For all the unlucky people - like me living in Paris - who have not seen and heard Brian in concert, and also for all the others, this 2 CD set is essential. I regret I can't have the right words in english to say how much this collection is great. From "Surfer girl", "California girls" and other Beach Boys first era hits, to "This whole world", "Add some music to your day" and Brian's personal tunes from his solo carreer like "Love & Mercy" and "Lay down burden", Brian and his backband invites us to a fabulous travel into emotion and joy and beauty and timeless pleasure. Beyond his well known status of "genius", Brian is certainly one of the major figure (the first for me) of the rock and pop music of the second half of 20th century. And, yes, we are in 2001 and the magic thing still works. BUY this 2 CD magic set (with two bonus tracks compare to the first issue for net only selling), this is the best buying for you in this year ! Hugues.

Before you buy this album, you should know that Brian Wilson's voice is not made of the heavenly syrup it once was, and the inclusion of one of the Beach Boys' worst singles ("Do It Again") only increases this sense that you can't go home again. That said, I am one of those people who believes Brian Wilson is a true twentieth century genius, and to see him up on stage again playing these songs after decades of abuse is a supreme joy. While his rendition of "Be My Baby" lacks the power of the original, the love and happiness with which he approaches it makes up for his cracking voice and the weak saxophone solo. The band includes the excellent pop quartet The Wondermints and members of Poi Dog Pondering, who provide a broad instrumental palate as well as vocal support. Disc 2 is really where the good stuff is, even with the somewhat disturbing inclusion of a bit of Barenaked Ladies' "Brian Wilson" (it just doesn't seem right for the man himself to be singing "lying in bed like Brian Wilson did," referring to the many years he spent locked in his bedroom, afraid of the world). "Til I Die" sounds as good as ever, and "Darlin" rocks harder than the original. Two instrumentals from "Pet Sounds" are followed by a less-than-spectacular "God Only Knows" and "Lay Down Burden," the eulogy for his brother Carl (who died in 1998). "Love and Mercy" is a wonderful way to close the album, the lead-off track from Brian's 1988 solo album (and his comeback after years of drug abuse and overeating), here it is stripped of the gross synthesizer over-production that gummed up the original and serves as a sort of closing prayer. The naive lyrics and sweet sentiment seem to be Brian's mantra, and I have to say it's a message that I take to heart. Brian Wilson brings out all that is good and squishy inside of me, so even though his current work is nowhere near as amazing sounding as what he did in the 60's, somehow he's still doing it right. I want to thank him for that.

It's like he never left...

With the assistance of the talented Wondermints, Jeff Foskett, Poi Dog Pondering's Paul Mertens, Brian Wilson releases to the general public the live performance return "Live at the Roxy"! Having been a Brian Wilson fan all of his career, this one surprised me considering the horror stories I'd heard regarding Brian's voice and his ability to perform. Not that he's up to par with the vocal gymnastics his falsetto afforded us 1963-1969, but with the talent behind him this two disc CD is an appropriate return to form and live performance for the man many call a musical genius.

A fitting capsule of his first solo tour, Live at the Roxy shows us the musical genius that the Beach Boys often left out of their live shows with tunes like "Please Let Me Wonder", "The Little Girl I Once Knew" and a healthy dose of tunes from "PET SOUNDS", including both landmark instrumentals performed perfectly by Brian's band.

For the wide eyed Brian Wilson fan this is tantamount to a greatest hits live album. For Beach Boy fans it may just be another in a long list of GREATEST HITS packaging...but once you listen you can't help but dream that this is the beginning of a new wave of music from Brian Wilson.

(Having seen "Pet Sounds Live" last year and hearing about his current reviews while supporting Paul Simon in his summer concert tout, I can honestly say we'll hear a lot more from Brian Wilson as long as he loves the music!)

Ogie D.

Taken from the best of 2 nights at L.A.'s Roxy Theatre, this 2 disc collection of live tracks performed by Brian Wilson and his band comprising both Beach Boys classics and solo gems stands as one of the most enjoyable releases to come out this year. To be honest, although I am a Beach Boys fan (falling somewhere between casual and devoted, I never really recognized the genius of this man until hearing this set. This stuff really is second to none, and outstanding renditions of "California Girls", "God Only KNows", "All Summer Long" and many others prove it. Although Wilson's voice has matured considerably, causing him to hit a couple of sour notes, he's wonderfully expressive and in virtually top form. Mention must be made of his 9 piece band as well as they're simply incredible. The recreations of the "Pet Sounds" material is nothing short of breathtaking. If you only buy one live album this year, make this it!

I was a Beach Boys fan when it wasn't cool to be. I remember traveling across the state to see them perform one 4th of July in Tampa, and having the time of my life. Not too long ago, Brian and his new band played here on their Pet Sounds Live tour. My sister took me to that concert as a birthday present, and I'm still thanking her. This album brings me back to that November night. I always loved the "Pet Sounds" album, and the fact that they were playing the whole album live was a treat. They play most of them on this disc as well, as well as many Beach Boys classics and some new songs. Knocked my socks off! The good folks at Rhino had the good sense to release this album in high resolution DVD-Audio surround sound. The mix keeps the band up front, but allows the rear speakers to provide the ambience of the Roxy as well as crowd reactions. It truly took me back to that night at the Sunrise Musical Theater (now closed, sadly) where I heard it all live. If you're a Brian Wilson fan, seek out this DVD-Audio version. Even if your DVD player doesn't support this format, you can still enjoy it in surround with Dolby Digital. It's the next best thing to being there.