Photo courtesy Orlando Sentinel
Back in the stone ages, when I was in high school (we’re talking 50 years ago) my dad upgraded his hi fidelity turntable to a stereo system. Luckily, I inherited the hi-fi which was creatively fitted into my closet, along with a large, mahogany speaker. I thought I’d died and gone to rock ‘n roll heaven.
Among my Beatles, Rolling Stones, and even Johnny Mathis, albums were my favorite Beach Boys. If I turned the volume down real low, I could listen at night without disrupting the rest of the household (remember, kids, this was before ear buds). “In My Room” was a dreamy, mood lowering tune that would fill me with peace. “Round, round, get around,” would have me on my feet dancing around the room. I knew Dennis, Brian and Carl on a first name basis, in my room, of course, but never saw them in concert.
That is, until last night. Carl and Dennis are long gone but Brian Wilson and Al Jardine put on quite a show at a full house in the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. I expected to see nothing but gray-hairs in the audience but was pleasantly surprised at how many 30-somethings were in attendance. Just like us, they knew every word and seemed to appreciate the genius of this song-writer who has seen difficult times.
Al Jardine’s son, Matt, would perfectly find the notes that Brian is no longer able to hit and, seamlessly, finished verses that Brian would start. With the help of eleven other band members, the house rocked and we felt like we were transported back in time to 1966 when the Pet Sounds album was released. He saved some of the more obscure stuff for the second half after a brief intermission but bounced back with “Good Vibrations” and had everyone on their feet for “Barbara Ann” and “Help Me, Rhonda.”
I choked up seeing him walking gingerly across the stage with help from a band member, but as soon as he sat down to the piano, the old energy took over. His songs transcend time and have such a lasting effect, especially his last, “Love and Mercy”…we could all use a dose of that these days.
Though he sat out a few numbers and his speech was a bit slurred at times, he projected love for his art and had us all in the palm of his hand, hanging on every note. Let’s hope he’s around for many years to come, spreading love and mercy to all who love him.
Photo courtesy Orlando Sentinel
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