I Get Around.......... to Do It Again
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hat I love about the entirely whacky world of The Beach Boys and indeed, Beach Boys fandom, is that there is never a dull moment. Most of the time, that is actually a good thing, as it keeps us all on our toes and makes life interesting and fascinating. We’ve enjoyed a couple of great Beach Boys shows on these shores, this last September, which admittedly left a lot of us begging for more, but...the 50th Tour was a finite thing. We were all told that Mike and Bruce would be resuming their shows, as we affectionately call them, “The Touring Beach Boys” , after the two London dates, but, surprisingly, this caused some uproar amongst a small group of fans, as there were cries of “Why did they fire Brian/Alan/David”...
Beach Boys Britain 3, Mill Grove Lutterworth Leicestershire LE17 4BS ENGLAND Tel: (+44) 01455 559433 E mail: funky.pretty@btopenworld.com Message Board:
http://b5.boards2go.com/boards/boar d.cgi?&user=Bellagio Website:
www.beachboysbritain.org.uk Reference Site (AGD’s):
http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/
What they tend to forget is that this was agreed upon from the start, so there were no “firings” (and if you consider the legalities, this is not even possible!) and to these fans, I would just like to say, please be very grateful for what you DID get – and see – and hear – and witness. Personally speaking, if The Beach Boys (50th Anniversary style) were never to tour again, I would consider that we have been very, very lucky. Never say never, but..please be grateful – and happy, to those who were lucky enough to see them.
BBB MESSAGE BOARD: ANDREW G. DOE BBB WEBSITE: LUCY HALL
Volume 12 Number 3 WINTER 2012 With grateful thanks to the following people, who have helped make Beach Boys Britain happen this time: Bruce Johnston, Jeffrey Foskett, Billy Hinsche, David Beard, The Lovely Ladies at BBFC, James Crowther, Peter Lacey, Alec McIntosh, Julia Johnston - and Rob JohnsonHowe, Lucy Hall and Andrew G. Doe for all the “clever cyber stuff”. Grateful Thanks also go to Marie and Luke, at Minuteman Press, Lutterworth. Wishing everyone here an early Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year!
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NO dates set for Brian Wilson and his Band, Al Jardine or David Marks.
News’n’tours MIKE & BRUCE CONTINUE TOURING AFTER 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR WRAPS
We will endeavour to keep you posted vis the Beach Boys Britain Website/Message Board – addresses of which are at the top of this Newsletter.
(Courtesy of the Beach Boys Band website)
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he Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour has ended. The 50th Reunion Tour was designed to be a set tour with a beginning and an end to mark a special 50-year milestone for the band.
News The Beach Boys' Live in
Concert: 50th Anniversary
Mike Love and Bruce Johnston will continue to tour as The Beach Boys in the configuration that they have been touring in for 14 of the last 50 years. The post 50th anniversary configuration will not include Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks.
will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on Nov. 20. In the USA, Record Store Day's “Back to Black Friday” vinyl releases will include a Beach Boys 10-inch single reissue of “Surfin' Safari” backed with “Isn't It Time”; available November 23rd 2012.
Several North American dates in October have already been played and concert dates will continue to be announced for The Beach Boys, which include Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, supported musically and vocally by Christian Love, Randell Kirsch, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill and Scott Totten, who serves as musical director.
NEW CATALOG REISSUES IN STEREO AND MONO Exciting new, in that twelve Beach Boys studio albums have been digitally remastered by Mark Linett and released on CD and digitally, most featuring mono and stereo mixes on the same disc. The albums are Surfin' U.S.A., Surfer Girl, Little Deuce Coupe, Shut Down, Volume 2, All Summer Long, Today!, Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!), Party!, Pet Sounds, Smiley Smile, Sunflower (stereo mix only), and Surf's Up (stereo mix only). These releases mark the stereo debut of Smiley Smile and Party!, while Today! and Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) are being
DECEMBER 2012 THE TOURING BEACH BOYS (featuring two original members: Mike Love & Bruce Johnston)
Dec 31: Prior Lake, MN - Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Please note that at time of printing, there are currently 2
released in stereo for the first time in their entirety.
the night can be found elsewhere in the Newsletter.
BEACH BOYS TWITTER INTERVIEW A live Twitter interview with The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks), was held on Tuesday, September 18, 2012. You can read it all on here:
And then, of course, there were those great concerts in London, which we’ll talk about, later; at The Royal Albert Hall on Thursday, 27th September and also at Wembley Arena, on Friday, 28th September. Beach Boys Stomp
http://storify.com/drtatiana/lege ndsontwitter-thebeachboys
The Annual Beach Boys Stomp Convention (we think of them as rather like our Founding Fathers!) was held on Saturday 15th September at their old “spiritual home” of The Parish Visitation Centre, in Greenford.
