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BRIAN WILSON
RATING: 10+
PLAY THESE: WONDERFUL, SURF'S UP, OUR PRAYER, GOOD VIBRATIONS
SKIP THESE: NONE
When the release of the long-lost Beach Boys album Smile was announced earlier this year, I, like so many other music fans, was intrigued. After all, Smile is rock's version of classical music's Unfinished Symphony - only more tragic, especially when one considers that Wilson (unlike Schubert) can't blame death for his tardiness. However, my initial feelings of excitement gave way to deep concern when it was later revealed that the original 1967 Smile recordings would not be included on the CD. The reason? Brian Wilson was throwing it all away and recording everything from scratch. All of this is pretty scary stuff, and I'm sure most music fans shared in my despair/trepidation. You see, the common rock dinosaur practice of re-recording classic tunes is a decidedly "hit and miss" affair. Beatles fans needn't be reminded of Paul McCartney's ill-advised decision to re-record several Fab Four classics in 1984 for his disastrous Give My Regards to Broad Street soundtrack, just as Elton John fans would rather forget about their hero's regrettable re-make of 'Candle in the Wind (1997)'. For most rock fans, this kind of revisionist behavior is heresy of the highest order. That is why I am very happy to report that unlike poor old Macca, Brian Wilson has really pulled this one off.
Perhaps the best thing about this version of Smile is that the integrity of the original recordings has not been compromised. Wilson may have had all the marvels of modern recording technology at his disposal, but he wisely refrained from using trendy new sounds. Instead, Brian Wilson used the new digital technology to create a better sounding recording, removing the tape hiss and excessive reverb that blemished the original Beach Boy 1960's recordings - while staying true to the original arrangements and instrumentation. Because of this, forgotten gems like 'Wonderful' and 'Surfs Up' have been given a new lease on life, as the sparkling new recordings reveal the genius behind the music. The new Smile is also is also far superior in terms of its singing. Other than Brian (who, incidentally, is in fine voice here), there are no Beach Boy voices on this record. The replacement singers are unknown session musicians, but they sound almost exactly like the band did - except tons better. In fact, the updated Smile proves - as if there were still any lingering doubts - that Brian Wilson did not the need the Beach Boys to create great music. If anything, his former musical partners held him back from achieving even further greatness. OK, I admit that the late Carl Wilson's beautiful voice is missed here, but it goes without saying that Mike Love's butchering of the original 'Heroes and Villains' is not.
As for the songs themselves, they do not disappoint. The music here is among the most melodic and beautiful in the history of rock music. The arrangements are astoundingly good; recurring musical themes are deftly sprinkled throughout the album (i.e. 'Elements'), and the track sequencing is nearly flawless. Yes, Van Dyke Parks' lyrics are still rubbish after all these years - drugs alone can't explain the existence of 'Vegetables' - but his esoteric, convoluted prose can't diminish the power of Wilson's music. After all, Brian Wilson music was never about the lyrics - it is about harmony and melody. Indeed, the new version of 'Good Vibrations' (with alternate lyrics in the verses) is just as good as the original, while the complex harmonies of 'Our Prayer' are probably the most beautiful that Wilson ever committed to tape. This is one of the most listenable albums you'll ever hear, from start to finish. It took him almost thirty-seven years to get the job done, but Brian Wilson finally recorded the album that everyone knew he could make.
QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE, VANCOUVER, 8:00 PM, 29 AUGUST 2005
RATING: 9
HIGHLIGHTS: GOD ONLY KNOWS, SAIL ON SAILOR, THEN SHE KISSED ME, HELP ME RHONDA, PET SOUNDS, OUR PRAYER, HEROES AND VILLAINS, WONDERFUL, ELEMENTS, GOOD VIBRATIONS, FUN FUN FUN, I GET AROUND, SURFIN' USA
SETLIST: do it again/ dance dance dance/ then i kissed her/ in my room/ surfer girl/ when i grow up (to be a man)/ do you wanna dance/ please let me wonder/ little saint nick/ breakaway/ drive-in/ the little girl i once knew/ california girls/ sloop john b./ wouldn't it be nice/ pet sounds/ god only knows/ sail on sailor/ marcella/ our prayer - gee/ heroes and villains/ roll plymouth rock/ barnyard/ old master painter - you are my sunshine/ cabin essence/ wonderful/ song for children/ child is the father of the man/ surf's up/ i'm in great shape - i wanna be/ vegetables/ on a holiday/ wind chimes/ mrs. o'leary's cow/ in blue hawaii/ good vibrations/ johnny b. goode/ i get around/ barbara ann/ surfin' usa, fun, fun, fun/ walking down the path of life/ love and mercy
I know that I'm not alone when I say that I never thought I'd never live to see the day when Brian Wilson would complete the mythical "unfinished" Beach Boy album Smile, let alone watch him perform it in front of an audience . I am indeed fortunate to have witnessed Brian's Vancouver stop on his Smile world tour last night. Now where to begin....the venue, I guess....
