Disco de Brian Wilson: “Pet Sounds Live [Japanese Bonus Tracks]”

If you love Pet Sounds, why wouldn't you love this?

I'm sure it was nowhere near as easy as it sounds to translate a layered, heavily orchestrated album into a workable live-band arrangement. The fact that Wilson has assembled a band capable of pulling this off, and making it sound so fresh and energetic, should not be taken for granted.

Moreover--this is beautiful, timeless music. Your great-grandchildren will be listening to this music 100 years from now, just as today we listen to Beethoven or Mozart. We're lucky to have the composer around to lend his personal stamp to what will be the first of thousands of concert interpretations.

Finally, a word for one element of the live show--the Wondermints. I know nothing about their music, but on this album, as well as on the wonderful double-CD, "Brian Wilson Live at the Roxy," they sing great. They don't have the egos of the Beach Boys--they're happy just to sing the incredible vocal arrangements he wrote. Heresy it may be, but sometimes I prefer their singing to the Beach Boys. Certainly as a live representation of the vocal sound, the Beach Boys never sounded better than these guys. They show respect for the music, and when the music is this good, and this important, that reverance is much-appreciated.

Now, of course Brian's voice has faded somewhat. That incredible falsetto is now somewhat gravelly, and his intonation wavers. But he is the soul of this music, and what he may lose in technique through age, he more than makes up for in character.

So, just get this, and then you'll have two versions of Pet Sounds. That's bad?

For those of us who love the Beach Boys wonderful Pet Sounds album this is a refreshing update. And for those lucky enough to be at the Royal Festival Hall, London in January 2002 where it was recorded, its a superb reminder of a glorious and emotional event. I know, I was there. This amazing band, under the watchful eye (and ear) of Brian Wilson, is able to re-create the complex arrangements of those incredible songs - far more than just songs really - almost effortlessly and bring them to life, update them, if you like, without changing anything from the originals. The songs themselves do not sound like they are 36 years old. They are timeless. Brian's voice is not what it was but it doesn't matter. The band provide note perfect harmonies that can bring one to tears. The concerts were recorded by Mark Linett who has been involved with a lot of the Beach Boys back catalogue. Even more importantly, it is produced by Brian himself. If you have read the reviews, didn't get to one of the concerts and wonder what all the fuss is about, you owe it to yourself to go out and buy this album. This is Pet Sounds for a new generation.

Just to qualify Joe Pizzo's earlier comments, there is no orchestra on this recording - just Brian Wilson's fabulous 10 piece band.

Pet Sounds being a true work of art, it would be very hard to equal the original in a live performance. And Brian's voice not being what it used to be, he can't quite hit the notes like he and the other guys did back in the mid-Sixties. But as a record of an amazing moment in the history of popular music, when Brian Wilson returned to the public stage after many years in the wilderness, accompanied by a band of sonic virtuosos, performing his heart out, bringing joy to all those who had the privilege to attend these concerts, this is a CD for the ages.

Well, beautiful classic rock and roll and pop music ages well because it is the timeless, age - generation- spanning qualities which prove to be there years after the initial "hit"makes it's impact. The rippling effects of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", Stevie Wonder's "Innervisions", The Beatle's "Rubber Soul" and The Beach Boy's "Pet Sounds" represent the zenith of this music's genre'. Paul McCartney's recent tour, once again affirmed the ageless wonder of music and it's ability to transform spirit, soul, body and mind into shared art. Add Brian Wilson's recent Live Pet Sounds to the list of his treasureful contribution to the musical diamond mines. Adding to the original's gorgeous arrangements, lyrics, harmonies and instrumentation is the "LIVE" element that transforms the great poetry and music into a real life experience and put's life into the art. Think of Mona Lisa walking by you and smiling that SMILE! Living, breathing art. This does not replace the studio recordings, but enhances their greatness, because those are now seen to be incredible songs, consistant with pop/rock - not simply studio wizardry and innovateness - which they also were - along with perfect prose, poetry and music. This CD is a celebration of soul and spirit, we know Brian's body and mind were tested, but this latest recent triumph light the candles on the endless birthday celebrating the art, music and weighty lightness of the great Brian Wilson!/

To me the idea of doing "Pet Sounds" live sounded fairly ridiculous. After all, the original album is a very unique recording that cannot be fully duplicated outside of a 1966 studio. Nonetheless, this 2002 concert recording turns out to be a joy. First of all, let me say that anyone who has read Brian Wilson's autobiography knows that it is a miracle that this man can even leave the house, let alone turn in a joyous performance onstage in front of a large audience. His recent concert tours, along with his most recent studio album "Imagination," show that he has made a most remarkable recovery. It is clear from listening to this CD that Brian is enjoying himself, that he loves the audience, and that they love him... all in all, a very good vibe. His band is excellent, breathing new energy into tunes that may have seemed a bit sluggish on the original album, such as the instrumental "Pet Sounds" and upbeat numbers like "I'm Waiting for the Day," "Here Today," and "I Know There's an Answer." Of course Brian's voice isn't what it once was (he is in his sixties, after all) but it still retains that curious innocence that makes it so appealing. His backup singers do a good job of recreating the Beach Boys harmonies, if sometimes lacking the sonic richness that the studio can yield. Indeed, the overall creamy sonic richness of the original is probably the thing most sorely lacking from moments of this set. The heartbeat bass doesn't throb the same way in "Don't Talk Put Your Head on My Shoulder," and the climax of "God Only Knows" doesn't lift me off the ground in the same way. But then, this is to be expected from the impossible task of turning the album into a live show. This recording is not meant to supplant the original, but to revel in it and have fun, and this it does quite well.