BEACH BOYS REUNITED: That's Why God Made the Radio debuted at number 3 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart — the highest charting start for any Beach Boys album.
Attendance numbers were not as of yesteryear and there was no “special guest”...although it is ALWAYS a very special time when we get to meet up with those like-minded folk, who we only seem to bump into at Stomp! Well Done to Roy Gudge and James Crowther, for keeping the flag flying and a big thank you to all who went along to support. Next year, same place... same time of year...and hopefully a lot more support. These Conventions take a LOT of work to organise and need your attendance, to make them worthwhile...
The five Beach Boys appeared at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Sept. 18th, with an acoustic set and Q&A sessions, at the opening of a special 50th anniversary exhibit at the museum. The Beach Boys also performed a concert for broadcast on BBC Radio 2's In Concert programme, which took take place on Sept. 24th at The Mermaid Theatre, London.
Nelson Bragg & Friends, inclusive of Scott Bennett and Probyn Gregory performed a gig on Sunday 23rd September 2012 at What’s Cookin’, Birkbeck Tavern, 45 Langthorne Rd, Leyton, East London. A review of
Beach Boys Britain Time to take some huge deep breaths after those fantastic concerts in London, take stock, wonder what’s next...and think about our plans for next year. 3
Beach Boys Britain will continue and our next event will be on Saturday May 18th 2013, in the great city of Liverpool, once again in conjunction with the wonderful International Pop Overthrow Festival there. Further details in the next Newsletter, but we would ask you to pencil this date in your new year diaries and try and keep the weekend free, please!
days gone by...and we wondered, if these shows we going to be as wonderful as our overseas friends had been telling us. After all these years, the remaining Beach Boys would be on stage, together and we would be lucky enough to BE there. Yes, those of us lucky enough to have seen Dennis and Carl on stage, really did miss them, by The Beach Boys delivered wonderful tributes to the two brothers and many tears flowed, but they were both of sadness AND joy.
TWO NIGHTS TO REMEMBER, FOR A VERY LONG TIME...
My first observation was how everyone looked so happy on stage and of course they should be, with THAT great backing band! A huge highlight for me was when I heard Alan sing. I had not heard THAT voice live for many years and – please forgive me, everyone else who has ever sang any of Alan’s songs, but I just felt that “all was right with the world” when I heard Alan Jardine sing “Help Me Rhonda”. I suspect that many felt as I did; things seemed to have come full circle, somehow...
The Beach Boys at The Royal Albert Hall – 27th Sept. And The Beach Boy at the Wembley Arena, 28th September 2012
The Royal Albert Hall, London. All photos courtesy of Rob Johnson-Howe.
Nearly time to go on stage...
Al on The Royal Albert Hall stage
The stage was set...we arrived with much excitement, yet memories of 4
Full band at the RAH
Adding Some Music To Our Day...
It was equally a delight to hear Mike Love, WITH Brian Wilson and to hear David Marks’ guitar solos were a real treat. How lovely to see him there, with the rest of The Boys! There’s been a lot written about the shows, but I would like to focus on how SPECIAL this was and how much enjoyment it all brought to so many fans. All you had to do, was turn around and see all the smiling faces around you; clapping to the beat, applauding with great vigour..and demanding encores at each show.
What more could a fan ask for? I had been thinking about the gruelling long journeys, the hours, the stamina needed and I applaud The Beach Boys for at the very least, the two shows we attended. We were all so very lucky. Oh and Bruce’s performance of “Disney Girls” was stunning, ESPECIALLY at The Royal Albert Hall. The setlists below are by very kind courtesy of Andrew Gladwin. I had every intention of making copious notes, but got wrapped up in the moment(s): Setlist, Royal Albert Hal, London 27/09/2012:
Brian Wilson on stage with the rest of The Beach Boys.
Do It Again Little Honda Catch A Wave Hawaii Don't Back Down Surfin' Safari Surfer Girl Little Girl I Once Knew (Brian vocal) This Whole World (Brian vocal -just about nailed it) Wendy Getcha Back (David Marks vocal) Then I Kissed Her Please Let Me Wonder Marcella You're So Good To Me Kiss Me Baby
Wembley Arena, London 28.09.2012
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Isn't It Time Come Go With Me Why Do Fools Fall In Love When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) Dance Dance Dance Darlin' Disney Girls Good Timin' It's OK Cottonfields Be True To Your School Ballad Of Ole Betsy Still Cruisin' Don't Worry Baby Little Deuce Coupe 409 Shut Down I Get Around (Intermission) Pet Sounds (only David Marks on stage, doing lead guitar) Add Some Music Sail On Sailor Our Prayer(first time Mike Love has performed this?) Heroes And Villains (great audience reaction) I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (standing ovation for some minutes) Let Him Run Wild California Dreamin' California In My Room All This Is That
Fun Fun Fun Second Encore: Summer's Gone
Wembley Arena – Mike & Brian and below, with image of Carl.
