Spins: Brian Wilson: Live at the Roxy Theatre
Brian Wilson
Live at the Roxy Theatre
(Oglio)
The world lost Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson in June, and this 3xLP box is a vivid reminder of what made him so beloved. Recorded on April 7 and 8, 2000, at the 500-capacity Roxy Theatre on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, the show finds Wilson revitalized as a live performer near the end of his first solo tour supporting 1998’s Imagination album. The songwriter and producer was well on his way to developing his orchestral Pet Sounds revival show, which would begin three months later. As the record fades in, Wilson is heard giving seasoned producer-styled direction to his horn section for just the right beginning to set opener “The Little Girl I Once Knew.” Afterward, he offers joyful whoops and thanks. “Let’s make some more music, okay?” he says. Unlike later tours post-Smile, Wilson is very engaged and taking the lead vocal on these songs, ranging from deeper cuts like “This Whole World” to indelible favorites like “Don’t Worry Baby.” He’s supported by a ten-piece band, including several of the key players who would help him through the remainder of his touring career.
Darian Sahanaja of the Wondermints plays keyboards. The late Nick Walusko of the Wondermints and the late Jeffrey Foskett play guitar. Chicago bassist Bob Lizik keeps songs like sparkling classic “California Girls” in the pocket alongside drummer Jim Hines. Probyn Gregory performs warm brass while Chicago’s Paul Mertens (Poi Dog Pondering, etc.) covers reed parts that remain signatures of favorites, including “God Only Knows.” Foskett takes a key vocal role, singing Carl Wilson’s high harmonies and melodies. Still, as is necessary for a band covering Wilson’s famous Four Freshmen-influenced vocal arrangements, the whole ensemble shines in the vocal department. Summery pop classics like “I Get Around” spring to life. Wilson toys with the audience, counting cigarette lighters, teasing a portion of Barenaked Ladies’ “Brian Wilson,” and promising that the band will “rock out” later after delivering beautiful pop ballads, including “In My Room” and “Surfer Girl.” Wilson explains that he wrote the latter while driving around in his car, without a piano. The band performs the otherwise unreleased “The First Time,” a 1983 song Wilson recovered from a briefcase, and it’s as glorious as anything in Wilson’s solo catalog. The song features an emotive saxophone solo by Mertens. Wilson also introduces the ’30s-inspired “This Isn’t Love,” written with Pet Sounds lyricist Tony Asher and used in a Flintstones movie soundtrack. Gregory’s flute drifts through the sublime “Add Some Music to Your Day.” The Imagination song “Lay Down Burden” is dedicated to those in the crowd who have lost a loved one, and to brother Carl Wilson, who passed away due to cancer in early 1998. The band performs six songs from Pet Songs, highlighted by a rambunctious “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” heavenly “God Only Knows,” and sweetly melancholy “Caroline, No.” “Good Vibrations” is performed in all of its teenaged symphonic glory. Solo catalog standout “Love and Mercy” is glistening and heartfelt.
The LP set’s final side climaxes with a string of Beach Boys party hits, including “Sloop John B,” a delirious “Barbara Ann,” and “Help Me Rhonda.” Live on the Sunset Strip includes 30 songs in slightly shuffled order from the two concert dates, omitting only four songs. Missing are the Jimmy Buffett co-written “South American” and the charming “Your Imagination” from Imagination, and alas, the Beach Boys’ 1963 single “Surfin’ U.S.A.” and 1964’s “Fun, Fun, Fun.” Newly added to Oglio’s reissue are later live recordings of the shimmering stroll “Soul Searchin’,” which appeared on 2004’s Getting In Over My Head, and the sentimental “Southern California,” which appeared on 2008’s That Lucky Old Sun. The rowdy Roxy crowd encourages Wilson with maximum enthusiasm, and multiple shouts of “We love you, Brian!” throughout the set. Wilson’s presence throughout the show is certainly eccentric, and his vocal delivery doesn’t match the perfection his spectacular band delivers. Still, the joy of this set is hearing Brian in such a positive, happy headspace as he reclaims his legacy and sings his songs. (brianwilson.com)
– Jeff Elbel
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