The night was a series one highlight after another. First, we were all completely shocked and amazed when the ushers escorted all ten of us to our front row seats. (We could literally rest our elbows at the feet of Brian Wilson for the entire performance!) There aren't enough thank you's in the world to tell Colleen Rogalski and the whole Genesee Theatre crew how much we appreciate this ... our entire group was blown away by this incredible experience.
FH Ticket Winners Bob Benham
and The Birthday Boy, Mark Magel ...
both sporting appropriate Beach Boys attire for the concert!
both sporting appropriate Beach Boys attire for the concert!
Supported by a ten piece band, Wilson ran through the hits in rapid-fire fashion. Throughout the night, he shared the lead vocal duties with special guest Al Jardine, Al's son Matt (who now handles all of the high harmonies and also solo'd on several tracks), Darian Sahanaja (fresh off the road from The Zombies reunion tour, celebrating their "Odessey and Oracle" album) and Scott Bennett, who was all over the stage filling in on various instruments throughout the performance. (In fact, many of the members of Brian's band are capable and quite adept and proficient at playing multiple instruments, filling in wherever necessary to give the audience the fullest sound possible ... at times it felt like you were actually in the recording studio, the music was so perfect and precise.)
Split into two sets (followed by a lengthy encore that included "All Summer Long", "Help Me Rhonda", "Barbara Ann", "Surfin' USA", "Fun Fun Fun" and the closing track "Love And Mercy"), they opened the show with "Our Prayer", blending right into the extended "cantina" version of "Heroes And Villains" followed by "California Girls". Along the way, they covered a bunch of car songs ("Shut Down", "Little Deuce Coupe", "I Get Around") and ballads ("Don't Worry Baby", "Please Let Me Wonder", "In My Room", "Surfer Girl" and the song Brian described as "The best song I ever wrote", "God Only Knows"). We were also treated to "Good Vibrations", "Do It Again" (one of my all-time favorites ... and it sounded GREAT when they did it again Wednesday Night), "Dance Dance Dance", "Sloop John B", "Wild Honey", "Sail On Sailor" (the last two featuring outstanding lead vocals by Scott Bennett, filling in since Blondie Chaplin wasn't part of this particular performance), "Darlin'" (a great job by Darian Sahanaja ... and one of the highlights of the show), "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and several others, all performed to pop perfection by this stellar group of musicians. (In fact, if I was surprised by anything it was the fact that only one new track from Brian's "No Pier Pressure" album was performed ... the very Beach Boys-sounding "The Right Time", featuring Al Jardine on lead vocals. The original intention of this tour was to help promote the new CD ... and at various stops along the way, other guests vocalists would join Brian on stage to perform one of their tracks from this excellent collaboration. The new release is HIGHLY recommended.)
One always has to wonder during a Brian Wilson concert if Brian himself is having fun up there ... he rarely appears to be ... but he must be proud to see the reaction to the songs he created over the past 50+ years. (Truth be told, I think he may have been a bit under the weather ... he seemed congested and, sitting that close to his piano, looked a little tired ... but I've still got to hand it to him ... out of ALL of The Beach Boys who have come and gone over the years, Brian Wilson has proven to be a TRUE survivor ... and the world is a better place because of it. At one point he asked the audience, "Have you seen my new movie?", obviously referring to the biopic "Love And Mercy" starring Paul Dano and John Cusak in the Brian Wilson role. Still it drew rousing cheers from the audience.)
All in all, a top notch concert experience ... so thank you again, Colleen and The Genesee Theatre for hosting our group. (And congratulations again to our winners, Bob Benham, Bob Burns, Tom Crowe and Mark Magel, and their respective guests ... see, it PAYS to read Forgotten Hits!!!)
70% of our group ...
L-R - George, Bob, Bob, kk, Mark, Tom and Christopher
(not pictured: Frannie ... who took this shot ... Flo and Marty)
Working from our "locals list", it was great to see some of these readers again, many of whom I haven't seen in YEARS!!!