Setlist, Wembley Arena, 28/09/2012: (mostly same as Albert Hall with a few songs left out and some order changes in the second half-55 songs this time) Do It Again Little Honda
That's Why God Made The Radio Forever (Dennis projected vocal) God Only Knows (Carl projected vocal, Brian introduced both his brothers) Sloop John B Wouldn't It Be Nice Good Vibrations California Girls Help Me Rhonda All Summer Long Do You Wanna Dance? (Brian vocal) Rock And Roll Music Surfin' USA Encore: Kokomo Barbara Ann
Catch A Wave Hawaii Don't Back Down Surfin' Safari Surfer Girl This Whole World (Brian vocal wonderful audience reaction for this "deep cut") Wendy (Bruce lead vocal) Getcha Back (David Marks vocal) Then I Kissed Her (Al messed up the intro -maybe in the emotion of it all. Everyone took it with good grace) Please Let Me Wonder 6
You're So Good To Me Kiss Me Baby Isn't It Time Come Go With Me Why Do Fools Fall In Love When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) Dance Dance Dance Darlin' Disney Girls It's OK Cottonfields Be True To Your School Ballad Of Ole Betsy Don't Worry Baby Little Deuce Coupe 409 Shut Down I Get Around (Intermission) Pet Sounds (only David Marks on stage, doing lead guitar) Add Some Music Sail On Sailor Heroes And Villains I Just Wasn't Made For These Times California Dreamin' California In My Room All This Is That That's Why God Made The Radio Summer's Gone (wonderful audience reaction to the new songs) Forever (Dennis projected vocal) God Only Knows (Carl projected vocal, Brian introduced both his brothers) Sloop John B Wouldn't It Be Nice Good Vibrations California Girls All Summer Long Help Me Rhonda Rock And Roll Music Do You Wanna Dance? (Brian vocal) Surfin' USA Encore: Kokomo Barbara Ann Fun Fun Fun
All This Is That...
The end of the (Wembley) Show...
Jeffrey Foskett with Granny Spice – RAH backstage
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Wouldn’t It Be Nice...
not that was true. I completely neglected to ask Daryl which song it was. When Dennis called back he wanted to know who told me they were recording one of our songs and asked where I got that idea. I told him Daryl called me up and said so. His reaction was that Daryl must have confused our work with something else the Beach Boys were working on and thought I should just forget about it. Well... about thirty minutes went by and I got a call from Nick Grillo (the Beach Boys manager) asking me to come into the office in Hollywood to sign off on a song! This didn't make any sense at all, and I became a little suspicious. I wanted to know if the Beach Boys were recording one of my songs, or not. Grillo said he had no idea what I was talking about... but, that didn't matter... legal agreements were a completely separate matter. We got into an argument and I didn't believe him... as a matter of fact, I was pretty sure Dennis was told to say nothing at all, and I wound up telling Grillo there's no way I'm signing anything now for the Beach Boys or anyone else. Later on, just prior to the Beach Boys releasing the SURFS UP album, I was told that the last track on the album was going to be my song 'TO LIVE AGAIN'. Well, that
Stan Shapiro’s EXCLUSIVE contribution to James Crowther’s 4 hour DENNIS WILSON Special – on Reading4u, printed here for the first time anywhere... The truth behind “WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO LIVE AGAIN...”
Stan Shapiro (2nd on left) at Beach Boys Britain’s December 2004 “Dennyfest” Event rehearsals. Elaine Fairweather (member of Synergy), Andrew G. Doe, Alan Boyd, James Crowther, Val Johnson-Howe and Francis Greene. Seems So Long Ago...
