Customer Reviews

In Concert

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wow! What a thrill that Capitol finally got it together and re-released this gem of a live album which proves just how captivating the Beach Boys could be in front of an audience.(I've been searching for this CD ever since my crummy 8-track player devoured my copy nearly 20 years ago! )Those who have only seen the Boys in recent years, methodically whipping out one "golden-oldie" after another, will be stunned by how relevant the Beach Boys sounded in the early '70's. I mean where else are you going to hear strong live versions of great tracks from "Pet Sounds", "Holland" and "Wild Honey" ? This CD is the only document from this vibrant period in Beach Boys history and that alone makes it worthwhile.

Recorded in 1972 and '73 when Carl Wilson assumed leadership of the group in lieu of brother Brian's absence, the touring version of the Beach Boys was never tighter. South African guitarist Blondie Chaplin and drummer Ricky Fataar climbed aboard and bolstered the band with their dynamic chops. Vocally, Al Jardine and the grossly underrated Carl never sounded better. Al's renditions of "Surfer Girl" and the Pet Sounds classic "You Still Believe in Me" are not only heartwarming, but add a new twist to songs which Brian originally stamped with his trademark falsetto. Great job Al !! Other highights include Al and Carl teaming up on the rare "bicycle" version of "Heroes and Villains", as well as Carl's souped up reading of the catchy "Marcella". Carl pretty much steals the show with a haunting rendition of "Caroline No" which is nearly the equal of Brian's classic Pet Sounds version. Toward the end of the set, Mike Love takes over and drives the band home with his peppy take on early hits such as "Surfin USA" and "Fun,Fun,Fun". Certainly these tracks are worthy, but they are not what makes this CD such a treasure -- it's the aforementioned songs and other live rarities such as "Darlin'", "The Trader" and "Leaving This Town" that make it all worthwhile. Great stuff. Highly recommended !!

Without a doubt the best of the Beach Boys live albums-- taken from tours for Holland, this is from the last tour before emphasis on older material began. In fact, of the 20 cuts on this disc, only six date from before Pet Sounds. The band includes Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar, musicians from South Africa who joined the Beach Boys on their previous two studio albums.

It is in fact Blondie who is first heard, with his great lead vocal on "Sail On, Sailor". The set continues through later Beach Boys material and a few "Pet Sounds" songs-- of particular note are a great take on "You Still Believe in Me", powerful readings of "Heroes and Villains" and "Funky Pretty" (the latter again featuring a stellar vocal by Blondie), and a totally moving take on "Let the Wind Blow" (with a stunning lead by Carl). Also of note is "We Got Love", recorded for "Holland" but not released. The only complaint is there's no Dennis songs on here, but its a small complaint, given how powerful the album is.

Overall, a great set, and well worth having.

There are several options to get the Beach Boys live (without bootlegs, that is): the twofer release of "In Concert/Live in London", this CD, and "Good Timin'" (a 1979 English show). For sheer excellent song selection and performance, this is far and away the best of the three.

The songs get extra energy from the band performing as close to rock and roll as the band got and they feature some of their best material (rather than strictly "sun and fun" numbers). It's hard to realize now but there was a time when a Beach Boys concert meant you might actually hear some NEW material from them. With the extra oomph, even their weaker material ("Funky Pretty", "Marcella") sounds passable.

Of the 20 songs here, only 5 come from before "Pet Sounds". No 'oldies jukebox' here...this was a band that realized they were still MAKING great music...and they actually bothered to perform it.

HIGHLIGHTS:
"Leaving this Town" is especially vibey live...with a great keyboard solo and impassioned Blondie Chaplin vocal. They absolutely TEAR into "Heroes and Villains" (listen for Dennis to use the rare "Bicycle rider.." section in the lyric...). A delicate "Caroline,No" is transcendent. "Let the Wind Blow" here leaves some of the harmonies out, making it more R&B than the album version. It underscores the desperation of the lyric. It especially kicks in at the "Let the bees make honey.." section. "Good Vibrations" cooks as what must have been the concert closer.