Queen Elizabeth theatre was the perfect setting for the concert. Normally a host to classical and jazz concerts, this beautiful and acoustically superior building offered fans the opportunity to enjoy the full sonic splendor of Wilson's remarkable music. I automatically assumed that Wilson would attempt to duplicate the sound of this musically complex album onstage by via backing tracks and loops, so it came as a pleasant surprise when Wilson was joined by no fewer than 18 other musicians, among them a string/brass section, dual percussionists, a glockenspiel player, backup singers, and the usual guitar, bass and keyboard players. Although there were some problems with the sound in the beginning - Wilson's voice was barely audible on the first couple tunes - the soundman quickly had the kinks ironed out, and the fullness of the sound was breathtaking. Wilson wasn't exaggerating when he claimed that his new band was better than The Beach Boys - their singing is twice as good, and their playing is in another league altogether. Mike Love may have turned up his nose at Smile, but his absence only makes this show a stronger one. Some fans are upset that the surviving Beach Boys weren't invited on the tour, as soon as I heard the first song this was no longer an issue.
Wilson was in fine voice also, singing lead on all of the tunes, and hitting the high notes with an unexpected confidence. He doesn't sing falsetto much anymore, but he doesn't need to, as his singers do a fine job of replicating Brian's vocals circa 1966. However, Wilson looked very much out of his element in front of a crowd. Although he sounded great, he looked very, very uncomfortable in front of people, and didn't even stick around to soak in the standing ovation at the end of the show. It was also hilarious to watch his jerky, robotic hand movements as he sang, and his awkward attempts to stir up the audience were priceless. At one point he gestured to the crowd to clap in time with the music, and then abruptly ended it with a quick wave of the hand about 8 seconds later. He didn't talk much, but when he did he spoke in his familiar monotone voice that betrayed just how much the man has gone through over the years. After all he's given over the years he doesn't owe his audience anything at all, but there he was - bravely facing his fears and playing the music we've wanted to hear for so long.
The setlist was quite good, and few went home disappointed. The first half was essentially a Beach Boys greatest hits show, which at times veered slightly towards being a bit Las Vegas, but was saved by the serving of a generous helping of obscure Beach Boy tunes. I never expected Wilson to play stuff like 'Sail On Sailor' or even 'Breakaway,' and even though most people in the audience didn't know the song, it was received just as well as familiar fair like 'Surfin' USA', 'Barbara Ann,' and 'California Girls.' Brian also covered Phil Spector's 'And Then I Kissed' her, which was absolutely brilliant - and may have been the best performance of the night. For the first time I was ably to fully appreciate the album's title track, which doesn't quite do it for me on the studio version. But holy moly, did the live performance ever kick ass - especially the percussion, which on the album version was smothered in goopy reverb. Another highlight was 'God Only Knows,' Brian meekly introduced as "a song that Paul McCartney said he likes a lot." It was probably Brian's best vocal performance of the evening, and the crowd was hanging on his every word. The only major misstep of the evening was 'Wouldn't It Be Nice,' which for some odd reason seemed to lose its emotional impact when it was transposed in a lower key (probably to accommodate Wilson's aging voice). It was by no means bad, but it just sounded a bit flat.
The second half of the show was the definite highlight. Wilson and his band performed Smile in its entirety and, oh boy, it was something to behold. On this night the dark, bold line that normally separates rock 'n roll and classical music vanished without a trace, and we were reminded once again of Brian's genius, even when compared to legends like Beethoven and Bach. The section opened with the acapella 'Our Prayer,' which was one of those spine tingling moments you feel privileged to witness. I swear, I could have listened to those harmonies all night without losing interest - they were that good. The hits like 'Good Vibrations' and 'Heroes and Villains' were, of course, the most enthusiastically received songs, but I enjoyed some of the lesser known tunes like 'Elements' quite a lot. The 'Fire' bit was especially entrancing - everything sounded so full, and the interesting flame visuals just added to the fiery ambience of the song. Silly songs like 'Vegetables' - yes, the band chewed on celery sticks on stage - and 'Mrs O'Leary's Cow' brought a light-hearted element to the proceedings, and the recurring musical themes like 'Plymouth Rock' were sublime. Some of these arrangements were very complex, and it's very obvious that a lot of rehearsal went into making this show so good. Very well done, chaps.
In the end, it was a great concert. If Brian Wilson is bringing this show to your city, I would recommend that you go see it. The tickets are reasonably priced, and the fact that Wilson is playing three hour show in an age when even top touring acts like U2 and The Rolling Stones charge obscene prices for only two hour concerts makes this an even better deal. Plus, seeing Smile in its entirety is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should not be missed.
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