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 A Classic Performance Feb 10, 2010
I saw the slightly edited version of this concert on cable twice recently, with the first time having been Christmas night. It was close to midnight, so the day was almost over. What a way to bring it to an end. We were clapping, singing, and dancing along. I had the CD, but to actually see it was a completely different experience.
By 1980, these guys had been through quite a few turbulent times- squabbles inside the group, Brian's mental illness and drug abuse, Denny's drug and alcohol abuse, the departure and return of Bruce Johnston... However, you tend to not focus on any of that so much when you are listening to the music at this concert, which was the last time all six of them would perform together on stage in the UK. I was amazed by how different their sound was. Although the sunny feeling of their music was still present, there was a rough edge to it, which sounded good. For instance, "Little Deuce Coupe" sounded like a hard rock song. They also performed their latest song "Keepin' The Summer Alive". Carl Wilson, who wrote it and sang lead, was so into it, he broke one of the strings on his guitar.
You could sense some underlying tension on stage at times. During "Surfer Girl", you could see Mike get apprehensive when Dennis left the drums to stand next to him. The two were known for having a very volatile relationship. Carl's mind seemed to wander at times. He would take an absence from the group for about a year, starting in 1981. He wanted to go out on his own, and pursue other kinds of music. Al and Bruce seemed just happy to be there, while Mike seemed to get his biggest kick out of conversing with the audience. As for Brian, he sang a few lines of "Surfer Girl" and "Sloop John B", but he was mostly concentrating on playing piano. Denny was wild on the drums, giving it all he had. He was highly animated the entire time.
Although it was a cold and rainy night, the crowd was not fazed by it. They were having a great time. I had a great time too, watching it. The music of the Beach Boys has a way of making you get on your feet, and this concert is no exception. It is a must-have, if you are a fan like I am.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
There's Probably a Book Already ,,, Jan 17, 2010
... that tells all the inside scooby about The Beach Boys -- about their maniacal abusive father, about the squabbles between the Wilson brothers and cousin, about drugs and diagnosable mental states, about their tragedies as human beings that were so beatifically excluded from their music. I haven't read such a book, but the other reviews here on amazoon tell a lot. I skimmed over the wikipedia article on their history and felt saddened enough, not just because they've had beastly lives -- many artists have had beastly lives -- but because they've brought me so much joyous energy over decades and I can't pay any of it back to them.
Much of the dynamics of their stress can be observed during this concert in foul weather in England in 1980. By that time, the group and most of the members were in shaky shape, particularly the core composer/performer Brian Wilson, who sits slumped at his piano, a dismal detached hulk. The program of songs include some that didn't suit the group's style very aptly, and some that were obviously waaaay under-rehearsed. And yet.... there they were, rousing the crowd as always, The Beach Boys, the truest bluest musical avatars of the California Dream, Endless Summer, all the gallant loving life forces of America in the Sixties and early Seventies, before drugs and disillusionment and the anguish of the Conservative backlash. It's poignant and painful to watch this concert, but I'm grateful it's been preserved. Since I've long since lost 'that loving feeling', I might as well make do with the sullied reality.
So here's my tribute, for what it's worth, from a guy who listens to Bach and Boccherini far more than to rock 'n roll of any decade: The Beach Boys were real musicians through and through.
 Image a bit blurry Jan 09, 2010
Imagine not as clear as it should be. I guess the video was taken in the 80s so it couldn't keep up w/ today's technology.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Are you in A? Sep 26, 2008
There is probably no good reason for me to chime in here other than to correct a previous reviewer: Al Jardine doesn't ask Brian Wilson if he's okay, he asks if he is in A - as in the key of A, at the beginning of a song. Well, that's my interpretation anyway. I'll agree Brian really doesn't seem to recognize there is even an audience, and one can see the "Don't Panic" signs hung in the dim background light, but Brian is pounding away at the piano and sings his parts with conviction.
In spite of the cold and wet weather, the Beach Boys warm the audience with songs of California Girls, the sun, surfing. It's interesting to see the interaction between the band members. I was surprised to see Dennis' compelling drumming since he looks to be in a washed-out state. At one point he comes up front to sing harmonies alongside Mike Love. Dennis points to his ear as if to say he can't hear, he moves up next to Mike, who rolls his eyes and rather than put his arm around him, gives him the cold shoulder. Dennis doesn't seem bothered, and just continues doing his homeless-guy act. On another viewing, it may just be Dennis coyly playing the Surfer Girl, about whom they are singing. But at the end of the song, very briefly you see Carl going at Mike about something, with Dennis being the peacemaker. There are many of these nuances that you might miss on first viewing, it's a good reason to watch it a few times with your remote control close at hand. Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, and Bruce Johnston seem to be the glue holding the show together, and in spite of the cold weather and family hostilities, all made the effort to come to England for this show. I rate it 5 stars not because it's the most wonderful performance I've ever seen, but because it's reasonably good and captures an important American band at a good time. Good Timin' indeed.
They put on a great show Aug 30, 2008
Despite how I feel about the artistic direction they took after Holland in 1973.Despite how I feel about Mike Love.This is a great show.Many other reviews have allready commented on the onstage interaction between certain members of the group and that in itself is quite entertaining to watch.But when push comes to shove if you want to sit back and watch a great concert this certainly get's the job done.Every member of the group has something to offer and it's amazing to me with how much tension there was between the band how good they could be.However after watching this one can't believe there is still a group of people out there billing itself as "The Beach Boys" without a single Wilson brother.This DVD shows THE REAL BEACH BOYS.Hell,I could probably put this on mute and be entertained just watching Dennis Wilson.But then again I would miss out on some beautiful music.R.I.P. Dennis and Carl.
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