Good Vibrations Tour[DVD]

UPDATE: 10/2013 It looks like a USA encoded version of this was released in June of this year, and this review, originally written for the PAL encoded version, is appearing with that DVD as well.As a result I've removed a section in this review that previously called out the fact that the import version is PAL encoded.UPDATE OUT!So this is a pretty interesting look at the Beach Boys; this was originally broadcast as a network television special as part of the "Brian is Back" advertising campaign that was being pushed by the Beach Boys then current manager. The boys had been picking up some steam in the 70s via their live shows; and their manager had the bright idea to drag a retired/reclusive Brian Wilson out of isolation, and back into the band in order to try to give them an extra push.Unfortunately, as you can see in this DVD, Brian was simply not in a state to be back in the public eye. From what I've read his substance intake had not subsided at this point at all, and the psychological scars he was carrying at this time were still plainly visible. This creates the odd effect of, to put it bluntly, Brian appearing as some sort of circus freak, being trotted out to appease the fans (who are apparently too vapid to notice what a sorry state he's in.) It's kind of sad in a way, Brian is pretty overweight on this DVD, not wholly lucid, and always has this weird, kind of crazed look in his eyes.As a result this is a fairly interesting document, as it shows clearly how far these folks were willing to go in order to revitalize their band.Melodrama aside, the concert performances on this DVD are pretty solid, this was one of the Beach Boys' better eras for live performance and it shows. Overall the band sounds pretty tight, the songs sound energetic, and you can really tell this is a band of guys that spent 100-200 nights on the road a year.Unlike the Knebworth show from 1980 Dennis seems to still be cognizant enough to play drums properly (granted he's no Neil Peart.) He doesn't really ever have any "flashy" moments, but at least he can keep the beat down without someone else covering drums for him. He somehow had lost that ability by 1980. I'd guess the exception to this is the rehearsal footage of Good Vibrations, where his drumming seems like a bit of a train wreck. (UPDATE: I've read up a bit more on the Beach Boys and it is possible that they had a backup drummer actually playing for Dennis at these shows. If so, he's either off-camera, off-stage, or I just did not notice him.)Carl is, as always, the rock of the group. God Only Knows is a bit workmanlike, but Carl's contributions to the rest of the DVD are pretty standard for Carl. By that, I mean he basically carries the rest of the band with his musicianship and singing. That man was really a bad ass monster of a singer (R.I.P.)Al Jardine's role seems to be a bit muted in this particular DVD, not sure why, but we seem to see him minimally.Mike Love is interesting in this film as he's like mid-way between his late 60's "psychedelic homeless dude" look, and his later 70s look. His overall role in the film seems to take a back seat to the Wilson saga, which is a bit odd considering his role as "lead" singer, but makes sense when you actually consider the dynamics of the band.Some of the "personal" segments are a little hokey, but this is the Beach Boys so that's really not unexpected. Brian's birthday party is a bit of a highlight as its a kick to see Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman pal-ing around with the Boys.Overall, if you are a Beach Boys fan or are interested in the Brian Wilson saga, this is a great buy.

This CD has a version of the Beach Boys doing "Same Song" with a gospel choir that is outstanding; I'd buy the DVD just to watch it. Leading the session is Brian Wilson, atypically engaged and enthusiastic. His lead vocal is rich, but it's his energy and happiness that make this scene a standout. The other band members sing harmony, and everyone seems to be having a good time - especially Al and Carl. I haven't seen it on youtube or any other DVD.There is also a version of "I'm Bugged At My Old Man" with the three Wilson brothers that is funny and heartwarming; Brian plays the piano while Carl and Dennis attempt to do harmony. "Attempt" because they can't stop cracking up. It's not the Beach Boys - it's three brothers in the back of the car (sweet baby brother getting stuck with the middle seat) laughing at dad's eccentricities.For fans of Dennis Wilson, there is footage of him judging a beauty pageant where his charisma is at an all-time high. I also enjoyed the interviews with Van Dyke Parks in front of a Wings At The Speed of Sound banner and the overall 70s nostalgia. The concert footage is worth viewing if for no other reason than to see the different jumpsuits Carl Wilson owned in the 70s.The DVD does have some footage that doesn't have anything to do with the band, such as interviews with the human fly and some skate-boarders. Watch them once, then re-watch the truly great parts of the DVD.

It' OK, but then again i've heard better from them. Again if you are a fan you should get this. You will enjoy it.

As a lifetime Beach Boy-Brian Wilson fan (I am Brian Wilson"s age), I recently purchased this DVD, and was thrilled to see some of the lesser known songs in this collection, such as "I'm Bugged At My Old Man", done in various settings rather than a single concert, some rather informal. Different from any of their other older DVD's, this is a valuable addition to my collection, and if you are a real fan, I am confident would be for yours.

O k old show

This is a great video, the 1976 NBC Special that was broadcast in August of that year. It was produced by Loren Michaels of Saturday Night Live, and was done to promote the whole "Brian is Back" tour from that year.

Worth having for those who feel they need to have footage of interviews or band segments that may not be available anywhere else.The live footage is pretty rough compared to how good they normally are.The "Good Timin" in Knebworth concert is a lot better.Here they all seem out of tune uninteresting on stage with the exception of Dennis Wilson.He delivers strong with his version of "You are so Beautiful".It's always painful for me to watch Mike Love on stage dancing aroung like a cheerleader.He's just a buzz kill to the music.Some of the interviews/skits are better than others,but there is nothing here that I would say a devoted Beach Boy's fan would need to see.I was hoping for more footage from Brian's 34th birthday party with all the Wilson family and Paul and Linda McCartney in attendance.Instead I got less than in "The American Band" documentary has to offer on the occasion.I would love to see All that was recorded from that night.All in all it's just a mediocre 70's t.v. special.That's about it.