LOWS:
Nothing really outright "bad" here, though "Marcella" and "Funky Pretty" are lesser tunes. They sound as good as they ever have here in a live setting. "Fun, Fun, Fun" doesn't sound bad but it's a letdown as the encore after a frenetic "Good Vibrations".

BOTTOM LINE:
Great song selection, the guys are tight, they sound like they want to be there. If you're getting live Beach Boys, get this one.

This album was my first real introduction to the Beach Boys. Always known for the studio work of Brian, the alter ego of the band is the live shows. I must start by saying the line up is spectacular. Having seen the band on this tour, wow, what a sound. Real musicians/real vocals/great songs. A lot of the songs will not be familiar to the casual fan. Be prepared to meet some new friends! Leaving this Town for example, what a jewel!
The most important and musically improved part of this set is the absense of Bruce Johnston. He was doing his own thing in '72 and what a favor he did the band. I respect his being on the job for all these years, but what a whimpy musician. The band had an edge on this album, totally different than the Good Timin set fromEngland. They where a real rock band, not a live jukebox. You will see what I mean with the opener,Sail On Sailor. It rocks! The oldies even have a turbo up feel, due in part to Blondie's guitar work and Ricky's drumming. Much heavier feel than other live sets.
So pick this one up and experience the Boy's at their finest. If I had to keep one of my BB albums and pitch the rest, this would be it.
Lynn

I saw this band in concert at Elmira College - Wow! Genuinely positive energy that was matched by no one else at the time. Brian was absent and it was just as well (thank God he was able to rejoin us recently) - Carl & Dennis were in top vocal form & Mike was in his "mellow" stage phase (before and after he was never funny & always whiney.) Also, the band wasn't afraid to perform their more challenging music in addition to the "oldies." And I can vouch that the audience was with them EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. Of all their "live" albums, this is the one to purchase, treasure & keep.
An aside, now that the Beach Boys catalog is completed - how about someone taking the next logical step and remaster and release Carl & Dennis's solo work? Oh, to have Youngblood & Pacific Ocean Blue available again!!

For whatever reason, the Beach Boys are "in" again. Be it to the Barenaked Ladies Song "Brian Wilson," or having finally got past the Beatlemainia Redux of the 1980's, or be it to the tragic death of Carl Wilson in 1998, or a secret marketing strategy from Capitol Records, or whatever, I'm glad that the boys from Hawthorn are finally getting their due.

This is the group's third concert album, and personally my favorite. You capture the Beach Boys in 1973 and '74, which is the post-Viet Nam era of Watergate. The sun kissed California image, which was a marketing gimmick, was working against them. "Pet Sounds" was a critically acclaimed success and a commercial bomb. SMiLE was recoded, and then abandoned. And in 1973, Brian Wilson began his long hideout in his bed.

The concert album has all three phases of the Beach Boys: the Surfin USA phase, the Pet Sounds phase, and the Post Brian phase of the band. They play their classis songs, but with 1970's instrumentation and synthesizers. So California Girls takes on a funkier and almost disco feel, and Help Me Ronda gets bouncier, with more oomph from the guitar. And the bassist is out of this world! They have four Pet Sounds: Sloop John B, Caroline No, Wouldn't it be Nice, and Good Vibrations (listen to the Pet Sounds sessions, disc 2, track 12 and 13). But the best treasures on this album are the tracks from Friends, Wild Honey, Carl and the Passions, and Holland. Yes, there was life after Good Vibrations, and this concert is proof positive of it.

You here several of these forgotten (ignored?) classics such as Sail On Sailor, the Trader, Let the Wind Blow, and Darlin. Songs I wish that they would play at their concerts nowadays. These songs hold their own with Surfin USA and Good Vibrations, but they are more sophisticated, and, indeed, are more spiritual and soulful. The Beach Boys had a spiritual side that the Beatles lacked, George Harrison and the Mahrishi not withstanding. They recorded such songs as "Our Prayer," "God Only Knows," but also recorded a Christmas Album, and the more traditional "Lord's Prayer." They knew that they were not bigger than Jesus, but in a sense they helped Him bring people to a higher level and to commune with the infinite.

