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Post by B.E. on Jan 16, 2022 16:33:28 GMT
I picked this up on CD a while back and am only now finally giving it a proper listen. Well, actually, I've got it on the background while I get some work done...and I can't stop singing along with Brian and the fantastic band! So, a close-listen for reviewing purposes this is not, but what a joy. Incredible, beautiful music. Great setlist. Inspired performances. And I'm loving Brian's comments between songs so far. I'm only five songs in, but at the end of "Do It Again", in response to the crowd's applause, he's like "okay, hold it, hold it, whoa, whoa". Just the way he says it is funny and endearing. Okay, back to the album (or my 'to-do' list, we'll see which wins out in the end). Edit: And now I've heard the 'cigarette light' joke. Loving this. For further discussion: Album of the Week #30: Live at the Roxy
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Post by Kapitan on Jan 16, 2022 16:48:02 GMT
Unless I'm mistaken, this was the first recording released of Brian with his 'mints-based band. (Yes, a few of them--Scott Bennett, Bob Lizik, and Paul Mertens, as well as occasional drummer Todd Sucherman, were on Imagination. But not on all of it, and not as any kind of "permanent, core band.")
I remember being very excited about getting this, and just thinking this was night and day from the two Wilson solo albums I'd heard by then, neither of which did I especially like. It was this that really convinced me that in some way, shape, or form, Brian was back. (Though let's be honest, a lot of that was the band, not him. But I was a young optimist!)
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Post by B.E. on Jan 16, 2022 17:15:32 GMT
While his singing is certainly imperfect, it's almost surprisingly good, IMO (currently being more accustomed to his live performances 20+ years later). It's all a matter of perspective, I guess, but I'm really enjoying his performances and think he's doing a heck of a job considering his struggles in that department (particularly as a live performer) in the decades prior (and especially having arguably reached a low-point not 5 years earlier). I can't imagine being a fan in the Summer of 2000 and NOT thinking "he's back". I mean, he's singing songs that NO ONE had heard him sing before. His songs, classic songs. For all that his voice had gone through, (much like Pet Sounds Live) I think he sounds like one would expect Brian of 1964 to sound 35-40 years later. (Boy, I just had to repeat "Please Let Me Wonder"...so good. One of my all-time favorite songs!) So, to recap: Yes, the band deserves a TON of credit, but I really think Brian is front-and-center and delivering.
Edit: Whoa, nice transition from "Brian Wilson" into "'Til I Die".
And what was that Joshilyn said in the YouTube thread: "Anytime someone screams "WHOO!" while hearing a moment in piece of music, it's a good time for us all." Indeed! It's so great to hear Brian repeatedly do the same throughout these performances (I think it's him, anyway. And if so...). He sounds thrilled. As he should. Good for him.
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Post by B.E. on Jan 16, 2022 17:29:34 GMT
Ah, cool vocal improvisation by Brian at the end of "God Only Knows".
And, WHOA, is this the best version of "Lay Down Burden"?
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Post by B.E. on Jan 16, 2022 18:53:15 GMT
Okay, so my final thoughts after my first proper listen is that I am very high on this album (so much so that I may need to find my way to the 'unpopular opinion' thread if these opinions hold up to repeated listens). I suppose my main takeaway is that Brian's upbeat and engaged attitude throughout is what makes this all so special. What a time it must have been to be a fan! I'm actually sitting here thinking, "could this be my favorite Beach Boys-related live album?" and "might this crack my top 3 Brian solo albums?" The setlist is just so good. And rather unbelievably, I was engaged for the entire 90 minutes! And that's coming from someone who's not a big fan of live albums (although, I've been coming around in recent years). Also, thank goodness this was released just prior to autotune's arrival in the Beach Boys universe (the release of Knebworth was only a couple years away).
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Post by Kapitan on Jan 16, 2022 19:03:09 GMT
Your enthusiasm led me to go back and see what I and others thought about it during our album reviews. Here is that thread. I think my opinions remain pretty similar, though it's funny that I gave it a 6. I was harsher then, but during our Beatles thread I've slowly allowed myself to succumb to grade inflation!
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Post by B.E. on Jan 16, 2022 20:05:21 GMT
Thanks for linking that thread. Nice discussion there that I couldn't partake in at the time for obvious reasons. Also, that reminds me that I think it's a good idea to link those 'album of the week' review threads to their counterparts here. I'll edit the first post to include it. (Also, nice to see bellbottoms comments. Hopefully, when the time is right she'll re-join us!)
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