Beach Boys Good Timin'

For many fans this is the only way to see a real Beach Boys concert (live and in its entirety) in the Boys touring prime (and complete attendance). The brains of the group is there in Brian, physically if not mentally. The essential heart and soul is there in Carl and Dennis, respectively. Always reliable contributer Al is in presence. And Mike's there, too. I do have to agree that from the late 60s on Dennis was the Beach Boys, as was Carl who held everything together and did most of the producing in Brian's absence, as well as contributing his amazingly angelic voice more and more. The only downsides for me are a total and complete absence of any of Dennis' work and Brian's zombie like presence. Its so great to see Brian there, but as someone who loves the people themselves as well as the music, its heartbreaking to see someone who was so vibrant and creative reduced to almost a vegetable at that point in his life. Then there's Dennis. OK probably the person who contributed the most (and best songs) to the group in the previous 10 years doesn't have one of his songs displayed in this concert. The thing that made me laugh though is that Dennis' spotlight comes when the rest of the band takes their break. The guy who was sitting in the back working up the most sweat pounding on the drums as well as singing and playing the piano gets his turn to work on their break. Whats with that?? Overall this DVD is definitely worth the money if you're a Beach boy fan and never got see them live, or even if you were privileged enough to see America's greatest band in concert you'll appreciate seeing them perform all these great classics together again and again.

There is certainly some good fortune at work here as we almost never got a real concert of The Beach Boys. That said, there are some caveats: nothing too serious however...The fact we have something that is this good is a cause to embrace it.

If there ever was a truly landmark American band on the level with The Beatles it has got to be The Beach Boys. More than just about any other of the great ones they were able to create timeless rock and roll. Moreso than some they were a tragedy within them self as certain dysfunctions, more than even drugs, hampered what could have been in their progression as possibly the most artistic and original American group.

At the juncture documented here they're really in good form considering all the obstacles...Not the least of which is a pretty inclement weather situation at this show. The fact they were such consummate pros makes it all possible though For this show it has been widely circulated that it was a major miracle they all were together and that they would never be so again after it. I do think they were never together again in the UK and were, at least, never together in any fashion in the rest of the world either where a film documentary exists. Therefore it's virtually impossible to ignore the fact that warts and all this is the best filmed evidence of their concert greatness.

The evening of this show seems to give everyone purpose. I'd say they performed excellently with the obvious exceptions of Dennis and Brian who did well, but truly seemed in their own private worlds. The harmonies are still in evidence, the greatness of the songs comes through, and for a tear in time it seems there may actually still be a real band. No, not just that but a band that no longer needed studio musicians to flesh the ideas into recorded reality. There is greatness in evidence here. Even Al Jardine's songs which tend to be out of place don't get in the way. Sorry, Al...You were immensely important to the band, but Cotton Fields and Lovely Lynda just don't seem to really fit.

Watch this show and enjoy a real piece of Americana rock and roll style. The sound and lighting is really fantastic for the period. The all white amplifiers, stage cabinets, and instruments are so cool that other bands imitated that look, but The Beach Boys had it first. If you love the music this is a must see and even if you do not it's the best recorded concert testament of the fact we, in America, did birth at least one band that rated with The Beatles.

This is a live outdoor concert performed on a rainy eve at Knebworth stadium in Hertfordshire, England on June 21, 1980. It lasts 70 minutes. This concert is the last time all of the Beach Boys -- Brian, Mike, Carl, Dennis, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston -- would appear together on a UK stage. The tour was intended to promote the release of the Beach Boys' "Keepin' the Summer Alive" album.

The DVD includes one special feature: comments from band members on 11 of the 21 songs performed on this particular evening.

The 21 songs performed in about 70 minutes: California Girls, Sloop John B, Darlin', School Days (the Chuck Berry tune), God Only Knows, Be True To Your School, Do It Again, Little Deuce Coupe, Cotton Fields (a bad idea of Al Jardine's), Heroes and Villains, Keepin' the Summer Alive, Lady Lynda, Surfer Girl, Help Me Rhonda, I Get Around, Surfin' USA, You Are So Beautiful (a thankfully brief tribute song awfully sung by drummer Dennis Wilson before the band's encore), Good Vibrations, Barbara Ann, Fun, Fun, Fun.

