There are not many better concert experiences than seeing a performance at the Hollywood Bowl. Last night my son and I went with friends to see Brian Wilson live at the Bowl, backed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and followed by a tremendous fireworks display. A real treat was that the Philharmonic came on first (right after a stirring rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”) and played three works chosen by Brian --- Mozart, Bach, and Gershwin numbers --- before ceding the stage to Wilson and his great band. The acoustics in the Bowl are tremendous, and even the nosebleed seats have a decent view and good sound as, for the most part, the seating moves from box seats on a gradual slope to a steeply sloped rise up the mountain. We were about half way back, dead center, with a tremendous view.
Behind us a full moon rose over the mountain. To the right of the stage, on an adjoining hill, a white illuminated cross was just a great reminder of a Creator who gave us such a beautiful natural environment and gifted us with music and the ingenuity to design such a beautiful place. And the fireworks display, which was on and over the top of the acoustic shell of the stage, was the best I’ve seen. During “Surfin’ Safari,” a classic Beach Boys tune, they even lit up a “woody” (one of those 60’s station wagons with wood paneled doors) with surf boards on top. No humidity and cool temperatures helped make it a comfortable evening as well.
Brian raced through a series of classic Beach Boys songs, mostly familiar to the general population (like “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” and “Do You Want to Dance”), but led off and closed with songs from his most recent album, which were well received. Nevertheless, I had the sense that this was less concert than social event for many people. Down below us, in the box seats, people were dining with white tablecloths, four course meals, sipping wine, and obviously dressed for the occasion. The annoyance to me was the amount of talking during the performance. It sometimes distracted me from hearing the music.
But all in all, it was a good evening. I love the music, and while Brian, at 66, is challenged by performing, it is an inspiration to me that he continues to write music, perform, and record after all that he has been through. He is awkward at times, cannot hit those high falsetto notes (now assigned to Jeffrey Foskett), and makes hand motions during songs that are a bit spastic --- and yet he still does it. He is the voice of Southern California, a timeless sound.
In the last song of the evening, a new one called “Southern California,” he waxes sentimental about “singing with my brothers/ In harmony, supporting one another.” He’s the last brother alive, and he’s said many times how much he misses them. And then both his mother and father are dead as well. When he sings “All these people make me feel so alone,” I can imagine the sadness that haunts him.
I saw him after the concert (about the fifth time I have done so). He’s aging, but he can still flash a smile and say hello for the fans. As long as Brian Wilson sings, the California dream is alive. What a night.
