I was able to see Brian Wilson close out the Walt Disney summer season at the Hollywood Bowl Sunday night. I caught the orchestra, LA Philharmonic perform a Gershwin piece and then stay on for a couple tunes with Wilson’s band. It was a fun time for me, my cousin, and pal Jim. Jim’s from St.Louis and digs Chuck Berry, so he was happy to hear Johnny B. Goode and the Berry influenced/lifted Beach Boy songs. Wilson was smart to use that Berry guitar sound back in the 60s, and he’s smart now to have a firecracker band just like other old-timers like Bob Dylan. A great time was had by all.

During “Do you Want to Dance?” the orchestra’s conductor came out on stage (among others) and was dancing around like a crazy man. Wilson presided over this circus as the goofy wisecracking uncle/grandfather type he’s become. He is far from comatose. Whatever he’s on nowadays, it’s working. While he’s still reanimated, I recommend checking out his show: heavy on the hits, but featuring a few songs from his new record, including a down-tempo encore/closer “Southern California,” which followed the fireworks-backed string of “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “Surfing USA” and “Barbara Ann.”