The boys are in good harmony. The music could have definitely use more bottom and definition but, for 1980, not bad. Several times Carl and Mike pay tribute to Brian sitting at the piano for his songwriting talent, which is nice. Brian is in good voice but keeps his eyes on the keys and the stage.

There is little between-song patter -- not a drawback, actually. A slight criticism is given to the rhythm of a few songs which appear sometimes rushed (in a good rock n' roll way) and sometimes abnormally slower, sometimes both within the same song, and one's attention is drawn to Dennis Wilson's behavior behind the drums.

The harmonies are definitely crisp, well-rehearsed, and the audio picks them up through the density of the music.

Clearly, Carl Wilson is in charge of the band, as he counts down the songs and handles much of the lead guitar work and vocals. Perhaps the most professional musician on the tage this evening, it is sad to think he passed away in 1998 of cancer at age 52. Thereafter, and without his leadership, the Beach Boys would splinter into oft-warring factions. He could take special pride for his contributions when Elton John inducted the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Dennis Wilson appears "wired" behind the drums. He plays in an undisciplined fashion, much like a wild man. He would be fired two years later and here one might see why -- appearing somewhat out-of-control. The liner notes mention that Dennis barely participated in the making of the "Keepin' the Summer Alive" album being promoted by this concert tour. He would drown in Marina del Rey, California a couple of years later and shortly after his ouster from the band.

The crowd clearly seems to enjoy the performance and joins in some sing-alongs led by Mike Love, who seems like he could have used a nap before the set. He becomes more animated toward the end.

Unseen on this DVD is the line-up of other bands which took the stage that summer day: the Blues Band, Lindesfarne, Santana, Elkie Brooks, and Mike Oldfield (of "Tubular Bells" fame).

Extensive DVD liner notes are by Mike Grant in June, 2001.

For the songs, the musicianship, the production, the harmonies and the nostalgia, I give a score of 8. For the slight feeling that the band was looking at this as its last performance plus Dennis' solo and drumming, subtract one point but only one point: overall score 7.

Enjoyable. Worthy of owning. This DVD was available at a local discount merchant for $10.99. Add as much bass as you can and turn it up!

This DVD works on two levels- if you are a fan of the Beach Boys touring line up- ie you just want to hear the songs and watch some wrinkled puppets singing them, you'll enjoy this. Similarly, if you are an obsessive fan, you'll appreciate this for the more interesting aspects of the performance- ie the brief glimpses of Brian and Dennis...

After about 1969, for me, Dennis Wilson WAS the Beach Boys...Brian is here in body, and has one brief vocal solo- the beginning of Sloop John B, but for the rest of the show, I'd say his piano is pretty much inaudible. Mike, Carl, Bruce and Al...well, they turn in 'professional' performances...that is to say, those guys have pulled exactly the same moves a thousand times before this, and would do so a thousand times after this. In my opinion the only interesting things about this DVD are the spontaneous moments- Dennis tying his sweaty towel around Mikes leg, Dennis singing 'you are so beautiful' (painful for another reviewer- the TOTAL and UTTER highlight for me...makes me cry every time I hear it. Dennis was the REAL Beach Boy...he surfed, and you believe his singing is motivated by something in his soul, rather than something in his wallet.) There is a beautiful moment when Brian looks a little lost and Denny hugs him...it's moments like this that lift the DVD above being a total yawn-fest. Other great moments- Dennis jumping on the Piano and saying 'eat your heart out Elton John' before help me Rhonda...Brian being shaved and looking almost like he did in '67...

Look, if you want to see a 'pro' Beach Boys performance, that is here...not very interesting in my opinion...lazy money grabbing old sellouts is what they were at this point, and that doesn't make for an interesting show. However, there is plenty beyond that (DENNIS, in case you didn't get my point...)if you are interested and prepared to look for it.

buy it, it's good...

...performing near its peak.

Many (certainly not all) of the Beach Boys' in-concert standards are included. Sure, the band members squabbled, like many siblings (and cousins) we know, which is also one reason why Brian Wilson hated touring. But this never stopped the Boys from putting on a great concert.

Knebworth may also be our best opportunity to hear the exquisite voice and wonderful energy of Carl Wilson, who served as the artistic "heart" of the band during the "post-Brian" era, until his untimely death from cancer in 1998 at age 51. Carl's lead on Darlin', God Only Knows and several other songs here is breathtaking.

For Beach Boys fans, this DVD is a must-see.