These concerts was recoded durting Blonie Chaplains and Ricky Fataar's brief stin as Beach Boys, and they lend a rougher and grittier edge to the sweet harmonies. In fact, they bring the band back to being a rock band again, something that was lost during the recording of the "Today" album.

I think the most surprising track on this album is the revamped version of "Surfin USA." I didn't think that anyone could resurrect this overplayed classic of theirs, but with Fataar and Chaplin's rougher and raunchier edge, the bring new life into this old classic. I like the song again because of how they play it on the album.

This album is a great companion disc to the Beat of the Beach Boys vol. 3: The Brothers Years. They both cover the forgotten ear of Beach Boys concerts, where you had the reassembled band trying to reinvent themselves in a post-Watergate era. Both Carl and Al try to cover Brian Wilson's lead vocals, and try to stick with the classics while letting people know they were still producing new music and newer classics.

With the death of Carl Wilson, we will never hear Trader in concert again. This album freezes forever his angelic voice, and preserves it for posterity.

Do me a favor. Put this CD on and go directly to "Help Me, Rhonda" (track #13) and CRANK IT UP!! If you're not dancing in your living room by the end you must be dead. Snarling guitar, fat bass and tight-as-a-tick percussion. Forget that Brian wasn't there nor was Bruce Johnston. Ignore the fact that you can't do 40 voice overdubs live. It's the music and the band that counts. I've seen the Beach Boys in concert a couple of dozen times starting in 1972 during the very same "Winter tour" that these recordings come from. I've seen them with and without Brian and believe me, during these times he was much better off at home. I saw them for the last time in 1984 doing one of their incredibly uninspired "oldies tours" But early on, in 1972-78, they were one of the best live rock and roll bands on the road. A really well recorded live album is tough to come by. But when the Beach Boys, augmented by Blondie Chaplin (lately a backup singer for...The Rolling Stones?!) and Ricky Fataar, and an incredible rhythm section set out to play songs as diverse as "Let the Wind Blow", "The Trader" and "You Still Believe in Me" with the best of the surf songs, well the result is one of those great live albums. Great tunes, great sound, AWESOME rhythm section (2 drummers!!),and everyone takes a turn singing. It ain't perfect, but it's live rock and roll at its best.

I have waited many years for this album to be released.At last,the REAL beach boys when they were at their best and before they were turned into(to quote former Beach Boy Al Jardine)"a travelling jukebox that added cheerleaders and started to look like an overly decorated Christmas tree".This is the band that Rolling Stone Magazine named "band of the year"in 1974 because they were such a good live band.With this album,you get the hits we all know,plus such rare live tracks as "Sail On Sailor,You Still Believe in Me,Marcella,Let The Wind Blow" and many more.This release helps restore some of the band's credibility.The cd is nicely remastered and has great liner notes detailing the history of the band.A must buy for fans.

Having owned this album when it was first released, and having seen the Beach Boys during this time period, I was excited to see this re-released on CD. During that time period I saw many groups and artists ranging from the Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen to the J. Geils Band. NONE were better than the Beach Boys in Concert! It wasn't just the excitement of seeing the group live, it was the total attention to detail that made these concerts such a joy to witness. This CD contains material ranging from "Surfin USA" to later classics like "The Trader". Pick this one up!

Crits rave and zany fans shout that "Love You" is the last great Beach Boys album, however, this In Concert is more likely the final glimpse of greatness seen/heard from the band. Despite Mike Love's pleadings they play a charged set of their greatest hits (well, at least in the eyes of the fans who still care today) and then succumb to Love's wishes and well, those tracks aren't too bad either.

Any album where you get to hear the late great Carl Wilson trying out his soulful pipes for a grateful audience is well worth your money. Also reccomended is Surf's Up and Sunflower, the last two great Beach Boys studio albums.