Brian Wilson brings smiles to Chicago Theatre (11/16)
It wasn’t a blizzard by any means, but last night Chicago saw some snow. Instead of watching it in awe, most of the Windy City residents stayed inside, probably relaxing on a couch and under a blanket with cocoa. However, the select few that did go out, witnessed empty streets and a lulling silence that seemed eerie. Not quite exactly the mood or setting for one Brian Wilson, but everyone under the gold tapestries of the Chicago Theatre didn’t seem to mind.
In fact, they didn’t really care to do anything. Sitting in their thick, puffy jackets and balmy hoodies, the hundreds of Chicagoans that made it out on the wintry Sunday night were a bit lethargic. They seemed to be in a deep slumber, mumbling incoherently to their loved ones, all the while, cupping a cold beer. It was an odd juxtaposition to be surrounded by this, amidst the gorgeous theater, and the former Beach Boy, who was kicked off the set with the bouncy, sunny “California Girls.”
It’s a rarity when Wilson is more uppity than most in the room. The typical recluse has never been one for the spotlight, but he had little competition with the Chicago crowd. As for his supporting band, which at one point during the set sported over twelve members, they were exceptional in their own right, but the focus was always on Wilson and with good reason. He’s one of the few legends left these days, and considering he’s spent sixty-percent of his career tucked away in studios and various Malibu homes, it’s a genuine gift to see him out and about, let alone on stage. When he walked out, wearing a rather somber black get up, he announced, “We’re hoping to give you a good show. There are probably better shows out there, but we’re going to try our best tonight.” Needless to say, he’s still a modest guy, even if he once thought his music caused fires in California.
The show was interesting, to say the least. For one, it was in sections. The first set focused on The Beach Boys’ spanning discography, featuring all the songs Wilson penned himself. This was a joy, even if a good few of the classics were originally sung by Mike Love. These are Wilson’s songs and it shows. When the songwriter wasn’t singing, he was conducting, swaying his arms left and right from behind his keyboard. His mind was working, and even forty plus years later, it still seems like he’s working them out. Sure, hits “Dance, Dance, Dance” and “Catch A Wave” were fun, but the most memorable moments came when Wilson sang the melancholy charmer “In My Room” and the few cuts off of the epic and life changing Pet Sounds. The first set’s finale featured a four punch knock out (”Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows”, “I Get Around”, “Good Vibrations”) and fortunately by this point everyone was on their feet and at the very least… shuffling.
Twenty minutes passed in the “quaint” intermission. Light instrumentals of the Boys’ back catalog, many of which that had just been played, floated over the crowd from the house P.A. It was a bit of a novelty in itself, but certainly kept the mood up. When everyone returned with more beer and little packets of popcorn, the lights fell down again and Wilson lead his crew back on stage. He gave warning that he was about to play his new album, That Lucky Old Sun, in its entirety and that any applause would be unnecessary until the end.
Behind the band, a screen lit up and various visuals, all showcasing a rather youthful and more innocent Los Angeles, danced with the music. The harmonies were out of this world in the titular album opener, and by the next track, the lofty and fun “Morning Beat”, it was clear these were the songs the band felt comfortable with. Everyone sort of came alive, including the infamous songwriter himself, and not once did they stop. Wilson’s monologues, which are interspersed through the record, offered the singer some relief, but even then, it was quite an ambitious performance.
The visuals that accompanied the album’s sprawling storyline were very welcomed. Some of it became a bit sentimental too, especially when snapshots of the Wilson brothers passed by, which inevitably earned some applause. Fans were casual with the new material, hardly clapping along, yet absolutely enthralled. During “Midnight’s Another Day”, inarguably the album’s finest song, Wilson’s vocals reached higher and higher, almost touching the balcony crowd, and when he segued right into “Going Home”, everyone quickly jumped to their feet and danced along, clapping until the performance (and album) finished.
One would think that this would be enough, but the sixty-seven year old surfer-turned-songwriting legend came back for more. This time, he was cleaning house with the remainder of his former band’s infinite catalog. After an awkward and rather forced cover of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode”, the 
hits kept coming, paddling out with “Help Me Rhonda”, riding on “Barbara Ann”, coasting by with “Surfin’ USA”, and swimming back ashore alongside “Fun, Fun, Fun.” People danced, swayed, and just went wild. It wasn’t exactly the beach party that his “other half” exhibited at last summer’s shin dig at Ravinia, but it would do.
