The Beach Boys - Good Timin' (Live at Knebworth, England 1980)

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Are you in A?, 2008-09-26
There is probably no good reason for me to chime in here other than to correct a previous reviewer: Al Jardine doesn't ask Brian Wilson if he's okay, he asks if he is in A - as in the key of A, at the beginning of a song. Well, that's my interpretation anyway. I'll agree Brian really doesn't seem to recognize there is even an audience, and one can see the "Don't Panic" signs hung in the dim background light, but Brian is pounding away at the piano and sings his parts with conviction. br / br /In spite of the cold and wet weather, the Beach Boys warm the audience with songs of California Girls, the sun, surfing. It's interesting to see the interaction between the band members. I was surprised to see Dennis' compelling drumming since he looks to be in a washed-out state. At one point he comes up front to sing harmonies alongside Mike Love. Dennis points to his ear as if to say he can't hear, he moves up next to Mike, who rolls his eyes and rather than put his arm around him, gives him the cold shoulder. Dennis doesn't seem bothered, and just continues doing his homeless-guy act. On another viewing, it may just be Dennis coyly playing the Surfer Girl, about whom they are singing. But at the end of the song, very briefly you see Carl going at Mike about something, with Dennis being the peacemaker. There are many of these nuances that you might miss on first viewing, it's a good reason to watch it a few times with your remote control close at hand. Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, and Bruce Johnston seem to be the glue holding the show together, and in spite of the cold weather and family hostilities, all made the effort to come to England for this show. I rate it 5 stars not because it's the most wonderful performance I've ever seen, but because it's reasonably good and captures an important American band at a good time. Good Timin' indeed.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

They put on a great show, 2008-08-30
Despite how I feel about the artistic direction they took after Holland in 1973.Despite how I feel about Mike Love.This is a great show.Many other reviews have allready commented on the onstage interaction between certain members of the group and that in itself is quite entertaining to watch.But when push comes to shove if you want to sit back and watch a great concert this certainly get's the job done.Every member of the group has something to offer and it's amazing to me with how much tension there was between the band how good they could be.However after watching this one can't believe there is still a group of people out there billing itself as "The Beach Boys" without a single Wilson brother.This DVD shows THE REAL BEACH BOYS.Hell,I could probably put this on mute and be entertained just watching Dennis Wilson.But then again I would miss out on some beautiful music.R.I.P. Dennis and Carl.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

A Wonderful Last Gasp, 2008-08-12
The Beach Boys have been unfairly trivialized for their superficial, fun-in-the-sun approach to their art, but the criticism is both unfair and ironic. Behind the wave catching and gettin' around, the Wilson brothers, their cousin, Mike Love and their friends Al Jardine and, later, Bruce Johnston, could match any obviously dark band for its share of turmoil, volatility and pain. Furthermore, their music, thanks in part, but by no means completely, to brother Brian, is actually some of the most profoundly moving, innovative and relentlessly melodic material America has produced. br / br /Okay, so there's the legend. br / br /And here at Knebworth, we get a chance to witness the final embers of that creative fire. I was expecting less from Brian, who actually turns in an okay bridge to Surfer Girl and seems fairly in command of his keyboard. Dennis, just as I remember him, is liquid on feet and iron behind his drums. When he's up front, he's barely holding on, the apparently huge amount of alcohol and/or drugs threatening to wash him away. There's an unsettling instability to him that made me anxious, as it did when I saw him and the Beach Boys live in 1980 (without Brian). But when he's playing, he anchors the entire band, let alone himself. It's an amazing contrast. Mike's self-indulgence and dumb stage humor are less annoying, more benign than in many shows I've seen. He's also in good voice, unlike Dennis, whose vocal cords were so ravaged by abuse by then that even doing his Joe Cocker bit was beyond him. (To hear incredible Dennis singing - and writing - go back three years to his magnificent Pacific Ocean Blue.) Al and Bruce are as ever, solid and capable, while not really standing out. Bruce has no solo singing and Al just manages to hold on while the band rushes through Heroes Villains. (The stellar, more recent performances of Heroes by Brian and his own band do the song much more justice.) And then there's Carl, who was always most moving to me in concert back in those days. God Only Knows alone would justify the purchase of this DVD. But for my all time favorite moment, let's go back to Dennis and Surfer Girl: In the front line, singing between Mike and Carl (I think) he announces the entrance of Brian's solo voice, "And now ladies and gentlemen, Brian Wilson!" Brian comes in with the bridge, "We could ride the surf together..." (Nice metaphor for the Beach Boys' journey.) As Brian takes off into these lines, the camera comes back to Dennis, thankfully, catching an indescribably precious smile that reflects a depth of pride, love and gratitude toward his older brother that cuts through everything else. It's a sublime moment. br / br /If you're a lover of the Beach Boys, you have to have this show. If not, it's a good start, although, as I said - along with everyone else commenting on it - it's really more of an ending.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Beach Boy Concert dvd, 2008-02-15
It is nice to see all the Beach Boys together doing this concert. Great selection of songs.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

THANK YOU DVD!, 2008-01-18
(DVD) - The Knebworth Show is a reminder of what a great band The Beach Boys were. First, the classic line-up is intact bringing their energy level to a live concert that will never happen again. Second, Dennis Wilson pounding hard on the drums drives the boys thru the surf favorites like they're new. Third, Mike Love not over performing, sings in a most professional manner. Fourth, the set list is perfect balencing their biggest songs with forgotten gems like "Lady Lynda". Fourth, even though Brian Wilson is more of a token at this concert, it's great to see him back on stage with his band. Fifth, finally a 70 minute action packed concert from start to finish with no interruptions. (More Beach Boys live 1970's shows on DVD, please!) In recent years too much has been written and discussed about regarding this group instead of focusing on what these guys created. The documentaries - i.e. "Endless Harmony", "An American Band", and "The Lost Concert" are more for historical value. This one is different. At Knebworth The Beach Boys are mature, could still harmonize and were a group that mattered. I followed the band as a kid since "Surfin' Safari". On this night, they matter. This is The Beach Boys as far as I'm concerned in DVD/Video format for repeated watching. (CD) - This release is comparable to the 1973 double concert album. The latter had an earthy feel featuring Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar. Knebworth is more souped up as in Rock Roll. Listen to the revamped "Help Rhonda" which goes into early jam overdrive. This is where the beach, cars, girls and crowd hit a groove that can only be found at a Beach Boys concert. A magical moment which some of you will understand if you ever attended one of their big shows during the "Endless Summer" era. From that point on this concert simply takes off. So what if they really did vocal studio overdubs after the fact? The Allman Brothers, The Stones and The Who did some touch up work on their great live albums. So did Peter Frampton. It's the finished product that counts. Knebworth is a feel good CD, perfect for one those dreary kind on days.