BRIAN WILSON
London Royal Festival Hall
10 June 2002
How many reviews of Brian Wilson's shows open with questions like "how do you review a legend?" Brian Wilson's UK shows at the very start of 2002 had critics and public reaching for superlatives - tales of an extraordinary band performing faithful versions of the very best Beach Boys material (including all of Pet Sounds!), and Brian himself appearing on form and at ease with the crowd, had people calling them the best shows ever. This hasty return in June looked essential.
My enthusiasm wasn't even derailed by the puzzling Jubilee show which saw him labelled "The Jubilee Zombie" by the morons at the Daily Mail. Despite being joined by Baby Spice and a few other jokers he was still the best thing on that day!
Happily, tonight's epic, three-hour performance lives up to all the expectations. They kick things off with 'Cabinessence', closely followed by 'Sail on Sailor' - two of my favourite Beach Boys songs. The first section concentrates on less well known material, with quite a few album tracks, including some from Brian's own post-Beach Boy releases, although 'Darlin', 'Surfer Girl' ("the first song I ever wrote" says Brian) and 'California Girls' ("the most famous Beach Boys song") are hardly what you call obscure. He also includes a heartfelt to his deceased brother Dennis by including his beautiful song 'Forever'.
From my distant seat I have no idea whether or not Brian is comfortable in front of all these people, but he certainly sounds fine. He even makes time to deliver some 'knock-knock' jokes, which is bizarre but oddly touching. His voice is stronger than I was expecting and he sings lead on everything, and the band are exceptional - particularly on 'Surf's Up' and an almost show-stopping version of 'Heroes and Villains' (I am reliably informed that this was the rare 'in cantina' arrangement).
However, it's part two that most people are here to hear. This is 'Pet Sounds' in full and tonight it is given extra resonance by the presence of Tony Asher (the Pet Sounds lyricist) in the crowd. This is the section where the band really excel themselves in reproducing the sound of the original album, for every ukelele and french horn is here in the live show tonight. They even play the sound effects of the train and barking dogs! This isn't just a colour-by-numbers excercise though, as the songs are given new life, particularly the two instrumentals. In fact 'Pet Sounds' itself does become the fantasy James Bond theme than Brian had intended it to be. 'God Only Knows' is a hard act to follow, but a trainspotter-pleasing 'I Know There's An Answer' is also played as intended with the original lyrics 'Hang on to Your Ego', and 'Caroline No' is a perfect full stop to this section of the show.
That was enough for anyone, but the final section is hits galore. 'Good Vibrations' follows hard on 'Pet Sounds' and is extraordinary, even with pedal steel replacing the theremin. Perhaps the perfect blend of simple pop song with Brian's arrangement and composition skills it really is worth it for this alone.
Some crowdpleasers to finish off with - 'Surfin USA' is about as rock n roll as it gets, and 'Barbara Ann', 'Fun Fun Fun' and 'I Get Around' sound more wonderful than simple pop songs should. By now the whole place is on a high and it's left for the relatively recent 'Love and Mercy' to calm us all down. Comparitively simple, this is still one of Brian's most poignant songs. This was truly a special night, a brilliant performance from someone most of thought we would never see live. Superlatives are pointless really, this was unforgettable.
