Customer Reviews

An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My vow of poverty (empty pockets) kept me from attending this show. Brian Wilson is amazing. Prior to 1995, he was probably struggling to figure out what to do; then, a remarriage, a documentary about him, a collaboration with VanDyke Parks, a fresh solo album, two summers of tours, and now this tribute from a handful of rock's big and little stars. BUY THIS VIDEO if only for the Harlem Boys Choir (who better to sing his music besides the BBs?), the holy trinity which performed "Surf's Up", and Vince Gill's "Warmth Of The Sun". I'm not a weepy guy, and I'd never heard Gill's voice prior to this show, and his vocals at this show brought tears to my eyes. In fact, in reading the other reviews here, just reading the reviews bring tears to my eyes, remembering Gill singing "columnated ruins domino". Sell your timeshare, cash in your IRA -- do what you have to do to buy this vid and study a musical master's work.

Wow, this DVD captures some of the greatest performers covering some of the sweetest music of all time! Songs start out from the obscure "Our Prayer" performed by the Boys Choir of Harlem, to Paul Simon's solo-acoustic version (with no harmonies) of Surfer Girl! (Is that possible?) Billy Joel, Elton John, David Crosby, Heart, and many many more are all there! But, whoa.........Vince Gill is worth the price of the DVD alone! His vocals and productions will absolutely blow you away! Wilson Phillips even reunited for a special song! If you're a Brian Wilson fan or just love beautiful melodies and arrangements of these sweet songs, don't miss this DVD!

This 2001 concert taped in New York City is a rocking concert that is a must for any fan. Brian Wilson is a genius. No doubt about it. There are no words to best describe his brilliance. Mr. Wilson himself shows up at the end of the concert to perform a few songs. While his appearence may be a little haggard, and his onstage actions are pretty much non-existent, you forget all about it once he opens his mouth. My god. It's as if it were the 60's all over again. This concert has an incredible lineup of stars. Some older, some newer. Billy Joel delivers a pitch perfect rendition of "Don't Worry Baby". As perfect as it can get. Elton John sings a brilliant version of "God Only Knows". He
appears later on to sing a duet with Brian. Vince Gill pulls a huge showstopper with his version of "The Warmth Of The Sun". A jaw droppingly beautiful performance. Other performers include Ricky Martin, Heart, The Go Go's, Carly Simon, David Crosby, Evan and Jaron, Paul Simon, Wilson Phillips. The performances are all brilliant. This is one of the greatest concerts filmed and you need to have it as part of your collection. It is essential!.

We now own this treasured gift of music, joy and pure (quality) entertainment! BEST All-Star Tribute ever! Just a few we skip past---MANY MORE we replay over and over and OVER again. When we need our spirits lifted--we have a sure thing. Jaw-dropping performances by Vince Gill, Darius Rucker & Matthew Sweet, Billy Joel, Elton John, Heart, adorable David Crosby and the precious BRIAN WILSON. The back-up musicians, The Wondermints, are incredible. The DVD David Crosby interview is delightful. To combine the music of Brian and the Beachboys--with the voices from the late 60's, 70's and 80's is a heart-moving treat. (BEST: Warmth of the Sun, Surf's Up and Sail On Sailor...WOW!)

Can enough accolades be heaped on Brian Wilson? I think not! To see his peers perform these songs must have been a pleasure and joy for Brian.
For me, it was reason enough to go out and buy a DVD player! And it was well worth it! Once past that Martin boy, the Paul Simon solo performance was breathtaking...and just suggestion of the gems that lie ahead.
Performers kept coming....Vince Gill, Carly Simon, David Crosby, Jimmy Webb, Elton John, Billy Joel and even some rockers from the present came to pay homage.Not to mention comments by Sir George Martin and Dennis Hopper!
Having seen the Pet Sounds Symphonic Tour in 2001, I was well aware of the musicians that backed up every act - The Wondermints plus people like Jeff Foskett. The back up music MADE the concert the success that it was - the impeccable music coupled with 5-,6- and sometimes 7-part harmonies....just incredible.
Anyway, thanks to TNT for showing the tribute initially...and thanks to all for this astonishing DVD....Brian is THE MAN!

