Search - Al Jardine :: Live in Vegas

Unbelievable! This record is phenominal!

reztorc11 | Clayton, MO United States | 07/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Take the original Beach Boys from sometime in the 60s. Throw them in a time travelling delorean and bring them to the year 2000. Then put them on stage and record their show. I believe this is what it would sound like...maybe even better.I'm not old enough to have been able to see the Beach Boys in concert in their prime. What has become of the name "Beach Boys" is a joke--a washed up lead singer (Mike Love) who can't hit the right notes live and forgets words and Bruce Johnston (joined the Boys in '65) who tags along maybe out of pity for Mike. It's just a touring, money making machine that continues to be sucessful because of the name to which this entity is attached. Al Jardine, another original member, has valiantly put together his own band. It's unfortunate that he is not able to use the name "Beach Boys" in the title of his band, as they perform with the same energy that rivals the original Boys and their sound is wonderful. It's tough to compare this group with the original Beach Boys because modern recording is so different. This is definitely as close as one will get to hearing the Beach Boys as you remember them now. Al sings with his two sons, Matt (who toured with the BBs in the 80s singing Brian Wilson's high parts) and Adam (a heck of a singer in his own right). The blend of the 3 Jardines singing together comes very close to the often imitated never duplicated sound of the 3 Beach Boy Wilson brothers: Brian, Dennis and Carl. If you are a BB fan, a casual listener or just want some fun music...BUY THIS CD. You will not be disappointed. The setlist itself is great because it's a mix of well known BB hits and more obscure, also great songs. Bottom line: Al and his group are wonderful and amazing and the live versions of I Get Around and Fun Fun Fun are worth the price of the CD alone."

Al Hits A Home Run With This CD!

John W. Ballew Jr. | Lincoln, Nebraska | 02/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Al Jardine rarely got noticed in The Beach Boys. Between Brian's troubles, Mike's obnoxiousness, Dennis' recklessness and Carl's valiant attempt to keep some musical integrity in the band after '75, Al was in the background. Not anymore. As all the other reviewers have noted, this is just a superb disc. Like seeing Brian at the Roxy, this disc is both joyous and sad because with the right backup musicians, the right song list (are you listening Mike Love?) and the right amount of enthusiasm, the Beach Boys could have been so much better live (I saw them about 7 different times).From my perspective, the standout cuts are "Wild Honey"(I was never a big fan of this song until now--it just cooks!), "Darlin" and "Breakaway". "Catch A Wave" and "Surfer Girl" are also outstanding. Come to think of it, "Heroes and Villians" with all of its vocal wizardry is pretty spectacular as well. The Wilson girls and Matt's sons just nail the harmonies and the backup band with Ritchie Cannata, Ed Carter and Billy Hinsche are very good (although perhaps not quite as perfect as the WonderMints). Only song I would have left off is "Girl Don't Tell Me". It is just too identifiable with Carl for me to accept Matt Jardine singing it. Hey Al--how 'bout "Cotton Fields", "Then I Kissed Her" and "This Whole World", "All This Is That" and "You Still Believe In Me" next time? A must have for Beach Boys fans."

The Best Live Version yet.....

Carl | Sacramento, CA USA | 07/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Out on a river or lake in a houseboat or other summer venue? I bought several "live" albums by the Beach Boys hoping to find an album that contained different versions of the original songs that, quite frankly, I find a bit too canned and tired for most party crowds today, but still was trying to capture all the fun and sing along atmosphere all ages can relate to. This is truly the best album to fit that bill. Play it with Marley, Buffet, (heck even Kid Rock) and you will get your friends asking where you got it! The harmonies come through like studio versions, the Wilson daughters and Jardine boys are on perfect pitch. Compare "Barara Ann" against any other version and the talent is superior. "Sufer Girl" is worth the price by itself. You can't go wrong adding this to your summer dance collection."