|
This is an article on Brian Wilson's concert.21 September 2011
|
Five living legends I have to see perform: Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and Brian Wilson. I can now tick off the latter two, and the last thanks to the Southbank Centre in London last Saturday, 17th September 2011.
I was on my way into the centre of the Big Smoke that afternoon, when I overheard two guys (I wasn't eavesdropping by the way!) talking about Wilson. I guess the excitement was obviously not just from me! They said it took it him six months to put together GOOD VIBRATIONS. I don't know whether that's true, but if it is, wow. By the way, this is five hours before the gig is due to start.
I was on my way into the centre of the Big Smoke that afternoon, when I overheard two guys (I wasn't eavesdropping by the way!) talking about Wilson. I guess the excitement was obviously not just from me! They said it took it him six months to put together GOOD VIBRATIONS. I don't know whether that's true, but if it is, wow. By the way, this is five hours before the gig is due to start.
|
|
Tonight, it was Brian Wilson reimagining Gershwin, and then his own classics. I literally couldn't wait! He's been on my list for such a long time. And the Southbank Centre is a great concert venue. Over the years I've seen Moby, Yo La Tengo and Sufjan Stevens perform inside the Royal Festival Hall. The atmosphere is both intimate and grand. If you live in London, become a member, seriously. If you don't, put it on your must attend list. It was rammed to the rafters.
There were no support acts amazingly, straight in, muchos kudos for that level of confidence.
You know Gershwin right? George Gershwin the composer - PORGY AND BESS, FUNNY FACE, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. Virtually the entire soundtrack to Woody Allen's excellent MANHATTAN was Gershwin. The elegance of George with the pop brilliance of Brian. What a combo.
Wilson said the Gershwin estate approached him with the idea.
There were no support acts amazingly, straight in, muchos kudos for that level of confidence.
You know Gershwin right? George Gershwin the composer - PORGY AND BESS, FUNNY FACE, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. Virtually the entire soundtrack to Woody Allen's excellent MANHATTAN was Gershwin. The elegance of George with the pop brilliance of Brian. What a combo.
Wilson said the Gershwin estate approached him with the idea.
|
|
|
Fourteen tracks in the first part of the evening were played. You want to know what they are? Of course you do!
Rhapsody In Blue [Intro],
The Like in I Love You
Summertime
I Loves You, Porgy
I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'
It Ain't Necessarily So
'S Wonderful
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Love Is Here to Stay
I've Got a Crush on You
I Got Rhythm
Someone to Watch Over Me
Nothing But Love
Rhapsody in Blue (reprise)
(I think that's right - thank you Setlist.fm!)
Rhapsody In Blue [Intro],
The Like in I Love You
Summertime
I Loves You, Porgy
I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'
It Ain't Necessarily So
'S Wonderful
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Love Is Here to Stay
I've Got a Crush on You
I Got Rhythm
Someone to Watch Over Me
Nothing But Love
Rhapsody in Blue (reprise)
(I think that's right - thank you Setlist.fm!)
Let's face it. Brian Wilson could have been singing out the contents of a bag of Haribo, and we'd be there to see it. After 40 minutes of Gershwin, a 20 minute break.
Two keyboardists, two drummers, four guitarists and a saxophonist to accompany the legend. I wasn't, at first, especially fussed about him having that level of support, but it sure brings an oomph to proceedings. I said to myself, whatever happens I've got to hear him sing GOD ONLY KNOWS!!!
Immediately after the interval it's CALIFORNIA GIRLS. He knows what his audience wants. Contrast seeing Bob Dylan, and the songs he performed were unrecognisable.
Anyway back to the man. Wilson moves through his back catalogue. A real joy. Then this intro, "I've written hundreds of songs, this is my very best song."
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
"I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I'll make you so sure about it
God only knows what I'd be without you"
... You know the rest...
Two keyboardists, two drummers, four guitarists and a saxophonist to accompany the legend. I wasn't, at first, especially fussed about him having that level of support, but it sure brings an oomph to proceedings. I said to myself, whatever happens I've got to hear him sing GOD ONLY KNOWS!!!
Immediately after the interval it's CALIFORNIA GIRLS. He knows what his audience wants. Contrast seeing Bob Dylan, and the songs he performed were unrecognisable.
Anyway back to the man. Wilson moves through his back catalogue. A real joy. Then this intro, "I've written hundreds of songs, this is my very best song."
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
"I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I'll make you so sure about it
God only knows what I'd be without you"
... You know the rest...
Wilson looked frail, but he seemed to care about entertaining his fans.
Here's what he sang, I believe (thanks to Setlist.fm):
California Girls
Dance, Dance, Dance
Drive-In
Catch a Wave
Surfer Girl
Don't Worry Baby
Do You Wanna Dance?
Add Some Music To Your Day
Goin' Home
Darlin'
I Get Around, The Little Girl I Once Knew, Sail On, Sailor, Pet Sounds, Sloop John B, Wouldn't It Be Nice, God Only Knows, Heroes and Villains, Johnny B. Goode,
Help Me, Rhonda, Barbara Ann, Surfin' USA and Fun, Fun, Fun.
Here's what he sang, I believe (thanks to Setlist.fm):
California Girls
Dance, Dance, Dance
Drive-In
Catch a Wave
Surfer Girl
Don't Worry Baby
Do You Wanna Dance?
Add Some Music To Your Day
Goin' Home
Darlin'
I Get Around, The Little Girl I Once Knew, Sail On, Sailor, Pet Sounds, Sloop John B, Wouldn't It Be Nice, God Only Knows, Heroes and Villains, Johnny B. Goode,
Help Me, Rhonda, Barbara Ann, Surfin' USA and Fun, Fun, Fun.
Thank you Mr. Wilson for a very, very memorable night!!
