Last night I took my granddaughter (11 years old) to her first concert, the Beach Boys, at the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa, California. Great venue, we had seats 13 rows back center stage for $85 each. Really good acoustics. We had a great time; sorry, I didn't do a set list as I usually do, now I wish I would have. They did the usual standards, plus these that at least I think are not usual: Ballad of Ole Betsy Wild Honey Disney Girls Goin' to the Beach God Only Knows (Bruce introduced this as "something different", they played a 24 track recording of Carl singing, with the live band providing backup, and a video montage) My granddaughter was hoping that they would perform Surfer Girl and Be True to Your School, which they did, so she was happy. The other song she would have liked to hear was Island Girl, but I told her ahead of time not to expect that one, so she was ok about it. Mike really sounded good. His bass was spot-on as far as I could tell. Not as much chit-chat as last time I saw them (the only other time I've seen them), just song after song, with some audience interaction. Bruce did a great job on Disney Girls. I wasn't as impressed with his part of Their Hearts Were Full of Spring, but I'm not sure if it was him (sounded thin) or if it was something with the sound system. I felt the same way about Randell Kirch's Don't Worry Baby, but the woman two seats down talked about how wonderful he was on that song and that they should have him sing more. I thought his backup was good, but his lead on that song was strident. But maybe it was just me, or my seat. Bruce did an excellent job keeping the audience engaged. He made it appear that the section directly in front of his section of the stage were his personal friends; maybe they were, I don't know, but he seemed to have a connection with them, regardless. Scott Totten, Christian Love, and Tim Bonhomme were all really enjoyable and did a great job. And I really liked John Cowsill, he's my favorite performer with the current lineup. Seriously. He can sing Wild Honey, Darlin, and Help Me Rhonda for me any time. I think Brian should steal him away. So here's my synopsis: If you want to go hear the Beach Boys music performed as closely to the original as possible, go see Brian Wilson. There really is no comparison in quality. Scott Totten, Christian Love, and Randell Kirsch, as good as they are, are not Carl Wilson, Al Jardine, and Brian Wilson, and the blend of their voices are not as closely replicated as they are with Brian's band. If you want to experience a fun time with people who think they are seeing the original Beach Boys, go see Mike Love and the Beach Boys. It really is a great show, and you get to see Mike and Bruce, which is huge. People really, really, enjoy the show -- people who have no obsession with the Beach Boys like we do. :) Both are valuable in their own ways. It really made me wonder about how the Beach Boys concerts with Brian, Al, and David went; I haven't logged on to the Blooey in a long time, and I didn't go to those concerts because the venues weren't close to me, the tickets were so expensive, and family health issues. Did any of you go? I would be interested to hear. And now I have ordered the Cowsills dvd, That's Why God Made the Radio, and am requesting Made in California and the 50th Anniversary DVD for my birthday. So a successful concert :)
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