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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 5, 2019 5:13:42 GMT
Did anybody catch this webcast last night? I watched most of it. The setlist was excellent and the band was tight. The sound was very clear and you could hear some really cool arrangements.
On the downside, Matt Jardine, to me anyway, has become unlistenable. I'm sure Matt's a great guy and everything, but his whiny, Mickey Mouse-like high voice ruins the songs for me. Each time I hear him he sounds worse. And Brian...yes, it continues. It was like he was a guest at his own party. He mostly sat at the piano - but he played it - and looked around. He barely sang any leads, and when he did, a few times he didn't make it through and had to be "rescued" by Matt and Al. He sounded the weakest I've ever heard him. No energy.
I'm pretty sure parts of this or the entire show will be on YouTube. Check it out.
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Post by geminitactics on May 5, 2019 14:01:24 GMT
My best friend was at the concert and I watched it on the stream. Maybe it's because I saw two shows last autumn, but I came away thinking it wasn't so bad for what it was. He seemed to drift off and lose strength around Blondie's showcase (I wish that wouldn't drag on so long) and started missing his cues more after that. On the plus side his younger kids were down there near my friend dancing and waving, calling "Go Daddy!" and when he saw them he got a big smile on his face. So that was sweet.
The downside was that he was wheeled on and off stage in a wheelchair. :-( I guess last year's surgery didn't really help him. He did look uncomfortable towards the end of the show.
But anyway 100% agree about Matt Jardine's falsetto voice. It sounds thin and unnatural with no color whatsoever. Like tepid water.
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Post by B.E. on May 5, 2019 14:12:47 GMT
He seemed to drift off and lose strength around Blondie's showcase ( I wish that wouldn't drag on so long) and started missing his cues more after that. I totally agree. "Wild Honey" was a monstrosity. On the plus side his younger kids were down there near my friend dancing and waving, calling "Go Daddy!" and when he saw them he got a big smile on his face. So that was sweet. Thanks for sharing!
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Post by Kapitan on May 5, 2019 14:25:49 GMT
Jeez, I'm out of it: I didn't realize this was even occurring, much less watch it.
That said, I'm not very excited about seeing Brian live, whether in person or on TV/online events, anymore. I came away depressed from the Pet Sounds show I saw in probably October 2017(?), and the live clips I've checked out online since haven't done anything to improve that feeling.
I like Matt's singing most of the time though. I get what you mean by the criticisms--it is somewhat thin, small, mousy--but I like it better than Jeff's, anyway.
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Post by B.E. on May 5, 2019 14:31:05 GMT
This may not be out of the ordinary, but Al seemed to be having a great time.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 5, 2019 16:23:39 GMT
Here's a link for the concert:
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 5, 2019 16:33:05 GMT
This may not be out of the ordinary, but Al seemed to be having a great time. If I see Al point to the audience to accent a lyric one more time...
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 5, 2019 16:46:59 GMT
Jeez, I'm out of it: I didn't realize this was even occurring, much less watch it.
That said, I'm not very excited about seeing Brian live, whether in person or on TV/online events, anymore. I came away depressed from the Pet Sounds show I saw in probably October 2017(?), and the live clips I've checked out online since haven't done anything to improve that feeling.
I like Matt's singing most of the time though. I get what you mean by the criticisms--it is somewhat thin, small, mousy--but I like it better than Jeff's, anyway.
I think of all the Brian on-stage "imitators", Jeff Foskett is still my favorite. He sings high more naturally; it's not as forced as some of the other falsetto singers.
One other thing about Foskett...When he left Brian to go with Mike, he must've known something or had the foresight to see what was - and is now - happening with Brian live. Maybe?
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Post by Kapitan on May 5, 2019 20:45:07 GMT
I don't think we have the information--or even the need--to really speculate. His contemporaneous explanation had something to do with wanting to have a more "performer-only" role, if I'm not mistaken. Brian was always inconsistent in terms of his performances going back to the early solo performances, so I'm not sure that the poor (or awkward, or embarrassing) performances would be an issue.
I think it's reasonable to assume that the guy who had the extra responsibilities of being the right-hand man to an aging Brian Wilson just didn't want to do that, and would rather just show up, sing, and move on as one of X band members (as opposed to being a caretaker/handler/whatever of sorts).
