Customer Reviews

The Beach Boys: Good Timin'- Live at Knebworth, England 1980

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After watching this DVD, I was kind of wondering which DVD many of the reviewers were watching. First off, Dennis looked fine. He was having a blast playing drums and joking with Mike Meros through most of the concert. Yeah, Brian looked bad, but he did back then. Anyone who saw these guys in concert from 76 on would know Brian wasn't much of a presence on stage. His vocals were pretty bad as well. That was normal. Every now and then he would surprise people, but you couldn't see a Beach Boys concert at that time and expect a lot from Brian. The rest of the guys and supporting cast did what they did, . . . they put on a good show. Unlike concerts from a few years earlier, they had already begun shortening the show, and doing more top 40 music. I miss the days when they would do Marcella, Long Promised Road, Funky Pretty and others in their live shows and play for 90 to 120 minutes. Not to mention, while the vocals are great, I miss the more rock oriented shows. The stage is fairly small compared to a lot of the shows they put on in the states, so the guys tended to stand around. So Mike isn't allowed to prance like he used to do. They all appeared in good spirits, although now and then looking like they were going through the motions. There was not a 'fight' between Carl and Mike. In those days, it was not unusual for these guys to bow together, and Mike missed his spot. This is also consistent with Carl's problems with the boys lack of rehearsal time before shows. And during Surfer Girl, it's Dennis moving closer to Mike, and Mike seems a little hesitant. First off, the rift between the two is legendary, but it also appears as though the music pushes all that aside during the shows. Of course, Dennis was also known to play pranks on Mike 'on stage' so Mike could be hesitant because of that. But it hardly takes away from the song, although the song is far too rushed, which again is something they began doing around 1980.

Favorite songs from this set had to be "I Get Around," and "Keepin' the Summer Alive."

Overall, I enjoyed this, but also realized why shortly after Dennis died I stopped attending Beach Boy concerts. They were transforming into a Las Vegas act. It is interesting to see some of the little things going on, on stage, such as Carl keeping an eye on Brian; Dennis kissing Brian on the back of the head; Al asking Brian if he's okay right before, I think "Barbara Ann." I also wonder about the sign that Brian could read from his piano which reads: "Don't Panic."

Mainly I am amazed at how easy these guys made it look, but saddened that they did not take advantage of the arsenal of songs they could have played to make the show longer. These guys are legends, and we get to see elements of that, but for me, the writing was on the wall. Accept this DVD for what it is, a glimpse of what was truly an endless summer, where you can go to that nearest faraway place, and let your heart be filled with spring.

1980 was the Beach Boys just a little bit past their "post-Endless-Summer" touring prime which is generally considered to be 1975-1977. The good news is that Dennis Wilson is back on tour with big brother Brian as well. Dennis was about to enter a downward spiral at this point and Brian was coming out of one (he would relapse but eventually come clean). Dennis Wilson is the primary reason to watch this DVD. He drums (bashes is more like it), sings, and plays a little piano. He also does what he did best...antagonize Mike Love on stage! There are some genuine moments between the Wilson brothers as well. The DTS mix is great. Carl Wilson was the musical leader of the group at this point and it really shows. I've seen pretty much all the BB VHS/DVD stuff there is and this one ranks right up there.

First off, nobody loves the Beach Boys more than I do. I grew up with thier music. As a musician, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Brian Wilson for what he taught me about harmony. I've seen dozens of their shows, some awful, some incredible. And in 1983, a famous band I was in was their opening act for 3 weeks, so I got to hang with them and hear them every night. Live performances are generally never quite up to par with studio performances, and as a performing musician, producer, and engineer, I understand that. It's nearly impossible to achieve on stage amongst the roar of amplifiers and monitors what can be done in the studio where there is a totally controlled environment - and the ability to repair any mistakes. "Good Timin'" is indeed a live performance, but it has been enhanced or 'sweetened' back in the recording studio before being released. The backround harmonies have been supplemented by overdubs, if not all replaced completely. A trained ear will hear the double-tracking of parts - commonplace in any studio recording. It just makes everything sound "fatter". This is nothing new. The Eagles have done this on all their live recordings, as have Fleetwood Mac and plenty of other vocal groups. Some groups, like the Bee Gees, will even run pre-recorded tracks at their live shows to recreate the lush wall of voices that characterize their studio recordings. Personally, I like hearing the rough edges and rawness of a true live recording. The Beach Boys made the best harmony records of anybody, so we know they can sing. I don't mind hearing a missed part or flat note here & there. I wish they'd just mixed "Good Timin'" the way it was. The real beauty here is seeing The Boys all playing together for the very last time.

