2002 Pet Sounds Live Present [Live]

The songs are played in the same order as the original album. It begins with a powerhouse rendition of "Wouldn't It Be Nice". Brian seems to be enjoying himself here, and you could never tell that this man had a nervous breakdown when you listen to the performances on this album. "You Still Believe In Me" sounds almost exactly like the studio version, minsu applause and the obvious change in Brian's voice. "That's Not Me" is better than the album version. Though Mike gave a good rendition of the song on the album, Brian make the song his. "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" is heartstopping. Brian has some trouble with the high notes, but otherwise gives a flawless performance. "I'm Waiting For The Day" is again better than the album version. I especially love the intro this song, it's so upbeat and snappy. "Let's Go Away For Awhile" is done well, but the "Live At The Roxy" version is better. "Slopp John B" and "God Only Knows" are so good, they're worth the entire price of the album on their own. Following those two perfromances is a crackerjack "I Know There's An Answer". "Here Today" is lightyears better than the album version. It becomes a perfect pop/rock song, and Brian sounds amazing. "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" is done well, and you can feel Brian's emotion as he says each word. "Pet Sounds" is wonderful, and the closing "Caroline No" is electrifying.

There's nothing more to say about how great this album is. It cannot get any better. Hopefully, Brian will release an album from his current "Smile" tour.

Brian does the entire from start to finish in less than an hour. It kicks off with a super - charged version of "Wouldn't It Be Nice", followed by a version of "You Still Believe In Me" that stays so true to the original, you'd think Brian is singing to the original backing track. His performance of "Sloop John B" is crackerjack, and "God Only Knows" is so beautifully done, you'd really think angels are backing up Brian. "Here Today" is swiftly done with great vocals by Brian. Perhaps the most beautiful moment on the cd is his performance of "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)". When he hits the "Listen to my heart beat, listen" line, I get shivers down my spine.

My only gripe is that the entire concert wasn't included. According to the liner notes (beautifully written by Beach Boys historian David Leaf), Brian also performed "Our Prayer", "Heroes And Villians", "Surf's Up", Forever", Sail On Sailor" and "Marcella". And the Japaneese import addition featured two extra songs from the show, "Meant For You" and "Friends".

But these minor complaints aside, this album is a piece of rock hsitory. This is truly a resurrection of the greatest music in history, performed the man who made it great. Now all I need is "Brian Wilson Presents Smile Live" and a Beach Boys reunion tour complete with a live boxed set and I'll be the happiest man in the world.

I'm sure it was nowhere near as easy as it sounds to translate a layered, heavily orchestrated album into a workable live-band arrangement. The fact that Wilson has assembled a band capable of pulling this off, and making it sound so fresh and energetic, should not be taken for granted.

Moreover--this is beautiful, timeless music. Your great-grandchildren will be listening to this music 100 years from now, just as today we listen to Beethoven or Mozart. We're lucky to have the composer around to lend his personal stamp to what will be the first of thousands of concert interpretations.

Finally, a word for one element of the live show--the Wondermints. I know nothing about their music, but on this album, as well as on the wonderful double-CD, "Brian Wilson Live at the Roxy," they sing great. They don't have the egos of the Beach Boys--they're happy just to sing the incredible vocal arrangements he wrote. Heresy it may be, but sometimes I prefer their singing to the Beach Boys. Certainly as a live representation of the vocal sound, the Beach Boys never sounded better than these guys. They show respect for the music, and when the music is this good, and this important, that reverance is much-appreciated.

Now, of course Brian's voice has faded somewhat. That incredible falsetto is now somewhat gravelly, and his intonation wavers. But he is the soul of this music, and what he may lose in technique through age, he more than makes up for in character.

So, just get this, and then you'll have two versions of Pet Sounds. That's bad?