The Beach Boys

Went to see The Beach Boys at the Pavilion in Boston a few weeks ago; the 5 surviving members have reunited for the bands 50 year anniversary.   Backed by a large group made up of Mike Love’s and Brian Wilson’s superb touring bands the group sounds good as they moved thru a 2 set show playing a generous 47 songs.  It was fascinating to see the bands long running dichotomy still playing out after all these years.  The twin peaks of America’s great band is, of course, the pure pop genius of Brian Wilson juxtaposed with the showmanship of Mike Love.  This was manifested in the audience as well, baby boomers there to grab a bit of nostalgia and those of us there to hear them play the high art that was Brian’s musical output in the 1960’s.  The nostalgic attendees (like the 60+ women in front of us who was bound and determined to “dance” to every song no matter how inappropriate) reacted loudly to Mr. Love and Bruce Johnson’s sing-along’s and cheerleading but a deep round of applause went up when Brian Wilson took the mike 4 songs into the opening set with “Hawaii.”  The Beach Boys sounded excellent and, contrary to several early reports, did seem to sing a vast majority of the vocals and harmonies.  Brian cannot do his signature high falsetto harmonies anymore so those are ably handled by his long time band mate Jeff Foskett.

I must say that it is an unnerving experience being at one of these baby boomer “reunion” type shows.  There are folks there that clearly do not go out to hear live music much and for whom the show is some weird exercise in reclaimed youth.  This was vividly played out when an old coot in suspenders sitting in front of our 60+ year old go-go dancer leapt to his feet to “dance” to (of all things!) “When I Grow up to be a Man.”  Not sure if he got the strange, surreal irony of that, made me think if you did not get your youth right the first time forgetaboutit!