Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds, Palladium, review: 'A celebration of Wilson’s masterful work'
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On the 50th anniversary of the seminal recording of The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds in 1966, tonight is the last time London will see Brian Wilson perform the album in its entirety. Pet Sounds was the product of Wilson's creative peak, a masterpiece in itself, as well as a constant source of inspiration for musicians and music fans today.
As the 73-year-old Wilson ambles onto the Palladium’s grand stage with a 10-piece band (many of whom Wilson has worked with since the 60s), he sits at the piano and opens with “Our Prayer”. Accompanied by Al Jardine (original Beach Boy) and Blondie Chaplin we get the multiple guitars, keyboards, percussion, brass and beautifully blended vocal harmonies to present Wilson's original arrangements in their rich, detailed style.
The first set sees a run of the favourites surrounding the Pet Sounds' era: “California Girls”, “I Get Around” and “Surfer Girl” invite cheery singalongs and remind us how these have become firm fixtures in the public conscience and culturally significant.
Following a short interval, the band return for the second half with Pet Sounds and open with "Wouldn’t It Be Nice". Triggered by a cascading harp melody, Al Jardine's son, Matt, lends his falsetto vocals and again blends them smoothly with Wilson’s on “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)”. The heartwarming highlight, “God Only Knows”, is sung by Wilson alone, the delicate hymnal followed up by the equally poignant, "I Guess I Just Wasn't Made for These Times".
Returning for the encore, we look back to the young Beach Boys' candy-stripe days in a flurry of sunshine hits. “Good Vibrations” is still pumping with youthful energy, while “Surfin' USA,” “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “Barbara Ann” all get the audience dancing and singing along until we finish with “Love & Mercy”. The title track to Wilson's 1988 solo debut effectively sums up his message tonight of love and looking to the future.
The 10-strong group find an extraordinary balance tonight, maintaining the pace with tenacity and faithful reverence. It's not just a night of celebration of Wilson’s masterful work but a reminder that at the time when he was locked in a studio, refusing to perform and struggling with his own fragile psyche, he is now able to bid farewell to the record by allowing himself to see it being received first hand with the same passion, love and energy people have for his work 50 years on.
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