... and this sounds like a GREAT one!
Here I am, back at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre on a
Wednesday night. Highly against my teaching work ethic, so why? It is
not very often that The Beach Boys are 25 minutes away from me, so I
can't stay away. The Beach Boys is enough of a draw, but they have Felix
Cavaliere's Rascals opening.
The
last time I saw The Rascals, Gene Cornish was able, with help, to get
onstage and perform. Gene is not there today. As with so many other
bands which we remember, there is only one left to perform. I have seen
Felix as a solo before and as music is subjective, for me, his
performance of each song was too drawn out with instrumental solos.
Whether they were composed for the performance or ad-libbed, it dragged
for me. Tonight I was apprehensive, BUT the show flowed well and was
musically tight, displaying videos of all four Rascals in a stream of
happy fun times. Although there were constant video reminders of The
Rascals in their heyday, there was no mention of them by name or in
memories. Instead, Felix gave personal memories of his life as it
pertains to their songs. A funny fact relayed is that when you are in a
band which must perform Friday and Saturday nights in order to make a
living, women do not want to be involved in a relationship. "NO ONE!
NOT ONE!" So the history of the songs is built on Sundays and dreams of
what might be.
How Can I Be Sure
A Beautiful Morning
A Girl Like You
I've Been Lonely Too Long
Groovin'
My Girl
Just My Imagination
People Got to be Free
The
topper is coming. The Rascals performed at the Senior Prom of my high
school in 1967. I wasn't there (too young) and there was much
controversy about the money spent by that class to book them. However,
the last song tonight was the one that got all students and chaperones
up on the dance floor. The same thing happened at this theatre.
GOOD LOVIN'
Is
it because it is a mid-week concert and staff is being sluggish? After a
standing ovation The Rascals leave the stage and the lights come up. No
announcement about an intermission ... just stage crew running around
removing and restoring equipment for (I presume) The Beach Boys.
Oakdale, that is pretty rude. We are uneasily frozen wondering if this
is just a few minutes or a full 15-min break. Apparently it is every
man/woman for themselves. You decide.
It was a full 20 minute intermission.
From
the time The Beach Boys enter until the time they depart, it is almost
non-stop music. Understandably there are so many songs to choose from
that you either need a "forever" show of music and stories, or a shorter
show, choosing to sing OR talk. Let's get the set list out of the way
and then I will throw in narration.
Do It Again
Surfin' Safari
Catch
a Wave
Rockaway Beach
Surfin' USA
Surfer Girl
Don't Worry Baby
Little Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
Little Honda
I Get Around
Be True to Your School
In My Room
Getcha Back
Good To My Baby
She Knows Me Too Well
When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
Help Me Rhonda
Darlin'
God Only Knows
Sloop John B
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Then I Kissed Her
California Dreamin'
California Girls
Do You Wanna Dance
Rock and Roll Music
Barbara Ann
Kokomo
Good Vibrations
Fun Fun Fun
As
the songs flowed continuously from the start, it became clear to anyone
who did not already know that the subject matter of the songs was
SURFING. From there we revved up into racing cars, romance, California
and its benefits and ended with songs that are meant to get you up out
of your seat, if you haven't done that already.
Mike
Love and Bruce Johnston are the remaining Beach Boys in this
incarnation. As with The Rascals, there is no mention of the other
original members, but when they sing 'God Only Knows' the background
video is dedicated to Carl Wilson whose original stunning vocals brought
tears to the eyes of people listening.
'Do
You Wanna Dance' becomes a dedication to Dennis Wilson as years of his
drumming are shown onscreen. This makes me happy as there was a time
when he was not acknowledged in the performance. We know about the
business and personal disagreements that transpired, but with three
brothers and a cousin, the fractures when you exclude one or two members
only stand out more.
Just
before 'Barbara Ann' a bolt of color and a deep roar emerges from the
video. POWERFUL! The audience is up on its feet, arms raised in the air.
'Kokomo' continues with audience enthusiasm. To my left, a conga line of
young kids and people older than me has formed in the aisle. It sways
down the aisle and then turns and sways back up. In the middle of
November, this is life at the beach! Connecticut can connect with the
beach scene although our surf waves in Long Island Sound are tiny by
comparison to California.
Paul
Anka and Gary Lewis with Mitch Ryder last weekend. Chicago this
weekend. Rascals and Beach Boys in the middle of the week. Over? NOPE!
November keeps roaring with two more concerts next weekend. And guess what?
It is just making school happier for me. Bye for now.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