This is a great DVD if you're looking for something to capture that period from the Beach Boys. One must remember though, that the audio on this performance is HEAVILY edited, probably with new harmonies added in the studio, making their backing vocals sound much better than the actual live performance. (Something used quite commonly now on "live" recordings) I saw them two weeks after this performance, in Washington, DC, and actually had the live FM stereo broadcast of that concert for years on tape. Those live vocals were pretty rough, given how good their vocal performances were just a few years prior. It's also interesting to note that "Wouldn't It Be Nice" was left off the Knebworth recording; probably not even salvageable in the studio. It was butchered in the DC concert as well, with Al Jardine trying to help/force BW through the lead vocals. Knebworth was also the exact same playlist as the DC show. With that said, the energy and musicianship of their live shows from that period comes through on this DVD. The Knebworth concert DVD is a great package and effort, and the audio track IS excellent, although "polished", and gives fans the chance to maybe remember them as that hard rockin' band that they were in the early 70's.

After purchasing the CD, I have since purchased the DVD. I am glad that I did. For any Beach Boys fan this DVD is a must have for your collection. All six members are present including Brian and Dennis Wilson. For those of us who missed the "early" concerts especially those of the mid-late 70's this concert will help fill the gap. The music is fine and the group is in excellant form, in fact they look like they are having fun right along with the audience. The images are very good. Since we no longer have Dennis and Carl Wilson, and the Beach Boys are no more this DVD is a precious keepsake of Americas favorite band.

There are two words that describe this dvd: bittersweet. While it's a joyous occasion to see the band onstage again, it's sad knowing this would be one of the last times the group would be performing onstage in the UK.

There's an extremely high level of emotion on this dvd, as well as some tension. Mike Love takes over most of the show, making the rest of the group seem like a backing band. Dennis Wilson is good here but his use of drugs becomes increasingly evident with each performance. Al and Carl give the best performances. Al dlievers strong renditions of "Cottonfields", "Heroes And Villains" and "Help Me Rhonda, and Carl's heavenly voice shines above the rest on "God Only Knows". Bruce Johnston remains hidden for the most of the show, but this would change later in the tour when he got his own solo spot. Brian Wilson, overweight to the nines at this point, sits perched behind a piano for most of the show, contributing a few lines on "Sloop John B" and "Surfer Girl". The main complaint I have is the sound. The band's backing vocals on "God Only Knows" seem to be buried in the mix. These differences aside, this makes for a very good dvd.

As a big Beach Boys fan, I found this dvd highly enjoyable. The boys from Hawthorne sound alive and well here (with the exception of Brian and Dennis Wilson, though they can be forgiven since they were battling personal demons at this point), and the overall song selection will not let you down.

"Good Timin' (Live At Knebworth England, 1980)" is from the band's last appearance in the U. K. with the original lineup, though they obviously did know it at time. The band does plauy with a fiery edge as though it was the last time they're performing them. They sound youthful and ibrant on the rockers especially "Help Me Rhonda", "I Get Around", "Surfin' USA", "Good Vibrations", "Barbara Ann" and "Fun Fun Fun". The slow songs are a mixed bag. The best is Carl Wilson's beautiful rendition of "God Only Knows". Al Jardine also turns in a great reading of "Lady Lynda", but Brian sounds whiny on "Surfer Girl" and Dennis' once sparkling voice is unheard on "You Are So Beautiful".