I have always been a large fan of the beach boys they have always had the right beat to all of their music the cd was very nice I just wish it could have been a little longer with more music, but having the original group together was so great in the dvd.

The packaging IS misleading. My fellow reviewer, Jimbo, is quite right. However I guessed what the true contents WERE, and I paid a modest £2.59 + postage. Fine for a complete 35 year old TV show I have never seen.What this dVd actually is, is a 1976 TV Special by the "Saturday Night Live" production team (hence Belushi and Akroyd) called, "The Beach Boys - It's OK". And that is just about what it is. Lindsay Scott and "Biker Trash", reviewing this are quite right about the camping and mincing by Mike Love. He always did this. Note also his sarcasm and bitching on most existing live recordings of the Beach Boys, although in a way that kind of ADDS to their 1968 "Live in London" album, especially the stuff about British weather, because the singing is so good, and it sets it in the context of how and when (and where) it was made.Much the same can be said about this TV show in IT'S own context. Yes, the high harmony singing is a bit poor in places. Bruce Johnston was yet to rejoin, and the great Blondie Chaplin had gone by then. The group were in the midst of the "Brian Is Back" hoopla, which was scarcely true (spot on, Lindsay), and wouldn't even last that long.In fact the way Brian was being used was appalling. He could no longer cover the high parts with his "new" husky voice (the one he uses to this day, singing leads); the "surfing" sketch amounts to abuse of a still frail personality - and people have since had the gall to call Gene Landy, his psychologist, exploitative. In fact the Wilson/Belushi/Akroyd scene should have been used in court to show that THE BEACH BOYS should not be allowed near Brian, never mind Landy.This show also demonstrates a turning point in the group's career: hereafter (apart from the half-cocked, but very original, "Love You" album) the group increasingly relied on Sunny-Californi-ay Bikini-Beach-Bunny baseball-capped golden oldies shows, with a growing disregard even for the quality of the OLD songs, which would become increasingly loosely played, and poorly sung, often at wildly inappropriate tempos. The best song on "15 Big Ones", the light and poppy "It's OK" (sounds thin on the album, but hear the chunkier single mix!*), is a lightweight joy, and perfect for a show like this. And yet even that is played with a total disregard for feel, tempo and texture. The "Got to get to it..." chorus harmonies have none of the joy of the record, and even Dennis' wonderful "Fun to ride..." coda is thrown away in the general mess. This show pretty much represents "Brian Will Never Come Back to Us", rather than the "...is Back" party line. His own band has shown in the last ten years how to play his songs.All of the above may make this TV show/dvd sound utterly dispensible. However it is NOT. Students of music history, die-hard fans and training social workers should still lap it up. For the joy of the songs listen to the records, and/or buy "The Beach Boys, An American Band" dVd (also v. cheap now), for its early performances, often complete. Some of this show, such as the ghoulish "Brian surfs" scene, is also included. To get a sense of how good a live band the Beach Boys COULD be between, say, 1969 and 1973, try the '72/3 "In Concert" album, with it's respectful, not always identical, interpretations of old material (a stellar "Don't Worry Baby"), along with some good contemporary material, especially from Carl ("Trader") and Blondie Chaplin/Rikki Fataar (the live "Leaving This Town").Buy THIS dVd, or don't - it's OK.(* - The single of "It's OK" is on "The Brother Years, 1970-1986" cd)

The title "Good Vibrations Tour" may be misleading to some, but don't let it stop you from getting this DVD. This is actually the 1976 NBC-TV special broadcast "The Beach Boys - Its OK". At the time, the Beach Boys were experiencing an incredible comeback, Brian Wilson had come out of seclusion (part of the "Brian Is Back" publicity campaign), and the group had just released a new album, "15 Big Ones". This TV special captured that incredible year with interviews, concert footage and the now legendary "Ackroyd and Belushi take Brian surfin" .The show also included the rare version of "That Same Song" performed with the Double Rock Baptist Choir. This track alone makes this DVD special. You can see Brian truly enjoying himself, listening to the choir put a new twist on his song.A great document of a period in the Beach Boys career when everything was looking up and the future seemed very bright. This was also the high water mark for Beach Boys concert popularity so its nice to finally have video of that time period. The Beach Boys as a performing group put on better concerts in the early 70's, but it was nice to see them rediscovered in 1976, and the shows were undeniably fun.I wish they had added a few bonus features, such as the outtakes of "I'm Bugged At My Old Man". but this was a video I never thought would get released so I'm just glad its available.

just missing one song i wanted...little surfer girl...but good tunes!

Disclaimer: for Beach Boys fans onlyThis DVD is awesome. It shows the 5 original members in 1976 after the 15 Big Ones release. In addition to excellent concert footage (including Brian), notable moments are the 1965 track "I'm Bugged at My Old Man" played live in the studio by the three Wilson brothers; "That Same Song" (the highlight of the DVD) sung in a Church with the lead vocal by Brian. It is really great to see this footage from '76, especially the interviews with Brian in his bed.Only gets 4 stars because the video quality looks like it was taped from the TV in 1976, and because there are no DVD extras above and beyond the original "It's OK" special.

I got this dvd because I wanted to see the (original) Blues brothers in a cameo role.