Brian Wilson is high up there in life’s soundtrack when it comes to the music of the 1960s. His current world tour which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the album Pet Sounds proves why, delivering so much more than the hits of the Beach Boys.
Wilson’s 12 strong band is a very solid and tight affair encompassing strings, brass and percussion. Opening up with the 1968 hit Heroes and Villains they delivered further music gold with I Get Around, Wild Honey and California Girls.
Watching Wilson lead on piano was an absolute joy as he not only performs but also feels the music too. Vocalists including fellow Beach Boy founder, Al Jardine, Matt Jardine and Blondie Chapman who recreated The Beach Boys melodic harmonies to perfection.
The main menu of 1966’s Pet Sounds album was served in the second half, displaying that the album format is far from dead as appreciative cheers came from the audience on hearing tracks such as Wouldn’t It Be Nice and Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder).
The real highlight was God Only Knows described by one lady as “the sweetest song ever written”and it was pure magic to hear Brian Wilson give it the live treatment.
The encore was equally uplifting, with the audience out of their seats dancing to classics Good Vibrations, All Summer Long and Help Me Rhonda, all of which brought a Summer vibe to what was already a warm evening of music memories for everyone in attendance.
- A version of this review by Andy Howells was published on The South Wales Argus website on May 19, 2016.
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