Though it wouldn’t be a Brian Wilson show if he didn’t play “Love & Mercy”, and after the entire band exited stage left, he played the “lesser known” classic, which originally debuted on his 1988 debut solo album, Brian Wilson. He stayed true to form and even if he seemed a bit sluggish by the end, the emotion was raw and vital. When he waved goodbye, the audience responded by leaving. There was some applause, but all in all, the shoddy audience made what should have been an epic performance a semi-snooze fest. Playing the devil’s advocate, however, the snow and cloudy day didn’t necessarily scream, “Brian Wilson concert!”, either.
Nevertheless, don’t fret Brian, you were great.
(Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Phil Miglioratti, of Pray For Surf, for the updated set list.)
Set List:
Set 1
California Girls
Girl Don’t Tell Me
Dance, Dance, Dance
Surfer Girl
In My Room
Salt Lake City
All Summer Long
Please Let Me Wonder
Add Some Music to Your Day
Don’t Worry Baby
Do You Wanna Dance?
Do It Again
Sail On Sailor
Marcella
I Get Around
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Set 2
That Lucky Old Sun
Morning Beat
Room With a View (narrative)
Good Kind of Love
Forever She’ll Be My Surfer Girl
Venice Beach (narrative)
Live Let Live/That Lucky Old Sun Reprise
Mexican Girl
Cinco de Mayo (narrative)
California Role/That Lucky Old Sun Reprise
Between Pictures (narrative)
Oxygen to the Brain
Can’t Wait Too Long
Midnight’s Another Day
That Lucky Old Sun Reprise
Going Home
Southern California
First Encore
Johnny B. Goode
Help Me Rhonda
Barbara Ann
Surfin’ USA
Fun, Fun, Fun
Second Encore
Love and Mercy
? Seriously? I was searching Google for all for love bryan adams rod stewart mp3 download and found this… will have to think about it.
I caught Brian on Friday night at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC.
I was surprised that there were so many empty seats and I wondered how anyone could stay glued to his or her seats during the opening numbers (set list was pretty much, if not 100%, the same). (When we saw Rod Stewart in DC almost 2 years ago we got yelled out at for getting up to dance…)
Then Brian challenged NYers to get up (and get our lighters out), and that was it. Much of the crowd (on the floor at least) was out of their seats and dancing.
During the 2nd set the crowd went wild when a great pic of Dennis moved across the screen. Everyone truly appreciated the new album, which was played with soaring harmonies and resounding orchestrations. It was vintage Brian Wilson.
It was a thoroughly entertaining concert in a great venue. We are so lucky to have him alive and kicking.
Those folks who missed it will be sorry.
Agreed, Eric. I hope it didn’t hurt Wilson’s feelings too much. He was on Conan tonight and sounded horrible. I was shocked.
I think my girlfriend and I were the only ones dancing for about 90% of the show. Definitely the laziest audience I’ve ever seen. Ruined a great show and probably hurt Brian’s feelings. haha. I had a good time anyway.
I came to Chicago (my hometown) from Southern California (my home for the past 25 years) to see Brian Wilson and his band at the Chicago Theater. I also agree that the crowd was a bit sedate but that they got going later on in the set. About a month ago I was at the Hollywood Bowl and the crowd was a lot more involved but then again you get really inspired there because you can see the top of the Capitol Records building and the glow of Hollywood Boulevard from the Bowl. Brian Wilson was a lot more animated at the Chicago show and the band sounded even better than the Los Angeles show. I guess it was their ties to Chicago that inspired them to give an even more enthusiastic performance. Aside from hearing those classics of American music was the privilege the audience had of hearing the That Lucky Old Sun in its entirety. As an adopted son of Southern California I was reduced to tearing eyes hearing of those places I drive by daily. It’s just a privilege and an honor to be at Wilson’s concert, I could see this guy and his band every night. Lastly, when I left Chicago on Monday it was in the 30’s, with snow flurries. Today, here in Southern California it is 84 sunny degrees, and it will be that way until Spring when it gets really nice!
I too was surprised that there were empty seats. But I agree — their loss, not ours. I had looked forward to this concert since the day my wife surprised me with tickets she bought the first hour they went on sale. I was perfectly content to sit, listen and enjoy. In fact, I’ve been to concerts where someone nearby tries to show off by singing along with each song (and ruining it for others). I appreciate the fact that at this concert, the focus was on the music itself. Great instrumentation and harmonies to well-crafted music, old and new! It was a great evening!