ne afternoon, shortly after this song was completed (but not yet recorded by anyone) I got a call from Daryl Dragon (aka... The 'Captain' with Toni Tennille) who was just leaving the Beach Boys recording studio at Brian Wilson's estate in Bel Air, California. He asked if I knew that the Beach Boys were in the process of recording a song I co-wrote with Dennis. I told him I had no idea they were recording anything of mine and called Dennis to find out whether or
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never happened. Timothy White, the editor from Rolling Stone Magazine called to tell me that the song, sadly, was replaced by Mike Love, who took a Lieber and Stoller song from an Elvis Presley album and re-wrote the lyrics, which he now called 'Student Demonstration Time'!!! I was in total shock, to say the least, and Tim was completely surprised that the group had allowed such a 'misfit' tune to get onto an otherwise great album. Up to now, I had had a number of confrontations with Mike Love but now I absolutely hated him! What, on earth, had gone wrong! Following the death of Dennis Wilson, I got a call from Alan Boyd who was an archivist for the Beach Boys. He came across a box in the Beach Boys vault marked 'Wouldn't It Be Nice...' by Dennis Wilson and Stanley Shapiro. Initially, he wondered if Dennis and I had possibly co-written a follow up version to the original song released by the Beach Boys with Brian Wilson. Almost immediately, I knew he was referring to the song, 'Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again' which Dennis and I wrote way back in 1971 for the Beach Boys' SURFS UP album. I asked Alan if he'd like to hear me recite the lyrics and I recalled them just as though I had written them
yesterday. His response was that he was going to set aside the tracks and listen to them as soon as possible. A day later, Alan called back to tell me that the song was completely overwhelming... in fact, one of the best songs ever recorded by Dennis Wilson! For a long time I was fairly certain that Daryl Dragon had indeed, truly witnessed the first ever recording of 'TO LIVE AGAIN' way back in 1971 at the Beach Boys' recording studio in Brian Wilson's Bel Air mansion. Well, maybe he did and maybe he didn’t. Regarding the question of "what on earth had gone wrong?" I think I now know the answer. When I first met with Dennis we had agreed not to write songs tailored to the Beach Boys. Instead, Dennis wanted to develop out his own style and insisted that the Beach Boys sound essentially belonged to his brother Brian, and anyone who wanted to duplicate that sound was merely replicating the work done by Brian. Prior to collaborating on 'To Live Again', Dennis and I wrote a song for a television commercial called 'IT'S A NEW DAY'... This highly energetic and ‘fast-paced’ song featured the lead vocal by a talented singer and musician named Blondie Chaplin... Blondie also sang the lead 9
on the Beach Boys hit song 'SAIL ON SAILOR'. An independent agent representing Dennis was engaged to present the song to an advertising agency representing Bristol Meyers. Dennis insisted on going to New York with the agent so he could proudly play a part in presenting the song to the agency on Madison Avenue. Somewhere between New York City and Los Angeles, Dennis got the idea that the song was worth a lot more than the $30,000 dollar figure we had previously agreed upon and decided to offer the agency a ‘new’ concept to distribute a million dollar single with a product buyer’s ‘mailin’ coupon printed on the box. The only hitch was that the agency would have to increase the purchase price to a re-negotiated figure somewhere between $30,000 dollars and a million! Of course, he kept the idea to himself, figuring that when he landed in New York and unveiled the idea to the advertising executives he would immediately be recognized as an advertising genius with far more talent than they could ever have possibly imagined from a mere member of a famous rock group! So much for THAT idea! Not only did the agency execs reject Dennis’s offer but suggested that if he was still sitting in their board room when
the meeting adjourned they would not hesitate to throw him from a balcony sixty floors above Madison Avenue! Upon Dennis’s return to LA, it was no surprise to learn that we still owned the rejected song! Today, I think it’s possible that what Daryl actually witnessed being recorded at Brian Wilson’s home in Bel Air, so many years ago, was really ‘IT’S A NEW DAY’ in preparation for Dennis Wilson’s million dollar idea rejected by the advertising agency on Madison Avenue! To this day, unfinished parts of this song, arranged and sung by the Beach Boys, continue to reside in the Beach Boys vaults in Hollywood. I’ve never heard them… but, I remain as curious as anyone if that isn’t the real story of what happened to THAT song and, by my refusal to ‘sign off’ on ‘anything at all’ actually triggered the removal of ‘To Live Again from the SURFS UP album in 1971. Copyright 2012 by Stanley Shapiro Editor’s Note: Don't forget to tune in to James's show every Thursday 2-6 Reading4u ,for lots of Beach Boys music and join the chat live on Facebook, with the likes of Stan, Billy Hinsche, David Sandler, Geoffrey Cushing Murray and like 10
his petition to get WIBNTLA released on Facebook, too.
The Trailer for Billy’s sixth and latest film project called Home Movies can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iIQ2d oMpF4
Billy’s
The description is as follows: Neverbefore-seen footage from the personal home movie archives of the Billy Hinsche and Carl Wilson families. From the early years in exotic Manila to fun among the sunbaked palm trees in Beverly Hills, watch these delightfully rare images of the Hinsches from the '50s and '60s; featuring backyard birthdays, a visit to the San Francisco Zoo, family outings to Pacific Ocean Park (POP), Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, Dodger Stadium and more.
