Saturday, September 03, 2005

Just in from Brother Don in SF...

"saw brian and his big band at the greek theater in berkeley tonite. most excellent. weather was very nice (outdoor show). to hear beach boys songs played outside at night in california -- this new yorker couldn't ask for a better setting (except maybe the hollywood bowl). he opened with "do it again" followed by "breakaway", and from there went on to more and more beach boys classics just like last time. "dance dance dance" was great. "in my room" got a big hand. but the crowd fave was "help me rhonda". he also did the spector thing, "then i kissed her". a few obscurities like "drive in" and "marcella". he said he just cut a christmas album and did "little saint nick". only brian wilson would perform a xmas song at the beginning of september.

then a 20 minute break and they came back and did the smile album. and then "johnny b. goode" started the encores which was one great beach boys song after another. "surfer girl", "i get around", "fun fun fun", "surfin' usa". little kids dancing onstage. finally he made a plea for red cross donations for new orleans and did a nice rendition of "love and mercy". last time he did that for the tidal wave victims. seems there's always some disaster for brian to dedicate that song to!

a good night in berkeley."

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