Incomplete, but enthusiastic!
I wrote about my first Brian Wilson show, which I attended in 2000, a year after these comments were written.
Read the article from The University Daily Kansan here. Otherwise, enjoy these jottings.
Ann Arbor show
The Little Girl I Once Knew
An interesting beginning for an interesting show. the musicianship is inpeccable, but Brian is hard to hear in this one. It's a song that doesn't really have a lead vocal line, so perhaps you shouldn't.
This Whole World
A much more faithful backing track re-creation than the Don Was IJWMFTT version, but Brian sounds strained. It's a rangy song, and I'm convinced it was needed in the set (or this early, anyway). He gives it a good try, and without doubling. The song was dropped from his June shows, I hear.
Don't Worry Baby
Brian could do a good performance of this in his sleep. It's one of the few falsetto songs that transposes down naturally to my ears. I like Brian's older vocals on this tune a lot.
I Get Around
The irony of this show was that many of the rarities weren't performed with the passion Brian unleashed for the old hits. He totally blows this song away. Perhaps he shouldn't have tried for the falsetto in the choruses (Jeff Foskett covers up admirably), but his verse singing is gruff and marvelous.
Let's Go Away For Awhile / Pet Sounds
Performed as a medly by the band, these two instrumentals from Pet Sounds (the album) are rendered precisely. The first of the two is taken very respectfully, but Pet Sounds gains added juice from percussion solos, and some extended instrumental interplay.
South American
Better than the album version. Well-performed, and Brian is totally involved in the vocal.
Lay Down Burden
The best-performed of the '98 material, gaining immeasurable from a nearly-a cappella treatment. The voices and the heartfelt lyrics come to the forefront, and the tempo is slowed way down.
Caroline, No
A song that benefits from Brian's lowered range. This is a far better stab at the song than the one in the I Just Wasn't Made for These Times Soundtrack, with a more solid-sounding vocal from Brian, gorgeous, lush backing, and an attempt at falsetto on the final note that just breaks your heart. A high point.
Your Imagination
Brian seems rushed on the verses, but his delievery on this song is generally passionate. He throws in a totally new vocal part during the chorus, which was picked up by his backing singers in later shows. A tight band performanc, a respectable presentation of a new song.
Fun, Fun, Fun
Sloppy all around, but a good-humored encore.
Brian Wilson, Billy Corgan and the Wondermints after BW's Chicago show, 1999.
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