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Post by geminitactics on May 5, 2019 23:56:16 GMT
I think it's reasonable to assume that the guy who had the extra responsibilities of being the right-hand man to an aging Brian Wilson just didn't want to do that, and would rather just show up, sing, and move on as one of X band members (as opposed to being a caretaker/handler/whatever of sorts). Yes, I can't remember now where I read it but it sounded like he was basically Brian's carer off-stage the whole time they were touring, and I imagine that could get a little wearing (especially if he wasn't being compensated).
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 6, 2019 0:42:26 GMT
I think it's reasonable to assume that the guy who had the extra responsibilities of being the right-hand man to an aging Brian Wilson just didn't want to do that, and would rather just show up, sing, and move on as one of X band members (as opposed to being a caretaker/handler/whatever of sorts). Yes, I can't remember now where I read it but it sounded like he was basically Brian's carer off-stage the whole time they were touring, and I imagine that could get a little wearing (especially if he wasn't being compensated). Yes, you read correctly, and The Kapitan's comment is correct, too. My point was to specifically address Jeff Foskett's feelings surrounding the touring aspect or the performing Brian Wilson - going forward. In The Kapitan's other comments he mentioned Brian's "inconsistent" past performances. I'm pretty sure I know what The Kapitan was referring to with that description, and that might even be a fair term to use. But in the time since Jeff left, Brian has regressed significantly, both physically and maybe emotionally. Brian has gone way past being inconsistent. He's probably burned out; I don't have to go into all the reasons. I was just questioning if maybe Jeff saw that coming, maybe didn't want to be a part of it. He didn't necessarily "bail" on Brian, but at the same time couldn't...support it anymore? I put a question mark there because it is pure speculation, however, I just can't picture Jeff Foskett up there on stage today, standing next to Brian, continuing to cover for him.
And as a longtime diehard fan, I have problems understanding how all of the other band members are dealing with it, or continuing to be a part of it. I watch these film clips and attend the shows myself, and my heart is in my throat, my blood pressure is up, and a depressing sadness comes over me. Sometimes I just want to yell out "Would somebody please just let the man go home and be in peace!" But his band is up there smiling like everything is just fine, and I guess that's the way they should be, which is professional. At the same time I find it hard to believe that not one band member is looking at Brian, and saying, "This is enough; I don't want to continue with this."
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on May 6, 2019 4:00:05 GMT
I thought he sounded marginally better than the recent Christmas and Pet Sounds shows. Still not what it was in 2015 and prior. I'm still glad I got tickets for the show in June, but this was kind of my last hope that his vocals would return to what they were 3-4 years ago with all of the time off he had. Not really unexpected, though. When did Blondie start doing that extra vocal stuff during Feel Flows? I don't recall him doing that before and I can't say I'm a fan of it.
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Post by geminitactics on May 21, 2019 20:11:08 GMT
What did you guys think about them adding yet more dates in June and August? He's now spending Father's Day and his birthday on the road. Damn. I was willing to go along with the Zombies thing cos it was new/less intense for him on a shared billing but I feel really odd about them continuing to pile it on.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 21, 2019 22:34:08 GMT
What did you guys think about them adding yet more dates in June and August? He's now spending Father's Day and his birthday on the road. Damn. I was willing to go along with the Zombies thing cos it was new/less intense for him on a shared billing but I feel really odd about them continuing to pile it on. I think what bothers me the most - and I'm basing this on recent concerts - is Brian's subpar effort or performance. A lot of fans are getting excited about Brian performing songs from Friends and Surf's Up, but my question is - will he do them justice? I doubt it. I guess there was a time many years ago when Brian might've made performances of those songs worthwhile. But now, there's a very good chance Brian will only select certain parts of the songs and talk/sing them, just throw them out there if you will. For example, on a song like "Til I Die", I can picture Brian singing/talking only "I lost my way, hey hey hey...". Now, for some fans, that might be enough. I'm starting to find it less than fulfilling. The spectacle of just...witnessing Brian...can wear off.
The publicly-paid for occupational therapy continues on. Remember, it's better than sitting at home in his recliner! Nevermind that it's no longer art for Brian. And whoever thought you would see the day when Brian Wilson is doing music - NOT for artistic reasons. And we just accept it.
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Post by B.E. on May 21, 2019 22:40:33 GMT
Nevermind that it's no longer art for Brian. Touring wasn't art for Brian in 1963. Or anytime before then or after.
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