For our out-of-town followers, there are still several chances to catch these guys in concert before the end of the year ... you'll find the complete tour itinerary here: http://www.brianwilson.com/tour/
I had seen the Beach Boys eight times total but none since Carl passed away.
First time was back in '68. My memory says Brian was at maybe two of the shows I had
attended. One time in particular was in the early '80s at Holiday Star Theater
in Indiana. He sat at the piano as more a figurehead than a performer. I had
read a few reviews of this year's tour so I kind of knew what to expect.
Maybe it was the front row seats that had me almost shaking hands with Al Jardine or maybe it was the company of the other winners and our host, but I was blown away by how well Brian and his band created the sound of days past. In a day where many hit makers forget what made them famous and only want to perform new material, it was a joy to hear a concert where most of the tunes were the songs we all sung along with in our youth. Kudos to Al Jardine for coming out of the shadows and performing like a star instead of the Beach Boys fifth member.
Saying all this, it was still a night to celebrate the genius of Brian Wilson and he did not disappoint. My wife mentioned that she noticed a few tears coming from his eyes as he sang Love and Mercy as the finale of the evening. It was clear that the audience appreciated not only the performance but the fifty years of memories.
Truly a night to remember on many levels.
-- Mark Magel
Maybe it was the front row seats that had me almost shaking hands with Al Jardine or maybe it was the company of the other winners and our host, but I was blown away by how well Brian and his band created the sound of days past. In a day where many hit makers forget what made them famous and only want to perform new material, it was a joy to hear a concert where most of the tunes were the songs we all sung along with in our youth. Kudos to Al Jardine for coming out of the shadows and performing like a star instead of the Beach Boys fifth member.
Saying all this, it was still a night to celebrate the genius of Brian Wilson and he did not disappoint. My wife mentioned that she noticed a few tears coming from his eyes as he sang Love and Mercy as the finale of the evening. It was clear that the audience appreciated not only the performance but the fifty years of memories.
Truly a night to remember on many levels.
-- Mark Magel
I'm echoing Kent's review about the
Brian Wilson show we
saw Wednesday. The cool thing
about seeing a show from
the vantage point of the first row is to see how
the musicians interact - and "witness the magic" close up.
When I watched Paul
Mertens play his sax, I heard the acoustic sound of his horn
as well as the ampified sound.
The musicians in Brian's band
were top-notch, and performed flawlessly - but man they looked like they were having a
ball doing it!
I was surprised that Jardine's voice was so
close to Mike Love's in a live setting. And his son reproduced
the high notes and harmonies that are hallmarks of the Beach
Boys sound.
They played all the hits - Wild Honey was one
that stood out for me.
If I had complaints at all, it was the
fact that Brian really didn't do too much of his solo work at this
show, and his piano blocked my sight lines - but I know that I
witnessed a show the likes of I'll ever see again.
Thanks to Forgotten
Hits and the Genesee Theater for making it happen!
-- Bob Burns
The
Genesee Theater, Forgotten Hits and Kent Kotal had a contest to win tickets to see
Brian Wilson and Al Jardine. I wrote a small paragraph about what Brian Wilson
has meant to me. Boy, was I surprised when Kent notified me that I had won two
tickets to see Brian Wilson. I have been going through rough times with my wife.
She has cancer and is three weeks into treatment getting Chemo and Radiation.
Cancer and the treatment are very hard on my wife ... no energy as she fights her
battle. I provide 24/7 for Deb, but she said I deserve a break and to go for all
I do for her ... you go and have a great time.
My
son Christopher, a Marine that served in Iraq was celebrating Veteran’s Day
and went with me. We arrived and parked in the rear lot. There were four million
dollar tour buses and a huge new semi for moving from concert to concert. These
buses were totally first class and security kept everyone away. Brian’s was a
multi blue colored bus. What a way to travel!
The
Genesee Theater is simply beautiful inside and out.