Bits – November 2012
B
illy has joined forces with former longtime Beach Boys veteran musicians Bobby Figueroa and Ed Carter to form a brand new group calling themselves California Surf, Inc. Their debut performance included fellow musicians Randell Kirsch (bass/vocals) and Phil Bardowell (guitar/vocals) in Quebec City, Canada, and was a smashing success. Billy commented, “One of the things I like about this configuration is that ‘Smilin’’ Ed Carter is not only singing some lead vocals but is playing some amazing guitar solos too. I might have to ask the guys to do ‘Bluebirds Over the Mountain’ so that Ed can recreate his guitar solo work like he did on the original recording.” CSI is set to play a series of dates in Florida starting in late February 2013.
Take a tropical trip to Hawaii in 1967 with the Carl Wilson family for some snorkeling, water skiing and island relaxation. See some of the great landmarks of Europe with Audree and Murry Wilson on vacation in Italy, Paris and other destinations in the same year and visit with them at their home in Whittier, CA. This spectacular collection of vintage home movies also features never-beforeseen glimpses of other Wilson family members, Beach Boys' drummer Dennis Wilson, teen sensations Dino, Desi & Billy onstage in Minneapolis, theme park wizard Walt Disney, television legend Ed Sullivan on location in Las Vegas with America's favourite swimming sweetheart Esther Williams, the greatest Dodger pitcher of all time, Sandy Koufax, and even a motorcade with President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles.
Las Vegas continues to be a rock ‘n’ roll destination for many bands and lately, Billy has been fortunate enough to attend performances by Procul Harum, Yes, Elton John, Mitch Ryder, John Ford Coley and Ambrosia, who invited him to join them onstage at the end of their show for their smash hit “You’re the Biggest Part of Me.” Billy joked, “I played a mean tambourine.”
Newly restored both in black & white and in color, this new documentary from director and narrator Billy Hinsche was culled from recently discovered 16mm and 8mm prints and private family photos never seen publicly until now. The soundtrack includes a beautiful and 11
Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT, on January 18, 2013.
moving original song by Desi Arnaz, Jr. called “My Old Friend” that had its public debut in a live performance at the memorial event for Carl Wilson at The Roxy Theatre in LA in 1998.
NELSON BRAGG & FRIENDS This article is printed with the very kind permission of Jacqui Dove and Brian Barry, otherwise known as the infamous “Minty & The Beeb”. We think this is the best review of the Nelson & Friends gig, pre- The Beach Boys concerts, in London... Over to Brian (“The Beeb”) to tell you more: GIG: Nelson Bragg & Friends DATE: Sunday 23rd September 2012 VENUE: What’s Cookin’, Birkbeck Tavern, 45 Langthorne Rd, Leyton COST: hat passed round OUR VERDICT:Jingle Jangle Guitar Porn Links: http://www.nelsonbragg.com http://www.whatscookin.co.uk
The Grammy Museum in LA received a guitar from Justyn and Jonah Wilson “on loan” to be included in The Beach Boys’ exhibit that will be on display for one year. Billy assisted in providing an accurate description of the extremely rare, modified Gibson 12-string guitar played by Carl Wilson during many live performances over the years (pictured below).
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his is not strictly a MintyandThe Beeb review, as Minty had to be in the Emerald Isle with work and missed this gig, so this was The Beeb flying solo.
Guitar (Gibson ES-335 TD-12), Carl Wilson, ca. 1967
Billy celebrated nephew Justyn Wilson’s birthday on October 18 along with his children Dean and Neva, brother Jonah, mother Annie, step-father Terry, grandmother Celia and a few close friends at a popular LA eatery called BOA on the Sunset Strip. Afterwards, he and wife Britta attended a live performance of the musical The Book of Mormon at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood.
Nelson Bragg, musician extraordinaire was in town as part of The Beach Boys band on their 50th Anniversary tour, taking a bit of time out to promote his recently released second solo album, “We Get What We Want”. His friends for tonight were an allstar cast, and brilliant musicians themselves: Scott Bennett, Probyn Gregory, Duncan Maitland, Paul Steel and Tony Poole.
Look for Billy to join Al Jardine and his band once again for a show at the 12
Probyn Gregory took to the stage next and the following twenty minutes or so were filled with some lovely (and at times really funny) ditties. The opportunity to see Probyn perform solo is a once in a blue moon kinda thing, as he is usually the talented multi-instrumentalist supporting numerous bands and rarely takes the solo limelight. He finds the most obscure things to write about, such as bus drivers and 55 gallon drums, and he really delighted us all. He has lots of songs hidden up his sleeve, and it will be great when they're available for everyone else to enjoy.
