Live Review: Brian Wilson

There's a yellow, orange and green wash on Palais Theatre's back curtain in preparation for Pet Sounds (we're celebrating the album's 50th anniversary this year), which will be performed in full tonight. But first it's the "Greatest Hits" segment of the evening. Jeez, there sure are a lotta instruments up there! All rise to applaud the band's entrance. Brian Wilson takes his position on the piano stool and informs us they will begin the show with a new a cappella arrangement of Our Prayer. The brass player Paul 'Von' Mertens becomes conductor for this purpose and we're immediately in awe. The back curtain is now illuminated in strips and resembles continuously changing columns. All 11 musicians on stage are kept very busy (especially the singing percussionist, Nelson Bragg). Wilson bravely sings the first verse of California Girls without layered backing vocals, but these return for the chorus (only two people up there don't sing). Throughout the evening, Wilson introduces the songs, sometimes including a brief explanation or the year of release. I Get Around is incandescent. Al Jardine, one of the founding members of The Beach Boys, takes lead vocals for Little Deuce Coupe. Jardine then introduces his son, Matt, who brings his flawless falsetto to Don't Worry Baby. After trying to explain a fun fact about The Beach Boys B-sides, Jardine Sr chuckles, "We're a little loopy".

A highlight from this first half is Darian Sahanaja singing Darlin', which Wilson tells us he wrote for his brother Carl. Although Wilson coughs and struggles while singing One Kind Of Love (which he tells us was written for his wife), the lyrics are touching beyond belief: "Thank god that you noticed me/And brought back harmony to this lonely soul." Blondie Chaplin (who not only played with The Beach Boys but also The Rolling Stones) is welcomed to the stage to perform Wild Honey and slays on his gold metallic guitar while prowling across the stage. What a cool customer! Chaplin certainly looks like a relative of Keef. Sail On, Sailor particularly resonates in the trio of Chaplin-led songs. Wilson wanders off into the stage-left wings and leaves his band to play out the final song before intermission.

Now it's time for Pet Sounds in full. Some bop so vigorously in their chairs during effervescent opener Wouldn't It Be Nice that the backs of their heads resemble excitable muppets. Standout track Sloop John B (I Wanna Go Home) elevates sweet harmonies and Wilson's portrayal of God Only Knows is plaintive and touching; the latter song scores a standing ovation. The variation in Chaplin's tambourine playing sees the rock'n'roller utilising many body parts, tempos and directions. The instrumental tracks on this album perfectly showcase the eccentricity of The Beach Boys. After Wilson leaves the stage, we're introduced to each virtuoso by name, individually, before they wander back as summoned to receive our applause and then return to their allocated onstage position. During this section we learn that one of the guitarists learned how to play trombone specifically for this tour. After Wilson returns to the stage we score more greatest hits and finally the crowd's on their feet! The selection includes (but is not limited to) Good Vibrations (during which Wilson calls out, "Stop clapping!" after his band members coax us to clap); Barbara Ann (SO fun to sing!); Surfin' USA; and Help Me, Rhonda (a T-shirt emblazoned with this phrase at the merch stand gave us a heads-up on this song's inclusion in tonight's set). Wilson delivers an uplifting message via closer Love And Mercy. And that makes 38 songs. It's like two shows for the price of one!

"Did you see him yawn at one point," a crowd member enquires on our way out the door. (We didn't.) And when there's a merch line out the door after the show, you just know it's been a goodie.