It's another fine concert review from Shelley Sweet-Tufano ...
Perfect
description and "lesser-known tracks" is an understatement for me. On
April 12, 2026, at The Ridgefield Playhouse, I sit counting all the
instruments and microphones I see on the otherwise empty stage. The
final count of musicians is 11. I did not expect this, but looking at
the description above it makes sense. Brian was a perfectionist in his
work. A fact that may have driven him into his anxiety and depressions.
This band is the total opposite of anxiety and depression. They are
mellow, relaxed, and not competing for attention against each other. The
music is the focal point and each of them love the music they perform
tonight. It is obvious.
It
is a sell-out. The parking lot is so full, it spills out into city
parking, and they even allow use of one side of the two-lane driveway.
GREAT! I end up parked across from the front door. Minimal walking.
California Girls
Do It Again
Catch a Wave
Surfer Girl
Don't Worry Baby - this was recorded using touring instruments as Brian met The Beach Boys as they returned from tour and told them, "Come on. We've got work to do."
Little Deuce Coup - also recorded this same day.
I Get Around
In My Room
Dance, Dance, Dance
Darlin'
Sail on Sailor
She's Got Rhythm - Al's son, Matt, supposedly was a "rug rat" during the recording of this song and tried to play all the instruments in the room, claiming he knew how to play each one. He totally denies this on stage. Recorded in 1977.
I Can Hear Music
Heroes and Villains
Intermission - Al hangs around on-stage, talking with the audience. Matt (firmly) coaxes him off-stage.
Well,
here it comes during the second act! Al introduces the 'Love You' album by The Beach Boys. The next 14 songs are all off this album. Men
sitting behind me are commenting that they may be the only ones familiar
with any of these songs, but they don't care. They are jumping up and
down in happiness.
Let Us Go On this Way
Roller Skating Child
Johnny Carson - with choreography! (OK, it is simple. All heads go to the right, all heads go to the left, all heads go forward, all heads go back. An entire stage of coordinated fun)
The Night Was So Young
Solar Systems
Honkin' Down the Highway
I'll Bet He's Nice - I love this tearful good-bye about acknowledging your ex has picked someone with positive attributes.
Good Time
Ding Dang - More choreography of united movements. Also, Al modernized the lyrics at the end using the rhyming words "completely" and "delete me".
I Wanna Pick You Up - Brian's song for Carnie .. .so it means picking up a child and holding them.
Let's Put Our Hearts Together
Mona
Love Is a Woman
Airplane
We are not done yet! Back to Pet Sounds ...
God Only Knows
Sloop John B
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Good Vibrations
The
audience is up on their feet applauding so loudly, I don't hear the
name of the local young 3-man group that now joins them onstage, but
they add three voices and two guitars as everybody jumps into 'Runaway." The boys take their bows amid cheers and big smiles, quickly exiting
off-stage.
And one after the other, we hear:
Help Me Rhonda
Surfin' USA
Fun, Fun, Fun
Still I Dream of It
We
have heard many rumors about Al and his state of well-being. Here is
what I saw AND I heard the same from audience remarks. The harmonies
were unsurpassed. Matt Jardine sounded so similar to Brian Wilson and
Darian Sahanaja like Carl that we were not only surprised but entranced.
Al Jardine's voice is strong. I have watched a live video of 'Still I
Dream of It' where he stops singing and says, "I just Can't Do it." Matt
steps in and finishes the song. At 83, I am not surprised. However,
tonight his singing voice and speaking voice were very strong and clear.
As he tells stories or introduces songs, he appears to forget a name or
year, but he turns to someone in his band and says so. They then fill
him in, and the show moves quickly on. There were no obvious issues that
impaired the show nor left anyone embarrassed.
The Band:
Darian Sahanaja-Music Director
Michael D'Amico
Bob Lizik
Matt Jardine-Al's son
Gary Griffin
Rob Bonfiglio-Carnie Wilson's husband
Paul Von Mertens
Debbie Shair
Randell Kirsch
Jim Laspesa
HIGHLY Recommended
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
I've got to give you props ... even this die-hard Beach Boys fan would have had a hard time sitting through the performance of the entire "Love You" album. It's not one of my favorites nor one of their best ... and the focus on this LP is solely to help drive sales ("sails?") of the band's latest box set. I would have been squirming in my seat the whole time (or made an extended appearance at the concessions stand!) Following those 14 tracks up with four from a true masterpiece (from which the band now takes its name) only drives that point home harder than ever.
Still, Brian Wilson's band greatly outshone what Mike Love has been putting up on stage for decades now under The Beach Boys' name ... stellar musicians, each and every one who, as you say, show a great love and devotion to this music.
I have probably seen SOME version of The Beach Boys 25 times now ... and over the past several years have mentioned frequently how Al's voice has outlasted them all. He's also a great story-teller (but unfortunately I've also personally been at a couple of shows where he's lost his way in the middle of the set.) The last time, he at least had Wendy and Carnie Wilson up on stage with him ... as two-thirds of Wilson Phillips, I can only tell you that you would have enjoyed the show even more than you did had they been up there for this show as well. (kk)
here's me with Al and Matt Jardine after their show at The City Winery here in Chicago, a couple of years ago