Paul Steel with Nelson and Probyn Paul Steel, behind the keyboard, kicked off with “Worst Day” from his first album. The rest of his set was his chance to share with us some of his new material, and the audience were very appreciative of that. Then the audience were totally hushed during a remarkable rendition of “Surf’s Up” for which the rest of the gang joined him. Totally unrehearsed, with they guys asking each other just who would do what, we ended up with Scott on his portable glockenspiel and Probyn imitating the trumpet, this was just jaw dropping stuff.
Scott Bennett On the bill next was Scott Bennett, the man who co-wrote, arranged and sang “Midnight’s Another Day” a really delightful song that won the hearts of Brian Wilson’s fans during “That Lucky Old Sun” tour. With just an acoustic guitar he gave us a couple of songs which included some material soon to be released through his Chicago band, Shiney. Then taking up a seat behind the keyboard he sang a song dedicated to his wife, the song aptly called “Perfection” before rounding off his set with another song from his solo catalogue, released as The Dotted Line, called “Pearls”. His voice has a rough edge to it which suits the songs he sings. He sounded terrific even if he was a bit tired from travelling.
At the end of it, the band were all looking at each other and laughing, almost as if they couldn't believe how well it had worked. Next up, Duncan Maitland, all the way over from Ireland for the night. Following that performance of “Surf’s Up” there was no pressure on him! But he was up for the challenge and his set was brilliant. Just acoustic guitar, his smooth vocals and upbeat, melodic songs blending together which provoked a really enthusiastic response from the audience. After giving us a couple of songs from his latest album “Lullabies For the 21st Century”, we were treated to a brilliant version of Bowie’s “Kooks," dedicated to his baby son, before he finished his set with a song about mass murderers! Light and shade, eh? 13
Scott Bennett
Nelson with Tony and Duncan
The stage was then filled as everyone joined to support a version of “Sail On Sailor” which disintegrated a bit through the middle as words were forgotten but the audience forgave that and the applause at the end was rapturous.
Nelson Bragg stepped into the spotlight along with Tony Poole, Duncan and Probyn and with a twelve string guitar he kicked off his set and we were spoiled with “Forever Days”. It sounded wonderful. Then we were treated to some of the songs from his new album “We Get What We Want”, starting with a brilliant rendition of “She Used To Love Me” and then a real treat was the cover of the Brian Wilson song, “Baby Let Your Hair Grow Long”. With Scott accompanying on glockenspiel, and a few sleighbells thrown in, this sounded just perfect.
Hey, hey, the Gang's all here
Nelson with Tony, Probyn and Duncan
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The Beeb with Probyn and Duncan after the show
Tony Poole The finale was a Tony Poole set and with his lovely Rickenbaker opened up with his old band Starry Eyed and Laughing's signature Dylan song, "Chimes Of Freedom." There was a great deal of jingly jangly strings filling a set of mostly Dylan/Byrds songs, accompanied by most of the musicians who played throughout the night. The audience helped finish the night by joining the band in a rousing sing-a-long of "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere."
Editor’s Note: Grateful Thanks to Brian and Jacqui. All photo credits for this article: Minty&The Beeb
The Beach Boys – BEC Australia– 28th August 2012
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will try to keep this short, but after such a most fabulous night it will be quite hard to. A good couple of months before the concert, Paul had won on a local radio station 4KQ 2 tickets by guessing “Cotton Fields”. Paul had a VIP ticket already and now so did Vanessa and I.
Everyone played their part tonight, but kudo's have to go to the American trio who had only flown in a few hours before the gig. They must have been knackered, but thankfully for us the adrenalin kicked in for them.
After I met up with Vanessa and Paul McPherson in the late afternoon outside the BEC, we ran into Scott A Bruce at the box office window. There was more and more people starting to turn up and so we made our way to the Administration building as Paul had to go upstairs for the first part of his VIP package. So Vanessa, Scott and I just stayed around there and then the extremely talented Nelson Bragg appeared from the corridor and we started talking to him. Vanessa called Paul and told him to come down straight away as we all had been invited to go and watch the Sound Check.. We could not believe it,
Well done to John Etherington too, who put in a lot of work helping to put this gig together. What a memorable night. Nelson can feel rightfully proud when he looks back on his first solo headlining gig in the UK. http://www.myspace.com/scottbennettmusic
http://www.myspace.com/probyngregory http://www.myspace.com/duncanmaitland http://www.starryeyedandlaughing.com http://www.myspace.com/paulsteel
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there with The Beach Boys and their outstanding backing band with only a handful of other people. We were all total shock and amazement!!..
