Here Today: Brian Wilson and His Impressive Current Band Make 'Pet Sounds' Feel Alive -- Chicago Concert Review

Concert Review

Brian Wilson

with Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin and band

Rosemont Theatre

October 6, 2017

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Brian Wilson was both the most and least important person onstage Friday night at the Rosemont Theatre.

Certainly, his was the name on the ticket and--while the venue was well short of full--undoubtedly the impetus for everyone being there.

This, of course, is due to the boatloads of magnificent songs he wrote with the Beach Boys--including the majestic Pet Sounds album, which was performed in full--and even some rather fine ones as a solo artist.

But along with his inarguable genius, Wilson is equally famed for mental and psychological difficulties that have beset him to various extents for 50+ years--since he created Pet Sounds in 1966, fought with his brothers/bandmates & overbearing dad, overindulged in psychedelic drugs and suffered several nervous breakdowns, including supposedly upon hearing the Beatles' brilliant Sgt. Peppers and the Lonely Hearts Club Band album on its 1967 release.

And while at age 75 he is thankfully well enough to maintain a near constant touring cycle, Wilson was the steadfast focal point behind a centerstage piano on Friday but--other than perhaps some sporadic tinkering--he didn't actually play it.

Lead vocals were spread around to several of the 11 other musicians onstage--including original Beach Boy Al Jardine and his golden-voiced son Matthew--and when Brian did sing, his timbre, phrasing and power clearly lagged behind his famed recordings and current cohorts.

But understandably, Wilson--whose famed ability to hear and compose music in his head and channel it through ace musicians may be historically second to none--has surrounded himself with sensational players and singers who do most of the heavy lifting.

This includes his stalwart pal, the elder Jardine, who after the 2012 Beach Boys 50th anniversary tour that included but then ousted Brian--at the hands of his seemingly cruel cousin, Mike Love--has opted to stay literally by Wilson's side.

On Wikipedia, you can find the full list of musicians accompanying Brian Wilson on the Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary Tour, which has run since March 2016 with 100+ worldwide shows and is wrapping up this week, at least for now.

But not only were all those onstage highly skilled at their craft--with many playing more than one instrument, singing harmonies and taking occasional lead turns--it seemed apparent that they too were there out of reverence for the music Wilson has given the world.

So while at times the concert reminded of a tribute band, jukebox musical, Las Vegas revue, music-infused religious service (with a central point of worship) or even a museum exhibit, even with showmanship far short of his 75-year old peer, Paul McCartney, and a focus that seemed to wander, it would be inaccurate to call Brian Wilson's acute contributions inconsequential.

If the main attraction didn't earn high marks for technical merit, over the course of 2-hours (plus a set break) I heard some of the greatest songs ever written sung and played quite well.

Preceding the Pet Sounds playthrough was a solid hour that blended Beach Boys mega-hits--"California Girls," "I Get Around," "Don't Worry Baby"--with much juicy fruit beyond the low hanging variety.

There isn't yet a setlist posted for the Rosemont show, but assuming I have the titles right, Matthew Jardine delivered a beautiful "Let the Wind Blow," his ever-dapper pop delivered a Beach Boys rarity that he wrote ("Susie Cincinnati"), the heralded sideman Blondie Chaplin sang and played sizzling guitar on "Wild Honey," and "Darlin'" was among several lesser-known tunes that delighted.

I am one of those who believes Pet Sounds to be one the 10 greatest rock albums ever produced but also--if dictated by putting it behind Sgt. Peppers, Sticky Fingers, Are You Experienced, Who's Next, Led Zeppelin IV, Born to Run, London Calling and Nevermind--just a tad overrated. 

Yet it was magical to hear it delivered live with such care and meticulousness.

And while the parts where Brian sang lead--most notably on the heavenly "God Only Knows," a bit interestingly given that his brother Carl sang it on the album--were the ones short of note perfect, there was something beautifully poignant about his boldly doing the best he could on such sacred material of his creation.

Songs such as "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "I'm Waiting for the Day," "Sloop John B," "I Know There's an Answer," "Here Today" and "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" brought inherent joy and/or wistfulness and--preceded by Brian unnecessarily but movingly telling us that they were instrumentals--"Let's Go Away For Awhile" and the album's title tune had me imagining the maestro hearing/conjuring the melodies in his head.

Pet Sounds was followed out the door by one blast from the past after another--"Good Vibrations," "Help Me, Rhonda," "Barbara Ann," "Surfin' U.S.A.," "Fun, Fun, Fun"--before Wilson's solo "Love and Mercy" (..."that's what we need tonight") not only reminded of Brian's amazing journey as depicted in the biopic of the same name, it punctuated a dark week in America with a musical genius' heartrending pleading.

Hence, even more than on most of my reviews, my star rating--of @@@@ out of 5--is imprecise and unnecessary.

This won't rank as one of the top concerts I've seen this year, and Brian Wilson himself, in the here and now, is well short of musically spectacular.