The crowd in South Bend were somewhat the same, although seemed VERY appreciative. I’m 25, my girlfriend and I both wanted to dance around, however we didn’t want to be “rude.” I think had more people gotten up to move out our show, they would have all been up dancing. I saw SMiLE at the Chicago theater and felt the same way, but then in Cleveland, the crowd was on their feet the entire time.
Brian Rocks… and us young people love him too! I’m still bumming that I missed the chance to see him with Al doing PS. The ONLY time he has went on any type of tour in the states that I had to miss! I’ve seen them play 11 times, and am damn grateful fof it!
I know. It was strange, really. It’s such a rarity to see Wilson live, and I figured more people would be in tune. The sound was excellent, however, and I kept picking up my jaw from the harmonies, especially in “Forever She’ll Be My Surfer Girl.” I really love his new record and seeing it live was just remarkable. I actually teared up some during “Midnight’s Another Day”, and I think I would have lost it had he played “Surf’s Up.”
Oh well. It was “their” loss, definitely!
I have to admit that the crowd was moribund, though appreciative. I was dismayed to see how many empty seats there were in the place last night, even downstairs there were almost entire sections devoid of people. My wife and I got up to dance during Good Vibrations, along with one other guy in our row - the rest of the people stayed nailed to their seats for the most part. Maybe it was the age of the concert goers (lots of folks in their 50’s and 60’s - my wife in in her late 30’s, and I’m in my early 40’s, so we skewed a bit younger, I guess).
The sound was pretty good, and it was remarkable to have (when the string quintet was playing) 15 or so musicians behind Brian. Just a shame so few were there; it’s their loss, not mine.
Well, isn’t this a small world. However, I don’t think it was you. There was another set list previously requested (probably yours). This guy just walked up and managed to ask before I was able to, and he definitely wasn’t sixty. I had stood there patiently and the sound guy knew that. It bothered me (apparently).
But thank you for the set list.
Hey Micheal,
I’m that pushy “d-bag” that has the set list, now signed by Brian and his band leader Jeffrey Foskett. I appreciate you giving me my my 15 seconds of fame but, to set the record straight, I had requested that set-list hours earlier from “the sound guy” who is anything but a “d-bag.” I also appreciate you identifying me as a “pushing fifty” concertgoer since I was thoroughly enjoying the celebration of my sixtieth birthday at the concert. Too bad we didn’t get an opportunity to talk about the show.
Here is the correct set-list. Hope I’m not being to pushy to post it!
Set List:
Set 1
California Girls
Girl Don’t Tell Me (not Then I Kissed Her; right album, wrong tune)
Dance, Dance, Dance
Surfer Girl
In My Room
Salt Lake City
All Summer Long
Please let Me Wonder
Add Some Music to Your Day
Don’t Worry Baby
Do You Wanna Dance?
Do It Again
Sail On Sailor
Marcella (unforgettable!)
I Get Around
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Set 2
That Lucky Old Sun
Morning Beat
Room With a View (narrative)
Good Kind of Love
Forever She’ll Be My Surfer Girl
Venice Beach (narrative)
Live Let Live/That Lucky Old Sun Reprise
Mexican Girl
Cinco de Mayo (narrative)
California Role/That Lucky Old Sun Reprise
Between Pictures (narrative)
Oxygen to the Brain
Can’t Wait Too Long
Midnight’s Another Day
That Lucky Old Sun Reprise
Going Home
Southern California
First Encore
Johnny B. Goode
Help Me Rhonda
Barbara Ann
Surfin’ USA
Fun, Fun, Fun
Second Encore
Love and Mercy
If you read my editor’s note, you’ll see I did it mostly from memory. Also, I agree.. it was an excellent show, but when songs “Surfin USA” and “Dance Dance Dance” are being played… I want to move around.
However, that wasn’t the case.
You missed - Girl Don’t Tell Me (which was awesome). I think there’s some others wrong on you first set.
PS - No need to stand at a show like that. I was FULLY entertained.
Great show!!!
Yeah, your point? It took heavy convincing for people to stand up.
Um, dude, were you at the same concert I was?
Jul 17th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
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Nov 22nd, 2008 at 12:46 am
[...] watched Brian Wilson bring smiles to the Chicago [...]