Alright, so Ricky Martin hacks his way through "Help Me Rhonda", big deal! With guests such as Elton John, Darius Rucker, Billy Joel, Sir George Martin, Paul Simon, David Crosby, Carly Simon and Dennis Hopper, how could you lose? The release of this tribute on DVD is no doubt due to an overwhelming barrage of emails to Brian's official website. This is really a feel-good DVD that ends (as these things typically do) with everyone out on stage at once singing their collective souls out for Brian's sake. Cool! During this wonderful mayhem, Billy Joel and Elton John break out into a beach-music dancing frenzy! If you are a Brian Wilson fan, or have enjoyed his (Beach Boys) music over the years, get this DVD. If you don't have a DVD player, well, this is a reason to buy one! This DVD is far, far better than the video that aired on cable--packed with photos and extra interviews, it is a must-have for fans of the genre. Thank you David Leaf (great effort here), and thank you, Brian Wilson, for simply being you.

Brian Wilson is the reason I taught myself to play piano and drums. The Beach Boys are the reason I taught myself to skateboard, surf and windsurf. The first record I ever remember playing was Good Vibrations in 1966. This began a lifelong love affair with Brian and the Beach Boys.

I took my little girls to see the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson last year on their stops in Houston. My 6 and 4 yearolds are now singing along! Hopefully, they will get as much enjoyment out of the music as I have.

This tribute show does more than showcase the music. It really is a living time capsule for anyone that enjoys pop music. This show also brings us old and new performers paying their respect to the true legend of Pop Music! This is a sure thing! Love you Brian, and thanks for the music!

Putter Withers USA

While in a local appliance store recently I heard this DVD playing in the TV section with Vince Gill singing "Warmth Of The Sun". It immediately became a "must have" for me, if only for that single cut. Bravo Vince! As it turns out, the DVD has a lot more to offer (although Vince's performance is still #1 to me). Most, not all, performances are very good but even those that fall a little short are worth a listen. Others you'll replay over and over like a Pet Sounds LP! Growing up I must have heard every Beach Boys song thousands of times, but somehow they never seem to wear too thin. So many of those songs mean "summer time" as much as Deck The Halls means Christmas. If you grew up with the Beach Boys like I did, you'll probably watch this show and start thinking about a time when things seemed more innocent and easier to handle. Even though Brian's boyish looks have faded, when he performs he still sounds refreshingly like a 20-something Beach Boy. I thanks him for contributing to the fond memories of my youth and wish him well for the rest of his days. A tribute like this is fitting, well deserved and a pleasure to experience.

When I first saw the special on TNT, I couldn't beleive what I had heard. I sought out mp3's of the music as soon as I could since I didn't have access to a vcr at the time. I would constantly tell other musicians that I was working with about how amazing this special was. Finding the DVD some time later was a special treat. This disc is worth buying just for the songs that Vince Gill sings on. I get chills every time I hear his vocals on "Surf's Up." Granted there are some real clunkers on this (Ricky Martin, Go-Go's, Heart come to mind) but all you gotta do is hit the old skip button to get past them. My only wish is that (although the song is a bit of a downer) they would have done "'Til I Die." A wonderful collection of music that got me interested again in an extremely talented, if not troubled, musical group.

I couldn't give this FIVE stars because of a few MAJOR flaws. Namely the two OPENING tunes by Rickie Martin.

Why begin such a wonderful compilation of tunes / artists with this man? Argh. Perhaps his funky little bootie-shankin' moves work with his manufactured style of music--but he's hardly worthy of TWO songs anywhere on this DVD, let alone the beginning.

Aside from that gripe, it's a great DVD. GOOD VIBRATIONS is so well done. And the ALL STAR ENSEMBLE tunes (Barbara Ann and Fun, Fun, Fun) are so much fun to watch.

FOUR STARS does NOT mean I don't recommend it. I'm just overly critical and not much gets FIVE stars from me.