But even though I had to skip watching a Cubs playoff game to attend, and although this was my 4th time seeing Wilson in the past 10 years--once with the Beach Boys--it was a wonderfully entertaining night I'm glad I didn't miss.

And with whatever disclaimers and delineations, Brian Wilson earned an avid standing ovation--and my abiding affinity--both for what he once did and who he still remains.

At Ravinia, Brian Wilson Provides Enough Good Vibrations to be Fun, Fun, Fun -- Chicago Concert Review

Concert Review

Brian Wilson
w/ Al Jardine and David Marks 

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL

July 26, 2013

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Having caught the Beach Boys' reunion tour last year, and Brian Wilson on his own in 2008, I probably didn't need to hear him run through his remarkable oeuvre of pop-rock gems yet again.

And though I had noted his Friday night show on Ravinia's schedule, I was likely to skip it until Goldstar sent an offer of rear pavilion seats for just $15 ($23 incl. fees). 

But not only do I revere what Wilson did in the '60s enough to make it well-worth revisiting his classics for a rather modest outlay--and feel Mike Love dropping him from ongoing Beach Boys touring is bush league--it was cool to see him just 10 days after seeing Paul McCartney, to whom he is inextricably tied. (The Beach Boys' 1966 Pet Sounds, a masterpiece showcasing Wilson's studio production genius, inspired the Beatles--primarily Paul--to try to top it. When Brian heard Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, he reportedly cried and suffered a nervous breakdown from which he seemingly never fully recovered.)

Though the Goldstar offer was for "rear" pavilion, I wound up just 15 rows from the stage in the front center section. And what I got is largely what I expected: 

A robust helping of wonderful songs, well-delivered due to Wilson being in good voice and backed by a crack 11-piece band including Jardine and Marks.

I think many if not all in this band--with at least three members hailing from Chicago--backed the Beach Boys on their 50th Anniversary tour, and led by Jeff Foskett on guitar, principal backing vocals (often falsettos) and occasional lead, they helped Brian deliver faithful, frequently sublime, renditions of his Beach Boys chestnuts, even some on which he wasn't the lead singer. (See the setlist on Setlist.fm)

Sitting at a grand piano he likely never really played, Wilson appeared occasionally impassive, but seemingly in better spirits and more verbose than during last year's Beach Boys outing, his first time playing with them in years.

At Ravinia, the setlist and arrangements were clearly tightly-scripted, with 6 songs delivered in the first 12 minutes and the entire 17-song first set over at 8:48 after starting promptly at 8:00.

But with the large band ensuring the music--including the trademark glorious harmonies--were pristinely delivered, the early pairing of "In My Room" and "Surfer Girl" served to showcase just how much the addled-looking man at the piano has given the world, including considerable pleasure on a summer night more than 50 years down the road.

Though even with deeply-discounted tickets available, the crowd was far from full--wrongly, the current Mike Love and Bruce Johnston-led "Beach Boys" would undoubtedly sell far more tickets--it showered Wilson with appreciation, for far more than just the songs he delivered this evening.

The fans rose to their feet and passionately applauded after "Heroes and Villains," from the long-shelved Smile album, and gave an even longer ovation after "God Only Knows," which featured Brian singing lead after paying tribute to brother Carl, who had done so on the recorded version.

Wilson seemed taken aback by all the applause and eager to move along, but Jardine wisely and warmly encouraged the crowd to continue their salute to "one of America's greatest songwriters" while referencing Paul McCartney calling the Pet Sounds centerpiece his favorite song of all-time.

Yet the concert was acutely enjoyable well beyond a sense of reverence, and even with Jardine, Marks, Foskett and other members of the band taking lead vocal turns, seeing "Brian Wilson" wound up being considerably more joyful than merely wistful. Even in his current state, at 71, he was still clearly the star--and worthy of the love the fans bestowed.

Whatever one might say about Wilson at this point, or the purity of having so many accompanists, there's no doubt that singing along with "I Get Around," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Help Me, Rhonda," "Barbara Ann," "Surfin' USA" and others was a lot more "Fun, Fun, Fun" in the man's presence. 

It should also be noted that more recent material--such as Wilson's solo "Your Imagination" and "Goin' Home," as well as the title song of last year's Beach Boys album That's Why God Made the Radio--were convincing reminders that not all of the maestro's magic disappeared decades ago. 

And with the show seemingly over, Wilson and his band ambled back onstage for a last encore, playing the melancholy "Summer's Gone." Written by Brian along with longtime producer Joe Thomas and Jon Bon Jovi, it is the last song on his (former?) band's solid 2012 release, which could quite well be the final Beach Boys record to feature new material.

Let's hope the recent run of cooler temperatures in Chicago don't portend the accuracy of the song's title, but though not the most upbeat concert closer, given the life Brian Wilson has lived, it was a rather apt and poignant way to say good night to a genius. 

Summer’s gone

I’m gonna sit and watch the waves

We laugh, we cry

We live then die

And dream about our yesterday

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Below is a bit of "I Get Around."