Despite its flaws, this is a really great dvd. It also comes with a nice Al Jardine introduction and song commentary. Here's hoping that the four remaining Beach Boys (Al Jardine, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and Brian Wilson) get back together soon, since the world needs them in this time of horrible music, courtesy of Britney, Christina and Eminem

Thank God they got this one on film. Although my ultimate fantasy would be an entire concert from the great 1970-71 tour when the boys were traveling with a small horn section and were performing hunks of their repertoire from "Pet Sounds" to "Sunflower", this concert will more than hold me over until that dream is realized one day, hopefully. Having seen The Beach Boys more times than I can count, I had forgotten what a hard working band they were until I saw "Live at Knebworth". Their ability to perform "Live" and with fidelity the gorgeous complex songs that were the soundtrack of our lives growing up in the 60's and 70's is a joy to behold on this DVD. It was the last time all 6 original members of the band (including an obviously nervous Brian) performed together on stage and you can tell the boys are working hard this night to give their British audience a memorable concert. Some of the highlights for me were their performances of Al Jardine's "Lady Lynda" from the L.A. Light album and a faithfully rendered version of Brian's groundbreaking "Good Vibrations" (in spite of grandstanding from the allways creepy Mike Love). It's also apparent in this concert that Dennis is already starting on a downward slide that would ultimately end in his untimely death in 1982. His ragged solo performance of "You are so Beautiful" is a poignant reminder that the end is not far off. Carl Wilson, one of the greatest vocalists in rock history, proves throughout this concert that he was the linchpin that held this band together until his tragic death in 1998 ended once and for all the band as a viable performing entity. So get this DVD put on your Hawaiian shirt pour yourself a cool drink and enjoy!

Mike Love is his usual dork-on-speed self, talking over song endings, making light of certain songs, and just generally being and idiot on stage. Dennis Wilson looks completely wasted and manages to stumble through half of the bands material. (even making a mistake with a false ending on a song) Brian looks, and acts like a zombie pounding chords on the piano. (You even get to read Al's lips as he walks over to Brian to and ask if he's okay). The DVD is really a glimps in the dysfunctional family that was the Beach Boys, and a bit surprising that it was not edited heavily to remove all this stuff. But it was not, and that's why I respect the Beach Boys a lot, they didn't try and hide their dysfunction, they wore it loud and proud because they really had no choice, but they carried on. Kudos to them. At one point duirng the show Mike Love speaks to a dazed Dennis who seems to ignore him, so Love starts to move in closer very quickly to Dennis, just then Carl grabs Love by the arm and stops him. It's all very low key, I don't want to seem to sound like they're coming close to fisticuffs on stage, but everyone knows Love is an agressive, dominating personality, as well as the shortcomings of Dennis Wilson as a professional performer being well documented, as is Mike Love's short temper and lack of tact. Al Jardine gives a terrific performance handling the vocals and rythm guitar. Carl Wilson gives a stellar performance singing and playing guitar. What does this mean? Nothing, just get the DVD its a good, good show.

Thank God they got this one on film. Although my ultimate fantasy would be an entire concert from the great 1970-71 tour when the boys were traveling with a small horn section and were performing hunks of their repertoire from "Pet Sounds" to "Sunflower", this concert will more than hold me over until that dream is realized one day, hopefully. Having seen The Beach Boys more times than I can count, I had forgotten what a hard working band they were until I saw "Live at Knebworth". Their ability to perform "Live" and with fidelity the gorgeous complex songs that were the soundtrack of our lives growing up in the 60's and 70's is a joy to behold on this DVD. It was the last time all 6 original members of the band (including an obviously nervous Brian) performed together on stage and you can tell the boys are working hard this night to give their British audience a memorable concert. Some of the highlights for me were their performances of Al Jardine's "Lady Lynda" from the L.A. Light album and a faithfully rendered version of Brian's groundbreaking "Good Vibrations" (in spite of grandstanding from the allways creepy Mike Love). It's also apparent in this concert that Dennis is already starting on a downward slide that would ultimately end in his untimely death in 1982. His ragged solo performance of "You are so Beautiful" is a poignant reminder that the end is not far off. Carl Wilson, one of the greatest vocalists in rock history, proves throughout this concert that he was the linchpin that held this band together until his tragic death in 1998 ended once and for all the band as a viable performing entity. So get this DVD put on your Hawaiian shirt pour yourself a cool drink and enjoy!