Finally getting around to posting about the Brian Wilson show I went dow to Santa Barbara to see. Funny thing…I decided to go to this particular show as when it was being advertised, it was being advertised as the last of the Pet Sound shows, so I thought how cool it would be to go and see this iconic artist perform what many believe is one of the top albums of all time in souther California where it all started. Cool huh? Well, turns out that not only was this NOT the last show it was’t even the last show in the US as they added a later date in Hawaii and then planned a whole european tour…fished in again!
Well, didn’t take me long to get over that as soon as the first notes of the sound check started. This was by far one of the best sound checks I have ever seen as I really wasn’t expecting to see Brain Wilson, but not only did he host the entire set, but they must have played for a half an hour. What a treat to see them play for such a small group and in such a informal setting.
The main show was absolutely fabulous. I know beach boys songs are all relatively short, but he and the band played for what was around two an a half hours which turned out to be a total of 38 songs, with the entire Pet Sounds album sandwiched in between a ton of Beach Boys hits. A few of my favorites of the night were Shut Down, Little Deuce Coup, Don’t Worry Baby, Surfer Girl, Wouldn’t it be Nice, Sloop John B, and Sail on Sailor (sung by Blondie Chaplin – Who was a Beach Boy back in the 70’s).
One of the highlights of the day was getting to have a pre-show meet and greet where I was able to meet and have my photo taken Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and Blondie Chapin. Oh and I had a perfect view of him in his big huge leather easy chair off slightly behind the stage and I bought him looking at his watch probably wondering the same thing I was…”when’s the show supposed to start anyway?”
A very memorable trip and show and I hope Brian can continue to perform for years to come.
Surfer Girl shot at the sound check
bryonsconcertblog 
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