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BRIAN WILSON
Live At The Roxy (BriMel)
Reviewed by Bill Holmes
"I lost my way…hey hey hey…." (Brian Wilson, "Til I Die")"D'ja ever think you'd see Brian Wilson at The Roxy?" (Jeffrey Foskett, introducing the show)
It goes without saying that Live At The Roxy is an absolutely essential recording for any Brian Wilson or Beach Boys fan. What's remarkable, and wonderful, is that Live At The Roxy is also an absolutely essential recording for everyone else, too.
Recorded over two nights at the 500-seat Sunset Strip landmark, this two-CD release is a stunning glimpse at one of pop music's true icons and geniuses. Foskett, The Wondermints and the rest of the expanded band cradle Wilson and his songs throughout the night, as do the enthusiastic and reverent crowd in attendance. And maybe that's the way it should have always been - an egoless womb where Wilson could leave his fears and inhibitions at the door and simply reach into that open heart of his and channel his thoughts. There's a lot of love in this room, from the crowd to the band, and yes, even to the listener. And though it can't possibly duplicate the magic of being in that room, the intimate production does make it a damned close second.
Here is a man whose life was so abruptly and permanently altered that he almost is starting over. There are moments where he sounds fragile (like his vocal on "This Old World"), but he has always been nervous at the beginning of shows. But then there are also so many moments like "All Summer Long" and "Don't Worry Baby", where his delicate tenor and falsetto are wonderful, and the fifty-something man is a boy once again.
His stage banter is at once warm and child-like, but why not? He's obviously comfortable enough to interact frequently with the audience, thanking them profusely, even attempting a joke and then apologizing for how lame it was. And I doubt the Brian Wilson of a few years ago would have had the confidence and the sense of humor to start off a set with an excerpt from The Barenaked Ladies' "Brian Wilson", let alone flawlessly segue from that into "Til I Die", perhaps his most introspective composition ("Hey, please don't fall asleep!", he jokes during the intro). An introduction like the one he gives "Good Vibrations" would be arena-rock cheese in the hands of just about anyone else, but here you know it's just child-like enthusiasm and not crowd-baiting.
As for the music itself, what can you say? "Kiss Me Baby", "The Little Girl I Once Knew", "Caroline No", "Please Let Me Wonder", "California Girls"…twenty-six magical moments including "The First Time" (written in 1983 but never released) and the ultimate coda "Love & Mercy". The band is absolutely magnificent, filling every sonic nook and cranny to bring life to each song and performing vocal gymnastics that would even leave Murry without complaint. "Darlin" and "Do It Again" rock like they should, "In My Room" and "Surfer Girl" are acapella heaven, and the complex Pet Sounds excerpts are performed brilliantly. They even play a lively version of Brian's all-time favorite song, "Be My Baby". For Wilson, this must have been the ultimate configuration, a band capable of anything from his immense repertoire.
Three quarters of the way through the set, Brian dedicates the beautiful "Lay Down Burden" to his brother Carl, but I suspect Carl (and Dennis) were smiling down from above long before that. Dare I say it? Brian Wilson is back. Really!
www.brianwilson.com
© 2000 - Bill Holmes