Scott had a spare ticket and was extremely kind to offer it to me so off we went to our seats and Vanessa and Paul to theirs. The hall was getting fuller and fuller every time I looked around.. I was so happy to see a Full House and the boys sure do deserve that for all they have done for this world’s music history. They are the sound of Summer and as the lights dimmed they all started to come on stage.. Applause roared from around the hall… Now to me it was like as soon as they played their first song,, its like the heat went up by ten folds and Summer was here…Just the most happiest good vibrations glow felt within.. I was here watching my most favourite band in the world and I was just so amazed I didn’t know which direction on stage to look in.. Brian face unfortunately was partly hidden to where we were sitting by a small autocue tv screen in front of him.
With not much time before the boys were due to have their photo taken with VIP and 4KQ winners.. So it was brief but the just being there watching Al Jardine, David Marks, Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Bruce Johnston and of course the fabulous hit the nail on the head backing band consisting of all marvellous musicians, was just totally out of this world. Jeff walked near us and had a quick hello chat.. The harmonies were amazing and it just echoed throughout the main hall. The vibe was kicking in big time; this is more than I could ever imagine was going to happen… We then had to leave as we had photo shot with meeting The Beach Boys… Scott stayed in Sound check where he had a most amazing experience, sitting at Brian Wilson’s piano! Vanessa and I did a “check me over” and made sure we were both looking fab and tried to work out what on earth to say to the most greatest musical geniuses of our time. I had been planning for months of what I wanted to say but when my turn came up, alI I could say was “Hello”. That was it, I really was lost for words. They all said Hello back and I just couldn’t stop smiling. Mike did his “well Hello” which made me blush a little. On leaving Bruce made a comment and I turn around smiled and thanked him.
As one song blended into the next and the crowd starting to feel the energy and singing could be heard all round. Each song transported you to that tropical heavenly beach haven with rolling surf. On a couple of occasions during the night I closed my eyes just to melt away into the music.. After the first half everyone was so pumped up ready for the second. The buzz in the foyer of people talking about how wonderful they are and how much energy they have.. They are truly amazing. So many people were trying to buy their merchandise and like us trying to have a drink then heard the time for the show to begin again.. Scott and I raced back to our seats and also Vanessa and Paul were coming down to sit with us as there were 3 seats spare! Also Robyne Wilson and her husband also moved across to where we were as there a few other seats available next to Scott.
Then back out the door into the Administration building. There was Interviews being done outside for fans.. I was asked earlier but there wasn’t enough time due to Sound Check.. But this time we thought ok.. Paul managed to do his interview but then they were moving inside.. We then went upstairs to get some merchandise and possibly a drink before.. By the time we got to the bar it was time to go on in.
The band came back onto stage and the crowd roared…Everyone was ready for some Fun Fun Fun and Good Vibrations…Every song was magic, 16
transporting you instantly into Summertime no matter what the season was outside… For me, instant happiness!
chatted about the UK and Ireland. Nelson had his new CD ready to sell, We Get What We Want, and was ever so happy to autograph them. It truly is a brilliant album! Probyn, Darian and Mike D all autographed my Wondermints CD covers too. Sadly Nicky Wonder was not there in Australia with them.
The backing band, Jeff F, Darian, Scott T, Nelson B, Scott B, Mike D, Paul VM, John C and of course Probyn G.. Just completely tight and matched the originals on many levels. Beat, Chords, harmonies and of course the energy pulsating out of the stage.. Tributes to Carl and Dennis which was absolutely beautiful and to see it the very first time brings tears to your eyes.. Oh how we miss them.. It was truly touching and with a lot of heart and emotion.
After having quick chats to all of them, their bus was coming so they all slowly left the room and left the BEC.. It was truly a magical night! Everything I ever could imagine, and more.. I had the most fabulous night and most memorable one. Thank you all so very much!
We all wanted the concert to go on and on.. The music had taken over my mind and body and dancing was a must! And it was obvious that the rest of the audience felt the same way.. Everyone eventually got up and started dancing away.. Bruce Johnston had the crowd going and pumped them up even more, Mike Love covered every inch of the stage front. At one point Al, Bruce and Mike stood in a line and danced.. And then in an instant it then was David, Mike and Bruce. That really got the whole crowd hyped up for more.
Julia Johnston
Brian came from around his piano and picked up the Bass, Everyone was just so happy to see this and we all cheered loudly.. It was wonderful to see all of them together on stage together finally! Absolutely mind blowing really..