All of the staff was
extremely nice and helpful at all times. We picked up our tickets at the ticket
booth and they gave us directions as to where we needed to go for our seats. As we walked
through the two white doors, we were directly in front of the stage, directly in
the center. I kept checking the tickets. This has to be a mistake. It was no
mistake. We would be 10 - 15 feet away from Brian Wilson at his piano, front row. Something
like this has never happened to me before. Kent, his wife, all the other winners
and myself were in total shock at our seat location ... especially with this happening for a
Brian Wilson Concert. It doesn’t get any better than
this!
Brian
came walking out on the stage, looking great and sounding like he definitely
owned the stage. Brian walked across the stage and gave a huge wave above his
head to the crowd ... and he says “Hi, everyone ... how are you doing?” He immediately sits
down at the piano and starts playing. The richness of the music was literally
perfect. Every song was perfectly performed and Brian was in great form. Brian
is all business on stage. He doesn’t talk much, but he has talked to each of us
through all of his music. As one song finished they would immediately start
another.
Brian and Al share the stage with all the other musicians. Each was lead singer on
many songs. Brian really respects all of his musicians. There is so much raw
talent in everyone that you have to be very alert to all that is going on.
Brian's voice was perfect!
Al’s voice was perfect!
Matt
Jardine has an incredible range in his voice. He nailed all of the highest
notes, midranges and lower ranges. Brian and Al can’t hit the ranges like they
used to.
On
one of the songs two of the guys joined the drummer and they each were banging
perfectly in rhythm together. Three guys on one drum set made use of every
single piece of equipment. Totally Awesome!
Every
song they played and sang were totally stunning. Brian
and his band is a must see concert. There is no better!!!! I asked my son how he
felt and he was totally blown away. He said “this is the best concert I have ever been to. The sounds, harmonies and songs don’t get any better than this”. I
raised him right I guess! He said the groups he likes and goes to see in concerts don’t
compare with a Brian Wilson concert.
I
didn’t sleep the night before the concert with anticipation
and the night after the concert I was up until 3:30 PM wide awake relieving all
that I had witnessed at Brian’s concert. PERFECTION!!!!!!!
I
have followed Brian Wilson from the beginning. His happiness and creativeness
and all he has created have been a very important part of my life. Whether you
are happy or sad, Brian’s music takes you on a beautiful journey that will make
all days better.
Thank
you, Kent, Forgotten Hits and the Genesse Theater, for literally giving me a perfect
evening with Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and all of the band
members.
-- Tom Crowe
Once the concert started and I saw how Christopher was reacting to the music, I told him that it was great to see that he had so much appreciation for this music. And he said, "Are you kidding me? I grew up on this stuff! I love it!!!" Glad you were both able to get out and enjoy the music for a few hours ... sometimes it's the best escape-mechanism there is. Glad you both could make it. (kk)
WOW!!!
WOW!!!
I knew the music and the band would be GREAT,
but sure didn’t expect to be sitting front-row-center in front of Brian’s piano!!!
It was a surreal night — I felt I had to
pinch myself — is this really happening ?!?!
The band played mostly classic Beach Boys’
hits, after kicking it off with the beautiful vocal ensemble Our
Prayer.
I expected to hear more from Brian’s latest
album No Pier Pressure — I believe they did one number from it, featuring
Al Jardine on vocal.
This band has talent to burn … Brian sat at
the piano, singing along with the band, who carried the night, playing each song
to perfection.
This was my first visit to The Genesee
Theatre, and l hope to return for subsequent shows!! The place is acoustically
perfect, majestic and grand.
An unbelievable evening … it was wonderful
seeing some friends I hadn’t seen in years!
All in all it was Fun, Fun, Fun!!!
-- Bob Benham
More pix from Wednesday Night's Concert ...
Al Jardine in action
The master, Brian Wilson
Scott and Darian
(with Matt Jardine in between in the background)
Me and Frannie after the show
And don't forget ... we've got MORE tickets to give away to the Richard Marx show at The Genesee Theatre on December 4th. Get your entries in NOW!!!
(Just tell us ... in 25 words or less ... why you want to go to the show ... but remember ... your answer HAS to include the title of one of Richard Marx's Top 20 Hits!)
