Search - Brian Wilson :: Pet Sounds Live

Great, but lacks the power it had live.

Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 03/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This disc, culled from recordings over four days, is exactly what it says it is, "Pet Sounds" performed live by Brian and his band. No more, no less. Really kind of a shame that the rest of the show was not included, but rather we only got the performance of "Pet Sounds". However, ignoring that, let me talk about the performance itself.



There's not much to say about Brian's band that hasn't already been said-- they're top notch, they sing magically, they've got full command of their instruments, and they approach the material with a reverence and sensitivity that supports Brian well. For his part, Brian's voice is strong-- not quite what you want it to be, but the guy *IS* 60. Some songs have to change key for his voice, but he does a great job overall. The backing vocals are perfect-- these guys had been on the road for several years now and there wasn't much they couldn't sing together.



The arrangements are pretty close to the original-- there's a couple deviations (other than the key changes), a slight backing vocal in "Don't Talk" being the one I can think of off the top of my head, but it sticks pretty close. The album itself is genius, there's not much to say about the music that I can't say already.



One more thing to be said-- live, this was incredible. The audience was in awe, really. Emotions ran rampant, the album that spoke to all of us was in front of us. I don't think any document can accurately capture that. Having said that, I'm glad to have it.



Really, its a fun, engaging performance, but seek the studio album if you don't have it. If you do have it, this is a great record, but I'd recommend getting "Live at the Roxy" in conjunction with it so you can hear what else Brian and his band have to offer."

Fantastic performance!

andy8047 | Nokomis,Florida | 04/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who would ever imagine that a studio album's complete line up would be reprised live from the first to the last track? Ex-Beach Boy Brian Wilson brilliantly performs every song from the Beach Boys' PET SOUNDS album,released on Capitol Records in 1966. Over thirty-five years later,these songs sound exactly like or similar to the studio recordings. Of course,Wilson had a back-up band since he couldn't play all the instruments all by himself. That would be silly and impossible. Why didn't he elect the other surviving Beach Boys Mike Love,Alan Jardine and Bruce Johnston to join him in the making of this album? I suppose that with the eternal absences of Brian's brothers Carl and Dennis,they couldn't be the band their fans once knew and loved. But still,this is a fantastic performance recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It's as if the Beach Boys recorded this in 1966 or '67,promoting PS."

FORGET BRIAN WILSON LOYALISTS!!!

Patrick Miller | NEW YORK | 01/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded at the Royal Festival Hall London in 2002, this live performance led by Brian Wilson and The Wondermints is incredible. Beach Boy fans will never get to see the original Beach Boys perform Pet Sounds but the Wondermints do an incredible job. Brians voice has aged but still does a fine job on "Pet Sounds Live". Brian sounds really enthused and energized at this show. I have listened to this cd a few times already, and enjoy it each listen. "Pet Sounds" live gives the original studio release a new vibrant sound, "Pet Sounds Live" will make you appreciate what a landmark recording it is. Some reviewers will claim that Brian Wilson loyalists will love this cd even though it does'nt sound that great. I say hogwash, this "Pet Sounds Live" cd is amazing sounding live material, not just Brian Wilson loyalists will love it but any music fans in general will apreciate it. "Pet Sounds Live" speaks volumes of different meanings to many music fans. Highly Recommended listening for all. BRIAN YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!!!!!"