It doesn't seem so long ago... Little Carnie and Wendy Wilson, joining their Dad, Brian, on the stage of a jam-packed arena, grabbing microphones and leading the audience in the sing-along, Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations a-happenin' with you.
Matt Jardine, with little prompting from Papa Al, tentatively walking on stage to play a pair of congas that stood about as tall as he did.
And now its come full circle. With the recent passing of Carl Wilson, The Beach Boys' story has entered a new phase, and founding member Al Jardine has chosen to keep the spirit of the music alive with the help of some young performers who instinctively know their way around this music because, quite frankly, they were born into it: Matt and Adam Jardine, and Carnie and Wendy Wilson.
The first rehearsals in late 1998 were a revelation. Al was onto something good. He recalls, "Oh it was magic... I could feel that young energy very similar to that energy we experienced when we got together in 1961 as The Beach Boys. It was the same vibrant energy."
To give the voices the solid support they deserve, Al recruited some of the finest players he could find, including several veterans of The Beach Boys' road band.
Under the musical direction of Billy Hinsche, Al Jardine, Family & Friends took the familiar songs to a new place without sacrificing any of the intangible qualities that made the Beach Boys' renditions so special.
It was new. It was fresh. Rolling Stone said: "The voices blend into a harmony that often takes on a life of its own."
In November 1999 they took their California Saga to Nevada and showered the audiences with their sun-drenched harmonies. Outside the showroom it may have been a typical Vegas night - the never-ending neon nighttime of The Rat Pack and The Dedicated Gambler - but inside, Al and his Family and his Friends turned back time and took us on a journey to a picture-perfect California day.
Familiar hits had everyone singing along in word-perfect unison (as they always do.)
Brian Wilson standards took on a whole new life with the added dimension of his daughters' beautiful voices.
And for devoted Beach Boys fans the inclusion of seldom heard and wonderfully performed rarities like "Wild Honey," and "Break Away" made each performance an Evening To Remember.
And at the center of it all stood Al, looking like he was having more fun onstage than he'd had in years.
Backstage, Virginia (Mom) Jardine watched the show and smiled, and remembered the day back in 1961 when she took a chance on her son Al and his friends Brian, Carl, Dennis, and Mike, and gave them the $300 they needed to rent the instruments for that first, fateful recording session. Thanks, Mom!
It was a great show. I know. I was there. Now it's your turn.
Alan Boyd
(Alan directed and edited the Grammy® nominated documentary "Endless Harmony: The Beach Boys' Story")
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.aljardine.comTrack List:
1. Dance, Dance Dance
2. Do You Wanna Dance
3. Catch a Wave
4. Hawaii
5. Do it Again
6. Darlin'
7. Wild Honey
8. Come Go with Me
9. Surfer Girl
10. Don't Worry, Baby
11. Shut Down
12. Little Deuce Coupe
13. I Get Around
14. In My Room
15. Girl, Don't Tell Me
16. Break Away
17. Sail on Sailor
18. God Only Knows
19. Sloop John B.
20. Wouldn't it Be Nice
21. Good Vibrations
22. Heroes & Villains
23. Rhonda
24. Surfin' USA
25. Barbara Ann
26. Fun, Fun, Fun
27. California Energy Blues
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