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Having fun fun fun with Brian
REVIEW: BRIAN WILSON
KENWOOD
BACK in the UK for three live shows, legendary American west coast songwriter and composer Brian Wilson and his fantastic backing band belted out classic after classic at Hampstead’s Kenwood on Saturday.
From the opening rendition of California Girls to a back-to-back sing-along including Sloop John B, God Only Knows, Surfin’ USA and Fun Fun Fun, Wilson, the creative influence behind the sunny 1960s band the Beach Boys, had the crowd clapping and bopping throughout the two and a half hour show.
Kenwood, with its gently sloping hills, was the perfect venue on a fine summer evening, with the crowd sitting in deck chairs and on the grass – until the lively numbers brought them to their feet.
On stage and off, the event was a multi-generational affair. Wilson looked slightly bemused as younger members of his band bounced around, danced, and even jumped off stage during the rockier numbers – clearly caught up in the moment. And the decidedly mixed-aged crowd demonstrated just how timeless his music is.
The American backing band, all accomplished musicians, provided the unique three and four-part harmonies made famous by the Beach Boys. Throughout the evening, Wilson, 66 this year, sat behind his keyboards, Buddha-like, briefly introducing his songs with a quiet pride.
The evening ended with a rendition of a track from his new album, That Lucky Old Sun, written with a young member of his band, which is due out in September.
For a man who went from international stardom in the 1960s, through a later period of mental health problems, Wilson is now deservedly enjoying a renaissance.
Olly Gruner |
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