Beach Boys in Danbury, 8/17/01

I had only seen the Beach Boys, the touring group, once before. It was the summer before Carl died at the opening ceremonies for the World Scholar-Athelete Games at the University of Rhode Island. Carl was not in attendance that night, but that didn't matter to the hundreds of high school kids and their families who had gathered for the show. At that time i was just thrilled to be there and hear the music; i wasn't a critical audience member at all, and i was a hundred yards away from the stage.

Friday night i was ready to be critical, and i was third row center.

The Ives Center for the Arts is a lovely little outdoor venue. It had rained earlier while i had supper with Kathie and her three kids - we had dessert while it poured! - but the storm cleared away and there was blue sky by the time we got to our seats.

There was a comedian as the opening act, guy named Steve Morris who was very endearing and funny. He said he'd opened for the Beach Boys for years -
anybody ever see him?

Before the BBs came out, Mike escorted Jackie, Ahmba, Brian [his wife, daughter, and son] as well as two other young ladies to seats on stage, stage right. He seemed to be making sure they were all set and everything was okay, then he left the stage again to make his entrance with the band, who were introduced as America's Band.

I have to tell you, folks, they put on a fun show. No real surprises, tho Kathie told me the night before they'd gotten H&V, Ballad of Ole' Betsy, and a few other shockers. We got what seemed to be a standard show, and the almost-6000 folks in attendance were thrilled, happy, dancin', conga-line-makin' fools for it - they loved it! Here is the set list, with notes:

1. Cal Girls
2. Do It Again [Mike was VERY nasal]
3. Catch a Wave [slow]
4. Hawaii
5. Dance Dance Dance [GOD i love this song!]
6. Do You Wanna Dance [Bruce, sounding quite strong]
7. Little Honda
8. Surfer Girl [Ahmba came out and Mike held her and danced with her while they sang]
9. Don't Worry Baby [nice job by Adrian]
10. I Can Hear Music [John Cowsill - rrrrrrrrrrrrrrorw!!!]
11. Why Do Fools Fall In Love [Mike compliments Brian on the intricate a capella intro - very nicely done]
12. Come Go With Me
13. Rock-n-Roll Music
~ monologue about how they can't do any of the car songs, they're just all politically incorrect
14. Little Deuce Coupe
15. 409
16. Little Old Lady From Pasadena ["Don't applaud too much, that one was Jan and Dean...."]
17. Shut Down
18. I Get Around
19. Kiss Me Baby [a capella ending was rough]
20. Then I Kissed Her [Chris Farmer - nicely done!]
21. Darlin' [Cowsill again - this guy is terrific!]
22. God Only Knows [dedicated to Carl; nice job by Bruce]
23. Sloop John B
24. Wouldn't It Be Nice [very strange lounge-act-type ending; i didn't like it]
25. Good Vibrations [nice to hear they've gone back to "gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations happenin' with HER"]
26. Kokomo [the crowd went even more crazy than they did for the car songs!]
27. All Summer Long [Cowsill on "not for us now!' and i didn't miss Mikey D'Amico so much! ;-) ]
28. Rhonda [Cowsill to the front - a well-deserved spotlight]
29. Barbara Ann [Ahmba came out and sang along....not bad for a 5-year-old, the little i could hear of her over the crowd! Amazing to see a 5-year-old that comfortable on stage!]
30. Surfin' Safari
- ----------
31. Surfin' USA

Here are some general thoughts: I am extremely spoiled, having seen and heard Brian's band so many times. Their incredible precision made this band appear, at times, a bit sloppy. Some songs were slower than i would have liked them [Catch a Wave, Hawaii, SUSA, IGA, etc], and they slowed down while singing a capella or more intricate parts then came back to temp at the chorus or when they got to more familiar ground on some other songs. That having been said, tho, Mike and Bruce put on a show that makes people very happy. A Beach Boys crowd is much more free and loose than a Brian crowd - dancing in the aisles, rushing the stage, singing just EVERYTHING, laughing at the jokes [which were not at ALL offensive, folks; Mike is a very charming man on stage], bopping the beach balls around.

At one point Bruce came down off the stage [because he could - it's in intimate little outdoor venue!] and gave Kathie the bright red-and-white lei he'd been wearing during the show - i think it was during Kokomo, but i could be wrong - and gave her a hug and a kiss....it was fun to see the reactions of folks around her to that!

In general, this is kind of a dead and static show to watch. The energy seems to be generated by the audience and the music, not by the band. The two exceptions to this were Adrian Baker, who does a nice job on guitar and the high parts and inserts life with his smile, and John Cowsill, whose enthusiasm and energy were absolutely enchanting! Sally Macreavy is absolutely right - this guy is a doll! He's having a BLAST doing this show, and it shows....and ladies, you haven't lived until you've seen him come down front for Rhonda....;-)

I have to say this: those who say that Brian's show needs that bass voice are absolutely right; hearing it brought that home to me. Mike's vocals make SUCH a difference in the blend of the songs; i hope Brian gets somebody to sing some bass soon. The music almost demands it.

And Mike's son Brian did come out and sing on a few numbers, but it didn't bother me at all. He was on key, and took his performance very seriously - he wasn't screwing around, he was trying to do his best. It was kinda cute the way he kept looking to John for affirmation - after almost every line, turning around to see if it was okay. Kathie says John has an excellent rapport with kids - they all love him.

So this was altogether an enjoyable evening. I would still choose Brian's show over Mike's - i prefer the precision - but i'm very glad i went, and i would go again. It wasn't The Beach Boys - it was clearly the Mike and Brucey show - but who cares? The music is great, and the people go away very happy. If you haven't seen it, and you get the chance, you really should.

Susan

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