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Topic: Beach Boys in Oslo, July 31, 2012
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Christian Bjorgen
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 996
From: Kvinnherad, Norway
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted August 01, 2012 03:54 PM
I usually don't do reviews, but as this was a special occasion, I'll do one.
So last night I attended the Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour in Oslo, where they played to a sold out crowd of 7000. The band, which now consists of founding members Brian Wilson (piano/vocals), Mike Love (vocals), Al Jardine (guitar/vocals) and David Marks (guitar, occasional vocals), aswell as Bruce Johnston (keys and vocals), who joined in 1965. They were backed by Brian Wilson's SMILE-band, which really made it a terrific night.
The concert, which lasted three hours (with a 15 min intermission), consisted of an impressive 51(!) songs, which was divided unto two sets of 25 and 26 songs, encores included.
The show was amazing, and I mean amazing, especially when you consider the fact that the guys are over 70 years old. Still, they delivered a superb performace of all their classics, from the surf hits of the 60s to the closing "Kokomo" and their new hit "That's Why God Made the Radio". The audience loved it, the band enjoyed it, and we all left the arena singing surf tunes.
Grade: B++, maybe a weak A-
The ups: - Brian Wilsons fantastic performances of "I Just Wasnt Made for these Times" and "God Only Knows". Gets a well deserved 3 minute standing ovation for each one. - Al Jardines voice. Nails "Help Me, Rhonda" just as good as he did 40 years ago. - The backing band. Really lifted the show up another level. - Darian Sahanaja's (from the backing band) fantastic tribute to Carl Wilson singing "Darlin" with the rest of the boys. - Mike & Bruce's great connection with the audience. - Sloop John B. sing-a-long. - The harmonies, still as good as on the records.
The downs: - They are 70 years old, and their voices (except Jardines) are proof of that, but it's still much better than expected. Could have been an issue on some numbers hadnt the backing band been there backing them up. - That's Why God Made the Radio: great on the record, not all that good live. Too much of a strain for Brians voice, which makes it sound off.
So if they're coming near you, and tickets are available, go see them! It might be your last chance, and you'll regret it!
Remaining shows on the tour (as of 01.08.2012):
Aug. 3 — Berlin, Germany (O2 World Arena)* Aug. 4 — Stuttgart, Germany (Hanns-Martin-Schleyerhalle)* Aug. 5 — Monchengladbach, Germany (Hockey Park)* Aug. 7 — Lokeren, Belgium (Lokerse Festival)* Aug. 16 — Tokyo, Japan (QVC Marine Field)* Aug. 17 — Osaka, Japan (Oskaka Prefectural Gymnasium)* Aug. 19 — Nagoya, Japan (Gaishi Hall)* Aug. 22 — Kallang, Singapore (Singapore Indoor Stadium)* Aug. 28 — Brisbane, Australia (Entertainment Centre)* Aug. 30 — Sydney , Australia (Allphones Arena)* Aug. 31 — Melbourne, Australia (Rod Laver Arena)* Sept. 2 — Adelaide, Australia (Entertainment Centre)* Sept. 6 — Perth, Australia (Burswood Dome)* Sept. 27 — London, England, UK (Royal Albert Hall)* Sept. 28 — London, England, UK (Wembley Arena)*
-------------------- Well who’s on first? Yeah. Go ahead and tell me. Who. The guy on first. Who. The guy playin’ first base. Who. The guy on first. Who is on first! What are you askin’ me for? I’m askin’ you!
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Osi Osgood
Film God
Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted August 03, 2012 01:03 PM
This post series inducwed me to listen to "Wouldn't it be Nice" all over again. I listened to that remaster in full stereo that Brian Wilson did a few years back, and it induced the4 same response that it has ever since I first listened to it.
It brought me to tears. It really is one of the most perfect pop songs of all time. Though I think of myself as a pretty good songwriter, I don't think I could ever reach that good of a song. Magnificent! Even Paul McCartney, when he heard "Wouldn't it be Nice" (as well as the rest of the "Pet Sounds" album), he remarked that the Beatles had to really up the anty, because he felt that "Pet Sounds" was the high the Beatles had to hit ...
... and, of course, they came out with Sgt. Peppers.
-------------------- "All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "
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