Me, Rhonda
11. Be True To Your School
12. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
13. In My Room
14. God Only Knows
15. Sloop John B
16. Wouldn't It Be Nice
17. Getcha Back
18. Come Go With Me
19. Rock And Roll Music
20. Dance, Dance, Dance
21. Barbara Ann
22. Do You Wanna Dance?
23. Heroes And Villains
24. Good Timin
25. Kokomo
26. Do It Again
27. Wild Honey
28. Darlin
29. I Can Hear Music
30. Good Vibrations

I really enjoyed singing along to the oldies but goodies. That was a lot of fun.

Someone cracked a joke when the blue lights in the bowl hit Wilson and showed every sag, curve and bulge, and shouted, "Did he take off his shirt?" The comment was briefly funny but also a bit mean. Okay so he's no spring chicken but give the man a break. As Uwe succintly put it, "Hey he's 65 years old and he's got a 65 year old body. So what if he's got a little belly."

The hits were done during the first half of the concert and a lot of people left before the second half. Maybe they had heard the songs from the Smile album before. Uwe and I never had (except for one) and were curious so we stayed for a few songs, but then realized that nope, the first half was the best part of the concert after all.

Hearing all those songs that I had heard so many times on the radio like "Wouldn't It Be Nice" performed live by the artist/writer/composer/arranger himself was a real treat.