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Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older
Then we wouldn’t have to wait so long
And wouldn’t it be nice to live together
In the kind of world where we belong
When Mike Love helped write the words for ‘Wouldn’t It be Nice’, the opening track on The Beach Boys’ 1966 album ‘Pet Sounds‘ – you have to wonder if almost fifty years later, he would have known his words would ring so true …
Does it really matter?
For everyone in attendance at The Beach Boys’ show at Maddie’s Place Saturday night – it did not. Young, younger, old and older – witnessed something special. Songs that are timeless. Tunes which posses a label that is tossed about too easily. In the case of The Beach Boys, timeless is correct and they – along with The Beatles; wrote the book themselves.
‘America‘s Band’ are not just America’s band because they came from America. They did not receive the majestic title because they wrote and sang about the stars and stripes. At one point – before Vietnam, before Watergate and before the word started to get around of the ‘true’ American way, The Beach Boys represented what America sold itself as through propaganda. A country built on innocence. Structured by apple pie, baseball, muscle cars, beach, sun, sand and pretty girls. A society Utopian as a painting and The Beach Boys Utopian as the paintbrush.
American was unmasked. The Beach Boys were eventually unmasked. Their songs; masked to this day. A musical form of The Lone Ranger. Heroic anthems that can save the day. Innocent lyrics about innocent times. Innocent music for anytime …
Saturday, many in attendance on the South Shore of Montreal were not born when “Help Me Rhonda‘, ‘California Girls‘, ‘Surfer Girl‘ and ‘In My Room’ were invading the airwaves. Saturday, many in attendance were alive, well and cruising the roads in their T-Birds, Corvettes and Corvairs. Heading to the beach to catch rays, girls, guys and the sweet harmonies of The Beach Boys.
Listening to ‘Little Deuce Coupe‘, ‘ Surfin’ Safari’, ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice‘ and ‘Barbara Anne’ in 2013; a time trip back. A reverse slide into a pool of nostalgia. A tub of fun awaiting even the most cynical of souls. Old men with glints in their eyes as their memories take a trip down Route 66 or Highway 401. Middle aged women, once more; wrinkle -free and looking for Mr. Right as the glistening sun highlights their virgin breasts.
Kids and teenagers. Pupils of iPods, iPhones and MTV. Hearing many of the songs for the first time. ‘God only Knows’, ‘Fun,Fun,Fun’, ‘I Get Around’ and ‘Good Vibrations’ – piercing their innocent ears with delight and escalating quickly to desire. Witnessing what was – at one point; commonplace. Beach balls flying around a concert hall. Smiles launching the inflatable orbs from hand to hand and sometimes foot. Real Beach balls – not the hallucinogenic type of the Hendrix crowd. Real Beach balls – not the digitally – enhanced ones invented by over zealous record companies anxious to make a buck.
The Beach Boys are no longer The Beach Boys. Mike Love ( on Saturday night) – the only original member on stage. Their last ‘hit’ as a group; the charming and timeless Kokomo from 1988. Over the years – the group have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Saturday night – it did not matter …
You know it seems the more we talk about it
It only makes it worse to live without it
But lets talk about it
Wouldn’t it be nice
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The Beach Boys are in Montreal Aug.10th at Maddie’s Place in Kanawake, Qc. as part of their never-ending 50th Anniversary tour. This stop is one of two in Quebec as the band continues on to Rouyn Noranda on Sunday the 11th of August.
This incarnation of the band – will be performing a two hour plus set containing a lot of their best loved songs. It also coincides with an upcoming box set that is by far the most accurate account of the band’s legacy. The set; ‘ Made in California’ – will also contain sixty previous unreleased songs by the singing group which started a whole generation of harmonies.
Says Mike Love, one of the original Beach Boys; “This box set captures the evolution of a dream which started with a family singing Everly Brothers songs around a piano, to creating the harmonies that fans would carry in their hearts for a lifetime. Seeing these photos and rediscovering some of this music, I’m reminded of the immense love I feel for Brian, Dennis, Carl, Bruce, Al, and David. I’m still floored that our stories continue to inspire new generations to catch a wave and ride it is long as it lasts.”
Some of the songs previously unreleased include; “Goin’ To The Beach,” “California Feelin’,” “Soul Searchin’,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” and “You’re Still A Mystery,” among others. The set also debuts 17 unreleased live recordings, including “Runaway” (1965), “Friends” and “Little Bird” (1968), “Wild Honey” (1972), “It’s About Time” (1973), “Wonderful” and “Vegetables” from The Beach Boys’ legendary 1993 acoustic tour, and a 1995 rendition of “Sail On, Sailor” featuring a soulful lead vocal by the late Carl Wilson. The greatly missed talents of Carl and Dennis Wilson are also celebrated with rare and previously unreleased recordings including Dennis’ “(Wouldn’t It Be Nice To) Live Again,” “Barnyard Blues” and “My Love Lives On,” Carl’s lead vocals on “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Soul Searchin’,” and Carl’s shared lead with Bruce and Brian on “California Feelin’.”
Regardless of anyone’s’ feelings pertaining to the questionable statistics of The Beach Boys being an ‘operative band’ – one thing is sure; The Beach Boys altered the sounds of popular music and have left imprints on souls as have The Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones.
If attending the show tomorrow night – expect to hear the following …
‘Good Vibrations’, ‘California Girls’, ‘I Get Around’, ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’, ‘Help Me Rhonda‘, ‘Surfer Girl’, ‘Surfing U.S.A’, ‘Fun,Fun,Fun’, Barbara Anne’ …
and that is just the beginning …
Kokomo anyone?
http://www.ticketmaster.com/Maddies-Place-tickets-Kahnawake/venue/340328
Yes boys and girls – brace yourselves …
On Aug.10th at Maddie’ Place, on the South Shore of Montreal and almost in the heart of Kanawake, the boys of summer will be arriving!
What’s that you say? Baseball is coming back to our fair city? Isn’t Tim Raines a little overweight for that type of thing?
No – silly rabbits … Tricks are for hookers! The boys of summer is in reference to the musical team known as The Beach Boys. Or – as we say in Quebec; ‘ Les Gens Qui Port Les Speedos! Yes sir – the men ( or some of them) who brought sweet sounds to the ears of pets everywhere will be harmonizing half-hazardly half way to Hull …
How do we know these facts are true?
10. The Barenaked Ladies will be the opening act thanks to Brian Wilson’s request.
9. . The local sex shops are completely sold out of the vibrators known as ‘Good Vibrations” …
8. Staff at all local area Old Folks’ homes reporting a surge in BeachBall requests and (much to the dismay of men of all ages ) skimpy red bikinis …
7. Lawyers! Everwhere …
6. Mike Love has been at L’Ofice de la Langue Fancais since last Friday trying desperately to convince the officials that ‘Les Garcons de la Plage’ would not be condusive to good ticket sales!
5. It’s all ‘Fun! Fun! Fun!‘ until three people lose eyes …
4. ‘In my Room’ currently number one for the many Quebecers suffering from Agoraphobia!
3. Kids everywhere asking their Fathers ‘just what is a ‘little Deuce Coop’ and do you have to be over eighteen to see it?
2. Suddenly – Rhondas everywhere are extremely busy!!
and the Number One Sign The Beach Boys are Coming?
1. Brian Wilson is outta bed!!!!!
