An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson

Rating:
Summary: This video is the next step in amazing return to public eye
Review: My vow of poverty (empty pockets) kept me from attending this show. Brian Wilson is amazing. Prior to 1995, he was probably struggling to figure out what to do; then, a remarriage, a documentary about him, a collaboration with VanDyke Parks, a fresh solo album, two summers of tours, and now this tribute from a handful of rock's big and little stars. BUY THIS VIDEO if only for the Harlem Boys Choir (who better to sing his music besides the BBs?), the holy trinity which performed "Surf's Up", and Vince Gill's "Warmth Of The Sun". I'm not a weepy guy, and I'd never heard Gill's voice prior to this show, and his vocals at this show brought tears to my eyes. In fact, in reading the other reviews here, just reading the reviews bring tears to my eyes, remembering Gill singing "columnated ruins domino". Sell your timeshare, cash in your IRA -- do what you have to do to buy this vid and study a musical master's work.

Rating:
Summary: Tribute to Brian DVD is a treasure
Review: The DVD is worth it if simply to hear Vince Gill sing Warmth of the Sun. Having Seen Brian Live on Tour in the past year, seeing Brian and his band on this disc is a great way for me to relive some of those moments . . . Brian is an American Treasure.

Rating:
Summary: The definitive performances
Review: The old recordings were never this good. Nostalgia is one thing, performance is something else. Except for a couple of misfires(an opera singer in Good Vibrations and an over the top Ricky Martin) this is non-stop grade-A Wilson. Most of the original recordings were in mono and as good as Brian, Carl, Mike and Al were as singers, they weren't this good. Vince Gill takes first prize with his incredible 'Warmth of the Sun.' Amy Mann and Michael Penn are right behind with a splendid '...Wasn't Made for These Times.' And with Elton John, Billy Joel and David Crosby all sounding great, these performances are just in a class by themselves. There's a bit too much talking between the songs but you can skip that. Brian's band never sounded better.

Rating:
Summary: Vince Gill steals the show
Review: There are a number of excellent performances on this tribute (Elton John, Heart and Aimee Mann/Michael Penn) but the Vince Gill version of The Warmth of the Sun is absolutely stunning. That alone is worth the price of the DVD.

Rating:
Summary: One Word : Incredible!
Review: This 2001 concert taped in New York City is a rocking concert that is a must for any fan. Brian Wilson is a genius. No doubt about it. There are no words to best describe his brilliance. Mr. Wilson himself shows up at the end of the concert to perform a few songs. While his appearence may be a little haggard, and his onstage actions are pretty much non-existent, you forget all about it once he opens his mouth. My god. It's as if it were the 60's all over again. This concert has an incredible lineup of stars. Some older, some newer. Billy Joel delivers a pitch perfect rendition of "Don't Worry Baby". As perfect as it can get. Elton John sings a brilliant version of "God Only Knows". He
appears later on to sing a duet with Brian. Vince Gill pulls a huge showstopper with his version of "The Warmth Of The Sun". A jaw droppingly beautiful performance. Other performers include Ricky Martin, Heart, The Go Go's, Carly Simon, David Crosby, Evan and Jaron, Paul Simon, Wilson Phillips. The performances are all brilliant. This is one of the greatest concerts filmed and you need to have it as part of your collection. It is essential!.

Rating:
Summary: Brian looked great!
Review: This is an excellent DVD. Brian Wilson is a talented songwriter. He looked better than I've seen him in years. It was great to see people performing at his tribute that you know were influenced by Brian's songwriting. To name a few, Billy Joel, Elton John and Vince Gill. Carney looked so proud and happy for her father. The DVD is truly entertaining and will be watched by my family over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Beach Boys - not girls
Review: This is by far my favorite concert DVD. Other than the fact that none of the women featured can carry a tune, including Elton. In my opinion Elton appeared nervous. I think Billy Joel only gets better with age. His hammond contributed greatly to the song, rather than just being a prop. Brian should have been the one to sing in my room. Vince was the show stopper! In short, loose the chicks and it would have been 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic music
Review: This is the ultimate evidence that Brian Wilson's music is the greatest american pop music ever written and composed... and that he has become one if the most annoying singer ever! Fortunately, his voice is not heard too much on this magical tribute; the contributors are amazing (Vince Gill is incredible as well as Elton...) and the arrangements are preserved. What a pleasure! It's such a shame that Brian can't no longer sing as he did in the 60's...

Rating:
Summary: GREAT Vibrations!
Review: We now own this treasured gift of music, joy and pure (quality) entertainment! BEST All-Star Tribute ever! Just a few we skip past---MANY MORE we replay over and over and OVER again. When we need our spirits lifted--we have a sure thing. Jaw-dropping performances by Vince Gill, Darius Rucker & Matthew Sweet, Billy Joel, Elton John, Heart, adorable David Crosby and the precious BRIAN WILSON. The back-up musicians, The Wondermints, are incredible. The DVD David Crosby interview is delightful. To combine the music of Brian and the Beachboys--with the voices from the late 60's, 70's and 80's is a heart-moving treat. (BEST: Warmth of the Sun, Surf's Up and Sail On Sailor...WOW!)

Rating:
Summary: some highlights and lowlights........
Review: Well, I thought that the highlights were definitely Paul Simon's guitar arrangement of Surfer Girl, Aimee Mann and Michael Penn's arrangement of "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" (nice choice), David Crosby's harmonizing and Vince Gill's amazing vocal range, and a few other moments... but I felt that the line-up picked for this tribute was not necessarily complimentary to Brian Wilson's music. The caliber of song writing that Brian was capable of didn't match the artist, and, when it did, except for a few selections, I thought it felt unrehearsed, or that the artists didn't necessarily get to pick. I really questioned why a few of the artists were even there (Ricky Martin for one, and Even and Jaron -who were lipsinging or the vocals were overdubbed later), Most disappointing for me was Matthew Sweet's duet with former Hootie lead singer Darius Rucker.... Matthew Sweet is very talented, and I expected more. I am not sure if both of them were on the same page. I have nothing against Elton John or Billy Joel, either, but their performances, and really the whole set up, made it feel like a bad grammy-award-[bad]-corporate-politic set up, when it might have been better realized as an audio cd first with better thought out performances/selections.