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Post by Kapitan on Nov 25, 2023 13:52:32 GMT
I'm speaking largely from my own perspective here, and extrapolating that maybe a lot of fans felt similarly: I think part of the muted response to Brian's apparent (and now overwhelmingly likely permanent) retirement is because it seemed so obviously time, if not past time.
There were always comments, criticisms about Brian's awkwardness on stage. But his fans looked at that glass as half full: he was out there trying, not sitting at home doing nothing. And let's be honest, sometimes he was very engaged, and for a few years there, he sang remarkably well, all things considered. In those final few years on the road there, though, it wasn't pretty. Once he started doing his sing-speaking thing during Pet Sounds shows, it was going downhill. Then he'd dole out more leads to Matt, Al, Blondie, and Darian. Then he'd stop really singing on his own leads, doing the sing-speaking not just on the Pet Sounds stuff, but everything. On that last tour, I'm not sure I saw a single clip where I thought Brian looked or sounded particularly good.
It's hard to feel too bad about him leaving the road, considering the way it had been going.
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Post by kds on Nov 30, 2023 19:16:12 GMT
I don't really think Brian's retirement really affects Mike's obligation.
I do think there was a time when having Brian on the road gave Mike's camp a kick in the arse, but I think both bands have been in cruise control for a few years now. I don't see that changing with Mike.
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Post by Kapitan on Dec 2, 2023 17:12:23 GMT
I do think there was a time when having Brian on the road gave Mike's camp a kick in the arse, but I think both bands have been in cruise control for a few years now. I don't see that changing with Mike. Has M&B's been in cruise control? How do you mean? It seems to me--though I definitely don't watch them as closely as some--that they've more or less maintained the quality (which I agree does seem to have been Brian-inspired) they'd had roughly since Totten became MD. (Not including the vocal deterioration of the two principals.) And maybe if anything, the new personnel changes could be seen as QC--at least according to Christian Love. Setlist-wise, I think they've also maintained their typical framework. Mostly hits-focused shows in the U.S., especially in summer; and some deeper cuts when they're in the UK or theaters. So I guess in a literal sense--maintaining status quo--I'd agree they're more or less in cruise control. But in the negative sense--the colloquial understanding that it's half-assed--I'm not sure I'd agree with that.
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Post by lonelysummer on Dec 2, 2023 20:01:16 GMT
I do think there was a time when having Brian on the road gave Mike's camp a kick in the arse, but I think both bands have been in cruise control for a few years now. I don't see that changing with Mike. Has M&B's been in cruise control? How do you mean? It seems to me--though I definitely don't watch them as closely as some--that they've more or less maintained the quality (which I agree does seem to have been Brian-inspired) they'd had roughly since Totten became MD. (Not including the vocal deterioration of the two principals.) And maybe if anything, the new personnel changes could be seen as QC--at least according to Christian Love. Setlist-wise, I think they've also maintained their typical framework. Mostly hits-focused shows in the U.S., especially in summer; and some deeper cuts when they're in the UK or theaters. So I guess in a literal sense--maintaining status quo--I'd agree they're more or less in cruise control. But in the negative sense--the colloquial understanding that it's half-assed--I'm not sure I'd agree with that. I saw the guys in 2021, when they were doing some Feel Flows songs; a year later, all those songs were gone, and nothing from Sail on Sailor; so I would say, yeah, they're in cruise control. That was part of the reason I passed on seeing them this year. I've seen this show before. Not saying that it wasn't good; but how many times do I need to see/hear them sing Barbara Ann, Help Me Rhonda and Good Vibrations?
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Post by kds on Dec 2, 2023 23:08:43 GMT
I do think there was a time when having Brian on the road gave Mike's camp a kick in the arse, but I think both bands have been in cruise control for a few years now. I don't see that changing with Mike. Has M&B's been in cruise control? How do you mean? It seems to me--though I definitely don't watch them as closely as some--that they've more or less maintained the quality (which I agree does seem to have been Brian-inspired) they'd had roughly since Totten became MD. (Not including the vocal deterioration of the two principals.) And maybe if anything, the new personnel changes could be seen as QC--at least according to Christian Love. Setlist-wise, I think they've also maintained their typical framework. Mostly hits-focused shows in the U.S., especially in summer; and some deeper cuts when they're in the UK or theaters. So I guess in a literal sense--maintaining status quo--I'd agree they're more or less in cruise control. But in the negative sense--the colloquial understanding that it's half-assed--I'm not sure I'd agree with that. I'm thinking mostly in regards to setlists. As recently as the mid 2010s, M&B were doing sets with up to 45 or so songs. But, it recent years, its down to about 31-34.
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Post by Kapitan on Dec 3, 2023 14:14:52 GMT
Honestly, especially at their age, I can't really blame them for that. And a 30+ song setlist isn't chopped liver, either. It's always funny looking at 1960s setlists, often less than half of that.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Dec 4, 2023 12:58:23 GMT
As far as Mike (and Bruce) being on cruise control or being the proverbial "traveling jukebox", I usually give Mike some slack in this area. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. For the most part, and some would say overwhelmingly, Mike has been a "give the people what they want" artist. He knows what the people who come to the shows want to hear, and he's more than happy to oblige. And, if you're honest and observant, how many people do you see or hear leaving Mike & Bruce's concerts complaining? Not many I would think. It's actually just the opposite. I think the people get their money's worth.
We've been discussing how Brian's solo touring might've affected Mike & Bruce's presentation, and I still think the only way has been Mike & Bruce putting a few more...less popular...songs into their setlists. And, even with doing that, it hasn't significantly changed the overall feel or reactions to the shows. Those few "hidden gems" are great songs anyway, and how many Beach Boys' songs are obscure anyway. Their fans know 'em pretty well.
What could Mike & Bruce do to NOT go on cruise control or be the "traveling jukebox"? Not much, and I don't mean that negatively. There's nothing wrong with Mike & Bruce's setlists other than a few minor quibbles. Mike's not going to present entire albums like Brian did. It wouldn't make sense to tour Pet Sounds because Mike and Bruce are hardly on it, and the other Beach Boys aren't around. Anybody wanna sit through Unleash The Love? Reason For The Season? I do have some problems with the few solo songs that Mike does perform, mostly because I don't think they're very good, but I respect his right to perform them. He's earned that privilege. Bottom line, I think it's OK for Mike & Bruce to keep playing what they're playing. Some fans will keep going for various reasons and some fans won't for various reasons, but I don't think it's...the songs.
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Post by kds on Dec 4, 2023 18:22:39 GMT
If M&B play shows with 30 BB classics and 3-4 Mike songs, and people enjoy it, that's fine.
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