“freeboobin’ “ - The sunny boys www.sunnyboys.com
I knew the concert was going to draw to an end soon and as totally energised with extreme happiness flowing through me, I was a little sad. But not for long as we then had to meet up as we had Back Stage passes.. We were all told to go back to the Admin section.. So off we all went and as soon as we got there, Bruce J was there talking to the good size crowd. Then Nelson,Probyn,Darian,Scotty,Mike D. Bruce left but came back briefly and I managed to get a small chat from him. We are both from the Johnston clan and
I
told Giuka a while back that I was going to do a personal review on the new ‘Sunny Boys’ album ‘Freeboobin’. However, when the CD dropped on to my door mat over two weeks ago now, I regretted what I’d said. This was because for a start, I knew that getting involved with something like this would be quite 17
time consuming, and more importantly, I was aware that whatever I put to paper had to be a considered and truthful reflection of how I found the album. There was no point doing it otherwise. My wife said to me ‘ They will all hate you’ or suchlike. However, I needn’t have worried, as after at least three dozen or so plays of the album, the only negative thing I have to say has nothing to do with the musical content. There are certainly no ‘wipe out’ tracks for sure! Here goes: It’s just that I was initially disappointed with the lack of the usual CD hard case that I had expected. The additional lack of any song lyrics didn’t bother me that much. I think what I most like about the album apart from the excellent vocal harmony work throughout, is that the more you play it the more you like it! This isn’t always the case unfortunately. Here’s what I made of the tracks anyhow with a comment or two on each:
We carry on with another very up tempo catchy number here which like many of the others grew on me. Like the lyrics on this as anyone who bothers to pay attention to them will find them quite amusing. Anyhow I do! Score 8 and a half out of ten 3) Popsicle dreams again Probably my favourite track of the album this song with its calypso, steel band beach type feel. I had the privilege of hearing the Boys perform this song live twice earlier on in the year at the IPO and also at our own Beach Boys Britain event. Score 9 out of ten 4) Double Whammy I must confess this is not one of my personal favourites although it’s yet another good track. Track four really rocks though and I do quite like the intro with the recorded phone message. I’m sure all the guys get plenty of calls like this and this is the main reason why some of us oldies love to hate them. Score 7 out of ten 5) Summer in Punkadise Strong chorus and a rather unusual structured ending on this track. Very nice too! Score 8 and a half out of ten 6) i (Don’t) neeD You A Fleetwood Mac type groove methinks here. I can imagine them performing this for sure. Another great rocker. Score 8 and a half out of ten 7) Backstage Boom Boom
1) Brian and the Bubblegums Perfect title track this one, as after all the Sunny Boys are a touring band and will certainly be coming to a place near you real soon. Lovely, bouncy, feel good song this one which is pure bubblegum pop in essence. Don’t forget to have a look at the You Tube video as well folks. Score 8 and a half out of ten
Possibly more raw energy on this 3min.23secs track than anywhere else. Love it! Score 9 out of ten 8) SURFIN
2) Shawnee has a Boyfriend 18
Let’s all have fun in the sun is the message of this song. Surf rock at its finest with some great ‘tip of the nose’ guitar work. Score 9 out of ten 9) Different Circles I know I said track three was my favourite of the album, but ‘Different Circles’ is running it mighty close. No other has grown on me as much as this one has done recently. Score 9 out of ten. Updated to 10 out of ten!!! 10) Game Over Rocking to the very end with yet another gem. The choruses on all of the songs are very catchy and this one is no exception. Score 8 and a half out of ten
album) concerns the couple who ran The SMiLE Shoppe; Who were they? What was their fortune?”... The idea is interesting and fun and the musical style is much what you would expect from Peter. There are five tracks, brimming with storyline. Actually, I rather like the concept of this album and I’d certainly think that you may, too. Available very shortly from: www.pinkhedgehog.com
Just like to say in conclusion, how much I am enjoying the album and fully appreciate all the effort that I know went into its production. I must love it, as it starts playing in the car first thing every morning when I turn on the ignition!
Alec McIntosh
ur friends at Endless Summer Quarterly magazine have a recommended Beach Boys publication which you can subscribe to. U.S. funds only. Make checks payable to: Endless Summer Quarterly. Send to ESQ at P.O. Box 470315, Charlotte, NC 28247. Individual issue: $10, Subscriptions: $30 U.S., $34 Canada & Mexico, $38 elsewhere in the world. ESQ's PayPal account ID is: esqeditor@aol.com
The Sunny Boys performing at the BBB Event in Liverpool, May 2012
Peter Lacey - “Grinmace” Peter’s latest will be coming out in early December; just in time for it to be a sweet “under the Christmas Tree” offering. It’s rather sweet, yet rather quirky – and it has collaborations on one or two tracks with Stephen Kalinich and also ESQ’s Editor, David Beard. There’s a theme running through this “E.P.” and Peter explained, in his own words. “The premise (of the new E.P.
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