Brian Wilson concert, USANA Amphitheater, Salt Lake City, 6-14-22
Posted 16 Jun 2022, 2:37:30
I wondered if anyone else feels the same way I did, I loved the old Beach Boy songs (I'm 69 years old), and the members of the band sounded great, the instruments, harmonies, etc. But was it Brian, or was it Al Jardine, that I felt stumbled on many of the words. Whoever it was, I think Brian and Al shouldn't try to sing any more. I think Brian Wilson is a tremendous songwriter and arranger, but to me, he couldn't sing at all. Or was it Al. I couldn't tell. Now the Chicago concert was tremendous! There were three or four of the “old” guys there, I'm sure from the original group way back from the 70's. Whoever the lead singer was, I'm sorry I don't know his name, with the black suit and black hair, his voice was tremendous! He could really reach the high notes. I did however miss hearing the song “Question 67, 68.” That is my alltime favorite Chicago song. The brass instruments, the guys that played them, they were phenomenal! No, Chicago was great. It's unfortunate that Brian and/or Al just cannot sing any more. Sue Ann Abbott, Pleasant Grove, Utah. (Of course, that is my own opinion).
Posted 27 Jul 2022, 12:17:32
I saw them last Sunday (2022-07-24). I've never been a Beach Boys fan and I'm 61. At the show in Tinley Park, IL, Brian Wilson looked half dead. He walked onto the stage with a walker and the help of three people. I never saw his arms move when looking at the video screen. The video people never did a close-up of Wilson, either and whenever Wilson spoke into the mic his speech was so slurred I could not understand him. They also brought out some drunk Englishman who completely sucked. I'm not sure whether to be embarrassed for Brian Wilson or angry at those who wish to promote Wilson this way. Wilson has money. Lots of money, so why tour?
On the other hand, Chicago was a bomb which blew Wilson's band completely out of the water. As much as I don't like the flashiness presented by Chicago, and especially James Pankow, they are a tight band going strong after 55 years. That's amazing. Robert Lamm did not appear this night even though his keyboards were on stage as though he might appear at some point. Lamm missed Pittsburgh, Cincy, and Tinley Park.
'Introduction' is my favorite song and I did not believe they would even put it in the set-list, however, they opened the show with it which 1) surprised me, and 2) greatly pleased my soul.
- Jim, from the SW burbs of Chi-town
Posted 7 Aug 2022, 5:22:42
Brian has had on and off nights literally since the 70's. When he's on, he can be surprisingly sharp, but when he's off, he can be very far off.
Pretty sure that the problem here, by the way, is Brian and not Al. Al is really good about taking care of his voice and health.
